Laos Travel - A Paradise of Culture, Nature and History

On the afternoon of November 23, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone solemnly opened the Laos Tourism Year 2024.

Also attending the opening ceremony were leaders of ministries, sectors and localities of Laos; representatives of diplomatic agencies in the capital Vientiane; representatives of some localities from neighboring countries of Laos, including representatives from the capital Hanoi and Ninh Binh province of Vietnam.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said that Visit Laos Year 2024 coincides with Laos' rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone stressed that this is an opportunity to introduce to the world a country of Laos rich in culture and tradition, while helping tourists have unforgettable experiences and encouraging them to return to visit Laos in the future.

Visit Laos Year 2024 has the theme “A Paradise of Culture, Nature and History” and its mascot is an elephant holding a flute - a symbol of luck and prosperity.

Visit Laos Year 2024 will feature 79 activities taking place across the country.

The Lao Government expects that with careful preparation in all aspects and the friendliness and hospitality of the Lao people, Visit Laos Year 2024 will be successful and attract at least 4.6 million domestic and international visitors with revenue of about 700 million USD.

The Lao government considers tourism not only an environmentally friendly economic sector, a catalyst for socio-economic development, but also an important channel to attract foreign currency for the country's economic recovery and development.

According to data from the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, in the first nine months of 2023 alone, the country attracted over 2.4 million foreign tourists, a record increase of 285% over the same period last year.