Laos is working to establish a joint tourism circuit across its four southern provinces, linking them to visitor attractions in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, Mekong Tourism reported on May 2.
The plan was discussed at a meeting on tourism development for the four southern provinces covering 2025-2026 and the plan for 2026-2027, co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Darany Phommavongsa and Vice Chairman of the Champasak Administration Committee Somboun Heuangvongsa.
The four southern provinces hold significant tourism potential, with key attractions including the Vat Phou Champasak temple complex UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khonephapheng Falls, the Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands) area of the Mekong River, Tad Yeung waterfall, Tad Loc waterfall, and the Hotay Pidok manuscript repository.
Darany said plans would focus on improving the quality of tourist destinations, developing distinctive tourism products, strengthening the capacity of tourism personnel, using digital technology to improve services and advertising, and advancing sustainable and environmentally-friendly tourism.
The overall plan would require the creation of a tourism circuit taking in popular spots in neighbouring countries, easier cross-border travel, and an advertising campaign, with the goal of providing more professional and quality tourism services in southern Laos.
Darany said many improvements were still needed, particularly regarding access roads to tourist attractions, signposts, viewpoints and toilets, while accommodation and restaurant services should be brought in line with Lao and ASEAN standards.
The meeting also highlighted the need to strengthen online marketing, establish a common tourism slogan and brand, improve tour guide training, and raise awareness of sustainable tourism, waste management, and emergency response.
Darany said regional cooperation would be central to the circuit’s success. “Cooperation between Lao PDR, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Thailand would be a driving force in expanding the tourism market, with potential benefits for Laos’ four southern provinces.” — Mekong Tourism, May 2, 2026