April 29, 2017

Want to know the investment climate in Laos?

Title:  Lao PDR - Investment Climate Assessment 2014 - Policy uncertainty in the midst of a natural resources boom
By:  Clarke, George R.; Nghardsaysone, Konesawang; Record, Richard James Lowden; Seror, Marlon Armand Remy
Publisher, Year:  World Bank, 2014
Cost:  Free

Cover of Lao PDR - Investment Climate Assessment 2014 report

April 25, 2017

Laos eases investment terms to boost economy

By:  Vientiane Times, April 19, 2017

A newly amended investment promotion in Laos will cut by half the maximum investment period for new concession projects to 50 years, down from previous requirement of 99 years.

First Lao team to compete at Microsoft’s Imagine Cup

By:  Vientiane Times, April 24, 2017

Vientiane - Team BUG5, a group of three young innovators, has earned the nomination to represent Laos in the South East Asian Regional Final Round of the 15th Microsoft’s Imagine Cup.

April 24, 2017

Laos clothing products in demand by European markets

By:  Vientiane Times, April 24, 2017

According to the latest data compilation from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Laos has been exporting its garment products to most of Europe while Germany has become one of the country’s most important trade partners because of the value of bilateral trade found in the data recently released by the ministry.

Twenty-Two Die In Lao New Year Road Carnage

By:  Vientiane Times, April 19, 2017

In just the three days of the Lao New Year holiday 159 road accidents occurred across the country resulting in 22 fatalities with incidents of drunk driving and speeding higher than ever.

April 22, 2017

Lao New Year 2560 - Compilation of Events in Luangprabang

Check out these Lao New Year videos showing a compilation of the variety of activities that went on in Luangprabang.  Featuring the Miss Lao New Year beauty contest, procession, parade, blessing the Buddha statues, music and more.

Video Credit:  Somsack Vilayphonh

April 17, 2017

Vietnamese Embassy and Consulates in Laos

Vietnam Embassy in Vientiane
Vietnam Embassy in Vientiane.  Photo Credit:  Google Maps

2017 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Laos and Vietnam.  It's also the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation.

To commemorate the anniversary, let's take a look at the Vietnamese embassy and its consulates in Laos.

April 10, 2017

Laos Sees 10 Percent Drop in Foreign Tourist Numbers

By:  The Laotian Times, March 22, 2017

While Lao Nationals hit an all time high for travelling abroad in 2016, as previously reported by The Laotian Times, the number of foreign visitors entering Laos has dwindled after several consecutive years of visitor growth.

Statistics Show Lao People Traveling More Than Ever Before

By:  The Laotian Times, March 17, 2017

In 2016, Laos reported that an astonishing 3.05 million outbound travelers crossed its borders to other countries.

According to statistics presented by the Tourism Development Department at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the number of Lao nationals traveling by plane was at a record high in 2016 compared to previous years.

April 09, 2017

Laos speeds up railway construction machinery import from China

By:  Xinhua News, April 5, 2017

Full steam ahead for the China-Laos railway construction, Laos has sped up machinery import from China, local daily Vientiane Times reported Monday.

Hundreds of trucks carrying machinery and equipment for construction of the China-Laos railway have entered Laos after being delayed at the border. A special lane has now been allocated at the Mohan-Boten border crossing point to facilitate the passage of the trucks, project coordinator in northern Lao province Luang Namtha, Chanthachone Keolakhone told Vientiane Times on Friday.

"Chinese Culture Enters ASEAN" activities held in Laos to promote bilateral cultural exchanges

By:  Xinhua News, April 4, 2017

A series of activities within the framework of "Chinese Culture Enters ASEAN" was held Tuesday in Lao capital Vientiane, drawing the participation of over 200 people from the cultural and educational sectors of China and Laos.

April 08, 2017

New Forests acquires a majority stake in Laos plantation to boost sustainable timber

By Jessica Pothering, Impact Alpha, April 5, 2017

Lao forest
Photo Credit:  Lao Forest.  Adrian Gnägi.

New Forests has acquired a majority stake in a Laos plantation to boost sustainable timber in the region.

The Australia-based fund bought 85 percent of Mekong Timber Plantations and will develop the 54,000-acre property as a high-quality sustainable hardwood plantation to serve regional markets.

Dubai charity to help 35,000 school kids in Laos

By:  Gulf News, April 4, 2017

Dubai: A Dubai-based charity is launching a Dh20 million programme to help 35,000 school children in Laos.

The programme by Dubai Cares is called ‘Laos Educational Access Research and Networking,’ is in partnership with Plan International Canada, Save the Children and the World Bank.

Laos-Cambodia border closed over tensions

By:  Mech Dara, Phnom Penh Post, April 4, 2017

Lao Khmer border at Stung Treng border
Photo Credit:  Lao Khmer border at Stung Treng border.
Hong Menea, Phnom Penh Post.

In the latest flare up in tensions between the two countries, Lao authorities temporarily shut a border crossing with Cambodia and dispatched more troops to an undemarcated area on the northern border after Cambodian authorities began renovating an old French border outpost.

April 06, 2017

Laos' largest bike racing event to date

Video Credit:  Lao Star

Lao Football Premier League 2017 to Kick Off This Saturday

By:  Malayluck Sipaphay, KPL News (Laos), March 30, 2017

(KPL) The Lao Football Premier League 2017 will kick off on April 1 and run until 16 July 2017, with matches taking place in seven stadiums across the country, according to the President of the Lao Football Federation, Mr Viphet Sihachack, at a press conference in Vientiane Capital on March 29.

April 05, 2017

Lao New Year sand stupa ຕົບພະທາຍ

 Lao New Year sand stupa

Report shows Laos’s different timber tactics

By:  Shaun Turton and Mech Dara, Phnompenh Post, March 31, 2017

Cambodia and Laos share a border and a problem: vast swathes of their forests have been cut down, loaded on trucks and driven east to Vietnam and often sent onwards to China.

Lao automotive industry in need of more technicians

By:  Vientiane Times, April 03, 2017

Laos needs more than 500 automotive technicians each year to satisfy auto industry growth, according to suppliers.

April 04, 2017

Flying high: meet the first female commercial pilot trained in Laos

By: Logan Connor, SEA-Globe.com, March 24, 2017

Phinanong Leusasinh
Photo Credit:  Southeast Asia Globe

Phinanong Leusasinh discusses her lifelong dream of flying, the difficulties she has faced in a male-dominated industry and what it takes to become a certified pilot

Vientianale 2017 Winner of Best Short Film - ຈັນເກ້ວ Chan Keo

Interesting love story.  Is it real or imagined? Are they jumping through time?

Chan Keo by Sonepasith Phonphila, winner of the Vientianale 2017 short film competition from Vientianale on Vimeo.