KPL
Laos is proudly commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, reflecting on five decades of profound national change since the proclamation of the Lao PDR on 2 December 1975.
The day remains a historic milestone, marking the end of colonial rule and the beginning of a unified nation where the Lao people became the true masters of their destiny.
In an interview on 27 November 2025, Minister of Public Works and Transport Leklai Sivilay recalled the difficult conditions the country faced after liberation. He said that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the nation has advanced along the socialist path, carrying out the dual tasks of national defence and development. This has led to rising incomes, job creation and improved livelihoods, alongside expanding engagement in regional and international affairs.
The minister highlighted infrastructure as a backbone of national development over the past five decades. Since 1975, Laos has expanded its national road network from just 7,400 kilometres to 59,963 kilometres today—an eightfold increase. The country now has 12,723 bridges, compared with only 99 in 1986. All provincial capitals are connected by asphalt roads, and year-round road access now reaches all 148 districts nationwide. Of these, 147 districts are connected by asphalt roads, representing 99.3%.
Key national projects, including the Vientiane–Vangvieng expressway and the Laos–China railway, have strengthened regional connectivity. Transport services have grown sharply between 1986 and 2025, with more than 1.4 billion passenger trips recorded across all modes, and freight transport exceeding 179 million tonnes. Usage of the Laos–China railway continues to rise, carrying an average of more than 7,000 passengers and 10,000 tonnes of freight daily.
KPL
