Laos 20250115: Honest, According, Straining
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Headlines:
Vietnam-Laos Target $5 Billion Trade
Luang Prabang Tourism Boom
Vietjet Supports Lao Aviation Infrastructure
Crackdown on Illegal Call Centers
Digital Innovation Push
Railway Compensation Remain Unresolved
Economic Development Path
Carbon Credit Satellite Remote Sensing
HIV Rates Rising Among Youth
New Parking Rules for Tourist Sites
Iron Ore Wastewater Spill
Food Festival to Promote Culture
Catholics Meet Buddhist Leader in Dialogue
Vietnam-Laos Target $5 Billion Trade
Vietnam and Laos have set a goal to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion following their 47th Intergovernmental Committee meeting. The 2024 trade volume tipped past $2.2 billion, up a third, year-on-year, with Laos recording a $732.7 million surplus. Vietnamese investment in Laos grew 62.1% to $191.1 million in 2024. The countries signed four cooperative documents and agreed to target 10-15% trade growth in 2025. Vietnamese businesses have contributed approximately $200 million annually in taxes to Laos over the past five years.
Read more: Tuoi Tre News (Trade Goals), Vietnam News (Bilateral Relations)
Luang Prabang Tourism Boom
Luang Prabang surpassed tourism expectations in 2024 with 2,306,375 visitors, including 1,532,394 foreigners, far surpassing the target of 900,000. China led international arrivals with 438,355 visitors, followed by Thailand (175,575) and South Korea (151,189). The success builds on 2023's performance of over a million visitors and $560 million in revenue. Growth being credited to increased international exposure and the Visit Laos Year campaign, which included visa exemptions for more than 30 countries.
Read more: Laotian Times
Vietjet Supports Lao Aviation Infrastructure
Vietnamese airline Vietjet has signed an agreement to support Lao aviation infrastructure development as part of a 9-year transportation cooperation agreement. The project will be completed within six months, with plans extending to 2030. The Vietjet Aviation Institute will provide international-standard training programs, creating 2,500 new jobs and establishing an MRO center in Laos. The agreement includes developments in port infrastructure, railway connections, highways, and power projects.
Read more: Laotian Times
Crackdown on Illegal Call Centers
Lao authorities have pulled apart nine illegal call center fraud operations in Bokeo's Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone over the past 12 months, arresting 267 people from 16 nationalities. The operations resulted in the seizure of more than 10,000 computers, 11,000 mobile phones, and cash. Since 2022, police have shut down 63 call center gangs involved in cyber scams and financial fraud as part of regional efforts to combat telecommunications fraud.
Read more: Laotian Times (Call Center Raids), The Star (Overall Progress)
Digital Innovation Push
The Ministry of Technology and Communications is pushing forward with digital programs in an attempt to build a sustainable infrastructure. Focus areas include developing telecommunications and internet infrastructure, improving accessibility, strengthening networks, and developing digital skills. The ministry says that it will prioritize digital economy development and public administration, with fintech as a growth enabler. These opportunities were discussed at the recent Laos Digital Forum.
Read more: Lok Mat Times
Railway Compensation Remain Unresolved
Nearly 300 families affected by the Lao-China Railway project are still waiting for promised compensation, according to Minister of Public Works and Transport Ngampasong Muangmani. This number is the remainder from 6,711 affected families and 8,472 land plots. A five-party committee is said to be addressing 198 environmental and social concerns, with nine resolved. The government has set aside LAK 465 billion for compensation and say they are working to expedite disbursement.
Read more: Laotian Times
Economic Development Path
The government has reported positive economic indicators for 2024, including revenue exceeding targets by 16%, declining inflation from 24.4% to 16.9%, and foreign exchange reserves sufficient to cover more than 5 months of imports. At a January meeting between cabinet and provincial governors, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone told officials to improve socio-economic development reporting, better deal with illegal activities, and focus on rural development, poverty reduction, as well as national security.
Read more: The Star
Carbon Credit Satellite Remote Sensing
Laos is implementing satellite remote sensing technology to calculate carbon stocks across 170,556 hectares of forest. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry project will establish a carbon credit system with certification expected by Q3 this year. The project is expected to cover nine forest areas and could generate revenue through carbon markets while supporting community development and conservation. Officials are also looking into whether the satellite monitoring could be expanded to agricultural areas.
Read more: The Star
HIV Rates Rising Among Youth
The Ministry of Health reported almost 2,000 new HIV cases between January-November 2024. Of 1,523 cases from January-September, more than half were aged 15-29. Farmers (25.4%), general workers (21.7%), and business professionals (12.3%) showed highest infection rates. The national rate rose to 0.42% in 2024 from 0.39%. Laos has access to 196 testing facilities providing antiretroviral therapy to 12,803 individuals while working toward UN 95-95-95 targets.
Read more: Laotian Times
New Parking Rules for Tourist Sites
Vientiane has implemented new parking regulations at major tourist sites as a response to concerns about disorganized parking. Tourist buses and vans at Patuxay and That Luang are allowed only 3-5 minutes for passenger operations, with violations carrying fines of LAK 1-10 million. Plans include introducing electric minibuses at That Luang and extending regulations to other locations including the Mekong Riverside and temple sites.
Read more: Laotian Times
Iron Ore Wastewater Spill
Wastewater overflow from an iron ore washing reservoir operated by Tienhao Kaobang Company in Viengxay district turned the Nam Xang River red on January 12. District authorities have temporarily halted mining operations and are working with the company to improve the reservoir system and measure impacts on six affected villages. A similar incident occurred in December 2024, raising demands for stricter preventive measures. Authorities say that problem was solved, but it isn’t clear if any further safety measures were put into practice.
Read more: Laotian Times
Food Festival to Promote Culture
The Lao Food Festival 2025 will be held in Vientiane January 22-26, featuring more than 180 stalls offering traditional and modern Lao cuisine alongside international dishes. The festival is intended to preserve culinary culture while familiarizing sellers and consumers with digital commerce through online sales. Planned events include cooking competitions, food demonstrations, health seminars, and cultural performances. The theme celebrates two decades of promoting Lao culinary culture.
Read more: The Star
Catholics Meet Buddhist Leader in Dialogue
An interfaith meeting occurred in Vientiane between The Venerable Maha Bounma Simmaphom and Fr Daniele Mazza, a PIME missionary, along with three members of the Apostolic Vicariate. The personal meeting has been celebrated by both groups as a reinforcement of spiritual friendship and took place in the presence of the deputy director of the Department for Religious Affairs.
Read more: Asia News
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.
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