Laos
PM stresses tourism safety must be of utmost importance to the tourism sector.
Latest monthly intl arrivals
392,142
Dec 2025
Recovery vs 2019
86%
Dec 2019: 457,579
YTD Intl Arrivals
4,120,832
No 2024 data
Percent of 2024 Target
153%
of 2.7M target
Source: Intl arrivals - Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. Page last updated: 17 Dec 2026.
Latest Travel Industry News
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10-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundLaos is preparing for extreme hot weather for the Lao New Year, with some places set to experience 43 degrees CelsiusSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/10/laos-braces-for-extreme-heat-during-new-year-celebrations/
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9-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundVientiane province is aiming to reach economic growth of at east 6% from 2026 to 2030, and 6.5% by the end of the period. Tourism will play a role in the 5 key strengths to achieve thisSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/04/09/vientiane-province-raises-five-year-growth-targets
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9-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundLaos will open its first aquarium in Vientiane, built at the Living Aquatics Resources Research Center, with an investment of $10 million USD ad as pat of cooperation between China and LaosSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/09/laos-plans-to-open-its-first-aquarium-in-vientiane/
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9-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundPM2.5 levels have remained high in Vientiane and several other provinces due to biomass burning, forest fires and transboundary hazeSource: english.news.cn/20260409/c856928d030d424aabe4a5a4bbe6f0be/c.html
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8-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundThe PM has stressed that tourism safety must be of upmost importance to the tourism sector, and that legal frameworks must catch up, particularly for higher risk activities such as hot air ballooning and paramotoring. He called for better communication, incident alerts and multilingual support for visitors, as well as coordination between all sectors. The PM stressed that tourism development should be linked to culture, and that cultural identity should be turned into meaningful experiences for visitorsSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/08/laos-pm-orders-tighter-safety-rules-for-tourism-sector/
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8-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundThe PM has called for further promotion to ensure that the Visit Laos-China Year 2027, Visit Laos Year 2029 and Visit Laos-Vietnam Year 2030 is successful. He stressed that early planning is essential and the World Heritage Sites should be a focusSource: vientianetimes.org.la/freefreenews/freecontent_68_PM_y26.php
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7-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundNamdong Park near Luang Prabang city is set to open for Pi Mai Lao under the first stage of its developmentSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/04/07/laos039-namdong-park-prepares-to-debut-this-month
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3-Apr-2026 👨✈️ aviationLao Airlines and Lao Brewery Company will deepen their partnership to promote Laos regionally and internationally. A co-branded Tigerhead drinking water label will be launched on Lao Airlines for on board flightsSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/03/lao-airlines-lao-brewery-company-strengthen-partnership-to-promote-lao-identity/
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3-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundSavannakhet province has urged all sectors to limit costs and focus on traditional Pi Mai festivals for the new year. It also banned risky behaviour, and private events must end by 11pm, with loud noise not allowed after that time, whilst water splashing on public roads must finish by 6pmSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/03/savannakhet-urges-simple-pi-mai-lao-celebrations-amid-budget-concerns/
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2-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundA hot air balloon got entangled in power cables in Vang Vieng on 26 Mar, causing a power outage for thousands of homes. No injuries were reportedSource: scandasia.com/tourist-balloon-slams-into-power-lines-in-laos/
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2-Apr-2026 👨✈️ aviationLao Airlines and BCEL signed an MoU for a strategic partnership, including to implement BCEL’s e-commerce payment gateway into Lao Airlines’ website, developing flight booking and payments into the BCEL One app and developing co-branded cards and loyalty cardsSource: facebook.com/LaoAirlines/posts/pfbid02N3HxhEy16UvjtqxR3U36q3zP3fo8iiHjPkTfdfgnDZy4iu1Rat6U3iB89Ez38gFMl
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2-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundPM2.5 levels have been rising across Laos, with Northern provinces reported as having “Very Unhealthy” levels on 2 AprSource: facebook.com/laotiantimes/posts/pfbid02MSM2CPT81oD5VgQN2xpCcYZmUREeETbFLPmDUaBRFdSQAcR9LGN5up3j8kXvBvJ9l
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1-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundThe Laos-China Railway has increased its ticket fares across all routes, with around a 9% increase for adult passengersSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/01/laos-china-railway-raises-fares-across-all-routes-starting-1-april/
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1-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundA message issued from the Lao People’s Army Office instructed departments, offices, schools and units under its authority to suspend Pi Lai Lao festivities due to economic pressures and recent natural disasters. The message caused confusion if Pi Mai Lao celebrations were allowed to proceed, but no official announcement has been received from the government for the general publicSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/01/pi-mai-lao-still-on-despite-confusion-over-defense-ministry-notice/
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31-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundThe China-Laos railway has seen 70 million passengers since its launch in Dec 2021. On the Lao section of the railway, it now operates 18 passenger trains, and 780,000 have crossed the border using the railwaySource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/03/31/china-laos-railway-handles-over-70-million-passenger-trips
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31-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundA coffee festival is taking place in Houaphan from 30-31 MarSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4471580466460085/
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30-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundThe railway linking Laos and Vietnam has received in-principle approval from the Lao National AssemblySource: en.nhandan.vn/laos-pushes-rail-link-with-viet-nam-post160510.html
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28-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundLaos’ March 2026 inflation rate grew to 9.7% from Feb 2026’s 6.2%, whilst the consumer price index grew to 267.0 vs 258.7 in Feb 2026. The highest jumps were in goods and services with an increase of 39.8%, driven by gold prices, and restaurants and hotels saw an increase of 7-9%. The average inflation for Q1 2026 was at 7%, above the government’s target of 5% annuallySource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/28/inflation-hits-9-7-percent-as-fuel-prices-drive-sharpest-rise-in-years/
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27-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundPakse City in Champasak is likely to be renamed Khamtai Siphandone City, with proposals proceeding though local and provincial assembly approval. The change in name is to honour the former President Khamtai Siphandone who was born in Champasak provinceSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/27/pakse-to-be-renamed-after-former-president-khamtai-siphandone/
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27-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundAncient standing stones, the Hintang Archaeological Park, in Houaphanh Province have been recognised as a national cultural heritage site. The standing stones remain a mystery as to their purpose, and it is hoped that the new designation will better protect the site and help further researchSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/27/standing-stones-in-houaphanh-recognized-as-national-heritage/
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26-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundThe Lao State Fuel Enterprise and PTT (Laos) have signed an agreement to import 14 million litres of diesel from international suppliers, with a shipment expected in mid-Apr. PTT reported that diesel accounts for more than 80% of fuel consumption in transportation and other commercial activitiesSource: nationthailand.com/news/world/40064287
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26-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundAn unexpected hailstorm hit two districts of Vientiane Capital on 22 Mar, impacting 5,400 families across 17 villages, destroying homes and infrastructureSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/26/hailstorm-leaves-over-5400-households-reeling-in-vientiane/
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25-Mar-2026 👨✈️ aviationSichuan Airlines has launched a Vientiane-Chengdu flight 4 times per weekSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4465874947030637/
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24-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundVientiane has launched an expansion of its public bus services from 23 Mar-30 May, with a flat fare of 10,000 LAK per trip for commuters around the citySource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/24/vientiane-launches-flat-fare-bus-services-amid-fuel-crisis/
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24-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundA proposal to develop the railway linking Vientiane-Vietnam’s Vung Aung Port has now been submitted to the National Assembly for approval by the Lao governmentSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/24/laos-seeks-approval-for-usd-1-3-billion-railway-to-vietnam/
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23-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundA ceremony to celebrate Hin Nam No national park’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site was held on 19 MarSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/03/23/hin-nam-no-parks-inscription-as-world-heritage-site-celebrated-in-laos
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23-Mar-2026 👨✈️ aviationThe Hong Kong-Pakse charter flight on Greater Bay Airlines started on 22 MarSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4463877703897028/
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23-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundApplications have opened for the next National Tour Guide Training Batch 24, held from 26 May-17 AugSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4464286513856147/
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23-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundLao schools have returned to a full 5-day week, with the Ministry of Education and Sports calling on students, parents and teachers to ride bikes to school where possible, to save on fuelSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/23/laos-urges-students-to-cycle-use-public-transport-as-schools-resume-full-week/
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21-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundThe Thai PM has reassured Laos that it will continue to export refined oil to Laos, although the volume has been cut by 25%. He justified the continued exports to Laos due to the two countries’ mutual energy dependencies, with Laos supplying a good portion of Thailand’s electricity through hydropowerSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/21/thai-pm-anutin-reassures-laos-of-continued-fuel-supply-amid-25-percent-cut/
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20-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundLaos is cutting the school week from 5 days to 3, to ease pressure on transport networks with the fuel shortage. If the situation gets worse, school may shift to online learningSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/20/laos-cuts-school-week-to-three-days-amid-fuel-shortage/
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20-Mar-2026 👨✈️ aviationLao Airlines will launch 4 flights per week from Vientiane-Nanning from 22 MarSource: facebook.com/LaoAirlines/posts/pfbid02RcEpiJKD5oQhxJeEPStmEzQSzTktmQJtgxBDuaqwwioCDaqzpiZCzaMcKTWfKUX5l
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19-Mar-2026 👨✈️ aviationChina Eastern will launch flights once per week from Wuhan-Vientiane from 10 AprSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4459504117667720/
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19-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundThe Embassy of Lao PDR will hold its Lao Festival 2026 from 23-24 May in TokyoSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4459828674301931/
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18-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundBus ticket prices have increased for buses on southern route services from Vientiane Capital from 18 Mar, increasing from around $0.9 to $3.2 USDSource: facebook.com/laotiantimes/posts/pfbid02E6XcFBs92gizZSQbKzekVKWwxQCAzhwNmwaW5KWujFchKkdrGYEPrYabEByetD5sl
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17-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundPakse authorities have launched a temporary free public bus to support residents through the fuel shortage and price increaseSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/17/pakse-launches-free-bus-service-amid-fuel-shortage/
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17-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundLaos is considering whether to expand Vientiane’s Bus Rapid Transport system to connect to key transport hubs such as Wattay International Airport and the Lao-China Railway Station, in a bid to combat rising fuel costs and shortagesSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/17/laos-eyes-brt-expansion-to-airport-railway-station/
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16-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundOn 11 Mar, 1,061 petrol station out of 2,538 in the country were closed due to fuel shortages, with long queues for fuel at the ones open. The Lao authorities have continued to inspect fuel distribution and monitor pricing concerns and stock. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce on 16 Mar announced that the import tax on gasoline 95 will be reduced from 20% to 15%. The government is also planning to allocate 300 billion-600 billion LAK to a fuel support fund to stabilise domestic pricesSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/16/laos-moves-to-stabilize-fuel-supply-as-over-1000-stations-reported-closed/
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16-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundLaos has ordered civil servants to reduce the number of in-person meetings and transition state vehicles to electric, with 10% of the fleet being electric by the end of 2026. Diesel prices from 4-10 Mar grew by 50%, and special gasoline recorded the second highest price increase globallySource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/16/laos-orders-civil-servants-to-work-from-home-switch-to-electric-vehicles-amid-fuel-crisis/
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16-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundA new digital booking system for attractions has launched in Luang Prabang, called LDT Booking. It covers 6 attractions and adds a booking feeSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4456944824590316/
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13-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundThe Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered inspections of fuel supplies at gas stations and storage depots after concerns of possible stockpiling. Those found violating regulations face warnings, suspension of licences or public disclosureSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/13/laos-orders-nationwide-fuel-inspections-amid-hoarding-concerns/
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13-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundAn electricity pole in Vientiane has gone viral thanks to a series of 5* reviews on google for its tangle of electricity, fibreoptic and telecommunications wiresSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/13/electric-pole-superstar-as-vientianes-new-landmark/
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13-Mar-2026 🛬 inboundLuang Prabang has restricted temporary roadside structures and commercial stands along Sisavangvong Road during Lao New Year from 14-16 Apr. The installation of sound systems, decorative lighting and promotional flags has also been prohibitedSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/03/13/luang-prabang-restricts-roadside-commercial-setups-during-lao-new-year/
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