Laos Suspends Vientiane Private Hospital Suspected of Organ Trafficking

The Ministry of Health announced the immediate closure of BLL Hospital after a Taiwanese media investigation published allegations of organ trafficking at the facility. Despite the order, patients and doctors were still seen entering and leaving the hospital on Tuesday morning.  The parking lot remained full, with no visible police presence or signs that authorities had begun enforcing the closure. In a notice issued on 21 July, the ministry said the hospital would remain suspended while authorities investigate the claims, although it did not say how long the inquiry would take. BLL Hospital is located in Amone village, Xaysettha district, about 7 kilometers from That Luang Stupa in Vientiane Capital. The allegations first...

Economy

Laos Must Spend More on Healthcare as Costs Rise, World Bank Says

Healthcare in Laos is under growing financial pressure, and the country can no longer rely on donors to fill the gap, according to the World Bank's latest Lao PDR...

Thailand, China and Vietnam Fuel Laos’ Tourism Growth in 2026

Laos welcomed nearly 2.6 million international tourists in the first half of 2026, up 9.9 percent from the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the...

Laos Launches Cultural Association to Preserve Heritage, Build Soft Power

On 16 July, Laos established a new cultural association tasked with preserving national heritage while positioning culture as a tool for soft power, tourism, and economic growth. The country’s Central...

Laos Opens New Route for Businesses to Protect Product Designs Abroad

From 14 October, Lao designers and businesses will be able to protect the look of their products in multiple countries through a single application submitted to the World Intellectual...

Bear Paws, Pangolin Meat Seized in Vientiane Restaurant Raid Amid Laos’ Wider Crackdown

Lao authorities have stepped up their crackdown on illegal wildlife trade after raiding a Chinese-owned restaurant in central Vientiane, one of several wildlife enforcement operations carried out this year. On...

Laos Formalizes Shanghai Cooperation Organization Dialogue Partner Status

Laos has strengthened its regional ties after formally confirming its status as a Dialogue Partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), signing an agreement with the organization in Beijing...

Travel

Thailand, China and Vietnam Fuel Laos’ Tourism Growth in 2026

Laos welcomed nearly 2.6 million international tourists in the first half of 2026, up 9.9 percent from the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Tourism Development Department under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. Thailand remained the country's biggest source of visitors, with 833,738 arrivals, accounting for 32.2 percent of the total. China followed with 26.1 percent, while Vietnam ranked third with 22.6 percent. Together, the three neighboring countries brought more than 2 million visitors to Laos, making up about 81 percent of all international arrivals during the first six months of the year. ASEAN continued to dominate as Laos' largest tourism market, contributing nearly 1.47...

Laos Targets 6 Million Visitors in 2026 as Chinese Arrivals Projected at 2 Million

Laos expects to welcome between 5 and 6 million international tourists in 2026, with Chinese visitors projected to account for around 2 million of that total, according to government estimates. The numbers will be...

International Tourism in Laos Surges 13 Percent in First 10 Months of 2025

Laos welcomed nearly 3.8 million international tourists in the first ten months of 2025, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. In figures released on 7 December, the Tourism Development...

Health & Environment

Laos Suspends Vientiane Private Hospital Suspected of Organ Trafficking

The Ministry of Health announced the immediate closure of BLL Hospital after a Taiwanese media investigation published allegations of organ trafficking at the facility. Despite the order, patients and doctors were still seen entering and leaving the hospital on Tuesday morning.  The parking lot remained full, with no visible police presence or signs that authorities had begun enforcing the closure. In a notice issued on 21 July, the ministry said the hospital would remain suspended while authorities investigate the claims, although it...

Sport

Young Lao Footballers Win International Titles as World Cup Fever Grows

While the FIFA World Cup dominates football headlines, a Lao youth footballers has returned from Europe with two international titles. On 5 July, W.I.G NAGA's under-13 team successfully defended its IberCup title in Portugal,...

Chao Anouvong Stadium Renovation on Track for October Completion

Vientiane's Chao Anouvong Stadium renovation has surpassed 70 percent completion and remains on schedule for handover in October 2026.  Shuji Hayashi, senior architect at Azusa Sekkei, the project's consulting firm, told the Laotian Times...

Politics

Laos Formalizes Shanghai Cooperation Organization Dialogue Partner Status

Laos has strengthened its regional ties after formally confirming its status as a Dialogue Partner of the Shanghai Cooperation...

Railway Expansion, Education Reform Among Key Issues at National Assembly

Expanding the railway to southern Laos, rolling out a new school system, reducing poverty, and improving roads and water...

Myanmar’s Leader Wraps First ASEAN Visit in Laos, Signs Mekong Dam Study

Myanmar's recently elected President, Min Aung Hlaing, who seized power in the 2021 military coup before being elected earlier...

Lao President’s Book Donated to 22 Lao Schools Across Vientiane

More than 22 schools across Vientiane Capital received copies of President Thongloun Sisoulith’s memoir "Letters to Grandchildren" on 29...

Feature

Young Lao Footballers Win International Titles as World Cup Fever Grows

While the FIFA World Cup dominates football headlines, a Lao youth footballers has returned from Europe with two international titles. On 5 July, W.I.G NAGA's under-13 team successfully defended its IberCup title in Portugal, defeating Portuguese side GD Estoril Praia B 4-2 in the final to become back-to-back champions of one of the world's best-known youth football tournaments. Just weeks earlier, in mid-June, the club's under-10 team also won the MIC Football 7 tournament in Spain, giving Laos two international youth football titles during a single European tour. When the players returned to Vientiane on 8 July, parents, supporters, and football fans gathered at the airport to welcome them home. For the coach Tonjukkit Noysomsy, defending the IberCup title was always going to be the team's toughest challenge. "We knew it would be very difficult," he said. "We never underestimated any opponent. We prepared for a long time through training, studying matches, and analysing replays." Tonjukkit said the tournament also gave the team an opportunity to introduce Laos to people who knew little about the country. "We are proud to represent Laos," he said. "Many people there knew very little about Laos. During the tournament I...

Laos Formalizes Shanghai Cooperation Organization Dialogue Partner Status

Laos has strengthened its regional ties after formally confirming...

Railway Expansion, Education Reform Among Key Issues at National Assembly

Expanding the railway to southern Laos, rolling out a...

Myanmar’s Leader Wraps First ASEAN Visit in Laos, Signs Mekong Dam Study

Myanmar's recently elected President, Min Aung Hlaing, who seized...

Lao President’s Book Donated to 22 Lao Schools Across Vientiane

More than 22 schools across Vientiane Capital received copies...

Laos, South Korea Sign USD 1.1 Million in Agriculture Deals

Laos and South Korea have sealed two new agriculture...