The Laos-China Railway company has released the train schedule for inter-country travel between Vientiane Capital and Kunming, which starts on 13 April, just one day ahead of Lao New Year.

The EMU D888/D887 train will transport passengers on the international rail line.

Passengers will depart from Vientiane Capital at 8:08 AM, and arrive in Kunming South Railway station in China at 19:38 PM Lao time. 

The train will make several stops along the way, arriving in Vang Vieng at 9:03 AM, then stopping in Luang Prabang at 9:57 AM, and finally at Boten for its last stop in Laos at 12:37 PM.

Once it crosses the border, the train will make three stops in China before finally arriving in Kunming. Stops at Bohan, Xishuangbunna, Pu’er will be made along the way, with each halt lasting about 3-6 minutes.

Tickets will be available for sale starting today, for the inaugural trip which takes off from Vientiane on 13 April.

The LCR reports that it expects to welcome over 200 Chinese tourists into Laos on the historic first international train ride from Kunming to Vientiane Capital.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/04/11/laos-china-railway-releases-vientiane-kunming-train-schedule/

On 10 May 2023, H.E. Sonexay SIPHANDONE, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic met H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines on the sidelines of the 42^nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia.  

During the Bilateral Meeting, the two leaders vowed to boost the countries’ cooperation in trade, heath, education and people-to-people exchange agreement, and agreed to work with the ASEAN leaders toward the collective benefit of the regional bloc.

H.E Sonexay SIPHANDONE, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic extended an invitation from H.E. Thongloun SISOULITH, President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines to make a state visit at a time of his convenience.

In return, H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., also extended an invitation to the President and the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR to visit the Philippines, too.

The American business magazine, Forbes, published an article on Thursday calling Laos the most charming country in Southeast Asia.

According to Forbes, while the country may lack a tropical coastline, it makes up for it with scenic mountainous landscapes, flourishing rice paddies, and the stunning Mekong River that flows through its land.

Forbes praised Laos for its “fascinating array of cultural attractions, outdoor experiences, and timeless charm,” as it is largely untouched by commercial development.

The article highlighted Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, as “an overlooked jewel of Southeast Asia” for its rich heritage and traditions, including the daily alms-giving ceremony where locals offer sticky rice, crackers, or cookies to monks, which remains an enduring attraction.

For an immersive cultural experience, the article recommended Orange Robe Tours, a social enterprise that employs former novices and monks as guides around Luang Prabang. Through their tours, visitors can gain a unique and insightful perspective into the life of a Buddhist monk and aid in their transition from monastic to regular life.

The capital city of Vientiane and the popular tourist town Vang Vieng were mentioned in the article as well which offered up food and hotel recommendations for the discerning traveler alongside interesting activities one could indulge in.

The Laos-China Railway which recently launched an app for online bookings also received a special mention for making travel within the country much more convenient.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/03/31/forbes-names-laos-as-se-asias-most-charming-country/