That Luang Lake SEZ is a new urban area in Vientiane designated as a special economic zone. Also referred to as That Luang Marsh Specific Economic Zone, the area of 365 hectares is expected to accommodate up to 300,000 people. The development is centred around a round ornamental lake, and there are plans to build a 100-metre high buddha statue by the lake.

According to investlaos.gov.la, the Thatluang Lake Specific Economic Zone will include:

1. Embassy Cultural Area (Embassy Office, Department Store, Franchised Store, Superstore, Entertainment Center, 5 Star Hotel, Performance Center).
2. Financial and Business Area.
3. Intensive Residential Area (Service Facilities: Hospital, International School and Kindergarten).
4. Low-rise Residential Area (Many forms of residences: European style, modern style and Laos style).
5. Tourist and Leisure Area (Retail Complex, Leisure and Lifestyle Street, Resort and Hotel).
6. Golf Course.

That Luang Lake SEZ Map

[Map of That Luang Lake SEZ.]

Links And Resources

News: skyscrapercity.com / skyscrapercity.com

Strategic Environmental Assessment Pre-Study of That Luang Marsh For Sustainable Development in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR [PDF]
Fredrik Olsson, Master of Science Thesis Stockholm 2010.

Images

[Via @ThatLuang Lake Special Economic Zone of Laos]

News Archive

2024

Investment milestone celebrated in Vientiane’s Thatluang Lake Zone – [21/08/24]

2023

Laos seals MOU with Chinese firm for development of That Luang SEZ – [13/06/23]
“To attract more investment to the That Luang Lake SEZ, the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Office in Laos signed an agreement with Huangpu Renewable Resources Utilization Company and Lao That Luang Investment and Development Company Limited last week.”

Laos farmers cling to a way of life that’s vanishing as developer drains marsh they rely on for water – [22/04/23]
“To Vientiane’s new middle class an artificial lake is a jewel; to farmers reliant on wetlands a Chinese developer drained to create it, it’s a curse.”

2021

Korean investment sought in That Luang Lake Special Economic Zone – [01/12/21]

Officials tout Laos as hidden gem for land developers – [30/11/21]
“Expectations are high for business opportunities in the Thatluang Lake Special Economic Zone, ahead of a bullet train launch next month to connect Laos and China.”

Chinese developer provokes ire in Laos with 100-meter Buddha statue – [26/10/21]

Giant Buddha statue plan rankles residents of Laos’ capital: report – [15/09/21]
A Chinese firm’s plans to build a 100-meter-high Buddha statue in low-lying Vientiane encapsulate China’s outsized economic presence in Laos.

Laotians oppose plan to build Chinese-style Buddha statue in SEZ – [14/09/21]
“The opponents’ complaint about the proposed statue highlights stylistic differences between two major schools of Buddhism: The statue to be erected is a Mahayana-style, Chinese Buddha wearing a long frock and standing, rather than a Theravada-style Lao Buddha sitting in a meditative pose.”

2020

That Luang Marsh Specific Economic Zone expected to be completed by 2030 – [27/08/20]

2019

‘Meuang Chin’ and the political hydrologies of dispossession in Beung That Luang – [07/11/19]

Chinese elephant plan in Lao capital angers wildlife advocates – [10/10/19]
“…Edwin Wiek, founder of the Wildlife Friend Foundation Thailand, said Chinese companies can get special exemptions on Lao animal welfare laws because of their use in the That Luang special economic zone.”

2018

Developer spends $200M on SEZ in Lao capital – [19/07/18]
“The developer of the That Luang Marsh Special Economic Zone in Laos has spent $200 million on the project’s development since it began operations in 2012.”

2016

That Luang Marsh developer to build theme park – [02/11/16]
“A Chinese developer plans to invest US$80 million to construct a water theme park next year at the That Luang Marsh Specific Economic Zone in Vientiane to attract domestic and foreign tourists.”

2015

Over US$180 million invested at That Luang Marsh project – [28/07/15]
“Over US$180 million has been spent so far on building infrastructure facilities and condos at That Luang Marsh Specific Economic Zone (SEZ) in Vientiane, officials in charge of the project have said.”

2014

Developer spends US$100 million on That Luang Marsh SEZ – [18/07/14]
“The infrastructure projects include a 50-hectare lagoon, road access to the zone, installation of electricity and water supply facilities and a drainage system.”

2013

Vientiane authorities say That Luang area belongs to investors – [01/08/13]
“The 1.25 square mile (3.25 square kilometer) That Luang Marsh Specific Economic Zone broke ground in December, but while a majority of residents have accepted the payout, more than 100 families had held out for more, refusing to move from the site.”

That Luang marsh to undergo development – [01/03/13]

That Luang Marsh residents refuse to move – [22/02/13]
“Over 100 families living in a part of the Lao capital slated for a Chinese-invested urban development project are refusing to relocate, saying compensation offered for their land is too low.”

2012

That Luang marsh development set to start in November 2012
“Construction works on the US$1.6-billion That Luang marsh specific economic zone (SEZ) in Vientiane are expected to begin in November, at the same time Laos will play host to the ASEM summit, according to a government report last week.”

2011

That Luang Marsh to become Vientiane’s showpiece – 28/12/11]
“Plans to turn Vientiane’s That Luang marsh into an attractive urban development envisage an area of green spaces, wetlands, a public park, new roads, residential areas, and commercial centres.”

2010

Thousands risk losing livelihoods in wetlands development – [02/03/10]
“Thousands of people living in a fertile wetland on the edge of Vientiane may lose their livelihoods and be relocated as part of the capital’s urbanization plans, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says.”

2008

Planned Chinese development in Vientiane generates a quiet backlash – [31/03/08]