71st Miss Universe 2023 - Laos evening gown and national costume

Khmu New Year celebrations in Luangprabang

Video Credit: NatNomad on Youtube

The Khmu ethnic minority group in Laos are considered one of the original or oldest in the country.  Along with the Hmong, they too celebrate their New Year in mid-December.  Here's a look at their recent celebrations last month, by Youtuber NatNomad.

Hmong New Year Celebrations in Vientiane

Video Credit: Padupdin on Youtube

Follow along with Youtuber Padupdin as he explores how Hmong New Year was celebrated in Vientiane this past December.

Largest Hmong New Year Celebration in Laos

Video Credit:  Now in Lao on Youtube

This year, Youtuber Now in Lao visits Phonsavan, Xiengkhouang to attend the largest Hmong New Year celebration in Laos in December.

Book Festival Laos 2022 returned

Formerly called the "Vientiane Book Festival" and after having been on hiatus for 2 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has returned as "Book Festival Laos" this year.  In fact, even its Lao title in Lao language was changed.  It's considered the largest literature event in the country.

First Hmong Lao contestant becomes Miss Universe Laos 2022

Photo Credit:  Miss Universe Laos

On October 8, 2022, the Miss Universe Laos pageant concluded with its first ethnic Hmong winner, Miss Payaengxa Lor, 21, having been crowned Miss Universe Laos.

Why tracking the most popular Lao Youtubers can be a challenge

Have you ever seen websites that provide the ranking lists for the most popular Lao Youtube channels?  Here's an explanation of why you need to be weary of those numbers.

Meedee Books - Possibly the best Lao children's book publisher currently

There are a handful of Lao publishers of children's and kids books in Laos nowadays.  However, one of my favourites, and arguably the highest quality publisher currently, is Meedee Books based in Vientiane.

Please note this is not a paid ad.  I just love their books.  I wish these books existed when I was growing up. 

Laos based Youtube channels can now be monetized

December 18, 2022 - As reported by InsideLaos.com and LaotianTimes.com, Youtube has finally come around in allowing Lao youtubers to monetize their channels after years of Lao Youtube channels existing on the video sharing platform.

Celebrity British Chef Gordon Ramsay names Laos the number 1 food destination

Video Credit: 조승연의 탐구생활

December 17, 2022 - As reported by NextShark, a Youtube video interview by Cho Seung-yeon posted on December 2, the interviewer asked where Gordon thought the number 1 food destination is.  He responded with 3 answers but the first out of his mouth was Lao.  He went on to mention Vietnam and also the Spanish city of Madrid and again repeated Lao before the interviewer went on to the next question.

The return of the Lao National Games

Photo Credit: KPL, 2022

December 16, 2022 - After multiple delays in previous years, the 2022 11th Lao National Games is currently happening, from December 13-22.  This year the event is being hosted in the province of Xiengkhouang.

Hundreds of athletes from 17 provinces, Vientiane prefecture and four government ministries are competing and vying for medals and glory.

Crowds and long lineups of excited fans, cars and motorbikes have been noted throughout Phonsavan, the province's capital city, especially on routes going to sport venues.

Inflation in Laos reached new highs every month since May for 2022 so far

December 15, 2022 - While December's inflation rate won't be released until next month, as of this writing, the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment's Statistics Bureau reported that for the month of November, Laos saw its highest inflation yet at 38.46%, a 23-year high.

Newly formed Lao Gymnastics Federation joins the Asian Gymnastics Union

Image Credit: Lao Gymnastics Federation on Facebook, 2022

December 14, 2022 - In what appears to be a newly formed sporting body of perhaps only a year old, the Lao Gymnastics Federation (LGF) has  appeared on the international scene along with its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Strait Times: Take a train ride on USD$6B Laos-China railway

Source:  Strait Times

France24: Between Laos and China, a thriving border

Source: France24