Laos
Vietjet signs agreement to support development of Laos aviation infrastructure within 6 months, create 2.5k new jobs.
Latest monthly intl arrivals
329,306
Dec 2023
Recovery vs 2019
72%
Dec 2019: 457,579
YTD Intl Arrivals
--
No 2024 data
Percent of 2024 Target
--%
of 2.7M target
Source: Intl arrivals - Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. Page last updated: 6 Jun 2025.
Latest Travel Industry News
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18-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundThe Laos-China railway has boosted some of its services to accommodate Chinese New Year, including expanded counter services and a traveller lane at Bohan Railway BorderSource: laotiantimes.com/2025/01/18/laos-china-railway-expands-services-for-chinese-new-year-travelers/
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17-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundOudomxay launched its 2025 Ethnic Traditional Festival, with both domestic and international travellers in attendanceSource: laotiantimes.com/2025/01/17/oudomxay-launches-ethnic-traditional-festival-to-promote-tourism-in-2025/
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17-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundAn MoU was signed between the Institute of Media, Culture and Tourism under Laos’ Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), China’s Jiangsu Vocational College of Information Technology, and the Pan-Mekong International Economic Development (Laos) Sole Co.,Ltd in a 3rd phase. Its aim is to increase the quality of service in Laos’ tourism sector to meet Chinese and international visitors’ demands, including educational and tourism exchanges. It also includes Chines language training for tour guidesSource: vientianetimes.org.la/freefreenews/freecontent_012_Lao_tourism_y25.php
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16-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundLuang Prabang province is targeting 2.3 million visitors in 2025, with a tourism revenue of $1.2 billion USD. This includes 520,000 domestic and 1.7 million international visitors. It will aim to upgrade its infrastructure, enhance tourist attractions and work on the skills of hospitality workersSource: english.news.cn/20250116/26df57f4e1024d2588599167479ad327/c.html
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15-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundLaos is still working towards an independent and self-reliant economy and will boost revenue collection by enforcement with laws, reducing tax exemptions that do not encourage investment. It will also promote using the Lao kip for cross-border transactions with neighbouring countries to reduce reliance on foreign currencySource: laotiantimes.com/2025/01/15/lao-government-outline-plans-for-economic-independence-in-2025/
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14-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundLuang Prabang is piloting a bike sharing scheme from 13-19 Jan, with the support of JICASource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4036163630001773/
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13-Jan-2025 👨✈️ aviationVietjet has signed an agreement to support the development of Laos aviation infrastructure within 6 months, aligning with a 9-year strategic cooperation agreement between Laos and Vietnam to enhance connectivity and operations across transportation. Vietjet has also said that it will boost Laos’ aviation workforce with international level training programs, creating 2,500 new jobs in Laos, expand civil aviation projects and create an independent MRO in LaosSource: laotiantimes.com/2025/01/13/vietjet-to-boost-aviation-infrastructure-in-laos/
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13-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundV-Trail, a trail running race, will be held in Vang Vieng from 1-2 MarSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4035200463431423/
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11-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundVientiane’s Sangthong District will hold its Giant Haystack Festival from 13-23 JanSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4033520630266073/
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10-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundLaos and Vietnam launched a cross-border QR payment system, with collaboration between the Bank of Laos and the State Bank of Vietnam. In Phase 1, Vietnamese tourists can use the system to pay via QR codes in Laos, and by the year-end, Phase 2 will see Lao tourists able to use the system in VietnamSource: laotiantimes.com/2025/01/10/laos-vietnam-launch-cross-border-qr-code-payment-system/
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10-Jan-2025 👨✈️ aviationLao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines signed an MoU during the Vietnam PM’s official visit to Laos. Vietnam Airlines will provide technical services for its A320/321 fleet at Vientiane and Luang Prabang airport. They will also have the opportunity for training and knowledge exchange between the two airlines, and will look at transitioning into further interline partnershipsSource: english.vov.vn/en/economy/vietnam-airlines-lao-airlines-sign-mou-to-boost-strategic-ties-post1147802.vov
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9-Jan-2025 🛬 inbound322,760 people, including 289,749 international and 33,014 domestic, visited Laos’ major tourism attractions generating 9 billion LAK ($400,000 USD). The top source market was South Korea, followed by Thailand, China and Europe. 171,245 visited That Luang, 81,035 Hor Pha Keo and 70,245 to Sisaket Temple. Upgrades for 2025 are planned, including to ticket booths, offices and gardens, with more advertising plannedSource: laotiantimes.com/2025/01/09/vientianes-top-tourist-sites-attract-over-300000-visitors-in-2024/
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9-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundVientiane authorities have issued new guidance on proper parking at tourist locations, to improve the experience, allowing tour buses to drop off or pick up for 3-5 minutes only. There are plans to use electric minibuses at That Luang to decrease road vibrationsSource: laotiantimes.com/2025/01/09/vientiane-authorities-issue-new-parking-guidelines-for-key-tourist-sites/
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8-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundA new 15.4km-long, 2-day hiking trail on Phou Malong mountain in Phonthong district, Champassak, is being planned by Green DiscoverySource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/01/08/new-mountain-hiking-trail-planned-in-laos
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8-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundThe 20th Lao Food Festival will be held from 22-26 Jan at Chao Anouvong Park in Vientiane. The event also aims to support Lao women entrepreneurs. The Lao Businesswomen’s Association has also written to the Lao government to ask that the dish “laap” is submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage listSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4031226950495441/
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7-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundChampassak, Saravan, Xekong and Attapeu are looking at how they can further collaborate to boost tourism, with a meeting between the public and private sectors to see what linkages can be done. One proposal is the creation of a tourism route covering the Bolaven Plateau. The regions have previously collaborated from 2013-2020, with the end result a creation of a Southern Laos logo, website and advertising of tourist attractionsSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4030429760575160/
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7-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundOudomxay province will hold an ethnic festival from 15-19 Jan, showcasing local ethnic groups’ customs and traditionsSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4030431617241641/
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6-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundLaos has ended its special visa exemptions which took effect from 1 Jul-31 Dec, which saw free visas for Chinese travellers, stays for up to 15 days visa free for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan passport holders, multiple entry and 60 days stays (instead of 30 days) for 21 countries that included the US, Europe and Australia, visa free access for travellers from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Spain, and Greece, and a Temporary Border Pas stay of 10 days, up from 3, for Thai and Vietnamese travellersSource: laotiantimes.com/2025/01/06/laos-ends-visa-special-exemption-policy-after-visit-laos-year-2024/
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6-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundThe fifth friendship bridge connecting Thailand and Laos linking Bueng Kan province in Thailand with Borikhamxay province in Laos, is now 96% complete. The official opening is planned for May 2025Source: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/01/06/newest-lao-thai-bridge-link-across-the-mekong-96-per-cent-complete
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6-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundThe Lao Art Museum officially opened to the public in Vientiane. It covers 80 hectares and highlights the country’s artistic heritageSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/01/06/one-for-the-future---lao-art-museum-officially-opens-to-boost-tourism-preserve-culture
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5-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundThe Giant Torch Festival will be held in Ban Phon Ngamm Atsaphangthong District, Savannakhet from 30-31 JanSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4029160447368758/
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3-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundLaos’ 2024 inflation was 21.3%, down from 31.2 %in 2023. The decline was driven by reduced pressure from exchange rate fluctuations, but there remains a high cost of livingSource: laotiantimes.com/2025/01/03/lower-inflation-in-laos-in-2024-but-cost-of-living-remains-high/
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1-Jan-2025 🛬 inboundLuang Prabang province welcomed 2.3 million tourists in 2024, an increase of 1.2 million vs 2023. 1,551,334 were international visitors, up from 786,738 in 2023. It generated $1.2 billion USD in revenue. Of the international visitors, 459,297 were from China, 175,575 from Thailand, 151,189 from Korea, 113,164 from the USA, 90,499 from France, 80,885 from Japan, 59,607 from Germany, 51,325 from Canada, 43,560 from Australia and 41,254 from the UKSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/01/01/luang-prabang-records-more-than-23-million-tourists-in-2024
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29-Dec-2024 🛬 inboundVientiane held a celebration event to mark the inscription of the Lamvong dance as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage on 31 Dec, which it also hopes will foster prideSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/12/29/laos-celebrate-special-new-year-party-after-unesco-recognises-its-lamvong-dance-as-an-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity
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27-Dec-2024 🛬 inboundHouaphanh province recognised Pa Bum sauce and Tai Daeng traditional singing as cultural heritageSource: laotiantimes.com/2024/12/27/houaphanh-to-officially-recognize-tai-daeng-singing-pa-bum-sauce-as-cultural-heritage/
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26-Dec-2024 🛬 inboundThe Tat Sieng Lue Waterfall in Khammouane province opened on 20 Dec, with campsites, homestays, restaurants and trekking facilitiesSource: laotiantimes.com/2024/12/26/tat-sieng-lue-waterfall-opens-as-khammouanes-new-eco-tourism-site/
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26-Dec-2024 👨✈️ aviationHouaphanh province is set to see flights increase, with the local authorities announcing that Lao Airlines, Lao Skyway and Lanexang Airways will increase their flights from 2025Source: laotiantimes.com/2024/12/26/houaphanh-province-to-expand-flight-services-amid-tourism-boom-in-2025/
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26-Dec-2024 🛬 inboundHouaphanh province reported that they had received 53,232 travellers, +10% YoY, of which 16,881 were international and 36,351 were domestic, from Jan-Dec 2024. Generating $2.6 million USD. The top international source markets were Vietnam, China and JapanSource: laotiantimes.com/2024/12/26/houaphanh-province-to-expand-flight-services-amid-tourism-boom-in-2025/
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26-Dec-2024 🛬 inboundThe Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism reported that more than 5 million tourists have visited Laos in 2024 so far, with domestic visitors exceeding the target by 27%Source: vientianetimes.org.la/freefreenews/freecontent_251_Tourism_y24.php
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25-Dec-2024 🛬 inboundLaos and China have launched a QR system linking Lao National Payment Network Company Limited (LAPNet) and China’s UnionPay International (UPI), allowing payment via the UnionPay mobile app. The first phase, which allows Chinese travellers to scan Lao QR codes, is now live, whilst the second phase will allow Lao travellers in China to do similarSource: laotiantimes.com/2024/12/25/laos-china-launch-qr-payment-system-for-cashless-tourism/
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25-Dec-2024 🛬 inboundThe Xayaboury Elephant Festival 2025 will be held from 18-24 FebSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4020240981594038/
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24-Dec-2024 🛬 inboundThe Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism reviewed the implementation of the Visit Laos Year 2024, together with the private sectorSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/12/24/laos-govt-happy-with-success-of-tourism-promotion-campaign-visit-laos-year-2024
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24-Dec-2024 👨✈️ aviationLao Airways is set to reopen flights from Vientiane-Luang Namtha from 1 Jan, after flooding closed the airportSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4019338645017605/
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23-Dec-2024 🛬 inboundVientiane province will hold a Sam Meun Toup Feuang (20,000 Straw Hut Village) Festival from 27 Dec to 1 Jan, with model houses, local food, performances and a night market. In 2024, the Meuangfeuang district is hoping to generate 30 billion LAK in revenue, and it received 146,000 people from Jan-Oct 2024Source: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/12/23/lao-district-meuangfeuang-seeks-to-entice-visitors-with-ethnic-festival
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23-Dec-2024 🛬 inboundThe world’s largest Hmong New Year celebration will take place from 29 Dec to 5 Jan in Xieng KhouangSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4018559575095512/
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