The Lao government has agreed to waive visa fees for Lao expatriates who plan to visit their motherland during celebrations to mark the 450th anniversary of Vientiane as the nation's capital.

Overseas Lao Affairs Department Director General, Mr Ly Bounkham said on Tuesday that the government had issued a notice on the visa fee exception for Lao expatriates who plan to travel to Laos between September 1 and November 15, 2010.

The move is one of several measures to encourage Lao people now living in other parts of the world to join the historic national festival, which is scheduled to take place from November 15 to 21 in Vientiane, he said.

According to the notice, Lao embassies, consulates and other representatives of the Lao government in foreign countries will stop charging visa fees for overseas Lao expatriates who request documentation to travel to Laos between September 1 and November 15.

International border checkpoints around the country will also waive visa fees for these travellers from November 15 to 21.

The spouses and children of Lao expatriates will also benefit from the visa fee exception during the celebrations, according to officials at the department.

Mr Ly, who is also the former Lao ambassador to Myanmar and India, said that the government wanted all ethnic Lao people to join in the celebrations, adding that the event is a historic festival which will remind Lao people, both in Laos and abroad, about the history of Vientiane and of the nation.

“It is important for Lao people to know about their national history, which inspires love for their country,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Vientiane Times .

He also said the department w ould join hands with the sectors concerned to invite a number of Lao expatriates as government guests to join in celebrations of the historic festival, adding that about 160 people have already confirm ed their attendance at the event.

He said the government had invited Lao expatriates to visit during the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane at the end of last year, adding that many of them have good memories of their visit and shared the happy experience and feeling of pride with their family and friends.

The invited guests also paid a visit to Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh where they learned that the government would like to welcome back Lao expatriates so they can join hands with resident Lao people in the development of the country.

Mr Ly said the department was playing a central role, alongside other sectors concerned, in studying polices for Lao expatriates, in the hope of encouraging them to return to their motherland and help move it forward.