Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Due to current economic pressures and fuel shortages, the Lao government is urging its citizens to practice thrift and reduce unnecessary spending and travel during the 2026 Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) to ensure the festival celebrations are conducted quietly, orderly, and safely. The Prime Minister's Office officially issued a notice on April 3rd, outlining specific arrangements for the holiday period from April 13th to 16th.
The notice points out that the current global and regional situation is complex and volatile, with the energy crisis and fuel shortage risks continuing to escalate, significantly impacting the economic development of various countries. During the Lao New Year, demand for goods and tourism services will peak, potentially leading to supply shortages and abnormal price increases. To effectively address this situation, the government urges the public to cultivate a sense of thrift, reduce wasteful spending, and avoid unnecessary cross-regional travel; it also encourages the use of electric vehicles as much as possible to alleviate fuel consumption pressures.
Regarding the protection of people's livelihoods, the notice requires the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and relevant government agencies to ensure a sufficient supply of food and consumer goods nationwide, strictly monitor product quality, and focus on controlling prices such as transportation costs and tourist attraction tickets, resolutely curbing unreasonable price increases and maintaining market order.
Safety and order maintenance are key focuses of holiday work. The government has clarified that all departments must remain at their posts, assigning dedicated personnel to supervise activities and patrol to ensure social peace and stability during the holiday. Specifically, the Ministry of Public Security will collaborate with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to coordinate traffic management and ensure travel safety; the government will also strengthen publicity and guidance through television, radio, the internet, and other channels to promote civilized travel and reduce traffic accidents. Furthermore, the notice explicitly prohibits riotous gatherings that may cause traffic congestion and requires entertainment venues to strictly adhere to operating hours regulations.
Regarding holiday tourism, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and provincial governments must prepare tourist attractions in advance and rationally plan venues for celebrations; at the same time, the government emphasizes the need to inherit and protect the country's long-standing traditions, guiding tourists to understand and respect Lao cultural customs, and achieving an organic combination of holiday celebrations and cultural heritage. (End)
