People there who do not know Vietnamese can now watch VTV1 and VTV4 with AI-generated Lao subtitles. The service is available on Unitel's digital platform. It is the result of a collaboration between VTV and Star Telecom (Unitel).
With a Vietnamese wife, Vongkhamhak regularly watches Vietnam Television programmes broadcast in Vientiane. For the last month or so, having Lao subtitles has made watching these programmes easier.
Vongkhamhak, from Hongke Village in Vientiane, Laos, said, "I used to watch Vietnamese channels with my wife. Whenever I didn't understand something, I would ask her to translate and explain it. Now I no longer need her help. I can simply read the Lao subtitles to understand."
In June this year, VTV and Star Telecom began working on an AI system to translate Vietnamese subtitles into Lao automatically. Two months later, a trial phase began on Unitel's digital platform.
Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy General Director of Star Telecom, said: "Our biggest challenge was using AI to process Lao, given the limited language data and its unique characteristics. Translating VTV content requires accuracy and the correct interpretation of cultural meanings. Our engineers have therefore continuously improved the technology to make the subtitles natural, accurate, and accessible to Lao viewers."
General Khamliang Outhakaysone, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Laos, said: "Having watched the Lao subtitles on VTV1 and VTV4, I believe the translation is very good. From what I have seen, around 90% of the content is translated accurately. The wording closely follows the original and uses proper Lao expressions."
The introduction of Lao subtitles on VTV channels has received positive feedback. The initiative is helping take Vietnamese television to Lao audiences.
