Champa Holidays Magazine#10 by insmai

V O L 0 2 I S S U E 1 0 C H A M PA H O L I D AY S T O U R S A N D G U I D E I N L A O S

I S S U E 1 0 A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 2

ສະບາຍດີປີໃ�

Pimai Laos

ໂ�ງແ�ມ ເ�ືອງທອງ ວງພຣະບາງ

The Muangthong Hotel ຂອງແ�ມແ�ບລາວໆ

Wonderful Lao snacks

ນ�ງດມສະບາຍສະບາຍໃ�ວຽງຈ�ນ

W W W. C H A M PA M A G . C O M

Cocktail Bars in Vientiane ວິວປາຈາກດານເ�ິງ

The Jungle from Above ເ�ີນທາງກ�ບ ທີຄາລາວານເ�ຣລ

Tea Caravan Trail ເ�ືອງໂ�ຈີມິນ

Ho Chi Minh City www.LaoAirLines.com | www.ChampaHolidays.com | www.ChampaMag.com

ສະ��ນ

ຂອງຄ�ນຮ�ກທ�ມະຊາດ

A nature lover’s

paradise

ສານຂອງທ່ານ ດຣ. ສົມພອນ ດວງດາຣາ ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການໃຫ່ຍລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວ Message from Dr.Somphone DOUANGDARA President of Lao Airlines ພາຍຫຼັງທີ່ໄດ້ນໍາເອົາເຮືອບິນ A320 ໄດ້ເຂົ້າມາປະຈຳຝູງບິນຂອງລັດວິສາຫະ ກິດການບິນລາວ

ກໍພດ ໍ ບ ີ ນ ັ ຈົບກັບແຜນໂຄສະນາເພື່ອບິນຮັບໃຊ້ປທ ີ ອ ່ ງທ່ຽວ

ລາວ ‘’ Visit Laos Year ‘’ ຄັ້ງທີ 2 ຊຶ່ງໄດ້ເລີ່ມຕົ້ນນັບຕັ້ງແຕ່ ວັນທີ 31 ທັນວາ 2011 ເປັນຕົ້ນມາ ພາຍໃຕ້ຄຳຂວັນທີ່ວາ່ ‘’ Simply Beautiful ‘’ ຊຶ່ງມີຄວາມ ໝາຍເຖິງການຕ້ອນຮັບດ້ວຍຮອຍຍິ້ມ ແລະ ຄວາມງາມເທິງດິນແດນລ້ານຊ້າງ ອັນສວຍງາມທີ່ເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍແຫຼ່ງ ອະຣະຍະທັມ, ຮີດຄອງປະເພນີອນ ັ ດີງາມທີ່ ຫາເບິ່ງຊົມໄດ້ຍາກຈາກແຫ່ງອື່ນຊຶ່ງເປັນທຳມະຊາດແທ້ໆ

ທີ່ບໄໍ່ ດ້ດດ ັ ແປ່ງຕໍ່

ເຕີມ ແລະ ປຸງແຕ່ງຫຍັງໝົດບໍ່ວາ່ ຈະເປັນນ້ຳຕົກຕາດ, ການທ່ຽວຊົມທຳມະຊາດ ຫຼື ທ່ອງທຽ່ວແບບອະນຸລກ ັ ຟັງສຽງນ້ຳຕົກ, ນົກຮ້ອງ, ຊ້າງປ່າ ລົງມາກິນນ້ຳ ດັ່ງນີ້ເປັນຕົ້ນ. ທັງໝົດນີ້ຄຄ ື ວາມງາມຂອງທຳມະຊາດທີ່ທຳມະຊາດໄດ້ສາ້ ງໄວ້ ເພື່ອປະດັບເອ້ດນ ິ ແດນແຫ່ງນີ້ໃຫ້ມສ ີ ະເໜ່. ລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວຈະພະຍາຍາມປະຕິບັດໜ້າທີ່ຂອງຕົນເພື່ອຮັບ ໃຊ້ພາລະກິດອັນມີກຽດດັ່ງກ່າວນີ້ໃຫ້ບັນລຸເປົ້າໝາຍປາຍທາງຂອງນັກທ່ອງ ທ່ຽວຢ່າງສະດວກ, ສະບາຍ ແລະ ປອດໄພ. ຊຶ່ງການບິນລາວມີໜາ້ ທີ່ໂດຍກົງ ໃນການປະກອບສ່ວນ ແລະ ຮ່ວມເປັນເຈົ້າພາບທີ່ດໃີ ນປີທອ ່ ງທ່ຽວລາວ 2012 ນີ້ຢາ່ ງຫ້າວຫັນ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຫວັງວ່າບັນດາບໍລສ ິ ດ ັ ທ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງ ສປປລ ເຮົາພ້ອມທັງເຈົ້າໜ້າທີ່ ພາກລັດກໍຄກ ື ະຊວງຖະແຫຼງຂ່າວວັດທະນະທັມ ແລະ ທ່ອງທ່ຽວກໍໄດ້ດຳເນີນ ງານວາງແຜນຮັບຕ້ອນປີທອ ່ ງທ່ຽວຢ່າງຫ້າວຫັນ

ແລະ

ເປັນເຈົ້າການເຊັ່ນ

ດຽວກັບການບິນລາວເພື່ອເປັນເຈົ້າພາບຮ່ວມທີ່ດພ ີ າຍໃຕ້ຄຳຂວັນ ‘’ Simply Beautiful ‘’ ຂໍສະແດງຄວາມຂອບໃຈ

After welcoming the Airbus A320 to our fleet, Lao Airlines has created a new campaign to promote the 2nd ‘Visit Laos Year’, under the slogan ‘Simply Beautiful’. The campaign is designed to promote the incredible beauty of Lanxang (the kingdom of a million elephants), a nation rich in culture, tradition and untouched natural wonders, all of which make present-day Laos a wonderful country to visit. Lao Airlines is committed to serving its passengers and to ensuring they reach their destination safely and comfortably. I also hope travel agencies will work together with government authorities, to prepare for another Lao Travel Year, ensuring we are the best possible hosts throughout your stay in Laos. Thank you all. And have a great Lao New Year. Best wishes, Dr. Somphone President of Lao Airlines

ສາລະບານ

Contents 12 37 22 8

20 44

8 Pimai Laoin Luang Prabang ເມືອງທອງ ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ 12 ໂຮງແຮມ The Muangthong Hotel 16 Ecotourism Laos Five Highlights in Salavan 18 Three Classic Lao Snacks ວປ່າຈາກດ້ານເທິງ 20 ຊົTheມວິJungle from Above 22 Cocktail Bars in Vientiane ເດີນທາງໄປກັບ ທີຄາລາວານເທຣລ ຂອງລາວ 26 Following Laos’ Tea Caravan Trail ພັກຜ່ອນແຄມແມ່ນໍ້າ 32 A river-side retreat ການແຂ່ງຂັນກອບ “ຫຼວງພະບາງ ລາວໂອເພັນ” Luang Prabang Lao Open Launched on ASEAN PGA Tour 34 ນຂ ອງຄົນຮ ັກທໍາມະຊາດ 37 Aສະຫວັ nature lover’s paradise ປະເພນີບຸນບັ້ງໄຟມີຄວາມໝາຍແນວໃດ 44 Boun Bang Fai “The Rocket Festival” ເມືອງໂຮຈີມິນ 46 Ho Chi Minh City ການສໍາຫລວດສາມຫລ່ຽມປາກແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງຢ່າງມີລົດຊາດ 50 Discovering the Mekong Delta in style ດຖຽ້ວບິນ ຈຳປາສັກ-ສະຫວັນນະເຂດ-ດານັ່ງ 52 ການເປີ Champasak-Savannakhet-Danang

Lao AIrlines In-Flight Magazine EXECUTIVE ADVISERS: MR. SOMPHONG MONGKHONVILAY MR. SOUKASEUM PHOTHISANE DR. SOMPHONE DOUANGDARA MR. SOMSANOUK MIXAY MR. CHANTHY DEUANSAVANH Editor-in-Chief: Mr. Soukhee Norasilp Proof editor: Mr. somsouk souksavath Executive Editor: insmai Creative Communication English Editor: Mr. Benjamin Blech

Greetings for the Editor ສະບາຍດີ ທ່ານຜູ້ອ່ານທັງຫຼາຍ

Dear readers,

ສະບັບທີ 9 ຈຳປາໂຮລິເດໄດ້ນຳພາທ່ານໄປສຳ ພັດກັບບັນຍາກາດຜະຈົນໄພທ່ອງທ່ຽວດ້ວຍລົດ ຈັກໄປຍັງພາກເໜືອຂອງລາວຊຶ່ງເປັນການເດີນ ທາງທີ່ໃຫ້ປະສົບການ ແລະ ຮຽນຮູ້ວິຖີຊີວິດ ຂອງປະຊາຊົນບັນດາເຜົ່າທີ່ດຳລົງຊີວິດຢູ່ພາກ ເໜືອຂອງລາວ. ພູຜາປ່າໄມ້, ແມ່ນ້ຳສາຂາຂອງ ແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງ, ທຳມະຊາດອາກາດປາດສະຈາກ ສານພິດເຈືອປົນ ເຮັດໃຫ້ບັນຍາກາດຂອງ ການເດີ ນ ທາງເຕັ ມ ໄປດ້ ວ ຍຄວາມຕຶ່ ນ ເຕັ້ ນ ດຶ ງ ດູດຈິດໃຈໄຝ່ຮູ້ຢາກສຳພັດກັບທຳມະຊາດທີ່ແທ້ ຈິງທີ່ທຳມະຊາດໄດ້ສ້າງໄວ້ປະດັບເອ້ດິນແດນ ແຫ່ງນີ້ ທ່ານສາມາດອ່ານຍ້ອນຄືນ ອອນລາຍ ໄດ້ທີ່ www.champamag.com

In the last issue of Champa Holiday, we took you on an adventure through northern Laos by motorbike, exploring the way of life of numerous ethnic groups, breathtaking mountains, the Mekong’s tributaries and the best of Laos’ natural wonders. For those who missed this fantastic adventure and for more expert advice on travel in Laos, visit our website at

ໃນສະບັບທີ 10 ນີ້ເປັນສະບັບຕ້ອນຮັບບຸນປີ ໃໝ່ລາວ ໂດຍສະເພາະປີໃໝ່ລາວທີ່ເມືອງມໍ ລະດົກໂລກ ນະຄອນຫຼວງພະບາງ ທີ່ເປັນຈຸດດຶງ ດູດນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວມາຈາກທົ່ວສາລະທິດຈົນໂຮງ ແຮມ, ເຮືອນພັກທີ່ມີຢູ່ປານດອກເຫັດລະໂງກ ບານຍາມເດືອນຫົກເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວຈົນ ລົ້ນເຂົ້າໄປໃນວັດວາອາຣາມ ແລະ ເຮືອນຂອງ ປະຊາຊົນ (Home Stay) ໂບຮານວ່າ ‘’ສິບປາກ ເວົ້າບໍ່ເທົ່າຕາເຫັນ, ສິບຕາເຫັນກໍ່ບໍ່ທໍ່ມືບາຍ’’ ທ່ານຕ້ອງພິສູດດ້ວຍຕາຂອງທ່ານເອງ ‘’ ການ ບິນລາວຍິນດີຮັບໃຊ້ທ່ານສູ່ເມືອງຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ໃນປີໃໝ່ລາວນີ້ດ້ວຍຄວາມຍິນດີ’’ ສະບາຍດີ ພົບກັນໃໝ່ສະບັບໜ້າ ສຸຂີ ນໍຣະສິລປ໌ ບກ

www.champamag.com.

This issue, we introduce you to the timeless traditions and colourful pageantry of the Lao New Year and reveal the highlights of celebrations in the heritage city of Luang Prabang. As an ancient Lao proverb says, “ten mouths speaking are no match for seeing with your own eyes”. Lao Airlines is therefore pleased to welcome you to another wonderful Lao New Year celebration. Until next time, have a great festive holiday.

Graphic Designer: insmai Creative Communication transalation: Ms. Vonglatda Omany PHOTOGRAPHER: Fab world Antoine Magnier Account-Finance: Ms. Khounkham Chanthaboury Marketing & Creation By: insmai Creative Communication Tel/Fax: (856-21) 223590 info@insmai.com | www.insmai.com

www.champamag.com

Owner & Publisher: Inter Media Lao Co.ltd Tel/Fax: (856-21) 480947 intermedia_laos@gmail.com under license of Lao Airlines Lao Airlines Head Office: 02 Pangkham Rd, Xieng Gnune Village, Chanthaboury District, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel : (856-21) 212051-54, 212016 Fax: (856-21) 212056, 212058 info@laoairlines.com www.laoairlines.com

Mr. Soukhee Norasilp Editor-In-Chief, Champa Holidays Magazine

www.ChampaMag.com we can guide you more

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VIENTIANE

Don Chan Palace Hotel & Convention

Located strategically on the New Promenade of the Mekong River adjacent to the King Anouvong’s park, Don Chan Palace, Hotel & Convention is the official 5-star hotel in Laos. Enjoy panoramic views of the Mekong River and Vientiane city from the tallest building in Laos while staying with us. All rooms are inclusive of complimentary unlimited high speed internet access with plush necessities and our new au-natural amenities for the discerning guests. Our Lao Traditional Hospitality Makes us Different… Room and Accommodation - 237 rooms - Cable television - Indvidually air conditioning controlled room - Safe deposit box - Complimentary Coffee/ tea facility - In room fax machine ( on request ) - Mini bar - Hair dryer - High speed internet access in room ( Free access) Nearby attractions - King Anouvong Recreational Park - Mekong River Promenade - Presidential Palace - King Sisavangvong Statue - Wat Si Muang Temple

Facilities and Services - 24 Hrs room service - Airline booking and informaiton - Concierge service - Foreign exchange - Doctor on call 24 Hrs - Laundry service - Airport transfer - Tour and travel agency - Free car parking - Business center - Car rental service - 24 Hrs security -13 private massage rooms with professional masseurs

- Swimming Pool on 3rd floor - Jacuzzi - Steam room - Airline booking and information - Foreign currency exchange - 2000 pax capacity ballroom (1792sqm) - Dimsum Buffet - Monthly F&B Promotion - Free wifi on lobby and executive floors

Food and Beverage and entertainment - 24 Hrs Coffee House - Lobby Lounge with Cake Counter and Pastry counter - Outside Catering Service - Chinese Restaurant - 14 Floors Sky Lounge - Lunar 36-Outdoor Bar, Discotheque, and Private Karaoke Rooms Meeting and Convention - 2000 Fax capacity Ballroom - 20 Modern Function rooms - Free Wifi at meeting rooms Wellness and Relaxation - Swimming Pool - Private Massage Rooms - Outdoor Gym - Sauna

Three years consecutive winner of Best business hotel year 2009,2010, 2011 by the tourism alliance awards. Don Chan Palace Hotel & Convention, Unit 6 Piawat Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856-21) 244 288 Fax: (856-21) 244 111-2 Email: info@donchanpalacelaopdr.com www.donchanpalacelaopdr.com

EVENT & FESTIVAL

Pimai Lao

in Luang Prabang Pimai Lao (the Lao New Year, 14-16th April), is one of the most important dates in the Lao calendar. As well as being a time of celebration and endless fun, it has also become synonymous with holiday, the celebration of Lao identity, the reinforcement of family bonds and an opportunity to reflect on the year ahead. Although the Lao new year is celebrated in joyous spirit throughout the country, nowhere hosts more ancient traditions and colorful pageantry than the northern heritage city of Luang Prabang. Although officially a three day festival, the party always goes on for at least a week. Officially the last day of the year, 14th April is traditionally a day of renewal, the main symbol of which is water. Buddha images are washed, temples repainted and homes cleaned from top to bottom. In the afternoon, young people pour water on the hands of their elders and ask for their blessing in the year ahead. Much like a New Year toast in western cultures, this is sometimes followed by a short speech from parents or grandparents. During the speech, elders give their blessing to their family, as well as highlighting important family events such as births, deaths or marriages. The blessing of relatives, friends and even strangers with water continues throughout the festival. Traditionally, you wish someone ‘Happy New Year’ (‘Sok Dii Pimai’), before pouring water over their head, symbolizing the washing away of sins committed in the past year. These days, water is also shot through water guns or thrown from buckets and pans, creating an enormous water-fight that’s impossible to avoid. For tourists, most of the highlights of Pimai Lao take place on the second day of festivities (15th April), known as ‘the day of no day’; a day of transition that is neither part of the old nor the new year.

Daily Flight, VIentiane - Luang Prabang - Vientiane and Luang Prabang - Chiangmai - Luang Prabang Read more on page 56, 57 8

The procession of Prabang

EVENT & FESTIVAL

Highlights See thousands of sand stupas on the banks of the Mekong, with their colorful banners and offerings, designed to stop evil spirits from passing into the new year (15th April) • Don’t miss the procession of Prabang, one of Laos’ most celebrated Buddha images, which gave Luang Prabang its name in 1512 (‘Luang’ meaning great or royal). The statue is carried in procession from the former Royal Palace to Vat Mai, followed by hundreds of monks in their bright orange shrouds. As the colorful procession passes, large crowds sprinkle water over the statue, before collecting it as sacred water for blessing friends and family. On arrival at the temple, Prabang is placed in a sim (an alter similar to a chapel) outside the temple. There, he receives a final blessing from the alleged ancestors of the first Lao people.

No Lao festival would be complete without its beauty contest, of which Nang Sangkhan (Miss New Year) is the most famous of all. The procession of the beauty queen is spectacular and hugely popular. From across the country, teenage hopefuls sponsored by leading Lao brands, flock to Luang Prabang hoping to catch the eye of the judges. Traditionally, she must be a virgin and fifteen or over. The winner is announced on 11th April. The new Nang Sangkhan is then carried in procession on an elaborately decorated float (14th-16th April). For an authentic display of traditional Lao music, dance and costume, head to the National Museum on 15th April. For music lovers, there’s also a range of instruments you probably never knew existed. During Pimai Lao the party goes on until late. But be prepared to get soaked. Flower is also added to the water, so expect to resemble a half-baked pizza before the end of the day!

To learn more about the legends and traditions of Pimai Lao, look out for (Luang Prabang) by Mr. Somsanouk Mixay, available in bookshops throughout the country

Baci (16th April). For many Lao people, the belief in kwan (spirits which inhabit the human body, as well as animals, plants and inanimate objects) are an important part of the Lao New Year. On the first day of the new year, with transition comes the risk of the kwan leaving the body, exposing them to any number of bad omens. To allow the kwan to return to the body, a ceremony known as a Bacii or Soo Kwan is carried out. First, offerings are made with participants sitting around a table. A chant led by an important figure in the village or family is then repeated collectively to call the kwan to return. Participants then tie white thread around each other’s wrists, symbolically binding the kwan to the body, while wishing them good fortune in the year ahead. The ceremony ends by eating a small meal together.

Tips for a great Pimai ex

perience

1. Luang Prabang’s Pimai Lao celebrations are hu

gely popular, so book flights and accommodation well in advance. 2. You are certain to get we t during Pimai Lao. Always keep passports, mobile phones and other valuables in a wa terproof container, or leave them somewhere 3. During Laos’ hottest seasafe. son, most welcome getting soaking wet. Bu t if you know that’s something you wouldn’t enjoy, don’t plan to visit in the middle of Ap ril. Otherwise, we’ll see you there!

ACCOMMODATION

ໂຮງແຮມ ເມືອງທອງ ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ໜຶ່ງໜ່ວຍບໍລິການຂອງລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວ

The Muangthong Hotel in Luang Prabang

ພັກ ແລະ ລັດຖະບານ ແຕ່ອະດີດເຖິງປະ ຈຸບັນຍາມໃດກໍເປີດໂອກາດ ໃຫ້ ຂອດບໍ ລິການເພື່ອຮັ ບໃຊ້ ປະຊາຊົ ນກໍ່ຄືນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽ ວທັງ ພາຍໃນ ແລະ ຕ່າງປະເທດມີຄວາມສະດວກ ໃນການທ່ອງທ່ຽວເດີນທາງກິນຢູ່ ແລະ ພັກເຊົາຫຼາຍຂື້ນ. ເປັນໂອກາດທີ່ດີກັບ ຈຳປາໂຮລິເດ ສະບັບນີ້ ພວກເຮົາຈະກ່າວເຖິງ ໂຮງແຮມ ເມືອງທອງ ທີ່ເປັນໜ່ວຍບໍລິການຂອງ ລັດວິສາຫະກິດ ການບິນລາວ ຢູ່ຫຼວງພະບາງ. ທ່ານ ລາດາ ສູນທອນ ຜູ້ບໍລິຫານໂຮງ ແຮມ ເມືອງທອງ ຜູ້ທີ່ມີບຸກຄະລິກສະບາຍ ເປັນກັນເອງ ກັບແບບສະບັບ ນັກບໍລິຫານໃຫ້ສຳພາດແກ່ ພວກເຮົາວ່າ: ໂຮງແຮມ ເມືອງທອງ ໄດ້ໃຫ້ບໍລິການແຕ່ວັນທີ 1 ເດືອນ 8 ປີ 2010 ເປັນຕົ້ນມາ. ໂຮງແຮມພວກເຮົາຕັ້ງຢູ່ບ້ານທາດຫຼວງເມືອງຫຼວງພຣະ ບາງຫ່າງຈາກຕະຫຼາດມືດ 800 ແມັດ ຮູບຊົງໂຮງແຮມແບບບູຮານ ສະໄໝໃໝ່ ສ ອງຊັ້ ນ . ວັ ດ ສະດຸ ກໍ່ ສ້ າ ງສ່ ວ ນຫຼ າ ຍແມ່ ນ ໄມ້ ເ ນື້ ອ ແຂງ ຂະໜາດໃຫ່ຍ ຊຶ່ງປະກອບດ້ວຍ 34 ຫ້ອງນອນ ພ້ອມເຄື່ອງອຳນວຍ ຄວາມສະດວກ, ສະລອຍນ້ຳ, ຫ້ອງອາຫານ ແລະ ຫ້ອງປະຊຸມ ຂະໜາດໃຫ່ຍ ທີ່ສາມາດບັນຈຸໄດ້ 40–50 ຄົນ. ນອກນັ້ນ ຍັງມີຫ້ອງຂາຍ, ຈອງປີ້ຍົນ ແລະ ບໍລິການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ.

The Lao government is always looking for opportunities to improve services for domestic and foreign visitors. The latest addition to the Lao Airline State Enterprise is the Meuangthong Hotel in Luang Prabang District. We caught up with friendly Managing Director, Mr. Rada SUNTHORN for an interview. The Meuangthong Hotel in That Luang Village, first opened in August 2010. It was built in an interesting mix of contemporary and traditional Lao styles, mostly using hard wood. The hotel offers 34 rooms, a swimming pool, restaurant, large conference centre, as well as a range of travel services. Meung Thong Hotel is currently a 3 star hotel but Lao Airline plans to improve services and facilities, allowing the businesses to achieve 4 star status in the near future.

ພິເສດທີ່ສຸດແມ່ນສາມາດແຈ້ງປີ້ຍົນຂອງ ການບິນລາວ ພ້ອມ ສັ່ງເຄື່ອງຢູ່ທີ່ເຄົາເຕີໂຮງແຮມໄດ້ເລີຍເພື່ອຄວາມສະດວກແກ່ ແຂກທຸກທ່ານທີ່ມາພັກ. ປະຈຸບັນນີ້ ໂຮງແຮມ ເມືອງທອງ ແມ່ນຈັດຢູ່ໃນລະດັບ 3 ດາວ. ທາງລັ ດ ວິ ສ າຫະກິ ດ ການບິ ນ ລາວມີ ແ ຜນພັ ດ ທະນາການບໍ ລິ ການ ແລະ ອຳນວຍຄວາມສະດວກເພື່ອຮອງຮັບລະດັບ 4 ດາວ ໃນອານາຄົດມໍໆນີ້. ເມື່ອກ່າວເຖິງເມືອງຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ກ່ອນໜ້ານີ້ມີໃຜຄິດແດ່ວ່າ ເມືອງກະສັດລາ ຊະວົງເກົ່າຂອງລາວທີ່ຕັ້ງຢູ່ພາກຕາເວັນອອກ ສຽງເໜືອຈາກວຽງຈັນ ໄປ 350 ກິໂລແມັດນັ້ນຈະກາຍເປັນ ຈຸດທີ່ຄົນທົ່ວໂລກໃຫ້ຄວາມສົນໃຈ ແລະ ຍົກໃຫ້ເປັນອັນດັບ 1 ຂອງເມືອງທີ່ໜ້າທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ສຸດຂອງໂລກ.

For more details, please contact

ຄຳຖາມຊີງລາງວັນ: ເປັນຫຍັງ ແລະ ດ້ວຍເຫດໃດຈຶ່ງເປັນແນວນັ້ນ?

ສົ່ງຄຳຕອບມາໃຫ້ພວກເຮົາທີ info@champamag.com ສຳລັບສອງຄຳຕອບສຸດຮ໊ອດພວກເຮົາມີ Gift Set ໃຫ້ຜູ້ໂຊກດີ (ອາດແມ່ນ Voucher ອາຫານຄຳ ຫຼື ບີ້ຍົນວຽງຈັນຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ໃຜອິຮູ້).

Last year, Luang Prabang was voted one of the best city’s in the world for travellers. What makes it so special? Send your answer to info@champamag.com for your chance to be one of two lucky winners of our mystery giftset- dinner vouchers or free flights, who know!

ທຸກຄົນສາມາດເບິ່ງຂໍ້ມູນ ແລະ ລາຍລະອຽດເພີ່ມເຕີ່ມໄດ້ທີ່ Tel : (+856-71) 254 976 | Fax : (+856-71) 252974 reservation@muangthonglpb.com | www.muangthonglpb.com ຫຼື ຕົວແທນຈຳໜ່າຍການບິນລາວທົ່ວປະເທດ

Or any of Lao Airlines agent

DOS & DON’TS

IN LAOS

WELCOME TO LAOS! WE HOPE YOUR VISIT IS ENJOYABLE AND REQUEST THAT YOU RESPECT THE LAO LAW, CULTURE AND CUSTOMS. PLEASE READ ON TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DO’S AND DON’TS FOR CULTURALLY SENSITIVE TRAVEL IN THE LAO PDR.

created by insmai.com The Lao word for Hello is “Sabai dee”, usually said with a smile. Touching or showing affectionn in public will embarrass your hosts. Lao people traditionally greet each other by pressing their palms together to ‘NOP’, although it is acceptable for men to shake hands.

Kissing and hugging in public is impolite. Please be discrete.

In Laos your head is ‘High’, your feet ‘Low’. Using your feet for anything other than walking or playing sport is generally considered rude.

Remember, your head is ‘high’, your feet ’low’, it is polite to gently crouch down when passing someone who is seated. Never, ever step over someone in your path.

Lao people speak softly and avoid confrontation. Please do not shout or raise your voice. Before you take a photo of someone ask if it is ok.

More cartoon please visit: www.champamag.com

Ecotourism Laos

Ecotourism Laos Five Highlights in Salavan Province

Bernie Rosenbloom takes you a couple of hours away from southern Laos’ tourist hub of Pakxe to rarely visited, but relatively easy-to-access, Salavan Province. As you follow Route 20 from Pakxe to Salavan Town, stop first at the tiny tourist enclave at Tad Lo and overnight at a river with waterfalls. Continue north on Route 20 to Ban Naxai and Coconut Road before continuing to Salavan Town’s sites including a bomb museum. Then, head out on Route 23 to Toumlan weaving commune and a village with cousins living in a longhouse.

1. Tad Lo Water Park

2. Coconut Road

Break away from Pakxe’s hordes and travel two hours on Route 20 to the Bolaven Plateau and Xe Set River, straddled by a cosy tourist cluster, the gateway to natural and cultural attractions in “Tad Lo Water Park”. A short walk from the tourist village leads to the headliners, Tad Lo and Tad Hang Waterfalls gushing down the Xe Set, but that’s just the start. Tad Lo Lodge offers short elephant treks, cyclers can visit ethnic villages and a conservation area, and the Tad Lo Information Centre offers treks to towering Tad Soung Falls, the stone caskets, Phou Tak Khao Viewpoint and Nine-holes Cave.

Coconut lovers and the curious must stop at Ban Naxai, a simple village en route to Salavan Town, to ponder the endless coconut piles and purchase a few to drink, while connoisseurs can compare tastes. The dry season brings the largest choice of the two coconut types: the brown variety grows on a small number of trees in a specific area outside the coconut capital, thus slightly more expensive than the green ones. The younger brown coconuts are somewhat sour, while riper ones taste sweet and are said to bring fevers down. The larger green coconuts also taste sweet and many consider it a hangover cure. The village also makes moonshine.

Location: Route 20, about 90 km northeast of Pakxe and 30 km south of Salavan Town

Location: Route 20, about 25 km southwest of Salavan Town

3. An Explosive Museum Pass by a two-metre-tall, 3,000-pound bomb that stands as a pillar to Salavan Province’s past at the entrance to the UXO Lao Office compound. Laos holds the unfortunate title as the most densely bombed country on earth, with Salavan ranked second in provincial barrages during the Indochina War, and its UXO (unexploded ordinances) office displays the evidence. Two large bombshells stand astride the flagpole at the front door, and racks of inert bombs, a mortar, cluster bomb casings and an airplane Gatlin gun line the front walls. The entrance holds a surreal collection of clumsy looking but deadly assortment of homemade devices, miniature rockets, and land mines. www.uxolao,gov.la Location: Salavan Town’s main road between the Visitor Information Centre and the bus station

4. Weavers World Inspect distinctive looms and woven designs found only at a group of tight-knit ethnic Katang communities in KoumBan Toumlan. Villagers have handed their weaving techniques down through generations, and are rarely practised elsewhere. Looms hang from the rafters under houses on stilts, and weavers shuttle threads up-and-down rather than side-to-side. You can watch the entire silk weaving process from moth to cloth as Toumlan weavers raise their own silkworms. The worms form yellow cocoons, and once the moth emerges, the cocoons are boiled, unravelled, and spun into threads before undergoing a natural dyeing process using leaves and insects to create different colours. Location: Route 23, about 50-km north of Salavan Town

5. Kissing Cousins’ Longhouse Don’t miss Ban Heuan Nyao (Longhouse Village) with its 40-metre-long home, though it once stretched 100 metres. Several generations ago, a Katang man named Mr Lue had seven wives, and he built a longhouse here for his families, apportioning five meters for each plus a common room, kitchen, and veranda. His wives had several children, who intermarried, and the newlyweds each continued to add five more meters to the longhouse. Mr Lue’s extended family eventually reached 103 households with 17 longhouses at the village’s peak. Today’s single longhouse holds shields once used in sword fights, and the current village chief has but three wives. Location: A few km south of Koum-Ban Toumlan. You can visit Khoua Ban Darn Broken Bridge on the return to Salavan Town.

For more information and to book programs, visit the Salavan Visitor Information Centre in Tad Lo. Phone: (+856 034) 211 528. Email: Salavahn_pto@tourismlaos.org.

For a free downloadable guidebook to Salavan Province, visit www.stdplaos.com (Web-based Knowledge Centre, Visitor Information).

ientiane-based travel writer, Bernie Rosenbloom, has covered Southeast Asia for more than 15 years. He has authored several Lao provincial guidebooks, and along with Champa Holidays, has recently contributed stories about Laos to Thai Airway’s Sawasdee magazine, PATA Compass, and Travel Review. Bernie is currently a public relations consultant for the Laos Sustainable Tourism Development Project, Lanith (Lao National Institute for Tourism and Hospitality), and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office. Email: bernie.rosenbloom@gmail.com..

Hot Dishes

Three Classic Lao Snacks Benjamin Blech

Sour Pork Sausages Some visitors may feel apprehensive about eating fermented pork. But when cooked right, these sausages are simply heavenly. Fragrant, spicy and slightly sour, they showcase all the mouth-watering flavours which exemplify Lao cuisine. As an elderly grandmother and legendary cook once told me, “if you enjoy a good sausage, avoid making them”. For those who are happy enjoying their sausages in blissful ignorance, consider skipping this next paragraph. Otherwise here goes. A mixture of minced pork, skin and offal is kneaded together with pounded garlic, lemongrass and chilli. Rice is added to allow the pork to ferment without going bad. It is then stuffed into an intestine and left to stand overnight. These wonderful sausages taste fantastic grilled or fried.

Deep Fried River Algae (Kai Pen) The world’s least known superfood, river algae (kai) is indigenous to northern Luang Prabang, and has a dry, salty and slightly nutty flavour. Crispy when fried, it’s like eating delicious, high quality potato chips.

@ Khop Chai Deu Restaurant

The Lao love a quick snack to enjoy anywhere, any time. So for travellers, Laos always offers plenty of great food to enjoy on the go. While many country classics have been incorporated into Laos’ growing fine dining scene, most can be found just about anywhere, from roadside stalls to bus stations. Here’s a few to ignite your appetite.

Rich in vitamins and minerals, kai grows on rocks in the middle of rivers, swaying in the currents just below the surface, where it thrives on nutrient-rich waters and ample sunshine. In villages, kai is harvested in Laos’ dry season (November-February) when rivers are at their lowest. After being removed from the rocks, each strand is carefully separated and left to dry. It is then pounded with tamarind water on a traditional palm mat, until it resembles a fine green paper. It is then topped with sour tomatoes, sesame seeds and salt, to produce the wonderful distinct flavour of Kai Pen. A plate of crispy fried Kai Pen is a wonderful accompaniment to a glass of cold beer. In Luang Prabang, it is commonly eaten on long journeys or as a quick snack in between meals. In northern villages, it is also pounded into a powder to form a thick green paste that’s best enjoyed with warm sticky rice.

www.ChampaMag.com we can guide you more we can guide you more

Fried Sun-dried Beef with Jaew Bong Sauce When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a meaty treat to enjoy on the move, look no further than this country classic. Sundried beef or buffalo meat, marinated in fish sauce, chilli and sugar, makes a wonderful snack. Much like a good quality beef jerky, its normally brownish-red in colour, chewy and slightly crisp when fried, with a rich, salty flavour. In larger towns, it is sometimes eaten with Jaew Bong, a delicious sauce made from tamarind water, crushed lemongrass, galangal, chilli and garlic.

@ Khop Chai Deu Restaurant

Full Moon Restaurant: Dongnasok Village (near Donpasak traffic light) Tel: 021-520828, Mobile: 02055554341, 020 22225732

TOURISM

ຊົມວິວປ່າຈາກດ້ານເທິງ

The Jungle from Above Want to have a bird’s eye view of the jungle, while enjoying the ultimate freedom of flying from tree to tree? Well in the village of Senxoum, around 70km from Vientiane, you can! ທ່ານຢາກເຫັນພາບວິວທິວທັດ ຂອງປ່າແບບຮອບດ້ານໃນຂະນະ ທີ່ທ່ານບິນຍ່າງມີອິດສະລະຈາກ ຕົ້ນໄມ້ຕົ້ນໜຶ່ງໄປອີກຕົ້ນໜຶ່ງບໍ? ທ່ານສາມາດສໍາພັດກັບປະສົບ ການແບບນີ້ໄດ້ຢູ່ບ້ານແສນຊຸມ ຫ່າງຈາກນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ ພຽງແຕ່ສອງຊົ່ວໂມງ.

The Nam Lik Jungle Flight is a new eco-adventure, which consists of a series of steel cables placed between the trees, some of which are up to 37 meters heigh and 180 meters in length. The entire zip- line network stretches over some 2km, with a combined cable length of around 860 metres. Between each section, there are 23 platforms offering breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. There are no roads in the area. Visitors arriving from Vang Vieng can reach the village by kayaks hired in the small town of Hinheup. From Vientiane, the only way to get there is by boat along the Nam Lik River, followed by a 2km trek through beautiful forest.

Visitors are welcomed by friendly and professional staff, who provide instruction on the basics of zip-lining. Don’t worry, Nam Lik Jungle Flight is proud of its immaculate safety record. All the equipment they use is certified to the highest European and American standards. For an overnight stay, there are tents mounted on bamboo platforms deep in the forest, where visitors can enjoy a BBQ. You can also experience the incredible sound of the jungle after dark. And a view of the night’s sky like few found anywhere else on earth.

ນໍ້າລີກ ຈັງເກິລໄຟລທ໌ ( Nam Lick Jungle Flight ) ໃຫ້ບໍລິການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ຜະຈົນໄພແບບອະນຸລັກທໍາມະຊາດ, ເຊິ່ງມີສາຍສະລິງຕິດຕັ້ງຢູ່ລະຫ່ວາງຕົ້ນໄມ້, ບາງບ່ອນມີຄວາມສູງເຖິງ 37 ແມັດ ແລະ ຍາວ 180 ແມັດ. ເຄືອຂ່າຍສາຍຊິບ ລາຍທັງໝົດຍາວກາຍກວ່າ 2 ກິໂລແມັດ ລວມກັບຄວາມຍາວຂອງສາຍ ສະລິງອີກປະມານ 860 ແມັດ. ລະຫ່ວາງແຕ່ລະສ່ວນ, ມີຊານສາລາໄວ້ຢຸດ ພັກຊົມວິວທິວທັດຂອງປ່າອ້ອມຮອບ 23 ແຫ່ງ. ໃນພື້ນທີ່ແມ່ນບໍ່ມີຖະໜົນ. ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວມາຮອດວັງວຽງ ສາມາດເດີນທາງມາໝູ່ ບ້ານແຫ່ງນີ້ໂດຍຂີ່ເຮືອຄາຍັກຮັບຈ້າງ ຢູ່ເມືອງຫີນເຫີບ. ຈາກວຽງຈັນ, ທາງດຽວທີ່ ໄປໄດ້ຄືທາງເຮືອໄປຕາມນໍ້າລີກ, 2 ກິໂລແມັດ ຜ່ານປ່າທີ່ສວຍສົດງົດງາມ. ພະນັກງານມືອາຊີບທີ່ເປັນກັນເອງຈະໃຫ້ການຕ້ອນຮັບນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແລະ ໃຫ້ຄໍາແນະນໍາກ່ຽວກັບການຂີ່ຊິບລາຍແບບພື້ນຖານ. ບໍ່ຕ້ອງເປັນຫ່ວງ, ນໍ້າລີກຈັງເກິລໄຟລທ໌ ມີຄວາມເນັ້ນໜັກກ່ຽວກັບເລື່ອງຄວາມປອດໄພອຸປະກອນ ທຸກຊະນິດທີ່ໃຊ້ ແມ່ນໄດ້ຮັບມາດຕະຖານສູງສຸດຈາກເອີລົບ ແລະ ອາເມລິກາ. ຖ້າຕ້ອງການພັກຄ້າງຄືນ ກໍ່ມີເຕັ້ນຢູ່ເທິງເຮືອນໄມ້ໄຜ່ຢູ່ໃນປ່າເລິກ ບ່ອນທີ່ນັກທ່ອງ ທ່ຽວສາມາດມ່ວນຊື່ນກັບການເຮັດ ບາບີຄິວ. ນອກຈາກນີ້ທ່ານຍັງສາມາດສໍາຜັດ ກັບສຽງທໍາມະຊາດທີ່ມະຫັດສະຈັນໃນປ່າຫລັງຕາເວັນຕົກດິນ. ແລະ ທິວທັດ ຂອງທ້ອງຟ້າໃນຍາມຄໍ່າຄືນ ທີ່ຫາຍາກໃນໂລກ.

Restaurant

Cocktail Bars

in Vientiane

The Lao capital has evolved from a quiet little town to a fun city with an eclectic range of modern trendy bars, where you can enjoy a drink before or after dinner. Here are four of my favorites, all with their own distinct charms.

Restaurant

Paris Cocktail Tha Deua road

This cozy little cocktail bar has a friendly, fun and relaxed atmosphere. Experienced French-Lao barman Tony, has worked in Parisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; trendiest drinking spots, deciding to set up in Vientiane two years ago. He is as much a designer as a barman, inventing amazing new cocktails every day and ensuring this place is always full of surprises.

Le Sen Francois Ngin street For a more casual evening, add Le Sen to your list for some of the finest cocktails in the city. Sample a range of classic and creatively mixed drinks, enjoyed in an elegant setting. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a pleasant terrace to watch life go buy on this lively street. The Singapore Sling is a must.

Restaurant

The Spirit House 93/09 Fa Ngum Road Facing the Mekong, this bar and restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a sunset, with its menu of classic and signature cocktails, as well as tasty tapas. Boatman Rum or Margarita are highly recommended. The atmosphere is a sure recipe for a fun night out.

The Jazzy Brick Setthathirath road One of Vientianeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more sophisticated drinking experiences, doors open to a warm and intimate atmosphere, with soft lighting and background jazz tunes. The bar is beautiful with a wide selection of cocktails mixed by a friendly staff. The decor is a wonderfully quirky mix of 60s and 70s.

www.ChampaMag.com we can guide you more

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TOURISM

ເດີນທາງໄປກັບ ທີຄາລາວານເທຣລ ຂອງລາວ Following Laos’ Tea Caravan Trail By Bernie Rosenbloom

A green ocean of mountains flowed as far as I could see. Our viewpoint, Nam Phae Village in Luang Namtha Province, presented an uninterrupted vista stretching to the Golden Triangle. And though the forested sea took our breath away, the 2,094-metre climb was easy. We rode in a van.

ມະຫາສະມຸດແ ຫ່ງພ ູເຂົາສີຂຽວລຽງລາຍກັນຈ ົນສຸດຫູ ສຸດຕ າ. ຕ າມ ຄວາມຄິດຂ ອງພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ບ້ານນໍ້າແພ ໃນແຂວງຫລວງນໍ້າທາ ເປັນບ ່ອນຊົມວ ິວທີ່ບໍ່ມຫຍ ີ ັງກີດຂວາງຈົນຮ ອດສາມຫລ່ຽມຄໍາ. ແ ລະ ເຖິງແ ມ່ນວ ່າທະເລແຫ່ງປ ່າໄ ມ້ຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໃຈຫາຍ, ແຕ່ການຂຶ້ນພ ູສູງ 2,094 ແມັດກ ໍ່ບແ ໍ່ ມ່ນເ ລື່ອງຍາກເພາະ ພວກຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າໄປດ້ວຍລົດຕ ູ້.

But isn’t Lao tourism about the great outdoors and helping poor villagers? That endless canopy hides hamlets of ethnic groups, rivers and streams, waterfalls, caves, and wildlife. Women weave intricately patterned textiles on looms. Men scour the jungle for food, medicinal herbs, and bamboo for handicrafts. Surely it takes a multi-day excursion to experience this side of Laos.

ຕ່ການອອກມາເຂດນອກ ແລະ ການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອໝູ່ບ້ານທີ່ທຸກຍາກ ແ ແມ່ນການທ່ອງທ່ຽວລາວແມ່ນບໍ? ປາຍຕົ້ນໄ ມ້ເຊື່ອງຊ້ອນໝູບ ່ ້ານຂອງ ບັນດາຊົນເ ຜົ່າຕ່າງໆ, ແ ມ່ນໍ້າ ແ ລະຫ້ວຍຮ່ອງໜອງບຶງ, ນໍ້າຕົກ, ຖໍ້າ ແລະບັນດາສັດປ່ານາໆຊະນິດ. ແ ມ່ຍິງຕໍ່າລວດລາຍໃສ່ຜ ືນຜ ້າຢ ູ່ເທິງ ກີ່. ສ່ວນຜູຊ ້ າຍຊອກຫາອາຫານໃນປ່າ, ຢາພື້ນເມືອງ, ແ ລະໄມ້ໄຜ່ ເພື່ອທ ຳການຈັກສານ. ແ ນ່ນອນ ມັນຄ ົງຈ ະຕ້ອງໃຊ້ເ ວລາຫລາຍມື້ ເພື່ອສໍາພັດກ ັບປ ະສົບກ ານດ້ານນີ້ຂອງລາວ.

Well, yes and no. Yes, Luang Namtha’s Provincial Tourism Department, with support from the Asian Development Bank’s Sustainable Tourism Development Project (STDP), offers more than 20 treks with overnight village stays. All follow a community-based tourism (CBT) model that guarantees locals benefit. In fact, residents act as custodians of the attractions and trails.

ແມ່ນ ແ ລະ ບໍ່ແ ມ່ນ. ແ ມ່ນ, ພະແນກທ່ອງທ່ຽວແຂວງຫລວງນໍ້າທາ, ໂດຍການສະໜັບສ ະໜູນຈາກ ໂ ຄງການພັດທະນາການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແບບຍືນຍ ົງ (STDP) ຂອງທະນາຄານພັດທະນາອາຊີ, ໄ ດ້ຈັດ ລາຍການເດີນປ ່າຄ ້າງຄືນກ ັບຊາວບ້ານຫລາຍກ່ວາ 20 ລາຍການ. ລາຍການທ່ອງທ່ຽວທັງໝ ົດນ ີ້ ແມ່ນເຮັ ດຕາມແບບ ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ອ ີງ ໃສ່ຊ ຸມຊ ົນເ ປັນພ ື້ນຖານ (CBT) ທີ່ຮ ັບປະກັນຜ ົນປ ະໂຫຍດຂອງຊຸມ ຊົນ. ໃ ນຄວາມເປັນຈ ິງແລ້ວ ປະຊາຊົນເ ປັນຜ ູ້ປົກປ ັກຮ ັກສາສະຖານທີ່ ທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແ ລະເສັ້ນທາງຕ່າງໆ.

Calendar of Events

ທ່ອງທ່ຽວຕາມທາງແບບມີຄວາມຮັບຜິດຊອບ

ການເດີນທາງທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບມຄ ີ ວາມຮັບຜິດຊອບ180 ກິໂລແມັດຂອງ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕາມເສັ້ນທາງເລກທີ 3 ເ ຊື່ອມຕໍ່ປະເທດໄທ ໄ ປຮອດຈີນ ຜ່ານ ແຂວງບໍແກ້ວ ແ ລະ ຫລ ວງນໍ້າທາ ເ ປັນຄ ແ ື ນວໃດ? ໂ ຄງການ STDP ໄ ດ້ ພັດທະນາ “ທີຄ າລາວານເທຣລ 10 ສະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ໜ ້າສົນໃ ຈ ໃນພູ ເຂົາພາກຕາເວັນຕົກສຽ່ງເ ໜືອ”. ເສັ້ນທາງຍາວຫລາກຫລາຍໄປຫາສະຖານທທ ີ່ ອ ່ ງທຽ່ ວທີຄາລາວານເທຣລ– ເສັ້ນທາງເລກທີ 3 ຂອງລາວ – ເຊິ່ງຈະຕາມຮອຍເສັ້ນທາງການຄາ້ ບຮ ູ ານ ຈາກຝງັ່ ແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງເມືອງຫ້ວຍຊາຍ ແຂວງບແ ໍ່ ກັວ ຈົນເຖິງຫລວງນໍ້າທາ. ຢູ່ຕອນໃຕ້ຂ ອງເສັ້ນທາງຢຸດຢ ູ່ທີ່ປ້ອມທະຫານສະໄໝເປັນ ເມືອງຂຶ້ນຝຣັ່ງຂອງຫ້ວຍຊາຍ, ເ ປັນສ ະຖານທີ່ໆໜ ້າສົນໃ ຈທສ ີ່ ຸດໃ ນພາກ ເໜືອ, ນໍ້າຕົກ ນໍ້າດີ, ໄຫລ ລົງມ າຮອດຊານເມືອງຫລວງນໍ້າທາ. ນລະຫ່ວາງນັ້ນ, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ລົງຫລ ໃ ີ້ນນໍ້າພຸ, ທ່ຽວອ້ອມຖໍ້າ, ແ ລະ ໄດ້ຢຸດພ ັກຢ ູ່ທີ່ໝູ່ບ້ານຊົນເ ຜົ່າທຜ ີ່ ະລິດເ ຄື່ອງຫັດຖະກໍາ. ການເດີນທາງຄັ້ງ ນີ້ໃຊ້ເ ວລາພຽງແຕ່ ຫົກຊ ົ່ວໂ ມງເທົ່ານັ້ນ.

April

Lao New Year 13 Last day of the Year of the Rabbit 14 Intermediary Day (Nang Sangkharn Procession in Luang Prabang) 15 First Day of the Year of the Dragon 16

(Nang Sangkharn Procession in Luang Prabang) Procession of the Prabang Statue (Luang Prabang)

Responsible Roadside Tourism So how does my journey along Laos’ 180-km Route 3 connecting Thailand to China via Bokeo and Luang Namtha Provinces drive responsible tourism? The STDP-developed “Tea Caravan Trail: 10 Highlights in the Northwest Mountains”. A diverse line-up of attractions lines The Tea Caravan Trail – Lao Route 3 – which follows an ancient trade route from Bokeo’s Mekong riverside Houei Xai Town to Luang Namtha. At the trail’s southern end stands Houei Xai’s French colonial garrison, Fort Carnot. The northernmost highlight, Nam Dee Waterfalls, tumbles down Luang Namtha Town’s outskirts. In between, we waded in springs, crept around a cave, and stopped at ethnic villages producing handicrafts. The trip only took six hours.

May

1 International Workers’ Day 5 Visakha Bousa

June

1 International Children’s Day National Tree Planting Day

July 13

Birthday Anniversary of President Souphanovong (1909) Fish release Day

August

2 Buddhist Lent starts 15 Constitution Day 23 Power seizing Day (1975) 27

PHONGS

LUA

S o u va n n a k h o m k h a m Vi si to r Ce nte r

A MTH

M. Meung

KEO

m Na n Ka A NP

To C hiang K hong ( Thailand)

Vat a m En g 7 NC aves M a h a ph o t 6 N a m Jook B o r K un g N ature Pa rk 5 Vi e n g Ph o u k a

N a m Pa e Viewpo in t

O udom X ai

M. Nale

Don Chai Vis ito r Ce n te r

N A

Fo r t C a rn o t

THAILAND

Vien g Ne u a Cultural Village

N am

Nam Chang H a n dicra f t Villa ge

13B

B a n Na m Ng er n Nam Ha Vis ito r Ce n te r

B oten

Ha N a m P A Lu a n g Namtha N

n Nam K a

Ho u e i Xai

Nam Dee Wate r fal l

17A

17B

M. Long

B a n Po u n g Ph a

Souvannakhomkham

R B a n To r La e

M. Tonpheung

Meuang Sing

ME K ON G

Na m T ha

To Jing Hong & Kunming (C hina)

OUDOM XAI

ເສັ້ນທາງທີຄ າລາວານເທຣວ ທໜ ີ່ ້າສົນໃ ຈ

The Tea Caravan’s 10 Highlights

M. Pha-Oudom

M. Nale

E KON G R IVE R

XAYABOURY

ຈຸດປະສົງຂ ອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າແມ່ນ ຫລົບໜ ີອອກຈາກຜູ້ຄົນ ຈາກໄທ ແລະຂຶ້ນເ ຮືອໄປຫລວງພະບາງ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕ້ອງການຄົ້ນຫ າສິ່ງ ແປກໃໝ່ ແ ລະ ໂ ຄງການ STDP ຂອງລາວ ກໍ່ໄດ້ຊນ ີ້ ໍາທາງໃຫ້.

My objective was to leave the hordes coming from Thailand and clambering to Luang Prabang-bound 1. ປ້ອມທະຫານ ຝຣັ່ງເກົ່າ boats. I was looking for something new and STDPການໄປທ່ຽວຊົມປ ້ອມທະຫານທມ ີ່ ີອາຍຸປ ະມານ 110 ປີ ເ ຜີຍໃ ຫ້ເ ຫັນ ເຖິງໂຄງຮ່າງທີ່ຖືກຮ ັກສາໄວ້ເ ປັນຢ ່າງດີ ສາມາດແນມເຫັນເ ມືອງຫ້ວຍຊາຍ Laos’ Rik Ponne pointed the way.

ແລະ ແ ມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ. ປ້ອມທະຫານຕາເວັນຕ ົກທີ່ໄ ດ້ຮັບການບູລະນະເປັນ ບ່ອນວາງສະແດງປະຫວັດສາດຂອງບແ ໍ່ ກ້ວ ແ ລະຊົນເ ຜົ່າຕ່າງໆ, ແ ລະ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄ ດ້ປີນຂຶ້ນໄ ປເທິງຫ ໍສັງເ ກດການທາງພາກເໜືອ ແລະສາມາດ ແນມເຫັນສ າມຫລ່ຽມຄໍາໄດ້ຢ່າງຊັດເ ຈນ. ປ້ອມທະຫານທາງພາກຕາເວັນ ອອກຍັງບ ໍ່ໄດ້ຖ ືກເ ປ່ເພ ແ ລະ ມີອ ຸໂມງສອງມຸມ ທີ່ນ ໍາໄປຫາບ່ອນກໍາບັງ ທະຫານຂ້າງນອກ.

2. ໝູ່ບ້ານຫັດຖະກໍານໍ້າຈາງ

ຂັບລ ົດຂ ຶ້ນໄ ປທາງເໜືອອີກ 15 ກິໂ ລແມັດ ກໍ່ພາ ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄປຮອດໝູ່ບ້ານ ແລນ ແຕນ ແ ລະ ສູນວາງສະແດງສິນຄ ້າ ເ ຊິ່ງເ ປັນສ ະຖານທີ່ໆ ແມ່ຍິງເ ຮັດເ ຈັ້ຍໄຜ່ (ເຈ້ຍສາ) ໂ ດຍການບົດໄ ມ້ ໄຜ່ກັບໃບຕົ້ ນສາໂກ ເ ພື່ອເ ຮັດເປັນໃຍ ເຈັ້ຍ, ຕົ້ມ ຈົນເ ລະ ແ ລ້ວຜື່ງໃ ສ່ຕາໜ່າງຜ້າເ ພື່ອຕ າກແດດ. ຜູເ້ ຮັດເຈັ້ຍຊະນິດນ ີ້ ເຂົາເ ຈົ້າກໍາລັງທ ົດລ ອງໃຊ້ສ ີ ຍ້ອມທໍາມະຊາດ ເ ພື່ອໃ ຫ້ໄ ດ້ຕ າມຄວາມຮຽກຮ້ອງ ຕ້ອງການທີ່ກໍາລັງເ ພີ່ມຂ ຶ້ນ ສ ໍາລັບໂຄມ ໄຟເຈັ້ຍສີ ແລະປື້ມທີ່ມ ຕ ີ ົວໜ ັງສືຂອງເຜົ່າແລນແຕນ.

3. ສູນນ ັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວດອນໃຈ

ຂັບລ ົດອ ອກໄປອີກປ ະມານ 50 ກິໂ ລແມັດ ກໍ່ໄ ປຮອດ ດອນໃຈ, ທາງ ເຂົ້າເຂດປ່າອ ະນຸລັກແ ຫ່ງຊ າດນໍ້າຄານ. ແ ຕ່ເ ຖິງຢ ່າງໃດກໍ່ຕາມ, ຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າສົນໃ ນບັນດາຮ້ານໃນຕະຫລາດຈໍາໜ່າຍສິນຄ້າຫ ັດຖະກໍາ ແ ລະ ເຄື່ອງຂອງທີ່ຫາກໍ່ຜະລິດຈ າກໝູ່ບ້ານໃກ້ຄ ຽງ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ເບິ່ງຜ ້າປ ັກ ສໍາລັບຫ້ອຍຝາ, ແ ລະຜ້າຕ ໍ່າຮອງຖ້ວຍ, ຈານ,ໄຕລື້, ຜ້າປ ໂ ູ ຕະ, ຜ້າຊ ົບ ໝອນ ແ ລະຜ້າປ ູຕຽງ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ຊ ື້ ໝາກນໍ້າເຕົ້າທຫ ີ່ ໍ່ດ້ວຍຫວາຍທີ່ ຊາວກືທມຸໃຊ້ ໃສ່ ນ ໍ້າດື່ມ.

4. ຈຸດຊົມວ ິວ ນໍ້າແພ

ທ້ອງຟ້າສ ີຄາມໃສໄດ້ອວຍພອນໃຫ້ການເດີນທາງຂອງພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ເມື່ອພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເດີນທາງອອກຈາກບໍ່ແກ້ວ ແ ລະເລີ່ມໄ ຕ່ພູຜ່ານເມືອງ ວຽງພູຄ າແ ຂວງຫລວງນໍ້າທາ. ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ຂ້າມ ແມ່ນ ໍ້າໂງ ແລະ ນໍ້າເຕືອນ ແ ລະມາຮອດຈຸດຊົມວ ິວ ປະມານ 25 ນາທີ ຫລັງຈ າກເດີນທາງ ອອກຈາກ ດອນໃຈ. ເປັ ນຈຸດທ ີ່ສູງທ ີ່ສຸດຂອງທີຄາລາວານເທຣລ, ນໍ້າແພ ກໍ່ບໄໍ່ ດ້ເຮັດໃ ຫ້ພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຜິດຫວ ັງ, ຫລຽວເຫັນພູເ ຂົາປ່າໄ ມ້ຈ ົນເຖິງ ສາມຫລ່ຽມຄໍາ.

ALY

CHINA

TOURISM

1. Fort Carnot

My lone tour of the110-year-old garrison revealed a relatively well-preserved structure overlooking Houei Xai and the Mekong. The restored western barracks houses an exhibit on Bokeo’s history and ethnic diversity, and I climbed the refurbished northern watchtower and could see clear to the Golden Triangle. The eastern barracks remain intact and tunnels in two corners once led to outside bunkers.

2. Nam Chang Handicraft Village

A 15-km drive north landed us at a Lanten village workshop and demonstration center where women make bamboo paper by grinding bamboo with sako tree leaves into a pulp, boiling it into a paste, and spreading it on cloth screens for sun-drying. The paper-makers are experimenting with natural dyes to meet rising demand for its colored-paper lamp shades and booklets with Lanten writing.

3. Don Chai Visitor Centre

A further 50 km delivered us to Don Chai, the Nam Kan National Protected Area gateway. However, the market stalls selling handicrafts and fresh produce from nearby villages attracted me. I eyed Hmong embroidered fabric wall hangings, and woven Tai Lue placemats, tablecloths, cushion covers, and bedspreads. I bought a pair of rattan-wrapped dried gourds the Khmu use for carrying drinks.

4. Nam Phae Viewpoint

Blue skies blessed our caravan as we left Bokeo and started climbing through Luang Namtha’s Vieng Phoukha District. We crossed the Ngo and Teun Rivers and reached the viewpoint about 25 minutes after leaving Don Chai. As the Tea Caravan Trail’s highest point, Nam Phae does not disappoint, with a crystal-clear vista of forested mountains to the Golden Triangle.

To Luang Prabang

5. ສວນທໍາມະຊາດບໍ່ກຸ້ງ

ສະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວຕໍ່ໄ ປຂອງພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າແມ່ນ…ເມືອງວຽງພູຄ າ ແລະປ່າສ ັກສ ິດອ ີກ 18 ເ ຮັກຕາຢູ່ທາງຫລັງສູນກ ານທ່ອງທ່ຽວເມືອງ. ພວກ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເດີນທາງໄປຕາມປ້າຍບອກທາງໄປບໍ່ກຸ້ງ ຢູທ ່ ີ່ໜອງນໍ້າແຫ່ງໜ ຶ່ງ ທີ່ມີປາ, ປູ ແ ລະກຸ້ງຂະ ໜາດໃຫ່ຍ. ວ າງບໍ່ດົນມ ານີ້ໂຄງການ STDP ກໍ່ໄ ດ້ ຂະຫຍາຍການບໍລິການ ລວມມີ ຕະຫລາດຈໍາໜ່າຍສິນຄ້າຂ ະໜາດນ້ອຍ ແລະ ບ່ອນຕັ້ງຄ ້າຍພັກແຮມທີ່ມ ີສິ່ງອ ໍານວຍຄວາມສະດວກຈໍາກັດ.

Nam Phae Viewpoint

5. Bor Kung Nature Park

Our next stop…Vieng Phoukha Town and the 18-hectare sacred forest behind the district visitor centre with its slate of tours. We followed trails with interpretive signs to Shrimp Stream (Bor Kung) ເມືອງວຽງພູຄ າແຫ່ງນ ີ້ເຮັດໃຫ້ຂ ້າພະເຈົ້າປະຫລາດໃຈ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຄາດວ່າ ຈະເຫັນວ ັດເກົ່າແກ່ ແ ລະ ເ ຫັນເ ສດຊາກຂອງຄວາມຈະເລີນຮຸ່ງເຮືອງສີວິ at a stone pool filled with freshwater fish, crabs, and sizeable prawns. The STDP recently expanded services to include a small ໄລທີ່ມີອາຍຸ 700 ປີ. ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ໄ ປກວດເບິ່ງປ ້ອມເນີນດ ິນປ້ອງ market and a campground with limited facilities. ກັນເ ມືອງທີ່ຖ ືກປ ົກຫ ຸ້ມດ ້ວຍເຄືອຫຍ ້າ ທີ່ເຄີຍເປັ ນສ ະຖານທີ່ຄ້າຂາຍ ສໍາຄັນທີ່ຈະເລີນຮຸ່ງເຮືອງໃນໄລຍະປີ 1700. ດິນເ ຜົາທີ່ເຄີຍໃ ຊ້ເ ຮັດກອງ ທອງສໍາລິດ (ຄ້ອງບ້າງ) ເ ປັນເ ຄື່ອງໝາຍຂອງສະຖານທີ່, ແ ລະພິພິທະພັນ This nugget near Vieng Phoukha Town took me by surprise. I expected an old temple and found remnants of a 700-year-old ຫລວງນໍ້າທາກໍ່ໄ ດ້ວາງສະແດງກອງດັ່ງກ່າວ. civilisation. We inspected the ramparts of a vine-covered city that thrived through the 1700s as an important trading post. Earthen 7. ຖໍ້ານໍ້າແອ່ງ kilns used to make bronze drums (kong bang) dot the site, and the ສິບຫ ້ານ າທີຫລ ັງຈາກກັບຂ ຶ້ນເທິ ງລົດຕ ູ້, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າແວະຈອດລົດ Luang Namtha Museum displays the drums. ຢູ່ຖໍ້ານໍ້າແອ່ງ ເ ຊິ່ງເ ປັນບ ່ອນທີ່ໂຄງການ STDP ໄ ດ້ພັດທະນາພື້ນທ ີ່ສໍາລັບ ປິກນ ິກ ແ ລະການພັກເ ຊົາຢູ່ກັບເ ຮືອນເຜົ່າກຶມມ ຸແບບລຽບງ່າຍ ແ ຕ່ເ ຕັມ ໄປດ້ວຍກິດຈະກໍາລວມມີ ການນວດ ແ ລະ ກ ານຫາປາ. ຜູເ້ ບິ່ງແ ຍງຄົນສ ູງ Fifteen minutes after re-entering the van, we parked at Nam Eng Cave where STDP has developed a picnic area and Khmu homeອາຍຸທ ັກທ າຍພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ, ແລ້ວພາພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄປທາງເຂົ້າຖໍ້າ ປະມານສອງສາມຮ້ອຍແມັດ, ແ ລະໄດ້ເປີດໄ ຟສ່ອງເບິ່ງແ ຜນທີ່ເຂົາວ ົງກົດ stay featuring an easy but full itinerary including massages and fishing. The elderly caretaker greeted us, led us a few hundred ໃຕ້ດ ິນທີ່ຍ າວທີ່ສຸດແ ຫ່ງໜ ຶ່ງ ໃນພາກເໜືອຂ ອງລາວ. metres to the cavern’s entrance, and turned on the lights to one of northern Laos’ longest mapped underground labyrinths. 8. ສູນນ ັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວນໍ້າຮາ

6. ວັດມະຫາພົດ

6. Vat Mahaphot

7. Nam Eng Cave

ບ້ານຈະເລີນສຸກ, ປະມານ 20 ກິໂ ລແມັດ ໄ ປທາງໃຕ້ເ ມືອງຫລວງນໍ້າ ທາ, ເ ປີດປ ະຕູສ ູ່ການເດີນປ ່າຫລ າຍປະເພດທີ່ໄດ້ຮ ັບການພັດທະນາໂດຍ ໂຄງການ STDP ແ ລະ ເ ປັນກ ານເດີນປ ່າທ ີ່ອາໄສຊຸມຊ ົນເ ປັນຫລ ັກ ຢູໃ ່ ນ ເຂດປົກປ ັກຮ ັກສາແຫ່ງຊ າດນໍ້າຮາ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄດ້ຂ ້າມທາງເຂົ້າ, ແ ຕ່ ສໍາລັບນ ັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ຂ ີ້ຄ້ານຄຂ ື ້າພະເຈົ້າ, ປະຊາຊົນເ ຜົ່າກຶມມ ຸຂອງໝູ່ ບ້ານຈະເລີນສຸກ ໃ ຫ້ບ ໍລິການພັກຄ ້າງຄືນ, ນໍາຍ່າງທ່ຽວປ່າ, ແ ລະຍ່າງໜຶ່ງ ມື້ໄປໝູ່ບ້ານເຜົ່າກ ຶມມຸ ແ ລະແລນແຕນກັບວ ິວທິວທ ັດພ ູເຂົາທີ່ສວຍງາມ.

8. Nam Ha Visitor Centre

Ban Chaleunsouk, some 20 km south of Luang Namtha Town, opens the door to several STDP-developed, community-based treks in the Nam Ha National Protected Area. I wasn’t crossing that threshold, but for lazy travellers like me, Ban Chaleunsouk’s Khmu people offer overnight homestays, guided forest walks, and oneday moderate treks to a Khmu and Lanten village with excellent mountain vistas.

9. Vieng Neua Cultural Village

Just before reaching Luang Namtha Town, this 250-household ethnic Tai Yuan village houses a large traditional community centre used for weddings, meetings, and other important events and ceremonies. Vieng Neua villagers offered us khai paen, a semi-spicy riverweed snack, but time didn’t allow us to enjoy their music and dance performance and cooking class.

9. ໝູ່ບ້ານວັດທະນະທໍາວຽງເໜືອ

ກ່ອນຈະຮອດຕົວເມືອງຫລວງນໍ້າທາ, ໝູບ ່ ້ານໄຕຫຍວນທີ່ມີ 250 ຄົວ ເຮືອນ ເປັນທ ຕ ີ່ ັ້ງຂ ອງສູນຊ ຸມຊ ົນແ ບບດັ້ງເ ດີມຂ ະ ໜາດໃຫ່ຍທີ່ໃ ຊ້ຈ ັດງານ ແຕ່ງດອງ, ປະຊຸມ, ງານ ແລະ ພ ິທີສໍາຄັນອ ື່ນໆ. ໝູບ ່ ້ານວຽງເໜືອໄດ້ໃຫ້ ໄຄແຜ່ນພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຊິມ, ເ ປັນຂ ອງຫວ ່າງທີ່ມ ລ ີ ົດຊ າດເຜັດໜ້ ອຍໜຶ່ງ, ແຕ່ເ ວລາກໍ່ບໄໍ່ ດ້ອະນຸຍາດໃຫ້ພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ມ ່ວນຊື່ນກ ັບສຽງເພງ ແລະການຟ້ອນລໍາພື້ນບ ້ານ ລ ວມທັງກ ານປຸງແ ຕ່ງອ າຫານ.

10. ນໍ້າຕົກນ ໍ້າດີ

ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄ ດ້ໄປທ່ຽວຊົມແ ລ້ວເ ກົ້າແຫ່ງ ຈາກສະຖານທີ່ສິບແ ຫ່ງພ າຍ ໃນໜຶ່ງມື້, ຈ ົ່ງນ ໍ້າຕົກນ ໍ້າດີໄວ້ ເພື່ອທ່ຽວຊົມທ ໍາມະຊາດຂອງເມືອງຫລວງນໍ້າ ທາ. ຂັບລ ົດຈັກໄ ປຮອດບ້ານ ນໍ້າດີ, ຊຸມຊ ົນເ ຜົ່າແລນແຕນ ກັບເ ສັ້ນທາງ ຄົດໄ ປຄົດມ າຂ້າມຂົວ ນ້ອຍໆ ແລະ ປີນຂຶ້ນຂ ັ້ນໃ ດຫີນໄ ປຫານໍ້າຕົກທ ີ່ໄຫລລົງໃ ສ່ໜ ອງທາງລຸ່ມ ຂອງສາລາປິກນ ິກ. ໝູບ ່ ້ານຍັງໃ ຫ້ບ ໍລິການລາຍການພັກຄ ້າງຄືນກັບເຮືອນ ຊາວບ້ານ. ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບມີຄ ວາມຮັບຜິດຊອບ ທີຄາລາວານເທຣລ ນໍາສະເໜີອ ີກດ ້ານໜຶ່ງຂອງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ..…ການ ຝຶກຫ ັດກ ານທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບມີຄ ວາມຮັບຜິດຊອບ ແ ລະ ຍ ືນຍ ົງ. ຄງການ STDP ກໍາລັງສ ໂ ້າງສົມດ ູນການທ່ອງທ່ຽວສີຂຽວ ໂ ດຍການດຶງ ດູດເ ອົາທັງນັກເ ດີນປ ່າຜ ໜ ູ້ ຸ່ມນ ້ອຍ ແ ລະບັນດານັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວຜະຈົນໄ ພ. ເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ເ ກີດມ າໃໝ່ບໍ່ຄວນສໍາພັດກ ານທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ອ ີງໃ ສ່ຊ ຸມຊ ົນທ ີ່ທຸກ ຍາກ ໂ ດຍປາດສະຈາກຄວາມກົດດ ັນບ ໍ່? ຈາກບ່ອນຊົມວ ິວທິວທັດເ ທິງພ ຕ ູ າມເສັ້ນທາງ ທີຄ າລາວານເທຣລ, ຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າໄດ້ຄົ້ນພ ົບກ ານທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບມຄ ີ ວາມຮັບຜິດຊອບໃນລາວ ໄປຕາມ ຫົນທາງ ແ ລະ ເ ສັ້ນທາງຍ່າງຂອງປະເທດ.

10. Nam Dee Waterfall

We hit nine of the 10 highlights in one day, leaving the Nam Dee falls for a tour of Luang Namtha Town’s environs. A quick motorscooter ride ended at Ban Nam Dee (Good Water Village), a Lanten community with a zigzagging trail crossing tiny bridges and climbing stone steps to a rocky flume gushing into pools beneath a picnic pavilion. The village also offers homestay programmes.

Mainstreaming Responsible Tourism The Tea Caravan Trail presents another side to travel…the mainstreaming of responsible, sustainable tourism practices. STDP is creating a green-travel balance by attracting more than just young trekkers and hardcore adventure travellers. Shouldn’t baby boomers also have a crack at pro-poor, community-based tourism without so much strain? From my mountain viewpoint on the Tea Caravan Trail, I discovered responsible tourism in Laos follows its roads as well as its trails.

More infomation visit: www.stdplaos.com (Web-based Knowledge Center’s “Visitor Information” )

www.ecotourismlaos.com

www.ChampaMag.com we can guide you more

ESCAPADE

A river-side retreat

For those looking for a place to relax, look no further than the Rivertime Eco-lodge, a real peace of heaven just 29km north-east of Vientiane. On the banks of the Nam Ngum River, the lodge is ideal for a long stay, weekend or even just a lazy Sunday. And best of all, you can feel close to nature and rural life without a long drive to get there. Manager Barnaby and his friendly staff will make you feel instantly at home. The lodge offers seven private cabins and two three-bed dormitories, all equipped with private bathrooms and a balcony. To minimise their impact on the surrounding environment, all the bungalows have been build in a natural space in the forest. Not a single tree was cut down to build them. The floating restaurant serves a delicious selection of Lao and European dishes, and provides a great place to unwind. Don’t miss their wonderful grilled fish, which swim around in holding pens next to the restaurant. You can even choose your own unfortunate finned-friend, who will be whisked away, next to be seen on your plate. In the afternoon, grab a drink at the bar, sit back and enjoy a magnificent sunset over the peaceful waterfront. All the restaurant’s food supplies are sourced from nearby villages, boosting the local economy, reducing wasted packaging, as well as emissions from road transportation. While many come just to relax, there’s plenty to do in the area, including a boat trip, a tour around the local school, trying your hand at traditional rice farming, cooking classes, kayaking and lots more. With the main aim of living in harmony with local people and its natural surroundings, the lodge has developed a community-based business partnership with a nearby village. For every night each guest spends with them, $1 is donated towards local education projects and community-development programmes. Businesses like the Rivertime Echo-Lodge, offer a prime example that more sustainable tourism is both possible and welcome in Laos. By allowing visitors to feel close to this country’s incredible natural wonders, and by working with local communities, they are also fundamental to preserving Laos’ environment and traditional ways of life.

ACCOMMODATION ADVISOR

Vientiane Settha palace hotel

Built in the early part of the last century, circa 1932, and painstakingly restored to its former imperial glory, the Settha Palace Hotel serves as a testament to the long lost era of classical elegance, gracious service and French colonial charm. www.setthapalace.com

Parkview Hotel

ພັກຜ່ອນແຄມແມ່ນໍ້າ

ສໍາລັບຄົນທີ່ຊອກຫາບ່ອນພັກຜ່ອນ, ຄວນລອງໄປສໍາພັດກັບລີສອດ ລີເວີທາມ ອີໂຄ-ລອດຈ໌, ສະຫວັນແຫ່ງການພັກຜ່ອນທີ່ແທ້ຈິງ ພຽງແຕ່ 29 ກມ ໄປທາງຕາເວັນອອກສ່ຽງເໜືອຂອງນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ.

The Park View has luxury serviced apartments featuring 116 rooms, available for monthly and daily rental. It offers a children’s playgroung, swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna, jacuzzi and tennis court as well as a business centre. www.parkview-hotel-link.com

Don Chan Palace hotel

Don Chan Palace is the first ever international five star hotel in the capital of Laos. It is strategically located along the infamous Mekong River and within easy reach to the major cultural sites and ancient temples. www.donchanpalacelaopdr.com

Ansara Hotel

ຢູ່ແຄມແມ່ນໍ້າງື່ມ, ລີສອດແຫ່ງນີ້ ເປັນບ່ອນພັກຜ່ອນໃນອຸດົມຄະຕິສໍາລັບການ ພັກເຊົາໄລຍະຍາວ, ໃນທ້າຍອາທິດ ຫລື ບາງມື້ທີ່ເຊົາຈາກການເຮັດວຽກ ແລະ ດີທີ່ສຸດຄື ທ່ານສາມາດ ຮູ້ສຶກໃກ້ຊິດກັບທໍາມະຊາດ ແລະ ວິຖີຊີວິດຊົນນະບົດ ໂດຍບໍ່ຕ້ອງຂັບລົດໄກ.

Ansara Hotelis home to 12 rooms and 2 suites, all designed for your comfort and enjoyment. The elegantly understated decor is a subtile blend of Lao traditional and Asian contemporary designs www.ansarahotel.com

ຜູ້ຈັດການ ບານນາບີ (Barnaby) ແລະ ບັນດາເພື່ອນຮ່ວມງານທີ່ເປັນກັນເອງ ຂອງລາວ ຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ທ່ານຮູ້ສຶກຄືຢູ່ບ້ານ. ລີສອດມີຫ້ອງພັກແບບສ່ວນຕົວ ເຈັດຫ້ອງ ແລະ ອີກສອງຫ້ອງພັກລວມແບບສາມຕຽງໄວ້ຄອຍບໍລິການ, ຫ້ອງທັງໝົດນີ້ມີຫ້ອງນໍ້າ ແລະລະບຽງ. ເພື່ອເປັນການຫລຸດຜ່ອນຜົນກະທົບຕໍ່ ສິ່ງແວດລ້ອມອ້ອມຂ້າງ, ເຮືອນພັກແຕ່ລະຫລັງຖືກສ້າງຂຶ້ນທ່າມກາງທໍາມະຊາດ ມີປ່າໄມ້ອ້ອມຮອບ. ບໍ່ມີຕົ້ນໄມ້ໃດເລີຍທີ່ຖືກຕັດເພື່ອສ້າງເຮືອນພັກ. ຮ້ານອາຫານລອຍນໍ້າໃຫ້ບໍລິການ ອາຫານລາວທີ່ແຊບຊ້ອຍ ລວມທັງອາຫານ ຕ່າງປະເທດທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບການຄັດເລືອກມາ, ແລະເປັນບ່ອນທີ່ຍອດຢ້ຽມສໍາລັບ ການພັກຜ່ອນ. ຢ່າພາດລອງຊີມປີ້ງປາ, ທີ່ລອຍໄປລອຍມາໃນອ່າງຂ້າງຮ້ານອາ ຫານ. ທ່ານຍັງສາມາດເລືອກເອົາປາຊະນິດໃດກໍ່ໄດ້ເພື່ອມາປຸງແຕ່ງອາຫານ ຂອງທ່ານ. ໃນຕອນທ່ຽງ, ມານັ່ງພັກຜ່ອນໃນບາ ກັບເຄື່ອງດື່ມ ແລະມວ່ນຊື່ນກັບ ບັນຍາກາດຕາເວັນຕົກດິນຢູ່ເທິງໜ້ານໍ້າທີ່ສະຫງົບງຽບ. ວັດຖຸດິບເພື່ອປຸງແຕ່ງອາຫານທຸກປະເພດໃນຮ້ານອາຫານ ແມ່ນນໍາມາຈາກໝູ່ ບ້ານທີ່ຢອ ູ່ ອ ້ ມແອ້ມ, ເພື່ອສົງເສີມເສດຖະກິດທ້ອງຖີ່ນ, ຫລຸດຜ່ອນການສິ້ນ ເປືອງຜະລິດຕະພັນຫຸມ ້ ຫໍ່, ແລະການປ່ອຍສານພິດຈາກການຂົນສົ່ງທາງຖະໜົນ. ໃນຂະນະທີ່ມີຫລາຍຄົນມາເພື່ອພັກຜ່ອນພຽງຢ່າງດຽວ, ໃນພື້ນທີ່ກໍ່ມີກິດຈະກໍາ ຫລາຍຢ່າງໃຫ້ເຮັດເຊັ່ນການລ່ອງເຮືອ, ໄປທ່ຽວເບິ່ງໂຮງຮຽນທ້ອງຖີ່ນ, ລອງ ໃຊ້ມືຂອງທ່ານປູກເຂົ້າແບບວິທີດັ້ງເດີມ, ຮຽນແຕ່ງຂອງກິນ, ຂີ່ເຮືອຄາຍັກ ແລະ ອີກຫລາຍໆຢ່າງ.

In the heart of Asia’s “best preserved city,” there is Villa Maly. A residence. An oasis. A destination unto itself. Once the home of Lao royalty, today Villa Maly is an exquisite boutique hotel, ensconced by a profusion of tropical flora. www.villa-maly.com

ດ້ວຍເປົ້າໝາຍຫລັກໃນການດໍາລົງຊີວິດຢ່າງສາມັກຄີກັບປະຊາຊົນທ້ອງຖີ່ນ ແລະ ທໍາມະຊາດອ້ອມຮອບ, ລີສອດໄດ້ມີການພັດທະນາຮູບແບບ ການ ດໍາເນີນທຸລະກິດໂດຍອີງໃສ່ການຮ່ວມມືກັບຊຸມຊົນ ຫລື ໝູ່ບ້ານອ້ອມຂ້າງ. ທຸກໆຄືນທີ່ແຂກມາພັກ ແລະ ເຂົ້າຮ່ວມກິດຈະກໍານໍາພວກເຂົາ, 1 ໂດລາ ຈະຖືກບໍລິຈາກເພື່ອໂຄງການສຶກສາ ແລະ ການພັດທະນາຊຸມຊົນ. ຮູບແບບການດໍາເນີນທຸລະກິດແບບລີສອດ ລີບເວີທາມ ອີໂຄ-ລອດຈ໌ ສາມາດ ເປັນແບບຢ່າງທີ່ດີທີ່ເອີ້ນວ່າ ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບຍືນຍົງແມ່ນສາມາດເປັນໄປໄດ້ ແລະ ເປັນທີ່ຕ້ອນຮັບຢູ່ລາວ. ໂດຍການໃຫ້ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວຮູ້ສຶກໃກ້ຊິດກັບທໍາມະ ຊາດທີ່ໜ້າມະຫັດສະຈັນຂອງປະເທດ ແລະ ໂດຍການເຮັດວຽກຮ່ວມກັບຊຸມຊົນ ທ້ອງຖີ່ນ, ມັນເປັນຫົວໃຈພື້ນຖານໃນການປົກປັກຮັກສາສະພາບແວດລ້ອມ ແລະ ວິຖີການດໍາລົງຊີວິດ.

Luang Prabang Villa Maly Luang Say Residence

Boasting 24 exquisitely appointed luxury suites, The Luang Say Residence extend through 6 stand alone pavillions and offer a contemporary reflection of life in the French colonial era. www.luangsayresidence.com

Hotel de la Paix

Located in a peaceful residential area, The Hotel de la Paix, in Luang Prabang, blends colonial charm with contemporary style. This sleek boutique hotel is built on a heritage site in the former royal capital of Laos. The resort boasts 23 spacious and luxurious suites featuring elegant wooden furnishings and beautiful bathrooms with bathtubs. http://hoteldelapaixlp.com

Vang Vieng Inthira Villa Vang Vieng

Each of the boutique style guestrooms is designed with modern fittings and feature offers a roof top terrace with a view of the famous limestone mountains which line the Nam Song River. To top its list of facilities, access to the swimming pool of Ban Sabai Bungalow is only a 100 meters away. www.inthirahotels.com

Villa Nam Song

Every room in the hotel offers guests internet access – wireless (complimentary), shower, complimentary bottled water, non smoking rooms. In addition, this property in Vang Vieng has bar/pub, Wi-Fi in public areas, disabled facilities. www.villanamsong.com

Nam Lik Eco-village

Lovers and specialists of Nature, travelers and sports or relaxation addicts will all find in Nam Lik a dream place to enjoy their leisure. The resort has been designed as a still and harmonious place to fit in the wild landscape as well as a human project linked to the village, Ban That Wang Monh. www.namlik.com

Sports

ຄັ້ງທຳອິດໃນປະຫວັດສາດຈັດການ ແຂ່ງຂັນກ໊ອບ ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ລາວ ໂອເພັນ

LUANG PRABANG LAO OPEN LAUNCHED ON ASEAN PGA TOUR ການຈັດການແຂ່ງຂັນກ໊ອບ ‘’ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ລາວ ໂອເພັນ’’ ຄັ້ງທຳອິດລະດັບອາຊຽນພີຈີເອ ທົວ ເພື່ອຮອງຮັບການ ເຕີບໂຕ ແລະ ພັດທະນາການວົງກອບຂອງ ສປປ ລາວ. ການແຂ່ງຂັນແມ່ນລະຫວ່າງວັນທີ 3-6 ພຶດສະພາ 2012

ສະໝາມຫຼວງພຣະບາງກ໊ອບຄລັບ ເຊິ່ງເງິນລາງວັນລວມສູງເຖິງ 80,000 ຫຼຽນສະຫາລັດ ແລະ ເປັນລາຍການແຂ່ງຂັນ ລາຍການທີ່ສາມຂອງລະດູການໃນຕາຕະລາງການແຂ່ງຂັນກ໊ອບຂອງ ອາຊຽນ ພີຈີເອ ທົວ.

ທ່ານ ດຣ. ຄຳແພງ ໄຊສົມແພງ ເຈົ້າແຂວງ ແຂວງຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ກ່າວວ່າ ການແຂ່ງຂັນກ໊ອບ

‘’ດ້ວຍຄວາມຮ່ວມມືລະຫວ່າງ ພັກ-ລັດ ແລະ ເອກະຊົນຕ່າງໆທີ່ຕ້ອງການເສີມສ້າງຊື່ສຽງຂອງເມືອງຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ແລະ ພັດທະນາວົງການກ໊ອບຂອງລາວໃຫ້ປາກົດໃນສັງຄົມໂລກພ້ອມນັ້ນຍັງເປັນການປະຊາສຳພັນ ລາວ ໃຫ້ສອດຄ່ອງກັບ ປີແຫ່ງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວລາວ. ປະເທດລາວ ເຄີຍເປັນເຈົ້າພາບຈັດການແຂ່ງຂັນ ກ໊ອບໃນປີ 2009 ໂດຍຈັດເປັນກິລາປະ ເພດໜຶ່ງໃນການແຂ່ງຂັນຊີເກມຄັ້ງທີ 25 ເຊິ່ງເປັນປະເທດເຈົ້າພາບ”.

ສະໜາມ ຫຼວງພຣະບາງກ໊ອບຄລັບ ເປັນສະໜາມກ໊ອບໄດ້ມາດຕະຖານໂລກເຊິ່ງຫ່າງຈາກເມືອງຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ແລະ

ສະໜາມບິນພຽງແຕ່ 15 ນາທີ ເທົ່ານັ້ນ ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ລາວ ໂອເພັນ ຈະເປັນລາຍການກິລາທີ່ສຳຄັນຂອງປະເທດລາວ ອີກຢ່າງໜຶ່ງ ເຊິ່ງເປັນລາຍການທີ່ໜ້າຕື່ນເຕັ້ນ ແລະ ໜ້າຕິດຕາມນອກຈາກນີ້ລາຍການແຂ່ງຂັນຄັ້ງນີ້ຈະເປັນລາຍການ ແຂ່ງຂັນໜຶ່ງທີ່ຈະຊ່ວຍສົ່ງເສີມນັກກິລາກ໊ອບລຸ້ນໃໝ່ຂອງຊາດລາວອີກດ້ວຍ.

ການແຂ່ງຂັນລະດັບ ອາຊຽນ ພີຈີເອ ທົວ ເລີ່ມແຕ່ປີ 2007 ລະດູການນີ້ເປັນລະດູການທີ່ 6 ແລະ ເປັນການແຂ່ງຂັນທີ່ເປີ

ດໂອກາດໃຫ້ນັກກ໊ອບລະດັບມືອາຊີບໃນພູມີພາກອາຊຽນໄດ້ຮ່ວມແຂ່ງຂັນເພື່ອເກັບກ່ຽວປະສົບການກ່ອນເຂົ້າສູ່ລາຍກາ ນແຂ່ງຂັນກ໊ອບລະດັບສູງຕໍ່ໄປ. ຂໍ້ມູນເພີ່ມໄດ້ທີ່ www.golflaoopen.com

In a far reaching development for golf in the region, Laos will host its very first professional golf tournament this May when the Luang Prabang Lao Open tees-off on the ASEAN PGA Tour. Signifying the rapid expansion of golf in the region and in particular into new untapped nations, the Luang Prabang Lao Open will be played at Luang Prabang Golf Club from May 3 to 6. The tournament prize money is US$80,000 and will be the third event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour. For more information, please visit www.golflaoopen.com

Colonial Charm, Luxurious Elegance www.setthapalace.com

E-mail: reservations@setthapalace.com 6 Pang Kham Street, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 21-217581/2 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: (856) 21-217583 A Belmont International Hotel

MAKING TRACK

ສະຫວັນ

ຂອງຄົນຮ ັກທໍາມະຊາດ

ເ ປັນບ ້ານສໍາລັບປ່າຝ ົນແຫ່ ງໜ ຶ່ງທີ່ອຸດົມສົມບູນທ ີ່ສຸດຂ ອງ ໂລກ, ເ ຊິ່ງສ່ວນໃຫ່ຍໄ ດ້ຮັບການຄຸ້ມຄ ອງໂດຍ ເຂດອະນຸລັກ ຊີວະນາໆພັນແ ຫ່ງຊ າດ (NBCA), ແ ລະການພັດທະນາ ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບທໍາມະຊາດ, ແຂວງຫລວງນໍ້າທາທາງ ພາກເໜືອ ແ ມ່ນສ ະຫວັນສ ໍາລັບຜ ູ້ທີ່ຮັກທໍາມະຊາດ. ສະມາ ຊິກຄ ອບຄົວຂ ອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າສອງຄົນ ກະຕືລລ ື ົ້ນຢ າກໄປ ສໍາຫລວດກິດຈະກໍາກາງແຈ້ງທໜ ີ່ ້າຕື່ນເ ຕັ້ນ, ມັນເ ປັນທ າງ ເລືອກທີ່ຂ້ອນຂ້າງຊັດເ ຈນຢູ່ແລ້ວໃນລະຫ່ວາງທພ ີ່ ວກເຂົາມາ ຢ້ຽມຢາມລາວ.

A nature lover’s

paradise Home to some of the world’s most pristine monsoon rainforest, most of which is protected by the National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA), as well as the development of echo-tourism, the northwestern province of Luang Nam Tha is a paradise for nature lovers. With two members of my family keen to explore the great outdoors, it was the obvious choice during their visit to Laos. We decided to make our way north by road in order to enjoy the incredible variety of beautiful scenery on the road north from Vientiane. Europcar provided us with an ideal 4X4, driven by Bounmy, a highly skilled and professional driver. In light of the road conditions, we were relieved to have an experienced driver at the wheel.

MAKING TRACK ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕັດສິນໃ ຈພາກັນຂ ຶ້ນໄ ປທ່ຽວທາງພາກເໜືອ ເພື່ອສ ໍາຜັດກ ັບບ ັນຍ າກາດ ແລະ ວ ິວທິວທັດທ ີ່ຫລາກຫລາຍ ແ ລະ ຄວາມງົດງ າມຂອງທຳມະຊາດທີ່ສ້າງໄວ້ຕາມເສັ້ນທ າງສາຍເໜືອຈາກ ວຽງຈັນ. ສະປອນເຊີໃຈດີຍໂ ູ ຣຄາ (Europcar) ໄດ້ໃຫ້ລ ົດຂັບເຄື່ອນ 4 ລໍ້ແກ່ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ພ້ອມດ້ວຍຄົນຂັບລົດຊື່ວ່າ ບຸນມ ີ ທີ່ມ ີສີມື ແ ລະ ຊໍານານທາງດີໃນສະພາບເສັ້ນທາງເຊັ່ນນ ັ້ນ ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຮູ້ສຶກອຸ່ນ ໃຈທໄີ່ ດ້ຄົນຂັບລົດທີ່ ມປ ີ ະສົບການຂັບລົດໃຫ້ຈຶ່ງບໍ່ເສຍເວລາຫຼາຍໃນ ແວະບ່ອນນັ້ນບ່ອນນີ້. ຫລັງຈາກສອງມື້ ຂັບລົດຜ ່ານບາງເຂດທີ່ມີວິວທິວທັດສ ວຍງາມທີ່ສຸດ ຂອງລາວ, ໃນທີ່ສຸດພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າກໍ່ໄດ້ມາຮອດເມືອງຫລວງນໍ້າທາທີ່ ສະຫງົບງ ຽບ ໃ ນພາກເໜືອຂອງລາວ. ຕັ້ງຢ ູ່ທ່າມກາງພູເຂົາພາກເໜືອ ມີຊ າຍແດນຕິດກ ັບປະເທດຈີນ, ເ ມືອງຫລວງຂອງແຂວງມີບັນຍາກາດ ແບບຄາບອຍທີ່ຢຫ ູ່ ່າງໄກ ແຕ່ກ ໍ່ຍັງຖືເ ປັນຈ ຸດເລີ່ມຕົ້ນທ ີ່ບໍ່ມບ ີ ັນຫາ ສໍາລັບຜ ູ້ທີ່ຕ້ອງການສໍາຫລວດສິ່ງມ ະຫັດສະຈັນທ າງທໍາມະຊາດຂອງ ພື້ນທ ີ່. ເ ພື່ອເ ປັນກ ານພັກຜ ່ອນຈາກການເດີນທາງທີ່ຍາວໄກ, ພວກຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າຕ ັດສິນໃ ຈພັກຢ ູ່ເຮືອນພັກໂ ບດແລນດິງ ທ ີ່ຫ່າງຈາກຕົວເ ມືອງພຽງ ແຕ່ 6 ກມ ເ ທົ່ານັ້ນ ເຊິ່ງເ ປັນທ າງເລືອກທີ່ດີເລີດເ ພາະມັນຕັ້ງຢ ູ່ແຄມແມ່ ນໍ້າ. ເຮືອນພັກດ ັ່ງກ ່າວນີ້ມີ ເ ຮືອນພັກບ ັງກ ະໂລຫລາຍຫລັງທີ່ສ້າງດ້ວຍ ວັດສະດຸແລະຕົກແ ຕ່ງແບບທ້ ອງຖີ່ນ ແຕ່ກ ໍ່ຍັງສ າມາດໃຫ້ບ ໍລິການ ນັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວຢ່າງສະດວກສະບາຍຕາມປົກກະຕິ. ຢູເ່ ທິງລ ະບຽງ ກໍ່ມີ ຮ້ານອາຫານ ໃ ຫ້ບ ໍລິການອາຫານພາກເໜືອທີ່ມລ ີ ົດຊ າດແຊບຊ້ອຍທີ່ ບໍ່ຄວນພາດໂອກາດລອງຊີມ.

To recover from the long drive, we decided to stay at the Boat Landing Guest House just 6km out of town, which proved an excellent choice with its stunning river-side location. The guest house consisted of several bungalows constructed using local materials and in a local style, while still offering all the usual comforts. On an open verandah, the restaurant serves delicious northern dishes that are not to be missed.

ຫລັງຈາກໄດ້ນອນພັກຜ ່ອນແລ້ວ, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ພ້ອມແລ້ວທີ່ຈະເດີນທາງອອກສໍາຫລວດ. ພວກຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າໄດ້ຈ ່ອງລາຍການເດີນປ ່າສ ອງມື້ ແລະອີກໜ ຶ່ງມ ື້ຂີ່ ເຮືອຄາຍັກ ກັບທ າງບໍລິສັດນ ໍາທ່ຽວກຣີນດີສ ຄັບເ ວີຣີ, ເປັນບ ໍລິສັດທ ີ່ໃຫ້ບ ໍລິການນໍາທ່ຽວແບບອະນຸລັກທ ໍາ ມະຊາດ ທີ່ໄ ດ້ຮັບການກໍ່ຕັ້ງມ າດົນແ ລ້ວ. ລາຍການ ທ່ອງທ່ຽວນີ້ຈ ະນໍາພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຜ່ານສາມໝູ່ ບ້ານຊົນເ ຜົ່າ ລວມມີ ແ ລນແຕນ ແລະ ສອງໝູ່ບ້ານ ກຶມມຸ. ນອກຈາກນກ ີ້ ານເດີນທາງຍັງຜ ່ານປ່າຝ ົນ ເຂດຮ້ອນຫລາຍລະດັບ ແ ລະ ບາງພື້ນທ ີ່ເນີນສ ູງທ ີ່ ໃຊ້ສ ໍາລັບເ ຮັດກະສິກໍາ. ມື້ທ ີສາມຂອງພວກຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າ ແມ່ນກ ານໄປຂີ່ເຮືອຄາຍັກຕ າມລໍາແມ່ນໍ້າທາ ທີ່ໄຫລຜ່ານເຂດປ່າສະຫງວນ.

After a restful sleep, we were more than ready to explore. We booked two days trekking and a day of kayaking with Green Discovery, a long established echo-tourism operator in the town. The trip would take us through three Lanten and two Khmu hill-tribe villages. The trail also passes tropical rainforest in various stages of regeneration, as well as some upland areas used for agriculture.

ມື້ທ ີສີ່ ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຂັບລ ົດໄ ປຕາມຫົນທ າງ ເປັນຂ ຸມເ ປັນໂ ນນ ແຕ່ຕ າມຫົນທາງໄປ ນາແລ ສໍາຜັດຄວາມງາມ,ໄກ 60 ກມ ຈາກຫລວງນໍ້າທາ, ບ່ອນທີ່ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໃຊ້ເ ວລາອີກ ສອງຊົ່ວ ໂມງໃນເຮືອພາຍແບບດັ້ງເ ດີມ ເພື່ອໄ ປຮອດ ໝູ່ບ້ານຄອນຂັນທີ່ຢູ່ຫ່າງໄກສອກຫລີກ.

After two days driving across some of Laos’ most spectacular landscapes, we finally arrived in the sleepy northern town of Luang Nam Tha. Nestled in the northern mountains just a stones-throw from the Chinese border, the provincial capital has a remote cowboy feel but is still the undisputed jump-off point for those looking to explore the area’s natural wonders.

Our third day was spent kayaking down the Nam Tha River, which flows through some of the more densely populated parts of the NBCA. On our fourth day, we took a drive off the beaten track along a very bumpy but beautiful road towards Nale, 60km from Luang Namtha, where we spent two hours in a traditional pirogue to reach the remote village of Khone Khan. Khone Khan was amazing. We felt as if we had completely left the outside world behind, immersed in the area’s breathtaking scenery. As ever, Lao hospitality shone through, with our boat driver welcoming us into his home for a great evening with his family and plenty of home-made Lao Lao (rice whisky).

ວຽງຈັນ-ຫຼວງນຳ້ທາ-ວຽງຈັນ ສາມຖຽ້ວຕໍ່ອາທິດ: ຈັນ, ພຸດ ແລະ ສຸກ, ເບີ່ງເພີ່ມເຕີມທີ່ຫນ້າ 57 Lao Airlines’ flight three times per week: Mon, Wed and Fri: VTE - LNT-VTE Read more on page 57

MAKING TRACK

ໝູ່ບ້ານຄອນຂັນເປັນທີ່ໜ ້າມະຫັດສະຈັນຫລ າຍ. ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຮູ້ສຶກພໍປານວ່າໄ ດ້ຕົກໄ ປຢູ່ໃນອີກໂ ລກໜຶ່ງ, ໄດ້ເຂົ້າໄປຢູ່ໃນເຂດທີ່ ມີບັນຍາກາດມະຫັດສະຈັນ. ຕາມເຄີຍ ນໍ້າໃຈຂອງຄົນລ າວສ່ອງແສງ ອອກມາຢູ່ສະເໜີ, ຄົນຂ ັບເ ຮືອຂອງພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ໄດ້ເຊີນພ ວກ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເຂົ້າໄປໃນເຮືອນເພື່ອຮ ູ້ຈັກກ ັບຄ ອບຄົວຂ ອງລາວ ແລະ ກິນເ ຫລົ້າທີ່ເຮັດແບບລາວໆ (ເຫລົ້າເຂົ້ າໜຽວ) ເສັ້ນທາງຕັດໃ ໝ່ເ ຊື່ອມຕໍ່ ນາແລ ໄ ປຮອດ ເມືອງວຽງພູຄ າ, ເ ປັນ ເສັ້ນທາງທີ່ເປັນຂ ຸມເ ປັນໂ ນນຮ້າຍແຮງອີ່ຫລີທີ່ບໍ່ລືມນ ອກຈາກວິວທິວ ທັດ. ເ ມື່ອມ າຮອດເມືອງສິງ, ເ ປັນໄ ປບໍ່ໄດ້ທີ່ຈະບໍ່ຢຸດແວ່ ເຊົາຢູ່ເມືອງ ທີ່ມີຊົນເ ຜົ່າອັນຫລ າກຫລາຍແຫ່ງນ ີ້: ມົ້ງ, ໄ ຕດໍາ, ອາຄ່າ, ໄ ຕລື້ ແລະ ຢ້າວ. ຊົນເ ຜົ່າລາວສູງເ ລົ່ານີ້ດໍາລົງຊ ີວິດຢູ່ໃກ້ກ ັນ. ມື້ຕໍ່ມາ ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ໄປເດີນປ ່າອ ີກຮ ອບໜຶ່ງ ຜ່ານປ່າໄ ມ້ໄຜ່ ແລະກ້ວຍປ່າ, ເ ທື່ອນ ີ້ແມ່ນໄ ປນອນຄ້າງຄືນກ ັບໝ ູ່ບ້ານຊາວຢ້າວ. ຫລັງຈາກອີກສ ອງຄືນຢ ູ່ເມືອງສິງ, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າພົບວ ່າ ຢູອ ່ ້ອມແອ້ມ ກໍ່ມຫລ ີ າຍອັນໃ ຫ້ເ ບິ່ງ. ນັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວສາມາດເຊົ່າລົດຖີບ ເ ພື່ອຂ ໄີ່ ປ ທ່ຽວຊົມເ ຂດນອກເມືອງທີ່ສວຍງາມຄືກ ັບຄ ົນທ ້ອງຖີ່ນຄົນໜ ຶ່ງ, ໄປທ່ຽວ ຊົມທ າດ ຊຽງຕຸງ , ແລະບ້ານ ຄຸ້ມ ທີ່ມ ີຊື່ສຽງ, ເ ປັນບ ່ອນຜະລິດເ ຫລົ້າທີ່ ດີທສ ີ່ ຸດຂ ອງລາວ.

A new track connects Nale to Vieng Phoukha District, a seriously bumpy ride that was unforgettable for the scenery alone. On arriving in Muang Sing, it is impossible not to be struck by the town’s ethnic diversity. Hmong, Tai Dam, Akha, Tai Lue and Yao hill-tribes all go about their daily lives in close proximity to each other. The next day, we did another great trek through primary bamboo and wild banana forest, this time spending the night in a Yao hill-tribe village. After two more nights in Muang Sing, we found that when explored more thoroughly, the surrounding area has a lot to offer. Visitors can rent a bike and explore the beautiful countryside, visit the Xeing Tung Stupa, as well as the famous Ban Koum village, home to some of Laos’ best rice whisky (Lao Lao). No doubt we will be returning to explore the spectacular mountains of Xieng Khaeng, an area that has only just opened up to tourists.

ເປັນທີ່ແນ່ນອນວ່າ ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຈະກັບມ າສໍາຫລວດພູເຂົາໜ່ວຍ ຕໍ່ໄປທີ່ຢູ່ແຂວງ ຊຽງຂວາງ, ບ່ອນທີ່ຫາກໍ່ເ ປີດໃ ຫ້ນັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວໃດ້ໄປ ທ່ຽວຊົມ.

ພິເສດສຸດໆ…. ‘’ຂໍຂອບໃຈຜູ້ສະໜັບສະໜູນໃຈດີຂອງພວກເຮົາ ຢູໂຣບຄາທີ່ຄຽງຄູ່ໄປກັບ ພວກເຮົາທຸກບ່ອນ”

Special thanks to Europecar for getting us there safely

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ACCOMMODATION ADVISOR

North

South

Nong Khiaw Riverside

Residence Sisouk - Pakse

Large and comfortable wooden bungalows on stilts with breathtaking river view. Warm welcome by Eskil the Danish owner and his friendly team. Excellent home made food. The place to stay. www.nongkiau.com

Overlooking the Sedone River, it offers you a unique view of the mouth of the river flowing into the Mekong. Near the shopping/restaurant area and close to Wat Luang, the main Buddhist Pagoda of the district, you may experience Pakse lifestyle, making the most of comfort that our staff offers you. www.residence-sisouk.com

Inthira Champasak

Located only 8 km form the World Heritage Site of Wat Phu, the boutique hotel offers 14 comfortable rooms. www.inthirahotels.com

Auberge Phouphadend-Phonsavan

A delightful little resort on a hilltop in the countryside near Phonsavan, the base for exploring the famous ‘Plain of Jars’. Fifteen comfortable wooden bungalows are spread through the forest cover of pine and fern trees.

Kingfisher Ecolodge-Champassak province

Charming Lao Hotel

La Folie Laos-Done Daeng

The Charming Lao Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Oudomxai. All rooms and suites are fully equipped with modern facilities. Best choice in town. www.charminglaohotel.com

Is a great little retreat in Champasak Province. The area around the lodge is one of the most beautiful in the country and great for those that love the outdoors. The lodge is situated close to the Xe Pian Natural Protected Area, a haven for flora and fauna www.kingfisherecolodge.com Located on Dong Daeng Island, on the banks of the Mekong River in southern Laos, where exceptional natural beauty and unspoilt charm combine with areas of significant cultural interest, La Folie Lodge sits on a secluded beach facing the ruined Khmer temples of Wat Phou. www.lafolie-laos.com

Sala Hinboun

The boat landing

The premier ecotourism lodge in Luang Namtha with access to the Nam Ha Protected Area. The bungalows are constructed with local materials in a local Lao style adapted for your comfort and pleasure. www.theboatlanding.com

Sala Hinboun, the Lao traditional residence built entirely in local timber, carefully decorated to match the way of life, set on the Hinboun River bank surrounded lime stone cliffs, near by the famous Kong Lor cave. www.salalao.com

Tadlo Lodge - Salavan

Tadlo Lodge is located in a spectacular area of natural beauty. Its in a prime location, spanning both sides of the Sexet River at Tad Lo village, with the Tad Hang waterfalls just below. The dazzling natural beauty of the area provides the perfect ambiance for you to relax and take in the stunning scenery. www.tadlolodge.com

by i n sm a i

www.ChampaMag.com we can guide you more

EVENT & FESTIVAL

ປະເພນີບຸນບັ້ງໄຟ

ມີຄວາມໝາຍແນວໃດ

ເຫດຂອງການເຮັດບຸນບັ້ງໄຟ

ບຸນບັ້ງໄຟເປັນບຸນປະເພນີຂອງເດືອນຫົກ (ລາວ) ທີ່ລະບຸໄວ້ໃນຮີດ 12 ຂອງລາວເຮົາ, ບຸນນີ້ແມ່ນການນຳບັ້ງໄຟໄປຈູດບູຊາແກ່ເທວະດາອາ ຮັກມະເຫສັກຫຼັກເມືອງ. ເພື່ອເຮັດໃຫ້ການສ້າງຢູ່ທຳກິນໃນໄລຍະລະດູຝົນມີຄວາມອູດົມສົມບູນປາສະຈາກແລ້ງ, ຖ້ວມ, ສັດຕູພືດທຳລາຍ ແລະ ໃຫ້ຟ້າຝົນຕົກຖືກຕ້ອງຕາມລະດູການ ຫຼື ຈະເອີ້ນວ່າເປັນການຖວາຍຂໍຟ້າຂໍຝົນຕາມລະດູການຕາມປົກກະຕິກໍໄດ້.

ປະເພດບັ້ງໄຟ

ບັ້ງໄຟຕາມປົກກະຕິແມ່ນຕຳໝື້ ຫຼື ຂີ້ເຈຍ ໃສ່ກະບັ້ງໄມ້ໄຜ່ (ສ່ວນຂີ້ເຈຍມີກຳມະວິທີຜະລິດຕ່າງຫາກ) ຂະໜາດຕ່າງໆໃຫ້ແໜ້ນແລ້ວນຳໄປປະດັບ ປະດາແລ້ວຈຶ່ງນຳໄປຈູດຕາມທີ່ກຳນົດ. ບັ້ງໄຟມີຫລາຍປະເພດຫລາຍຂະໜາດ ນັບແຕ່ຂະໜາດນ້ອຍໄປເຖິງຂະໜາດໃຫ່ຍຈົນໃຊ້ຄົນຫາມໄປຈູດ ຢູ່ຄ້າງທີ່ປຸກ ສ້າງຂຶ້ນສະເພາະ ແລະ ຊື່ບັ້ງໄຟກໍ່ແຕກຕ່າງກັນເຊັ່ນ: ບັ້ງໄຟມ້າ (ຈູດຍາມເຜົາສົບຂອງພະສົງຜູ້ໃຫ່ຍ ຫຼື ບຸກຄົນສຳຄັນ) ບັ້ງໄຟຈິນາຍ, ບັ້ງໄຟຕະໄລ, ບັ້ງໄຟພຸ, ບັ້ງໄຟກົງ ແລະ ບັ້ງໄຟດອກໄມ້ ຈູດໃນເທດສະການ ຫຼື ງານບຸນຕ່າງໆພາຍໃນວັດ, ສ່ວນບັ້ງໄຟຫາງ ຫຼື ບັ້ງໄຟໝື່ນ ບັ້ງໄຟ ແສນແມ່ນຈູດຖວາຍບູຊາເພື່ອຂໍໃຫ້ຝົນຕົກຖືກຕ້ອງຕາມລະດູການແມ່ນເພີ່ນຈັດຕັ້ງເປັນບຸນຕ່າງ ຫາກເອີ້ນວ່າບຸນບັ້ງໄຟປະຈຳປີ, ບັ້ງໄຟຊະນິດອື່ນໆບໍ່ຕັ້ງເປັນບຸນມີແຕ່ຈູດມ່ວນນຳ ງານເທດສະການທີ່ຖືກອະນຸຍາດເທົ່ານັ້ນ. (ສ່ວນບັ້ງໄຟລ້ານທີ່ຄົນ ສະໄໝນີ້ເຮັດໃນບາງບ່ອນນັ້ນບໍ່ໄດ້ບອກໄວ້ໃນປະເພນີເລີຍ)

ການຫຼີ້ນບຸນບັ້ງໄຟ

ກ່ອນຈະເຮັດບຸນບັ້ງໄຟໃນແຕ່ລະບ້ານເພິ່ນຕັ້ງຄະນະກຳມະການຂຶ້ນເພື່ອຮັບຜິດຊອບງານບຸນ ເຊັ່ນ: ເຊີນບ້ານຕ່າງໆເຂົ້າຮ່ວມ, ຕັ້ງຄະນະປ້ອງ ກັນຄວາມສະຫງົບງານບຸນ, ກະກຽມກະຕິກາລະບຽບການຕ່າງໆ, ກຽມລາງວັນບັ້ງໄຟ. ເມື່ອຮອດມື້ຈູດແທ້ໆກຳມະການ ຈະຈັດຄິວຈູດໃຫ້ແຕ່ລະຄະນະ ກວດກາບັ້ງໄຟວ່າເອົາໄມ້ໄຜ່ເຮັດ ຫຼື ເອົາທໍ່ໂລຫະ ທໍ່ຢາງແປບນ້ຳເຮັດໂດຍປົກກະຕິກຳມະການເພິ່ນໃຫ້ ໃຊ້ແຕ່ໄມ້ໄຜ່, ໃຫ້ຄະແນນບັ້ງໄຟຂຶ້ນສູງ, ໃຫ້ຄະແນນບັ້ງໄຟເອ້ງາມ, ໃຫ້ຄະແນນເຊີ້ງມ່ວນ. ສ່ວນການຫຼີ້ນມ່ວນກໍ່ແມ່ນບໍລິເວນຈູດບັ້ງໄຟ ຫຼີ້ນໜ້າກາກແຕ້ມຂິ້ໝິ່ນໝໍ້ ແຕ້ມສີ ຕະຫຼົກເຮຮາ ຜູ້ຊາຍຂີ້ດື້ນຸ່ງເຄື່ອງແມ່ຍິງ ແມ່ຍິງກໍຫຼີ້ນແບບບໍ່ທຳມະດາເຊີ້ງສຽດສີຢີກແກມຢອກຮ້ອງລຳ ທຳເພງເປັນກັນເອງ ເມື່ອຜູ້ຊົມເຫັນແລ້ວສົ່ງສຽງຫົວຈົນໄສ້ຂົດໄສ້ໂຂ. ເວລາບັ້ງໄຟບ້ານໃດຈູດບໍ່ຂຶ້ນ ຫຼື ແຕກ ຄາອ່າງຍ່າງຢູ່ຄ້າງ ນາຍຊ່າງ ແລະ ຜູ້ນຳຂະບວນເຂົ້າຮ່ວມຈະຖືກຫາມລົງອາບຂີ້ຕົມ ຫຼື ນ້ຳໜອງ ຫຼື ຖືກບັບໃໝດ້ວຍສາໂທໂອໃຫ່ຍ. ປະເພນີບຸນບັ້ງໄຟດັ້ງເດີມ ບ້ານເຈົ້າພາບຈະຕ້ອນຮັບແຂກຜູ້ມາຢາມດ້ວຍອາຫານການກິນພື້ນເມືອງເຊັ່ນ: ລາບ, ກ້ອຍເຂົ້າປຸ້ນເຂົ້າປາດ, ສາໂທໂອໃຫ່ຍ, ເຫຼົ່າຢາປາແປ້ງໃຫ້ລ້ຽງເຫຼືອເກືອອີ່ມເພື່ອຄວາມອຸດົມສົມບູນຂອງລະດູການຜະລິດໃໝ່ທີ່ຈະມາເຖິງ. ຢູ່ໃນທ້ອງຖິ່ນຕ່າງໆທົ່ວປະ ເທດກໍຈັດຕັ້ງເຊັ່ນກັນໂດຍຖືເອົາເດືອນຫົກເປັນເດືອນເຮັດບຸນບັ້ງໄຟ ບ່ອນບໍ່ມີເງື່ອນໄຂກໍເຮັດແຕ່ພໍເປັນຮີດ ການຈັດຕັ້ງບຸນໃນປັດຈຸບັນຈະເຮັດ ໃຫ່ຍເຮັດນ້ອຍໄດ້ນັ້ນຂຶ້ນກັບອົງການປົກຄອງບ້ານພິຈາລະນາ ເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າໃນສູ່ມື້ນີ້ການຂະຫຍາຍຕົວຂອງຊຸມຊົນມີຫລາຍຂຶ້ນ ເນື້ອທີ່ໄລຍະບັ້ງ ໄຟໄປຈຳກັດບໍ່ສາມາດບັງຄັບໄດ້ຈຶ່ງຕ້ອງໄດ້ມີການລະມັດລະວັງຄວາມປອດໄພເຊັ່ນດຽວກັນກໍຕ້ອງລະວັງບໍ່ໃຫ້ຖືກເສັ້ນທາງເດີນຂອງສາຍການ ບິນຕ່າງໆອີກດ້ວຍ. ຢູ່ນະຄອນຫຼວງ ແລະ ແຂວງວຽງຈັນເພິ່ນຈັດໃນເຂດຮອບນອກບໍ່ໃຫ້ມີຜົນກະທົບຕໍ່ຊີວິດ ແລະ ຊັບສິນຂອງປະຊາຊົນ, ທ້ອງຖິ່ນທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງໃນການຈັດບຸນ ບັ້ງໄຟຜ່ານມາກໍມີ ບ້ານນາຊອນ ບ້ານນາທາມ ທົ່ງມັ່ງ ບ້ານເກີນ ປາກກະຍຸງ ລິ່ງຊັນ ຕານປ່ຽວ ແລະ ອື່ນໆ

Boun Bang Fai Rocket Festival What is Boun Bang Fai?

The Boun Bang Fai or Rocket Festival, marks the sixth month of the lunar calendar. During the festival, rockets are fired into the air to ask the god of rain to help nurture a good harvest free from drought, floods or pests. Traditionally, rockets are made by stuffing gunpowder into elaborately decorated bamboo. But today, many different materials are used, including glass or metal piping. They come in a variety of sizes from very small to very large. When ready, the rockets are carried to a communal launch-pad. There are numerous types, each serving an individual purpose. The rocket designed to carry prayers to the rain god during Boun Bang Fai, is known as a Hang or Meun-Saen. The Ma is used to mark the passing of someone important. And Chi Nay, Ta Lai and Phu, mark the beginning of important ceremonies and festivals.

The Celebration

Prior to Boun Bang Fai, each village puts together a committee to organise all aspects of the festival, including inviting other villages, introducing rules and safety measures and organising prizes for the best rockets. On the day of the festival, the Boun Bang Fai becomes a toughly contested competition, which generally only bamboo rockets are allowed to enter. First, each rocket is inspected and categorised. Scores are given for the highest flyer, the most beautiful decoration, and the most entertaining team; a category in which just about anything goes, from elaborate masks to men wearing womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothes, while women dance and sing. If any of the rockets fail to explode, the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technician and leader are forced to drink muddy water or Satho (rice whisky). Throughout the celebrations, hosts prepare a variety of traditional food for their guests. These days, the size and location of the event is controlled due to numerous safety concerns, including limited space and overlaps with aircraft routes. But nevertheless, most continue to celebrate the festival in one way or another. In Vientiane, Boun Bang Fai is organised in the outskirts of the city to avoid damage to property and help keep participants safe. The most famous events are held in the surrounding villages of Nason, Natham, Thongmang, Kern, Pakhanhoung and many others.

OUTSIDE DISTINATION

ເດີນທາງໄປ

ເມືອງໂຮຈີມິນ

Destination Ho Chi Minh City

ເ

ມືອງໂຮຈິມິນເຊິ່ ງໃ ນອະດີດເ ອີ້ນວ່າໄຊງ່ ອນ ເປັນເ ມືອງໃຫ່ຍທີ່ມ ີຊິວິດ ຊີວ່າທີ່ສຸດແ ຫ່ງໜ ຶ່ງຂອງຫວຽດນາມ ມີກິດຈະກໍາຫຼາຍຢ່າງໃຫ້ນ ັກທ ່ອງ ທ່ຽວຕ່າງ ປະເທດໄດ້ສໍາພັດ.

ຮຈິມິນເ ປັນໜ ໂ ຶ່ງໃນມະຫານະຄອນທີ່ຄ ຶກຄັກທ ີ່ສຸດໃ ນໂລກ. ດ້ວຍຈໍານວນ ປະຊາກອນປະມານ 7 ລ້ານຄົນ ແລະລົດຈັກອີກ 3 ລ້ານຄັນ, ການຂ້າມທາງ ຊື່ໆກ ໍ່ເປັນກ ານຜະຈົນໄ ພຢູ່ແລ້ວ. ບໍ່ວ່າຈ ະເປັນຕ ອນກາງເວັນ ຫລື ກາງຄືນ, ສຽງເພງຂອງເມືອງຈະນໍາກົ້ນທ ່ານໄປທຸກຫ ົນແ ຫ່ງ - ສຽງແກລົດຈັກນ ັບ ພັນຄ ັນບີບກ ັນບ ໍ່ມຢ ີ ຸດ. ແລະ ແນ່ນອນທີ່ສຸດ ໂຮຈິມິນ ຍັງຄ ອງຕໍາແໜ່ງທີ່ມີ ຊື່ສຽງໃນຖານະເປັນໜ ຶ່ງໃນນະຄອນຫລວງທີ່ດ ີທີ່ສຸດ ສໍາລັບການກິນດ ື່ມ ແລະ ງານລ້ຽງ ດ້ວຍຈໍານວນບາ ແລະ ຄລັບ ຫລາກຫລາຍທີ່ມຊ ີ ື່ສຽງລະດັບ ສາກົນ. ມັນເ ປັນນ ະຄອນຫລວງທບ ີ່ ໍ່ເຄີຍຫລ ັບຢ່າງແທ້ຈິງ. ໃນເມືອງຍັງ ມີຫລາຍສິ່ງຫລ າຍຢ່າງ ໃຫ້ສ ໍາພັດ ແລະ ຄົ້ນຫ ານອກຈາກ ຊື່ສຽງກ່ຽວກັບ ຄວາມວຸ້ນວາຍແລະ ກ ານສະເຫລີມສະຫລອງໃນເວລາກາງຄືນ. ສະຖາປັດຕະຍາກໍາຂອງ ໂຮຈິມິນ ເປັນການປະສົມປ ະສານກັນລ ະຫ່ວາງ ສະເໜ່ຂອງຍຸກຫ ົວເ ມືອງຂຶ້ນຝ ຣັ່ງ ກັບວ ັດວ າອາຮາມ ແລະ ພະທາດຂອງ ສາດໜາພຸດແ ບບດັ້ງເ ດີມ ເຊິ່ງສ່ວນຫລາຍຈະຢັງຢາຍກັນຢ ບ ູ່ ໍ່ໄກຈາກກັນ. ນອກຈາກນັ້ ນ ຍັ ງ ມີ ເ ສັ້ ນ ທາງຍ າງເ ຊື່ ອ ມຕໍ່ ກັ ບ ສະຖານທີ່ ທ່ ອ ງທ່ ຽ ວຫລັ ກ ຫລາຍແຫ່ງຂ ອ ງເມືອງ.

ormerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam’s most vibrant, cosmopolitan city, with plenty to offer the international traveller.

HCMC is one of the world’s most energetic metropolises. With a population of around 7 million and 3 million motorbikes, just crossing the street is an adventure in itself. At any time of day or night, the city’s theme tune follows you- the relentless buzz of thousands of honking motorbikes. And of course, HCMC holds legendary status as one of Asia’s greatest party capitals, with its endless list of internationally renowned bars and clubs. It is quite literally, a city that never sleeps. Yet there is much more to the city than its reputation for chaos and night-time revelry. HCMC hosts an enchanting mix of French colonial architecture with traditional Buddhist temples and pagodas, most of which are scattered only a short distance apart. There are also wide open walkways connecting many of the city’s main attractions. Somewhat bizarrely in the heart of this Asian metropolises, is one of HCMC’s biggest tourist attractions- its colonial district, which stands as an impressive testament to the French colonisation of Vietnam throughout the 1900s. This strange fusion of east and west includes an opera house, a town hall built in an unmistakably French style, and a cathedral.

ຂ້ອນຂ້າງເປັນເ ລື່ອງແປກ ໃນໃຈກາງຂອງມະຫານະຄອນອາຊີແ ຫ່ງນ ີ້, ອະ ດີດຫົວເ ມືອງຂຶ້ນ ເປັນສ ະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ເປັ ນທ ີ່ນິຍົມທ ີ່ສຸດຂ ອງ ໂຮ ຈິມິນ, ເຊິ່ງຢືນຢ ັດເປັນຂໍ້ພ ິສູດທ ີ່ໜ້າປະທັບໃ ຈເຖິງກ ານລ່າຫ ົວເມືອງຂຶ້ນ ຂອງຝຣັ່ງໃນ ຫວຽດນາມຕະຫລອດໄລຍະປີ 1900. ການຜະສົມປ ະສານ ທີ່ໜ້າແປກປະຫລາດລະຫ່ວາງຕາເວັນອອກ ແລະ ຕາເວັນຕົກປ ະກອບມີ ໂຮງລະຄອນໂອເປີຣາເຮົາສ ເຊິ່ງຖືກສ ້າງຂຶ້ນໃນ ຮູບແບບຂອງ ຝຣັ່ງ ແລະ ມະຫາວິຫານແບບກາໂຕລິກ. ຕັ້ງຢ ູ່ໃຈກາງຂອງເມືອງໂຮຈິມິນ ແມ່ນສະຖານທີ່ສໍາຄັນທີ່ມ ີສືສຽງຂອງ ເມືອງ, ມະຫາວິຫານກາໂຕລິກໄ ຊງ່ອນນໍເ ທິຣ - ແດມ Saigon Notre Dame ເຊິ່ງເປັນກ ານຮຽນແບບມະຫາວິຫານກາໂຕລິກນໍເ ທິຣແດມ Notre Dame ໃນປາຣີສ. ສິ່ງປ ຸກສ ້າງທີ່ສວຍງາມແຫ່ງນ ີ້ດຶງດ ູດເ ອົາບໍ່ສະເພາະແຕ່ ຊາວກາໂຕລິກ ແຕ່ຍ ັງລ ວມທັງບ ັນດານັກທ ່ອຽທ່ຽວທີ່ເ ດີນທາງມາສໍາພັດ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍາກໍານີໂ ອໂຣມັນ ແລະບັນຍາກາດທີ່ສັກສິດ. ພາຍໃຕ້ກ ານ ປົກຄອງຂອງພວກລ່າເ ມືອງຂຶ້ນຝ ຣັ່ງ ມະຫາວິຫານດັ່ງກ່າວໄດ້ຖືກສ ້າງຂຶ້ນ ໃນລະຫ່ວາງປີ 1863 ແລະ 1880. ມີຫ ໍລະຄັງສ ອງບ່ອນມີຄວາມສູງກ າຍ 58 ແ ມັດ (190 ຟິດ). ມະຫາວິຫານເປັນສະຖານທີ່ໆຍອດຢ້ຽມສໍາລັບທ່ຽວຊົມສະຖາປັດຕະຍາ ກໍາທີ່ສວຍງາມຂອງຫ້ອງການໄປສະນີທ ີ່ຢກ ູ່ ົງກັນຂ້າມ, ເຊິ່ງໄດ້ຖືກອ ອກ ແບບ ແລະກໍ່ສ້າງໂດຍສະຖາປະນິກທ ີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງຂອງ ຝຣັ່ງ ກຸສຕາບ ໄອເຟລ (Gustave Eiffel), ຜູທ ້ ີ່ສ້າງຜົນງານອັນໂ ດ່ງດັງໄວ້ ໃນຝຣັ່ງຄື ຫໍໄອເຟລ (Eiffel Tower). ສ້າງຂຶ້ນໃ ນລະຫ່ວາງປີ 1886 ແລະ 1891, ຫ້ອງການ ໄປສະນີ ແຫ່ງນ ີ້ຍັງເປັນ ຫ້ອງການໄປສະນີທ ີ່ໃຫ່ຍທີ່ສ ຸດໃ ນຫວຽດນາມຄຸ້ມ ຄ່າໄ ປທ່ຽວຊົມ. ຍ່າງສອງສາມກ້າວຈາກປະສາດຮວມຊາດ (Reunification Palace), ເຊິ່ງສ້າງຂຶ້ນຢ ູ່ບໍລເິ ວນຜະສາດໂນໂຣດົມເກົ່າ. ຜະສາດແຫ່ງນ ີ້ໄດ້ຖືກສ ້າງ ຂຶ້ນໃ ນປີ 1868 ເພື່ອໃ ຫ້ຂ້າຫລ ວງໃຫ່ຍຂອງໂກແຊງຊີນ (Chochinchine) (ພາກໃຕ້ທ ີສາມຂອງຫວຽດນາມ ພາຍໃຕ້ກ ານປົກຄອງຂອງຝຣັ່ງ, ເຊິ່ງໃນ ປະຈຸບ ັນມ ີໂຮຈິມິນເ ປັນເ ມືອງຫລວງ). ຕໍ່ມາຜະສາດໄດ້ກາຍເປັນເ ຮືອນ ພັກຂ ອງປະທານປະເທດຂອງຫວຽດນາມໃຕ້ ໂຫງ ດິນ ດຽມ (Ngo Dinh Diem). ໃນປີ 1962, ຜະສາດຖືກຖ ີ້ມລະເບີດໃສ່ເ ພື່ອສ ັງຫານປະທານປະ ເທດ, ທໍາລາຍໂຄງສ້າງສ່ວນໃຫ່ຍຂອງອາຄານທີ່ໄ ດ້ສ້າງຂຶ້ນໃ ນເບືອງ ຕົ້ນ. ໃນເວລາຕໍ່ມາ ປະທານປະເທດໄດ້ສັ່ງໃ ຫ້ມ ກ ີ ານສ້າງຜະສາດຂຶ້ນມ າໃໝ່, ໂດຍໄ ດ້ ມ ອບໝ າຍໃ ຫ້ ສ ະຖາປະນິ ກ ຊ າວຫ ວຽດນາມທີ່ ໄ ດ້ ຮັ ບ ກ ານຝຶ ກ ອົບຮົມຈາກປາຣີສ, ໂຫງ ຫວຽດ ທວຸຍ (Ngo Viet Thu). ຕຶກຫລ ັງໃໝ່ໄ ດ້ ຖືກຮ ຽກວ່າ ຜະສາດອິດສ ະລະພາບ (Independence Palace).

Situated in the heart of HCMC is the city’s most famous landmark, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, a replica of one of Paris’ greatest landmarks. This magnificent building attracts both Catholics and tourists, who come for its Neo-Romanesque architecture and sacred atmosphere. Commissioned by French colonialists, the cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. It has two bell towers which reach heights of over 58 meters (190 feet). The cathedral is a great place to admire the beautiful architecture of the post office across the street, designed and constructed by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel, whose greatest works included France’s most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower. Built between 1886 and 1891, the post office is still the largest operational post office in Vietnam. Well worth a visit. Just a few steps away is the Reunification Palace, built on the site of the former Norodom Palace. This imposing residence was built in 1868 for the Governor General of Cochinchina (the Southern third of Vietnam under French rule, of which present day HCMC was the capital). The palace later became the official residence of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem. In 1962, it was bombed in an attempt to kill him, destroying much of the original building. The president later ordered that a new palace be built, a feat entrusted to Paris trained Vietnamese architect, Ngo Viet Thu. The new building later became known as Independence Palace.

OUTSIDE DISTINATION

ຮູບການພັງທະລາຍປະຕູໜ ້າຂອງຜະສາດອິດສ ະລະພາບ ໃນຕອນທ້າຍ ຂອງສົງຄາມຫວຽດນາມ ໄດ້ກາຍເປັນພາບສັນຍາລັກຂ ອງຄວາມຂັດແ ຍ່ງ. ເພື່ອເ ປັນສັນຍາລັກອ ັນແທ້ຈ ິງຂອງລັດຖະບານຫວຽດນາມໃຕ້, ຜະສາດ ຍັງຄົງຖືກຮັກສາໄວ້ໃນສະພາບເດີມໃນຕອນສົງຄາມໄດ້ສິ້ນສຸດໃນເດືອນ ເມສາ 1975. ຫໍພິພິທະພັນທ ີ່ຈະຕ້ອງໄປທ່ຽວຊົມໃນໂຮ ຈິມິນແ ມ່ນ ຫໍພິພິທະພັນໂ ຮຈິ ມິນ ແລະ ຫໍພິພິທະພັນສ ົງຄາມ (War Remnant Museum) ທີ່ໄ ດ້ຮວບ ຮວມເອົາສິ່ງຂ ອງຈາກອາເມລກ ິ າໃນໄລຍະສົງຄາມຫວຽດນາມ ແລະ ຮູບ ພາບທີ່ສະແດງເຖິງກ ານໃຊ້ຊ ີວິດທ ່າມກາງສົງຄາມ, ພ້ອມກັບວ າງສະແດງ ວັດຖຸອ ຸປະກອນທາງການທະຫານຫລາຍຢ່າງ. ນອກຈາກນັ້ນ ມັນຍ ັງສ ະ ແດງເຖິງວິທີການທີ່ອາເມລິກາມັກໃຊ້ເພື່ອບິດເບືອນເລື່ອງຈິງຢູ່ເບື້ອງຫລັງ ຄວາມຂັດແ ຍ່ງ. ຢ່າພ າດໄປເລາະຕະຫລາດເບນທັນ (Ben Thanh), ເປັນຕະຫລາດທີ່ ໃຫ່ຍທີ່ສ ຸດຂ ອງເມືອງ ທີ່ຈ ໍາໝ່າຍສິນຄ້າທ້ອງຖີ່ນຫລ າກຫລາຍ, ຂອງທີ່ລະ ນຶກ ແ ລະຮ້ານອາຫານທ້ອງຖີ່ນທີ່ແ ຊບຊ້ອຍລາຄາຖືກ.

The must see museums in HCMC are The Museum of Ho Chi Minh City and the War Remnants Museum, which contains artefacts from the American phase of the Vietnam War, as well as providing a haunting picture of wartime life. The museum also hosts an exhibition of military hardware, as well as demonstrating how popular American portrayals sometimes distort the real story behind the conflict. Don’t miss the Ben Thanh market, one of the city’s largest, with its huge range of local products, souvenirs and endless food stalls selling delicious local cuisine at low prices.

ອອກນອກເມືອງມີວັດ ເຄົາໄດ (Cao Daï) ທີ່ມຊ ີ ື່ສຽງ, ເປັນບ ່ອນຢູຂ ່ ອງສາດ ສະໜາຝ່າຍ ເຄົາໄດ. ອຸໂ ມງ ຄູຊ ິ (Cu Chi) ໃນສະໄໝສົງຄາມສະແດງເຖິງ ຄວາມສະຫລາດຫລັກແຫລມ, ເປັນອຸໂ ມງເຊື່ອມຕໍ່ທມ ີ່ ີຄວາມຍາວເຖິງ 200 ກິໂລແມັດ ເຊິ່ງໃ ນນັ້ນກອງກໍາລັງຫວ ຽດກົງ (VietCong) ຂະໜາດໃຫ່ຍ ໄດ້ໃຊ້ເ ປັນຖ ານທີ່ໝັ້ນຢ ູ່ລຸ່ມພ ື້ນຕ ີນຂ ອງກອງກໍາລັງສ ັດຕູອ າເມລກ ິ າ.

Outside the city is the controversial Cao Daï temple, the seat of the Cao Dai religious sect. And the wartime Cu Chi Tunnels, which display remarkable ingenuity, as a network of tunnels some 200km long, in which huge numbers of VietCong were stationed directly under the feet of their American enemies.

ນຕອນແລງ ໃນເມືອງມີຮ້ານອາຫານໃຫ້ເ ລືອກຫລາກຫລາຍ. ແລະ ຖ້າ ໃ ທ່ານຍັງມ ີເຫື່ອແ ຮງຢູ່, ເປັນຫຍ ັງຈຶ່ງບໍ່ອອກໄປສໍາຫລວດເບິ່ງຊ ີວິດກາງຄືນ ທີ່ຊີວິດຊ ີວາຂອງເມືອງ? ບໍ່ວ່າຣົສນິຍົມຂອງທ່ານຈະແມ່ນຫຍ ັງ, ໂຮຈມ ິ ິນ ມີ ໃຫ້ທ ັງໝ ົດ!

In the evening, the city offers a great selection of restaurants. And if you still have the energy, why not explore some of the city’s vibrant nightlife? Whatever your taste, Ho Chi Minh City has it all.

Sleeping

Drinking

Ma Maison Boutique Hotel 656/52 Cach Mang Thang Tam street District 3, HCMC Sleep in style at this charming Boutique Hotel. Decorated in a relaxed European style with its rural French décor and numerous luxuries, Ma Maison is sure to provide a home away from home.

Jazz n’art club 28 Le Loi street District 1, HCMC

OUR PICKS

For good vibes, cool music and cozy ambiance, go this famous jazz club owned by Saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan.

Relaxing

Eating

Nha hang ngon 160 Pasteur street (just in front the Lao consulat !!!) District 1, HCMC Located in a beautiful colonial house with a spacious garden, this restaurant offers a variety of wonderful Vietnamese specialities. Watch the chefs prepare you a delicious feast at one of their food stands. Then enjoy it in a wonderful atmosphere and at affordable prices.

The image of a Northern Vietnamese tank breaking through the gates of the Independence Palace at the end of the Vietnam War, has become one of the most iconic images of the conflict. A true symbol of the Southern Vietnamese government, the palace remains as it was when the war ended in April 1975.

L’Apothiquaire Spa & Retreat 64A Truong Dinh Street, District 3, HCMC After a long day discovering the city, come to l’Apothiquaire Spa & R etreat, located in a unique 1950s French mansion, surrounded by lush gardens with climbing vines, ferns and water fountains. The spa features an outdoor swimming pool and comfortable seating. Your tired body will thank you.

ຖຽ້ວບີນ ວຽງຈັນ-ໂຮຈີມີນ-ວຽງຈັນ ຫຼື ປາກເຊ-ໂຮຈີມີນ- ປາກເຊ ສີ່ຖຽ້ວຕໍ່ອາທິດ: ຈັນ, ພຸດ, ສຸກ ແລະ ເສົາ, ເບີ່ງເພີ່ມເຕີມທີ່ຫນ້າ 56 Lao Airlines’ flight four times per week: Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat: VTE - SGN - VTE and PKZ - SGN - PKZ Read more on page 56

OUTSIDE DISTINATION

ການສໍາຫລວດ

ສາມຫລ່ຽມປາກແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງຢ່າງມີລົດຊາດ ແ ມ່ ນໍ້ າ ຂອງແ ມ່ ນ ໜຶ່ ງ ໃ ນແ ມ່ ນໍ້ າ ທີ່ ເ ປັ ນ ຕໍ າ ນານທີ່ ສຸ ດ ໃ ນ ໂລກ ແລະ ເປັນຜູ້ໃຫ້ທ ີ່ຍິ່ງໃ ຫ່ຍສໍາລັບພ າກພື້ນອາຊີຕ າເວັນ ອອກສຽງໃ ຕ້ . ສາຍນໍ້ າ ສີ ນໍ້ າ ຕານຍາມລະດູ ຝົ ນ ເ ດີ ນ ທາງ ເລີ່ມ ຈາກພູເຂົາຂອງຢູນານພາກໃຕ້ຂ ອງຈີນ, ໄຫລລົງມ າ ຮອດສາມຫລ່ຽມປາກແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ, ເປັນລ ະບົບນ ິເວດທອ ີ່ ຸດົມ ສົມບູນ ເປັນບ່ອນເພິ່ງພ າອາໄສຂອງມະນຸດຫຼາຍລ້ານຊີວິດ ລວມທັງສັດສາວາສິ່ງຕ ່າງໆ. ມູມພາບວິວທິວທ ັດເ ປັນທ ີ່ໜ້າ ຈັບໃຈແທ້, ສີຂຽວອຸ່ມທ ຸ່ມຂອງທົ່ງນ າ, ຫ້ວຍຮ່ອງຫລາຍສາຍ, ປ່າຊ າຍເລນ ແ ລະໝູ່ບ້ານຊາວປະມົງທ ີ່ງຽບສະຫງົບ. ສາມຫລ່ຽມປາກແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ ເປັນສູນລ ວມຂອງກິດຈະກໍາຂອງມະນຸດນັບ ແຕ່ເ ຊົ້າຈົນຮອດຄໍ່າ. ທົ່ງນາກວ້າງໄກສີຂຽວອັນສ ວຍງາມຫລຽວຈົນສ ຸດຫູ ສຸດຕ າ, ແມ່ນໍ້າທີ່ສະຫງົບງ ຽບ, ສວນຜັກ ແລະ ໝາກໄມ້ທໜ ີ່ າແໜ້ນ, ເປັນ ການລວບລວມສິ່ງມະຫັດສະຈັນຂອງທໍາມະຊາດທີ່ພິເສດສຸດມາຢູ່ໄວ້ນໍາ ກັນ. ເ ຮືອທ່ອງທ່ຽວຕາມລໍາແມ່ນໍ້າ ເປັນເ ສັ້ນທາງທີ່ຍອດຢ້ຽມເພື່ອສໍາຫລວດ ສະຖານທີ່ໆມ ີສະເໜ່ໜ້າດຶງດ ູດແ ຫ່ງໜ ຶ່ງຂອງໂລກ. ແມ່ຂ ອງອີໂມເຊິນ, ເປັນບ ໍລິສັດໜ ຶ່ງທີ່ໄ ດ້ກໍ່ຕັ້ງຂ ຶ້ນມາດົນນ ານແລ້ວໃ ນພາກພື້ນ, ເປັນເ ຈົ້າຂອງ ເຮືອທ່ອງທ່ຽວຫລາຍລໍາ ແລະລີສອດແມ່ຂອງຣິບເ ວີລ ອດຈ໌ ຢູ່ ໄຄເບ (Cai Be), ຂີ່ລົດປ ະມານສາມຊົ່ວໂມງຈາກ ໂ ຮຈິມິນ. ລີສອດແມ່ຂອງຣິບເ ວີລອດຈ໌ ຕັ້ງຢ ທ ູ່ າງຂ້າງນໍ້າຕຽນ (River Tien), ໜຶ່ງ ໃນສາຂາແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ. ມັນເ ປັນສ ະຫວັນທີ່ສະຫງົບງ ຽບ ແລະ ເປັນບ ່ອນ ວາງສະແດງຜົນງານອັນຍ ອດຢ້ຽມຂອງທໍາມະຊາດ, ດ້ວຍສວນຜັກອ ັນ ອຸດົມສົມບູນ, ຕົ້ນໝ າກໄມ້ ແລະ ຕົ້ນໄ ມ້ຂ ຽວອຸ່ມທ ຸ່ມ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ມາພັກຢູ່ລສ ີ ອດແຫ່ງນ ີ້ໜຶ່ງຄ ືນ ນອນຢູ່ໜຶ່ງໃນເຮືອນພັກຈ າກ ທັງໝ ົດ 28 ຫລັງ, ຕົກແ ຕ່ງແ ບບສີສົດໃ ສພື້ນເ ມືອງຂອງຫວຽດນາມໃຕ້ ເຊິ່ງ ໄດ້ແຮງບັນດານໃຈຈາກເຮືອນປະຊາຊົນທ ້ອງຖີ່ນ. ນອກຈາກນີ້ຍັງມ ີຫ້ອງ ອາບນໍ້າກາງແຈ້ງທມ ີ່ ີອ່າງອາບນໍ້າເປັນໄມ້ ທ ີ່ໜ້າຮັກ. ຕອນສ ວຍທໍ າ ອິ ດ ຂ ອງຂ້ າ ພະເ ຈົ້ າ ແ ມ່ ນ ໄ ດ້ ໃ ຊ້ ໄ ປກັ ບ ກ ານຂີ່ ລົ ດ ຖີ ບ ຊົ ມ ວິວທິວທັດອ ັນສ ວຍງາມຢູແ ່ ຖວບ້ານນອກ, ຂີ່ລ ົດຖີບຜ ່ານຖະໜົນສວນ ໝາກໄມ້ລຽງລາຍກັນເ ປັນສ າຍທີ່ຂ ້ອນຂ້າງແຄບ. ໄປຕາມທາງ, ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ

Discovering

the Mekong Delta in style The Mekong is one of the world’s most mythical rivers and the great provider for much of SouthEast Asia. The milky brown waters begin their journey in the mountains of Yunnan in Southern China, eventually reaching the Mekong Delta, a nutrient rich echo-system in which humans thrive in close proximity to millions of other species. The landscape is truly captivating, with its lush, impossibly green paddy fields, numerous canals, mangroves and sleepy fishing villages. The Mekong Delta is a hive of human activity from dawn to dusk. Yet the endless display of beautiful green fields, calm water, thick vegetation and fruit plantations, embody the wonders of nature at their most extraordinary. A river cruise is a great way to discover this enchanting part of the world. Mekong Emotion, a company long established in the region, owns several cruise boats as well as and the Mekong River lodge in Cai Be, about a three hour drive from Ho Chi Minh. The Mekong River Lodge is situated beside the River Tien, one of the Mekong’s many tributaries. It is a wonderful haven of peace and showcases many of nature’s great works, with its rich vegetable garden, numerous fruit trees and lush vegetation. I settled down for the night in one of twenty-eight comfortable bungalows, decorated in a bright, traditional Southern Vietnamese style inspired by local houses. There was also a lovely outdoor bathroom with a great wooden bath. My first afternoon was devoted to a beautiful bike ride in the countryside, passing through narrow orchard-lined roads. On the way, I welcomed the opportunity to sample a few of the tropical fruits grown in the area, including jackfruit, rambutan,

ໄດ້ມີໂອກາດຊິມໝາກໄມ້ທ ີ່ປູກໃ ນພື້ນທ ີ່ລວມມີໝ າກມີ້, ໝາກເງາະ, ໝາກ ມັງຄຸດ ແລະ ໝາກຫຸ່ງ. ຫລັງຈາກນັ້ນຂ ້າພະເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງກັບຄ ືນມ າລີສ ອດເພື່ອ ເຂົ້າຮຽນວິທກ ີ ານປຸງແ ຕ່ງອາຫານ ເປີດເ ຜີຍສູດລ ັບເ ບື້ອງຫລັງການເຮັດ ພັນຫຍ ໍ້, ກ້ຽວ ແ ລະຊີ້ນໝ ູກັບນໍ້າຊອດລົດສ ົ້ມຫວ ານ. ມື້ຕໍ່ມາ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ໄປຕະຫລາດເທິງນ ໍ້າ ໄຊເບ (Cai Be) ກ່ອນຂຶ້ນເ ທິງ ເຮືອ ໂຄຊິນຊິນ (Cochinchine), ເປັນເ ຮືອໄມ້ພ ື້ນເ ມືອງທີ່ສວຍງາມເຊິ່ງ ຈະໃຊ້ເ ວລາສອງມື້ ພາຂ້າພະເຈົ້າລອງຂຶ້ນໄ ປຮອດ ຄານໂທ (Can Tho) ທີ່ເປັນເ ມືອງທໃ ີ່ ຫ່ຍທີ່ສ ຸດ ເ ທິງສ າມຫລ່ຽມ.

longan and papaya. I then returned to the lodge for a cooking class, where local secrets behind the creation of wonderful spring rolls, wontons and pork with sweet and sour sauce, were revealed. The next day, I visited the Cai Be floating market, before boarding the Cochinchine, a traditional wooden boat, which would take me on a two day cruise towards Can Tho, the largest town on the delta.

ການເດີນທາງລ່ອງເຮືອຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເລີ່ມຕົ້ນດ້ວຍອາຫານຄາບເຊົ້າກັບ ຍໍາໝາກປີ, ໄກ່ຫຫ ໍ່ ົວຫອມ ແລະ ຖົ່ວຂ ົ້ວ, ປາ, ເຜືອກ (ຜັກຊ ະນິດໜ ຶ່ງເປັນທີ່ ນິຍົມຢ ູ່ຫວຽດນາມ) ແລະ ໝາກໄມ້, ທັງໝົດນ ບ ີ້ ໍລິການໂດຍພະນັກງານລູກ ເຮືອທີ່ໜ້າຮັກ. ຕອນສວຍ ແມ່ນໄ ດ້ໄປແວະຊົມໝ ູ່ບ້ານຫັດຖະກໍານ້ອຍໆ ແຫ່ງໜ ຶ່ງ, ຕາມມາດ້ວຍການຂລ ີ່ ົດຖີບຊ ົມວ ິວທິວທ ັດເ ກາະດອນແມ່ນໍ້າແຫ່ງ ໜຶ່ງທເີ່ ປັນປ ່າຕຶບໜ າ.

My cruise began with a superb breakfast of banana flower salad, chicken topped with fried onions and peanuts, fish, taro (a vegetable popular in Vietnam) and tropical fruit, all served by our charming and attentive crew. The afternoon was spent visiting small handicraft villages, followed by a pleasant bike ride on one of the rivers densely forested islands.

ນຕອນແລງ, ເຄື່ອງດື່ມເ ອີ້ນນ ໃ ໍ້າຍ່ອຍຢເູ່ ທິງດ າດຟ້າເຮືອ; ຕັ່ງນັ່ງແ ຖວໜ້າ ເພື່ອເ ບິ່ງບັນຍາກາດຕາເວັນຕົກດິນຢູ່ສະຖານທີ່ໆມີວິວທິວທັດອັນສວຍສົດ ງົດງ າມ.

In the evening, an aperitif on the upper deck; a wonderful front row seat from which to witness the sun setting over the beautiful landscape.

ຫລັງຈາກຄໍ່າຄືນທີ່ຫລັບສະບາຍໃນຫ້ອງພັກທີ່ມີການປະສົມປະສານກັນ ລະຫ່ວາງແນວຄິດແ ຫ່ງຄວາມງາມ ແລະ ຄວາມສະດວກສະບາຍ, ຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້ າ ໄ ດ້ ມ ານັ່ ງ ຮັ ບ ປ ະທານອ າຫານເ ຊົ້ າ ທີ່ ແ ຊບຊ້ ອ ຍກັ ບ ເ ຂົ້ າ ຈີ່ ສົ ດ ໃ ໝ່ . ຕໍ່ ຈ າກນັ້ ນ ພ ວກຂ້ າ ພະເ ຈົ້ າ ຈຶ່ ງ ໄ ດ້ ພ າກັ ນ ໄ ປທ່ ຽ ວຊົ ມ ຕ ະຫລາດລ ອຍນໍ້ າ ໄຄແຣງ (Cai Rang), ຈຸດເດັ່ນທ າງດ້ານວັດທະນະທໍາຂອງສາມຫລ່ຽມ ແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ. ຕະຫລາດແຫ່ງນ ີ້ດຶງດ ູດເ ອົາເຮືອທີ່ມ າຄ້າຂ າຍຜະລິດຕ ະພັນ ທາງດ້ານກະສິກໍາ, ໝາກໄມ້ ແລະ ຜັກນ າໆຊະນິດເ ປັນຮ ້ອຍໆລໍາ. ຊາວກະສິກອນຫລາຍຄົນມາຂາຍຜົນລະປູກຂອງພວກເຂົາໃນລາຄາສົ່ງ. ກິດຈະກໍາທັງໝ ົດນ ີ້ຊ່າງເປັນໜ້າປ ະທັບໃ ຈ. ຕາມທໍານຽມແລ້ວແມ່ຄ້າຊ າວ ຂາຍ ຈະຫ້ອຍສິນຄ້າຂ ອງພວກເຂົາຕ າມເສົາ ແລະຈະຢູ່ໝົດມ ື້, ເຖິງວ ່າຈະ ພາກັນມາແຕ່ເ ຊົ້າຕອນທີ່ອາກາດຍັງໜ າວເຢັນຢ ູ່ກໍ່ຕາມ.

After a good night’s sleep in one of the cabins, which offered an ideal combination of charm and comfort, I sat down to a delicious breakfast of freshly baked bread. We then visited the amazing floating market of Cai Rang, a cultural highlight of the Mekong Delta. The market draws hundreds of boats that specialise in the sale of agricultural products, fruits and vegetables. Many peasant farmers come to sell their crops on to wholesalers. The scene produces a spectacle that’s as impressive as it is unique. Traditionally, market sellers hang their products on long poles and stay all day, although generally the bulk of traffic arrives early in the morning when it’s still pretty cool.

ນຕອນທ້າຍຂອງການລ່ອງເຮືອທ ໃ ່ຽວ, ເຈົ້າພາບໄດ້ອ ວຍໄຊໃຫ້ພ ອນພວກ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຢ່າງອົບອ ຸ່ນ ກ່ອນເດີນທາງກັບ ໂຮຈິມິນ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຈະບໍ່ມມ ີ ື້ ວັນລ ືມຄ ວາມມະຫັດສະຈັນຂ ອງ ສາມຫລ່ຽມປາກແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ, ສະຖານ ທີ່ໆເຕັມໄ ປດ້ວຍຄວາມຫລາກຫລາຍທີ່ບ ໍ່ມໃ ີ ຜຄື, ສີສັນ ແລະ ຄວາມ ງຽບສະຫງົບ, ອາຫານທແ ີ່ ຊບຊ້ອຍ ແ ລະ ຜ ຄ ູ້ ົນທ ໜ ີ່ ້າຮັກ.

At the end of my cruise, our hosts wished us a warm goodbye before we returned to Ho Chi Minh. I will never forget the wonders of the Mekong Delta, an area of unrivalled variety, colour and tranquility, fantastic cuisine and charming people.

Mekong Lodge A unique eco-resort in heart of the Mekong delta. www.mekonglodge.com

Mekong Emotion A local company that takes visitors off the beaten track in luxury and style. www.mekong-emotion.com 51

Lao Airlines News

ເປີດຖ້ຽວບິນໃໝ່ ເລີ່ມ 29 ມີນາ ນີ້ ຈຳປາສັກ-ສະຫວັນນະເຂດ-ດານັງ ລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວໄດ້ເດີນທາງຢ້ຽມຢາມເພື່ອຈັດຕັ້ງ ການເປີດຖ້ຽວບິນ ປະຖົມມະເລີກ ຈຳປາສັກ - ສະຫວັນນະເຂດ - ດານັງ ໂດຍ ທ່ານແສງເສີດເປັນຜູ້ ຕ່າງໜ້ານຳພາ ແລະ ທີມງານການບີນອີກຫຼາຍຄົນ. ໃນວັນທີ່ 29 ມີນາ 2012ນີ້ ຕາມແຜນການຂະຫຍາຍເພີ່ມເສັ້ນທາງການບິນຂອງ ລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວໃຫ້ເປັນໄປໃນຕາມແຜນທີ່ໄດ້ວາງໄວ້ເພື່ອການ ເສີມຂະຫຍາຍການຮ່ວມມື ແລະ ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວລະຫວ່າງສອງແຂວງ ແລະ ສອງປະເທດລາວ-ຫວຽດນາມໃຫ້ມີຄວາມສະດວກຫຼາຍຂຶ້ນ ແລະ ເພື່ອຕອບສະ ໜອງຄວາມຮຽກຮ້ອງຕ້ອງການ. ໃນການເປີດຖຽ້ວບິນເພື່ອເຊື່ອມລະຫວ່າງແຂວງ ຈຳປາສັກ ແລະ ສະຫວັນນະເຂດ, ມຸກດາຫານແຫ່ງລາຊະອານາຈັກໄທ ແລະ ນະຄອນດານັງ (ປະເທດຫວຽດນາມ). ຖ້ຽວບິນໃຫ່ມນີ້ຈະມີສາມຄັ້ງຕໍ່ອາທິດ: ທຸກວັນອັງຄານ, ວັນພະຫັດ, ວັນເສົາ ດ້ວຍເຮືອບິນ ATR72 ທີ່ສາມາດບັນຈຸຜູ້ໂດຍສານໄດ້ 70 ຄົນ. ການບິນຈະເລີ່ມຈາກແຂວງຈຳປາສັກ ເວລາ 9:00ໂມງ ຜ່ານແຂວງສະຫວັນນະເຂດ ແລະ ຈະມາເຖິງນະຄອນດານັງເວລາປະມານ 11:30 ໂມງ ແລະ ບິນກັບເວລາ 12:30 ໂມງຜ່ານແຂວງສະຫວັນນະເຂດ ແລະ ເຖິງ ແຂວງຈຳປາສັກເວລາປະມານ 15:00ໂມງ ດ້ວຍການບິນແບບຖຽ້ວບິນເໝົາ. ສຳລັບຖ້ຽວນີ້ຈະໄດ້ເຊີນເອົາແຂກຈຳ ນວນໜຶ່ງເພື່ອມາແຂ່ງຂັນກິລາກ໊ອບກັບຝ່າຍຫວຽດນາມ ແລະ ສຳລັບທຸກ ທ່ານທີ່ຕ້ອງການທີ່ຈະເດີນທາງມາພ້ອມຖ້ຽວບິນນີ້ກໍ່ສາມາດສຳຮອງ ສຳລັບໃຜທີ່ຕ້ອງການ ຈອງປີ້ໄດ້ທີ່ຕົວແທນຈຳໜ່າຍຂອງສາຍການບິນລາວທົ່ວປະເທດ. ໄປທຽ່ວກັບຈຳປາໂຮລິເດພາທົວກໍຕຽມຕົວ ພວກເຮົາຫວັງວ່າການເປີດເສັ້ນທາງບິນໃໝ່ໃນຄັ້ງນີ້ຈະນຳມາແກ່ ການລິເລີ່ມຂອງການຂະຫຍາຍຕົວເສດຖະກິດ. ຕຽມໃຈໄວ້ເພາະໃນມໍ່ໆນີ້ພວກເຮົາຈະມີລາຍ

ການທົວ ໄປສະຫວັນນະເຂດ-ດານັງ.

New flight Distination, 29 March Champasak-SAVANAKHET-DANANG Lao Airline State Enterprise is going to open a new air route from Champasack - Savannakhet – Danang on March 30, 2012 based on the flight expansion plan of the company in order to strengthen and facilitate cooperation and tourism between the two provinces and countries; and to meet demand.

Soon Champa Holidays Tour will open the package tour 4 days 3 nights, “Savannakhet-Danang-Hoi An-Banna Hill-Hue-Savannakhet” So plane your holiday!

The opened flight linking between Champasack and Savannakhet province, Moukdahan of Thailand and Danang of Vietnam will serve three flights per week including Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday by ATR72 aircraft that can carry 70 passengers. Through charter based flight, the aircraft will depart from Champasack province at 9:00 am via Savannakhet province and will arrive at Danang around 11:30 am and will return at 12:30 pm via Savannakhet province and will arrive at Champasack province round 15:00 pm. In this occasion a number of guests will be invited to play golf with Vietnam delegates and for those who are interested to travel with this flight, air ticket can be reserved at all Lao Airline ticket agencies throughout the country. We hope that the opening of new air route this time will bring an initiation of economic development.

INTERNATIONAL ROUTE Please contact Lao Airlines office for confrimation FLT No

Day

Routing

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ບາງກອກ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV414 Daily VTE BKK QV415 247 VTE BKK QV415 1356 VTE BKK QV4571 Daily VTE BKK QV4575 Daily VTE BKK QV424 Daily BKK VTE QV425 247 BKK VTE QV425 1356 BKK VTE QV4570 Daily BKK VTE QV4574 Daily BKK VTE ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຮາ່ ໂນຍ ້ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV312 Daily VTE HAN QV920 Daily VTE HAN QV322 Daily HAN VTE QV921 Daily HAN VTE ວຽງຈ ັນ - ພະນ ົມເປັນ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV921 Daily VTE PNH QV920 Daily PNH VTE ວຽງຈ ັນ - ສຽມຣຽບ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV512 Daily VTE REP QV522 Daily REP VTE ວຽງຈ ັນ - ສິງກະໂປ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV535 247 VTE SIN QV545 247 SIN VTE ວຽງຈ ັນ - ໂຮຈ ິ ນ ິ - ວຽງຈ ັນ ່ ມ QV515 1356 VTE SGN QV525 1356 SGN VTE ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຄຸນມິງ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV817 Daily VTE KMG QV827 Daily KMG VTE ຫລວງພະບາງ - ຊຽງໃໝ່ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV635 Daily LPQ CNX QV645 Daily CNX LPQ ຫລວງພະບາງ - ຈິ່ ງຫ ົງ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV818 247 LPQ JHG QV828 247 JHG LPQ ຫລວງພະບາງ - ບາງກອກ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV633 Daily LPQ BKK QV643 Daily BKK LPQ ຫລວງພະບາງ - ສຽມຣຽບ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV513 1356 LPQ REP QV513 247 LPQ REP QV931 Daily LPQ REP QV523 1356 REP LPQ QV523 247 REP LPQ QV930 Daily REP LPQ ຫລວງພະບາງ - ຮາ່ ໂນຍ ້ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV930 Daily LPQ HAN QV343 247 LPQ HAN QV313 Daily LPQ HAN QV931 Daily HAN LPQ QV353 247 HAN LPQ QV323 Daily HAN LPQ ປາກເຊ - ສຽມຣຽບ - ປາກເຊ QV512 Daily PKZ REP QV513 1356 PKZ REP QV513 247 PKZ REP QV522 DaIly REP PKZ QV523 1356 REP PKZ QV523 247 REP PKZ ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ - ສຽມຣຽບ - ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ QV213 Daily ZVK BKK QV223 Daily BKK ZVK ປາກເຊ - ໂຮຈ ິ ນ ິ - ປາກເຊ ່ ມ QV515 1356 PKZ SGN QV525 1356 SGN PKZ ປາກເຊ - ບາງກອກ - ປາກເຊ QV213 Daily PKZ BKK QV223 Daily BKK PKZ

Dep

Arr

STP

VIENTIANE - BANGKOK - VIENTIANE 07:30 08:35 320 0 16:15 17:50 AT7 0 16:40 17:50 320 0 13:50 14:55 734 0 21:50 22:55 734 0 09:35 10:45 320 0 18:55 20:40 AT7 0 18:55 20:05 320 0 11:45 12:55 734 0 19:55 21:05 734 0 VIENTIANE - HANOI - VIENTIANE 15:15 16:25 320 0 19:35 20:35 320 0 17:25 18:35 320 0 09:40 10:45 320 0 VIENTIANE - PHNOMPENH - VIENTIANE 11:30 13:00 320 0 17:30 18:50 320 0 VIENTIANE - SIEMREAP - VIENTIANE 06:30 09:25 AT7 PKZ 10:05 13:00 AT7 PKZ VIENTIANE - SIEMREAP - VIENTIANE 15:40 19:40 320 0 20:40 22:40 320 0 VIENTIANE - HOCHIMINH - VIENTIANE 07:45 11:15 AT7 PKZ 12:15 15:50 AT7 PKZ VIENTIANE - KUNMING - VIENTIANE 07:20 09:50 320 0 10:50 11:20 320 0 LUANG PRABANG - CHIENG MAI - LUANG PRABANG 13:10 14:10 AT7 0 15:05 16:05 AT7 0 LUANG PRABANG - JINGHONG - LUANG PRABANG 11:20 12:20 AT7 0 13:00 14:00 AT7 0 LUANG PRABANG - BANGKOK - LUANG PRABANG 07:30 09:10 AT7 0 10:20 12:00 AT7 0 LUANG PRABANG - SIEMREAP - LUANG PRABANG 10:55 14:20 AT7 PKZ 10:55 14:20 MA6 PKZ 10:20 11:40 F70 0 15:00 18:10 AT7 PKZ 15:00 18:10 MA6 PKZ 12:20 13:40 F70 0 LUANG PRABANG - HANOI - LUANG PRABANG 14:25 15:15 F70 0 14:40 15:40 AT7 0 17:10 18:10 AT7 0 08:35 09:35 F70 0 16:20 17:20 AT7 0 18:50 19:50 AT7 0 PAKSE - SIEMREAP - PAKSE 08:25 09:25 AT7 0 13:20 14:20 AT7 0 13:20 14:20 MA6 0 10:05 11:05 AT7 0 15:00 16:00 AT7 0 15:00 16:00 MA6 0 SAVANNAKHET - BANGKOK - SAVANNAKHET 10:30 12:00 MA6 0 13:05 14:35 MA6 0 PAKSE - HOCHIMINH - PAKSE 09:40 11:15 AT7 0 12:15 13:50 AT7 0 PAKSE - BANGKOK - PAKSE 09:25 12:00 MA6 ZVK 13:05 15:35 MA6 ZVK

DOMESTIC ROUTE Please contact Lao Airlines office for confrimation FLT No

Days

Routing

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຫລວງພະບາງ - ວຽງຈ ັນ

QV111 QV109 QV101 QV103 QV112 QV102 QV104 QV110

Daily 247 Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily 247

VTE LPQ VTE LPQ VTE LPQ VTE LPQ LPQ VTE LPQ VTE LPQ VTE LPQ VTE

QV513 QV513 QV523 QV523

1356 247 1356 247

LPQ PKZ LPQ PKZ PKZ LPQ PKZ LPQ

QV501 QV502

246 246

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ປາກເຊ - ຫລວງພະບາງ

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ອຸດ ົມໄຊ - ວຽງຈ ັນ

VTE ODY ODY VTE ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຫວ ້ ຍຊາຍ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV901 1356 VTE HOE QV902 1356 HOE VTE

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຫລວງນຳ້ ທາ - ວຽງຈ ັນ

QV601 QV602

135 135

VTE LXG LXG VTE

QV401 QV401 QV402 QV402

247 1356 247 1356

VTE XKH VTE XKH XKH VTE XKH VTE

QV512 QV515 QV201 QV522 QV525 QV202

Daily 1356 Daily Daily 1356 Daily

VTE PKZ VTE PKZ VTE PKZ PKZ VTE PKZ VTE PKZ VTE

QV201 QV202

Daily Daily

VTE ZVK ZVK VTE

QV201 QV202

Daily Daily

PKZ ZVK ZVK PKZ

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຊຽງຂວາງ - ວຽງຈ ັນ

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ປາກເຊ - ວຽງຈ ັນ

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ - ວຽງຈ ັນ

ປາກເຊ - ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ - ປາກເຊ

Remarks: All times are local times 1: Monday 2: Tuesday 3: Wednesday 4: Thursday 5: Friday 6: Saturday 7: Sunday

Dep

Arr

STP

VIENTIANE - LUANGPRABANG - VIENTIANE 09:15 10:10 AT7 0 09:30 10:25 MA6 0 11:45 12:30 320 0 16:30 17:25 AT7 0 07:50 08:45 AT7 0 13:30 14:15 320 0 17:55 18:50 AT7 0 18:40 19:35 MA6 0 LUANGPRABANG - PAKSE - LUANGPRABANG 10:55 12:35 AT7 0 10:55 12:35 MA6 0 16:30 18:10 AT7 0 16:30 18:10 MA6 0 VIENTIANE -OUDOMXAY - VIENTIANE 10:30 11:20 MA6 0 12:00 12:50 MA6 0 VIENTIANE- HOUEISAY - VIENTIANE 11:00 11:55 MA6 0 12:35 13:30 MA6 0 VIENTIANE - LUANGNAMTHA-VIENTIANE 14:00 15:00 MA6 0 15:30 16:30 MA6 0 VIENTIANE - XIENGKHUANG-VIENTIANE 13:40 14:10 AT7 0 13:40 14:10 MA6 0 14:40 15:10 AT7 0 14:40 15:10 MA6 0 VIENTIANE- PAKSE - VIENTIANE 06:30 07:45 AT7 0 07:45 09:00 AT7 0 07:40 08:55 MA6 0 11:45 13:00 AT7 0 14:30 15:45 AT7 0 16:05 17:20 MA6 0 VIENTIANE - SAVANNAKHET-VIENTIANE 07:40 09:55 MA6 PKZ 15:07 17:20 MA6 PKZ PAKSE - SAVANNAKHET - PAKSE 09:25 9:55 MA6 0 15:05 15:35 MA6 0 * QV4570/ QV4571/ QV4574/ QV4575 Operated by THAI AIRWAYS * QV920/ QV921/ QV930/ QV931 Operated by VIETNAM AIRLINES 02 Pangkham Rd, P.O. Box 6441 Vientiane , Lao P.D.R For more information please contact Lao Airlines Tel: +856 21 212016, 212051-54 Fax: +856 21 212056, 212058

www.laoairlines.com 57

LAO AIRLINES OFFICES

Vientiane (Head Office)

02 Pangkham Street, P.O. Box 6441 Tel: (856-21) 212057, Fax : ( 856-21) 212065 Ticket & Reservation

Tel: ( 856-21 ) 212051-54, Fax : (856-21) 212056 Email: reservation@laoairlines.com ticketing@laoairlines.com Tour Dept (Champa holidays)

Tel : (856-21) 219932, Fax : (856-21) 212058 Email : info@laoairlines.com, tour@laoairlines.com

Wattay Airport Office

Tel: (856-21) 512028 ( International Airport ) Tel: (856-21) 512 000, 512 004 ( Domestic Airport ) Branch offices (Domestic)

Branch offices (Abroad)

Luangprabang (Lpq) Town Office Tel: (856-71) 212172 Fax: (856-71) 212406 Email: lpq@laoairlines.com Airport Office Tel: (856-71) 212173 Fax: (856-71) 252264 Email: lpqairport@laoairlines.com

THAILAND Bangkok - (Town office) 491/17 ground Fl, Silom plaza Silom road, Bangkok 10500 Tel: (66-2) 236 9822, 2369823, 237 8044 Fax: (66-2) 236 9821 Email: bkkrrqv@ksc.th.com SITA: BKKRRQV

Xiengkhuang (Xkh) Tel: (856-61) 312027 Fax: (856-61) 312487 Email: xiengkhouang@laoairlines.com Tel: (856-61) 312177 (Airport)

Bangkok - (Airport office) 3RD Floor Room No. T3-072C, Passenger building Suvarnabhumi Airport Tel: (662) 134 2006 to 2008 Fax: (662) 134 2009 Booth (or Counter service) No. 7/10 (Opposite of Check-in row “R”) Tel: (662) 134 2010 Fax: (662) 134 2011

Luangnamtha (Lxg) Tel: (856-86) 212072 FaX: (856-86) 212073 Email: lxg@laoairlines.com Tel: (856-86) 312180, 312053 (Airport) Oudomxay (Ody) Tel: (856-81) 312047, 312146 Fax: (856-81) 212229 Email: ody@laoairlines.com Houeisay (Hoe) Tel: (856-84) 211026 Fax: (856-84) 211471 Email: hoe@laoairlines.com Tel: (856-84) 211494 (Airport) Savannakhet (Zvk) Tel: (856-41) 212140, Fax: (856-41) 251060 Email : zvk@laoairlines.com Pakse (Pkz) Tel: (856-31) 212252 Fax (856-31) 212751 Email: pkz@laoairlines.com Airport Tel: (856-31) 251921, Fax: (856-31) 410130 E-mail: pkzspl@laoairlines.com pkzapqv@laoairlines.com

Chiangmai 2/107 Rajchapuak, Huaykew Road Amper muang Chaiangmai 50300 Tel: (66-53) 223 401 Fax: (66-53) 223 400 Email: qvcnx@loxinfo.co.th SITA: CNXRRQ CARGO c/o P.T. Air Cargo Co.,Ltd. Building 301, Room 427-428, Customs Free Zone Suvarnabhumi Airport, 999 Moo 7, Rachathewa, Bangphli, Samutprakan 10540 Tel: (66-02) 1346721 (Auto) Fax: (66-02) 1346453-4 Email: adulp@ptcargo.com

CAMBODIA Phnompenh 111 sihanouk st, no274, Phnompenh CAMBODIA Tel: (855-23) 222956, Tel/Fax: (855-23) 216 563 Email: pnhqv@laoairlines.com SITA: PNHRRQV Siem Reap 114 Sala Khanseng Village, road no 6 Svay Dongkhom Commune, Siem Reap District, Siem Reap Province Tel: (855-63) 963283 Fax: (855-63) 965160 Email: qvrep@laoairlines.com VIETNAM Hanoi 03 Lieu Giai Road, Badinh District, Hanoi Capital, Vietnam. Tel: (84-4)3942 5362 Fax: (84-4)3942 5363 Email: laoairlines.han@fpt.vn SITA: HANTOQV Hochiminh City 11A Songda Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh Dist, Hochiminh City, Vietnam tel: 84-8 3547 4033 fax: 84-8 3547 4032 email: qvsgn@laoairlines.com CHINA Kunming N.96 East Dong Feng Road Camellia Hotel , Kunming, Yunnan, China 650041 Tel: (86 871) 3163000 ext 5166 Tel/Fax: (86 871) 312 5748 Email: kunming@laoairlines.com Jinghong 1st floor Kingland Hotel, 6Jingde Rd, Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China Tel/Fax: (86) 691 2199 Email: qvjhg@laoairlines.com

SINGAPORE Airport office New House 60, Airport Boulevard Unit B16-011 Changi Airport Terminal2 Singapore 819643 Tel: (+65) 6214 8829, Fax: (+65) 6214 8816 Email: sitthideth@laoairlines.com Town office c/o GSA-Maple Aviation Pte Ltd 133 NewBridge Road #14-07 Chinatown Point Singapore 059413 Tel: (+65) 6538 2192 , Fax: (+65) 6535 9901

GSA/SALES AGENT UNITED KINGDOM (UK) Lao Airlines GSA Axis House, 242 Bath Road Heathrow Middlesex UB3 5AY United Kingdom Tel : +44(0)844 482 2318 Fax : +44(0)844 482 1668 E-mail: laoairlines@apg-ga.co.uk FRANCE Lao Airlines c/o APG 66 avenue des Champs Elysées-75008 Paris Tel: (33) 1 53 77 13 13 Fax: (33) 1 53 77 13 05 E-mail: laoairlines@apg.fr SPAIN Gran Via Corts Catalanes 617 08009 BARCELONA Tel: (34) 933188443 Fax: (34) 934813833 E-mail: laoairlines@bcnair.com SWEDEN Lao Airlines Europe Box 22308 Kungsholmsgatan 10 104 22 Stockholm, Sweden Tel: (46) 8 545 91 668 Fax: (46) 8 612 05 92 E-mail: sales.europe@lao-airlines.com GERMANY Lao Airlines Leonhardstraße 22, 61169 Friedberg Tel: (49) 6031 737630 Fax: (49) 6031 725081 E-mail: laoairlines@gpgermany.com ISRAEL Euromart 29 Ben Yehuda ST, Tel Aviv Israel P.O.Box - 3254 Tel Aviv Israel, Tel: (972)-3-7952127, 5279256 Fax: 972-3-6005919 E-mail: euromart@netvision.net.il SITA: TLVGANZ

JAPAN ATB., Ltd 6F Wanami Bldg, 1-4-5 Nihombashi Kayaba-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 105-0025 Tel: (81-3) 5623 3858 Fax: (81-3) 5623 3859 E-mail: qv@lao-airlines.jp res@laoairlines.jp KOREA C/O Global Air System Rm 902, Kwang Hwa Mun Bldg, 211, Sejongro, Chongro-Gu, seoul, Korea Tel: (822) 3708 8561 Fax: (822) 3708 8569 E-mail : kashar@globalair21.com MALAYSIA C/O Maple Aviation Pte, Ltd CP57 Suite 1705 17th floor Central Plaza Jalan Sultan Ismail 50250 Kuala Lumpur Tel: (60) 321443101 / 3077 Fax: (60) 321429392 E-mail: maple_kl@tm.net.my SITA: KULTOOA TAIWAN Taiwan Orchid Express Inc 11F, No25, Chang An E Rd, Sec 1, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: (886)-2 25682121 Fax: (886)-2 2521-3991 E-mail: info@toe.com.tw HUNGARY AVIATION GSA Co. 1065 Budapest VI., Nagymezo utca 47. Tel: (361) 302-2484, (361) 354-1849 Fax: (361) 354-1848 Mobil: (36) 30-397-7353 E-mail: aviationgsa@t-online.hu

USA (SALES AGENT) Good Luck Tour And Travel 2021 The Alanmeda Suit 199 San Jose CA 95126 Tel: 408-243 7628 Fax: 408-243 8168 Email: nancy@goodlucktour.com EXCEL TRAVEL 4885E, Kings canyon, Fresno CA 93727, USA Tel: (559) 455 19159 Fex: (559) 455 1965 Email: exceltravelus@yahoo.com UNIVERSAL TRAVEL 4400 47TH AVE SACRAMENTO CA 95824 Tel: 916-429-2711 Fax: 916-429-1910 Email: reservations@universaltravel.com USA GATEWAY TRAVEL 4100 Spring Valley Rd, Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75244 Tel: 972-503-7888 Fax: 972-934-4612 Email: gttdfw@gtttravel.com USA GATEWAY TRAVEL (GTT Internationa) 1300 Godward St, N.E.Suite 3120 Mineapolis, MN 55413 Tel: 612-872-4931 Fax: 612-872-4932 Email: hanna.msp@gtttravel.com

Vientiane Capital of Lao PDR

Vientiane

Vientiane is Southeast Asia’s most laid-back capital. This city boasts outstanding French colonial architecture and low level buildings spread throughout the city, exuding its rich cultural heritage and relaxed atmosphere. Life in this pleasant capital is slow-paced. We explore this small, peaceful capital at a leisurely pace, visiting some of the finest and most important historical sites in Laos. How to get to Vientiane on Lao Airlines? From Bangkok, there are two daily flights. There are daily flights from Hanoi / Kunming / Siem Reap. From Ho Chi Minh, three flights a week (Tue, Thu & Sat).

Vientiane Free & Easy Stay-3 days Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane (B) Code: CPH71 Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package to Vientiane Capital, which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodation at a hotel of your choice with breakfast, round trip airport transfer and a half day tour.

Vientiane Stop-Over-3 days Code: CPH72 Vientiane Stop-Over tour includes a round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, transportation in private car, hotel accommodation in a twin shared room with breakfast, English speaking guide, admission fee to indicated sights, Government tax and service charge and tour program are below:

Opon arrival in Vientiane, you will be met and transferred to a centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. After a short rest, we begin visiting the major sights of the capital, including Vat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Vat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha. Enroute to Lao’s national icon, the precious and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. We’ll end the day by the Mekong riverside for a relaxing stroll and admire the sunset. Overnight in Vientiane (B)

Day 2: Vientiane – Nam Ngum Lake

After breakfast, we head out of the city to make our way to Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir created by the damming of the Nam Ngum River. On the way to Nam Ngum Lake, we’ll stop at Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt extraction plant and a village that distills the local Lao whiskey. On arrival at Nam Ngum Lake, we embark on a long tail boat to visit fishing villages in the various islets. We take a short walk to explore the lifestyle of the local fishermen. After that we’ll have lunch. On the return drive to Vientiane, [if time permits], perhaps you might want to experience gambling at the Lao casino located in the valley where you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the lake. We return to Vientiane by late evening. Overnight in Vientiane (B)

Day 3: Vientiane-Departure After breakfast, we visit the Morning Market which has a range of Lao made products, from silk, handicrafts, silver jewelry, clothing, etc. (if time permits). The tour ends after you’re transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

For more information please contact Champa holidays tour or Lao Airlines offices Tel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile: 22413161, 22224884 Email: info@laoairlines.com, sales@champaholidays.com, www.champaholidays.com

Pakse City (Champasak) Pakse Stop-Over-3 Days Code: Champa 3.2

Day1: Arrival-Pakse to Don Khone On arrival at Pakse, drive out towards Khong Island. On the way we make a short detour to visit Pha Suam Vaterfall and to explore the Lao Teung ethnic minority villages. We continue our journey by motorboat to Don Khong, the largest island in the southern part of the Mekong river region known as the 4,000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight in Don Khong. (L/D)

Day 3: Pakse - Departure after breakfast, at your leisure or shopping, then transfer to airport. (B)

Package includes: - Roundtrip on Lao Airlines air ticket - Two nights accommodation in hotel in a twin sharing room; daily breakfast - Transportation in private car - English speaking guide - Admission fee to indicated sights

Day 2: Khong Island to Done Khone Pakse Free & Easy Stay-3 Days to Pakse Following breakfast, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside, and embark on a longtail boat tour of the Don Khone area, which takes you to visit the remains of the French colonial period and Liphi Vaterfall or “the Corridor of the Devil”. We return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest Vaterfall by volume in South east Asia; this is an impressive attraction near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making it one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. Afterwards we drive back to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse. (B/L/D)

Code : Champa 3.1

Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package in Pakse, the southern city of Laos. You can make a connection flight on Lao Airlines flight from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Day 1: Meet at Pakse airport and transfer to hotel for check-in and relaxation. Day 2: Enjoy breakfast at hotel and free time or you may contact hotel counter for city tour yourself.

Package includes: - Roundtrip Lao Airlines air ticket - Two nights accommodation at hotel Daily breakfast - Round trip airport transfer

Pakse Splendid We explore the beautiful region of Pakse, located in the southern part of Laos, also home to the famous Ancient Khmer ruins of Vat Phou from the 5th Century and the aweinspiring Khone Phapheng Vaterfall, the biggest in Southeast Asia! The surrounding forests teem with flourishing vegetation and you will be greeted by the friendly locals as we visit a few villages. You will take a trip to the Bolaven Plateau, which will provide you with a refreshing break from the heat and allow you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea and other crops. On Pakse on Lao Airlines flights from Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh. Direct flights are available from Ho Chi Minh to Pakse as follows: Tue, Thu, Sat – Depart at 11:45 and arrive at 13:45. Pakse to Ho Chi Minh: Tue, Thu, Sat– Depart at 09:15 and arrive at 10:45.

Day 3: After breakfast, free time and transfer to airport for check in and fly back to your next destination.

Luang Prabang World Heritage City Luang Prabang has a beautiful and tranquil dream-like setting with a fusion of foreign influences and splendid landscape and scenery, making this an idyllic, unspoiled and charming destination for visitors. It is no wonder this amazing city has been declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO. The ancient city was the former capital of Laos, with a reign of more than 63 kings over 600 years. Luang Prabang is known as the ‘Thousand Pagoda City’ and there are countless intriguing architectural highlights in this sleepy and once royal capital. How to get to Luang Prabang? Lao Airlines has direct flights from Bangkok, Chiangmai and Hanoi daily; three times a week from Siem Reap; three flights daily from Vientiane. Day 1: Arrival-Luang Prabang Luang Prabang Free & Easy Stay-3 Days Code: CPH11 Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package in the World Heritage City of Laos which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodations in a hotel room of your choice with daily breakfast, round trip airport transfer and half day city tour.

Luang Prabang Stop-Over-3 Days Code: CPH12 Luang Prabang Stop-Over tour includes a round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, transportation in private car, accommodation in a twin shared room with breakfast, English speaking guide, admission fee to indicated sights, and government taxes and service charges. The tour program is as follows:

Arrival at Luang Prabang airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After a short rest, we will visit the impressive stupa of Vat Visoun and the shrine of Vat Aham and Vat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by hilltribe groups and local people from the surrounding area of Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang-Pak Ou Cave On this day, we enjoy a short-guided tour to see the city’s oldest temples of Vat Sene and the magnificent Vat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil coun-

tryside as well as time to explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we’ll take a short drive to another small village, Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day3: Luang Prabang-Departure Visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last reign. There will also be time to look around the Central Market. After visiting these sights in the morning, there may be free time (depending on your flight) to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

For more information please contact Champa Holidays Tour or Lao Airlines offices Tel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile: 22413161, 22224884 Email: info@laoairlines.com, sales@champaholidays.com, www.champaholidays.com

Luang Prabang World Heritage City Luang Prabang Wonder-4 Days

Day 2: Luang Prabang-Pak Ou Cave

Code: CPH13 Enjoy Luang Prabang Wonder – 4 days and 3 nights which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, transportation in private car and accommodation in a twin shared room with daily breakfast, English speaking guide, admission fees to indicated sights, government taxes and service charges. The tour program is as follows:

Day 1: Arrival-Luang Prabang Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in Southeast Asia’. During your time here, we’ll visit the impressive stupa of Vat Visoun and the shrines of Vat Aham and Vat Mai. We then climb up to the top of mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people from the surrounding areas of Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Enjoy a short-guided tour to see the city’s oldest temple of Vat Sene and the magnificent Vat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as time to explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 3: Luang Prabang-Khouangsi Vaterfall An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual. From there, you will visit the morning Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hilltribe weavings.

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and this day you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou, Lao Oum Village and Ban Thapene, which are Khmu villages. This then takes us to the beautiful Khouangsi Vaterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. On the return trip to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for its silk weavings and for its Saa (jute) Papermaking. We return to the city by late evening to admire the sunset at Vat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 4: Luang Prabang-Departure Visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last reign. There will also be time for us to look around the Central Market. After visiting these sights in the morning, there may be free time (depending on your flight) to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam Formerly known as Saigon How to get to Ho Chi Minh City? You may take Lao Airlines flight from Vientiane or Pakse to Hochiminh on Tue, Thu & Sat. Ho Chi Minh Free & Easy Stay-3 days Code: CPH61 Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package in the historical Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, two nights accommodation in a three star hotel with daily breakfast, round trip airport transfer and a half-day tour in Ho Chi Minh city.

Ho Chi Minh-Mekong Delta-3 Days Code: CPH62 The Ho Chi Minh Mekong Delta 3 days and 2 nights package includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodation in a twin sharing room, daily breakfast and one lunch at the hotel, transportation in private car, entrance fees to tourist sites and a one-day tour of the Mekong Delta including tour guide as follows:

Day 1: Meet on arrival at Tan San Airport

and transfer to hotel for check-in and then free time or shopping.

sightseeing and observing the daily activities of local people, taking a paddle boat along the small canal, visiting a bee farm, orchards, enjoying tea, honey, seasonal fruits, sweets, amateur traditional music performances, touring a coconut candy mill and then lunch on the island. On the way back, stop for shopping.

Day 3: Depart Ho Chi Minh (B) After breakfast at hotel , free time or shopping and transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight.

Ho Chi Minh Vung Tau 3 Days Code: CPH63 Ho Chi Minh Vung Tau 3 days and 2 nights includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodation in a twin sharing room, full meals, transportation in private car, entrance fees to tourist sites, tour guide and tour program as follows:

Day 1:

Arrive Ho Chi Minh – CITY TOUR (L,D)

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Ho Arrive Ho Chi Minh by QV515 at 10:45. Chi Minh (Meals: B/L)

After breakfast, depart at 8:00 am, driving to the Mekong Delta, nicknamed the large rice basket of Vietnam. This day includes visiting Vinh Trang pagoda, cruising on the Mekong river to an island for

Welcome by friendly guide then transfer to hotel. Buffet lunch provided by hotel.

PM: City tour – visit local neighborhoods and landmarks such as China Town, Thien Hau Pagoda, Remnant War Museum, Reunification Hall (Formerly Presidential Pal-

ace), Opera House, City Hall, stop at the Main Post Office & Notre Dame Cathedral for pictures. On the way back to the hotel, stop at a lacquer ware factory for shopping. Back to hotel and enjoy a set dinner at Sapphire Hotel.

Day 2: HCMC – VUNG TAU – HCMC (L, D) Depart in the morning for Vung Tau, a famous tourist spot. Free for swimming and sea bathing at Mariana Club. Set lunch at the local seafood restaurant. Visit memorial statue of Saint George (30 m high) on Small Mountain - the highest Saint statue in VietNam; visit Niet Ban Tinh Xa, the most beautiful pagoda in Vung Tau on a hillside facing the sea. On the way back to HCMC, stop at Long Thanh to buy fruits of the season. Arrival HCMC, enjoy a set dinner on a Saigon floating restaurant. Transfer back to hotel for leisure time.

Day 3: HO CHI MINH – VIENTIANE Free time until transfer to airport for a flight at 11:45 am. End of service.

Amazing Angkor, Siem Reap - Cambodia How to get to Angkor Vat? You may take Lao Airlines flight from Vientiane or Pakse with daily service or depart from Luang Prabang on Mon, Thu & Sat.

Angkor Vat Free & Easy Stay3 Days, 2 Nights Code: CPH41 Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package in Siem Reap city which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodation in a three/four star hotel with daily breakfast and round trip airport transfer.

Amazing Angkor Vat Full Package - 3 Days, 2 Nights Code: CPH42 Visit the Amazing Angkor city on a 3 days and 2 nights package with Champa Holidays which includes roundtrip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodation in a twin sharing hotel room, meals, transportation (car, van or bus), entrance fees to tourist sites, English/Thai speaking guide and tour program as follows:

Day 1: Arrive – Siem Reap (L/D) Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to hotel for check-in and visit the National Museum then have lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Vat Thmei Artisan Angkor, Old Market, then have dinner at Koulen II Restaurant with Apsara Dance show. After dinner, visit the Night Market, then back to hotel.

Day 2: Angkor Thom (B/L/D ) After breakfast at hotel, visit South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon temples, Bapuon, Phimenakas, Terrace of Elephant and Leper King. In the afternoon, visit Ta Prum temple, Takeo, Angkor Vat temple and Vatch the sunset over Bakheng Hill, dinner and back to hotel. Day 3: Siem Reap – Pakse/Vientiane (B) Breakfast at hotel, visit old market and transfer to Siem Reap International Airport to fly back.

Angkor Vat - Phnom Penh Sihanoukville Full Package - 6 Days, 5 Nights Code: CPH42 Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap (L/D) Arrive at Siem Reap International airport and transfer to hotel for check-in. Lunch at Sophea Angkor Pich Restaurant then visit South Gate of AngkorThom , Terrace of Elephant, Angkor Vat and Vatch the sunset over Bakheng Hill, dinner at Kolen II Restaurant.

Day 2: Tonle Sap Lake – Phnom Penh (B/L/D) At 7:30 am guide and van pick up to visit the Tonle Sap Lake, and have an early lunch at Kolen II restaurant. At 12:00 noon depart by van to Phnom Penh and checkin to a three star hotel and have dinner at the Tonle Basac restaurant.

Day 3: City tour Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville (B/L/D) At 8:00 am guide and van pick up to visit the Royal Palace, museum, the killing fields, and have lunch at Tonle Basac restaurant and at 1:00 pm depart by van to Sihanoukville and check-in to Hotel Golden Sand, then have dinner at the Beach Restaurant.

Day 4: Sihanoukville At 8:00 am guide and van will pick up to Ream Beach. Lunch at Beach Restaurant and in the afternoon visit the Ochheuteal beach, then have dinner at a beach restaurant.

Day 5: Sihanoukville – Siem Reap (B/L/D) At 8:00 am visit Sihanoukville Market and lunch at Tonle Basac Restaurant, and drive back to Siem Reap, check-in to hotel and have dinner at Sophea Angkor Pich Restaurant.

Day 6: Siem Reap – Pakse/ VTE (B) Breakfast at hotel, visit old market and transfer to Siem Reap International Airport to your next destination.

Jinghong-China Visit Jinghong , Xishuang Banna Located in the south of Yunnan Province, Jinghong is the political, economic and cultural center of Xishuang Banna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, which is a supernatural oasis in southwest China, while Jinghong is a bright pearl in the oasis. Attractions in Xishuang Banna Known for its tropical flowers, plants, and garden, attractions in Xishuang Banna include the Meng Tropical Botanical Garden, tropical rain forest valley, Mengle great Buddhist monastery, Mengle cultural park, Manting park, Dai ethnic garden, wild elephant ravine, south medicinal plants garden, the virgin forest park and Mengjinglai village and more. How to get to Jinghong? Travel with Lao Airlines direct flight from Luang Prabang on Friday and Sunday or on a connecting flight from Vientiane.

Jinghong Free & Easy Stay3 Days, 2 Nights Code: CPH51 Enjoy and relax with the Free & Easy Stay package in Jinghong Xishuang Banna which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodation in a four star hotel with daily breakfast and airport transfer.

Jinghong Stop-Over3 Days, 2 Nights Code: CPH52 Spend your holidays with the Jinghong Stop-Over â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 days, 2 nights which includes roundtrip air ticket of Lao Airlines,

2 nights accommodation in a three star hotel with a twin sharing room, full meals (Chinese food), transportation (car, van or bus), entrance fees to tourist sites, Lao/ English speaking guide and tour program as follows:

Day 1: Take Lao Airlines flight QV818 to Jinghong , guide will meet you at the airport, go straight to visit Bage Temple (Head Temple in Xishuangbanna), then transfer to hotel check-in and dinner. Overnight at Jinghong.

Day 2: After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Virgin Forest Park, lunch, then to Ganlanba and sightseeing in the local bazaar and the villages of Dai people and visit the Dai Garden, take part in the Vater splashing, and have dinner during a singing and dancing show. Overnight at Jinghong.

Day 3: Breakfast & check-out from hotel, tour the Flower Garden. After lunch, transfer to the airport to fly back to Luang Prabang or Vientiane.