Tourism in Laos

In 2024, tourist numbers topped 5 million, contributing over US$1 billion to the economy.

Tourism is the third largest source of foreign income for the Laos government, behind only mining and electricity generation.

[2] The top four sources of international tourists in 2019 were Thailand (45%), China (21.3%), Vietnam (19.3%) and South Korea (4.2%).

[2] The Laos-China Railway has facilitated the entry of more tourists, particularly from China, into Laos, as well as making transport easier between Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang.

These services typically enter from China or Thailand, meaning visitors rarely travel only to Laos, but combine their trip with visits to neighbouring countries as well, due to the need to transit through them to reach Laos.