Alcohol safety campaign organised by the Lao Ministry of Health’s Food and Drug Department, with support from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the Australian government, held in Vang Vieng from May 7 to 10, 2026. (Lao News Agency)
A public awareness campaign on alcohol safety was held in Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province, from May 7 to 10, as part of an effort to strengthen consumer protection and reduce alcohol-related health risks. The initiative was organised by the Lao Ministry of Health’s Food and Drug Department with support from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the Australian government.
The campaign represents the first activity implemented under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in February 2026 between the health ministry and CHAI, which aims to improve national systems governing food and alcohol safety.
Moreover, the campaign was launched in response to ongoing public health concerns linked to unsafe alcohol consumption. Authorities continue to address the impact of a serious incident in Vang Vieng in 2024, when six foreign tourists died after consuming contaminated alcohol. Officials hope that stronger awareness and preventive measures will prevent the likelihood of similar tragedies.
As part of the campaign, health authorities and representatives from several sectors organised educational sessions at Vang Vieng High School. More than 200 students and teachers participated in discussions about the risks of methanol poisoning and the importance of responsible alcohol consumption.
This effort also extended to areas frequently visited by travellers. Campaign teams visited hotels and guesthouses to share safety information with hospitality operators and tourists, encouraging responsible practices in the handling and sale of alcoholic beverages. By targeting students, local residents and visitors, the initiative seeks to improve public understanding of alcohol safety and reduce methanol-related risks.
The wider effort also includes updating the national food safety emergency response plan, strengthening laboratory testing capacity, improving inspections of alcoholic drinks, supplying rapid methanol testing kits to inspectors and enhancing medical training for treating poisoning cases.
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