Singapore Embassy in Vientiane

01/09/2026

Ambassador Ong Siew Gay and his wife hosted an evening reception to commemorate Singapore’s 61st National Day Reception on 27 August 2026. We thank the some 500 guests who joined us for the occasion, including Minister of Technology and Communications Dr Santisouk Simmalavong (Guest of Honour), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Bovonethat Douangchak (co-Guest of Honour), and dignitaries including National Assembly Vice President Dr Vilayvong Bouddahkam as well as other Ministers and Deputy Ministers. Other officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, as well as members of the Overseas Singaporean community in Laos were also present.

This year’s reception marks the 25th anniversary of the Development Partnership between Singapore and Lao PDR. Singapore’s development partnership with Laos took off in 2001, four years after Laos joined in 1997. To date, almost 18,000 Lao officials have participated in the Singapore Cooperation Programme - SCP.

Ambassador Ong also spoke about new areas of bilateral cooperation. On renewable energy, Phase II of the 🇱🇦 🇹🇭 🇲🇾 🇸🇬 Power Integration Project has started, contributing to the realisation of the ASEAN Power Grid. Both countries also signed an MoU on carbon credits in 2024 under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and are working on a legally-binding Implementation Agreement. There is also cooperation in combatting transnational crime, digitalisation and public health, given the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health's partnerships in Laos.

The reception also featured a recitation of the Singapore National Pledge, to commemorate its 60th anniversary. Singaporeans present reaffirmed the values of multiculturalism, democracy, justice and equality as reflected in the National Pledge, as a reminder to stay united regardless of race, language or religion.

Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the evening was further enlivened by the Singapore Caterpillar Singing Club’s spirited performance of familiar Singapore National Day songs, delicious food from Singapore's UNESCO-recognised hawker culture prepared by Crowne Plaza Vientiane and Redwood Kopitiam, and interactive booths by TaiBaan, Redwood Kopitiam, Vanmai Coffee, DSK Mineral Water, the Lao Red Cross. Guests took part in the light-hearted quizzes, with gifts and souvenirs as prizes.

The Embassy looks forward to continuing to strengthen the close ties between Singapore and Laos and to building on our enduring friendship for many years to come.

Happy 61st Birthday, Singapore! 🇸🇬

28/08/2026

Congratulations to all participants on successfully completing the six-week English Language Training for Senior Lao Officials (ELTSLO) programme in Singapore!

We hope the programme was a meaningful and enriching experience, and that the friendships and connections forged will continue well beyond the programme.

26/08/2026

My wife and I had the pleasure of hosting dinner for DG Moukdavanh Sisoulith, Department of International Organisations of the Lao the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We were joined by several close friends of Singapore, including DG Onida Vinavong from the President’s Office, Ms Viengdalat Somphet from the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector and Mr Phonsak Sayarath. Both Moukdavanh and Onida had attended Singapore Cooperation Programme - SCP courses last year, while Viengdalat and Phonsak had been students in Singapore. DCM Zhen Hao and TS Joanna P*e also joined us.

We had a great conversation, including on various public policy challenges in our respective countries and lighter topics like the rapidly changing food and hospitality scene. I am grateful that our friends joined us despite their busy schedules, especially with the 3rd Review Conference for Convention on Cluster Munitions (14 to 18 September 2026) coming up. We talked about public transport and demographic issues. I was surprised to learn that our Lao friends were bringing themselves up-to-date with the new pro-family policies recently announced by PM Lawrence Wong at the National Day Rally.

We also shared what our favorite Lao and Singapore food dishes (and hawker centres) were! Glad to help re-acquaint Lao friends with Singapore including through food, and I look forward to catching up with them regularly.

OSG

24/08/2026

My wife and I had the pleasure of hosting His Excellency Dr Phankham Viphavanh and Mrs Sichanh Viphavanh last week. Dr Phankham has an excellent understanding of Singapore, and fondly recalls spending three months in Singapore on an English language programme together with five other Lao leaders, back in 1998. Others in the class included President Thongloun Sisoulith, the late National Assembly President Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, former PM Bouasone Bouphavanh and former DPM Boupone Bouttanavong. What a distinguished group!

Perhaps taking a leaf from local practices, he shared that to encourage speaking English on a frequent basis, a fine of S$20 was imposed on any classmate who spoke in Lao even after school! The Lao officials would spend time after class travelling around and observing Singapore, to take in the finer points of our public governance. They even enjoyed themselves shopping for groceries and cooking their own meals in their hostels!

We also had a lively discussion on the topic of education. Dr Phankham continues to be passionate about this topic. Given the similarly small populations of Singapore and Lao PDR, we both understand acutely the importance of human resource development and education. Dr Phankham observed that even with individual ability, potential cannot be realised without access to opportunities (this is incidentally the title of his new book published earlier this year). In this regard, Lao PDR’s international development partnerships, including courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme - SCP and the Initiative for Integration, as well as the ASEAN Scholarships offered by the Singapore Government, have provided useful opportunities for the Lao people and officials.

Hope to have another opportunity to discuss these pertinent socio-economic issues with Dr Phankham before too long.

OSG

21/08/2026

Had a very enjoyable dinner with Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun recently. We talked about plans for his upcoming book, his next Mekong adventure and how small states like Laos and Singapore can work together to exercise agency and advance shared interests.

Dr Anoulak is a public intellectual and a policy thinker. Previously with the Mekong River Commission Secretariat as CEO and now in the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, he is also an expert on the Mekong River and related issues about water management, the environment and climate change. He is also an alumni of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, having spent a few months there on a Senior Fellowship Program.

In an age of geopolitical turmoil where “might is right” is threatening to replace multilateral rules centred around the UN as an organising principle of international life, small states are especially vulnerable and must work more closely together.

OSG

20/08/2026

I called on His Excellency Dr Khamphanh Phommathath, DPM and Minister of Justice of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, earlier this week.

I congratulated DPM Khamphanh on his re-election into the Politburo of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party for a third term. DPM Khamphanh shared that he is very familiar with Singapore and recalls spending three months in 2008 in Singapore under the Singapore Cooperation Programme - SCP, for English language training.

We reiterated our shared commitment to our capacity-building cooperation, and exchanged views on strengthening legal and consular cooperation, as well as enhancing collaboration in the fight against transnational crime. We also agreed on the important role of a robust legal framework, including on consular matters, to bolster investor confidence and support economic growth.

Having served in many senior appointments across his career, DPM Khamphanh is familiar with the breadth of our bilateral relationship. We discussed energy cooperation under the 🇱🇦 🇹🇭 🇲🇾 🇸🇬 Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP), which is a pathfinder towards the Power Grid, and carbon credits cooperation. DPM Khamphanh shared about potential economic opportunities in Laos that Singapore businesses could consider. Singapore and Laos also cooperate closely at regional and international fora, including within ASEAN and the UN. In this regard, I thanked DPM Khamphanh for Laos' support for Singapore’s candidate to the International Court of Justice.

I look forward to continued collaboration between the Singapore Embassy and the Lao Ministry of Justice in the years ahead.

OSG

18/08/2026

It was a pleasure to host Dr Sitthiroth Rasphone, Deputy Minister of Finance, to lunch. Dr Sitthiroth has a deep understanding of macroeconomic issues, public finance, and how fiscal policy supports Laos’ socio-economic development. I had the privilege of benefiting from his insights, and thank him for taking time to have lunch with me. I also updated him on our growing bilateral cooperation, including in renewable energy. Look forward to keeping in touch regularly.

OSG

17/08/2026

The Embassy celebrated Public Service Festival 2026 last week!

This annual occasion serves as a reminder of our core values—Integrity, Service, and Excellence—and highlights the dedicated efforts of public officers serving both in Singapore and at diplomatic missions around the world. The theme this year is “One Public Service, Ready for the Future.” In his remarks, Ambassador Ong Siew Gay noted that all Embassy staff past and present, contribute to Singapore’s work with partners in Lao PDR to defend and advance our shared interests, as the world undergoes a major transition with increased geopolitical turbulence.

Ambassador Ong also presented Long Service Awards to Third Secretary, Ms Joanna P*e, for 15 years of service, and to Translator, Mr Khambay Saysongkham, for 10 years of service. He cited the work of our two award recipients to illustrate how all members of staff contribute to the work of developing the mutually-beneficial bilateral relationship.

Happy Public Service Festival 2026 to all public officers!

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

Speaker of Parliament of Singapore Seah Kian Peng wrote a letter conveying his condolences on the passing of His Excellency Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR, on 8 August 2026.