Construction material prices in Vientiane surge by nearly 50 percent amid soaring fuel costs

Construction companies and individuals in Vientiane are currently facing rapidly rising prices, with the cost of some materials increasing by almost 50 percent, which is having a severe impact on people building their own homes.
High oil prices are the main reason why retailers are having to increase the price of their goods and services in order to cope with rising costs. Since the beginning of March, the price of fuel in Laos has increased five times and decreased only once.
Following the price hikes, the price of some construction materials has also spiked. One of the materials that has increased in price is crushed stone and sand. 
According to a stone and sand supplier, during periods of stable oil prices, suppliers delivered small truckloads of these materials to builders at a cost of 800,000 kip per trip, which comprised half a truckload of gravel and sand. The price then gradually rose to 1.2 million kip and has now soared to 1,400,000 kip, depending on the delivery distance. The price of these materials is likely to continue to increase in the foreseeable future in line with spiralling global oil prices.
Manufacturers and suppliers of other building materials, such as concrete blocks, as well as construction equipment stores, are also raising their prices to maintain business viability.
According to statistics from the Department of Internal Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, fuel prices were last adjusted on February 19, when the cost of premium gasoline decreased from 26,450 kip to 26,020 kip per litre; regular gasoline from 22,460 kip to 21,990 kip per litre; and diesel from 19,810 kip to 19,640 kip per litre. 
Starting on March 3, the cost of all types of fuel in Laos increased, followed by additional increases on the 5th and 9th, and a slight decrease on the 11th. Further increases were then announced on the 13th and 17th. The current price of regular gasoline at gas stations in Vientiane is now 36,900 kip per litre, while diesel is priced at 37,100 kip per litre.
Comparing the current fuel prices with those on February 19, gasoline has increased by 14,910 kip per litre—almost half its previous price—while diesel has increased by 17,460 kip per litre, nearly matching its price during the same period in February.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update March 19, 2026 )