ASIA: A recent report by Vientiane Times/Asia News Network, the construction of Latsavong Plaza, which will house a five-star shopping mall and a hotel and is said to be the tallest building in Laos, is now 68 percent complete and set to open in time for the ASEAN Summit next year.

A progress report on the project was delivered when the Mayor of Vientiane, Atsaphangthong Siphandone, and his officials visited the site last Saturday (June 3).

A project official said construction began in late 2014 and the building is scheduled for completion in December this year, with more lighting to be installed around the outside.

It is hoped the building will be open for use next January and able to provide a full range of services during the Asean Summit next year.

The plaza is located on a 155,000sq m site. It is 138m tall and will house a 34-story five-star hotel, an office block, apartments, a healthcare center, and a shopping center.

The Ministry of National Defence partnered with China's Chongqing Real Estate Company in the construction of the building, which is expected to cost more than 800 billion kips (US$99 million).

The developer of Latsavong Plaza is now installing electrical systems and carrying out interior decoration.

In terms of trade, investment, tourism, and real estate development, the building will change the face of Vientiane and is expected to become something of an icon as the city modernizes.

Latsavong Plaza is expected to set new standards in the hospitality sector and to be yet another symbol of Laos-China cooperation and friendship.

During his site visit, Atsaphangthong advised the contractor to ensure exit and entry was convenient and would not impede traffic flow, and that parking was adequate given that the building would house the largest hotel in the capital.