Laos Launches Groundbreaking Fifth Friendship Bridge, Unlocking Beautiful And Seamless Access Between Thailand, Vietnam, And China, Fueling Economic Transformation And Regional Synergy

Published on December 27, 2025

Laos has officially launched the groundbreaking Fifth Friendship Bridge, a project that provides beautiful and seamless access between Thailand, Vietnam, and China. This new infrastructure will significantly enhance cross-border connectivity, boosting trade and tourism while fostering economic transformation across the region. By linking key nations in Southeast Asia, the bridge is set to fuel regional synergy, promoting stronger economic ties and facilitating smoother transportation, ultimately driving long-term growth and prosperity for the entire region.

The Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, which links Bolikhamxay Province in Laos with Bueng Kan Province in Thailand, was officially inaugurated on December 25, with public access beginning on December 27, 2025. Spanning 1,350 meters, this new bridge directly connects Laos’ Route 13 with Thailand’s Highway 244, creating a vital link between the two countries and facilitating smoother transportation. This major infrastructure project coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Thailand, underscoring the bridge’s significance not only as a crucial transport route but also as a symbol of the enduring cooperation between the two nations.

The Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge becomes the latest addition to a growing network of cross-border connections. It joins four other bridges that link Laos and Thailand. The first bridge, which connects Vientiane in Laos to Nong Khai in Thailand, opened in April 1994 and spans 1,174 meters. The second bridge, which connects Savannakhet in Laos to Mukdahan in Thailand, opened in late 2006, followed by the third bridge that links Khammouane Province in Laos to Nakhon Phanom in Thailand, which opened in November 2011. The fourth bridge, the longest in the network at 2,480 meters, connects Huay Xay in Bokeo Province, Laos, to Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand, and was opened in December 2013.

The Fifth Friendship Bridge plays a crucial role in enhancing the integration of road networks between Laos and Thailand. It provides a direct connection between the two countries’ transport systems, easing the flow of goods, people, and services across the border. With the new bridge in place, the travel time between Bolikhamxay Province in Laos and Bueng Kan Province in Thailand is expected to be reduced by as much as three hours. This is a significant improvement that will facilitate more efficient transportation, benefiting local economies, increasing cross-border trade, and supporting greater regional cooperation.

Additionally, the new bridge is an important part of a broader initiative to enhance cross-border connectivity in Southeast Asia. The bridge forms part of the shortest land route connecting Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. This route, approximately 150 kilometers long via Lao National Road No. 8, is an essential link in the broader transport corridor that connects Vientiane, Bolikhamxay, and Vietnam. The completion of this bridge further strengthens Laos’ goal of becoming a “land-linked” nation, facilitating more direct connections to regional trade routes.

The bridge’s construction was a decade-long project, beginning with feasibility studies and design work conducted from 2012 to 2014. The formal construction agreement was signed in June 2019 between the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Thailand’s Ministry of Transport. Work on the bridge started in 2020, with the Thai side of the project commencing in June and the Lao side beginning in January 2021. The final concrete connection was completed in June 2025, marking the culmination of years of planning, design, and construction.

In addition to the bridge’s physical construction, the agreements on ownership, management, and long-term maintenance were finalized. To ensure its safety and durability, the bridge is equipped with advanced structural health monitoring systems. These systems will allow authorities to continuously monitor the condition of the bridge, ensuring that any potential maintenance needs are identified and addressed in a timely manner.

The total investment for the project amounted to THB 3.93 billion (approximately USD 126.3 million). Thailand contributed THB 2.63 billion (USD 84.5 million), while Laos provided THB 1.3 billion (USD 41.8 million) through a concessional loan from Thailand’s Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA). This collaborative effort highlights the strong partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to improving infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

The Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge not only provides an essential transport link, but it also has broader implications for regional development. Bolikhamxay Province, where the bridge is located, is set to benefit from increased strategic importance as it becomes a central hub in an emerging multimodal transport network. The bridge enhances the province’s role in the growing integration of Southeast Asia’s transport infrastructure.

Two major infrastructure projects are expected to further boost the strategic significance of Bolikhamxay Province. The first is a USD 6.6 billion railway project that will connect Vientiane to Vietnam’s Vung Ang Port, scheduled to begin construction in 2026 and to be operational by 2030. This project will provide Laos with its first direct access to maritime trade routes, significantly enhancing its connectivity to global markets. The second project is the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway, a USD 1.9 billion, 203.8-kilometer expressway that is expected to be completed by 2030, further strengthening transport links between Laos, Vietnam, and China.

Together, these infrastructure projects are set to transform the region’s logistics network. By reducing logistics costs, improving the movement of goods, and enhancing cross-border trade, these developments are expected to attract increased investment, promote tourism, and accelerate regional integration. The projects align with broader initiatives such as the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), both of which aim to foster greater economic cooperation and connectivity in Southeast Asia.

Laos has launched the groundbreaking Fifth Friendship Bridge, offering beautiful and seamless access between Thailand, Vietnam, and China, driving economic growth and strengthening regional collaboration by enhancing cross-border connectivity and trade.

the Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge is a milestone in the ongoing effort to improve transportation and connectivity in Southeast Asia. It plays a key role in enhancing trade, tourism, and regional integration while also providing a symbol of the strong and lasting partnership between Laos and Thailand. With ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects, this bridge is just one part of a broader vision for a more interconnected and prosperous region.