News
Laos launches logo, theme for ASEAN Chairmanship 2016

Laos officially launched the logo, theme and website for its ASEAN Chairmanship 2016 on 6 November as part of the country’s preparations for the event. The ASEAN 2016 theme is “Turning vision into reality for a dynamic ASEAN community” and the website is www.asean2016.gov.la. Keep reading ...
Lao social security system coverage misses target
The social security system so far covers only 30.22 percent of the population, which is far behind the target of 50 percent set for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, which ended last month. Director General of the Department of Social Security under the Ministry of Labour and ...
Laos on international unregulated logging list
A consultation workshop on the Forestry Legality Compendium held in Vientiane on 6 November revealed that Laos is one of many countries still on the list of those where unregulated logging takes place. Laos is listed because internationally it is considered that some aspects of forest management ...
Laos lacking young scientists
Laos needs more young people to study science so they can contribute to the nation’s development, according to a leading official. The number of students enrolling in science courses is continuing to decrease with most high school leavers studying in other fields, Minister of Science and ...
Lao students encouraged to apply for European scholarships
The National University of Laos, in cooperation with the French, German and UK embassies in Vientiane, has laid out higher education opportunities in the EU to university faculty members and students. A talk titled “Study in Europe” was delivered at the university, and was attended by ...
New slaughterhouse regulations aim to curb disease

Following the opening of Cambodia’s first modern abattoir last month, a new draft law to regulate animal produce and slaughterhouses was announced on 6 November, along with the establishment of a “National Butchers’ Day” to be recognised annually on 8 January. The 22-chapter law, revealed by ...
Hun Sen warns builders to obey construction laws

Prime Minister Hun Sen on 8 November took to Facebook to warn companies against “colluding with bad officials” to illegally construct buildings on public parks and sidewalks, ordering those that have already done so to dismantle them immediately. Keep reading ...
Chair of ASEAN audit board goes to Cambodia
Som Kimsour, the chairwoman of Cambodia’s National Audit Authority, was appointed to chair the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institutions, a collaborative body of public sector auditors, during a summit on 5 November in Phnom Penh, according to state media outlet AKP. Keep reading ...
Vietnam's longest river is 'seriously' polluted: authority

Vietnam’s environment police on 6 November warned of worsening pollution in the Dong Nai River, the southern region’s main water supply that has been being exposed to multiple sources of contamination. Speaking at a meeting, Duong Van Linh, deputy chief of the Department of Environment Police under ...
Ho Chi Minh City businesses cry foul as tax refunds take unconscionably long

Deputy Minister of Finance Do Hoang Anh Tuan has instructed tax offices in Ho Chi Minh City to review businesses’ applications for tax refunds and resolve possible problems that have been delaying payments. He issued the order at a meeting on 5 November after many businesses complained ...