KPL
Laos and Cambodia marked the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with a series of activities held from October 19–22 in Stung Treng Province, Cambodia, and Champasak Province, Laos, aimed at strengthening tourism cooperation and promoting shared cultural heritage.
(KPL) The celebration was co-hosted by the Lao Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, under the co-chairmanship of Lao Minister of Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket and Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak.
Activities included the 5th Tourism Technical Working Group Meeting, a tourism and investment seminar, business-matching sessions between public- and private-sector representatives, an exhibition of tourism and local products, friendship sports activities, and familiarisation trips for journalists and business operators.
At the technical working group meeting, the two sides agreed on the minutes of the meeting and adopted a Joint Tourism Action Plan for 2026–2028. They also discussed expanding international flight services to major tourist destinations and reviewing the memorandum of understanding on tourism cooperation between the two countries.
A key priority is the development and promotion of an ancient heritage route linking Vat Phou in Champasak Province with Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The route covers approximately 260 kilometres, with a 3.7-kilometre trial walking trail already open.
The two countries also discussed organising seminars and exchanging experiences in managing World Heritage sites, as well as jointly marketing combined tourism itineraries to attract more international visitors.
The initiatives are expected to strengthen cross-border tourism, encourage investment and business partnerships, and deepen people-to-people exchanges as Laos and Cambodia build on seven decades of diplomatic relations.
KPL
