Lao Government Discusses Tourist Visa Exemptions to Attract More Visitors

The Lao government should consider visa waivers for additional countries to attract more tourists, as proposed by Lao National Assembly (NA) members during the ongoing 7th Ordinary Session on 10 June.

The tourism industry has made a substantial contribution to the economy of Laos in recent years. As a result, Saithong Xaiyaong, a member of the National Assembly from Champasack Province, suggested that visa waivers could attract more tourists to Laos. He urged the Lao government to carefully evaluate which countries and visitors could benefit from such a policy.

He urged the government to streamline visa requirements and the visa process for visitors.

Meanwhile, Saithong also emphasized the need for Laos to upgrade its tourism infrastructure, enhance facilities at tourist sites, and implement higher standards at restaurants, hotels, and popular attractions. He noted that these improvements could create a positive impression on visitors and encourage them to revisit Laos.

Currently, Laos grants visa exemptions to citizens of 36 countries. However, the exemptions can vary depending on whether they hold diplomatic, service, or ordinary passports, as stated by the Department of Immigration of Laos.

These countries include Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cuba, the Czech Republic, North Korea, Ecuador, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Russia, Serbia, Slovak, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.

Last year, Laos moved up slightly to 93rd place on the Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on the number of countries their holders can access without a visa.

Tourism experts believe that expanding these visa waivers to more countries could significantly boost tourist arrivals in Laos. In the first three months of this year, Laos experienced a 36 percent increase in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year, with over 1.1 million visitors, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. The statistics, revealed by the Tourism Marketing Department of the ministry, highlight that the largest numbers of tourists came from Thailand, Vietnam, China, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and Germany.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/14/lao-government-discusses-tourist-visa-exemptions-to-attract-more-visitors/

Luang Namtha Boosts Tourism with New Attraction Study

Luang Namtha Province is actively enhancing its tourist sites to attract both foreign and national tourists. The province is particularly popular in winter, drawing visitors to its ethnic villages and temples.

Recently, the provincial authorities, in collaboration with the Lao Private Import-Export Trade and Service Company, also signed an agreement to conduct a feasibility study to enhance natural and historical tourism in the province.

The agreement includes an 18-month study in Natuey village, Luang Namtha district, covering 149 hectares. The goal is to identify new potential tourist attractions in the area.

This year, as Visit Laos Year 2024 unfolds, the province has a variety of activities planned to welcome visitors. Highlights include Boat Racing in October across several districts, the Xieng Teung Stupa Festival in November, and the Luang Namtha Stupa Festival in December. Other festivities include exploring the Khmu Festival in Nalae district and the Akha Festival in Long district.

Visitors can enjoy popular activities such as trekking, kayaking, hiking, and camping. These activities offer diverse experiences, such as exploring the Nam Ha Biodiversity Conservation Area and encountering ethnic communities like the Akha, Tai Lue, and Yao in Sing district, as well as the Khmu, Akha, and Hmong villagers in Vieng Phoukha and Long districts.

Additionally, to further boost tourism in the province, authorities and a local business have plans to build a restaurant, resort, and guesthouse at the popular Tad Namdee waterfall, while also introducing adventure activities at the site.

The Tad Namdee waterfall is a key attraction in the province, drawing visitors interested in the traditional lifestyle of the local ethnic group, especially the Lanten people who maintain their customs, traditional dress, and handicrafts.

Located approximately 620 kilometers from Vientiane Capital, Luang Namtha is accessible by plane, the Laos-China Railway, and bus.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/12/luang-namtha-boosts-tourism-with-new-attraction-study/

Human Capital, Green Sustainability: Two Priorities for Laos’ Future Economic Model

Laos is currently facing challenges transitioning from commodity-driven growth to a more inclusive prosperity model, reveals a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The report, titled “Multi-dimensional Country Review (MDCR) of Lao PDR,” was launched on 6 June in Vientiane Capital. It highlights the country’s development journey, noting sustained economic growth of over 7 percent annually from 2000 to 2019, driven by strong commodity exports and substantial external financing.

The report shows that foreign direct investment (FDI) increased in Laos from USD 187.4 million in 2006 to USD 1.69 billion in 2017. During this period, extreme poverty dropped from 25 percent to 7 percent, while household income, education, and healthcare also saw significant improvements.

However, Laos now faces challenges with its current development model, worsened by the impact of COVID-19, which has increased food and energy prices. Debt-financed investments, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), have fueled growth, but slow government revenue growth hinders the country’s ability to manage its growing debt and invest in human capital.

Moreover, economic growth and investment have been unevenly distributed, with certain sectors and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) dominating opportunities. Most of the workforce is still in informal sectors, and environmental issues including deforestation and air pollution continue.

To address these challenges, the report suggests a shift towards human capital development and green sustainability. This includes reducing the debt burden to create fiscal space, reforming the tax system to boost revenue, improving access to resources and infrastructure to attract sustainable investments, and increasing investment in education, healthcare, and social services.

Additionally, the report also emphasizes the need to enhance data collection and institutional capacity for green and climate finance, along with improving coordination among government agencies and development stakeholders.

As Laos navigates this critical juncture, the adoption of comprehensive reforms outlined in the MDCR could pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/06/human-capital-green-sustainability-two-priorities-for-laos-future-economic-model/

Thailand Interested in Building Sixth Friendship Bridge to Laos

Thailand has confirmed its intention to build a sixth friendship bridge connecting the country to Laos over the Mekong River. This bridge would link Ubon Ratchathani in northeastern Thailand with Salavanh Province in Laos.

In recent discussions between Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, the potential construction of this new bridge was a key topic, as reported by Lao state media.

During the dialogue, which occurred during Maris’s visit to Laos on 30 May, both foreign ministers agreed to uphold the existing agreements between their respective countries.

The concept of a bridge between Ubon Ratchathani and Salavanh was initially proposed during Thai-Lao Joint Commission talks in November 2021.

If approved, this bridge would mark the sixth crossing between Thailand and Laos, with the fifth one nearly completed. The Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, connecting Bolikhamxay Province in Laos to Bueng Kan Province in Thailand across the Mekong River, has recently been reported as 69 percent complete and is anticipated to be fully finished by November this year.

Other Lao-Thai bridges include those between Vientiane Capital and Nong Khai, Savannakhet and Mukdahan, Khammouane and Nakhon Phanom, and Bokeo and Chiang Rai.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/06/thailand-interested-in-building-sixth-friendship-bridge-to-laos/

Bamboo Rockets Light Up Vientiane’s Skies in Annual Festival

Villages and communities across Vientiane Province came together to participate in the popular  Rocket Festival, also known as “Bun Bang Fai,” building large bamboo rockets adorned with bright colors and unique designs and launching them into the sky. The festival is celebrated yearly to call for rain for successful cultivation showing the event’s deep-rooted agricultural significance.

What is Bun Bang Fai?

Held in various parts of the country, the Rocket Festival is a lively event celebrated annually in the 6th month of the lunar calendar, typically falling between May and June each year. This aligns with the agricultural cycle and reflects the meaning of this festival as a plea for a prosperous harvest season.

Rocket Festival in Laos

Rockets are traditionally made from bamboo stuffed with gunpowder, however, the festival has evolved with the times, and today’s rockets incorporate materials such as glass or metal piping. Despite this shift in materials, the rockets maintain their diverse size range, from small handheld rockets to towering structures that demand several people to lift. 

But the festival’s connection to agriculture is not merely symbolic. The rockets are the villagers’ prayers for abundant rainfall, which is crucial for a successful harvest season. According to local belief, the louder and higher the rockets fly, the more likely the rain gods are to answer their prayers. This belief gives rise to friendly yet fierce competition among the villagers, each striving to create the rocket that will soar the highest and loudest.

The Celebration:

Before the festival, each village forms a committee to plan every detail, from inviting other villages to setting rules to drafting safety measures. The event also offers prizes for various contests, such as the most beautifully decorated rocket and the highest-flying rocket.

On the other hand, families and friends also gather before the festival to prepare for the event, crafting rockets of all shapes and sizes.

On the big day, the towns kick off a fierce competition as villages gather in open fields to launch their bamboo rockets. Judges score them based on height, decoration, and entertainment value. The entertainment category includes teams dressing up in wild costumes and performing all sorts of acts to entertain the crowds.

In addition to the rocket launches, the festival also features colorful parades, traditional performances, and other competitions, adding to the festive atmosphere. Additionally, during the celebrations, residents and visitors can enjoy various traditional foods.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/04/bamboo-rockets-light-up-vientianes-skies-in-annual-festival/

Laos, Singapore, Cambodia Unite to Facilitate Cross-Border Electricity Trade

Singapore, Cambodia, and Laos have formed a working group to push cross-border electricity trade, inching closer to the ASEAN Power Grid vision. 

On 3 June, the Ministries of Trade and Industry of Singapore, Energy and Mines of Laos, and Mines and Energy of Cambodia shook hands and kicked off the working group, setting up three main goals. 

The team will create a comprehensive framework to support the development of cross-border electricity trading projects within ASEAN, starting with collaboration between the three countries.

The group will also streamline regulatory processes and licensing procedures for generating, exporting, and importing electricity. This includes simplifying the application and permitting processes for subsea surveys and the installation of cross-border subsea power cables.

Finally, the members will explore ways to facilitate commercial agreements and promote the development of generation and transmission infrastructure, ensuring smooth cross-border electricity trading among the three nations.

The inaugural meeting of the working group was co-chaired by Singapore’s Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng, Laos’ Vice-Minister for Energy and Mines Chansaveng Boungnong, and Cambodia’s Minister for Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak.

During the gathering, Vice-Minister Chansaveng highlighted the project’s importance for Laos, emphasizing its role in achieving the ASEAN Power Grid and leveraging the country’s green energy resources to meet regional clean energy goals. He expressed hope that the project would attract further investment in renewable energy in both Laos and the region.

Tan also expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting that the working group aims to create a framework for cross-border electricity trade and address subsea power cable issues in ASEAN. He further encouraged other regional partners to join the initiative.

Minister Rottanak from Cambodia echoed this enthusiasm, noting that their efforts to advance the ASEAN Power Grid and share clean energy efficiently set a strong example. He hoped the partnership would inspire other ASEAN nations to join in building a sustainable and interconnected energy network.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/06/04/laos-singapore-cambodia-unite-to-facilitate-cross-border-electricity-trade/

LOCA Secures Funding from ADB Frontier to Expand Electric Vehicles Fleet, Charging Network

LOCA, Laos’s leading mobility service provider, has received significant funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through ADB Frontier, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This investment will enable LOCA to expand its electric vehicle (EV) fleet and EV charging network across the country.

Founded in 2018, LOCA announced its EV ambition in 2021 when Laos had only 40 EVs. Today, the company operates a fleet of 1,000 drivers, including 600 EV drivers and 150 women drivers. LOCA aims to achieve 100 percent EV integration by 2030 and will cease accepting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles after 2025.

Souliyo Vongdala, Co-founder and CEO of LOCA (photo supplied)

“This funding from ADB Frontier, supported by USAID, is a huge boost for LOCA and the future of e-mobility in Laos,” said Souliyo Vongdala, Co-founder and CEO of LOCA. “It validates our vision and strengthens our resolve to create a cleaner, greener transportation network.”

With Laos adding 500 new EVs each month, LOCA’s platform now hosts over 10 percent of the country’s EVs. The company is a leader in the EV charging market, capturing over 80 percent of all EV drivers. With 24 charging stations already operational and plans to reach 40 by the end of 2024, LOCA is driving the charge towards a more sustainable future.

Phonepasong Mixab, Co-founder and Co-CEO of LOCA (photo supplied)

“The support from ADB and USAID not only empowers us to expand our fleet but also to enhance our charging infrastructure, ensuring that EV drivers have the necessary support and convenience,” added Phonepasong Mixab, Co-founder and Co-CEO of LOCA. “This is a crucial step in our mission to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly transportation in Laos.”

LOCA’s commitment to sustainability and innovation has earned widespread support from drivers, customers, and its dedicated team. This new funding is set to accelerate LOCA’s efforts, providing the necessary resources to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and charging stations.

“This investment is a testament to the incredible progress we’ve made in a short time,” said Souliyo Vongdala. “We are incredibly grateful to our drivers, customers, and team for their unwavering support. Together, we are driving towards a greener and more sustainable future for Laos.”

With this funding, LOCA is poised to continue leading the charge in the e-mobility revolution in Laos, setting a high standard for sustainable transportation solutions in the region.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/27/loca-secures-funding-from-adb-frontier-to-expand-electric-vehicles-fleet-charging-network/

Regional Partners Cooperate to Enhance Disaster Monitoring, Response in ASEAN

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) have agreed to deepen their engagement, which will bridge the gap between disaster monitoring and response across Southeast Asia.

During a working visit to Jakarta on 17 May, a delegation of officials from the MRC Member Countries and Secretariat headed by the Chief Executive Officer, Anoulak Kittikhoun, signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) with the AHA Centre, represented by Executive Director Lee Yam Ming.

The MOI aims to formalize the partnership between these two inter-governmental agencies in disaster monitoring, forecasting, and response; joint training and capacity building; mutual exchange of expertise and experience; and other technical cooperation, including scientific research. It is under the umbrella of the ASEAN-MRC Cooperation Framework.

“This MOI represents a major step in uniting our expertise and resources,” Kittikhoun said. “It bridges the critical gap between disaster monitoring and disaster response, ensuring our region is better prepared for emergencies and our vulnerable communities are better protected.”

Sharing Kittikhoun’s perspective, the AHA Centre’s Executive Director expressed similar sentiments.

“The MOI marks a significant milestone in the history of AHA Centre-MRC relations,” Lee said. “We want to make a positive impact on the people of ASEAN, through better exchange of data and information on disaster monitoring that will make a difference in our disaster preparedness and response endeavors.”

In 2022, Asia experienced 137 out of the 388 global disasters, impacting more than 64 million people and causing almost USD 50 million in damages, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Floods were particularly common, accounting for about 40 percent of all natural disasters worldwide and nearly 70 percent of disasters in ASEAN from 2012 to 2022.

The AHA Centre, with its partners, facilitates cooperation and coordination among ASEAN Member States for disaster management and emergency response in the region. The MRC

acts as a regional platform for water diplomacy and a knowledge hub, promoting dialogue and cooperation in the Lower Mekong River Basin, and providing vital services such as monitoring water levels and forecasting floods and droughts in the Mekong.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/24/regional-partners-cooperate-to-enhance-disaster-monitoring-response-in-asean/

Laos Expands Telecommunications Network, Reaching Remote Villages

Laos has achieved a big step in its telecommunications system by adding fiber optic cable that stretches 98,524 kilometers. This means more villages across the country can now get mobile phone signals.

As of now, over 6.1 million mobile phone numbers across Laos have been issued, enabling internet usage, with the public opening more than 4.6 million accounts. Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara highlighted these achievements during a press conference for the 159th anniversary of the World Telecommunication and Information Society on 17 May.

With a specific count of 6,113,455 registered mobile phone numbers, the Ministry of Technology and Communications aims to increase this figure to 6.5 million soon. Also, there are 4,614,752 registered internet users, approaching the ministry’s target of 4.7 million accounts.

Boviengkham reported that mobile phone coverage has expanded to reach 8,245 villages across 148 districts in 18 provinces, covering 97 percent of villages nationwide, with the majority of network users utilizing 3G and 4G access. Meanwhile, the introduction of 5G high-speed internet earlier this year in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Bokeo provinces also represents a significant advancement in connectivity.

Currently, Laos hosts five telecommunication service providers and over 20 internet companies, contributing to the country’s economy. In 2023 alone, these entities generated over LAK 5 trillion (USD 234 million) in revenue and paid more than LAK 391 billion (USD 18 million) in taxes to the government.

Additionally, in terms of regional connectivity, Laos has also strengthened its ties with neighboring countries, boasting 18 transmission links, including six with Thailand, five with Vietnam, two with Cambodia and Myanmar each, and three with China.

As World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed both globally and locally, it acknowledges the transformative impact of digital innovation. This innovation holds the potential to empower education by breaking down barriers through online platforms, revolutionizing healthcare through telemedicine, and fostering connections within communities through social media.

However, despite these advancements, millions still lack access to digital tools.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/22/laos-expands-telecommunications-network-reaching-remote-villages/

North Korea’s World Cup Qualifiers Moved from Pyongyang to Laos

North Korea’s World Cup qualifying matches against Syria and Myanmar have been relocated from Pyongyang, North Korea, to Vientiane, Laos. This decision marks the third and fourth time in recent months that international football matches have been moved out of North Korea.

Originally scheduled to take place at the Kim Il Sung Stadium on 6 and 11 June, both matches will now be held at the Lao National Stadium, also known as KM 16, as confirmed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

While the Syrian Football Association (SFA) did not specify the reason for the move, NK News reported that Syria requested a neutral venue following their previous home match against North Korea in Saudi Arabia, which they won 1-0.

An official from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Football Association indicated in late April that the games would likely proceed as planned in Pyongyang. 

However, on 13 May, the AFC website designated the National Stadium of Laos as the new venue for both matches.

This relocation poses a challenge to North Korea’s World Cup aspirations. However, Korean football expert Steve Price suggests that playing in Laos may still give North Korea an advantage in terms of travel logistics and creating a challenging environment for their opponents.

Additionally, the AFC’s decision to relocate the matches has raised concerns about the integrity of the competition, particularly following North Korea’s previous last-minute cancellation of a World Cup qualifier against Japan in March.

Japan currently leads the group with 12 points, followed by Syria with seven points, North Korea with three points, and Myanmar with one point. The top two teams in the group will advance to the next round of World Cup qualifiers and secure a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

In related news, North Korea’s U-17 women’s team recently clinched victory in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, defeating Japan 1-0 in the final. This success earns them a spot in the U-17 World Cup scheduled to be held in the Dominican Republic later this year.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/21/north-koreas-world-cup-qualifiers-moved-from-pyongyang-to-laos/