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Headlines:
Heritage and Tourism with Vietnam
Japan Gifts $2.85M in Education Grant
Health Sector Overhaul to Manage Climate Threats
Inflation Tamed for the Moment
ASEAN and Beyond: Media, Trade, Energy
Lao Development Buys Pak Lay Hydro Project
International Trade and Regulation Updates
Ta Saeng Sub-Districts Introduced in Oudomxay
Heritage and Tourism with Vietnam
Vietnam and Laos are working on heritage-based development, with a recent seminar in Ninh Binh exploring ways to take advantage of cultural and natural heritage for growth. The idea is to get more community involvement and refreshed infrastructure to win more tourism, an industry that already generates billions in revenue. With more than 800 cultural sites in Laos, the opportunity to grow the market is substantial.
Read more: Nhandan
Japan Gifts $2.85M in Education Grant
Japan has promised USD 2.85 million to develop Lao human capital with 20 annual scholarships under its Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) program between now and 2032. The program supports advanced degrees at top Japanese universities and will go a long way to building long-term relationships between Japan and the next generation of Lao leaders. More than 530 Lao officials have already benefited from the program since 2000.
Read more: Laotian Times
Health Sector Overhaul to Manage Climate Threats
A new project to improve the national health system is using climate data and WASH indicators to improve surveillance and preparedness in 25 high-risk districts. The overhaul will require upgrades at 79 health facilities, and several government agencies are working together to define the project’s scope, roles, implementation, and monitoring to build long-term, flexible capacity.
Read more: VietnamPlus
Inflation Tamed for the Moment
The latest inflation numbers show some much-needed relief, coming in at 5.3% this month. Despite the better numbers, high rates early in the year mean that the annual rate is still about 11%, but authorities are optimistic about getting that down to a single-digit number by year-end. The country is also still reporting enough foreign currency reserves to cover several months of imports.
Read more: Laotian Times
ASEAN and Beyond: Media, Trade, Energy
The 2025 Belt and Road Journalists Forum had Lao media look at and discuss the challenges of media modernization in an international context. Diplomatic efforts with Vietnam continue to appear healthy, especially in defense and economics. Both countries are keen to continue working within ASEAN to promote peace and development. Laos also continues to be an important player in the $129 billion ASEAN supergrid project.
Read more: Laotian Times (Media), Nhandan (Diplomatic Activities), Straits Times (Energy Supergrid)
Lao Development Buys Pak Lay Hydro Project
Thai billionaire Sarath Ratanavadi's Gulf Development has picked up the entire Pak Lay hydroelectric project in Laos as it continues its drive to build out renewable energy. Gulf's strategy for more renewables is aligned with Thailand's Electricity Generating Authority under a long-term supply contract.
Read more: Forbes (Hydroelectric Project), Waterpower Magazine (Renewable Strategy)
International Trade and Regulation Updates
Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia continue to cooperate on transnational threats, trade, and education. In the tech sector, a JV launched LamoPay, an e-wallet that will allow cross-border payment transactions with Vietnam. In the renewable energy sector, new trade cases in the US could affect Lao exports. Petitions have been filed for duties on solar products due to claimed unfair pricing.
Read more: Asia News Network (Regional Cooperation), Akin (Trade Measures), CoinGeek (LamoPay)
Ta Saeng Sub-Districts Introduced in Oudomxay
Oudomxay Province has created 40 new “Ta Saeng” sub-districts to better serve the public. The changes are part of a plan to create hundreds of sub-districts across the country, so it will be interesting to watch how well it works out in Oudomxay.
Read more: Laotian Times
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.
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