Home to some of the most complex rock formations in Southeast Asia, Laos looks to cash in on cave tourism.
Since the late 19th century, the geological wonders of Laos have captured the interest of foreign explorers, not just for its striking mountain ranges, fertile Mekong River floodplains and waterfalls – but also for what lies beneath the surface. Countless caves have been revealed within the towering karst massifs and limestone mountains that dominate much of Laos’ picturesque landscape.
While many of these subterranean beauties have been transformed into worthy tourist attractions, others are in a continual state of exploration. For fast-developing Laos, whose major economies are mining and tourism, the caves represent an opportunity to unlock the potential of swathes of the landlocked country’s remote areas to the world. As the sport of spelunking gains traction, isolated villages are looking to cash in on this rise in visitors. Yet as experts have pointed out, great care needs to be taken in balancing the complex needs of locals and the conservation of the cave’s delicate ecosystems – one wrong step can cause irreversible damage – with the commodification of Laos’ natural assets.
“Cave tourism can have a highly positive impact on local employment and development, and a very large positive impact on the reputation of Laos, but not all caves are suitable for tourism,” said Claude Mouret, a French geologist who has spent the last 25 years researching and documenting caves in Laos.
“Developing cave tourism means selecting caves that are not too fragile with respect to the underground life. Safety must also be a concern. Caves have a risk of flooding even if there is no underground river. If you move a boulder or drill a hole, you can change the stability of the cave. Precautions need to be taken, but it’s not so easy to have all the aspects satisfied at the same place.”
Mouret together with his expedition partner Jean-François Vacquié carry the distinction of being the first two explorers to embark on modern cave and karst investigations in Laos. Since 1991, the caving duo has mapped roughly 100 caves in the small nation, totalling 170km. Moreover, Mouret and Vacquié have contributed to the opening of several “safari” and “tourist” caves such as the infamous Tham Konglor in Khammouane province as well as Xe Bang Fai – one of the largest river caves in the world, with a 7km channel snaking through it.
“Regarding tourism, we have to consider two kinds of caves: Tourist caves such as Konglor or Tham Nang Aen Cave have dedicated installations such as walkways and steps to improve visitor safety,” said Mouret. “Safari caves such as Nam Non and Tham Heup have no dedicated installations. They inspire the unknown, and I think people like the mystery, the feeling of being an explorer – even if they are not really one. [They enjoy] overcoming the physical possibilities of their body and fighting mental fears.”
According to the Department of Planning and Investment in Laos, there are 32 villages in Khoun Kham district with a combined population of 22,163 people.
In 2015, 27,448 tourists visited Konglor cave in Khoun Kham, a substantial increase of 86% from the previous year. The total revenue from tourism for the district amounted to roughly $334,000.
Recognising the economic value of caves as tourist destinations, the local Khammouane tourism authority in central Laos’ Ban Nahin village is now embarking on an ambitious endeavour to open up a little-known but magnificent cave called Khoun Keo. Home to venomous vipers, long-legged centipedes, furry huntsman spiders and other cave-dwelling critters, Khoun Keo is certainly not for the faint-hearted. But from the standpoint of the ambitious tourism authority, the cave’s twisting labyrinth of striking stalactites, stalagmites and delicate columns is the perfect playground to lure in the growing number of adventurous explorers.
“We have an opportunity to increase tourism to Nahin by opening Khoun Keo to the public,” said Vilaisak Souvannarath, director of the Khammouane Information, Culture and Tourism Authority. “We also have an opportunity to develop community-based ecotourism to raise employment in the village. But we have to do it right.”
Situated in the permo-carboniferous limestone at the base of the Phou Phaman mountain range in Ban Khoun Kham district, Khoun Keo is well revered among the locals and tourism authority alike. According to Souvannarath, the cave – only discovered in 2012 by a subsistence farmer named Seng – holds spiritual element for Ban Nahin.
“Seng discovered the cave after God appeared to him in a dream, telling him to open up the way. After finding the cave, he discovered it had three underground lakes,” said Souvannarath. “God wants us to open the cave but he also wants us to protect it.”
The significance of the cave pools is not lost on the tourism authority. According to Souvannarath, hundreds of locals once lived beside the Nam Theun River, a tributary of the mighty Mekong, and used it to irrigate their crops. This changed in 2011, when the Nam Theun 2 Hydropower plant (one of Laos’ biggest hydroelectric projects), upstream from the village, started diverting the river. While scores of people had to be relocated, Nam Theun 2 Power Company built more than a thousand new homes as well as rainwater collection tanks and water pumps. Early on, the measures that the company took to mitigate the dam’s environmental and social impacts were applauded by the World Bank as a model to emulate, yet according to the latest report from the International Panel of Environmental and Social Experts, challenges regarding resettlement still need to be addressed. Some NGOs have also questioned the impact of the dam on the river’s ecosystem and the communities that depend on it further downstream.
In Ban Nahin, Seng and a few of his neighbours opted to relocate to a parcel of land beside the Phou Phaman Mountains. While the dam had cleared the land, the villagers did not have easy access to water. According to Souvannarath, the discovery of cave pools inside the mountains has allowed the villagers to greatly improve their food security.
“Locals use these underground lakes to water their crops. Instead of planting just rice they’re now growing different crops like pineapple and cassava all year-round,” he said. “We really have to take this into consideration.”
Until recently, Monenoy Keomanixai – a former tour guide in Ban Nahin – was working with authorities towards opening the cave to tourists. While Keomanixai now works as an administrator for a power scheme in Bolikhamxay province, he continues to keep a close eye on the project’s development.
“We want people to come and we want people to stay, but we also need to focus on conservation of the region’s natural and cultural heritage. We can’t have tourists trekking through farmer fields and destroying crops to get to Khoun Keo. We can’t have them getting hurt while they’re exploring the cave, and we don’t want to have tourists not care about the village and its people. We don’t want another Vang Vieng,” he said.
Situated some 450km away, Vang Vieng serves as a cautionary tale for Keomanixai, who remembers hearing stories about the village and its transformation into an epicentre for scantily clad backpackers looking to get wasted and ‘tube’ down the river. After a spate of deaths and injuries, the government shut the party down in 2012. While no longer in its hedonistic heyday, the village continues to attract drunken revellers – albeit on a much smaller scale.
“In the past few years, more tourists come through Nahin. They do a motorbike loop starting from Thakhek. It’s becoming very popular and bringing money to the area,” said Keomanixai.
While tourism has become an increasingly important component of Laos’ development policy, enabling poverty reduction in many rural communities, Keomanixai said Khoun Keo will not open until 2017 or 2018.
“A boulder from the cave entrance has already been removed to improve visitor access and safety. Mr. Seng and another village guide will lead the cave tours, but there is still so much more to consider,” he said.
Under review are walkways and steps to improve safety and prevent damage to the natural cave floor. Mapping and a clear understanding of the cave’s ecosystem are also required to move the project forward. Still, if plans come to fruition, Keomanixai sees more positives than negatives.
“Khoun Keo is like stepping into a magical world. We know that once it’s open, the beauty of Khoun Keo will be shared among tourists, especially those who love nature. It will bring very good luck to Nahin.”
Source: Sea Globe FOCUS ASEAN
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2016/12/16/dark-exploring-laos-cave-tourism-industry/
Laos Among Nations Affected by U.S. Halt on Green Card, Citizenship Processing
The Trump administration in the United States has temporarily frozen immigration applications from 19 countries, including Laos, deepening what officials describe as a sweeping security review but raising uncertainty for Lao nationals seeking permanent residency or naturalization in the United States.
The pause affects green card and citizenship requests handled by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), following last week’s shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, which officials linked to an Afghan asylum recipient.
Since then, the administration has suspended asylum processing, reviewed past approvals, and directed a re-examination of existing residency permits from countries deemed “of concern.”
Laos is among those on the list, alongside Myanmar, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Cuba, Afghanistan, and several other low-income nations. The immigration services said the halt was necessary to ensure applicants “are the best of the best,” but immigration lawyers across the US reported cancelled oath ceremonies, scrapped interviews and confused applicants being turned away without explanation.
While the number of Lao nationals affected is currently unknown, the move introduces new complications for Lao citizens studying, working, or seeking family reunification in America.
The US has long been a destination for higher education and resettlement among Lao communities, with multi-generation diaspora links in states such as Minnesota, California and Washington.
The new restriction also arrives at a sensitive moment for Laos, whose young people are increasingly looking outward for education and employment.
Migration to Thailand dominates, but smaller streams head to Australia, South Korea, Japan, and the US, often relying on study pathways or family sponsorships now caught in uncertainty.
Officials in Washington have framed the crackdown as a national security response, but with no timeline for lifting the pause, Lao applicants could face lengthy delays in what was already a backlogged immigration system.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/12/03/laos-among-nations-affected-by-u-s-halt-on-green-card-citizenship-processing/
Laos, Vietnam Agree to Strengthen Defense, Security, Economic Cooperation
Laos and Vietnam have signed 12 cooperation documents aimed at tightening coordination across defense, security, economic ties, and provincial partnerships during a two-day state visit to Vientiane by Vietnam’s Party General Secretary To Lam from 1 to 2 December.
To Lam, making his first visit to Laos since assuming office, held talks with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith. The two leaders then witnessed the signing of a series of new bilateral cooperation agreements by government officials from both sides at the Presidential Office.
The agreements include defence and security cooperation plans for 2026, covering areas such as joint border management and the construction of the Lao-Vietnam Friendship Road..
The two sides also approved an industry and commerce memorandum to strengthen supply-chain links, along with cooperation frameworks between their justice ministries, foreign ministries, and central Party bodies for 2026–2030.
A separate agreement formalized coordination in the banking sector, while provincial authorities from Vietnam’s Thanh Hoa and Laos’ Houaphanh provinces endorsed a joint cooperation plan covering the same 2026–2030 period.
Both countries also committed to continuing collaboration in national television programming. Currently,cooperation in television broadcasting includes Vietnam Today, VTV4, and Vietnamese-language news on Lao National Television.
During the visit, officials from Laos presented To Lam with a National Gold Medal in recognition of his role in advancing bilateral relations. Both governments noted ongoing growth in trade and investment, with bilateral trade earlier this year approaching USD 3 billion and expectations for further expansion.
On 2 December, the Vietnamese leader attended a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and joined Lao leaders in inaugurating the Laos–Vietnam Friendship Park in Vientiane. He also met with former Lao leaders and co-chaired a meeting of both Politburos to outline the long-term strategic direction for bilateral cooperation.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/12/03/laos-vietnam-agree-to-strengthen-defense-security-economic-cooperation/
Young Lao Push for Change 50 Years After Party Victory
By Beatrice Siviero/AFP – The Lao capital Vientiane has an uncharacteristic buzz lately, bedecked with flags and T-shirt vendors ahead of commemorations of 50 years of Laos on 2 December, but for many young people, history carries little weight.
Pathet Lao established the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) on 2 December 1975, following a decades-long civil war.
Laos became a one-party state, King Savang Vatthana died in captivity, and centralized planning was imposed on the economy as landlocked Laos, always remote, became increasingly isolated.
It later opened up and embraced market reforms, but remains among Asia’s least developed countries.
Thousands of troops and state personnel will take part in a military parade on Tuesday to mark the anniversary, in keeping with other key dates in September in ideologically aligned neighbors China and Vietnam.
But the past does not resonate with many young Laotians.
“Of course, we do learn history in school, but we don’t talk about it much,” said Thiradeth Khamhoung, 19, an economics student in Thailand who co-founded PrepPath, a platform helping Lao high school students explore careers and plan their futures.
“We don’t let political circumstances get in our way when we’re building something,” he told AFP.
“My suggestion for many youth would be just start it, don’t let politics, which we can’t control, hold you back.”
People joke that the abbreviation Lao PDR means “Lao Please Don’t Rush”.
But Bart insists: “Please don’t rush, it doesn’t mean we can’t develop. It’s about finding our strengths, working on what we’re good at, and building from there.
“Laos will change in the next 50 years just as it has since its independence: slowly, but steadily.”
TikTok Window
Social media is one of the drivers of change, he added, even affecting language.
“Some of the words my grandpa used were in French, and I didn’t even know what he was talking about,” he said.
“Now, a lot of those French words are being replaced by Thai words. Media and social media are a big reason for that.”
Tony, a 21-year-old university student in Vientiane, said many young people get their fashion trends, ideas, and global outlook from TikTok.
“It’s like a window to the world,” he said.
Migration to Thailand for work is commonplace, and thousands of Lao students head overseas each year, drawn by international education and better job prospects.
“Compared to my grandparents, it’s easy for us now,” said one Lao master’s student in Australia. “You just go on Google, and you can learn what you want.
“In the next 10 or 20 years, people will be speaking up more and have more freedoms.”
Trump Tariffs
China is Laos’ dominant economic partner through infrastructure investments, including a railway linking Vientiane and Kunming, in Yunnan province, and a wider economic corridor.
In recent years, hydropower exports have been a key economic driver, while garment factories, electronics assemblers, and other light-manufacturing firms have relied on the American market.
But expansion is slowing, and inflation is rising while GDP per capita remains around USD 2,100 according to the World Bank’s most recent figures, and it now faces Trump tariffs of 40 percent, one of the highest rates in the world.
Those pressures mean the mindset of the younger generation is changing, “especially when comparing my grandparents’ political and economic views to my own”, said communications officer Namfon Sirithirath, 30.
“It’s good that youth engagement is currently being promoted,” she said.
“It would be much better if it were promoted more, and if policymakers listened more to their concerns or issues, so that in the future, policies could be put in place that are more appropriate for the current era.”
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/12/01/young-lao-push-for-change-50-years-after-party-victory/
Savannakhet Sets Stage for Biggest-Ever That Ing Hang Festival
Authorities in Savannakhet Province said preparations for the annual That Ing Hang Temple Festival, scheduled for 30 November to 5 December, are now almost complete, with this year’s edition set to be larger and livelier than previous years as the province pushes to boost tourism.
The festival is held each December to honor Buddhism and pay respect to those who built Pha That Ing Hang, one of the most revered stupas in Savannakhet Province and across central Laos.
Each year, thousands of devotees, from both the north and south of Laos, as well as neighboring Thailand, travel to the site to take part in religious rituals and cultural celebrations.
Somphone Vilayvong, Deputy Director of the Savannakhet Department of Culture and Tourism, told local media that the organising sub-committee has finalised parking arrangements, transport routes to the temple grounds, security planning, and the installation of decorative lighting. Exhibition zones and vendor stalls have also been arranged to ensure a smooth visitor experience.
He said the festival will feature a wide range of cultural performances from communities across the province’s 14 districts and Kaysone Phomvihane City, showcasing local arts, literature, and traditions.
A highlight will be the grand bee-wax procession and competition on 4 December, bringing together villages from across Savannakhet for one of the festival’s most traditional celebrations.
The festival will also host exhibitions and sales of handicrafts, textiles, and local food products, alongside an expanded program of entertainment.
Visitors can take part in lamvong yong ngok, join evening gatherings, sample regional dishes, watch traditional lam phaya performances, and attend cultural shows.
The That Ing Hang Temple Festival remains one of the province’s most important cultural events, drawing thousands of visitors each year.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/11/25/savannakhet-sets-stage-for-biggest-ever-that-ing-hang-festival/
Laos Celebrates Hin Nam No as First Natural World Heritage Site
On 25 November, Laos celebrated UNESCO’s recognition of Hin Nam No National Protected Area as the country’s first Natural World Heritage Site.
Vanxay Phongsavanh, Governor of Khammouane Province, said during the ceremony that Hin Nam No was approved as a transboundary World Heritage Site together with Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park at UNESCO’s 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris.
To mark the occasion, a parade carried the World Heritage certificate from Wattay International Airport to Patuxay.
Hin Nam No is known for its limestone karst landscapes, 173 caves including the Xe Bang Fai underground river, and habitats for rare species such as the Yellow-collared Laughingthrush, Lao Rock Rat, and Southern White-cheeked Gibbon.
The park, covering 94,121 hectares in Khammouane Province, was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 13 July. The designation links it with Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, forming the world’s largest contiguous limestone karst area.
Its rugged cliffs and remote valleys, shaped over 300 million years, are home to rare and endangered species including the Red-Shanked Douc Langur, Sunda Pangolin, Lao Rock Rat, and Giant Huntsman Spider.
The park is part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, hosting over 1,500 plant species and 536 vertebrates.
Hin Nam No also preserves cultural heritage, with ethnic minority communities maintaining their traditions and way of life. The transboundary site shows the value of international collaboration and highlights the ecological and cultural importance of the Central Annamite Mountains.
Today, Hin Nam No stands as a symbol of Laos’ natural treasures and its role in global conservation.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/11/24/laos-celebrates-hin-nam-no-as-first-natural-world-heritage-site/
Laos Explores Eco-Friendly Business Through Waste Management
Urban waste in Laos is increasingly being seen as a source of business and innovation.
That was the focus of a seminar held on 30 October by the Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, under the theme “Waste Management for Eco-Friendly Business Opportunities in the Lao PDR.”
Co-chaired by Ratsamy Voralath, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Environment, and Björn Szczebroek, Head of the GIZ Office in Laos, the seminar brought together 102 participants, including government officials, entrepreneurs, university students, and youth groups.
Ratsamy pointed out that challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing urban waste could also be seen as chances for innovation, especially for young people.
“These challenges can inspire new ideas and businesses that are both environmentally friendly and economically sustainable,” he said.
Participants explored ways to turn waste into opportunity, watching short videos on waste management and learning about environmental policies, tourism promotion, and urban waste projects across Laos and ASEAN. A lively discussion forum allowed attendees to exchange ideas and share practical solutions for small and medium-sized cities, highlighting the potential for creative, eco-friendly enterprises.
The seminar highlighted that with the right policies, education, and innovation, Laos can transform waste management from a challenge into a driver of economic growth and sustainable development, giving young entrepreneurs a chance to lead the way.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/11/01/laos-explores-eco-friendly-business-through-waste-management/
Into the Dark: Exploring Laos’ Cave Tourism Industry
Home to some of the most complex rock formations in Southeast Asia, Laos looks to cash in on cave tourism.
Since the late 19th century, the geological wonders of Laos have captured the interest of foreign explorers, not just for its striking mountain ranges, fertile Mekong River floodplains and waterfalls – but also for what lies beneath the surface. Countless caves have been revealed within the towering karst massifs and limestone mountains that dominate much of Laos’ picturesque landscape.
While many of these subterranean beauties have been transformed into worthy tourist attractions, others are in a continual state of exploration. For fast-developing Laos, whose major economies are mining and tourism, the caves represent an opportunity to unlock the potential of swathes of the landlocked country’s remote areas to the world. As the sport of spelunking gains traction, isolated villages are looking to cash in on this rise in visitors. Yet as experts have pointed out, great care needs to be taken in balancing the complex needs of locals and the conservation of the cave’s delicate ecosystems – one wrong step can cause irreversible damage – with the commodification of Laos’ natural assets.
“Cave tourism can have a highly positive impact on local employment and development, and a very large positive impact on the reputation of Laos, but not all caves are suitable for tourism,” said Claude Mouret, a French geologist who has spent the last 25 years researching and documenting caves in Laos.
“Developing cave tourism means selecting caves that are not too fragile with respect to the underground life. Safety must also be a concern. Caves have a risk of flooding even if there is no underground river. If you move a boulder or drill a hole, you can change the stability of the cave. Precautions need to be taken, but it’s not so easy to have all the aspects satisfied at the same place.”
Mouret together with his expedition partner Jean-François Vacquié carry the distinction of being the first two explorers to embark on modern cave and karst investigations in Laos. Since 1991, the caving duo has mapped roughly 100 caves in the small nation, totalling 170km. Moreover, Mouret and Vacquié have contributed to the opening of several “safari” and “tourist” caves such as the infamous Tham Konglor in Khammouane province as well as Xe Bang Fai – one of the largest river caves in the world, with a 7km channel snaking through it.
“Regarding tourism, we have to consider two kinds of caves: Tourist caves such as Konglor or Tham Nang Aen Cave have dedicated installations such as walkways and steps to improve visitor safety,” said Mouret. “Safari caves such as Nam Non and Tham Heup have no dedicated installations. They inspire the unknown, and I think people like the mystery, the feeling of being an explorer – even if they are not really one. [They enjoy] overcoming the physical possibilities of their body and fighting mental fears.”
According to the Department of Planning and Investment in Laos, there are 32 villages in Khoun Kham district with a combined population of 22,163 people.
In 2015, 27,448 tourists visited Konglor cave in Khoun Kham, a substantial increase of 86% from the previous year. The total revenue from tourism for the district amounted to roughly $334,000.
Recognising the economic value of caves as tourist destinations, the local Khammouane tourism authority in central Laos’ Ban Nahin village is now embarking on an ambitious endeavour to open up a little-known but magnificent cave called Khoun Keo. Home to venomous vipers, long-legged centipedes, furry huntsman spiders and other cave-dwelling critters, Khoun Keo is certainly not for the faint-hearted. But from the standpoint of the ambitious tourism authority, the cave’s twisting labyrinth of striking stalactites, stalagmites and delicate columns is the perfect playground to lure in the growing number of adventurous explorers.
“We have an opportunity to increase tourism to Nahin by opening Khoun Keo to the public,” said Vilaisak Souvannarath, director of the Khammouane Information, Culture and Tourism Authority. “We also have an opportunity to develop community-based ecotourism to raise employment in the village. But we have to do it right.”
Situated in the permo-carboniferous limestone at the base of the Phou Phaman mountain range in Ban Khoun Kham district, Khoun Keo is well revered among the locals and tourism authority alike. According to Souvannarath, the cave – only discovered in 2012 by a subsistence farmer named Seng – holds spiritual element for Ban Nahin.
“Seng discovered the cave after God appeared to him in a dream, telling him to open up the way. After finding the cave, he discovered it had three underground lakes,” said Souvannarath. “God wants us to open the cave but he also wants us to protect it.”
The significance of the cave pools is not lost on the tourism authority. According to Souvannarath, hundreds of locals once lived beside the Nam Theun River, a tributary of the mighty Mekong, and used it to irrigate their crops. This changed in 2011, when the Nam Theun 2 Hydropower plant (one of Laos’ biggest hydroelectric projects), upstream from the village, started diverting the river. While scores of people had to be relocated, Nam Theun 2 Power Company built more than a thousand new homes as well as rainwater collection tanks and water pumps. Early on, the measures that the company took to mitigate the dam’s environmental and social impacts were applauded by the World Bank as a model to emulate, yet according to the latest report from the International Panel of Environmental and Social Experts, challenges regarding resettlement still need to be addressed. Some NGOs have also questioned the impact of the dam on the river’s ecosystem and the communities that depend on it further downstream.
In Ban Nahin, Seng and a few of his neighbours opted to relocate to a parcel of land beside the Phou Phaman Mountains. While the dam had cleared the land, the villagers did not have easy access to water. According to Souvannarath, the discovery of cave pools inside the mountains has allowed the villagers to greatly improve their food security.
“Locals use these underground lakes to water their crops. Instead of planting just rice they’re now growing different crops like pineapple and cassava all year-round,” he said. “We really have to take this into consideration.”
Until recently, Monenoy Keomanixai – a former tour guide in Ban Nahin – was working with authorities towards opening the cave to tourists. While Keomanixai now works as an administrator for a power scheme in Bolikhamxay province, he continues to keep a close eye on the project’s development.
“We want people to come and we want people to stay, but we also need to focus on conservation of the region’s natural and cultural heritage. We can’t have tourists trekking through farmer fields and destroying crops to get to Khoun Keo. We can’t have them getting hurt while they’re exploring the cave, and we don’t want to have tourists not care about the village and its people. We don’t want another Vang Vieng,” he said.
Situated some 450km away, Vang Vieng serves as a cautionary tale for Keomanixai, who remembers hearing stories about the village and its transformation into an epicentre for scantily clad backpackers looking to get wasted and ‘tube’ down the river. After a spate of deaths and injuries, the government shut the party down in 2012. While no longer in its hedonistic heyday, the village continues to attract drunken revellers – albeit on a much smaller scale.
“In the past few years, more tourists come through Nahin. They do a motorbike loop starting from Thakhek. It’s becoming very popular and bringing money to the area,” said Keomanixai.
While tourism has become an increasingly important component of Laos’ development policy, enabling poverty reduction in many rural communities, Keomanixai said Khoun Keo will not open until 2017 or 2018.
“A boulder from the cave entrance has already been removed to improve visitor access and safety. Mr. Seng and another village guide will lead the cave tours, but there is still so much more to consider,” he said.
Under review are walkways and steps to improve safety and prevent damage to the natural cave floor. Mapping and a clear understanding of the cave’s ecosystem are also required to move the project forward. Still, if plans come to fruition, Keomanixai sees more positives than negatives.
“Khoun Keo is like stepping into a magical world. We know that once it’s open, the beauty of Khoun Keo will be shared among tourists, especially those who love nature. It will bring very good luck to Nahin.”
Source: Sea Globe FOCUS ASEAN
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2016/12/16/dark-exploring-laos-cave-tourism-industry/
Don Khong Named Southeast Asia’s Top Island for Cycling by National Geographic
The UK-based National Geographic Traveler has named Don Khong in Champasack, Laos, one of Southeast Asia’s top islands, highlighting it for cycling.
On 25 October, the magazine listed destinations for their unique appeal: Koh Chang, Thailand, for beaches; Penang, Malaysia, for food; Cat Ba, Vietnam, for adventure; and Don Khong, Laos, for cycling.
National Geographic described Don Khong as “a peaceful, green environment where visitors can enjoy the scenery and atmosphere while cycling”. The magazine also highlighted the island’s “slower pace of life,” offering travelers a stress-free experience.
It further emphasized the serene, cultural setting, showcasing both natural beauty and rich local heritage for visitors seeking calm and history.
Don Khong is the largest island in Si Phan Don, a group of islands in the Mekong River located in Khong District, Champasack Province. The name “Si Phan Don” translates to “4,000 islands,” though the number varies seasonally as some sandbars submerge underwater and reappear later.
This is not the first time Champasack has earned international recognition.
The province was also celebrated as a hidden gem in Southeast Asia for its unique temple, Vat Phou, by National Geographic Traveller back in July.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/11/18/don-khong-named-southeast-asias-top-island-for-cycling-by-national-geographic/
Japanese Princess Lands in Laos on First Trip Overseas
AFP – Japan’s Princess Aiko arrived in Laos on 17 November for her first official overseas trip, state media said, a largely symbolic visit to Tokyo’s beneficiary in Southeast Asia.
Aiko landed in at Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport shortly before 8 PM.
The only child of Emperor Naruhito, not in line to the throne due to the royal family’s male-only succession rules, will spend this week in the country to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Japan-Laos diplomatic relations.
One of Asia’s largest economies, Japan has provided more than USD 370 million in grants to Laos between 2019 and 2024, making it one of the nation’s largest bilateral donors.
Much of the over 150 development projects in that time have been funded through Japan’s overseas development agency, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).
During her trip through 22 November, Aiko will meet President Thongloun Sisoulith and visit a center to raise awareness about the unexploded ordnance left over from the Vietnam War, which continues to kill and injure people in Laos. Japan has long supported ordnance clearing and rehabilitation programs in the country.
The 23-year-old princess will also attend a martial arts competition at the Japan-supported Budo Center and visit a Japanese-language school, according to Japanese media reports.
Japan often sends younger members of the royal family on goodwill missions across Southeast Asia, quiet gestures of soft power meant to build personal, long-term connections beyond politics.
Even though Japanese tradition dictates only a man can carry on the centuries-old imperial line, opinion polls have shown high public support for a woman taking the throne.
Laos has in recent years hosted a handful of international royals.
Neighbouring Thailand’s Princess Sirindhorn visited this year and last year, the Sultan of Brunei in 2023, and Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri in 2022.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, then-crown prince, last visited Laos in 2012.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/11/17/japanese-princess-lands-in-laos-on-first-trip-overseas/
Free Bus Services on Opening and Closing Days of the 12th National Games
Vientiane Capital will provide free Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and public bus services on 15 and 25 November, coinciding with the opening and closing ceremonies of the 12th National Games, to facilitate the movement of athletes, officials, and spectators.
The initiative, announced by the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department on 11 November, aims to reduce traffic congestion, improve accessibility, and ensure the smooth flow of participants and visitors during the major national sporting event.
According to the official notice, three main free routes will operate on these two days.
The first route will run from the That Luang area near Saphanglane Lake (Nongbone intersection) to the Lao National Stadium at KM 16, using 16 BRT buses. Services will operate between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM for departures and 6:00 PM to midnight for return trips from the stadium back to That Luang.
The second route, operated with standard public buses, will start from the Dongdok intersection, travel along 450 Years Road, pass by the Lao-China Railway (LCR) Station, and continue to the Lao National Stadium KM 16 near the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College before returning via the same route.
Buses will operate every 30 minutes from 1:00 PM to midnight, stopping at designated temporary bus stops.
The third route will start at the Xaythany District Public Security Office, pass Donnoun Roundabout, and continue along National Road No. 13 South to the KM 21 traffic light before returning on the same route. Services will run every 30 minutes from 1:00 PM to midnight, with stops at temporary bus signs along the way.
Moreover, traffic control measures will also be in place on 15 and 25 November, with restrictions around Donnoun Roundabout, KM 21 traffic lights, and the LCR area. Only authorized vehicles for athletes, guests, and officials may use BRT lanes, while private vehicles are prohibited.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport has launched a two-month free BRT trial service beginning on 8 November, operating on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The route runs from View Mall, passing SOS School, the International Cooperation and Training Center (ICTC), Phonphanao, Phonkheng, Souphanouvong, Phonsaart, Patuxay, and returning to View Mall.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/11/12/free-brt-bus-services-during-12th-national-games/