Vientiane
Vientiane is the capital of Laos with a population of
presently 464.000 , located on the bank of
the Mekong river. Most travellers are
fascinated by the city's exotic Eurasian
setting. The confluence of several cultures
has given Vientiane an appealing ambience.
Tree-lined boulevards, French historical dwellings and
Buddhists temples dominate the scene of
central Vientiane and impart a unique
character of timelessness.
Vientiane 's major attractions are its
scenic Buddhist monasteries and the
significant monuments that dominate the
scenery of the capital which include Vat
Sisaket, Vat Hoprakeo Patousay, That Luang
stupa , Vat Ongtu, etc...
Vientiane 's That Luang stupa is the most impressive
and biggest stupa in Laos , featured on the
Lao insignia. This stupa was constructed in
1566 by King Setthathirat. The Siamese
damaged it badly during their invasion in
1828, but it was restored in the 1936s. In
mid-November, religious rites as well as a
fair are held here during the That Luang
festival.
Don't forget to visit That Luang festival.
It takes place at the time of the fullmoon
of the 12th lunar month (November
21-22-23,99 and November 09-10-11, 2000).
This is a Buddhist festival to honour the
That which is considered as the national
shrine. One of the days of this three-day
festival is very special as large crowds
gather at 6:00 am for an impressive ceremony
of prayers and aims-giving.
Vat Phra Keo was also constructed by King Setthathirat.
It was rebuilt after the Siamese razed it
during the Siamese-Lao war of 1828. The
building had housed the Emerald Buddha until
it was taken to Bangkok following a skirmish
with the Lao in 1778. Vat Phra Keo still
displays some of the finest Buddha
sculptures found in the country.
The Patousay on Lane Xang Avenue is a large monument
reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
. Its architecture incorporates typical Lao
motifs. From the top one can have a
panoramic view of the entire city.
Vat Sisaket is the oldest temple of Vientiane , which
has survived in its original fomi. Inside
the main hall, and along the walls of the
courtyard surrounding it, a total of 6,840
Buddha images rest in small niches or on
shelves. At Vat Ong Teu resides the Buddhist
Institute where monks can study their
religion under the guidance of senior
instructors.
Revolutionary Museum, housed in an impressive French
colonial building. The museum pays tribute
to the sacrifices of the Lao People in
freeing the country from colonial rule.
The upstairs galleries feature photographs, artifacts
and old weapons from the revolution, as well
as maps, paintings and dioramas. Downstairs
holds an archaeological display and exhibits
about modern Laos .
Hours: 08.00-11.30, 14.00-16.00. Saturday
08.00-11.00.
Vat Xieng Khouane ( Buddha Park ): the park is in
pleasant and it's a religious culture park
located by the Mekong River 24 kilometers
down river from Vientiane . Features include
an enormous concrete reclining Buddha, and a
three-tiered model of heaven, earth and hell
which visitors may climb through.
Hours: 08.00-16.30.
Weaving Village: A halfday excursion
of South Vientiane , where you can see the
breeding of the silkworms in most of the
houses and traditional weaving. Tour ends
with a visit to the Buddha Park near Thadeua,
the border crossing point with Thailand and
the National Ethnic Park beside the
Friendship Bridge .
Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort: About 60
kms from Vientiane , it is the eco-paradise
hideaway. Nam Ngurn lake. This majestic and
serene location is a nature lover's paradise
of over 250 square kilometers. Blossoming
out of this beautiful environment is The
Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort. The initial phase
of this eco-tourism is now open and features
a hotel, restaurants, spa and gaming center.
Future development will include the outdoor
entertainment Park , a fun-fair venue, a
lakeside, clubhouse, together with jetty
boats, marine sports and golfing facilities.
The lake is dotted with hundreds of
picturesque islands, which can be explored
by cruising around in small boats. It might
also be interesting to watch the locals
felling underwater teak trees, which were
submerged when the Nam Ngum lake area was
inundated. Near the lake, at Vangsang,
primitive Buddha images, dating from the
11th century, are carved into a rock cliff.
Vangvieng: Vientiane Province offers
impressive scenery. At Vangvieng, 160 km
north of Vientiane municipality,
breathtaking limestone formations nestle
along the Song River . The rocks are
honeycombed with numerous caves, the most
famous of which is Tham Jang. Many of these
caves can be reached by foot from Vangvieng.
Lao Pako: It is an ecotourism lodge,
located on Namngum River about 50 kms from
Vientiane . Access is by an interesting
drive from Vientiane to Ban Somxamai. From
there, it is approximately 25 minutes by
local boat. The river trip is fascinating,
offering a chance of natural surrounding
views.
Phongsaly is situated in the most
Northern tip of Laos , enclosed three sides
by china and Vietnam and cut off to overland
travel from Oudomsay to the South. It
consists of six districts: Phongsaly,
Muangmai, Muangkhua,Samphan,Sombounxay and
Yot Ou.
More than twenty ethnicities make up the
province's population of approximately
153,400; among them Iko, Loma, Akha, Pusang,
Thai Dam, Thai Deng, Yao, Thai Lu, Khamou,
Phal, Solo, Lao Hoy etc... All retain
distinct cultures, Languages and religious
beliefs, though their most obvious
diffirence is their dress of the women of
each tribe. Handicraft skills-notably in
weaving, embroidery and making silver
jewelry are also well developed.
Phongsaly can be reached by road and river,
from Oudomsay it is possible to travel by
road as far as Muangkhua in Southern
Phongsaly then continues by boat. From
Luangnamtha it is possible to travel by road
via Muangla ( Yunnan province, China ). From
Luangprabang it is possible through the Nam
Ou river straight north into the hearth of
Phongsaly. Another way, you can travel by
Lao Aviation, which provides two flights per
week.
Huaphanh
Huaphanh province, a mysterious, beautiful
and abundant land, is situated in the North
East of Laos, bordered by Xieng Khuang and
Luang Prabang to the west and Vietnam to the
East.
It was the base of the Lao People's
Revolutionary, activities and especially the
historic interest as the geographical heart
of the liberation struggle.
The province has a total population of around 247,300;
consisting of many, ethnic groups, each with
their own life styles, costumes, folk ways
in wedding and other ceremonies, festivals,
folk dances and songs, differing from each
other. Huaphan has six districts: Viengxay,
Xamneua, Xamtai,Viengthong, Xiengkho and
Huamuang. The principal town is Viengxay the
former name know as Nakai, according to the
former time this area had many of birds,
reptiles, wild animals.
The province is also famous by limestone mountains and caves;
more than one hundred caves are located in
this area such as Tham Than Souphanouvong,
the former name know as Tham Phapount. In
1964 Mr. Souphanouvong came to set up his
residence in this cave.
Tham Than Kaysone, the former name known as
Tham Yonesong, in 1964 this cave was
established for the residence of Mr. Kaysone
Phomvihane. Tham Than Khamtay is the part of
Tham Xanglot, it was also the residence of
Mr. Khamtay Siphandone; consisting of many
compartments such as meeting room, reception
room and research room…etc.
Sayabouri
Is situated in the North West of Laos;
sharing borders with Vientiane and Luang
Prabang in the East and Thailand in the
west.
Sayabouri is the most attractive
destinations with sights and charms peculiar
to itself and picturesque NorthWest region.
The landscape of Sayabouri is magnificent by several
peaks altitudes of more than 1000 meters;
the meadows and pastures with flower in full
boom; the thick and tangled virgin forests
etc... there are, many beautiful things to
see in Sayabouri.
The principal town is commonly called Muang
Sayaboury, where many impressive temples
such as Vat Ban Thin, Vat Ban Phapoun and
Vat Ban Natonoy are located.
The area of Muang Phieng, such as Ban
Fainaimtan, Ban Nakhem and Ban Nampoui have
a tradition of agriculture because the land
is fertile suitable for agricultural
production; particularly rice, water melons,
cabbages and sugar cane.
According to the local tradition, people who
live in this area have been using elephants
for pulling logs.
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