Lao 24-Hour Overview 13/5

Highlights: Lao Party, Government, and Military leaders have fully launched the implementation of the 12th Party Congress spirit and a new phase of institutional reform: National Assembly President Saysomphone Phomvihane deploys a large‑scale legislative plan; the Central Propaganda and Training Board officially takes over five major media sectors and deepens Lao-Vietnam AI technical collaboration; the defense system mobilizes social forces to support border defense; Deputy Prime Minister‑level leaders intensively coordinate international aid from Vietnam, the US, and the World Bank; local administrative divisions and cultural and sports affairs advance in parallel.

I. Political & Party Affairs

01 National Assembly President Saysomphone Deploys NA Institutional Reform and Legislative Plan for 91 Laws
May 12, 2026; National Assembly Hall, Vientiane; chaired by H.E. Mr. Saysomphone Phomvihane, Member of the Party Central Committee Political Bureau and President of the National Assembly. Announced the new NA structure adjusted to 20 bureaus and 57 divisions, and approved the honorable retirement of 30 senior cadres with outstanding contributions in national defense and legislation. The meeting clarified the goals for the 10th National Assembly (2026‑2030): implement 9 major directions and 25 projects, striving to draft and amend 91 laws within five years (19 newly drafted, 72 amended).

02 Lao Central Propaganda and Training Board Officially Takes Over Five Core Media Sectors and Signs Five‑Year Agreement with Vietnam
May 13, 2026; Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane; Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Training Board Mr. Vanxay Kuamoo and Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ms. Lam Thi Phuong Thanh signed a Memorandum of Understanding on media collaboration for 2026‑2030. Major structural adjustment: Five components originally under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism – the Media Department, KPL News Agency, Lao National Television, Lao National Radio, Foreign Language Newspaper, and Pasaxon Newspaper – have been formally placed under the leadership of the Central Propaganda and Training Board. Both sides agreed to hold the first National Media Work Conference in 2026. Vietnam will assist Laos in introducing AI technology to monitor and counter negative public opinion.

03 Deputy Prime Minister Santiphab Receives Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Finance and Revises Financial Procedures for Aid Funds
May 13, 2026; Ministry of Finance, Laos; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr. Santiphab Phomvihane received Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Finance Mr. Tran Quoc Phuong. Both sides focused on implementing the directives of the 48th Bilateral Cooperation Conference, held in‑depth consultations on the 2026‑2030 financial cooperation agreement, and revised and improved two key financial documents concerning the management of Vietnamese government aid funds and the implementation of aid‑funded projects.

04 Sebangphay District, Khammouane Province Formally Establishes Four Administrative Subdistricts to Strengthen Grassroots Governance
May 13, 2026; Sebangphay District, Khammouane Province; attended by Provincial Party Committee Standing Member Mr. Bounang Saysathit and District Party Secretary Mr. Thongsai. Four subdistricts were formally established: Xibonheu, Hinkhamsomboun, Nampey Tai, and Nampey Neua, covering 45 villages. The aim is to strengthen the potential of agriculture, industry, and tourism by establishing subdistrict administrative teams.

05 Kenthao District, Xayabury Province Plans to Establish Three Additional Administrative Subdistricts Covering 24,000 People
May 12, 2026; Kenthao District; chaired by District Party Secretary Mr. Khamboun Nuanhsabath. Preparations are underway to establish three subdistricts – Phakhan, Houaylek, and Donmorn – with a total area exceeding 75,000 hectares, aiming to optimize administrative efficiency. The Phakhan Subdistrict is expected to be formally inaugurated within the month.

06 Champasak Provincial Party Secretary Alounxay Sounnalath Reports 2025 Results on the "Three Goods" Party Building Initiative
May 12, 2026; Champasak Province; reported by Provincial Party Secretary Mr. Alounxay Sounnalath. Among the province's 2,036 grassroots organizations, 1,437 were rated as "Three Goods" (accounting for 83.5%). He emphasized deepening democratic centralism to meet the new targets for 2026.

07 Central Propaganda and Training Board Head Khamphan Reviews Term‑End Political Report and Personnel Nomination Criteria
May 13, 2026; Central Propaganda and Training Board, Laos; chaired by Head Mr. Khamphan Pheuyavong. Final review of the political report for the 6th Committee and the criteria for candidates for the next term's leadership, ensuring high‑quality implementation of the leadership transition.

08 Supreme Court Holds Red Education Lecture on the 67th Anniversary of the Second Battalion's Breakthrough
May 13, 2026; Supreme Court of Laos; lecture delivered by Maj. Gen. Xeunnuan. The history of the Second Battalion's breakthrough at the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang Province was presented to Supreme Court President Ms. Phailvi and all judicial cadres, enhancing the political loyalty of the judges.

09 Deputy Prime Minister Thongsaly Engages World Bank's US$46.9 Million Education Loan Project
May 12, 2026; Ministry of Education and Sports, Laos; Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Thongsaly Mangnomek evaluated the project. The funds will focus on curriculum reform, teacher capacity building, and a nationwide school nutrition meal program.

10 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Receives Outgoing Swiss Ambassador Jean‑François
May 11, 2026; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Thongsavanh Phomvihane thanked the Swiss side for its long‑term technical support in poverty reduction, vocational training, and sustainable development.

11 Lao Women's Union President Aly Chairs Appointment and Dismissal Ceremony for Key Positions Including the Organizing Board
May 11, 2026; Women's Union Headquarters; Ms. Aly Vongnorbountham implemented Resolution No. 34 of the Party Central Committee Office, completing the leadership transition in core departments including the Organizing Board, emphasizing political responsibility.

12 Director of the Laos-China Cooperation Office Phetsamone Phomphipha Receives Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh
May 12, 2026; Vientiane; both sides exchanged in‑depth views on implementing the strategic agreements reached by the top leaders of the two countries and deepening cultural exchanges.

II. Diplomacy & International Relations

13 Laos and Vietnam Sign 2026‑2030 Culture and Tourism Cooperation Agreement to Promote "Cross‑Border Site Co‑Management"
May 12, 2026; Vientiane; Ministers Suansavanh Viyaket and Lam Thi Phuong Thanh signed the agreement. The focus is on establishing a cross‑border world heritage co‑management mechanism and promoting the "Three Countries, One Destination" regional tourism brand.

14 "Vietnam Culture and Tourism Week" Held in Vientiane Featuring Water Puppetry and Other Intangible Cultural Heritage
May 12, 2026; Vientiane; leaders from both Laos and Vietnam attended the opening ceremony. The event featured distinctive traditional cultural performances, opening the序幕 (prelude) to a new five‑year cycle of cultural collaboration.

15 Laos and Belarus Hold Fourth Bilateral Political Consultations to Deepen Economic and Trade Cooperation
May 11, 2026; Minsk; Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Maithong and Belarusian First Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Sergei co‑chaired the consultations. Both sides agreed to carry out practical cooperation in economy, trade, education, and tourism, and to strengthen multilateral coordination.

16 Vientiane Capital Women's Union and Hanoi Capital Women's Union Sign 2026‑2030 MOU on Cooperation
May 12, 2026; Vientiane; signed by the Presidents of the two city women's unions. The aim is to strengthen experience exchange between local women's organizations in the areas of women's empowerment and child protection.

III. Economy & Livelihood

17 Ministry of Education and Sports Takes Delivery of a Modernized Textbook and Materials Warehouse Upgraded with US Funding
May 13, 2026; Sisattanak District, Vientiane Capital; funded by the US Indo‑Pacific Command's Humanitarian Assistance program. Upgrades include: roof waterproofing, LED lighting, fire and lightning protection, CCTV surveillance, and installation of standard shelving. The warehouse (originally built in 1970) will support the efficient distribution of textbooks and teaching equipment nationwide.

18 Luang Prabang SRIWSM Agricultural Integrated Development Project Reaches 57.74% Completion
May 12, 2026; Luang Prabang Province; reported by Deputy Director Mr. Iyang of the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department. The project has completed dry‑season cultivation training for 22 villages, flood protection dike construction, and partial land compensation payments.

19 China Three Gorges Corporation's Nam Kong 1 Hydropower Plant Accumulates 2.9 Billion kWh of Power Supply and Holds Open Day
May 2026; Attapeu Province; the plant used the "Lancang‑Mekong Green Classroom" to educate local students about electricity, demonstrating Chinese enterprises' social responsibility and achievements in ecological protection.

IV. Sports & Security

20 Ministry of Defense Enterprise Mobilizes 654 Million Kip in Social Funds to Support Border Construction in Huaphan Province
May 12‑13, 2026; Huaphan Province; Deputy Director of the Import‑Export General Company (Region 8) of the Ministry of Defense, Colonel Phouthong Soulyavong, together with the PSL Group, carried out the assistance. They donated 300 million Kip to Samneua District to renovate a weapons exhibition hall, and 354 million Kip to Border Guard Company 216 in Xam Tai District for office improvements and income‑generating livestock farming. Colonel Phouthong has personally mobilized over 10 billion Kip in cumulative funds.

21 Luang Namtha Province 4th Secondary School Student Games Close: Nalae District Tops with 5 Gold Medals
May 11, 2026; Viengphoukha District. A total of 193 students from 5 districts in the province participated. Nalae District topped the gold medal table with 5 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals, and will host the 5th Games in 2029.