The administrative divisions of Laos are divided into four levels: central, provincial, county and village. There are 17 provinces and 1 municipality (Vientiane) in the provincial administrative divisions. The consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Luang Prabang covers the six provinces of Luang Prabang, Phongsali, Nantha, Bokeo, Oudomxay and Houaphan in northern Laos, bordering China (Yunnan Province), Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. The area is about 81,000 square kilometers, accounting for 34% of the total area of Laos (236,800 square kilometers), and more than 85% is mountainous. The population in 2020 is about 1.717 million.

The border between China and Laos is 508 kilometers long. The three border provinces of Laos adjacent to China (Phongsali, Nantha and Oudomxay) are all in the consular district of our embassy. Luang Prabang Province in the consular district has close friendly relations with Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Fujian Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hainan Province, Chengdu City of Sichuan Province, etc. Luang Prabang City of Luang Prabang Province has frequent friendly and cooperative exchanges with Jinghong City of Yunnan Province, Leshan City of Sichuan Province, Zhangjiajie City of Hunan Province, Wenchang City of Hainan Province, and Qinzhou City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Nantha Province has signed letters of intent to establish friendly provinces and cities with Guizhou Province, Phongsali Province and Pu'er City of Yunnan Province; Oudomxay Province has signed an agreement to establish friendly provinces with Hunan Province; Mengxin County of Nantha Province and Mengla County of Yunnan Province have become friendly counties.

In recent years, the exchanges and cooperation between the six provinces in the consular district and China have continued to increase. By the end of 2020, China has invested in more than 350 projects in the six northern provinces of Laos, including the China-Laos Railway, the Nam Ou River Cascade Hydropower Station, the Pullman Luang Prabang Hotel, and the Laotian Mohan Special Economic Zone, involving agriculture, energy and mining, hydropower, construction, health, education, tourism and other industries.

Luang Prabang City, Luang Prabang Province, where the Consulate General is located (the county was abolished and changed to a city in April 2018), is the ancient capital of Laos with a history of more than 660 years. It has preserved rich historical and cultural heritage and intact national traditional customs. In 1995, it was listed as a "Natural and Cultural Heritage" city by UNESCO.

Currently, China and Vietnam have consular institutions in Luang Prabang City (both are consulates general).

I. Overview of Luang Prabang Province

Luang Prabang Province is located in the central and northern part of Laos, bordering Vietnam in the northeast. It covers an area of 16,900 square kilometers, 85% of which is mountainous. It has 12 counties (cities) under its jurisdiction and a population of about 467,000. The provincial capital is Luang Prabang City. The current provincial party secretary and governor is Kankhang Chanthavisu, who was re-elected in October 2020.

The provincial capital, Luang Prabang, is an ancient mountain town located in a valley surrounded by mountains on the banks of the Mekong River. The city has a population of 98,000 and an urban area of 73,000.

The economic growth rate of Luang Prabang Province in 2022 is 4.8%, and the total GDP is 146155189 million kip, which exceeds the annual plan by 69.23%, and the per capita GDP is US$1925.66 (population: 474,366, exchange rate 1 US dollar = 16,000 kip). Agriculture and forestry account for 48.84% of GDP; industry and handicrafts account for 20.34% of GDP; and the service industry accounts for 30.82% of GDP.

Mineral resources mainly include zinc, manganese, gold, etc. There are abundant water resources, including the Mekong River, the Nam Ou River, the Nam Khan River and many other rivers, which are suitable for the development and construction of hydropower projects.

There are 228 tourist attractions in Luang Prabang Province, including 108 natural landscapes, 86 cultural attractions and 34 historical attractions. The main attractions include: Wat Xiengthong, the Royal Palace Museum, Mount Phousi, Kuangsi Waterfall, Baixue Waterfall, Bawutanding Cave, etc. In addition, the Lao New Year Parade and Phabang Buddha Parade are held in mid-April every year, which are grand and lively. The scenes of begging and giving that have been passed down for thousands of years are very distinctive and have become one of the must-see attractions for tourists. In 2020, the number of tourists to Luang Prabang Province was about 275,000, of which about 142,000 were foreign tourists, a year-on-year decrease of 68% compared with 2019.

Luang Prabang City is a transportation hub in northern Laos. Luang Prabang International Airport, which was completed in June 2013, is the second largest international airport in Laos after Wattay International Airport in the capital. At present, there are domestic and international routes such as Luang Prabang-Vientiane, Luang Prabang-Pakse, Luang Prabang-Chengdu, Luang Prabang-Haikou, Luang Prabang-Jinghong, Luang Prabang-Kunming, Luang Prabang-Shenzhen, Luang Prabang-Hanoi, Luang Prabang-Siem Reap, Luang Prabang-Bangkok, Luang Prabang-Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang-Singapore, and Luang Prabang-Kuala Lumpur.

National Highway 13, which runs through the north and south of Laos, extends to the capital Vientiane after passing through Luang Prabang. In terms of land transportation, international passenger buses from Kunming-Luang Prabang-Vientiane, Kunming-Luang Prabang, and Jinghong-Luang Prabang are currently open. The Mekong River, the sixth largest river in the world and the most important transnational river system in Asia, flows through Luang Prabang.

II. Overview of Oudomxay Province

Oudomxay Province is located in northern Laos, with an area of 15,400 square kilometers, more than 85% of which is mountainous, bordering China and Vietnam. It has 7 counties under its jurisdiction, with a population of about 345,000. The provincial capital is Mengxay County. The current provincial party secretary and governor, Benkong Lajiangpeng, took office in February 2021.

Mongxay County has an important geographical location. It is a transportation hub in northern Laos connecting China, Vietnam and Thailand as well as the five provinces of Nantha, Phongsali, Bokeo, Xayaboury and Luang Prabang in Laos. Lao National Highway No. 13 passes through the province. International passenger buses are opened from Kunming-Mongxay-Luang Prabang-Vientiane, Kunming-Mongxay-Luang Prabang, Jinghong-Mongxay-Luang Prabang, and Jinghong-Mongxay. Mengxay Airport can take off and land small aircraft.

The economy of Oudomxay Province is mainly based on agriculture, mainly planting rice, corn, etc. Cash crops include rubber, bananas, etc. Other industries include breeding, agricultural product processing, motorcycle assembly, wood processing, minerals and hydropower development.

The economic growth rate of Oudomxay Province in 2022 is 3.98%, with a total GDP of 788.822 billion kip and a per capita income of US$1,541; among them, the growth rate of agriculture and forestry is 7.73%, with a total GDP of 253.61 billion kip, accounting for 32.15% of GDP, the growth rate of industry is 4.03%, with a total GDP of 100.107 billion kip, accounting for 12.70% of GDP, and the growth rate of the service industry is 1.28%, with a total GDP of 424.843 billion kip, accounting for 53.86% of GDP.

The main tourist attractions include the Golden Pagoda in Mongxai County, Nam Kat Waterfall, Singkham Buddhist Temple, Chom Ong Cave, Nam Heng Waterfall in Monghun County, Dalie Waterfall and Nam Gye Waterfall in Mongbian County.

In the 1970s, Mongxai County and Namo County in Oudomxai Province each built a Chinese Martyrs Cemetery, where a total of 210 Chinese martyrs were buried. These martyrs sacrificed their precious lives to support Laos in resisting foreign aggression and striving for national independence and liberation from the 1960s to the 1970s.

III. Overview of Phongsali Province

Phongsali Province is located in the northernmost part of Laos, with an area of 16,300 square kilometers, more than 90% of which is mountainous. It is an old revolutionary base in Laos. It has 7 counties under its jurisdiction and a population of about 193,000. The current provincial party secretary and governor, Khampai Vanasan, took office in November 2019.

The provincial capital is Bennu County, about 40 kilometers away from China, and the old provincial capital is Phongsali County. At present, most departments of the provincial government have moved to Bennu County, and a small number of departments are still working in the old provincial capital. It is expected that all relocation will be completed by the end of 2021.

In terms of transportation, there are now international passenger buses from Mengla to Phongsali and Jiangcheng to Phongsali. The Bennu County Airport in the province can take off and land small aircraft.

The economy of Phongsali Province is mainly based on agriculture and forestry. In addition to rice and corn, the main cash crops are rubber, sugarcane, amomum, beans, tea, etc. The ancient tea trees and coffee in the province are well-known in Laos and neighboring countries.

In 2022, the province's economic growth rate was 8.67%. Among them, the GDP of agriculture and forestry increased by 4.64% year-on-year; the GDP of industry and handicrafts increased by 9.73% year-on-year; and the GDP of the service industry increased by 8.21% year-on-year. The per capita GDP is US$923. .

The main tourist attractions include Pufa Mountain, the former site of the Chinese Consulate (Pufa Hotel), and ancient tea trees.

IV. Overview of Nantha Province

Nantha Province is located in northern Laos, with an area of 9,325 square kilometers, more than 85% of which is mountainous. It has 5 counties and 1 special economic zone (i.e., Boten Special Economic Zone) under its jurisdiction, with a population of about 199,000. The provincial capital is Nantha County, and the current provincial party secretary and governor is Kanlay Sipasel, who took office in July 2020.

Nantha Province borders China and Myanmar, and is the only way for China to enter Laos by land and go to Southeast Asian countries. The largest international port in northern Laos, the Boten Port, corresponds to the Mohan Port in China. The Laotian section of the Kunming-Bangkok Highway (Kunming to Bangkok) starts in Boten and enters Thailand via the Houaysai Mekong Bridge in Nantha Province and Bokeo Province. The Boten Port has become the main port for land transit trade between China, Laos and Thailand. The Mekong River waterway is an important water transport line for trade between China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. From the Guanlei Port in China, you can directly reach the Ban Xiangguo Port in Nantha Province. In addition, international passenger buses from Kunming to Nantha to Houayxay, Jinghong to Nantha, and Mengla to Nantha to Houayxay have been opened. Nantha Airport can take off and land small aircraft.

Agriculture and animal husbandry are the pillar industries of Nantha Province. The local climatic conditions are very suitable for rubber planting. It is the earliest province in northern Laos to plant rubber, and there are more than 30,000 hectares of rubber forests. The main mineral resources are copper, coal, zinc, manganese, etc.

In 2021, the economy of Nantha Province continued to develop steadily, with an annual economic growth rate of 3.14%, a provincial GDP of 326.686 billion kip, and a per capita GDP of 16.14 million kip (about US$1,899.09). Among them, agriculture, forestry and fishery reached 171.99 billion kip, accounting for 52.65% of GDP; industry 656.32 billion kip, accounting for 20.09% of GDP; service industry 856.54 billion kip, accounting for 26.22% of GDP; customs and taxation 34.04 billion kip, accounting for 1.04% of GDP.

V. Overview of Bokeo Province

Bokeo Province is located in the northwest of Laos, with an area of 6,196 square kilometers. It borders Thailand and Myanmar and is an important province for Laos to trade with Thailand. It has 5 counties and 1 special zone (namely the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone) under its jurisdiction, with a population of about 203,000. The provincial capital is Houayxay County. The current provincial party secretary and governor Bokong Nanmafeng was re-elected in October 2020.

The capital of Houaysay is located on the east bank of the Mekong River, across the river from Chiang Khong, an important town in northern Thailand. Through the Mekong River, you can reach the China-Laos border to the north and Vientiane, Pakse and other places to the south. The Laotian section of the Kunming-Bangkok Highway starts from Boten in Nantha Province and enters Thailand via the Houaysay Mekong Bridge in Bokeo Province. At present, there are international passenger buses from Kunming-Nantha-Huaisay and Mengla-Nantha-Huaisay. Houaysay Airport can take off and land small aircraft.

The economy of Bokeo Province is mainly based on agriculture, mainly planting rice and corn, and cash crops include rubber, bananas, beans, vegetables, etc. It is one of the main grain producing areas in northern Laos. The scale of industrial production is small, mainly including motorcycle assembly plants, leather bag factories, lighter factories, brick and tile factories, ecological fertilizer factories and rubber processing plants.

The GDP of Bokeo Province in 2022 is 3545.41 billion kip, and the per capita income is US$1,010.66. Among them, agriculture and forestry accounted for 1312.38 billion kip, with a growth rate of 3.5%, accounting for 37.02% of GDP; industry accounted for 709.38 billion kip, with a growth rate of 3.1%, accounting for 20.01% of GDP; and service industry accounted for 1523.65 billion kip, with a growth rate of 3.4%, accounting for 42.98% of GDP.

Main tourist attractions include Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, Tree House Hotel, Golden Triangle Special Zone, etc.

VI. Overview of Houaphan Province

Huaphan Province is located in the northeast of Laos, with an area of 16,500 square kilometers, 90% of which is mountainous, and borders Vietnam in the east. It has 9 counties under its jurisdiction and a population of about 310,000. The provincial capital is Sangnu County. The current provincial party secretary and governor is Wansai Pingsongma, who was re-elected in November 2020.

Houaphan Province was once the revolutionary base of Laos and the birthplace of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. The first generation of leaders of the Lao Party and government, Kaysone Phomvihane, led and directed the liberation struggle of Laos in a cave in Wanxay County of the province until December 1975, when the victory of the liberation of all of Laos was achieved and the Lao People's Democratic Republic was established.

The provincial capital, Sangnu County, is located in the canyon north of the Huifen Plateau in the central part of Houaphan Province. It is a historical city in northern Laos. It is 994 meters above sea level, with an urban area of 1 square kilometer and a population of about 10,000. It is connected to the northern highway of Vietnam and has flights to Vientiane and other places. Sangnu County is also one of the main revolutionary bases in Laos and is known as the "revolutionary holy land."

The economy of Houaphan Province is mainly agricultural, mainly planting rice and corn, and cash crops include rubber, bananas, beans, vegetables, etc. It is one of the main grain producing areas in northern Laos.

The economic growth rate of Huaphan Province in 2022 is 3.45%, the total GDP is 4418.13 billion kip, and the per capita GDP is 14244463 kip, about 919 US dollars (exchange rate 15500 kip = 1 US dollar), which is 1.47% of the annual plan. Among them, the growth rate of agriculture and forestry is 4.12%, accounting for 58.77% of GDP, the growth rate of industry is 3.54%, accounting for 22.73% of GDP, and the growth rate of the service industry is 2.14%, accounting for 18.5% of GDP.

The province is rich in water resources, and many rivers have the potential to develop hydropower projects. The main mineral resources are: coal, copper, nickel, iron, cobalt, etc.

The province is rich in tourism resources. There are 152 scenic spots in the province, including 51 natural attractions, 35 cultural attractions, and 66 historical sites. The main attractions are revolutionary historical sites such as Kaishan Cave, Souphanouvong Cave, China Cave, Vietnam Cave and Sihanouk Cave in Wanxay County, as well as Sakura Cave and Standing Stone Group.