President calls for preservation of Luang Prabang’s heritage value

President Thongloun Sisoulith has urged Luang Prabang authorities to protect the city’s World Heritage status while pursuing green development and improving local people’s livelihoods.
During a working visit to Luang Prabang on Monday, the Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos met provincial leaders and senior officials to review development progress and discuss priorities for the province. 
President Thongloun stressed the need to strengthen political and ideological education for officials, Party members, and the general public. He called on Party organisations at all levels to promote unity and set a good example in serving the people.
He instructed provincial leaders to make full use of Luang Prabang’s strengths to achieve socio-economic development goals while preserving the province’s cultural identity.
He called for stronger efforts to protect the city’s historic buildings and cultural landscape, warning against development that is not in harmony with its heritage value.
He also advised authorities to make greater progress in poverty reduction by improving livelihoods and creating more opportunities for local residents through green and sustainable development.
Secretary of the Luang Prabang Provincial Party Committee and President of the Luang Prabang Provincial People’s Council, Mr Bounleum Manivong, reported on the province’s achievements over the past six months.
He said Luang Prabang had made progress in several areas, with some development targets already achieved or exceeded.
The province has introduced new working procedures for the President and Vice Presidents of the Provincial Administration Committee, with responsibilities clearly divided to improve coordination and administration.
Plans have also been prepared to appoint management-level officials in Phonthong, Viengkham and Ngoi districts, while the organisational structure of several provincial departments has been improved.
Mr Bounleuam said eight new subdistricts will be created as  administrative units, as part of ongoing governance reforms.
Provincial leaders asked the President to support several major infrastructure projects aimed at improving regional connectivity and economic development.
Luang Prabang is one of Laos’ most popular tourist destinations and was inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage List in 1995.
The President’s call comes as Luang Prabang continues to enjoy strong tourism growth. The province welcomed more than 824,000 visitors in the first four months of 2026, including more than 570,000 foreign tourists.
Provincial authorities aim to attract at least 2.3 million visitors this year and generate US$1.27 billion in tourism revenue.
To support this growth, upgrades are underway at top attractions such as Kuang Si waterfall, Xiengthong temple, Mount Phousi, the Luang Prabang National Museum, and Pak Ou cave, while tourism services are being improved to preserve the town’s reputation as one of Asia’s leading cultural destinations.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 15, 2026)