Vientiane (VNA) - Laos is about to introduce a visa-free policy for Chinese visitors to promote tourism in late June, which will be applied in the second half of 2024 only for tourist groups accompanied by travel agents, local media reported.
The Lao government is also planning to offer multiple-entry visas and extend the duration of stay for more international visitors from 30 days to 60 days.
China is currently one of the three largest sources of foreign tourists of Laos since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alongside, the Laos - China railway has also helped Chinese tourists travel to Laos easily with lower costs than traveling by road and air. After one year since the Laos-China cross-border tourist trains was launched in April last year, they have transported more than 172,000 passengers.
In the first four months of this year, Laos welcomed more than 1.5 million foreign tourists, of which Chinese accounted for about 20%, equivalent to at least 351,000 visitors.
In addition, the Lao Government also plans to offer multiple-entry visas and extend the duration of stay for visitors from other target markets from 30 days to 60 days./.
Laos to hold festival to promote handicrafts, tourism
The 23rd Lao Handicraft Festival will be held in Vientiane to promote traditional handicraft products as well as to create a festive atmosphere in the city for tourists during the Visit Laos Year 2024.
