World

Laos plans railway project

Laos will make the construction of a national railway system, a goal in its socio-economic development plan for the next five years.
Laos will make the construction of anational railway system, a goal in its socio-economic development planfor the next five years.

According to Achong Laomao,deputy head of the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment’s InvestmentPromotion Department, many foreign investors are interested in thescheme which would provide transportation link on land for goods fromChina, Thailand and Vietnam. Concurrently, the locals will benefit fromservices to tourists and businesses in transit.

Laos is looking for financing sources for the large-scale project anddiscussions with Chinese partners are scheduled for March, he added.

The governments of China and Vietnam have sponsored feasibility surveysfor railway routes from north to south and from east to west Laos. AMalaysian company is studying the possible economic benefits of arailway line in Savannakhet province as well as the possibility of arailway connection between Vietnam and Laos.

At present, Laos only owns 3.5 km of railroad, running fromVientiane-Noongkhai Friendship bridge to Thanaleng station in thecapital city of Vientiane./.
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Thailand deploys AI system to manage agricultural supply

Thailand deploys AI system to manage agricultural supply

The system integrates data on production, prices and local conditions to forecast when and where crops will enter the market and estimate their volumes. It can also identify areas at risk of supply gluts and price pressure, allowing authorities to prepare timely responses.

Philippines faces drought risk nationwide

Philippines faces drought risk nationwide

In its October 2026 to March 2027 outlook, the state science agency indicated that drought could begin as early as October in some areas and persist until the last week of March 2027.

Thailand puts immigration procedures on mobile app

Thailand puts immigration procedures on mobile app

The launch of THIM is a strategic step in the immigration authorities’ comprehensive digital transformation roadmap, Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalug, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, noted.

The ASEAN Law Enforcement High-level Conference on Cooperation in Combating Criminal Fugitives takes place in Hanoi on September 30. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN steps up cooperation in fight against criminal fugitives

Participants discussed and agreed on strategic solutions to improve cooperation through ASEAN’s multilateral and bilateral mechanisms. They adopted the conference's joint statement and agreed on a draft joint action plan to strengthen cooperation in combating criminal fugitives.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam calls for dialogue among nuclear-weapon states to reduce nuclear risk

Vietnam calls on nuclear-weapon states to sign and ratify the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). It will continue to make active contributions to international efforts to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, strengthen multilateralism and international law, and work towards a world free of nuclear weapons.

Singapore boosts business support with “one-stop shop” model

Singapore boosts business support with “one-stop shop” model

With government business support information and services integrated into a single platform, BizSG uses AI to recommend support programmes tailored to each business and guide users step-by-step to the appropriate service or support. The entire Singapore government subsidy system is expected to be gradually integrated by 2027.

Indonesia's MSMEs Minister Maman Abdurrahman speaks during an entrepreneurial event in Surabaya, East Java, September 23, 2026. (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia helps poor families build self-reliant businesses

MSMEs Minister Maman Abdurrahman said, during the launch of LAKSMI, an inclusive microenterprise capacity-building programme, in Surabaya, East Java, on September 23, his ministry offers training and business mentoring for beneficiaries of government socioeconomic programmes.

Delegates at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Law Enforcement High-level Conference on Cooperation in Combating Criminal Fugitives in Hanoi on September 30 (Photo: cand.vn)

Vietnam hosts ASEAN conference on combating fugitive criminals

Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang said amid deepening globalisation and international integration, transnational crime in general and crimes committed by wanted persons in particular have become increasingly complex, posing major challenges to law enforcement agencies in the region and around the world.

Singapore builds first gas-fired power plant integrated with battery storage

Singapore builds first gas-fired power plant integrated with battery storage

The 670MW plant is scheduled to begin operations in 2029, with an investment of 1.2 billion SGD (939 million USD). Using combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) technology, it will be Singapore’s largest single-unit power plant, generating enough electricity to supply about 1.2 million four-room apartments a year.

Vansy Kuamua, Deputy Head of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Training (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN boosts media cooperation in digital era

The meeting, held in the Lao capital of Vientiane from September 28-29, brought together representatives from ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat to strengthen regional cooperation in information and media.

ADB approves 1.5 billion USD loan to help Philippines mitigate impact of Middle East conflict

ADB approves 1.5 billion USD loan to help Philippines mitigate impact of Middle East conflict

The ADB funding will help the Philippine Government secure fuel supplies, maintain access to electricity, healthcare, food, and medicine at affordable prices, and assist Filipino workers abroad in returning home. The loan is provided through ADB’s Countercyclical Support Facility (CSF), a financial instrument designed to provide rapid budget support to member countries in times of economic shocks.