Laos

A state funeral was held for former President and Party Chairman General Khamtai Siphandone, who passed away at 102; Thousands, including international delegations, attended the ceremony in Vientiane to honor his pivotal role in liberation and development

The Lao National Assembly is reviewing constitutional amendments; changes affect governance, local administration, judiciary, economy, citizen rights and revisions aim to streamline government functions, strengthen legal oversight, and boost investment

Luang Prabang, UNESCO World Heritage city, got 3rd place in the Green Destinations Top100 Story Awards for Destination Management at the ITB Berlin; the accolade recognizes commitment to sustainable tourism, responsible visitor management, crisis recovery

5.168 people have been arrested, including 199 foreigners, in the 2024 drug crackdown; authorities seized large amounts of narcotics, destroyed opium fields, sent 5.132 addicts to rehab centers while stricter laws rules and global cooperation are planned

Champasack Province plans to elevate the Million-Year-Old Volcano in Paksong District to a national tourist attraction; development includes upgrading the 17 km road and adding restaurants and accommodations to boost eco-tourism and local economic growth

A coffee processing station in Mokvat, built with support from Korea International Cooperation Agency and Wonders International, processes 900kg-1 ton of cherries/hour and boosts the coffee value chain by enabling farmers to produce higher-value products

Vientiane’s top tourist sites - including Patuxai Monument, That Luang Stupa, and Buddha Park - attracted over 300.000 visitors in 2024, reflecting a strong recovery in Laos’s tourism sector; targeted campaigns will aim at further boosting tourism in 2025

Houaphanh Province,will recognize Tai Daeng singing and Pa Bum sauce as cultural heritage on 30 December; Tai Daeng features traditional instruments in ceremonies, while Pa Bum is a fermented fish sauce central to local cuisine

A national seed policy to ensure quality seed production, improve yields, and enhance food security is being implemented; by integrating digital tools, the initiative also supports sustainable farming and competitiveness in global markets

Researchers in Laos are analyzing elephant DNA from dung to understand their alarming decline; protection plans include keeping elephants in captivity for breeding to restore the species while tracking diversity and key habitats for conservation efforts

Lao coffee, sustainably grown on the Bolaven Plateau, is earning global recognition; farmers use organic, shade-grown methods to preserve biodiversity and enhance quality; United Producer Lao Coffee is positioning coffee as a key export and cultural asset

The government held a meeting in Vientiane targeting Lao diaspora and descendants of Lao heritage; officials urged them to reconnect with their ancestral homeland and explore investment opportunities to support economic growth and strengthen cultural ties

Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Laos, welcomed 1,7 million tourists in the first ten months of 2024, nearly doubling its target of 900.000; as peak season nears, officials expect figures to grow more and highlight the site's cultural appeal