Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Vientiane, the host city, successfully hosted the 12th Lao National Games from November 15th to 25th, topping the medal table with 109 gold, 91 silver, and 119 bronze medals. This represents a significant improvement over its previous performance at the 2022 Xieng Khouang Provincial National Games, where Vientiane finished second with 58 gold, 51 silver, and 97 bronze medals.
At the closing ceremony, Vientiane handed over the Games flag to Champasak Province. Thai Prime Minister Somsay Siphandone, Lao Minister of Education and Sports Thongsalith Mangnomek, Vientiane Mayor Asaphanthon Siphandone, Champasak Provincial Party Secretary Arunxay Sounarat, and other dignitaries and high-ranking officials attended the ceremony.
Sonay Sayedaw, representing the Lao government, delivered a speech praising the organizing committee, all levels of government, the people of Vientiane, and all those who contributed to the Games. He stated that it was through the efforts of all parties that the Games successfully achieved its goals and objectives, and officially declared the Games closed. Asapanthong pointed out that the 12th National Games has injected momentum into the development of sports in Laos and is crucial for advancing sports work in all sectors.
This year's Games coincided with important commemorative events in Laos—the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and the 105th anniversary of the birth of the late President Kaysone Phomvihane. The competition attracted athletes from 3 ministries, 17 provinces, and the capital Vientiane, featuring 33 events including football, shooting, and e-sports, with a total of 1,563 medals awarded (432 gold, 432 silver, and 699 bronze).
It is worth mentioning that Vientiane is an important city for hosting sporting events in Laos. It hosted the first National Games in 1985 and has also hosted 12 other sporting events, including the second National Games in 1987 and the sixth National Games in 2020.
