Laos

Laos will raise the private sector minimum monthly wage to 3.4 million LAK ($150 USD) from Jan 2027, according to a notice from the Prime Minister's Office dated 21 Oct 2026. The new total combines a base wage of 2 million LAK ($88 USD) with a living allowance of 1.4 million LAK ($62 USD), compared with the current minimum of 2.5 million LAK ($110 USD). The notice applies to private sector employers, including those in the business and service sectors, but not to civil servants

Laos ranked 75th out of 110 countries in the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index 2026 with a score of 3.69 (+6.1% from 2024), up 10 places. The environmental sustainability score rose 14%, whilst infrastructure, tourist services, human resources, technological readiness and the business environment were identified as areas needing improvement

The Lao Government stated at its monthly meeting on 22-23 Oct 2026 that road upgrades and repairs would be accelerated, with more expenditure directed to strategic routes, cross-border links, tourism destinations and production areas. The meeting also stressed construction quality, reasonable costs and stricter vehicle-load controls

Luang Prabang will host the Lighted Boat Festival on 27 Oct 2026

Mylaospring close to Kuang Si Falls, is entering its soft opening phase from 25 Oct 2026-28 Feb 2027

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has signed a management agreement with Naluang International Resort and Hotel Limited for a 101-room Holiday Inn Resort Luang Prabang Naluang Hill, due to open in 2027. It will be IHG's first property in Luang Prabang and outside Vientiane

The Presidents of Uzbekistan and Laos met in Baku on 15 Oct 2026 and identified transport, logistics, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and tourism as priority areas for cooperation

The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Vice President proposed a joint business council or working group between Laos and Azerbaijan at the Azerbaijan-Laos Business Forum in Baku on 14 Oct 2026. He named trade and logistics, energy, investment, tourism promotion and digital transformation as areas for cooperation, and proposed reciprocal business delegation visits, starting with an Azerbaijani delegation to Vientiane in 2027

New rates for entry fees will be implemented for 6 key sites in Luang Prabang, including the National Museum, Kuang Si Falls, Mount Phousi, Pak Ou Cave, Visounnarath Temple and Xiengthong Temple, from 15 Nov

Laos is tightening enforcement of the ban on people under 18 entering entertainment venues, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism announced on 7 Oct 2026, after inspections found widespread non-compliance. Venues in breach face fines, suspension or revocation of their operating licences, cancellation of their enterprise registration certificates and possible prosecution. Venues must check customers' identification documents, all staff must be at least 18 years old, and venues must be at least 500m from educational institutions, hospitals, government offices and international organisations. The ministry also reiterated its restrictions on operating hours

A 100-hectare botanical garden is being planned for Vientiane, with an MoU signed for a feasibility study

Laos' Ministry of Culture and Tourism is reviewing how tourism business licensing is divided between central, provincial and district authorities, the Minister of Culture and Tourism stated on 7 Oct 2026. The ministry licenses businesses involving foreign investment and international tour operations, renews national tour guide cards and can suspend or revoke tourism business licences nationwide. Provincial and Vientiane departments of culture and tourism manage other local businesses, whilst district and municipal offices handle guesthouses, homestays and businesses with registered capital of up to 1 billion LAK. The Minister noted that some local authorities sought more licensing powers without adequate management capacity for enforcement, and that the ministry would keep reviewing the system

Laos' National Assembly elected Saleumxay Kommasith, the former Standing Deputy Prime Minister, as Prime Minister at the opening of the 2nd Ordinary Session of its 10th legislature, succeeding Sonexay Siphandone, who was elected National Assembly President after the death of Xaysomphone Phomvihane in Aug 2026. The Prime Minister stated that foreign tourist arrivals were +7% YoY in the first 9 months of 2026, and that they expect the economy to grow 5.1% in 2026, less than the 5.5% target set by the National Assembly. The session runs until 21 Oct 2026 and will consider amendments to the civil aviation law, alongside other legislation

Attapeu Province is seeking upgrades to Routes 18A, 18B and 18D to link it with neighbouring provinces and international border crossings, the Attapeu Provincial Party Secretary and Provincial People's Council Chairman told the National Assembly on 6 Oct 2026 to boost its role as a hub linking Laos with Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. He also urged government funding for access and facilities at Nong Fa Lake, Tad Hua Khon, Tad Safpha and Tat Tha Phap, with well-managed tourism products able to attract more domestic and international tourists. Attapeu province is planning to boost infrastructure and speed up tourism projects

Laos and Thailand have completed the environmental and social impact assessment and detailed design for the 820m Xiengman-Luang Prabang Mekong Bridge, which will connect Chomphet District with Luang Prabang Town. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and take 4 years, with the bridge due to open in 2031. The 2 sides have negotiated a concessional loan, and Laos is preparing to sign the loan agreement. The bridge is expected to cut the journey between Thailand's Nan Province and Luang Prabang by 30-45 minutes from about 9 hours

Laos and Thailand set a bilateral trade target of $11 billion USD by 2027 and a tourism target of 3 million visits per year. Bilateral trade reached $4.39 billion USD in the first 8 months of 2026, and Thailand was Laos' largest source of foreign visitors in H1 2026 with 833,738 trips, according to the Laos Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The 2 countries also proposed a sixth Friendship Bridge between Salavan and Ubon Ratchathani and agreed to cooperate on improved border crossing regulations, roads and bridges

Laos' economy grew +4.8% YoY from Jan-Sep 2026, driven mainly by the processing industry, private-sector investment and electricity. Tourism and accommodation and food services also expanded. The economy is projected to grow 5.1% in 2026