Khammouane is investing in new cultural landmarks, restoring colonial-era buildings, and upgrading urban infrastructure as it works to attract more visitors.
The latest addition is a new Khaen-themed roundabout along Route 13 South, near the main access road to the Third Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge. The project, worth LAK 3.8 billion (USD 168,525), is fully funded by Asia-Potash International (Laos). Construction is 60 percent complete, with the roundabout scheduled to open in April 2027.
At its center is a tribute to the khaen, a traditional bamboo mouth organ that became Laos' first UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage element in 2017. The design also celebrates Lam Mahaxay, a local mor lam singing style rooted...
In many Lao communities, temples are among the cleanest places around. People sweep the grounds, tend to the gardens, and take care of the buildings. There is a shared...
Laos has received a credit rating upgrade after issuing a USD 500 million international bond and signing a tax agreement with Hong Kong aimed at reducing costs for cross-border...
Laos is eyeing a major expansion of its clean energy exports following a proposed agreement to supply up to 500 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity to Singapore.
On 30 October,...
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered trade offices nationwide to stop imposing measures that restrict business competition or obstruct the movement of goods.
Issued on 28 October, the...
Laos’ inflation edged down to 7.7 percent in October from 7.8 percent in September, but households continue to face higher electricity bills and other everyday expenses.
Prices rose 0.9 percent...
Laos will suspend access to South Korea’s seasonal work program for 3 years if the nationwide overstay rate reaches 70 percent, under new rules introduced as the country expands...
The number of foreign nationals living in Laos has nearly doubled over the past decade, led by a sharp increase in Chinese residents, even as hundreds of thousands of Lao citizens live abroad.
Laos recorded 79,827 foreign residents in its 2025 census, up from 45,538 in 2015. The census also counted 313,766 Lao citizens living abroad, as the country faces slowing population growth and labour shortages.
Chinese nationals accounted for much of the increase in the foreign population. Their numbers rose from 1,825 in 2005 to 13,400 in 2015 and 25,492 in 2025. Vietnamese nationals remained the largest foreign group, with 28,269 residents in 2025.
Thousands of Lao Citizens Seek Work Abroad
The...
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...
Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as a key initiative to boost regional travel and connectivity.
Held...
Mental health challenges often go unnoticed in Laos, where people experiencing anxiety and emotional distress may seek help for physical symptoms instead. Stigma, cultural beliefs, and a shortage of specialists make it harder for locals to get the care they need.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the suicide mortality rate in Laos was 4.6 per 100,000 people in 2021, down from 5.7 in 2000. However, the country still lacks regularly updated national data on mental health.
Dr. Chantharavady Choulamany,...
Salavan United Football Club, based in Salavan in southern Laos, has terminated the contract of Lao national team winger Soukphachan Lueanthala amid match-fixing allegations, citing his “unexcused absences” from training.
The club announced the...
Laos is preparing to compete in 12 sports at the 14th ASEAN Para Games in Kuala Lumpur next October.
The Lao team has proposed entering athletics, swimming, powerlifting, boccia, women’s goalball, men’s blind football,...
Mental health challenges often go unnoticed in Laos, where people experiencing anxiety and emotional distress may seek help for physical symptoms instead. Stigma, cultural beliefs, and a shortage of specialists make it harder for locals to get the care they need.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the suicide mortality rate in Laos was 4.6 per 100,000 people in 2021, down from 5.7 in 2000. However, the country still lacks regularly updated national data on mental health.
Dr. Chantharavady Choulamany, president of the Lao Mental Health Association (LMHA), said the latest official figures date back to 2021, making it difficult to assess the full scale of the problem.
The Signs People Miss
Anxiety and persistent worry are among the most common mental health concerns Dr. Chantharavady encounters in her clinical work.
Many people do not recognise their experiences as mental health problems. Instead, they visit doctors with headaches, body aches, or difficulty sleeping, without realising that these symptoms may be linked to emotional distress.
Mental health problems can have several causes, including genetics, physical health, childhood experiences, financial difficulties, job loss, and loneliness. Often, several pressures build up over time.
To tackle this issue, a...
