Vietnam President To Lam Visits Laos, Strengthening 62-Year Cooperation with New Agreements, Initiatives

President of Vietnam, To Lam, visited Laos on 11-12 July, receiving a warm welcome from President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith.

The visit aimed to enhance a robust relationship between the two nations, celebrating 62 years of cooperation. The two presidents signed seven agreements at the National Assembly In Vientiane to continue the development of economic, business, and inter-governmental relations.

Laos and Vietnam trade amounted to USD 476.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, marking a 12 percent increase compared to the previous year, making Vietnam one of the top three foreign investors in Laos. Vietnam has invested in 245 projects in Laos, totaling USD 5.5 billion.

Additionally, the two leaders launched the citizen and ID database project during a ceremony attended by high-ranking delegates. President To Lam also provided 20 Vinfast cars to assist Laos in hosting the ASEAN Chairmanship 2024. 

On the same day in the morning, the president of Vietnam, To Lam laid a wreath at the Unknown Soldier Monument in Vientiane to show respect to soldiers who passed away with sacrifice. The two sides also discussed and exchanged their countries’ economic perspectives and international issues.

President Lam paid a visit to Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) in Vientiane to strengthen the cooperation between the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and LFNC. He emphasized the importance of the cooperation agreement signed by the two organizations for the period of 2022 to 2026 and encouraged collaboration in various areas such as ethnic affairs and public engagement.

The Vietnamese president also visited former senior leaders of Laos including former Party General Secretaries and Presidents of Laos Choummaly Sayasone and Bounnhang Vorachith as well as former Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong to express gratitude to the host. He also visited a telecom joint venture in Laos as part of his ongoing visit in Laos. 

In the evening, President Thongloun Sisoulith hosted a dinner to welcome President To Lam and his delegation.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/12/vietnam-president-to-lam-visits-laos-strengthening-62-year-cooperation-with-new-agreements-initiatives/

Vientiane Sees Over 20 Percent Surge in Tourist Numbers in First Half of 2024

Vientiane Capital welcomed a total of 674,196 visitors in the first six months of this year, including international and domestic tourists.

This surge in number has resulted in an increase of tourists by 26.31 percent and a 44.02 percent rise in revenue compared to the same period last year, as reported by a state media.

Viengphone Keokhounsee, the head of the Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism in Vientiane Capital, emphasized during a meeting on 9 July that the authorities has been making efforts to boost tourism since the launch of “Visit Laos Year 2024” at the That Luang festival last year. 

These efforts consist of improving infrastructures, enhancing tourist service, promoting tourism, and close collaboration with various sectors, including the government and businesses. Viengphone expressed optimism that ongoing developments in the tourism sector will attract an even larger number of tourists in the next half of the year.

As Visit Laos Year 2024 is on the run, the country has seen a substantial rise in tourism numbers across provinces. In the northern Laos, Oudomxay Province saw an increase in tourists to over 113,000 visitors in the first half of 2024 which is higher than the previous year and only attracted 107,000 visitors in the first nine months.

Additionally, in the first three months of this year, Laos welcomed over 1.1 million international tourist arrivals, with top arrivals from Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Laos is targeting to welcome over 4,6 million international visitors and generate estimated revenue of USD 1.3 billion.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/10/vientiane-sees-over-20-percent-surge-in-tourist-numbers-in-first-half-of-2024/

Oudomxay Province Sees Tourism Boom in First Half of 2024

Oudomxay Province experienced a tourism boom in the first half of 2024, attracting over 113,000 visitors and generating more than USD 6.5 million in revenue, as recently revealed by Oudomxay Governor Bounkhong Larchiemphone.

This surge in visitors marks a substantial increase compared to the previous year. According to a report from the Tourism Development Department, in the first nine months of 2023, the province welcomed only 107,000 visitors, comprising both domestic and international tourists.

Oudomxay is often referred to as the “heart of northern Laos” due to its central location among the northern provinces. Tourists can reach this city by airplane, train, or bus.

Governor Bounkhong highlighted the provincial authorities’ efforts over the past six months to improve tourism services. 

Another notable achievement includes the Namkat Yora Pa Resort, recently awarded a prestigious 5-star certification. This resort is also home to the Namkat Yora Pa Biodiversity Museum, the first of its kind in Laos and only the third globally.

Additionally, the Charming Lao Hotel and Le Grand Pak Bang Resort earned ASEAN Green Standard certification for their sustainable practices in January this year. 

Lastly, the province is known for its cultural diversity, home to 12 ethnic minorities including the Khmu, Akha, Hmong, Lowland Lao, and Tai Lue. Each group preserves its own language, cultural heritage, and lifestyle.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/09/oudomxay-province-sees-tourism-boom-in-first-half-of-2024/

Thai Tourists Go Cashless in Laos with New QR Payments

Thai tourists visiting Laos can now conveniently scan QR codes to pay for goods and services, thanks to a new cross-border payment system recently launched between the two countries.

The service, announced on 5 July, is available specifically to users of the Thai Bank of Ayudhya, also known as Krungsri, making it the first Thai commercial bank to offer this convenience through its KMA Krungsri app.

In Laos, this payment service is accessible through 17 participating banks, including Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL), Agricultural Promotion Bank (APB), Joint Development Bank (JDB), Lao Development Bank (LDB), Lao Viet Bank (LVB), ST Bank (STB), and Allied Bank (ABL), among others, as stated by the Lao National Payment Network.

While, currently, only one Thai bank with cross-border QR payment is available in Laos, the Bank of Thailand has announced plans to add three more banks, including Kasikorn Bank (KBank), Bangkok Bank (BBL), and Krungthai Bank (KTB), in the fourth quarter of this year.

The service is part of an agreement signed earlier this year between the two nations, aimed at enhancing accessibility and innovation in financial services. In early April, the agreement allowed Lao tourists visiting Thailand and workers to make QR payments in Thailand through participating banks.

The Bank of Thailand has noted positive feedback for this QR code payment service, with transactions by Lao nationals totaling more than THB 47 million (over USD 1.2 million) in April alone.

The QR code cross-border payment system is part of Laos’ strategy to enhance regional money transfers and payments with neighboring nations such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Laos has also established a similar payment network with Cambodia, launched in August 2023. Looking ahead, the country plans to introduce another comparable service with Vietnam in August to boost tourism and enhance economic exchanges between the two countries.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/08/thai-tourists-go-cashless-in-laos-with-new-qr-payments/

New Train Service from Bangkok to Vientiane Starts 19 July

A new international train service between Bangkok and Vientiane, Laos, will begin on 19 July, according to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

The train will depart from Bangkok Central Station at 9:25 pm on 19 July and arrive at Vientiane’s Khamsavath Station at 9:05 am the next day. This new service marks the extension of the existing Bangkok-Nong Khai route, facilitating a more direct and convenient travel option between the two capitals.

The travel time from Bangkok to Nong Khai is approximately 10 hours, followed by an additional 20 minutes from Nong Khai to Vientiane. Ticket prices for a one-way trip from Bangkok to Vientiane are expected to start at around THB 300 (LAK 180,365, or USD 8.19) for a third-class fan seat.

Upon arrival in Vientiane, travelers can use public transport options as well as van and taxi services to reach downtown Vientiane, located approximately 8 kilometers away.

The introduction of this service is the result of close collaboration between the SRT and Lao National Railways, aiming to promote tourism and enhance logistics between the two countries. Prior to the launch, a successful trial service was conducted between 18 to 20 May, connecting Thailand’s Udon Thani and Nong Khai stations, and Laos’ Thanalaeng and Vientiane stations.

The Lao-Thai Railway Project started construction in 2013 and was originally slated for completion by the end of 2021. However, delays in the Khamsavath Station project extended its completion to 2023.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/04/new-train-service-from-bangkok-to-vientiane-starts-19-july/

Laos Adopts New Laws to Boost Socio-Economic Growth

The National Assembly (NA) of Laos has officially adopted 13 laws aimed at enhancing the country’s socio-economic growth. This decision followed extensive debates among NA members regarding the effective implementation of these legislations.

The approval encompasses two new laws and revisions to 11 existing laws. The newly introduced legislations include the Cooperative Law and the Law on Medicinal Resources.

The new Cooperative Law aims to empower farmers by improving their access to international markets, thereby supporting agricultural growth. Meanwhile, the Law on Medicinal Resources addresses several issues including the unregulated collection and distribution of medicinal materials. It also aims to integrate traditional medicine into the national health system for sustainable practices.

Other revised laws are the Anti-Corruption Law, Environmental Protection Law, National Assembly Law, Provincial People’s Councils Law, Election Law for National Assembly and Provincial Council Members, HIV/AIDS Prevention Law, Value-Added Tax Law, Fire Prevention Law, Investment Promotion Law, Tourism Law, and Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Law.

Vice President of the NA and Chairman of the Lao Law Committee, Chaleun Yiapaoher, announced this on 1 July.

The Law Commission will further collaborate with relevant bodies to refine and finalize the new regulations. Once this process is complete, the Standing Committee of the NA will review the amendments before recommending them for official promulgation by the President.

According to Chaleun, these laws are designed to strengthen state, economic, and social management, and establish a comprehensive system that protects the rights of all citizens and legal entities in Laos.

To ensure effective implementation, Chaleun urged all sectors, including government ministries, officials, state employees, private enterprises, and the public, to familiarize themselves with these laws. He stressed the importance of active participation from all sectors to achieve tangible results and foster a culture of compliance across Laos.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/02/laos-adopts-new-laws-to-boost-socio-economic-growth/

Laos Kicks Off Green Bus Trials to Boost Public Transport in Four Provinces

Several provinces in Laos have commenced trials of new public “green bus” transportation services aimed at enhancing local infrastructure and reducing traffic congestion.

The buses are part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Lao government and South Korea’s Booyoung Lao Company Limited, signed in June 2023 to provide 600 buses aimed at enhancing public transportation across Laos. 

Attapeu Province

The latest initiative involves launching green bus trials to improve public transportation in urban areas and local districts in Attapeu Province. The Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport signed an agreement with Khamkai Transportation Service Company on 27 June to start trial runs of 10 green buses.

The public bus service runs from the Samukkhixay district bus station to the International Border Crossing, with the first bus departing at 8:30 am and the second at 9:30 am. Return trips depart at 1:00 pm.

Other routes include service from Samukkhixay district bus station to Sivilay village, Phousafong temple, Sakhae temple, Lathsati village, Tadseng village, and urban areas of Sanxay district. The first bus departs at 8:30 am and returns at 9:30 am, with the second bus departing and returning at 1:00 pm. From Samukhixay district to Sanamxay district, two buses depart from each station at 9:00 am, with return trips at 1:00 pm.

Champasack Province

Champasack Province also introduced green bus services on 17 June to offer affordable transport options. Sixteen routes connect Pakse district urban areas with surrounding villages, providing comprehensive coverage throughout the day and improving accessibility within the province.

In Pakse district, three routes run from Km 7 North transport station to Km 8 South station, Salakham Port to Daohueang Market, and Daohueang Market to Km 8 South. All three routes start at 6:30 am, operating every two hours, with fares ranging from LAK 5,000 to LAK 20,000.

The public bus service also includes 16 additional routes connecting Pakse with nearby districts and villages. These routes run from Daohueang Market to Km 14 Market, Viengxay School, Ngouadeang village, Khampeng village in Sanasomboun District, Batiengchaleunsouk district, Paksong district, Phonthong village and district, Vang Tao Border Cross Checkpoint, Vat Phou, Soukhoumma district, Pathouphone district, Mounlapamok district, and Khong district. Most routes start at 6:00 am, with fares ranging from LAK 15,000 to LAK 110,000.

Xaysomboun Province

In central Lao’s Xaysomboun Province, the Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport initiated a trial of 20 buses for public transport services on 14 May. Initially scheduled to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the buses cover various urban areas free of charge, including Aom, Ao, Nammo, and Namyone villages.

Bolikhamxay Province

Additionally, Bolikhamxay Province also allocated a total of 20 new buses across various routes to cater to educational and community needs. Thirteen buses were distributed on key routes such as Paksan-Vientiane Capital, Paksan-Lak 20, and Paksan-Viengthong district, among others.

Meanwhile, four buses were allocated to the Department of Education and Sports for Bolikhamxay Technical-Vocational School. These buses are designated for student transportation, including trial services for student internships, study tours, and other educational activities, as well as for teachers and athletes during sports competitions. Additionally, the remaining three buses are reserved by the Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport for a one-year trial period.

As many provinces launch trail public bus services, the Lao government marks these initiatives as significant steps toward improving public transport infrastructure in Laos, aiming to provide more convenient and sustainable transportation options for residents and visitors alike.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/01/laos-kicks-off-green-bus-trials-to-boost-public-transport-in-four-provinces/

Laos Extends Visa Exemptions to Boost Visit Laos Year 2024

ARTICLE UPDATED ON 27 JUNE, 2024 AT 4:04 PM

To bolster tourism in the second half of Visit Laos Year 2024, the Lao government is set to introduce a new policy granting free visas to Chinese visitors, announced Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Darany Phommavongsa, on 24 June.

This policy specifically targets Chinese travelers who book their trips through accredited travel agencies. The government is also planning to offer multiple-entry visas and extend the duration of stays from 30 days to 60 days for visitors from other countries from across the world.

According to an official document released shortly after the announcement, further visa exemptions will soon be available for travelers holding passports from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, allowing a stay of up to 15 days. These exemptions can be obtained through travel agencies accredited by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

However, travelers holding Taiwanese passports are still required to obtain a visa slip, which will be issued upon arrival and must be returned when they leave the country.

Additionally, the Lao government will offer multiple-entry visas and extend the duration of stays from 30 days to 60 days for visitors from Australia, New Zealand, The United States, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Citizens of these countries can then request multiple-entry Lao visas through their respective Lao embassies or consulates. If a visitor obtains their visa through a Lao immigration office or online, they will be granted only one-time access to the country for a duration of up to 60 days.

For travelers from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Spain, and Greece, the visa requirement will be waived for the first visit for up to 15 days if they travel for tourism purposes.

Meanwhile, Thai visitors with a “Border Pass” or “Temporary Border Pass”, an identification document that is used in place of a passport or an ID as agreed between two countries, can now stay in Laos for up to ten days, an increase from the previous three days. Travelers from Vietnam holding similar identification documents are allowed to stay in Laos for up to 15 days.

Thai and Vietnamese visitors who enter Laos using a travel-accredited agency may travel to three neighboring provinces close to the province they first arrive in. However, they must exit the country through the same entry point.

This policy will be effective from 1 July until the end of this year.

Government Efforts to Boost Tourism During Visit Laos Year 2024

During an interview with ASEAN and Chinese media in Vientiane on 24 June, Darany emphasized that the government is currently enhancing road infrastructure in transit areas and improving access roads to popular attractions such as Vang Vieng in Vientiane Province, Kong in Champasack Province, and other areas across Laos.

As part of the plan, Darany also mentioned that the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT) is working closely with local authorities and the tourism sector along the railway. The goal is to upgrade current tourist sites to international standards, highlighting the significant role of the Laos-China railway in attracting visitors from China. This also involves installing directional signs both in Lao and foreign languages along transit routes to assist self-driving visitors arriving from the China border.

This initiative by the Lao government aims to increase the number of visitors from China to Laos, as Chinese tourists already rank among the top visitors to the country. In the first three months of this year, Laos welcomed over 242,000 Chinese tourists, making China the third largest source of foreign tourist arrivals after Thailand and Vietnam. Throughout 2023, Laos saw a total of more than 641,000 Chinese tourists visiting the country.

The plan follows a proposal by members of the Lao National Assembly during their 7th Ordinary Session on 10 June to introduce visa waivers for more countries. Saithong Xaiyaong, a member from Champasak Province, emphasized the economic advantages of these waivers and called for careful consideration of which countries and visitors would benefit the most.

Currently, Laos provides visa exemptions to nationals from 36 countries. The specifics of these exemptions depend on whether they hold diplomatic, service, or regular passports.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/25/laos-extends-visa-exemptions-to-boost-visit-laos-year-2024/

Laos, Vietnam to Launch Cross-Border QR Payment Service in August

Laos and Vietnam will launch a cross-border QR payment service to enhance tourism and economic exchanges between the two nations. The service is expected to commence in early August this year.

Bounluea Sinxayvoravong, the Governor of the Bank of Laos, revealed this plan during the 7th session of the National Assembly. 

The initiative, a cooperation between the Bank of Laos and the State Bank of Vietnam, seeks to streamline financial transactions for tourists visiting the two countries, as well as to facilitate businesses across borders.

Thousands of Vietnamese tourists travel to Laos annually. Earlier this year, Vietnam ranked second among the top foreign arrivals in Laos, with more than 263,000 visitors out of the over 1.1 million foreign tourists visiting Laos.

The QR code cross-border payment system is part of Laos’ broader plan to improve regional money transfers and payments with its neighboring countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Recently, Laos launched a similar QR code payment system with Thailand, initially allowing Lao visitors and workers to make QR payments between Laos and Thailand through participating banks, while plans are in place for Thai tourists to utilize the service in Laos from July onwards, according to Bounluea.

The bank’s governor also mentioned that this payment system could positively impact the Lao economy. Particularly, if a high number of tourists uses it, a significant amount of foreign currency will flow directly to the Bank of Laos, helping to stabilize the exchange rate set by the central bank.

In August 2023, Laos and Cambodia also launched a cross-border payment system, enabling visitors to use their local currencies, Lao kip and Khmer riel, via QR codes while traveling.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/18/laos-vietnam-to-launch-cross-border-qr-payment-service-in-august/

Hungary Reopens Embassy in Laos After Three Decades

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Laos’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saleumxay Kommasith, inaugurated the reopening of Hungary’s embassy in Vientiane on 14 June, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing diplomatic relations between the two nations.

In a ribbon-cutting event held at the Royal Square building, the newly reopened embassy marks Hungary’s renewed commitment to fostering closer political and economic ties with Laos. This establishment, located next to the Crowne Plaza Vientiane on Samsenthai Road, positions Hungary as the fourth European Union (EU) member country with an embassy in Laos after Germany, France, and Luxembourg.

Hungary previously operated an embassy in Laos from 1975 to 1991, until the fall of the Soviet Union.Three decades later, the two countries are reunited in Laos.

Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Szijjártó emphasized the importance of mutual respect and dialogue in overcoming the geographical distance between the two countries. He highlighted the shared histories of struggle for freedom, which underpin the strong bilateral relations.

Minister Szijjártó’s visit coincides with Laos’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year. He stressed the significance of engaging with Laos to enhance the relationship between the Southeast Asian bloc and Europe with Hungary set to assume the EU chairmanship on 1 July.

According to Szijjártó, Hungarian investments in Laos have grown substantially, totaling around USD 200 million in recent years. These investments mainly focus on agriculture, water management, and public administration development. Bilateral trade has also seen a fifty-fold increase this year, showcasing the success of their cooperation, the Hungarian minister stressed.

At the event, minister Saleumxay praised the visit, which he described as a milestone in enriching relations and cooperation. He expressed gratitude for Hungary’s support and reiterated the commitment to further extend reciprocal assistance through multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations, ASEAN-Hungary, and ASEAN-EU.

The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement highlighting the reopening of the embassy as a symbol of the shared desire to strengthen the diplomatic relationship established over six decades ago.

A notable aspect of Hungary’s support to Laos has been in education. Over the years, approximately 300 Lao students have studied in Hungarian universities. Many graduates now hold significant positions in Laos’s public administration, particularly in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/17/hungary-reopens-embassy-in-laos-after-three-decades/