Tourism hotspot Vang Vieng is now cleaner and greener following the successful completion of an innovative waste management project.

VANG VIENG, LAO PDR -April 25, 2025– The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in collaboration with the Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and the Urban Development Administration Authority (UDAA), marked the successful completion of the ASEAN Municipal Solid Waste Management Enhancement (AMUSE) Project in Vang Vieng The two-year initiative was funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

The closing ceremony was attended by 37 participants including government officials, hotel, guest houses and restaurant owners, recycling companies, and waste collection companies. It was co-chaired by Mr. Viraphon Neuansengsy, Deputy Director General of the Department of Environment; Mr. Souviengthong Vongchampa, Vice Mayor of Vang Vieng; Ms. Eva Diaz Ugena, Deputy Country Representative of GGGI Lao PDR. At this event, the project participants celebrated the achievements of the AMUSE project with the award of Green, Clean and Beautiful Certificates to successful business entities.

The project introduced a model for city wide source separation of waste by introducing 75 waste recycling banks within the business entities and creating a functional recovery and recycling value chain; and developed policy recommendations on how to treat organic waste and establish a city-wide sustainable waste management system built on circular economy principles. Through this intervention a total of 108tons of materials are recovered and safely recycled every month, 286 hospitality service providers have been trained, and up to 480,897 residents and tourists are estimated to have benefited from this system since 2023.
“The AMUSE project has improved the system through establishing a city-wide recycling bank system and increased participation from the private sector and the tourism industry.” Said Mr. Viraphon Neuansengsy. He also emphasized the importance of sustaining and expanding the project’s achievements through continued collaboration, for future innovations in sustainable waste management.

Speaking on the future of waste management in Vang Vieng, Vice Mayor Souviengthong expressed his vision: “This project has not only improved our environment but also raised awareness among our community and visitors. We will continue building on these successes to make Vang Vieng a model for sustainable tourism and waste management across Lao PDR”.

From the private sector perspective, local businesses have witnessed practical improvements firsthand. Mr. Ken Insane from Patthana Recycling Shop explained the operational benefits: “The biggest change is cleaner recyclable materials and an increase in the volume that we can recover. Before, everything was mixed in the landfill truck. Now, with source separation, our job is easier and more profitable. We receive and process four times more materials than we used to receive in 2022 before the project started”.

Besides environmental improvements, the project delivered important social benefits. The project trained 286 public and private sector officials in sustainable solid waste management. 26 informal waste workers and 15 women were trained on improving their work safety practices and alternative economic opportunities brought by circular economy solutions. Additionally, 13 tourism businesses received “Green, Clean, Beautiful” certifications for demonstrating excellence in sustainable waste management practices. The project offered 15 leaders an opportunity to travel to Singapore and learn about the country’s success story in managing waste generated by the high tourist numbers.

“In the past, we managed waste poorly, and it affected the cleanliness and attractiveness of our business to tourists.” Said Ms. Viengsakda Sengsulin, owner of Cliff View Resort. “Now, I see waste as a resource, we sort it and our cleaning staff sale the recycled material to Mr. Ken and Mr. Tan. Some of the workers take food waste to feed their animals. The certification has improved our business image and set an example for others.”

“Through close collaboration with our government and regional partners, we’ve achieved 100% completion of planned activities, including recycling banks and local capacity building,” said Eva Diaz Ugena. “Vang Vieng now stands as a strong example of how circular economy models can be locally led and regionally relevant.”

The Vang Vieng project represents a key component of GGGI’s broader work in sustainable urban development across Southeast Asia. As part of a coordinated four-country initiative spanning Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, it contributes to ASEAN’s regional sustainability agenda and provides a practical model for balancing tourism growth with environmental protection.