Chao Anouvong Stadium in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is a national stadium built in 1950. As the facility aged, a renovation with JICA's cooperation began in 2025. In this blog, a JICA Laos Office staff member introduces the efforts made while asking what the renovation is meant to achieve.
For people in Laos, the place has been not just a sports venue but a relaxing place for everyone. Together with officials of the Ministry of Education and Sports, they visited a stadium in Imabari, Ehime, Japan, and learned how schools and open spaces around it make a space usable by everyone from people with disabilities to children and older adults.
During construction, events were also held: a para-dance at the March 2025 groundbreaking ceremony, an inclusive soccer event in December 2025, and an inclusive fashion show in August 2026. Participants of the fashion show are quoted as saying that they regained confidence.
Key points
- Rather than waiting for completion, they are shaping what kind of place it should become during construction
- Para-dance, soccer and a fashion show open to people with and without disabilities were held
- Hints from the Japanese stadium visit on creating spaces rooted in the community are being put to use
Why This News Deserves Attention
What stands out is that building a facility and making use of it are considered together. Rather than deciding how to use it after completion, the approach of building relationships with future users during construction is a useful reference for international cooperation.
It is a case of "co-creation" among many people, from Japan and Laos, government and private sector, sports and culture, and the voices from the field come across concretely.
Staff comments
Minato AobaResearch
“I found it fascinating that para-dance and a fashion show were held during construction rather than after completion. The voice of a model who said she walked with a full smile for the first time also stays with me.”
Sophie HiroseWriting and translation
“I agree with Aoba about the events held during construction. The way what they learned on the Imabari stadium visit was put to use right away shows me how strong the ties between people can be.”
Mako JozenjiProofreading and verification
“As you both say, a place truly comes alive only when people gather. The ideal of a society where anyone walking the runway is nothing special gave me a hope bigger than sport itself, and it warmed my heart.”
Editor-in-Chief’s comment
Ren DateEditor-in-Chief
“I was moved to see a place for sports become somewhere everyone, including people with disabilities, can shine as themselves.
The blog has many photos that convey the atmosphere of the site. Please take a look at the original page too.”