The Mayor of Vientiane, Dr Athsaphangthong Siphandone, along with officials from the Ministry of Education, the Vientiane Education and Sports Department, representatives from the city’s nine districts, and schoolchildren on Friday attend an opening ceremony to mark the start of final year examinations for secondary school Grades 4 and 7. In Vientiane, 11,391 Grade 4 students from over 180 lower secondary schools will sit exams from June 11-13. In addition, 9,164 Grade 7 students from over 120 secondary schools will take their final year exams from June 18 to 20.   --Photo Vientiane Mai

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry last week inspect a sluice gate in the Huaydeua zone of Hadxaifong district and another in the Houy mark hiew zone in Pakngum district, to ensure water flow can be properly regulated during the rainy season.--Photo Lao National Radio

Authorities in Nalae district, Luang Namtha province, last week gather for a walk to mark World Environment Day and National Environment Day on June 5.          --Photo Phonethip Philavanh

The curtain raiser event of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) takes place in Vientiane on June 6, organised by the Embassy of India with support from its partner Art of Living, Laos. Yoga enthusiasts from across the capital participated in the event, which took place at dawn alongside the Mekong River. The theme for this year’s IDY is ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’. International Day of Yoga is officially celebrated on June 21 after being inaugurated by the United Nations in 2014 at India’s initiative. The event in Vientiane took place in the run up to the main IDY event, scheduled to take place on June 21 at ASEAN Palace-I, behind the ASEAN Mall, from 8-10am. The Embassy is also organising yoga events in Vangvieng, Luang Prabang, Champassak and Savannakhet.