Luang Prabang wins Green Destinations Top 100 Story Award

The world heritage town of Luang Prabang has won a 2025 Green Destinations Top 100 Story Award, coming third in the “Destination Management” category, in recognition of successful and inclusive destination development or regeneration, visitor management, and crisis recovery.
The award was presented at the ITB Berlin 2025, the world’s leading travel trade show, which took place in Germany from March 4-6.

Director of the Luang Prabang provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Dr Soudaphone Khomthavong (right), receives an award at the ITB Berlin 2025 convention in Germany.

The accolade follows Luang Prabang’s selection as a recipient of one of the Top 100 Destination Sustainability Awards by the Green Destinations organisation at a conference in Chile last year.
The award recognises the efforts of Luang Prabang authorities to protect the town’s world heritage site in line with sustainable development of the tourist industry.
Luang Prabang is the first tourist destination in Laos to receive the award among the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam group of countries, according to the Luang Prabang Provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department.
Department Director Dr Soudaphone Khomthavong said that this year the department will focus on improving the conditions and indicators necessary to apply for Luang Prabang to be granted Green Destination Certification by the Green Tourism Organisation, which is the leader in the field of sustainability certification for global tourism destinations and business operators and certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
There are six criteria for this certification, namely the management of tourism destinations, nature and scenery, environment and climate, culture, the well-being of people in society, and business and communication, Dr Soudaphone said.
In 2023, Luang Prabang province was recommended by the American magazine “Time” as one of the 50 greatest places to visit.
The magazine called Luang Prabang “a hidden paradise”, saying the turquoise waterfalls, Buddhist temples, and sunset boat trips on the Mekong River are just a few of the province’s highlights.
Luang Prabang is one of the most well-known provinces in Laos and is a top tourist draw because of its riverside location, old temples, quaint streets and alleyways, colourful festivals, and scenic beauty.
The town’s old quarter was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1995 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Other popular attractions in and around the provincial capital include Phu Si stupa, Sae waterfall, Kuangxi waterfall, and the large night market in the town centre.
 

By Siladda Suliyong
 (Latest Update March 6, 2025)