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Laos News
News
As of june 20, 2025, Laos is actively working to boost its tourism sector, planning infrastructure upgrades and digital tool adoption to position itself as a major revenue generator. Key developments include the arrival of the fifth "Lane Xang" high-speed EMU train from China, which will modernize transport and strengthen cross-border links on the Laos-China Railway. In a recent diplomatic event, Laos extended condolences to India following a tragic Air India plane crash on June 22.
Business News
Laos's business sector is seeing strategic advancements to enhance its trade connectivity. On june 20, 2025, Laos and Malaysia established a significant rail-sea trade link, formalized by a Memorandum of Cooperation between Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) and Thanaleng Dry Port (TDP). This partnership is part of the broader Pan-Asia Railway Network, aiming to create a strategic trade route linking southern China through Laos and Thailand to Malaysia's west coast, significantly reducing transit times and logistics costs. Malaysia is a notable foreign investor in Laos, with substantial investments across various sectors including renewable energy, transport, and telecommunications.
Economic News
Laos's economy in early 2025 showed signs of recovery amidst global challenges, achieving a growth rate of 4.5% in the first quarter. Inflation significantly decreased to 8.3% in May, marking the first single-digit rate since May 2022. The Lao government has ambitious targets, aiming for economic growth of over 5% by 2030, with specific growth targets for agriculture (4.4%), industry (5.1%), and services (5.6%). Despite these positive trends, high inflation, currency depreciation, and declining real wages have continued to affect living standards, leading more people to self-employment, agriculture, or migration for better opportunities abroad.
Political News
On june 20, 2025, Laos's political attention included extending official condolences to India following the Air India plane crash, demonstrating international solidarity. Domestically, the Lao government, with World Bank backing, announced a $37.85 million Pollution and Waste Management Project from 2025 to 2031. This initiative, focusing on municipal solid waste in Vientiane, aims to set a model for a cleaner development pathway, investing in waste collection, treatment facilities, and strengthening pollution control regulations.
Election News
No specific election news for Laos was reported for june 20, 2025. However, on June 4, 2025, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith extended congratulations to Lee Jae-myung following his election as President of the Republic of Korea. This indicates ongoing diplomatic engagement with newly elected foreign leaders.
Employment News
Laos's employment landscape is significantly shaped by efforts to cope with rising living costs. A World Bank survey conducted from January to February 2025 revealed that employment has steadily increased over the past four years, with 97.1% of respondents reporting work in January 2025. There's a notable trend of more women entering the workforce, narrowing the gender employment gap. However, high inflation, currency depreciation, and declining real wages are pushing workers towards self-employment or migration abroad, with a third of the reported migrants in January 2025 having left Laos in 2024. Singapore recently expanded its foreign worker source countries to include Laos, effective June 2, 2025, for various industries.
Business News
As of june 20, 2025, the Lao Securities Exchange (LSX) has been actively managing compliance and trading. On June 6, 2025, LSX removed a "Non-Compliance of Disclosure (NCD)" sign from Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company (PTL) shares after the company submitted its Q1/2025 financial statements. However, LALCO's shares were flagged with an "Alert" sign on June 4, 2025, and face a fine due to non-compliance with reporting and disclosure obligations, with a corrective plan mandated by June 28, 2025. Phousy Construction and Development Public Company (PCD) underwent a stock split, with trading resuming on June 22, 2025.
Forecast
The Forecast forecast for Vientiane, Laos, starting june 20, 2025, indicates generally warm and humid conditions with light thunderstorms and rain.
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Sunday, june 20 (Yesterday): Light thunderstorms, High 32∘C (90∘F), Low 26∘C (78∘F). Winds around 8 kph (5 mph) from the southeast.
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Monday, June 26 (Today): Light rain, High 32∘C (89∘F), Low 25∘C (77∘F).
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Tuesday, June 27: Light rain, High 32∘C (89∘F), Low 25∘C (77∘F).
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Wednesday, June 28: Light rain, High 31∘C (88∘F), Low 25∘C (77∘F).
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Thursday, June 29: Light rain, High 31∘C (88∘F), Low 25∘C (77∘F).
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Friday, June 20: Light rain, High 31∘C (88∘F), Low 26∘C (78∘F).
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Saturday, June 21: Light rain, High 31∘C (88∘F), Low 26∘C (78∘F).
Entertainment News
Laos's entertainment and cultural scene is focused on promoting its rich heritage and tourism. The Laos Festival 2025, held in Tokyo from May 24-25, celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations with Japan, offering a vibrant immersion into Lao traditions, cuisine, music, and language. This event included traditional Baci ceremonies, dance workshops, and a recreation of the Lao Rocket Festival, highlighting the country's efforts to position itself as a cultural tourism destination.
Upcoming Events in Laos
Here are at least 10 upcoming events in Laos for late June and beyond in 2025:
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Mekong Tourism Forum 2025: June 25-27, 2025 (Tourism/Industry Forum).
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Asalahaboucha Day and Boun Khao Phansa Festival (Buddhist Lent): July 10, 2025 (Religious Festival).
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Former Souphanouvong's Birthday: July 13, 2025 (National Commemoration).
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Lao National Women's Day: July 20, 2025 (National Celebration).
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Boun Khao Padabdin (Rice Growing Festival): August 23, 2025 (Traditional Festival).
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Boat Racing Festival in Luang Prabang Province: August 23, 2025 (Traditional Festival/Sporting Event).
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Boun Khao Salak Ancestor Festival: September 7, 2025 (Traditional Festival).
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Naga Rocket in Bolikhamxay Province: October 7, 2025 (Traditional Festival).
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Boun Ork Phansa (The end of Buddhist Lent): October 7, 2025 (Religious Festival).
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Lhai Heua Fai, Festival of the Boats of Light in Luang Prabang Province: October 8, 2025 (Traditional Festival).
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Asian Junior Wrestling Championship: Vietnam will host the U17 and U23 Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 from June 26 to 28 (Regional Sporting Event, relevant to Laos as an ASEAN nation).
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