Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Lao government will launch a feasibility study for the Vientiane-Pakse railway and simultaneously advance the construction plan for the Laos-Vietnam railway. These two major projects are important measures for the country to strengthen regional connectivity and revitalize economic growth.
Project plans were officially disclosed at the Party Congress.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2026, Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport, Leklai Sivilay, elaborated on the aforementioned railway development plans at the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in Vientiane. He clearly stated that the Laos-Vietnam railway is expected to commence construction early this year, extending from Khammouane Province to the Vietnamese border, further opening up regional connectivity.
Leklai Sivilay emphasized that expanding the railway network is a core strategy for Laos to address economic and financial challenges and promote comprehensive socio-economic development. As a successful precedent for this strategy, the Laos-China railway, since its opening in December 2021, has become a "golden channel" for regional cooperation.
The China-Laos Railway Achieves Remarkable Results, Laying the Foundation for Expansion
In the four years since its operation, the China-Laos Railway has seen a continuous increase in passenger and freight volumes. As of December 2025, the entire line had transported over 62.5 million passengers and over 72.5 million tons of freight. Of these, the Lao section carried 11.24 million passengers and over 16 million tons of freight; the Vientiane-Kunming line has undertaken the main cross-border transportation tasks, with over 62 million passengers and 72 million tons of freight.
This railway has not only reduced regional transportation costs by 20% to 40% and significantly shortened travel time, but has also effectively boosted Laos' tourism industry. Data shows that railway services have provided convenient transportation for foreign tourists visiting Laos, helping the country generate over US$2.6 billion in tourism foreign exchange earnings, becoming an important pillar of economic growth.
Building a Nationwide Railway Network in the Next Five Years
According to the plan, in the next five years, Laos will continue to expand its railway network coverage based on the China-Laos Railway and the Laos-Thailand Railway, promoting deeper integration into the regional transportation system. Leklai Sivilay pointed out that the significance of railway development extends far beyond transportation itself; it is a core driving force for economic modernization, service industry upgrading, and tourism growth, and will significantly enhance Laos's position on the regional and international stage.
The advancement of these railway projects will also help Laos gradually transform from a landlocked country to a land-linked country, injecting new vitality into connectivity and economic integration in the Lancang-Mekong region.
