Laos reports one more death related COVID-19

The Health Ministry of Laos announced on May 28 that the country recorded 10 new COVID-19 infections and one more death related to the disease.
Laos reports one more death related COVID-19 ảnh 1People are waiting for COVID-19 testing in Vientiane, Laos (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – The Health Ministry ofLaos announced on May 28 that the country recorded 10 new COVID-19 infectionsand one more death related to the disease.

The new cases lifted the country’s total number of infectionsand deaths to 1,905 and three, respectively. Meanwhile, 1,355 patients in Laos havebeen given the all-clear from coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

On the same day, Thailand confirmed 34 new COVID-19 fatalities andanother 3,759 cases, bringing the accumulated toll to 954 deaths and the numberof infections since the start of the pandemic to 144,976.

The country’s Phuket province is set to reopen for foreign tourists from July 1. It has vaccinated 50 percent of the provincialpopulation out of its target of 70 percent of people on the resort island.

To realise this plan, Phuket needs to vaccinate at least 466,587 people, equivalentto 933,174 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Phuket will be the first Thai locality to re-open for visitors. Ten others willre-open in October.
Under the plan, fully vaccinated foreign tourists will beallowed to enter Thailand via Phuket, where they will not have to undergo14-day quarantine./.
VNA

See more

Foreign tourists in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

International arrivals to Thailand surge in early 2026

Thailand welcomed 1,121,549 international visitors in the first 11 days of 2026, generating an estimated 55.03 billion THB (approximately 1.59 billion USD) in tourism revenue, according to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports on January 13.

Tourists visit the Plain of Jars in Xiengkhouang, Laos.(Photo: VNA)

Laos named among world’s top travel destinations for 2026: TravelPulse

Known for being one of Southeast Asia’s best kept secrets, experts said 2026 will be the year for Laos to start attracting discerning travelers. Traversed by the Mekong River, Laos features mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture and an abundance of Buddhist monasteries.

A commemorative publication titled “50 Years of Germany – Vietnam Relations: Partners in the Past, Present and Future”, published in 2025, offers a timely and comprehensive reflection not only on the 50th anniversary but also on the two countries' strategic path ahead. (Illustrative photo: the Vietnamese – German University)

German economic cooperation ministry praises Vietnam’s development

Commenting on the German Government’s prominent reference to Vietnam’s achievements in a key policy document shaping the future direction of its development policy, Dr Kambiz Ghawami, President of Germany’s World University Service (WUS), described this as highly significant.

Indonesia’s meat industry faces widespread job loss risks (Photo:en.infosawit.com)

Indonesia’s meat industry faces risk of mass layoffs

The Indonesian Meat Entrepreneurs and Processors Association (APPDI) said the total beef import quota for private companies this year has been cut to 30,000 tonnes, down sharply from 180,000 tonnes in 2025. The figure accounts for only a small fraction of Indonesia’s overall import plan of 297,000 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat for 2026.

Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang (left) and Lao Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone (Photo: VNA)

Laos focuses on building comprehensive all-people national defence posture

Reporting on defence and security work over the past five years, he noted that despite numerous challenges, Laos has recorded significant achievements under the direct, comprehensive and resolute leadership of the LPRP, the guidance of the Central Commission for Defence–Security, the solidarity and efforts of administrations at all levels, sectors, local authorities and the Lao people, along with cooperation from strategic partners.

Governor of National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas RI) of Indonesia Dr. Ace Hasan Syadzily (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia's programme to develop visionary leaders unveiled

This programme is designed to equip prospective senior leaders with strategic leadership mindset, geopolitical and geostrategic vision, and the capacity to formulate policies and govern the country amid a dynamic domestic and international environment.