Laos Sets Digital Transformation as Key Driver of Modernization_blog

10 Jan, 2026

Laos Sets Digital Transformation as Key Driver of Modernization

Laos has placed digital transformation at the centre of its national development agenda, identifying it as a key driver of modernization, productivity, and sustainable economic growth.

Speaking on National Digital Day on 10 January, Minister of Technology and Communications Santisuk Simmalavong said digital transformation is no longer optional for Laos, but a necessary and long-term national mission.

He said the government must proactively advance digitalisation across all socio-economic sectors to improve production efficiency, enhance service quality, and support the country’s transition toward industrialization and modernization in line with the Party’s reform path.

According to Santisuk, digital transformation will enable Laos to better absorb scientific and technological advances, apply innovation more effectively, and promote green and sustainable development as the country enters a new phase of growth.

Connectivity Expands Nationwide

Highlighting recent progress, Santisuk said Laos has expanded its fibre-optic network to more than 36,000 kilometres nationwide.

He noted that 4G coverage now reaches 76 percent of villages, while 5G services operate in 59 major cities. These developments have increased internet usage to approximately 63 percent of the population.

Digital Government Reform Advances

On public sector reform, Santisuk said authorities have completed integration of the government intranet network (G-Net), which now connects all ministries and provinces.

The government has also rolled out the electronic office system (e-Office) to improve efficiency, coordination, and transparency across state institutions.

He added that the establishment of the National Digital Transformation Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, has strengthened leadership and coordination for digital reform from the central level to local administrations.

Looking ahead, Laos is drafting a national artificial intelligence strategy and has established the Lao Digital Park with the support of the Republic of Korea to support startups, attract investment, and develop a high-skilled workforce with a focus on environmentally friendly innovation.

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12 Jan, 2026

Laos-China Railway Enables Record-Breaking Journey from Singapore to Portugal

The world’s longest train journey now runs from Singapore to Portugal, covering nearly 19,000 kilometers across 13 countries and linking Southeast Asia to Western Europe entirely by rail.The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is a key player in this achievement, linking Southeast Asia and China’s extensive rail network. The Route in a NutshellThe journey begins in Singapore and travels north through Malaysia and Thailand before entering Laos. From Laos’ Vientiane, passengers board the LCR to Kunming, China, passing through the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. The route then continues across China to Beijing, follows the Trans-Siberian Railway through Mongolia and Russia, to Moscow, and proceeds westward through Europe, passing through Belarus, Poland, Germany, France, and Spain, before reaching the final destination of Lisbon, Portugal.Traveling back-to-back, the entire journey takes approximately 21 days, with the longest single leg being the seven-day, 7,622-kilometer Moscow-Beijing segment.Laos-China Railway: The Crucial ConnectionInaugurated in December 2021, the 420-kilometer Laos-China Railway has transformed Laos from a “landlocked” to a “land-linked” nation. The railway has already carried over 62 million passengers on the Vientiane-Kunming route and more than 12 million passengers within Laos.Most significantly, the LCR provides the critical overland connection between Southeast Asia and China’s extensive rail network, enabling seamless travel from Singapore all the way to Europe. Without this railway linking Vientiane to Kunming, the Singapore-to-Portugal route would not be possible.Currently, a 15-kilometer bus connection near Vientiane links the LCR with the Laos-Thailand Railway. However, construction of a new railway bridge across the Mekong River between Vientiane and Nong Khai will soon create a direct rail link, further enhancing connectivity as part of Laos’ transformation into a regional transportation hub under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.Challenges and the FutureWhile this route represents a unique route in global rail connectivity, geopolitical tensions present challenges. Since 2022, the suspension of rail services has blocked direct train travel across Russia’s western borders, requiring travelers to make alternative arrangements.

07 Jan, 2026

Bueng Kan–Bolikhamxay Cross-Border Bus Service Begins Trial Operations

A new cross-border bus service linking Bueng Kan Province in Thailand with Bolikhamxay Province in Laos began trial operations on 7 January, aiming to improve transport connectivity between the two neighbouring provinces.The service is operated by a Thai bus operator, which has deployed one Thai-registered bus on the Bueng Kan–Bolikhamxay route under an international bus service licence.The fare for the journey is set at THB 100 (USD 3.20).According to the trial schedule, buses depart from Bueng Kan Bus Terminal at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm, while they leave Bolikhamxay Bus Terminal at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm.To support cross-border travel, a shuttle bus service will operate between the Thai–Lao border checkpoints. The shuttle service is provided by a Lao company, which has assigned two buses to the route. These shuttle buses will run daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.Thai authorities said the trial phase will help assess passenger demand, operational efficiency, and coordination at border crossings before any decision is made on long-term operations.