Laos

A sustainable tourism initiative has been launched in partnership with Thailand’s Packon Company; it aims to integrate smart technologies, enhance infrastructure, and develop eco-friendly attractions like electric tour buses and riverside walking streets

A national digital ID system has been launched with support of Vietnam and Japan to modernize public services and boost data security; it includes a centralized citizen database and aims to streamline government operations and improve service access

COPE, a Lao non-profit providing prosthetics and rehabilitation to bomb victims, faces a 40% USAID funding cut; Two-thirds of staff may be laid off, risking major setbacks in efforts to help those injured by unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War

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

Luang Prabang province in Northern Laos welcomed 1.167.581 tourists in the first three months of 2025, marking a 162% increase compared to the same period in 2024

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

Laos, with Nepal, has been added the FATF ‘grey list’ in its latest update as the Financial Action Task Force said the countries would need increased monitoring, while the Philippines have been removed due to satisfactory on-site inspection

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