Laos prepares for reopening tourism under new normal conditions
The government of Laos has instructed the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to coordinate with localities nationwide to prepare for the reopening of its tourism under “new normal” conditions.
Vientiane (VNA) -The government of Laos has instructed the Ministry of Information, Culture andTourism to coordinate with localities nationwide to prepare for the reopeningof its tourism under “new normal” conditions.
Addressing a July regular meeting of the governmenton July 26-27, Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh asked the transport andtourism ministries to work together to reopen tourism under the new normal ineach locality.
According to Lao media, the news brings hope to the tourism industry, which hadto halt as the second wave of COVID-19 hitting the nation from mid-April.
With every province under lockdown by May, airlines were grounded and busstations closed, leaving the tour operators without hope, just as the ‘Lao Thiao Lao’domestic tourism campaign had begun making headway.
However, the country recorded success in its COVID-19 vaccination campaign withsome 14 percent of the population getting vaccine shots.
It aims to complete the plan to vaccinate 50 percent of the population by theend of this year.
Continued relaxation of lockdown measures has allowed interprovincial travel toresume, with airlines and bus companies adhering to strict COVID-19 preventionregulations and guidelines for passengers.
Vientiane Capital has gonethrough 12 straight days with no COVID-19infections in the community./.
The Pathet Lao newspaper of the Lao News Agency (KPL) on July 16 run a front-page article on the long-lasting friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
The Lao government on July 19 decided to extend the ongoing lockdown for another 15 days to help curb COVID-19 infections. This is the sixth extension since the lockdown was imposed on April 22.
The Lao newspapers on July 27 published articles featuring Laos – Vietnam fighting alliance and great dedication made by Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts in Laos, on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of Day of Invalids and Martyrs (July 27).
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.