Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket, front left, views exhibition dedicated to the Vientiane Times’ 30th anniversary

(KPL) The Vientiane Times, the first English language newspaper in Laos, held a gathering on April 9 to celebrate its founding alongside a strong pledge to build on its successes of the past 30 years.

The Vientiane Times’ anniversary witnessed the presence of Minister of Information, Culture and TourismSuanesavanh Vignaket, her deputies, ambassadors and relevant officials.

The Editor-in-Chief of Lao Press in Foreign Languages, Thonglor Duangsavanh, delivered a report highlighting the newspaper’s significant achievements.

Established on April 7, 1994, as a department of then the Ministry of Information and Culture, the Vientiane Times was tasked with providing a communication channel to raise Laos’ profile on the world stage and create a positive image of the country in line with the Party’s opening-up policy, which was introduced in 1986.

In his presentation, Thonglor Duangsavanh said that under the close supervision of Party and state leaders, especially the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the management of the Vientiane Times has worked hard to develop the newspaper and broaden its coverage.

The newspaper began life with just a handful of staff, one computer and a camera, but today it is a modern media outlet with up-to-date equipment and talented staff who ensure that readers are informed about politics-public administration, social and economic developments in Laos, he said.

In response to the changing media landscape and emergence of digital forms of communication, the Vientiane Times launched a website in 1999 and introduced social media platforms to reach its audience through SMS and other channels. 

A group photo of Vientiane Times’ management, staff members and guests of honour at the newspaper's 30th anniversary celebration in Vientiane on Apr 9, 2024

In addition to the traditional printed version, the Vientiane Times can be read online and news is regularly updated on its website and social media platforms. Today, several thousand readers subscribe to the newspaper’s print, electronic and SMS news channels.

“We are proud of our achievements over the past 30 years, but this will not stop us from introducing new developments and innovations. We will continue to build on our past successes,” Thonglor Duangsavanh said.

Mr Savankhone Razmountry, former Editor-in-Chief of the Lao Press in Foreign Languages who is also President of the Lao Journalists’ Association said: Lao Press in Foreign Languages will pursue its vision of modernization and build on its 30 years of success and experience making it a true window of national information for readers from all walks of life. We pledge to adhere to accepted journalism standard and ethics and provide information that is accurate and trustworthy through in-depth coverage. We deliver compelling stories from multiple sources, providing balanced reports that provide insight and range of dimensions through timely delivery, with a sense of responsibility and strong desire to build trust among readers.   

At the ceremony, on behalf of the government, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket presented the class II labour medal to Mr Daovone Phachanthavong, who has actively supported the development of the newspaper over the past 30 year and certificates of appreciations to outstanding staff of the Vientiane Times.

In addition to this, the minister presented Certificates of Recognition for Australian and British Embassies to the Lao PDR to recognize their contribution to the development of the Vientiane Times over the past 30 years.

KPL