(KPL)  From January to March 2025, Vientiane Province recorded 902,057 tourist arrivals, including 416,232 domestic tourists and 485,825 international visitors. Major tourist attractions such as the 1st Nam Ngum Reservoir in Keo Oudom District, Vang Vieng, and Feuang District have driven an estimated 754 billion kip in revenue for the province during this period.

Popular tourist activities included boating on the Xong River, sling riding, bungee jumping, and paramotoring in Vang Vieng, as well as visits to the Nam Leek House in Feuang District and the 1st Nam Ngum Reservoir.

Mr. Sengkeo Sounthavongsa, Deputy Director of the Vientiane Provincial Department of Information, Culture and Tourism, noted in an interview on April 4 that the province has actively worked with both government and private sectors at local and national levels to develop and promote tourism. This includes efforts to overcome barriers and diversify tourism activities to attract more visitors.

Currently, Vientiane Province hosts 1,053 licensed tourism businesses. These include 61 hotels offering 2,129 rooms, 37 resorts with 1,206 rooms, and 327 guesthouses providing 4,838 rooms. Additionally, the province has 369 restaurants and entertainment venues, 39 travel companies (including three branches), 71 tourism service units, and 238 tourist attractions—62 of which are fully operational.

Tourism quality and standards have seen marked improvement, with Vientiane Province earning six accolades at the 2024 ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards. These include one 5-star hotel, two 4-star hotels, and 14 establishments certified under Lao SEP standards.

Looking ahead, the province aims to attract at least 2 million visitors in 2025, with projected total tourism revenue exceeding 1,820 billion kip.

Mr. Sengkeo added that in 2024, the province celebrated Visit Laos Year with a variety of festivals such as the Sam Muen Toup Feuang Festival in Feuang  District, the Kalampi Festival, the Sweet Orange Festival, and the International Music and Fireworks Festivals. Vang Vieng District hosted the Boat Racing Festival, while various ethnic groups held traditional celebrations like the Kin Chiang Festival of the Hmong at KM 52 and the Khmu New Year Festival of the Khmu tribe in Hin Herb District.

These events not only highlight cultural heritage but also promote local products and tourism-related trade, drawing strong interest from domestic and international tourists alike.

In total, Vientiane Province welcomed 1,900,119 visitors in 2024, including 865,533 women. Domestic tourists numbered 1,259,780, generating more than 1,372 billion kip in revenue.

KPL