The zone has an area about 3,000 hectares and was created in 2007 by the Lao government together with the Chinese-owned Hong Kong-registered company Kings Romans Group with the hope of generating economic development.

[1] Since its commencement, it has gained a reputation of being a Chinese city rife with illegal activities such as drug, human and animal trafficking[2][3] although Kings Romans' owner has denied the allegations[4] while Lao authorities have also carried out some enforcement action following the reports.

The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is linked by road to Houay Xay which lies about 55 km to the east.

In early October 2020, a $50 million investment to build a port in the Laotian town of Ban Mom, directly north of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, was made by Osiano Trading Sole Co., a partner or front company of Zhao Wei and his organization.

The zone can also be easily accessed from Thailand by boat from the pier at the Chiang Saen, Thailand-Laos Border Crossing Immigration Checkpoint at Ban Sop Ruak.

The boats operate between 6.00am and 8.00pm Thailand Standard Time and cost Thai baht 100 per trip, with the journey taking about 10 minutes.

The website of the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment's Investment Promotion Department states that the investment projects in the zone are in construction of economic infrastructures; agriculture, livestock, manufacturing; hotel and residential area development; golf courses; education institutions and health treatment centres; business and international trade; real estate; banking, insurance and financial institution; post, telecommunication, internet, advertising and printing; transportation of goods and passengers; development of tourism and entertainment zone; restaurants and bars and warehouses, duty-free shops and duty-free area.

[16][17] Apartment blocks, houses and infrastructure facilities such as roads and piers have come up to cater to the influx of tourists and residents to the zone.

[19] In January 2018, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against what it called Zhao's transnational criminal organisation, naming two registered Hong Kong companies under the Kings Romans Group as its corporate fronts and identifying the group's owners Zhao Wei and his wife Su Guiqin as the organisation's leaders.

Saying that the sanctions against his companies were groundless, he added that the Kings Romans Group's investment and development strictly complied with the law and signed agreements.

[4] The Lao government has also taken some steps to curb the illegal trade in wildlife parts, confiscating items and closing shops during enforcement raids.