Connecting Laos to the world: Vientiane Times at the heart of the media’s 75-year journey

Seventy-five years ago, when the first media platforms in Laos emerged to inform and unite a newly independent nation, a vision took shape — to connect the people of Laos with the outside world.
Today, Lao Press in Foreign Languages (the Vientiane Times), the country’s leading English-language newspaper, continues that mission, acting as a bridge between Laos and the international community.
The Vientiane Times was established on April 7, 1994, under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. Since earlier this year, the newspaper is now under the umbrella of the Propaganda and Training Committee of the Party Central Committee. The newspaper’s goal is to promote and broaden relationships with the outside world, following the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party’s introduction of the renovation policy in 1986.

Vientiane Times staff receive a medal on the occasion of the newspaper’s 30th anniversary last year.

The Vientiane Times has grown in both quality and quantity in parallel with the country’s rapid development.
It has become a leading English-language newspaper in Laos and plays a significant role in disseminating the Party’s policies, laws and regulations, national plans, and the fine customs and traditions that are symbolic of Laos.
In an era when news travelled slowly, the paper played a vital role in presenting Laos to a global audience, reporting on national development, culture, and diplomacy.
As Laos modernised, the newspaper became a key platform for promoting economic and cultural exchanges, providing accurate and timely news to expatriates, diplomats, and investors, and showcasing Lao traditions and tourism to the world.
“I, as Editor-in-Chief of Lao Press in Foreign Languages, and my colleagues at the Vientiane Times have always viewed the newspaper as more than a news source. We are the storyteller for a country that is continually evolving.”
On its development journey alongside other media outlets in the country, the newspaper has grown steadily. It began as a weekly publication and became a bi-weekly in December 1996. In 2004, it transitioned into a daily newspaper, publishing from Monday to Friday, and later added a Saturday issue.
It became clear that the print edition could not reach all readers across Laos and beyond. In response, new channels were created to deliver news through the paper’s website, mobile news updates, and SMS. It is now true to say that the Vientiane Times can be read anywhere there is internet access, reaching readers in all corners of the country and abroad.
Each new step reflects the newspaper’s commitment to staying relevant and accessible in an era of rapid technological change.
The media industry in Laos, like elsewhere, faces numerous challenges — from financial constraints and limited resources to the rise of social media and changing reader habits.
For English-language journalism, these challenges are even more pronounced, given the relatively small target audience in Laos. Yet, the Vientiane Times has not only survived but adapted.
Embracing digital transformation, the paper maintains a strong online presence, providing news through its website and social media platforms. It has also ventured into multimedia content, recognising that readers today seek more interactive and visually engaging formats.
The biggest challenge is remaining relevant in the digital age, but this is also an opportunity to reach new audiences and tell Lao stories in more dynamic ways.
In an era of misinformation and sensationalism, the Vientiane Times takes pride in upholding journalistic integrity. Our editorial team focuses on accuracy, balance, and clarity — values that have earned the newspaper the trust of readers over decades.
Looking ahead, Lao Press in Foreign Languages aims to continue connecting Laos with the global community by ensuring improved content in all respects.
The newspaper strives for timely reporting, more attractive and colourful design, and up-to-date production technology that meets international standards.
More than ink on paper or pixels on a screen, the Vientiane Times is a living witness to history. It has amplified Lao voices, shaped perceptions, and helped the world understand a small but proud nation with a rich culture and great potential.
As the media industry in Laos celebrates 75 years, the Vientiane Times stands not just as a newspaper, but as a symbol of cross-cultural communication, cultural exchange, tourism, and investment promotions, and national progress — a testament to its role in shaping the voice of the nation.

By Phon Thikeo
 (Latest Update August 11, 2025)