Laos

The Taiwanese Interior Ministry listed Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos as high-risk destinations due to incidents involving scam gangs. Travellers to the five countries will now see a warning on their plane tickets, and will be advised to download a travel safety application

EXO Travel won the “Large Business” category for the Lao Responsible Business Awards 2025

Municipal officers in Luang Prabang have announced that from 1 Mar, freelance photographers from outside of the province will need to obtain permits for shooting from the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism with fees of up to 2 million LAK ($90 USD). The fees for international freelance photographers is said to be higher. Local photographers based in Luang Prabang will not be subject to the fees

Luang Prabang has introduced new traffic regulations ahead of its free public bus service trial from 24 Feb-2 Mar. The project also includes free tuk tuk services. Tourist shuttle vans will also not be allowed into the Luang Prabang heritage zone during the trial, and will need to pick up/ drop off passengers at That Luang

Huaphan province has seen 53,162 domestic and international tourists in 2024, generating 58 billion LAK. 36,351 of those visitors were international. Numbers are up from 2023’s 45,000 visitors and 32 billion LAK. In 2025, it aims for 56,000 visitors and 78 billion LAK tourism revenue

Nong Thao Lake and Pa Xeuam Cave in Khammouane Province are set to open in Na Khang Xang Village in Apr 2025. It will include boating, forest trekking and walking tours, as well as an information centre

The Luang Prabang Provincial Information, Culture, and Tourism Department reported that challenges for 2025 include that key access roads to attractions such as Tad Kuang Si Waterfall and the road from Luang Prabang city to the Laos-China Railway Station, need urgent repairs, and that these upgrades are necessary for the destination to reach its potential

The Lao PM has called for sustainable tourism development and for the industry to collaborate with other sectors. He also called for the promotion of Lao culture, the creation of cultural villages and maintaining of traditions

The Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden in Luang Prabang will not reopen after its closure for COVID in 2020, after being unable to seek financing to allow its reopening

The government is aiming for 4.3 million international visitors in 2025, with a tourism spend of $1 billion USD and an average stay of 10 days. It hopes that 4.1 million will take domestic trips, generating $678 million USD with an average length stay of 3 days. The ministry is planning to create decrees on tourist attractions, tourism marketing council, tourism districts, entertainment and defence, as well as boost agreements with the private sector. The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism also asked the Luang Prabang provincial authorities to be prepared for the Mekong Tourism Forum in Jun, and provinces in general to prepare a 2026-2030 plan. They also called for services to be improved at tourism information centres

A new document is now needed for individuals driving their own vehicles across the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge 1, including a fee of 10,000 LAK

The Head of the Department for Information, Culture and Tourism of Luang Prabang Province called for visa exemptions for Chinese group tourists and other nationalities who don’t yet have visa exemptions

The Head of the Department for Information, Culture and Tourism of Luang Prabang Province called for the national government to consier allocting budgets on a local level to support future Visit Years, and reconsider licensing of local tourism business units

Inflation in Jan 2025 fell to 15.5%, down from Dec 2024’s 16.9%. Restaurants and hotels reported inflation of more than 20%

The Deputy Prime Minister has advised that the tourism authorities must create strategic plans for the development of the sector, with short, medium and long-term plans. He also noted that they should further invest in infrastructure, develop better transport systems, boost the accommodation supply, as well as improve visitor facilities, food services, and undertake training for tour guides and tourism businesses. He also called for marketing campaigns to showcase Laos’ special character with a unique brand. He advised the government to create incentives for the tourism industry through tax breaks and access to finding. He also called for greater security at top tourist destinations, and for the industry to use more technology, including for online booking and payments

Khiri Travel has partnered with Camino Women Australia to launch a new community-based hill trekking route in northern Laos, focusing on female hikers. The first hike will be on 16 Feb

There were 3.3 million domestic tourists in Laos in 2024, +90% YoY, generating more than $540 million USD in revenue

The Bank of Laos has announced new regulations to strengthen the value of the Lao kip, including managing currency deposits, regulating the use of foreign currency and establishing rules for transferring money overseas

That Phon, a Buddhist Stupa in Savannakhet, will likely be listed as a national heritage monument by the year-end

The Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism have invited the Thai press to visit Khammouane to see its ecotourism potential. In 2025, Khammouane received 852,000 tourists and generated 1 billion LAK in revenue, +170% YoY

Khammuan’s Khoun Kong Leng Lake is opening up 30 new activities by Pi Mai, including kayaking, zipline, mountain biking, scuba diving, caving, rock climbing, trekking, camping

Vientiane Capital has launched a new initiative called “Vientiane’s Sustainable Tourism” under a scheme between the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of Vientiane Capital and Packon Capital Company Limited from Thailand. It will include a feasibility study on sustainable tourism practices, and developing a viable business model, infrastructure improvements including energy and water management, implementing 5G networks and city infrastructure. It will also see mobile apps developed to help tourists and service providers, and will also develop new attractions along the Mekong River and That Luang Lake. It will also include electric buses as a new symbol of Vientiane Capital

The Sikhottabong Festival is taking place from 10-13 Feb in Thakhek

Khammouane Province is aiming to become a popular place for domestic and international travellers. In 2024, it saw 800,000 tourists and generated $46 million USD in tourism revenue. In 2025, it is aiming to make travel more seamless, as well as more environmentally friendly activities, as well as more activities like ziplining

The Kapok Blossom Festival is being held in Bokeo province within the Golden Triangle SEZ. It includes a street market and exhibition, an art show and cultural shows. In 2024, it welcomed 248,000 tourists, up from 18,950 in 2023 and tourism spend of $12 million USD

Cambodia and Laos held bilateral discussions on further cooperation, including trade cooperation, and holding exhibitions, business and investment forums, tourism, logistics and cooperation between the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Laos saw 4,120,832 international tourists in 2024. The top source markets were Thailand (1,215,553), Vietnam (1,054,204) and China (1,084,034), Korea, France, Russia, the US and the UK

Xayaboury’s 2025 Elephant Festival will be held from 18-24 Feb, featuring 50 elephants, a mini marathon and a traditional ritual

Luang Prabang will trial new free buses between 24 Feb-3 Mar in a bid to reduce the congestion as part of the JICA-Laos Car Free Zone Laboratory Project

Mongolia and Laos governments held a bilateral meeting to discuss further cooperation in trade, economy, road transport, healthcare, agriculture, culture, education and tourism

13 Israeli tourists were injured and 5 locals were killed in a bus crash in Laos between Pakse-Vientiane, with those injured being transferred to Thailand for treatment

Laos launched the Climate Exchange Campaign in conjunction with the EU, the Swiss Agency for Development and Corporation, Swisscontact, the Lao Ministry of Natural Resource sand Environment and others. It will have youth-led initiatives, focusing on advocacy and innovation

Laos and Japan signed an agreement to upgrade their relations to a strategic partnership during the Laos PM’s visit to Japan. They announced Laos’ plans to increase visa free stays for Japanese citizens to 30 days from the current 15 days, as well as encourage direct flights between the two to drive tourism

The Coffee and Tea Festival of Bolaven from 8-10 Feb in Paksong

Restaurant SMEs can send their staff for free training on hospitality skills in Luang Prabang, as part of an initiative funded by the DFICT Mastery Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, LuxDev, the EU and Swisscontact