The cropping system model, namely, the crop environment resource synthesis-rice (CSM-CERES-Rice) model, is a decision supporting tool for the design of crop management. This study aimed to determine management practices for increasing rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in Laos by using the CSM-CERES-Rice model. The model was evaluated with data sets from the TDK8 and TDK11 cultivars in farmers’ fields in the Vientiane plain in 2012. Anthesis and harvesting dates, growth and yield for various management scenario combinations (eight transplanting dates × two levels of plant densities × three rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application) for both cultivars were simulated by the model from 1980 to 2012. The model evaluation results showed strong agreement between simulated and observed data for days to harvest with a difference within four days. The model provided acceptable accuracy for grain yields with normalized root mean square error values ranging between 1 and 16 %. The results from the model application indicated that TDK8 and TDK11 produced similar yields. Transplanting TDK8 with two plant densities produced similar yields. The highest yield for both cultivars was achieved on the transplanting date of 15 Jan. N-fertilizer application at 60 and 120 kg N ha−1 was able to increase yield for TDK8 by 50 and 87 %, respectively, and for TDK11 by 54 and 70 %, respectively. Rice transplanted on 15 Jan with 5 seedlings hill−1 and N-fertilizer at 120 kg N ha−1 had the highest average yield for both cultivars with 6,460 and 6,351 kg ha−1 for TDK8 and TDK11, respectively. The CSM-CERES-Rice model is an alternative tool in determining crop management practices for rice production.