The Australian Embassy in Vientiane offers a comprehensive range of services to Australian citizens, administers the Australian development assistance program to Laos, provides support to Australian businesses, and manages the formal bilateral relationship between Australia and Laos.

For the latest travel advice and other information for Australians in Laos, please see our Services for Australians page.

  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone signed the Laos-Australia Comprehensive Partnership

On 6 March, Prime Minister Albanese and HE Mr Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, signed an agreement elevating ties between Australia and Laos to a Comprehensive Partnership. 

Australia is proud to be one of Laos’ longest-standing partners, a relationship built on mutual respect, understanding and close cooperation.

The Australia-Laos Comprehensive Partnership will drive bilateral cooperation across four pillars, reflecting our shared priorities for the future: People, education and human resource development; Economics, trade and investment; Climate, environment and energy; and Defence and law enforcement.  (read more: English)

 

 

Lao PDR makes significant strides in measles prevention – campaign reaches 95.2% of target

• Measles cases are rising globally, including in the Western Pacific Region, driven in part by impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Lao PDR’s Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Australian Government, and UNICEF, launched a Measles and Rubella Supplementary Immunization Activity (MR SIA) in May 2024.

The extensive nationwide campaign targeted 633 849 children across all 148 districts, successfully reaching over 603 000 children, 95.2% of the target group  (read more: English)

 

Data-driven rabies control and protection in Lao PDR

Rabies, a preventable yet fatal zoonotic disease, has been a longstanding public health risk in Lao PDR. For many years the country has faced cases, with children disproportionately affected.

Globally there are an estimated 59 000 deaths from rabies each year, but this is thought to be significantly below the real number.

In Lao PDR, major barriers to effective rabies control have been the limited access to post-exposure rabies vaccination, a lack of understanding about the disease, and more critically, the lack of a reliable and comprehensive data. This limits the ability to accurately assess the location and severity of rabies, respond accordingly, and save lives...  (read more: English)

 

Community support saving lives in Sa Kuan Village, Luang Prabang Province

Kua, a mother of four in remote Sa Kuan Village, Luang Prabang Province and her husband Sivong, faced a significant risk to Kua’s health – and limited options due to finances.

Their home, Sa Kuan Village, sits in a beautiful but remote and mountainous part of Lao PDR, several hours from a major road and a more than one-and-a-half-hour drive across rugged terrain to the closest medical facility: Huay Khing Health Center. Giving birth at home again placed Kua at an increased risk of pregnancy complications with no access to medical support. .  (read more: English)

 

The CONNECT initiative reaching new communities across Lao PDR

In certain areas, weak relationships between villagers and the health system result in limited healthcare access or demand, vaccine hesitancy, poor maternal and child health outcomes, and low levels of trust – in both health systems and healthcare providers.

The continued nationwide deployment of CONNECT – a local governance and community engagement strengthening initiative that supports increased access to essential healthcare services – recently supported two villages in the Bolikhamxay province, Nakounn and Nongdeng district, part of the 232 assisted nationwide to date..  (read more: English)

 

Closer to Home: Australian support makes dialysis accessible for thousands in Lao PDR

"It was difficult for patients to travel for [dialysis] treatment, especially due to the costs involved. Patients had to go to Vientiane, Khammouan province, other provinces, and even overseas,” says Dr. Sonephet Keoindavong, a specialist at Bolikhamxay Provincial Hospital, as he recalls the limited access to dialysis for his community. (read more: English)

 

 

 

 Immersive digital experience arrives in Laos

Her Excellency Megan Jones, Australian Ambassador to the Lao PDR, was joined by Lao Government officials, Ambassadors, development partners and local organisations at the launch of the immersive digital experience Walking through a Songline at Lab de Lines in Vientiane. (read more: English; Lao)

 

 

 

 

8^th Australia-Lao PDR Human Rights Dialogue

Australia and the Lao PDR held the 8^th bilateral Human Rights Dialogue (the Dialogue) in Canberra on 23 November 2023. 

The broad representation from ministries and departments on both sides supported open and productive discussion on a range of human rights issues including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights; engagement with international mechanisms; and bilateral and regional cooperation. The Dialogue deepened mutual understanding of each country’s human rights progress and challenges (read more: English; Lao)

 

 

 

 Disability: focus on ability

Growing up visually impaired, Aikeo understands how difficult it can be for people with disability to overcome barriers and constraints in everyday life. He and his two brothers were born blind in a rural village of Lamam district, Sekong province. His parents saw the discrimination facing their three children. “They were born with blind because of bad karma from a previous life. There is no need for the family to support their treatment” said by some of the community members where he and his family lived.  (read more English & Lao HERE)

 

 

 

 

 

 Investing in Teacher Development: A Strengthened   Partnership Between the Governments of Australia and   Lao PDR

According to a new report, the Australian Government’s flagship education program in Lao PDR, BEQUAL, has had a positive impact on teaching quality, improved literacy and increased student engagement.... (read more: English or Lao)

 

 

 

 

 

Australia and Southeast Asia: invested in our shared economic future

By Nicholas Moore AO, Australia’s Special Envoy for Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing global regions and will be home to one of the most dramatic economic transformations of the 21^st century. Throughout the region, population growth, increasing large and affluent middle classes, and urbanisation trends will create growing demand for a wider range of goods, services and skills (Read more: English; Lao)

 

 Australia’s International Development Policy

 Profound challenges continue to reshape our world, testing our collective   resolve. Australia’s International Development Policy is centred on listening,   respect and genuine partnership. It will guide how Australia’s development   program supports a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for Australia and   our region...(Read more)

 

Op-ed: Laos, Southeast Asia and Australia: opportunities for shared economic prosperity

Australia is deepening our economic engagement with Southeast Asia. 

As Special Envoy for Southeast Asia appointed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, I am leading the development of the Australian Government’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. (Read more)

 

 

 

 

Visit to Laos by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs builds friendship and cooperation

Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong travelled to Vientiane, Laos. The visit from 15-16 May, followed the successful visit to Australia by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith in October last year. (Read more: English or Lao)

 

 

 

 

 

Laos and Australia Partner on Sustainable Energy

On 15 May, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, joined Laos’ Minister of Energy and Mines, H.E. Mr Phosay Sayasone to sign the Memorandum of Subsidiary Arrangement for LASEP. The signing was witnessed by Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Saleumxay Kommasith. (Read more: English or Lao)