A golden crown for the Tat Luang

More than 10 kg of gold leaf placed on the That Luang stupa.

Video Credit: Vientiane Times, October 31, 2016

A taste of North Korean food in Vientiane

Original Title:  Would You Like A Side Of Propaganda? Lunch At A North Korean Restaurant
By:  Elise Hu, NPR News, September 5, 2016
With contributions from:  Xaisongkham Induangchanthy

North Korean restaurants, like this one in Vientiane, Laos, 

don't just serve North Korean cuisine.  They are run by the North Korean 

government as a way to earn hard currency to send back to an increasingly 

sanctioned Pyongyang.  Photo Credit: Elise Hu/NPR

Art Features Coming in 2018

Watercolour bouquet

ຖາມຫຍັງກໍໄດ້ - Wedding Talk

Question:  Is it possible to have a Lao wedding without elements of Buddhism?

A lot more available than you might have thought

Showcase of all the Beer Lao products, taken by Jesse for his blog, 

after he visited the Beer Lao headquarters.  

Photo Credit:  JesseLaos, 2016.  Edited by: Laoconnection.com

A sight to behold along the river in Thakek

Nak statue in Thakek, Khammouane

Photo Credit: ຄຳມ່ວນແດນງາມ via Facebook

Edited by: Laoconnection.com

Minimum investment requirement eliminated on general businesses

In April 2016, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) advised the Lao government to reduce or eliminate the minimum investment capital of 1 billion kip on foreign owned businesses in what it described as discriminatory and a deterrent for investors, as well as, not serving its original purpose.  A formal recommendation to amend the Law on Investment to rescind the minimum was then submitted to the National Assembly that same year.

Lao-American woman in hospital after recent California shooting

Photo Credits:  Phommathep Family

Very sad news coming from Rancho Tehama, California regarding a recent mass shooting. One of the those shot was Tiffany Phommathep who was shot several times while trying to protect the children in her vehicle, 3 of whom were own children.  Even the children sustained injuries and bullet wounds.  

Chinese President Xi meets with former Lao classmates

Chinese President Xi meets with old classmates in Vientiane during the second day of his two day visit to Laos.  His old classmates included Lao nationals, such as former Lao Foreign Minister Pholsena, who had sought asylum during the 1960s in China.

Video Credit:  CGTN via Youtube, November 14, 2017

Chinese President Xi Jinping lands in Laos for state visit

By:  EChinaNews (ECNS.CN), November 14, 2017

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Laos Monday for a state visit as the two socialist countries seek to consolidate their traditional friendship.

It marks the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state and top CPC leader to this neighboring country in Southeast Asia.

Lao culture epitomized in a dress costume

Miss Phounesup Phonnyotha, Miss International 2017 contestant representing Laos.

Photo Credit: Fluke Photography and Than Mak Wedding Studio, via Vientiane Times.

Tat Luang Festival 2017 - From the Sky

TEDxLaneXangAveWomen 2017 - Full Video

Five talented, creative, and intelligent Lao women
presented at this year's TEDxLaneXangAve event.

Video Credit:  TEDxLaneXangAve Women 2017

Multiple timelapse scenes from across Laos

Video Credit:  Timelapse Media, December 27, 2011

“Laos Simply Beautiful” showcased at Asia’s biggest travel fair

By:  Vientiane Times, October 30, 2017

VIENTIANE - A private and public effort under the leadership of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism successfully showcased the strengths of Laos’ tourism potential at this year’s ITB Asia in Singapore.

South Korean visitors to Laos double over 3 years

By:  Vientiane Times, November 3, 2017

VIENTIANE - The number of South Korean tourists visiting Laos has doubled in the three years from 2014-16, according to report by the Tourism Development Department of Laos’ Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

Law Amendments Allow Government to Grant Citizenship

By:  KPL News, November 2, 2017

The National Assembly (NA) approved on Nov 1 at the ongoing 4th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly’s 8th legislature amendments to the Law on Lao Nationality that authorises the government to grant Lao nationality to foreigners.

Primer on Understanding That Luang Festival

Video Credit:  Lotus CommNet

Govt vows to retrieve billions lost to misuse, illegal imports

By: Souksakhone Vaenkeo, Vientiane Times, November 6, 2017

The government has entrusted authorities in charge to carry out inspections into 45.53 million litres of oil that was imported for a state investment project but was never actually used for that project.

The move is part of measures adopted by the ongoing 4th ordinary session of the National Assembly’s 8th Legislature.

Volunteer teachers issue solutions sought

By:  Somsack Pongkhao, Vientiane Times, October 23, 2017

The Ministry of Education and Sports has committed to taking recommendations proposed by National Assembly members into account to better address chronic issues surrounding the nation’s volunteer teachers.

2nd Lao Coffee Festival Set for December

Original Title:  Laos: Coffee festival to put local industry on the boil
By:  Vientiane Times, October 30, 2017

Photo Credit:  Vientiane Times, October 30, 2017

VIENTIANE - The Lao Coffee Association (LCA) is hosting the second Lao Coffee Festival in Vientiane from December 10-12, aiming to expand domestic and export sales.

1st Laos Chess International Open

By:  Edwin Lam, Chess Base News, October 27, 2017

Chess being played in Lao schools.  Photo Credit:  Lao Chess Federation.

Phouvong Jewelry Calendar 2017 - November and December

ບະຕິທິນຮ້ານຄໍາພູວົງ 2017 ເດືອນພະຈິກແລະເດືອນທັນວາ