Parking and the sale of goods on footpaths are a chronic problem in Luang Prabang.                   --Photo Bounfaeng

Luang Prabang tidies up in preparation for Party Congress, tourist season

Luang Prabang City authorities are sprucing up the town centre in a bid to present a good image during the 9th Congress of the Luang Prabang Provincial Party Committee and in anticipation of an influx of tourists.
As part of this effort, officials from multiple departments on Tuesday conducted a comprehensive inspection of the city centre.
The operation was part of a broader initiative to present Luang Prabang as a clean, orderly, and welcoming destination for both Congress delegates and visitors, a local media outlet reported.
It is hoped that the clean-up operation will put an end to unauthorised pavement markets and temporary trading sites that have proliferated across the World Heritage town.
During the inspection, authorities visited shops, restaurants, and business premises to ensure compliance with local regulations.
A number of violations were identified, including unauthorised selling on footpaths, illegal shop extensions, and canopies encroaching on public walkways.
Inspectors also flagged issues with advertising signage, some of which failed to use Lao language, featured inappropriate business names, or were installed in non-compliant locations.
Other problems noted during the inspection included illegal parking, improperly placed rubbish bins, and construction work obstructing pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Officials instructed street vendors to develop clear timetables for enforcement and ensure measures are in place to prevent the return of  pavement trade.
The committee in charge of the operation issued warnings to violators and conducted educational outreach to raise awareness of the regulations.
Village-level authorities have been assigned to assist with monitoring and enforcement, illegal signage has been removed, and written warnings were given to the businesses concerned.
Shop and restaurant owners have been instructed to ensure areas immediately in front of their premises are clean and to hang up national and Party flags as part of preparations for the upcoming Party Congress.
The campaign reflects the city’s broader commitment to improving its image, strengthening public order, and creating a pleasant environment for residents, visitors, and meeting delegates alike.
The centuries-old town, nestled in a mountainous region and located along-side the Mekong River, has become a tourist hotspot, drawing millions of visitors annually.
To ensure the town’s lasting appeal, order and cleanliness are key concerns for local authorities to ensure that visitors leave with lasting, positive memories of their stay in Luang Prabang.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 18, 2025)