Is the economic crisis in Laos coming to an end?

Written By:  James Guild
Publisher, Date:  The Diplomat, December 4, 2025

The kip has stabilized and inflation is dropping, but the issue of the government’s heavy external debt remains unresolved.

New mapping reveals hidden mining boom in Laos that threatens the Mekong

Written by: Any Ball, Gerald Flynn, and Konlaphat Siri
Edited by: Philip Jacobson
Publisher, Date:  Mongabay, December 10, 2025

Key points

• Satellite analysis has identified 517 suspected riverbank mines in Laos, many likely illegal, with clusters along key Mekong tributaries, raising fears of widespread, unmonitored contamination.
• Officials in Attapeu province confirmed illegal mining remains pervasive despite crackdowns, with most operations missing from official records and many linked to Vietnamese or Chinese supply chains.
• The mining surge, including gold and rare earth extraction, poses major risks to ecosystems and communities in the Mekong Basin, where water testing capacity is weak and signs of declining fish populations and polluted rivers are emerging.
• Researchers say Mekong countries must coordinate regionally and engage China, the main importer of the region’s mining output, while strengthening enforcement and environmental oversight to address a rapidly expanding, largely unregulated mining sector.

Full video of the boat that sank near Pak Ou Caves in Luang Prabang

On December 18, 2025, a slowboat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang hit underwater rocks near Pak Ou Caves, known locally in Lao as Tum Ting.  From that point it began to slowly take on water and eventually broke in half and sank. 

Here's the full video.

Lao-Canadian writer becomes two-time winner of the Giller Literary Prize

Source:  Giller Prize

In an amazing second time win, Ms. Souvankham Thammavongsa has won the Giller Prize - a coveted Canadian Literary prize that was awarded on November 17, 2025.

Laos won the National Costume at the Mister Global 2025

 

Youphalat Phethany representing Laos.

Source:  Mister Global, October 2025

Learn Khmu language

Source: Greetings in Khmu,  Khmu Language Channel

Loving this Youtube Channel that's helping to shine a spotlight on the Khmu language.  

Lao Art Week 2025

Source:  Dork Ya Studio, 2025.

For the past 3 years, Vientiane has hosted the Lao Art Week event and each year it continues to grow.  This year it ran from October 10-19, 2025 and featured artwork by more than 100 artists across 12 different venues.