New international airport is going to be built in Bokeo.

Laos plans to build what it alls an international airport in Tonpheung district of Bokeo province to offer and boost convenient for tourist arrivals.

According to local media reports, the construction of the airport should start early 2015. It will be located close to the border with Chiang Rai province, Thailand.

The government awarded the contract to Dok Ngiew Kham Group to survey the site in 2012 and now the government is processing the construction contract with the same group.

Bokeo province governor, Khammane Souvileunt, was quoted as saying that the project will help to develop the local infrastructure in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

“It is a priority to strengthen the transportation system in order to link Laos with neighbouring countries.”

He added: “The airport will provide more favourable conditions for investment and should attract investors from Thailand, China, Myanmar and surrounding countries to invest in Bokeo province.”

Compensation has been paid to displaced families that were forced to move to make way for the development.

The airport construction in Tonpheung district is a joint venture between the government (70%) and DoK Ngiew Kham Group (30%).

The government signed an MoU with Dok Ngiew Kham Group, 16 January, 2012, to survey and construct the international airport in Tonpheung district, Bokeo province.

The district lies in northwest Laos and borders Tachilek district of Myanmar and Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts of Chiang Rai province, Thailand.

The Fourth Mekong Friendship Bridge connecting Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai province, Thailand and Huay Xai in Bokeo province, Laos opened on 11 December last year.

Huay Xai has a domestic airport and there is an airstrip for a casino close by on the Lao side of the Mekong River. The Bokeo airport project will ultimately position itself to compete with Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang Airport, also designated as an international gateway by the Thai government.

Thailand’s Transport Co Ltd, under the Ministry of Transport, offers bus services linking Thailand and Laos via the Fourth Mekong Friendship Bridge connecting Chiang Rai and Huay Xai in Bokeo province in Laos.

Tonpheung is about 56 km from Huay Xai district.

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Hang Buom Food Street of Hanoi.

Hang Buom Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter has been declared a cuisine zone based on its variety of European and Asian  food, sold at street-side stalls.

According to local media, the 300-metre long cuisine street serves Hanoi traditional confectionery and beverage and some European and Asian dishes to visitors at the night market along the Hang Dao- Dong Xuan route.

The launch of the Hang Buom Food Street, last week, should help to promote the cultural space of the Old Quarter to visitors an area of Hanoi that is already very popular with residents.

During the launch, 40 stalls along the street attracted a large number of tourists.

The Dong Xuan Joint Stock Company has invested in infrastructure for the food street and coordinated with local authorities to ensure the environmentally friendly sanitation and adequate security.

The food street will operate on a trial basis three nights, Friday to Sunday, for three months, when the scheme will be evaluated.

During January to August this year, Hanoi attracted 1.6 million international tourists increasing 14.6% during the same period last year.

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