Water cascades over the Khonephapheng Falls in Champasak province. --Photo Visit Laos

Southern provinces eye joint tourism circuit, regional links

Laos is seeking to position its four southern provinces as a connected tourism destination, linking up with nearby visitor attractions in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.
The initiative is seen as key to expanding tourism in the region and providing more attractive options for visitors.
The plan was mooted at a meeting to discuss the development of tourism relating to Laos’ four southern provinces in 2025-2026 and the plan for 2026-2027.

Kayaking on the Mekong River in the Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands) area in Champasak province.    --Photo Visit Laos

The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Mrs Darany Phommavongsa and Vice Chairman of the Champasak Administration Committee, Mr Somboun Heuangvongsa.
Mrs Darany said plans would focus on improving the quality of tourist destinations, developing distinctive tourism products, strengthening the capacity of tourism personnel, using digital technology to improve services and advertising, and advancing sustainable and environmentally-friendly tourism.
This would include linking up tourist destinations in Laos to enable easy travel between sites and creating new tourist routes aimed at encouraging visitors to stay longer.
Mrs Darany said cooperation between Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand would be a driving force in expanding the tourism market, with potential benefits for Laos’ four southern provinces.
The overall plan would require the creation of a tourism circuit taking in popular spots in these neighbouring countries, easier cross-border travel, and a robust advertising campaign.
The ultimate goal is to provide more professional and quality tourism services in southern Laos.
Many improvements are needed, Mrs Darany said, particularly regarding access roads to tourist attractions, signposts, viewpoints and toilets, while accommodation and restaurant services should be standardised in line with Lao and ASEAN standards.
She called for greater promotion of sustainable tourism, community-based tourism and agritourism, while also integrating culture into tourism products and ensuring visitor comfort and safety.
She advised the four southern provinces to identify and make the most of tourism opportunities year-round, including using the low season as an opportunity to stage tourism product exhibitions and buyer-seller meetings, organise trial activities, and offer discounts.
The meeting also highlighted the need to strengthen online marketing, establish a common tourism slogan and brand, improve tour guide training, and raise awareness of sustainable tourism, waste management, and emergency response.
The four southern provinces have strong tourism potential, with the main attractions being the Vat Phou Champasak temple complex UNESCO world heritage site, the Khonephapheng Falls, the Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands) area of the Mekong River, Tad Yeung waterfall, Tad Loc waterfall, and the Hotay Pidok manuscript repository, among many others.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest UpdateApril 28, 2026)