Luang Prabang Attracts More Than 273,000 Visitors in 3 Months
Luang Prabang is gaining a huge amount of tourist, surpassing the number of from last year.
Read more
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang Authorities Ask People Not to be Rowdy During Pi Mai Lao
Authorities of the world heritage town of Luang Prabang have instructed people not to engage in revelry beyond 11:30pm…
Read more
Time Magazine Calls Luang Prabang “A Hidden Paradise”
Luang Prabang is included on Time Magazine’s 50 greatest places in the world.
Read more
Luang Prabang Plans “Pi Mai 2023” Extravaganza
Luang Prabang authorities have arranged an extensive programme of activities for the Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) 2023 festival.
Read more
Laos’ Luang Prabang May Lose Unesco Status Amid Fears Dam Will Cause ‘Irreversible Damage’
Critics are concerned about the ‘authenticity and integrity’ of Luang Prabang, a Unesco World Heritage site, if the project proceeds
Read more
Chinese Tourists Fill Up Hotels in Northern Laos’ Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is experiencing a surge of Chinese Tourist who visits the town.
Read more
Laos Health Officials Find Formalin in Food Products at Luang Prabang Markets
MOH discovered high levels of formalin (formaldehyde in liquid form) that had contaminated animal products at several locations.
Read more
Villagers to be Displaced by Luang Prabang Dam Want More Compensation
Villagers who will be displaced by the massive Luang Prabang Dam project are demanding five times higher compensation.
Read more
Luang Prabang’s Night Market Vendors Enthused by Return of Tourists
Luang Prabang vendors are now making a comeback and earning a steady income as growing number of tourist arrived.
Read more
Laos Tourism Number to Rise as Government Prepares for Return of Chinese Tourists
The Lao government and private sectors are actively preparing for the arrival of Chinese tour groups.
Read more
Luang Prabang Named Among Easiest Places To Travel In SE Asia
“What makes this destination an attractive stop in Laos is its rich culture and laid-back vibe. Time slows down in Luang Prabang,” the magazine states.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Returns in December
The UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, Laos, will once again host filmmakers, film industry professionals, and fans of Southeast Asian cinema at this annual event.
Read more
Innovation Through Collaboration
DiscoverLaos and J&C Group have recently formed a new strategic partnership
Read more
Thousands Affected By Floods In The North
Thousands of people in northern areas of Laos are suffering after rivers flooded following several days of heavy rain.
Read more
People Call For Steps To Prevent Cheating Of Tourists In Luang Prabang
A number of Lao social media users have called on authorities to take immediate action to prevent the cheating of foreign visitors by some vendors at popular tourist destinations such as Luang Prabang.
Read more
Man Stabbed To Death In Luang Prabang
The rising murder rate in Laos is a cause of concern and is attributed in part to growing drug use and gambling.
Read more
Luang Prabang City Receives Asean Clean Tourism Award
To receive an Asean clean tourism district standard award, a district must be able to show good standards of cleanliness at hotels, guesthouses and restaurants.
Read more
Ukraine Crisis Clouds Southeast Asia’s Fragile Tourism Recovery
Travel industry figures fear the war in Ukraine could derail the much-anticipated recovery of tourism-dependent economies in Southeast Asia just as COVID-19 travel restrictions are finally being lifted across the region.
Read more
More Trains To Run Over New Year Weekend
The Laos-China Railway Company Limited is laying on more train journeys over the New Year holiday from December 30-January 3.
Read more
Green Travel Zones Of Laos Ready To Welcome Visitors
Several tourist sites located within green travel zones in provinces across Laos are ready to welcome visitors from next month under “new normal” conditions amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more
Korean Company To Carry Out Feasibility Study For Upgrade Of Luang Prabang International Airport
The government has given the green light to the Korea Airport Corporation (KAC) to carry out a feasibility study for the upgrade of Luang Prabang International Airport
Read more
Govt To Open Doors To Visitors From 17 Countries
Travel destinations will be limited because of the difficulties involved in opening up the whole of the country while Covid control measures are in place.
Read more
PM’s Office Approves Resumption Of Tourism On January 1
The Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday officially set January 1 as the start of the resumption of tourism in Laos and approved an action plan on the designation of green travel zones where tourists will be protected against Covid-19.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival’s Lao Filmmakers Fund Awards Funding To Eleven Local Film Projects
Lao filmmakers fund supports largest selection to date, again
Read more
Luang Prabang Police Intercept Transport Of Over 3 million Amphetamine Tabs
Luang Prabang provincial police on Monday arrested three men as they were driving vehicles loaded with a huge stash of more than 3 million amphetamine pills.
Read more
Solidarity Canteen Fills Empty Stomachs In Luang Prabang
Last week, the organisation celebrated the provision of its 30,000th meal, a true milestone in its service to impoverished households around the town.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Devotes 2021 To Supporting, Celebrating Lao Filmmakers
The Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) announced on Friday that it will dedicate its activities in 2021 exclusively to its annual Lao Filmmakers Fund and a celebration of the Lao film industry.
Read more
Can China’s Belt and Road Open Up Landlocked Laos?
As a 420 km high-speed railway nears completion, two Chinese-built highways have been given the green light. Will these projects open up Laos, or make it a crossing point on China’s Belt and Road?
Read more
Get Your Beautiful Lao Masks Today !
We create local employment, wearing mask save lives and all proceeds are donated to support the local community ! A win-win project on all levels !!
Read more
Proceeds From Our “Save Lives, Save Laos” Project Being Distributed To The Local Community
We are proud to announce that today we made another contribution to the Solidarity Canteen in Luang Prabang to the value of 4,000,000 kip. We carefully selected from the various options, and we love the “grassroot” approach of the Solidarity Canteen.
Read more
Motorists Warned Of Repairs To Kasy-Nan Road
Vehicles, especially heavy trucks, are advised to avoid using the section of Road No. 4C running from Kasy district in Vientiane province to Nan district in Luang Prabang province while the road is under repair.
Read more
Korea Airports Corporation To Enter Korea’s First Airport Development Project In Laos
The Ministry of Planning and Investment of Laos selected Korea Airports Corporation as a feasibility study provider for the Luang Prabang airport development project.
Read more
Laos Reports 1st Human H5N6 Avian Influenza Case
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports the first human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) virus infection has been reported in Laos.
Read more
Pi Mai Lao Celebrations Limited To Traditional Events
Provinces across the country will organise scaled-down events to celebrate Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) from April 14-16 this year.
Read more
Expressway Operator Applies New Security Measures
The new security measures are to prevent further accidents along the highway Vientiane – Vang Vieng.
Read more
Luang Prabang To Celebrate Lao New Year From April 10-25
Luang Prabang province is planning a colourful programme of activities for Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) from April from 10-25 in the hope of attracting more visitors
Read more
Motorists Warned To Avoid Kasy-Nan Road
Motorists driving between Vientiane and Luang Prabang are advised to avoid the section of Road No. 4C
Read more
Luang Prabang To Have New Public Park
A vacant plot of land in Luang Prabang city will be turned into a green space to enhance the urban environment.
Read more
China-Laos Railway Tracks Laid To Luang Prabang, Achieving Yearly Goals
The China-Laos railway tracks have successfully extended from Lao capital Vientiane to northern Laos’ transport hub Luang Prabang on Tuesday, thus accomplishing all the construction targets set at the beginning of 2020.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Announces 2020 Lineup
The Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) has unveiled its official selections for 2020. From the mountains of Vang Vieng to Manilla shopping malls, the program spans nine countries and includes a Southeast Asian premiere.
Read more
Laos The Shortest Nation In The World
A new study published by The Lancet medical journal has revealed the tallest and shortest peoples and the places that continue to grow in height.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Goes Online
Luang Prabang Film Festival returns for its 10th event with a streaming program free to audiences across Southeast Asia
Read more
Tourism Businesses In Laos Slash Prices To Woo Local Travellers
Tour and hospitality business operators have massively cut the cost of their services and package tours to make prices more affordable and encourage Lao people to take vacations around the country.
Read more
COVID-19 Pandemic Severely Impacts Lao Economy: ADB
Although Laos was able to dodge severe health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, the effect on the country’s economy, particularly on the tourism sector, is being projected to be devastating.
Read more
End Of Buddhist Lent Culminates In Colourful Celebrations
Buddhists across the country spent two days taking part in colourful festivities to mark the end of Buddhism lent or Ork Phan Sa which concluded the three-month traditional rain retreat observed by monks.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival’s Lao Filmmakers Fund Awards Seven Grants To Local Film Projects
A psychological thriller about a young woman experiencing trauma and two new features from first-time directors are among those to win support from the 2020 Lao Filmmakers Fund
Read more
J&C Insurance To Provide Property Insurance For Villa Maydou And Maison Houng Chanh In Luang Prabang
The Villa Maydou Boutique Hotel is one of the most charming residences in Luang Prabang, where you can enjoy a traditional Laotian atmosphere.
Read more
Lao’s Bucket List
Whether you have lived in Lao for a long time, recently moved here, or are just passing through there are some things in Laos that you just can’t miss. Here we have listed a few of our personal highlights
Read more
Laos Extends Flight Ban
The ban on flights to Laos continues with no end date in sight as far as government announcements go
Read more
Bushfires Destroy 100,000 Hectares Of Forests
More than 100,000 hectares of forests in Luang Namtha province were destroyed by bushfires that raged for more than a month
Read more
Twelve Predictions For Life After Coronavirus: Travel & Tourism
12 predictions for the travel and tourism industry in Asia
Read more
No Public Access To Pimai Water Traditions At Temples
The pouring of purified perfumed water to ceremonially shower Buddha images in temples by members of the public would typically occur across the country during next week’s Lao New Year period.
Read more
Laos Cancels Public Events Including Lao New Year Celebrations on COVID-19 Fears
Authorities in Laos are urging the public to suspend or postpone all “unnecessary” social events including weddings and Lao New Year celebrations in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Read more
Laos Ranked Third In Top Country Awards By UK Wanderlust Magazine
Source: The Star Laos has been named second runner-up in the Top Country rankings in the UK’s Wanderlust Reader Travel
Read more
Laos To Face Drought Conditions In Next Two Months
Laos is likely to face an acute water shortage over the next two months as rivers continue to fall to lower-than-normal levels.
Read more
Thai Airways Sell One Pass One Price
Thai Airways International is offering a One Pass One Price Value Card Package for four economy class fares to destinations in the Mekong region
Read more
Bombie Blast Death Strikes Fear Among Luang Prabang Residents
People in Luang Prabang province’s Nambak district are fearful after a local elderly resident, Mr Khamkeo Sorpaseuth, was killed when he accidentally unearthed a BLU26 bombie recently.
Read more
Tourism, Poverty and the Luang Prabang Half Marathon
The Luang Prabang Half Marathon offers the general population to get healthier and train, while at the same time it donates the money collected from the registration to the Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC).
Read more
China-Laos Railway Marred By Compensation Issues And Pollution
The new China-Laos railway is spanning the Mekong River and drilling through mountains. So far, many local Laotians are seeing more trouble than benefits from the project.
Read more
Laos’ Trash Problem Is An Ecological Time Bomb
In Laos, newly-empowered consumers are basking in the benefits of the polymer industry without knowing the consequences of their consumption on marine ecosystems.
Read more
Scoot Is Now Offering Singapore’s First Direct Flight To Laos
Singaporeans can now hop on a direct flight to Luang Prabang and Vientiane, after budget carrier Scoot unveiled three new weekly flights to Laos on April 1.
Read more
Illegal Ivory Seized In Raid On Luang Prabang Shop
More than 73 kilograms of ivory products were confiscated from a souvenir shop in Luang Prabang province recently and the foreign owner detained for suspected trading in elephant ivory.
Read more
Laos Faces Tourism Setback
Laos will close its “Visit Laos Year 2018 promotion well short of the 5 million tourist arrivals target
Read more
Tap Water Business Booming In Laos
THE TAP-WATER business in Laos’ top tourist destination Luang Prabang has enormous potential for growth due to the rapid expansion of tourism, a high-speed rail project in the works and high demand for water utilities across the country, according to Exim Bank and Thai investors in Laos.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Sends Lao Filmmakers to Singapore
Selected winners from the #IWTMekong Short Film Competition travel to Singapore for Symposium on IWT
Read more
The Reason Why Princess Beatrice Flew To Laos
Princess Beatrice spent a week in South East Asia following the royal wedding for a very special cause – to run a half marathon supporting a children’s hospital.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Launches Short Film Competition on Lao Tourism Industry
The Technical and Vocational Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports and Luang Prabang Film Festival have launched a new short film competition to celebrate the Lao tourism and hospitality sector.
Read more
The Flora Of Laos
A botanical park in Luang Prabang reveals how plants are used in everyday life in Laos
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Opens Call for 2018 Talent Lab
The Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) has announced that it is accepting applications for its 2018 Talent Lab, led by Tribeca Film Institute® (TFI). The Lab, which will train Southeast Asian filmmakers on grant writing and project pitching, will be held during the opening weekend of the ninth annual festival, which will take place 7-12 December 2018.
Read more
Pullman Debuts In Laos
The 16-hectare resort overlooks a lush greenery with a backdrop of beautiful mountain views and paddy fields along meandering streams and ponds in the rustic countryside.
Read more
Chinese Constructors Complete Foundations Of Mekong River Rail Bridges
The concrete casting for the last pier understructure of LuangPrabangrailway bridge has been successfully completed, laying down all the foundation construction work of the two cross-Mekong River super major bridges along the China-Laos railway.
Read more
Luang Prabang – A Pachyderm Paradise
“Don’t think an elephant cannot lie. You will notice elephants’ lies if you spend time observing Chao Kid’s behaviour,” Prasop Tipprasert, a wild animal expert and a key staff member at the MandaLao, said as he led a group of Thai reporters on a trip through the elephant sanctuary earlier this month.
Read more
Tourism And Development Threaten Laos’ French Traditions
It remains a jewel of French colonial architecture, you can savor some of the best croissants and baguettes east of Paris here, and even toddlers still learn the language of their bygone rulers. Luang Prabang, tucked into a river valley in the heart of Laos, survives as one of the last bastions of the old French Indochina.
Read more
Northern Farms Turn To Ice As Frost Hits
The northern provinces are experiencing frosty weather and farmers and local residents are struggling to cope with daily life as they shiver in the cold.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Selects 10 Projects for 2017 Talent Lab
The Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) has selected 10 projects from across Southeast Asia to participate in its 2017 Talent Lab, to be led by Tribeca Film Institute® (TFI). The Lab, which will focus on grant writing and project pitching, will be held during the opening weekend of the eighth annual festival, which will take place 8-13 December 2017.
Read more
Luang Prabang Upgraded From Town To City
The government has approved a change in the status of Luang Prabang from town to city, aimed at fast tracking socio-economic development in the province while enhancing relations with other cities in the region.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Announces 2017 Lineup
The Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) has announced the lineup for its eighth annual event, which will run 8-13 December 2017.
Read more
‘Doksuri’, One Of The Strongest Tropical Cyclones To Arrive In Laos On September 15
Doksuri is expected to be one of the strongest tropical cyclones to strike Vietnam and Laos in recent years.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Announces 2017 Talent Lab
The Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) has announced that it is looking for applicants for its 2017 Talent Lab for Southeast Asian filmmakers, to be led by Tribeca Film Institute® (TFI). The Lab, which will focus on grant writing and project pitching, will be held during the opening weekend of the eighth annual festival, which will take place 8-13 December 2017.
Read more
5 Reasons To Visit Laos In The Green Season
Laos has two very distinct seasons: the wet (May – October) and the dry (November – April) — each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Here we present our top 5 reasons for coming to Laos during the Green Season!
Lao Heritage Town To Host 5th Annual Half Marathon Event
The fifth annual Run for Children “Luang Prabang Half Marathon” will be held in October this year in Lao world heritage town of Luang Prabang.
Read more
Luang Prabang Film Festival Announces 2017 Dates, Releases Design
The Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) has announced that its eighth annual event will take place on 8-13 December 2017. The festival, which celebrates Southeast Asian cinema every December in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, Laos, will feature a range of feature film screenings, short film programs, panel discussions, and events.
Read more
A Visit To The Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden
The newly-opened Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden is a perfect half-day adventure out of town and it’s just a short, leisurely ride from Luang Prabang. After buying a ticket at their office in town, hop on one of their complimentary boats from the ….
Read more
Lao And Now: Mekong River, Vientiane, Thailand
We’re cruising up the Mekong from Vientiane, capital of Laos, to northern Thailand, on a 1000km, 10-day journey. Way upstream, dams are voraciously draining the river, so initially we have had to
Read more
Luang Prabang Arranges Special Lao New Year Activities
Luang Prabang province has added more activities to Lao New Year ( Pi Mai Lao ) festivities this year as it focuses on promoting Visit Laos Year 2018 and attracting more domestic and foreign visitors.
For this year’s Pi Mai Lao in Luang Prabang province the organising committee has designed large tourism promotion banners to join the Miss Lao New Year procession on 15 April, which will highlight various …..
Precious Lessons From World Heritage Town Of Luang Prabang
Almost 40 Thai villagers and “creative tourism” advocates recently participated in several community tourism activities in Luang Prabang, Laos, looking to apply good ideas to their villages in six designated special zones.
They have learned precious lessons from these destinations — Whisky Village, Sa Paper Village, Living Land Community Farm, Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre, two museums, two mountains, a temple and ….
A young monk in Laos had pressing life questions for President Obama. Last week, Obama answered them.
For an entire morning last September, a young monk named Sengdao Oudomsinh stood outside his temple in Laos hoping to catch a glimpse of President Barack Obama.
Obama was passing through Sengdao’s tiny town of Luang Prabang during his final trip as president to Asia. And Sengdao, an 18-year-old monk, had fantasies of shaking the American president’s hand — or better yet, asking one of the ….
Luang Prabang Film Festival Goes From Strength To Strength
Luang Prabang, the well-preserved northern capital of Laos, doesn’t have a single working cinema. But over the first week of December, the streets of its Unesco-sanctioned historic district filled with cinephiles hailing from all over the region and beyond for the latest edition of Luang Prabang Film Festival, or LPFF.
Thirty-two feature films were screened, which ended on Dec 7, all of them from the Asean nations of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, ……
Cruising The Mighty Mekong In Style
Here I am, lounging in the shade, avoiding the hot, mid-morning sun along the Mekong as we slowly wind our way downriver to Luang Prabang. All is quiet and peaceful except for the sound of the boat’s motor slicing through the water, glistening as it rushes past us.
Steep hilltops sitting lush and green from the rains, close in on us as the river bends and narrows, giving us a close-up glimpse of their sheer magnitude. The views are absolutely ….
Two Children Dead, Three Missing After Bridge Collapses
Two children have died, 52 people have been rescued and three children are missing after they fell into a river in Luang Prabang province on Friday morning when the slatted wooden bridge they were walking on tipped sideways.
Fifty-seven schoolchildren, a teacher, and a motorcyclist fell off the bridge into the Xeng River at around 7am in Vangbay village, after one of the main ….
With AirAsia, Now Everyone Can Fly Direct To Kuala Lumpur From Luang Prabang
AirAsia, the truly Asean airline announced a brand new route connecting Luang Prabang in Laos directly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with four times weekly flights commencing 21 November 2016.
AirAsia is the first and only airline to operate direct flights from Luang Prabang to Kuala Lumpur. This will be the airline group’s 70th intra-Asean route connecting all ten Asean countries, as well as ….
Luang Prabang Lures Foreign Investors With Tax Incentives
Promoted as one of Laos’ tourism destinations, Luang Prabang is angling for investors from Asean, including Thailand, by offering waiver of corporate income tax for up to six years as bait.
Luang Prabang has prioritised the tourism industry to drive its growth and lift Laotians from poverty under the 2020 strategic development plan, Governor Khamkhan Chamthavisouk said. “In general, Asean investors will be allowed to hold a 100-per-cent stake in …..
Luang Prabang Sees Unexpected Dip In Tourism Growth
Although more tourists visited Luang Prabang province this year than ever before, the rate of growth has not been as high as anticipated, a senior tourism official has noted.
Much more needs to be done in terms of marketing and creating confidence among international tourists, to encourage them to visit the World Heritage town.
“The number of tourist arrivals in the province reached …..
SilkAir To Launch Flights To Vientiane & Luang Prabang on Oct 31
SilkAir will launch services to Vientiane and Luang Prabang in Laos this October.
Once the flights start, SilkAir and its parent airline, Singapore Airlines, will together fly to all 10 countries in ASEAN.
Subject to approvals, SilkAir will offer three weekly flights on Monday, Thursday and ….
Four-Day Lao New Year Holiday Announced
The government has announced four consecutive public holidays for Lao New Year or Pi Mai Lao from April 13-16 bringing the total break to six days including Saturday and Sunday, the longest in years.
As April 16 falls on Saturday, therefore April 12 (Tuesday) will be a ……
South Korea Next To Issue Travel Warning For Parts Of Laos
South Korea followed the US and Australia in issuing a travel warning against trips to Laos’ central province of Xaisomboun, as well as traveling on Route 13 that stretches from Kasi to Phou Khoun, part of the road connection between Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
The warning followed a number of recent shootings that involved and killed Chinese nationals working in Laos and already prompted the Laos government to ……
Oscar Winner Lord Puttnam Tackles Lao Tourism Challenges
Oscar-winning producer Lord Puttnam was recently walking along Luang Prabang’s streets. He notices a fine-looking four-storey hotel topped with a terrace. He hikes up the stairs and takes in the view. He then asks the staff if he can order a drink. The smiling worker replies, “Yes sir, on the first floor.”
Lord Puttnam’s anecdote kicked off his keynote address at the 18th Lanith Symposium on the challenges and barriers in …..
One Chinese Dead, Three Wounded In Attack
A Chinese national was killed and three others wounded in an attack in Laos, state media reported Wednesday, the second time this year workers from China have been targeted in the resource-rich nation.
The assault took place late Tuesday on property belonging to ….
Thai AirAsia To Fly Luang Prabang
Thai AirAsia will inaugurate a daily flight from Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport) to Luang Prabang in Lao PDR effective 24 March.
In the past, authorities rejected applications by low-cost airlines to fly to Luang Prabang. The country also opted out of the ASEAN Open Skies agreement, apparently to protect its national airline, at the expense of its fledging ….
Magical Laotian Town Preserved By UNESCO Loses Its Soul
It is officially described as the best-preserved city in Southeast Asia, a bygone seat of kings tucked into a remote river valley of Laos. Luang Prabang weaves a never-never land spell on many a visitor with its tapestry of French colonial villas and Buddhist temples draped in a languid atmosphere.
But most of the locals don’t live here anymore. They began an exodus from this seeming Shangri-La after their hometown was listed a ….
Luang Prabang: 20 Years Of World Heritage
Luang Prabang is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a World Heritage Site, listed by UNESCO in 1995, helping to preserve Lao culture.
The 20th anniversary of the World Heritage Site will be celebrated in the midst of the 40th anniversary of our country’s foundation on December 2, 1975. It is an important year for our country and in Luang Prabang a trade fair will be held on December 5, before conducting …..
Bolder Line-up At Luang Prabang Film Festival
Entering its sixth year, the Luang Prabang Film Festival marches on. This year LPFF, the only film event in the historic town on the bank of the Mekong, will take place from Dec 5-9, with around 40 feature films from across Southeast Asia.
The festival, run by Lao-based American Gabriel Kupperman, has grown over the years. And even though Luang Prabang still has no …..
Luang Prabang Gets Aboard E-bus Project
The UNESCO World Heritage town Luang Prabang this week officially launched its E-Bus Project along with an electric vehicle station.
The E-bus Project currently involves over 30 electric buses including 14 buses provided as a grant from the Japanese government and around 20 buses operated by the Lao Green Company. The buses will be driven along …..
Chinese Investor Granted Concession for Khouangxi Waterfalls In Luang Prabang
A Lao official has decided to grant a land concession to a Chinese investor to develop the area around one of the country’s most famous natural landmarks, despite heavy criticism by locals who oppose such deals involving public property.
Khampheng Saysompheng, governor of Luang Prabang province in northern Laos, approved China’s A-Cho Group Company for a land concession to develop the area surrounding the Khouangxi waterfalls, a popular tourist attraction.
The deal came to light, however, when a copy of a document related to Khampheng’s decision was published on ….
J&C Services’ Special Package “Pi Mai Luang Prabang”
During the month of April J&C will celebrate Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) with a special promotion for our clients and readers:
Enjoy your Pi Mai holiday at the beautiful boutique hotel Hotel Villa Deux Rivieres in Luang Prabang at a very special rate of 59/room/night*. Located in the heart of Luang Prabang, the ancient former capital of Laos, this unique boutique hotel is situated in the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage area, with the main historical places …..
A New Pediatric Hospital Opens Up In Luang Prabang
Khou is an eight year-old girl from the village of Nong Khuay, a Khmu community two hours away from Luang Prabang. Ostensibly like other kids her age, she actually suffers frequent seizures and shows signs of a development disability. Because access to quality healthcare in Nong Khuay – and most rural villages in Laos – is unavailable, Khou has never been diagnosed, treatments never investigated. Until now.
Lao Friends Hospital for Children is the realization of the kindness of renowned Japanese photographer, Kenro Izu. While visiting Cambodia in 1994, he was struck by ……
Luang Prabang Listed Among World’s 11 Most Romantic Wedding Destinations
Luang Prabang has been highlighted as a world-class popular tourist destination once again after an Australian travel website listed the World Heritage site among 11 of the world’s most romantic wedding destinations.
Laos’ well-known tourist destination was number five among the 11 destinations shown on the Qantas Travel Insider website.
Paris, France came first followed by ….
Top 10 Coffee Spots In Luang Prabang
Coffee has been a staple of Laos ever since it was introduced by French colonialists in the early twentieth century. Coffee is currently the largest agricultural export commodity, and the Bolaven Plateau is one of the most fertile regions to grow coffee. In Lao, coffee is pronounced “khaafeh” (similar to how you would say café). If you want real Lao coffee, you must order “khaafeh Lao”.
At first I was considering using a rating system in order to categorize different coffee spots in Laos, but I felt that it did not give enough justice to some of the more local places I visited. This list is thus ….
11 Things I Love About Laos
I’ll be moving out of Laos in a week or two (or three…) and I have grown to love this country more than I ever imagined. It surprised me how quickly Luang Prabang has come to feel like home. Here are some of the characteristics, quirks, and sights that I have come to love the most:
Read more
Love in Luang Prabang: Film Festival
The world premiere of “Vientiane in Love”, an omnibus romance by four Lao directors, will open the fifth edition of the Luang Prabang Film Festival, set for December 6 to 10.
Screening in the festival’s 800-seat outdoor main venue, “Vientiane in Love” is by Lao New Wave Cinema and four directors – Vannaphone Sitthirath, Xaisongkham Induangchanthy, Phanumad Disattha and Anysay Keola, who made his debut in 2012 with the thriller “At the Horizon”.
Three other features from Laos’ newly emergent film industry will ….
J&C Services’ 6th Anniversary Special Package “Luang Prabang”
During the month of September J&C will celebrate its 6th anniversary with special promotions and offers for our clients and readers.
Our first promotion is a Special Package Deal offering a 3 night stay at Hotel Villa Deux Rivieres in Luang Prabang. Located in the heart of Luang Prabang, the ancient former capital of Laos, this unique boutique hotel is situated in the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage area, with the main historical places of interest and attractions within walking distance.
The J&C Special Package includes:
Luang Prabang Boat Racing Festival 2014
The World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang is where the first of the provincial boat racing festivals this year will take place on August 24, being held on the Khan River with 37 boats taking part.
“This year will be our biggest festival ever with 37 boats competing against each other. The 37 include two from Xayaboury province and will be the highlight of the festivities on August 24,” he said.
Normally boat racing starts at ….
Hip Hideaways: Laos’ Premier Boutique Hotels
With tourism on the rise in Laos, more and more distinctive hotels are opening their doors to visitors seeking impeccable hospitality, with flair and comfort to match. Take advantage of the current low-season price points to beat the crowds for a stylish escape at a luxurious getaway, right on your doorstep.
Whether you’re looking to pamper yourself with a signature spa treatment, laze by the pool with cocktail in-hand, or relax after a day of adventure, Sabaidee Magazine has handpicked a few of the country’s most exquisitely placed and unique ……
Hostage Drama Unfolds In Luang Prapang
Luang Prabang police authorities plan to tighten village security after going through the ordeal of the first ever hostage taking in the city, following a drug fuelled incident last Thursday.
Officials told the press yesterday that the incident presented a bad image for the heritage city and popular travel destination so they have tightened security in order to maintain peace and order in society.
“Most of the police were also shocked by the incident after we reported about it. However we have learnt some valuable lessons and are now beefing up security to ensure …
The Awesome Race
Luang Prabang will shake off its sleepy low season on Sunday 1st June when it hosts a city-wide scavenger hunt, named ‘The Awesome Race’. Teams of 4 will run, bike, moto and tuk tuk across town racing against each other to win prizes and ultimate glory. Teams must decipher cryptic clues to make it to their next pit stop, facing challenges along the way…this is no marathon and a combination of brains, brawn, courage and speed will determine the winners with the slowest teams suffering elimination throughout the day.
Teams have the opportunity to win pit stop prizes, along with major prizes for overall winners thanks to …..
Lao Skyway Launches More Flights North
Lao Skyway, formerly Lao Air, has launched four more flights to Northern provinces Luang Prabang, Bokeo, Oudomxay, and Luangnamtha.
The company would operate its new routes with MA-60s, a small plane which can accommodate 56 passengers, providing charter flights at reasonable prices.
Lao Skyway said that new flights to the Northern provinces would be available from …..
Luang Prabang Ranks As A World Leading Tourist Destination
Readers of Wanderlust, a leading British travel magazine, have voted World Heritage listed Luang Prabang as one of the top two cities in the world to visit for 2014.
Luang Prabang ranked second after Bagan city in Myanmar while third place belonged to Nghe An in Vietnam, according to a report from Luang Prabang Provincial Department of Information, Culture and Tourism.
However, Laos as a whole was the …..
New Loei – Luang Prabang Bus Route
The Transport Company in Thailand has joined with Naluang Company in Laos to launch a new public bus service, Route 14, to link Loei with Luang Prabang.
The journey takes about nine hours and covers a distance of 395km. The Transport Company uses an air-conditioned bus with 38 seats for the new service. The bus departs from Loei Bus Terminal daily at …..
Traditional Laotian Homes Get a Second Life
Plans for some land beside the Mekong River changed when Steven Schipani of Bay Shore, New York, and his fiancée, Veomanee, decided to get married. For some time Ms. Veomanee, who, like many in Laos, just uses one name, had intended to use the land for a hotel and spa. But in 2006, with their wedding on the horizon, the couple decided to build a house on the 1.2 acres in the village of Xang Khong in northern Laos.
They both felt that their home should have modern comforts but also reflect local architectural styles. The couple looked around for traditional building materials, and discovered that three families in two nearby villages were planning to discard old homes made from ……
Sacred Prabang Image Gets A New Home
Thousands of people from all over the country and from all walks of life gathered on Saturday at the Luang Prabang National Museum, the former Loyal Palace, for the relocation ceremony of the sacred Prabang image from its former home in the Museum to the new Hor (shrine) Prabang, its permanent home.
Cast in Sri Lanka and given to the Khmer royal family then on to former Lao King Fa Ngum, the Prabang Buddha image has been in Laos for over 600 years. After being moved many times during this time it finally has a permanent home.
The new home, Hor Prabang, has been a long time coming. First planned in 1993 it was finally completed in ……
THAI Smile Flies To Luang Prabang
THAI Smile, a business unit of Thai Airways International, will start a new four weekly service to Luang Prabang in Laos, 15 December.
It pitches the airline in direct competition with Bangkok Airways that was the first international airline to serve the World Heritage town. It flies three daily services to Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang was designated by UNESCO as the “The Best Preserved City in Southeast Asia” and registered as a World Heritage City, due to its anciednt temples and well preserved colonial building and former royal palaces.
THAI Smile will operate flights from …..
HIV/AIDS Prevalence Is Highest In Luang Prabang
The Luang Prabang provincial Health Department is campaigning for greater condom use after learning the province has the highest rate of HIV infection in Laos.
The department also promotes condom use at hotels and restaurants to make sure that all guests have access to information about HIV and its prevention.
According to the Centre for HIV/AIDS/STIs, from 1990 to the end of 2011, 4,272 people in Laos tested positive for HIV. Of these, 2,736 people developed AIDS and 1,170 people died from the virus. In Vientiane alone, 1,464 people have tested positive for HIV, with most of them being relatively young….
Laos Lures Korean Golfers
A big jump in South Korean tourist arrivals in Laos is being attributed to the lure of new golf courses in Luang Prabang, the ancient capital, and in Vientiane.
Korean investors have built and now manage several golf courses in the land-locked communist country, where land and water are still abundant and labour is cheap.
Golf course fees in Laos are a fraction of what they are in South Korea, where the game is a national passion.
Luang Prabang Bus Crash Death Toll Rises
Seven people are now confirmed dead from a bus crash in Luang Prabang after officials reported a 23 year old man died in hospital several hours after the accident on November 22.
The accident happened on November 22, on Road No. 13 north between Vientiane and Luang Prabang province. The overnight bus left Vientiane at 7:30pm on November 21, carrying 32 people headed for Luang Prabang. Early the next morning, …
Small Pleasures In Luang Prabang
After one and a half months living and working in Luang Prabang, I’ve started to be familiar with the place.
Usually, I don’t really enjoy big cities. I quickly feel oppressed by the pollution and the touristic trap! I need open space and greenery to be comfortable. Luang Prabang is not a really big town, especially measured in Asian comparison, but it is still the most visited place in Laos. Out of this I felt it may become hard for me to stay here, but it all came a little bit different…
I will tell you about the small details that for me makes all the difference here in Luang Prabang and for my life here: …
Arthouse Cafe Luang Prabang
On a recent trip to Luang Prabang I stumbled upon the fantastic little Arthouse Cafe and just had to write about it. I was wandering around trying to decide where to eat for lunch when I noticed the cafe’s little signboard in the street. I was curious, so I walked in and sat down and ordered. The food came quickly and was fantastic!
Read more