"We used to walk to the water source and carry heavy loads back several times a day. Now, sweet spring water flows right near our homes. We can access clean water near our homes – it's convenient and reassuring," said Ms. Vonejen from Huaypang Village, a resident of Huaypang Village.

As clean water gushed out of the water tap, Vonejen's smile marked the official commissioning of the rural water supply demonstration project under the "Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring Initiative" in the village. The initiative effectively ends the long walk for water in the Huaypang Village where Vonejen lives , a village in the mountainous Muang Ngoi District, Luang Prabang Province, Laos.

On January 13, 2026, a handover ceremony was held at the Huaypang Village Hall. Local officials, including Mr. Bounthem Aphaisavath, Secretary of the Muang Ngoi District Party Committee of Laos, Mr. Chanthi Keomanivong, Director of the District Health Bureau, Mr. Bounthan Khumseethoon, Village Chief of Huaypang Village, and over 50 villagers joined representatives from Power China (Laos) Nam Ou River Basin Hydropower Co., Ltd. -who were responsible for the on-site implementation of the demonstration project- to celebrate the completion of the project. Except for the centralized water supply project for the rural community of Huaypang Village, the newly completed demonstration projects also include 5 school water supply demonstration projects such as Phuluang Primary School.

Six Years of Commitment to Safe and Affordable Water

Supported by the Asian Cooperation Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the "Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring" Project is a key livelihood initiative under the Belt and Road cooperation framework. In Laos, this project is jointly implemented by the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center, and PowerChina.

Rather than just building infrastructure, the project focuses on technology demonstration and scalability. It aims to address rural drinking water safety while improving local management capacity, offering a model for water conservancy cooperation across the Lancang-Mekong region.

By 2025, the initiative had been active in Laos for six years. Across Luang Prabang and Phongsaly provinces, nearly 20 demonstration projects have been completed in communities, schools, and hospitals, supplying safe and affordable water for over 3,000 residents, students, and medical staff.

Capacity Building: Teaching Communities to Manage Resources

To ensure sustainability, the project adopts a "teach a man to fish" approach. Alongside the hardware construction, the team distributed Lao-language educational materials, including the Drinking Water Safety Knowledge Handbook, and organized screenings of public health videos.

These efforts are designed to empower local governments and communities to manage the facilities independently and raise public awareness about water hygiene.

Flowing Water, Enduring Friendship

"The 'Lancang-Mekong Sweet Sprin' Project ensures the right to acess safe drinking water for more Lao people and frees families from the burden of long-distance water carrying," said Mr. Bounthem Aphaisavath at the ceremony.

He emphasized that the project reflects the high level of trust between the two governments and the deep connection between their peoples. The district government has pledged full cooperation to ensure the long-term maintenance and benefits of these facilities.

Moving forward, the project team will continue to work with local authorities to perfect post-construction management, aiming to plant more "small-scale but high-quality" livelihood projects across Lancang-Mekong countries.

Thank-you Letter from Muang Ngoi District, Luang Prabang Province, Laos to the Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring Project Team

Completion of the Huaypang Village Water Supply Demonstration Project – Ms. Vonejen, the villager, shares her joy

Project representatives presenting drinking water safety popular science handbooks and pocket books to villagers at the completion and handover ceremony of the water supply demonstration project