Cybercrime Crackdown: Cambodia says it has eradicated all “online scam compounds,” but Amnesty International and analysts warn the claim can’t be independently verified and that gangs are shifting to smaller, decentralized setups in guesthouses, condos, rentals, vehicles and coffee shops. Rail & Finance: Vietnam’s Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway financing talks highlight a key change: China Eximbank is pushing yuan-denominated debt for the $6.5bn loan component, adding currency risk to a project now estimated at about $11bn. Power & Industry: Laos signs a deal for a new 330MW coal plant in Xieng Khouang, aimed at boosting northern electricity reliability during the dry season and supplying EDL as an IPP-D. Skills & Gender: Lao-German Technical College will fully waive tuition and fees for female students across all majors for 2026–2027, targeting more women in technical and industrial training. Humanitarian Diplomacy: Laos finalises preparations for the 3rd Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (Sept 13–18), with 500+ delegates registered online and logistics/infrastructure work completed. Tourism & Connectivity: Lao tourism firms take part in Vietnam’s ITE 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, holding 300+ B2B meetings to expand regional and international visitor flows. Regional Cooperation: Vietnam and Laos reaffirm plans to remove obstacles and speed up bilateral investment and business operations, with finance and infrastructure cooperation a recurring focus.