New Asphalt Road in Vang Vieng is More Than Half Complete
Source: Vientiane Times
Construction of a 26-km asphalt road along the Xong River and the upgrade of a 6-km road leading to the Kaeng Yui waterfall in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province, is now almost 58 percent complete, with work expected to be finished next year.
The original completion date was September this year, but the work was delayed because of a shortage of laborers and the heavy vehicles needed for road building. This meant that toilets planned at the waterfall could not be built on schedule, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
The upgrade is part of an infrastructure development scheme to bolster tourism, financed by the Asian Development Bank at a cost of more than US$8.8 million.
The scheme will also see the construction of visitor amenities such as a car park, a bridge, restaurants, and shops.
The ADB also financed the US$3.9 million construction cost of building roads on Don Deth and Don Khone islands, which are situated on the Mekong River in Khong district, Champassak province.
In addition, the ADB has financed the building of a road to the Nam Ngum 1 dam, where visitor facilities around the dam are also being improved.
All of the locations targeted for improvement are popular with both Lao and foreign visitors.
Laos’ tourist attractions have been cited in several foreign publications and websites, with river trips through the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park in Huaphan province listed among the world’s top 10 best night safaris in an article posted on the Condé Nast Traveler website in February.
In March, Luang Prabang was recommended by the American magazine Time as one of the 50 greatest places to visit in 2023.
The magazine called Luang Prabang “a hidden paradise”, saying the turquoise waterfalls, Buddhist temples, and sunset boat trips on the Mekong River are just a few of the province’s highlights.
