blog

  The l’Elephant Group of five restaurants is joining the push against plastic straws in Luang Prabang, by serving drinks without tubes unless patrons request them. The restaurants are reporting that the results are quite good, with only a few customers asking for straws. l’Elephant’s participation in Luang Prabang’s “No Straw” project is part of … Read more

  Contributed by TTR Weekly BambooLao from Luang Prabang beat 111 entrants from across Southeast Asia to take top prize in the 2018 Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) Challenge. The travel startup competition, supported by the Australian government and Asian Development Bank, includes Asia’s most prominent travel-specialised venture capitalists among its advisors. MIST’s top … Read more

  Sanctuary Hotels and Resorts is celebrating Awk Phansa (end of Buddhist Lent) and the “Fire Boat Festival” on 24-25 October with activities in Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. The fun kicks off with the “Boun Souang Heua” Boat Racing Festival on Vang Vieng’s Nam Song River on 24 October. Guests at the Sanctuary Nam … Read more

  Sounds of suppressed laughter are audible in a small farm called Mulberries in Xiangkhoung, Laos, where a group of women, under the eye of a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, huddle over a boiling cauldron of natural dye. The bashful ladies are endearing, but so is Kommaly Chantavong, despite her matronly demeanor giving out instructions … Read more

  Lao Airlines has issued an official letter that all their flight rate will increase by $5 effective from 11 November 2018, according to Focus Asia. The revised YQ surcharge is as follows: – Domestic Sectors from $13 to $18 – International Sectors from $25 to $30 – Routing of VTE-CAN, VTE-KMG, VTE-SIN from $40 … Read more

  Green Discovery Laos is now offering a one-day version of its iconic Vang Vieng Challenge, which is less expensive and more challenging than the two-day excursion. “I think it’s the perfect way for people in Laos to challenge their friends and spend an unforgettable day in Vang Vieng’s natural wonders,” said the company’s communications … Read more

  A Chinese engineering company has completed the first train tunnel longer than 1,000 meters along the Lao railway. Nateuy No. 1 Tunnel is located in the northern Lao province of Luang Namtha bordering China. Huang Zongwen, a senior official with the China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group, which oversees the tunnel’s construction, told Xinhua … Read more

  It’s harvest time, and Saffron Coffee’s Espresso, Brew Bar, and Roastery on the Mekong in Luang Prabang is celebrating with the launch of “Exclusive Guided Tasting” led by Saffron Assistant Director Derek Smith. The 60-90 minute guided tasting, being offered from 12 November 2018 – 28 February 2019 by appointment, gives coffee drinkers the … Read more

  By Souknilundon Southivongnorath   Tourism officials in three northern provinces learned the process for major tourism sites to meet ASEAN Community Based Tourism Standards.     The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism together with staff from Bokeo, Oudomxay and Luang Prabang tourism departments convened three training sessions on the evaluation of Asean Community … Read more

  Social enterprise Ma Té Sai is expanding into Singapore, bringing their range of fair trade Lao handicrafts to an international market. The first pop up stand at Chevron House at Raffles Place, will open November 2018, with additional pop-up shops planned in different Singapore locations throughout 2019. “Ma Té Sai has always had a … Read more