The Asian Development Bank has approved a $10 million financing package for the Responsible Forestry Project Phase I in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. This initiative aims to combat forest degradation, enhance climate resilience, and improve livelihoods for forest-dependent communities, marking ADB's first forestry investment in Laos in a decade.
The Lao People's Democratic Republic has officially declared December 19 of every year as Alcoholic Beverages Prohibition Day. This move, announced on December 18, 2025, aims to strengthen the enforcement of the 2014 Law on Alcoholic Control, protect public health, and mitigate the social and economic harms associated with excessive alcohol consumption across the nation.
The Lao government has officially declared December 19 of every year as Alcoholic Beverages Prohibition Day, aiming to bolster public health and reduce alcohol-related harm. This nationwide ban on alcohol consumption reinforces the 2014 Law on Alcoholic Control, with enhanced enforcement measures set to begin in 2025.
Vientiane authorities have outlined a new strategy to bolster the city's tourism sector, focusing on expanding accommodation capacity, enhancing infrastructure, and increasing income for local businesses. The plan, presented to the Vientiane People's Council, emphasizes sustainable tourism, technological integration, and the development of new attractions along the Mekong River and That Luang Lake.
The Lao government is restructuring the Lao State Fuel Company (LSFC) into a public-private joint venture, aiming to retain a 51 percent majority stake. This reform, detailed on November 13, 2025, during the National Assembly's 10th Ordinary Session, seeks to boost efficiency and address financial challenges within the state-owned enterprise, aligning with broader government efforts to overhaul key SOEs and attract private investment.
The Lao government is restructuring the Lao State Fuel Company (LSFC) into a public-private joint venture, retaining a majority 51% stake. This move, part of a wider reform of state-owned enterprises, aims to boost efficiency and financial stability, as reported to the National Assembly on November 13.
The Lao government is restructuring the Lao State Fuel Company (LSFC) into a public-private joint venture, retaining a majority 51% stake. This move, announced during the National Assembly's 10th Ordinary Session on November 13, 2025, is part of a wider effort to enhance efficiency and address financial challenges across state-owned enterprises in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
The Lao government announced plans to restructure the Lao State Fuel Company into a public-private joint venture, retaining a 51% stake. This move, part of a broader state-owned enterprise reform, aims to boost efficiency and financial stability.
New satellite data identifies at least 27 rare earth mines established in Laos since 2022, many in protected areas and the Mekong River Basin. Despite a national ban, these operations, often backed by Chinese investment, raise significant transboundary pollution concerns for the vital waterway and its ecosystems.
The Lao People's Democratic Republic experienced a notable decrease in its inflation rate, reaching 4% in October 2025, down from 4.5% in September. Despite this positive trend in inflation, the cost of living continues to pose significant challenges for households, with essential goods and services remaining expensive.
Chanthila “Shawn” Souvannarath, a 44-year-old father from Alabama, was deported to Laos despite a federal court order prohibiting his removal. Souvannarath, who claims U.S. citizenship through his naturalized father, was sent to a country he had never visited, sparking condemnation from legal advocates who called it a 'stunning violation' of a court directive.
Luang Prabang City in the Lao People's Democratic Republic has been awarded the Green Destinations Silver Award for 2025–2027, marking it as the first city in Laos and among the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam grouping to receive this prestigious accreditation. The recognition highlights the city's commitment to sustainable tourism practices and cultural preservation.
The Lao Green Business Forum 2025, held on October 24, 2025, in Vientiane, convened over 150 participants to establish a vision for the Lao People's Democratic Republic as a leading green business hub within ASEAN. Co-organized by XM Technovator and the Department of Forestry, the event highlighted sustainable enterprise, innovation, and policy alignment for a green economy.
The Lao government has adjusted household electricity rates, effective from the October 2025 billing cycle, and ended the free power program for low-usage consumers. This move, announced on September 23, 2025, includes a 0.7 US cents per kWh increase for Tier 1-3 households and follows earlier significant price hikes, sparking public concern.
The inaugural Lao National Youth Forum, themed 'Youth-Led Climate Smart Agriculture and Climate-Resilient Food Systems,' commenced in Vientiane on September 24, 2025, to empower young people in transforming food systems amidst climate change and population growth.
Laos is set to surpass its 2025 tourism target of 4.3 million international visitors, having recorded 3,061,928 arrivals in the first eight months of the year. This 15% increase from 2024 is fueled by relaxed entry regulations, enhanced infrastructure, and robust demand from key regional markets.
