Lao-China Expressway

The first Lao-China Expressway section between Vientiane and Vang Vieng opened at the end of 2020. It now takes just over one hour to drive the 111 km distance. The next section between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang is experiencing major delays. In Jan. 2023 the Lao government announced that the construction contracts with China Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group (YCIH) were being cancelled for the next two expressway sections Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang and Luang Prabang to Oudom Xay. A new contractor will need to be found and agreements reached before construction can begin. Eventually the Expressway will go all the way to the China border at Boten.

There have already been a number of accidents and collisions with cattle walking on the roadway. Drivers need to be cautious, drive slowly, keep a safe distance between vehicles and watch for roaming cattle. Drivers may be fined for causing accidents or damage to the roadway facilities.

The Expressway does not allow pedestrians, motorbikes or bicycles. We’ve seen them refuse a vehicle with riders sitting in back of a truck in the open.