The ruins of Vat Phou Champasak temple in southern Laos. --Photo Visit Laos

Laos eyes stronger Vat Phou management, regional tourism links

Laos plans to strengthen management of the Vat Phou Champasak World Heritage Site and expand regional tourism links, with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Champasak provincial authorities agreeing on joint directions for heritage preservation and tourism development.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket called for the urgent establishment of a joint committee between the ministry and the province to oversee the handover and ensure unified management of the World Heritage Site.
The directions were discussed at a meeting in Vientiane co-chaired by Mrs Suanesavanh and Secretary of the Champasak Provincial Party Committee Dr Alounxay Sounnalath. The meeting reviewed progress in cultural preservation and tourism development and discussed outstanding issues affecting the province.
Dr Alounxay reported on the province’s achievements, including the recognition of three new provincial heritage sites: the Champasak Provincial Museum, Vat Ban Ngua Daeng temple and Pha That Sampang stupa. Other work includes exploring ancient roads, reassessing cultural villages and families, and addressing illegal activities to protect cultural and natural heritage.
The province asked the ministry to help establish standards and conditions, identify service points and prepare long-term development plans for the Vat Phou Champasak temple complex. Preparations for the 2027 Vat Phou Champasak festival were also among the proposed tasks.
To strengthen cross-border tourism, the province proposed promoting tourism corridors linking Laos with Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia along the Vat Phou–Angkor Wat route. It also called for efforts to promote possible international flight connections from Pakse to Da Nang and Bangkok.
Mrs Suanesavanh also called for the development of daytime and night-time tourism areas to generate income, alongside stricter management of local performing arts to ensure activities comply with regulations.
The proposals aim to improve the management of the World Heritage Site while developing tourism in southern Laos and strengthening connections with regional and international markets.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 16, 2026)