Vientiane Times
Strawberry farm a sweet stopover when visiting Luang Prabang
- Title
- Strawberry farm a sweet stopover when visiting Luang Prabang
- Runtime
- 2:47
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The town of Luang Prabang in northern Laos is well known as one of the world's top travel destinations with its well-preserved culture, historic sites and numerous temples, but if you are looking for a nice getaway outside of Luang Prabang for the weekend, Phoukhoun Strawberry Farm would be a great choice.
The farm is situated on a hill in Samyak Phoukhoun village, Phoukhoun district, Luang Prabang province, about 2-3 hours drive from Luang Prabang close to the junction that links the roads to Xieng Khuang and Vientiane.
Mr Anouphone said he and his father set up the strawberry farm almost two years ago. They offer visitors an overnight stay at the farm as well as camping so that people can experience the cool weather up on the hill.
It's also a great place to observe the stars in the clear night sky and to watch the sea of fog in the morning as well as drink in the breathtaking views of the Phouphachao landscape and, of course, pick juicy ripe st...
- Title
- President assesses progress in Hadxaifong
- Runtime
- 3:45
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- President Bounnhang Vorachit yesterday dispensed advice and discussed recent developments in the capital's Hadxaifong district when he met with local authorities.
According to a report presented by district Governor Mr Bountham Phoutthavongsa, the district has made good progress in terms of socio-economic development.
The district has more than 2,625 business units, of which seven units are managed by the central government level, 305 are supervised by Vientiane, about 900 are under district supervision, and the remaining 1,400 units are under the management of village authorities.
Four products have been certified as �One District, One Product� (ODOP) items: Amla ( Phyllanthus emblica ) extract, Lao Cotton Handicrafts, wood carvings, and Three Stars Milk.
The district is also preparing two other products for ODOP certification � Yoklo coffee and orange juice.
Hadxaifong has completed the demarcation of its urban area, inc...
- Title
- Religious disputes, illegal migration pose challenges for NA members.
- Runtime
- 2:04
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Disputes between followers of different religions have forced the National Assembly (NA)'s Committee for Ethnic Affairs to take steps to overcome the problem.
The committee revealed this yesterday when reviewing activities undertaken this year at its plenary meeting, which will continue tomorrow.
According to a report presented at the meeting, the committee this year visited silkworm projects in Saravan and Xekong provinces which have been set up to provide jobs for local ethnic people.
The committee also oversaw the promotion of the development of small and medium size enterprises in some northern provinces.
Committee members also looked into the impact of the Laos-China railway on local communities, along with the effects of mineral extraction, and the conditions in prisons, with visits to prisons in Champassak and Attapeu provinces.
The NA committee also investigated the illegal resettlement o f Hmong people from Vietn...
- Title
- Vientiane tackling labour intensive rice farming.
- Runtime
- 2:52
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Vientiane is planning to reduce labour intensive rice cultivation with the number of labourers working on rice farms to be cut in half by 2020.
The capital's five-year plan began last year accompanying the Party's modernisation efforts around the country with increased mechanisation in agriculture including the use of rice planters and harvesters.
In this, the capital administration has planned a ten percent reduction in labourers for planting and harvesting rice every year.
In 2016, Vientiane had around 820,000 people, with 149,000 being farmers and 24,000 cultivating rice.
The plan of Vientiane authorities will see the 27,000 working on rice farms in 2015 reduced to 13,000 in 2020.
To accompany the plan's implementation the administration will support farming investors to procure additional rice planters and combine harvesters with farmers encouraged to collectively acquire the equipment.
According to the Vientian...
- Title
- Bamboo, mangoes yield healthy profit for enterprising woman
- Runtime
- 3:45
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- At one time she didn't know anything about farming but Ms Souphaluck Phobubpha now grows bamboo and mangoes for sale and owns the Nakham bamboo garden in Vientiane province.
Ms Souphaluck has worked hard and fought to turn her life around. Every day she gets up early to tend to her trees.
In 2009, she paid 98 million kip to buy 14 hectares of land in the villages of Donsangphay and Nongkane in Pakngum district.
Then in 2010 she paid more than 100 million kip to buy 5,000 ducks, intending to sell their eggs, but the experiment was unsuccessful. She kept the ducks for a month but found that the cost of their feed was too high for her to make a profit from the venture.
At the time she was stuck for ideas and felt discouraged. She thought of selling her land but didn't want to give up on it entirely and felt she should put it to good use. After discussing various options with her family, she decided to plant bamboo which she planned to se...
- Title
- ANN seeks to promote Asia on world stage
- Runtime
- 5:19
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Representatives of Asia News Network (ANN) gathered in Vientiane yesterday with the aim of strengthening their links to better provide information about Asia to the rest of the world.
News editors from 24 leading media organisations in 20 countries began two days of discussions on how they could improve their news and information exchange, as well as how to more effectively portray the Asian reality to other continents.
The event was hosted by Lao Press in Foreign Languages, which publishes Vientiane Times , the national English-language newspaper of the Lao PDR, and was supported by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Media Progamme Asia.
ANN hopes to cement a number of initiatives that will fulfill the growing interest in and demand for news from Asia by other countries.
Editor-in-Chief of Lao Press in Foreign Languages, Mr Thonglor Duangsavanh, said the ANN meeting in Laos underscores his newspaper's commitment to working with other Asian media ...
- Title
- Official explains situation on Laos-Cambodia border.
- Runtime
- 9:28
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Laos and Cambodia have completed the demarcation of about 87 percent of their border, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced during a news conference held in Vientiane to provide an explanation about the recent problem on the frontier.
The Office of the National Boundary Committee under the ministry briefed the local media about its work with the Cambodian side that is being carried out with the understanding of both nations.
The Director General of the office, MrPhengsavanhKeopraseuth, said that the Lao and Cambodian governments greenlighted the survey and demarcation of the borderline in 1995, based on four principles, including the understanding of the borderline between two countries according to the 1/100,000 map and other related maps printed during 1933-1953 by the Indochina map department.
It was also agreed that the demarcation would be based on international principles of demarcating borderlines, based on awareness of which areas were owned ...
- Title
- Agricultural development entrepreneur seeking to benefit from gov't guidelines
- Runtime
- 4:44
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The Phanphet Agriculture Development Co., Ltd, better known in short as Phanphet Co., Ltd, is now set to take advantage of clearer policies and guidelines of the Party and government to improve thei r business operations.
s a promising agriculture development company, the Hadxaifong district based enterprise is committed to continuing its long-term experience in the field of agricultural development by using more advanced technology and modern farming tools.
In addition, the company is also expected to establish a more transparent business structure in line with the Party and government policy and guidelines.
The company began its pilot activity and business as a developer and provider of rice seeds and rice production in 2008, on 30 ha that it owned. Another 10 ha was used for the construction of company buildings and an agricultural training centre.
The company's Chairman Mr Thongsavanh Meeboun told Vientiane Times recently that his compan...
- Title
- NA, Govt discuss development impacts, compensation.
- Runtime
- 3:17
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The impacts on residents of government-approved development projects and concession projects by domestic and foreign investors were on the top of the agenda for discussion between National Assembly (NA) and government at a joint meeting yesterday.
NA President Pany Yathotou, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, NA Committees chairs and ministers attended the first joint meeting between the NA's Eighth Legislature and the government held yesterday in Vientiane to discuss the way ahead on addressing development impacts and compensation policy.
"There are some problems in need of addressing in the management of government development projects and concession projects to meet the primary planned targets identified in the socio-economic development plan and budget plan for 2017," Ms Pany said in her opening remarks.
Social issues impacting on the interests of numerous people were also noted by the NA president.
Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minist...
- Title
- People's Court marks 35th anniversary.
- Runtime
- 3:27
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The People's Court has grown in quantity and quality since it was established in 1982 to serve the country, the People's Supreme Court (PSC) President, Khamphanh Sitthidampha, has said.
Addressing a meeting held on Friday to mark 35 years of the court, he noted the growth of the court alongside the socio-economic growth of the country during 2011-2016.
Around 29,700 cases were charged to courts across the country in the past five years, while verdicts had been delivered in more than 28,000 cases by courts of f irst instance, and litigants had agreed to implement 81 percent of these verdicts. Around 19 percent of decisions by courts of first instance had been appealed against by litigants, while the appeal courts mainly agreed with the decisions of the courts of first instance.
Laos currently has one Supreme People's Court, three courts of groups of provinces as appeal courts, 18 courts at the provincial level, 40 courts for district groups, and four mili...
- Title
- Extra efforts needed, nation's media told.
- Runtime
- 4:32
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The media must make more efforts to develop itself to serve the interests of the nation against the backdrop of international integration and the spread of information and communication technology, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, has said.
�There are some aspects we have to continue tackling to overcome challenges and to do a better job in fulfilling our obligations,� the minister told members of Lao media during his address at a meeting of more than 300 journalists and officials held yesterday to mark the 67th anniversary of the founding of the Media and Publication Day of the Lao PDR, which falls on August 13.
He pointed to the continuously changing situation around the world amidst regional and international integration, which he said had facilitated the economic development of Laos, including access to the global market for domestic products.
Dr Bosengkham said the country had also gained more opportuniti...
- Title
- Achieve lagging millennium goals, targets, PM instructs.
- Runtime
- 3:37
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has said the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) should be continued since the country has fallen short of achieving some of the targets.
Mr Thongloun, also the Chairman of the National Guiding Committee for Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), made the proposal in his address to the inaugural meeting of the panel yesterday.
The year 2015 marked the target for achieving the MDGs while the monitoring of SDGs has been implemented since 2016.
�There are some MDG targets we have yet to achieve since the MDG target date of 2015. We have to continue their implementation by integrating with the SDGs,� Mr Thongloun said.
Do not let them go with their term. We have to implement MDGs alongside the SDGs,� he added.
According to a MDG progress report for Western Pacific Region from the World Health Organisation, the Lao PDR achieved six of the nine health-rela...
- Title
- Lao PM message marking Asean's 50 years, two decades of nation's membership
- Runtime
- 4:20
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The year 2017 is a historic one, marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or Asean (August 8, 1967- August 8, 2017) and the 20th anniversary of Lao PDR's accession to Asean (July 23, 1997-July 23 2017).
On behalf of the Government of the Lao PDR, I would like to express my warm greetings to the Leaders of the Party and State, officials, soldiers, police officers and all Lao people, including overseas Lao as well as foreigners working and residing in the Lao PDR.
As we are all well aware, Asean has over the past 50 years evolved and adjusted itself to changing regional and international landscapes, taking into account the region's diversity in culture, religion, language, political systems and levels of economic development, among others, thereby contributing to Asean's gradual growth.
Asean has expanded its membership to cover 10 nations in Southeast Asia and has also gradually deepened and broaden...
- Title
- Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam parliaments vow development push.
- Runtime
- 3:19
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Enhancing parliamentary oversight of cooperation for the triangle development area was discussed by representatives of the National Assemblies of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV) in Vientiane this week.
The sixth meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the National Assemblies of the three countries is being held in the capital during August 1-4.
In his opening remarks at the meeting yesterday, the Lao National Assembly Vice President, Lieutenant General Sengnouan Xayalath, highlighted satisfactory achievements in joint development, such as creation of infrastructure for connectivity, cooperation among local authorities for environment protection, management of the use of natural resources, prevention of human trafficking, combating crimes, and UXO clearance in the triangle area.
He pointed to the success in negotiations for an agreement on promoting and facilitating trade and the approval of 15 projects for infrastructure development in the a...
- Title
- PM promotes agriculture, livestock, handicraft producers in Naxaithong.
- Runtime
- 2:51
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith is
encouraging entrepreneurs to use new
technology and adjust prices for market
competition and to develop the quality
of their products.
The government will seek solutions
and measures to assist producers to
access funding and better approaches in
their business operation, Mr Thongloun
said during his visit to a livestock farm,
a weaving handicraft group and a Lao
rice producer company in Naxaithong
district, Vientiane on Thursday.
Also at the visit was Vientiane
Mayor Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoun,
Minister and Head of Prime Minister’s
Office Dr Phet Phomphipak, Deputy
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
Mr Thongphath Vongmany, along
with officials from relevant sectors and
local authorities.
During the visit, the Prime Minister
and Lao government officials went
to the Xayphone farm under the XP
Trading Lao...
- Title
- Mother and child issues on top of agenda for National Commission.
- Runtime
- 2:25
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The National Commission for Advancement of Women and Mother and Child (National CWMC) has taken a range of steps to fulfill the Laos government's international commitments promoting gender equality and protecting children.
This issue was tabled for discussion at the National CWMC inauguration plenary held in Vientiane yesterday.
The commission reviewed its work over the past six months and discussed activities to be implemented in the second half of the year.
The Prime Minister's Decree on organisational structure and activities of CWMC, the Prime Minister's Decision on appointing members of the National CWMC and other related regulations were disseminated at yesterday's meeting.
The commission was founded after the eighth government was formed in May last year by combining the National Commission for Advancement of Women and the National Commission for Mother and Child.
The new commission has Deputy Prime Minister, Dr So...
- Title
- Chinnaly captures crown in Miss Grand Laos final round
- Runtime
- 1:10
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- www.vientianetimes.org.la
The crown of Miss Grand Laos 2017 was captured by Ms Chinnaly Nolasing as the results of the final round of judging came through on Saturday night at the capital's Lao-ITECC Mall.
Chinnaly was crowned as Miss Grand Laos 2017 and Miss Popular Vote, edging out Ms Phounsub Phonnhotha who was named as first runner-up.
Ms Chitsada Vongxaysavath second runnerup, Ms Nidakone Chandalasan third Runner-up, and Ms Sengsavan Sihalath the fourth runner-up in the night's final round of competition.
Ms Chinnaly won the committee's decision after efforts that included answering a question about environment conservation for a reduction in the cutting of precious forests and woodlands.
She said that the process started from cultivating mindset in people to love the environment, reduce deforestation.
She said growing trees to improve green cover and habitat preservation was the best way for sustainable...
- Title
- Vientiane Times
- Runtime
- 3:53
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Buyers get keys, access to condo apartments at That Luang Lake SEZ
Foreign and Lao buyers have received their apartments at That Luang Lake Specific Economic Zone (That Luang Lake SEZ) in Vientiane after the Chinese developer completed the first phase of the residential condominium project.
The handover ceremony of the condo units took place on Tuesday in the zone and was attended by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment DrKhamlienPholsena, senior officials from relevant ministries, developers, along with Lao and foreign buyers.
Speaking at the event, DrKhamlien said the government approved Shanghai Wanfeng Real Estate Co., Ltd to develop the 365-hectare That Luang marsh area of Vientiane as a special economic zone to stimulate socio-economic development in Laos.
Real estate development such as the condominiums is one part of That Luang Lake SEZ.
Construction of the condominiums began in 2013 with the first phase of ...
- Title
- Korean Siloam Centre for the Blind assists eye treatment across nation
- Runtime
- 3:57
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The Siloam Centre for the Blind from the Republic of Korea has provided equipment worth US$ 115,300 to an ophthalmology centre in Laos to help the treatment of the visually challenged.
The equipment was handed over at a ceremony held at the Ophthalmology Centre in Vientiane this week, and the Deputy Minister of Health, Assoc Prof Phouthone Mouangpak, and the Republic of Korea's Ambassador to Laos, Mr Kang Hyun Yoon, attended the event.
The equipment included a modern cataract surgery machine (phaco machine), intraocular lens (IOL) for microphaco small incision cataract surgery (MICS), and IOL Injectors.
The phaco machine was provided to the ophthalmology section of Bokeo provincial hospital, and 100 IOLs will be delivered to each Ophthalmology Centre in Vientiane, the hospital in Bokeo province, and the opthalmology centres in Khammuan and Champassak provinces.
The Korean charity has also supported the training for three Lao medics th...
- Title
- Meeting salutes Laos-Vietnam friendship, solidarity.
- Runtime
- 4:37
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The long lasting tradition of friendship and solidarity between Laos and Vietnam was centre stage yesterday as high ranking leaders urged peoples of the two nations to conserve and expand the relationship.
The great meeting took place in Vientiane yesterday to salute the historical dates between the two countries when they established diplomatic relations and signed the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation.
At the meeting, Secretary General of Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of the Lao PDR Mr Bounnhang Vorachit highlighted that the two countries were good neighbours, shared mountains and rivers from the north to the south, with the peoples having maintained solidarity and mutual assistance like they were brothers born from the same mother.
He noted the nations having shared happiness and sorrow through the process of the long and cruel fight against aggressors, with Laos and Vietnam leaning on each other's backs with heart-felt mutu...
- Title
- Country's charms, culture on show for 2018 Visit Laos Year
- Runtime
- 3:18
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The diverse cultures and customs of the country are set to be showcased and attract more foreign tourists to come to the country during 2018 Visit Laos Year, the event organiser has announced.
The 2018 Visit Laos Year is set to be launched as early as November during the annual That Luang Festival (That Luang Stupa Festival) in Vientiane, which is one of the biggest festive events in the country.
Provinces across the country are preparing to welcome visitors to cultural and traditional festivals, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Ounethouang Khaophanh told the Vientiane Times last week.
Major activities and festivals to be organised throughout the 2018 Visit Laos Year, the third one of its kind, has been drafted and were being finalised at present, Mr Ounethouang said.
Visitors to the November That Luang Festival will enjoy a trade fair where local products and souvenirs will be made available.
Touri...
- Title
- Laos-Vietnam celebrate treaty.
- Runtime
- 3:25
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- A festival kicked off in the capital yesterday to celebrate four decades since the signing of the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between Laos and Vietnam and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The festival will run through this week, with activities set to include a large meeting to salute the special solidarity between the two nations.
A courtesy visit will be made to Lao People's Revolutionary Party Secretary General and President of Laos, Bounnhang Vorachit by officials from the parties and governments from the two countries.
The delegates will also visit leaders of Vientiane and Xieng Khuang provinces.
They are set to visit Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, Memorial Place of the late President Souphanouvong, battle sites where Lao and Vietnamese fought together against aggressors, and tourism attractions in the capital and provinces.
Laos and Vietnam establishe...
- Title
- Vientiane Times
- Runtime
- 3:58
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- President Bounnhang Vorachit along with government officials and members of the public across the nation yesterday gathered to release more than 40 million fingerlings into rivers, streams and conservation areas nationwide to mark the National Fish Releasing and Aquatic and Wildlife Conservation Day on July 13.
Releasing fingerlings yesterday at Namngum River in Xaythany district, Vientiane, President Bounnhang also gathered with government officials to release birds to reflect on the importance of livestock and the conservation of wildlife and aquatic animals.
This year, over 300,000 fingerlings were released into Namngum River, Mekong River and Nam Xuang reservoir in Vientiane, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
On the same day in Vientiane, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith gathered with officials in charge to release fish into Mekong River at Km 4 near Thaphalanxay village, Sisattanak district.
Many kinds of fish wer...
- Title
- Minister hails Lao-Vietnamese communications cooperation.
- Runtime
- 3:59
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Laos and Vietnam have successfully cooperated in communications, especially human resources and ICT sector development, and will continue to do so, according to a leading official.
The successful cooperation has highlighted at a press conference in Vientiane on Tuesday by Minister of Post and Telecommunications Dr Thansamay Kommasith to help mark Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017, as well as celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Cooperation Treaty (July 18, 1977-July 18, 2017) and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations (September 5, 1962- September 5, 2017).
Dr Thansamay announced the Lao's Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has been cooperating with Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam over a long period to develop the sector as well as to promote information and communications technology (ICT) innovations.
The development of postal services, te...
- Title
- Japan-led water supply project wraps up.
- Runtime
- 3:45
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The key role played by sustainable water supply in maintaining a healthy populace was among topics being discussed by experts at the closing seminar of the 5th Management Ability of Water Supply Authorities (MaWaSU) on now in Vientiane.
Experts from Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia and Timor Leste are joining local counterparts over three days in the capital from July 11-13.
The MaWaSU project is a five-year technical cooperation project led by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) running from August 2012 to August 2017 with support from the government of Japan.
The project aims to strengthen the management capacity for governance in water supply sectors and Water Supply State Enterprise for safe, stable and sustainable water supply now and the future.
The MaWaSU project is organising the international seminar with the theme "Challenge for Creating Culture to Drink Tap Water by Supplying Drinkable Tap Wa...
- Title
- Future fields explored in advance of university entrance examinations
- Runtime
- 3:59
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Students looking to the
pursue university and tertiary
level studies are descending
on Dongdok hoping to learn
more about their futures in
advance of the nation’s most
important exam.
The Vientiane Education
Fair (VEF) at National
University of Laos (NUoL)
from July 7-9 is a critical
opportunity for high school
graduates and final year
students wishing to enter
tertiary studies in Laos and
abroad to find out more
about their subject choices
and academic fields.
The opening of
the VEF was attended
by Vice President of
NUoL Assoc Professor
Somchanh Bounphanmy,
US Ambassador to Laos Ms
of Faculty of Economics
and Business Management
of NUoL Mr Phetsamone
Phommavong and teachers
from NUoL.
The fair is designed for
those students around the
country who are set to sit the
university entrance exam or
- Title
- Experts discuss international financial reporting standards.
- Runtime
- 2:40
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Lao and Australian financial
experts met to share the
knowledge and experience
for International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS)
with their stakeholders in
Laos.
Key features of the
IFRS framework for the
preparation of financial
statements were covered at
the workshop on ‘First Time
Adaptation of International
F i n a n c i a l R e p o r t i n g
Standards held on Monday
in Vientiane, which included
an overview of the issues
required for the first-time
adoption of IFRS.
The related details of the
potential financial impact
on the reported results of
an entity, challenges faced
in the implementation of
IFRS and other issues were
also discussed.
- Title
- Laos, China reaffirm links, consolidate connectivity as cooperation commission meets
- Runtime
- 1:47
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Laos and China have pledged to further promote their cooperation in economic, trade and technical assistance matters, a meeting of representatives of the two sides heard in the capital yesterday.
The bilateral trade volume in 2016 reached US$2.34 billion, including Lao goods exported to China reaching US$1.35 billion, while Chinese goods imported by Laos was up to US$990 million, the meeting heard which was attended by Minister of Industry and Commerce, MsKhemmaniPholsena.
This information was among that revealed during the annual meeting of Laos-China Cooperation Commission held yesterday in Vientiane, outlining fruitful progress in bilateral relations between the two sides.
Economic and trade cooperation had seen continuous promotion in policy and practice and had achieved remarkable results, the meeting heard.
Bilateral trade in agricultural products increased 40 percent with rice exports to China up 19.4 percent, placing it the country's...
- Title
- Nation to upgrade electronic commerce to bridge digital gap
- Runtime
- 3:13
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Laos plans to improve its electronic commerce sector to bridge the digital gap and lead the country towards a digital-enabled economy.
But electronic commerce poses challenges for the country because of underdeveloped telecommunications infrastructure and the low rate of formal banking and credit card use.
This information was revealed during a capacity building workshop on the theme "Expanding Business Opportunities in E-Commerce" that was held yesterday in Vientiane.
Electronic commerce has become an increasingly vital element of the global economy, lowering barriers to entry and operating costs for businesses and increasing cross-border economic transactions, the Asean-Korea Centre has said.
Internet access and cell phone density of Laos is higher than that of Cambodia and Myanmar, reflecting the potential for development of the sector.
Moreover, the Lao government passed a law on electronic transactions in 2012, pavin...
- Title
- Laos graduates from the money laundering grey' list
- Runtime
- 2:57
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Laos is continuing on its risk assessment path for money laundering and countering finance for terrorism after the country graduated from the �Grey' list, which was approved by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) last month.
The National Committee for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) in collaboration with the World Bank and other international partners have organised a four-day long AML/CFT workshop in Vientiane that started yesterday and runs through until July 7.
The workshop, entitled �National Money Laundering Risk Management Workshop�, will further build capacity in this very important issue.
In his opening remarks, the Vice-President of the National Committee for AML/CFT, Major General KongthongPhongvichith, said that Laos is successfully implementing its obligations in AML/CFT with the support of International bodies, especially the World Bank.
�AML/CFT is considered as a very...
- Title
- Upstream Mekong fishermen enjoy increased catch after traps destroyed
- Runtime
- 5:20
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Many fishermen working upstream along the Mekong River in Khong district, Champassak province are delighted to be catching more fish after hundreds of fish traps were destroyed by authorities recently.
More than 400 fish traps, mostly “lee” or basket-type traps fashioned out of wood and bamboo, have been completely destroyed by the provincial committee along certain channels downstream of the river.
The committee’s actions follow fishery legislation set in 2009 banning the use of fish traps or other tools that can seriously harm fish stocks.
Lee traps are traditional traps that catch fish migrating downstream - used in the early wet season they are usually built from scratch during the dry season only to be washed out by the heavy rains later in the wet season.
Last weekend, a Vientiane Times team travelled to Khong district to interview authorities, experts from the Don Sahong hydropower project, fishermen and local fishmonger...
- Title
- Europe embraces two decades of relations, advances cooperation with nation.
- Runtime
- 3:47
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Laos and the European Union (EU) have confirmed long-standing good relations while forwarding their partnership to support development in the Least Developed Country (LDC).
Representatives of both Laos and the EU addressed those gathered at an event held on Monday in Vientiane to celebrate 20 years of the partnership.
Laos and the European Union signed a Cooperation Agreement on April 29, 1997, recognising excellent relations and ties of friendship and cooperation between the two sides.
Addressing the event, Minister of Planning and Investment DrSouphanhKeomixay paid tribute to the past, present and future of the partnership.
“The EU has been a long-standing partner to the Lao PDR since 1997, and we look forward to our continued collaboration under the framework of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
EU Ambassador to Laos Mr Leo Faber spoke about the history of the partne...
- Title
- NA President hails Laos-Cambodia bilateral relations, cooperation
- Runtime
- 3:01
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The Lao side highly values the relations and cooperation between Laos and Cambodia, President of the National Assembly (NA), MsPanyYathotou told her visiting Cambodian counterpart HengSamrin in their meeting yesterday in the capital.
MrHengSamrin is paying an official goodwill visit to Laos from June 21-23 in response to an invitation from MsPany.
In their meeting yesterday at the Lao National Convention Centre in Vientiane, MsPany told her counterpart that the Lao side was delighted and highly valued the long-standing fruitful relations and cooperation between the two states in general and the two NAs in particular.
She said bilateral relations and cooperation between both sides continued to grow, deepen and had been effective over the passing years.
MsPany spoke highly of the relations and cooperation between the two parliaments over the past years that witness growing relations and cooperation.
Such relations and cooperation have been made possible than...
- Title
- History of Laos-Vietnam special solidarity
- Runtime
- 5:29
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- This story marks Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017 and celebrates the 55th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Laos-Vietnam Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.
The long tradition of solidarity by Laos and Vietnam in helping each other has been continuing for a very long time; it did not begin when the two countries officially established diplomatic ties on September 5, 1962.
Throughout their history, Laos and Vietnam have assisted each other and the two countries have been good neighbours for a very long time. The people of the two nations have visited each other to exchange their cultures, goods and knowledge in several fields. The growth of the solidarity and cooperation between the two nations is so longstanding because of the good relationship between Laos and Vietnam, especially as Laos shares a 2,069-km border with Vietnam. The two countries have the same ideology and aspir...
- Title
- Striking river cave, starry nights as photographers’ dreams come true in Khammuan province
- Runtime
- 1:50
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Over several fortunate years this roving photojournalist has had the precious opportunity to visit so many beautiful places in Laos and abroad.
However nothing compares to a recent trip to witness the remarkable Xe Bangfai river cave and observe the glorious constellations of the Milky Way in a clear night sky on the Nakai Plateau in Khammuan province.
Plans for a trip to these two amazing spots were first considered a long time ago but circumstances meant I could not make it until a few weeks ago.
It seems it was good timing with some fellow photographer friends suggesting the outing.
Our plans came together just one week before the trip.
The timing was a bit curious as this year the rainy season had already started early.
Increasingly known to intrepid travelers, the Xe Bangfai river cave is located in part of Hin Nam Nor National Protected Area in Bualapha district, Khammuan province.
The Hin...
- Title
- PM directs agro development projects in Vientiane province
- Runtime
- 2:52
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Prime Minister ThonglounSisoulith and other senior government officials yesterday visited Vientiane province as the government aims to encourage more effective livestock breeding and organic vegetable projects in the province.
As part of the government’s effort to alleviate poverty through sustainable rural development, several agricultural and cattle feeding projects are now currently being carried out in the province.
Various agriculture pilot projects are based on the Korean model of SaemaulUndong, a participatory approach to rural community-building introduced in the 1970s.
SaemaulUndong, a Korea Institute for Rural Development, is supporting an integrated rural development project, which is linked to the overall initiative and Lao rural development policy.
Prior to departing for Vientiane province, PM Thongloun made a visit to the Saemaul Training Centre in Xaythany district, Vientiane to hear about progress of its construction which is now over 90 percen...
- Title
- Asean members, China promote tourism cooperation.
- Runtime
- 3:47
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Laos and other Asean countries along with China have recently targeted the development of tourism cooperation with the aim of attracting more tourists to all countries involved.
In 2016, a total of 3,083,383 tourists from Asean countries arrived in Laos, with most visitors coming from Thailand and Vietnam, according to the statistical report from the Tourism Development Department under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Meanwhile, a total of 545,493 tourists from China had arrived in Laos over the same period, which is an increase from 511,436 in 2015.
Laos will look to expand tourism cooperation with other Asean countries and China by promoting tourism sites around the country including the many cultural and natural tourism sites that have attracted tourists in the past.
Regarding the cooperation, the Institute of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the China Foreign Affairs University held the Network of Asean-China Think Tank (NACT) Working G...
- Title
- New programme to promote rural employment.
- Runtime
- 4:53
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Laos has launched its second Decent Work Country Programme to promote inclusive and sustainable development through employment creation, vocational skills development, the application of labour standards, the extension of social protection, and the promotion of social dialogue.
The Decent Work Country Programme or DWCP, which will cover the period 2017-2021, will focus on creation of decent jobs especially for the most vulnerable people in rural areas.
In his remarks at the programme’s launching ceremony yesterday, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment DrKikeoChanthaboury said “creating decent jobs especially for the most vulnerable and those in rural areas will be the key to the success of the country in poverty reduction and its graduation from least developed country status.”
He also stressed that the five-year plan will contribute to the implementation and reporting against the adopted sustainable development goals and to the implementation of the coun...
- Title
- Gov’t encourages investment in children.
- Runtime
- 10:57
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Government agencies from central through local levels continue to prioritise children’s needs and rights from birth to maturity and beyond through health care and hygiene, nutrition, education, labour and social welfare, justice and protecting them from all forms of violence.
This message was relayed by the Deputy Prime Minister DrSonexaySiphandone, representing the Party and government on the occasion of this year’s International Children’s Day.
He said the Party and government took this opportunity along with representatives of the international community to extend best wishes to children and their families throughout the country, while also reviewing the implementation of the policies towards children.
This includes a review of the implementation of the country’s international obligations on child rights, child protection, elimination of violence against children and child labour.
DrSonexay spoke about the achievements made on the policies towards chi...
- Title
- Rocket festival: A fun tradition that really strickes a chord, brings the thunder
- Runtime
- 1:05
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The dancing of lamvong on an open air stage, the singing folk songs, the tasting of traditional food, the throwing of mud and the smell of gunpowder in the air and you can guess one of the most amazing festivals in Laos, the rocket festival, is in full swing.
For many years I’ve had the chance to celebrate rocket festivals in a number of villages around Vientiane, however, last week I was fortunate enough to witness the festival in the well-known tourist town Vangvieng and their unique style of celebration.
Commonly, the rocket festival is held during the sixth lunar month which corresponds to May on the international calendar which also happens to correspond with the beginning of the wet season in the country.
For centuries, Lao people have celebrated this festival which is a symbol of bringing unity, friendship and to worship the request of rain from the gods.
The date of the festival varies from village to village as local auth...
- Title
- Terracotta artist keeping Vat Phou heritage alive
- Runtime
- 0:45
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Down a small road in the old section of Champassak town, Mr Soulivan Phounthareuansy, 57, sits in a small workshop underneath his house concentrating on the carving of a terracotta Naga.
Mr Soulivan is the owner of Champassak Pottery, the first Khmer era pottery and carving workshop in the province, located in Meuang Sen village, Champassak district and province which also happens to be where the Vat Phou UNESCO World Heritage site calls home.
Mr Soulivan says he has always been fascinated by the art of pottery and was inspired to make terracotta when he was a young boy based on the familiar architecture of Vat Phou, a place that was once his childhood playground.
Mr Soulivan graduated from teacher training college in his hometown before working for the Champassak Education Department for five years and spending another half a decade with the provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department.
He then became a member of the re...
- Title
- Laos, Thailand agree on business cooperation to boost economy
- Runtime
- 10:01
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Laos and Thailand have agreed to cooperate on business development to promote trade and investment in order to boost economic efficiency and relations between the two countries.
The government and business sectors of the two countries yesterday signed eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) in Vientiane at the Laos-Thai Business Forum.
The first MoU is to promote business cooperation, trade and investment relations and tourism between the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI).
The second MoU is cooperation on energy, e-commerce and education between the Federation of Thai Industries and LNCCI.
Third is assistance with training for Spa businesses between Thai Spa Association and Laos Wellness Association, while the fourth and fifth MoUs relate to the opening of Pho Zap and Taifa Optical Centre at View Mall in Vientiane.
The Sixth covers a joint venture for opening the major retail outlet there between Tantap...
- Title
- Dearest sister on showing: interview director, Mattie Do and one of main actresses, Tot Lina.
- Runtime
- 6:28
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The film is now showing on Major Platinum Cineplex in Vientiane Center, Mall Cineplex ITECC and Major Cineplex Pakse in Champassack province. The film is also now showing in some foreign countries.
Vientiane Times
- Title
- Asean, dialogue partners continue cooperation in mine action
- Runtime
- 3:39
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Experts from Asean countries and their dialogue partners are gathering in Vientiane to discuss their work plans on human mine action in the country over the next three years.
The experts along with their dialogue partners, who include Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States, met for the Expert Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA EWG) under the 5th AseanDefence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus).
During the meeting which is being co-chaired by Laos and Russia, the experts will exchange lessons and best practices on humanitarian mine action.
They will seek development of appropriate mechanisms for cooperation among defence forces of the ADMM Plus countries and for the coordination of military and civilian groups in overcoming explosive remains from war.
In his opening remarks at yesterday’s meeting, Permanent Secretary of Defence and Lao ADSOM Leader Brigadier General KhamsyVongkhamsao remind...
- Title
- Laos-Vietnam associations enhance brotherly relations.
- Runtime
- 2:52
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association will work with the Vietnamese -Laos Friendship Association to advance the special relationship between the two countries.
- Title
- NA session ends, calling for govt to pursue targets
- Runtime
- 13:30
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The National Assembly (NA)’s Eighth Legislature ended its third ordinary session yesterday, calling for the government to work harder in the pursuit of development targets.
In her closing remarks, NA President MsPanyYathotou said the 17-day session agreed on multiple points that the government should undertake to drive growth and pursue targets.
The session called for the government to push central and local authorities to work earnestly in implementing adopted measures to pursue targets set in the 2017 socio-economic development and budget plans.
The Assembly approved the 2017 socio-economic development plan, which set the economic growth target at 7 percent, amounting to 129,683 billion kip with per capita income set at US$2,341. The NA’s call for more diligent work came as the government estimated it would be unable to collect the targeted amount of revenue, which had been set at 23,941 billion kip for 2017.
The government expected it would be able to co...
- Title
- Vientiane Times
- Runtime
- 3:34
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- National Assembly members began debating the latest draft of the Civil Code yesterday, the country’s first legal framework on civil relations.
The Ministry of Justice introduced the draft to sound out the general opinions of Assembly members before the draft was further developed by a subcommittee.
The drafting sub-committee, which comprises representatives from the ministry, the Supreme People’s Court, Office of Supreme People’s Prosecutor, the NA’s Law Committee, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Law and Political Science Faculty of the National University of Laos, began writing the draft in 2014 and formed an initial outline in 2015.
The draft has 615 articles, with most of the content derived from existing laws, decrees and decisions. Of the 615 articles, 252 are new, 251 are amended, and 112 remain the same as stated in existing laws and decrees.
Some of the expected debated content covers laws on the definitio...
- Title
- NA members oppose single-judge court cases,
- Runtime
- 3:16
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- National Assembly members have spoken out against having a solitary judge preside over even the smallest of court cases, which they believe is an easy path to unjust judgments.
They took the stance at the debate on the amendment to the Law on the People’s Court during the ongoing NA session yesterday.
The draft amendment stipulates that only one judge should sit for consideration of small cases - those cases relating to little economic value or cases in which the plaintiff and accused acknowledge guilt - although the law does not stipulate what constitutes a “small” case.
Assembly member for Phongsaly province, Mr Chansy Sengsomphou, said he would like a minimum of three to five judges to sit in court, with a maximum of five to seven judges.
“To ensure this theory complies with the actual circumstances, I would like many parties to participate in the process, to give their views and opinions so this will be more scientific and there will be clear transla...
- Title
- NA supports enactment of law on international treaties.
- Runtime
- 3:45
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- National Assembly members have supported the enactment of the Law on Treaties and International Agreements, which would be a reference for future internal and external cooperation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced the newly drafted law for consideration by the National Assembly (NA), with the law tabled for debate yesterday.
Introducing the draft, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Saleumxay Kommasith briefed NA members about the need to enact the law.
Laos has participated in treaties referring to the President’s Ordinance No.1 dated October 7, 2009 on the creation, participation in and implementation of international treaties but there were no regulations on the implementation of international laws.
The draft law has 8 parts and 23 chapters which are divided into 136 articles.
National Assembly Vice President Mr Bounpone Bouttanavong, who presided over the debate, asked Assembly members to focus on the law’s stipulations concerning the princip...
- Title
- Weather station upgrades brighten outlook for forecasters.
- Runtime
- 2:22
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The Japanese government has supported the improvement of weather recording equipment and facilities which were handed over last Saturday to the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.
The project was handed over to the department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The Meteorology and Hydrology Department began implementing the project in 2014 through cooperation between the Lao and Japanese governments. Assistance from the people of Japan was valued at about 42.7 billion kip (584 million JPY) with more than 900 million kip coming from the Lao government.
The handover ceremony was attended by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, MrSommadPholsena, and Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Mr Yukinori Nemoto, as well as government officials from both countries.
The project sought to improve equipment, facilities and meteorological and hy...
