Laos named among breathtaking travel destinations for 2023: National Geographic
National Geographic, one of the most widely-read and respected magazines in the world, has selected Laos as one of the 25 most breathtaking places one should visit in 2023.
Vientiane (VNA) - National Geographic, one ofthe most widely-read and respected magazines in the world, has selected Laos asone of the 25 most breathtaking places one should visit in 2023.
As reported by the Laotian Times, Laos is the only ASEANcountry featured in the magazine’s ‘annual list of superlative destinations’. Throughthe Laos Travel Guide on its website, the publication introduces Laos and itsnumerous travel destinations to readers and travelers.
“Board a newhigh-speed train that makes lesser known regions of Laos accessible to touristsand brings economic opportunities to locals,” the National Geographic wrote aboutthe Laos-China Railway whose bullet trains can clock up to 160 km/hr.
“Villages clustered along the river regularly hostbackpackers drawn to the country’s exquisite French colonial architecture andstunning palaces and temples, but, the rugged terrain keeps Laos blissfully offthe typical tourist trail,” it added.
Also this week, a prominent UK-based travel magazine hascited Laos as one of the 20 best places to visit in January 2023. It is the topASEAN country on the list, ranking sixth.
Laos has already served over 1 million tourists this year,including 644,756 international visitors. The government expects to attract atleast 900,000 foreign arrivals in 2022, which could lead to over 218 million USDin revenue./.
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Anou Mai magazine of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party recently published an article entitled "60 years of Lao-Vietnam, Vietnam-Laos relations", highlighting the special and unique ties between the two countries.
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Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
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A street in Laos' Vientiane. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
