Champa Holidays #14

Issue 14 DECECEMBER 2012 - JANUARY 2013

V o l 0 2 i s s u e 1 4 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

Lao airlines in-flight Magazine

j rq[da[lt4komumjv’mjP;c[[pnopq’0v’]k;

Discovering Laos’ Eco-Tourism Sideshows

w w w. c h a m pa m a g . c o m

2k,fvddh;pw,h;P’9ao

Vientiane Orchid Farm

lts;ao0v’dkoxuozk

A Rock Climbing Paradise

3I’cI, glf4krkg]al

Inside Settha Palace Hotel w w w. L a o A i r L i n e s . c o m | w w w. C h a m pa H o l i d ay s . c o m | w w w. C h a m pa M a g . c o m

mmg.com

ສານຂອງທ່ານ ດຣ. ສົມພອນ ດວງດາຣາ ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການໃຫ່ຍລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວ Message from Dr.Somphone DOUANGDARA President of Lao Airlines

ຍິນດີຕ້ອນຮັບບັນດາທ່ານສູ່ຖ້ຽວບິນ ຈາກ ທ່ານ ດຣ. ສົມພອນ, ປະທານສາຍການບິນລາວ ສະບາຍດີບັນດາຜູ້ອ່ານທີ່ຮັກແພງ, ເດືອນທີ່ຜ່ານມາ ປະເທດລາວ ໄດ້ມີການສະເຫລີມສະຫລອງຫລາຍຢ່າງໃນ ນັ້ນລວມມີການສະເຫລີມສະຫລອງປີແຫ່ງຄວາມສາມັກຄີມິດຕະພາບຄົບ ຮອບ 35 ປີ ແຫ່ງສັນຍາວ່າດ້ວຍຄວາມສາມັກຄີພິເສດ ລະຫ່ວາງ ສປປ ລາວ ແລະ ສສ ຫວຽດນາມ, ແລະ ໂອກາດທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບກຽດເປັນ ເຈົ້າພາບກອງປະຊຸມ ສຸດຍອດຂອງລັດຖະສະພາເອເຊຍ ຍູໂຣບ ຄັ້ງທີ 7 ກອງປະຊຸມນັກທຸລະກິດ ອາຊີ ເອີລົບ ຄັ້ງທີ່ 13 ກອງປະຊຸມສຸດຍອດອາເຊັມຄັ້ງທີ 9 ເຊິ່ງເປັນຜົນສໍາ ເລັດອັນຍິ່ງໃຫ່ຍຂອງຊາດ . ປີນີ້ເປັນປີພິເສດ ທີ່ລາວເຮົາໄດ້ຮັບກຽດເປັນເຈົ້າພາບຈັດກອງປະຊຸມລະ ດັບໂລກເຖິງ 4 ຄັ້ງ ເຊິ່ງໄດ້ສະແດງ ໃຫ້ເຫັນວ່າປະເທດ ລາວ ໃນປະຈຸບັນ ໄດ້ເປີດປະຕູສູ່ສາກົນ. ດັ່ງນັ້ນໃນນາມເປັນສາຍການບິນແຫ່ງຊາດ, ພວກ ເຮົ າ ໄດ້ ເ ຮັ ດ ວຽກຢ່ າ ງຂະຫຍັ ນ ຂັ ນ ແຂງໃນການຂະຫຍາຍເສັ້ ນ ທາງບິ ນ ເພີ່ມເຕີມ, ເລີ່ມຈາກສີ່ຖ້ຽວບິນ ໃນອາທິດລະຫ່ວາງວຽງຈັນ ແລະ ກຸງໂຊ (ອິນຊອນ) ຂອງ ສ.ເກົາຫລີ ແລະ ສາມຖ້ຽວບິນໄປ ກວາງໂຈ (ໄບຍຸນ) ໃນ ສປປ ຈີນ. ໃນນາມຂອງສາຍການບິນລາວ, ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຂໍສະແດງຄວາມຂອບໃຈບັນ ດາທ່ານທີ່ເລືອກໃຊ້ບໍລິການຂອງພວກເຮົາ ແລະ ຂໍອວຍພອນໃຫ້ບັນດາ ທ່ານເດີນທາງຢ່າງສະວັດດີພາບ. ພວກເຮົາຫວັງເປັນຢ່າງຍິ່ງວ່າຈະໄດ້ມີ ໂອກາດຮັບໃຊ້ທ່ານໃນໂອກາດຕໍ່ໄປ. ດຣ. ສົມພອນ ດວງດາຣາ ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການໃຫ່ຍລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວ

Dear readers, Recent months have given Laos many reasons to celebrate, including the 35th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Solidarity between Lao PDR and Vietnam, as well as the opportunity of hosting the 7th Asia- Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting, which represents a great achievement for the nation.

In this extraordinary year for Laos, we have had the opportunity of hosting not just one but four global meetings, reflecting the extent to which Laos is now open to the world. So as the national airline, we have been working hard to move with these exciting times by expanding our network, starting with four flights a week between Vientiane and Seoul (Incheon) in the Republic of Korea and three weekly flights to Guangzhou (Baiyun) in China.

On behalf of everyone at Lao Airlines, I would like to thank you for choosing our service and wish you a safe onward journey.

We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again soon.

Dr. Somphone Douangdara President of Lao Airlines

Greetings from the Editor

ສະບາຍດີທ່ານຜູ້ອ່ານ ຍີນດີຕ້ອນຮັບສູ່ວາລະສານຈຳປາຮໍລິເດສະບັບທີ14, ຜູ້ນຳພາທ່ຽວດີທີ່ສຸດ ໃນລາວໂດຍຜ່ານບົດຂຽນກ່ຽວກັບຂໍ້ມູນທ່ອງທ່ຽວແລະຮູບພາບທີ່ເປັນແຮງ ບັນດານໃຈຈາກທີມງານຊ່ຽວຊານດ້ານການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ. ເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າລະດູຝົນໄດ້ສິ້ນສຸດທົ່ວພາກພື້ນ, ການເດີນທາງທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ຂອງທ່ານມາເຖິງໄລຍະເວລາທີ່ເໝາະສົມທີ່ສຸດໂດຍສືບເນື່ອງມາຈາກ ທ້ອງຟ້າແຈ່ມໄສຂຶ້ນກ່ວາເດີມ ແລະ ອາກາດທີ່ເຢັນລົງຄຽງຄູ່ກັບເທດສະ ການອັນໜ້າຕື່ນເຕັ້ນຈຳນວນໜຶ່ງເຊັ່ນງານບຸນພະທາດຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ.

ໃນສະບັບນີ້, ພວກເຮົານຳສະເໜີບັນດາທ່ານກ່ຽວກັບຄວາມງາມສູງສຸດ ແລະໂດດເດັ່ນຂອງລາວໂດຍການປິນພູເຂົາຊົມວິວທີ່ພວມໄດ້ຮັບຄວາມ ນິຍົມສູງ. ເບີນີ ໂລເຊັນບລູມ ນຳພາທ່ານເດີນທາງໄປຍັງປາຍທາງສະ ຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບອະນຸລັກດີທີ່ສຸດຂອງປະເທດ. ເບັນຈາມິນ ເບັລກ ນຳພາທ່ານໃຫ້ຮູ້ຈັກກັບໂຮງແຮມເສດຖາ ພາເລັດຫຼາຍຍິ່ງຂຶ້ນ, ເຊິ່ງຫຼົງ ເຫຼືອຈາກສະໄໝເມືອງຂຶ້ນພຽງແຫ່ງດຽວຂອງລາວທີ່ມີລັກສະນະເປັນ ເອກະລັກສະເພາະແລະຄວາມຍິ່ງໃຫ່ຍ, ຄວາມງົດງາມທີ່ເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍ ຄວາມໜ້າອັດສະຈັນໃຈແລະບໍ່ມີວັນສິ້ນສຸດ. ແລະກໍ່ເໝືອນເຊັ່ນເຄີຍ, ພວກເຮົາຈະນຳສະເໜີໃຫ້ທ່ານຮັບຮູ້ກ່ຽວກັບສະຖານທີ່ພັກເຊົາ, ຮັບປະທານອາຫານແລະພັກຜ່ອນ. ຈົນກົ່ວຈະເຖິງສະບັບໜ້າ, ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ແລະ ທີມງານວາລະສານຈຳປາຮໍລີເດທຸກຄົນ, ພວກເຮົາຂໍອວຍພອນໃຫ້ທ່ານ ຈົ່ງເດີນທາງດ້ວຍຄວາມສະຫວັດີພາບ. ສຸຂີ ນໍຣະສິລປ໌ ຫົວໜ້າບັນນາທິການ

Dear readers,

Welcome to this 14th issue of Champa Holiday Magazine, your guide to the best of Laos through informative articles and inspiring images from our team of expert travelers.

With the dry season now in full swing across the region, your visit comes at a great time, thanks to clearer skies, cooler temperatures and a number of exciting events, including Vientiane’s That Luang Festival.

In this issue, we introduce you to the dizzying heights and outstanding beauty of Laos’ rapidly growing rockclimbing scene. Bernie Rosenbloom offers inspiration to those looking beyond Vang Vieng’s party scene. Benjamin Blech brings you closer to the unique character and grandeur of Vientiane’s most exquisite colonial landmark; the enchanting magic of Settha Palace Hotel.

And of course, our team of expert travelers offer their latest inside tips on where to eat, sleep and relax.

Until next time, from me and everyone at Champa Holiday Magazine, we wish you a pleasant onward journey.

Soukhi Norasin Editor-In-Chief

ແຈ້ງການ

ເຖິງບັນດາທ່ານຜູ້ອ່ານ Champa Holiday ທັງຫຼາຍ, ວາລະສານ Champa Holiday ສະບັບທີ 13 ໄດ້ພິມບົດທ່ອງທ່ຽວພາຍໃຕ້ຫົວຂໍ້ ‘’ຂີ່ລົດຖີບຊອກຮູ້ມໍລະດົກອັນເຊື່ອງຊ້ອນຂອງລາວ’’ ໂດຍ ທ່ານ David Lempert ໂດຍໄດ້ອ້າງເຖິງຊື່ ຂອງ UN-HABITAT, ບັນນາທິການ Champa Holiday ຂໍແຈ້ງການວ່າ ບົດດັ່ງກ່າວນີ້ UN-HABITAT ບໍ່ມີສ່ວນກ່ຽວຂ້ອງແຕ່ປະການໃດ. ດັ່ງນັ້ນຈຶ່ງແຈ້ງການມາຍັງຜູ້ອ່ານ ແລະ ຫົວໜ້າ UN-HABITAT ປະຈຳ ສປປລາວ ຊາບ ແລະ ເຂົ້າໃຈຕາມນີ້ດ້ວຍ. ໂດຍຄວາມນັບຖືເປັນຢ່າງສູງ ຫົວໜ້າ ບ ກ

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

Graphic Designer: insmai Creative Communication transalation: Mr. Anousa KOUNNAVONG PHOTOGRAPHy: Fab world Account-Finance: Ms. Khounkham Chanthaboury CHAMPA HOLIDAY Magazine is produced & Published by insmai Creative Communication Tel/Fax: (856-21) 223590, 020 22464321 info@champamag.com

www.champamag.com | www.insmai.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

24

ສາລະບານ Contents 8

Five Highlights of Vientiane Province

ພົບກັບສະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແບບຍືນຍົງຂອງລາວ

10 Discovering Laos’

Eco-Tourism Sideshows

ຂີ່ສະລີງຂ້າມປາຍຕົ້ນໄມ້ ຢູ່ແຂວງຈຳປາສັກ

16 Flying High in Champasak ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວພະຈົນໄພເລື່ອງຄວາມສໍາເລັດ

20 Adventure Tourism-a success story ສະຫວັນຂ ​ ອງ​ການ​ປິນຜາ

24 A rock climbing paradise ຟາມດອກກ້ວຍໄມ້ວຽງຈັນ

28 Vientiane Orchid Farm ຄວາມລັບພາຍໃນຂອງຊຽງໃໝ່

32 Inside Secrets of Chiang Mai ແລ່ນລຽບແຄມຂອງ

36 Mekong River Run ໂຮງແຮມ ເສດຖາພາເລັສ

40 Inside Settha Palace Hotel ເມຊົງ ດາລາບົວ, ຫລວງພະບາງ

46 Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang ສຸດຍ ​ ອດ​ອາຫານຝຣັ່ງ

50 French cuisine at its best

16

TOURISM

Five Highlights of Vientiane Province Looking for something outside of the classic tours around Vientiane City and Vang Vieng’s stale party scene? This issue, Bernie Rosenbloom suggests five alternatives, from Vang Vieng’s Kaeng Nyui Waterfall Circuit, caving scene, and nearby Khoun Lang Cave Nature Park to hanging out and getting lost in the capital.

1. Not Tubing in Vang Vieng

Tired of Vang Vieng’s tubing scene? Head east of town to Ban Naduang and take a walk on the Kaeng Nyui Waterfall Circuit.

Start with an easy hike along the Houay Nyui and Nam Lao streams, and past a number of cascades to the five-metrehigh Kenlon Falls and its natural swimming hole. Then, it’s just a short hop upstream to Kaeng Nyui’s 30-metre drop. The falls are quite powerful from June-October, but can turn to a trickle in April and May. Ban Naduang also has stalls, where you can buy food for lunch at a stream-side picnic spot.

2. Hang Out in the Capital

So you’ve run around Laos, experiencing an endless trail of waterfalls, caves, treks, river activities, ethnic village visits, handicraft production, local food, and rumbling over rough roads. But isn’t Laos hyper-laidback? Why not spend a day hanging out in Vientiane Capital? Just walk the streets, look at French provincial buildings, peek inside shops, sit on the Mekong Riverbank, and stop for a Beer Lao at a noodle shop to people watch. Lounge around the pool across from the National Stadium or bowl at the lanes around the corner. So relax for a day before leaving laidback Laos. There’s plenty of nothing to do.

8

3. Nature’s Way to Luang Prabang

Travelling overland from Vientiane to Luang Prabang? Consider stopping at Khoun Lang Cave Nature Park for a trek up forested mountains or along streams to caves and waterfalls. Or, you can just explore Khoun Lang Cave. The half-day “Houay Saphai Trail” heads to Houay Saphai Cave and Tad Saphai Waterfall. The longer “Houay San Trail” and mountainous “Houay Lang Trail” target Tad Houay San Waterfall. To reach the park, continue 60 km past Vang Vieng and turn left just south of Kasi. Travel 17 km to Ban Houay San’s Visitor Information Centre and the park. The road continues west to Route 4 and on to Luang Prabang.

4. Biking in the Burbs

Some say the fun starts when you get lost, and nothing could be truer than on a bike ride in Sisatannak District, southeast of Vientiane Capital. You’ll find a bizarre juxtaposition of lavish homes dotting traditional Lao villages with all the fixings: large rice paddies, chickens, ducks, cows, shops, pétanque courts, and school kids in playgrounds. The old Soviet Embassy and US Ambassador’s house are there, enduring symbols of an era when battlefield enemies lived side by side. To get there, pedal south from the bus station on Khouvieng Road for about 2 km. Turn left on Sokpaluang Road, go straight, and then explore.

5. Holed Up in Vang Vieng

If you enjoy exploring caves, Vang Vieng holds the mother lode. Most are easy to access by bicycle or motorbike, and many are clustered together, making it simple to see several in a single trip. North of town just off Route 13, you’ll find the three-cave Ban Tham Xang Group and two caves at the Ban Pha Thao Group. West of town, visit the Pha Pheung Cave Complex, a group of four caverns starring the 70-meter-long Tham Phou Thong, through which the Ka River runs. And Vang Vieng’s Tham Chang (Can’t Walk Cave) south of town, with waters that were once cold enough to paralyze bathers.

For more information on Vientiane attractions outside of the capital, go to “Visitor Information” at www.stdplaos.com

Vientiane-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 Holiday, 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 New Zealand-Laos CBT-SED project. Email: bernie.rosenbloom@gmail.com.

9

TOURISM

ພົບກັບສະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແບບຍືນຍົງຂອງລາວ

Discovering Laos’ Eco-Tourism Sideshows

ໂຄງການພັດທະນາການທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບຍືນຍົງຂອງ ທະນາຄານ ພັດ ທະນາອາຊີ (STDP-Laos), ພາຍໃຕ້ຫົວໜ້າ ທີມທ່ານ ຣິກ ພອນ (Rik Ponne), ກໍາລັງພັດທະນາ “ລາຍການສະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວ” ເພື່ຶ່ອນໍາເອົາປະເທດລາວທີ່ບໍ່ຄ່ອຍມີໃຜຮູ້ຈັກໄປສູ່ສາຍຕາຂອງເວ ທີໂລກ. ໃນຂະນະທີ່ບາງສະຖານ ທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ເຂົ້າເຖິງງ່າຍຂອງ ໂຄງການໄດ້ ກ າຍເປັ ນ ແຫ່ ລ ງທ່ ອ ງທ່ ຽ ວທີ ່ ມ ີ ຊ ື ່ ສ ຽງຂອງປະເທດ ຫລວງ ພະບາງເມືອງມໍລະດົກໂລກຂອງອົງການຍູເນສໂກ (UNESCO), ແຫ່ລງທ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງ ວຽງຈັນ, ທົ່ງໄຫຫີນ, ຖໍ້າກອງຫລໍ່, ແລະ ວັດພູຈໍາປາສັກໃນຍຸກກ່ອນອັງກໍວັດທີ່ຫາກໍ່ຂຶ້ນທະບຽນກັບອົງການ UNESCO ລ້ວນແລ້ວແຕ່ມີຄວາມພິເສດ.

T

ພາກໃຕ້ຂອງປະເທດລາວ

Starting 100 km south of Vat Phou, the project has sparked life into the Mekong River’s Siphandon (4,000 Islands). Just off Route 13 on Don Khong is the largest island and ex-French administrative centre, where the STDP-Laos has helped restore Governor Kou Abphay’s French colonial house into a District Museum.

ເລີ່ມຈາກ 100 ກິໂລແມັດຈາກທາງໃຕ້ຂອງວັດພູ, ໂຄງການ ໄດ້ຈຸດປະກາຍຊີວິດໃນເຂດ ສີພັນດອນ ຂອງແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ. ໄປຕາມ ທາງເລກທີ 13 ຢູ່ເທິງດອນໂຂງແມ່ນເກາະດອນທີ່ໃຫ່ຍທີ່ສຸດ ແລະ ເປັນສູນກາງການປົກຄອງສະໄໝຝຣັ່ງ, ບ່ອນທີ່ໂຄງການ STDPLaos ໄດ້ຊ່ວຍບູລະນະເຮືອນສະໄໝຝຣັ່ງຂອງເຈົ້າແຂວງ ກຸອະໄພ ເພື່ອເປັນພິພິດຕະພັນຂອງເມືອງ.

10

he Asian Development Bank’s Sustainable Tourism Development Project (STDP-Laos), under team leader Rik Ponne, is developing “sideshow acts” with a view to bringing Laos’ lesser known sights to the world stage. While some of the project’s easy-to-access attractions complement the country’s headliners – Luang Prabang’s UNESCO World Heritage site, Vientiane’s attractions, the Plain of Jars, Konglor Cave, and Champasak’s UNESCO–listed pre-Angkor Vat Phou – all deliver something extraordinary.

Southern Laos

ປະມານ 14 ກິໂລແມັດໄປທາງໃຕ້, ສູນຂໍ້ມູນນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວນາກາສັງ ເປັ ນ ບ່ ອ ນແນະນໍ າ ສະຖານທີ ່ ທ ່ ອ ງທ່ ຽ ວຢູ ່ ດ ອນໂຂງ. ສາລາຢູ ່ ເກາະດອນເປັນບ່ອນເກັບມ້ຽນເຄື່ອງຈັກສະໄໝຝຮັ່ງອາຍຸ 100 ປີ ແລະ ເຄື່ອງຈັກອາຍນໍ້າສະໄໝສັດຕະວັດທີ 19, ມີແຜ່ນອະທິບາຍ ວິທີທີ່ລົດໄຟຝຣັ່ງຜ່ານແກ້ງບ່ອນເຮືອຢຸດ. ເຮືອນເຄື່ອງຈັກ, ມີລະ ບົບລາກດຶງ, ອ່າງເກັບນໍ້າ, ທ່າເຮືອສາມຊັ້ນຍັງຄົງຕັ້ງຢູ່. “ທົວປາຄ່າ ແລະ ແກ້ງ” ໜຶ່ງວັນ ເພື່ອໄປເບິ່ງປາຄ່ານໍ້າຈືດ ແລະ ຂີ່ເຮືອທ່ຽວຊົມເກາະດອນຕ່າງໆ, ຮ່ອງນໍ້າ ແລະ ຫຸບເຂົາ. “ທົວເກາະດອນ” ໄລຍະສັ້ນສອງມື້ ລວມມີການເດີນປ່າເຂົ້າໄປທ່ຽວ ຊົມນໍ້າ ຕົກ ແລະ ການພັກຄ້າງຄືນ. ສອງຊົ່ວໂມງຈາກ ປາກເຊ, ສູນກາງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງຈໍາປາສັກ, ຕາດເລາະສາລະວັນ ມີຈຸດເດັ່ນເປັນ “ນໍ້າຕົກຕາດສູງ” ຂອງໂຄງ ການ. ພະນັກງານນໍາທ່ຽວ ຕາດເລາະຈະພາເດີນປ່າປະມານ 6.5 ຊົວໂມງຮອດນໍ້າເຊເຊັດຈົນຮອດຍອດນໍ້າຕົກຕາດສູງ ສູງເຖິງ 90 ແມັດເພື່ອຊົມວິວ, ກ່ອນໄປຍ້ຽມຍາມສອງໝູບ ່ າ້ ນຊົນເຜົ່າສ່ວນນ້ອຍ. ປະມານ 120 ກິໂລແມັດໄປທາງເໜືອຂອງປາກເຊ, ເສັ້ນທາງປະ ຫວັດສາດສະຫວັນນະເຂດແມ່ນໄປຕາມ ເສັ້ນທາງໝາຍເລັກ 9 ອອກໄປຫວຽດນາມ. ໃນຫລາຍໆຈຸດເດັ່ນ, ໂຄງການ STDPLaos ໄດ້ສ້າງສະຖານີລົດເມຢູ່ເມືອງພິນ, 160 ກິໂລແມັດ ຈາກ ເສັ້ນທາງເລກທີ 13 ແລະ ເມືອງສະຫວັນນະເຂດ, ເຊິ່ງສະ ໜອງຂໍ້ມູນ ແລະ ຈໍ າ ໜ່ າ ຍແຜ່ ນແພທ້ ອ ງຖີ ່ ນ. ໃກ້ ກັ ນນັ ້ ນກໍ ່ ແ ມ່ ນ ບ້ານໂນນຍາງທີ່ກັ່ນເຫລົ້າຂາວທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງ, ເຊິ່ງມີການໃຫ້ທ່ຽວຊົມ ຂະບວນການຜະລິດ.

About 14 km south, the Nakasang Visitor Information Centre introduces Don Khone’s attractions. Island pavilions house a 100-year-old French locomotive and 19th-century steam engine, with panels explaining how the French railway bypassed ship-stopping rapids. The engine house, pulley system, reservoir, and three-storey pier still stand.

A one-day “Dolphin and Rapids Tour” spots rare river dolphins and cruises to outlying islands, channels, and a canyon. The two-day “Island Hopping Tour” includes a waterfall trek and home-stay.

Two hours from Pakxe, Champasak’s tourism hub, Salavan’s Tad Lo Waterfall Park features the project’s “Tad Soung Waterfall Circuit”. A Tad Lo guide leads this 6.5-hour trek up the Xe Set River to the crest of the 90-metre high Tad Soung Waterfall crest for a spectacular view, before visiting two ethnic-minority villages.

About 120 km north of Pakxe, the Savannakhet Historic Trail follows Route 9 to Vietnam. Among the highlights, STDP-Laos has established the Meuang Phine Roadside Station, 160 km from Route 13 and Savannakhet Town, which provides information and sells local textiles. Nearby, Ban None Gnang distils renowned top-shelf lao khao (rice alcohol), and offers tours of the production process.

11

TOURISM

ພາກຕາເວັນຕົກສ່ຽງເໜືອຂອງລາວ

North-western Laos

ເສັ້ນທາງ “ຊາ ຄາລາວານ” 180 ກິໂລແມັດ ໄປຕາມທາງເລກ 3 ຈາກແຄມນໍ້າເມືອງຫ້ວຍຊາຍ, ບ່ອນຂ້າມຊາຍແດນໄປປະເທດ ໄທຍອດນິຍົມ, ໄປຫລວງນໍ້າທາມີ 10 ໂຄງການ ເຊິ່ງໃນນັ້ນມີ ສາມໂຄງການໂດດເດັ່ນ.

The 180-km “Tea Caravan Trail” along Route 3 from the riverside Houei Xai Town, a popular border crossing to Thailand, to Luang Namtha presents 10 project highlights, three of which stand out.

ໃນຫ້ວຍຊາຍ, ຫໍຄອຍຟອດການອດ ອາຍຸ 100 ປີ ຍັງບໍ່ຖືກແຕະຕ້ອງ ຄືສອງທະຫານ, ເຊິ່ງໜຶ່ງໃນນັ້ນປະຈຸບັນກາຍເປັນຫໍພິພິດຕະພັນ. ທາງເໜືອຂອງແຂວງຫລວງນໍ້າທາ, ປ່າສະຫງວນບໍ​ໍ່ກຸ້ງຂອງເມືອງ ວຽງພູຄາມີສະຖານທີ່ສໍາລັບຕັ້ງແຄ້ມ. ຮ້ານຫັດຖະກໍາອາຄາ, ຮົມຢາ, ເຮືອນນວດແຜນບູຮານ, ແລະ ມີຮ້ານອາຫານຕັ້ງຢູ່ທາງເຂົ້າ, ເຊິ່ງ ຍ່າງໜ້ອຍ ໜຶ່ງກໍ່ຮອດບໍ່ກຸ້ງເຢັນລະດູໄບໄມ້ປົ່ງ. ໄກ້ບ້ານນໍ້າເອັງ, ເຊິ່ງໃຫ້ບໍລິການພັກຄ້າງຄືນ, ຍ່າງແບບສະບາຍໄປຮອດເຂົາວົງກົດ ໃຕ້ດິນທີ່ຍາວທີ່ສຸດຂອງທາງພາກຕາເວັນຕົກສ່ຽງເໜືອ ຂອງລາວ, ຖໍ້າເກົ້າເລົ້າ. ຖໍ້າມີແສງສະຫ່ວາງຕາມທໍາມະຊາດມີສະນໍ້າຫີນທີ່ກໍ ໂຕຂຶ້ນແບບທໍາມະດາ, ແລະ ໄຂ່ມຸກຖໍ້າປຽກນໍ້າ. ໄປທາງພາກຕາເວັນອອກຂອງແຂວງອຸດົມໄຊ, ໂຄງການເຮັດວຽກ ກັບ ຊົນເຜົ່າໄທລື້ ແລະ ຄະມຸຢູ່ບ້ານຍໍ, ຫ່າງຈາກຕົວເມືອງອຸດົມໄຊ 57 ກິໂລແມັດ. ການສາທິດກ່ຽວກັບເຄື່ອງປັ້ນດິນເຜົາສະແດງວິ ຖີ ທີ່ຊາວບ້ານຊອກຫາ, ຮວບຮວມ ແລະ ກຽມດິນແນວໃດ ແລະ ວິທີການແຍກດິນ ແລະເຄື່ອງປັ້ນດິນເຜົາ. ຈຸດເດັ່ນຂອງຫລັກສູດ ດັ່ງກ່າວແມ່ນການເຮັດຖ້ວຍຂອງຕົນເອງ. ຢາກເປັນຊ່າງຕໍ່າ ຫູກສາມາດຮຽນໄດ້, ຍ້ອມ ແລະ ຕໍ່າຫູກ, ແລະເອົາແຜ່ນແພ ທີ່ເຮັດດ້ວຍຕົນເອງກັບບ້ານ. ຍ່າງປະມານ 15 ກິໂລແມັດ ຈາກຕົວເມືອງອຸດົມໄຊ, ບ້ າ ນແຟນໃຫ້ ບໍ ລິ ກ ານສອງລາຍການເດີ ນ ປ່ າ ໜຶ່ງວັນໄປນໍ້າຕົກນໍ້າກັດ, ແລະ ອ້ອມຮອບພູ ເຊິ່ງຈະພາໄປຮອດພູຜ າແດງທີ່ ສ ວຍງາມ, ຍ່າງແບບສະບາຍໆ 4 ກິໂລແມັດ ໄປຕາມ ຫ້ວຍນໍ້າ, ຈາກນັ້ນຍາງອີກ 13.5 ກິໂລແມັດໄປຫ້ວຍຍອດ. ້

12

In Houei Xai, 100-year-old Fort Carnot’s watchtowers remain intact as do the two barracks, one of which is now a museum.

North in Luang Namtha Province, Vieng Phoukha Town’s Bor Kung Nature Park rents sleeping gear for its campgrounds.

Akha handicraft shops, saunas, massage villas, and a restaurant stand at the park’s entrance, while a short stroll leads to the Bor Kung’s (Shrimp Stream) cool spring. Nearby in Ban Nam Eng, which offers homestays, an easy trek leads to northwestern Laos’ longest mapped underground labyrinth, the Kao Rao Cave. The well-lit cavern contains natural stone pools, unusual formations, and wet-cave pearls.

To the east in Oudomxay Province, the project is working with the Tai Lu and Khmu village of Ban Yor, 57 km from Oudomxay Town. A pottery workshop shows how villagers find, gather and prepare clay, and how to distinguish clay and pottery types. The climax of the course is creating your own bowl.

Wannabe weavers can also learn to yearn, dye, and operate looms, and take home their handmade cloth.

Some 15 km from Oudomxay Town, Ban Faen Village offers two one-day forest treks to Nam Kat Waterfall, and a circuit that takes in the spectacular Phou Pha Daeng Mountain, an easy 4-km walk along a stream, followed by a 13.5 km trek to the summit.

ເສັ້ນທາງມໍລະດົກທາງພາກເໜືອ

The Northern Heritage Route

ເສັ້ນທາງມໍລະດົກທາງພາກເໜືອ ເລີ່ມຈາກແຂວງໄຊຍະບູລີໄປທາງ ເໜືອຈົນຮອດຫລວງພະບາງ, ຈາກນັ້ນອອກໄປທາງຕາເວັນອອກ ຮອດແຂວງຊຽງຂວາງ ແລະ ຫົວພັນ.

The Northern Heritage Route runs from Sayabouly Province north to Luang Prabang, then swings east to Xieng Khouang and Houaphanh Provinces.

ຫ້ວຍນໍ້າໃສສວນສະໝູນໄພ ແລະສະປາສະໜູນໄພຂອງໄຊຍະບູລີ ໃກ້ກັບຕົວເມືອງໄຊຍະບູລີ ໃຫ້ຄວາມຮູ້ກ່ຽວກັບວິທີການປິ່ນປົວ ແບບພື້ນເມືອງລາວ, ວາງສະແດງພືດສະໝູນໄພເກືອບ 100 ຊະນິດ, ແລະ ໃຫ້ບໍລິຫານຮົມຢາສະໝູນໄພ. ໄປຕາມອ້ອມ “ຜາຊ້າງ” ຍັງມີ 1,000 ກ່ວາຖໍ້າ, ມີໃຫ້ບໍລິການພັກຄ້າງຄືນໃນໝູ່ ບ້ານເຜົ່າຂະມຸ ຢູ່ບ້ານແກ້ວ. ເສັ້ນທາງ “ປະຫວັດສາດສົງຄາມອິນໂດຈີນ” 1.5 ກິໂລແມັດ ຍ່າງ ຜ່ານປ່າໄຜ່ ຮອດຄູນໍ້າ ກ່ອນເຊື່ອມໃສ່ເສັ້ນທາງ “ນໍ້າຕົກຫົກດອກ” 5.4 ກິໂລແມັດ ຢູ່ນໍ້າພຸຮ້ອນ ເຊິ່ງມີບ່ອນອາບນໍ້າ ແລະ ຫ້ອງ ນວດແຜນບູຮານ. ອອກໄປທາງພາກຕາເວັນອອກສ່ຽງເໜືອ, ຖໍ້າວຽງໄຊ ຫລື “ເມືອງລັບແລ”, ບ່ອນທີ່ເຄີຍເປັນຖານທີ່ໝັ້ນ ທະຫານປະເທດລາວ ແລະ ເປັນບ່ອນພັກອາໄສໃຫ້ບັນດາພົນ ລະເຮືອນເກືອບ 20,000 ຄົນໃນລະຫ່ວາງການປະຕິວັດ, ເປັນສະ ຖານທີ່ທີຈະຕ້ອງໄປເບິ່ງ.

Sayabouly’s Houay Namsai Medicinal Plants Reserve and Herbal Spa near Sayabouly Town teaches traditional Lao remedies, displays gardens with almost 100 medicinal plants, and offers a herbal steam room. The “Pha Xang Circuit” also hosts 1,000 Caves, as well as offering homestays in the Khmu village of Ban Keo. The 1.5-km “Indochina War History Trail” heads through a bamboo forest to a trench before connecting to the 5.4-km “Hok Don Waterfall Trail” at the Hot Springs, with its bathing area and traditional massage rooms. Further northeast, the Viengxay Caves or “Hidden City”, which served as the Pathet Lao’s military headquarters and as a shelter for some 20,000 civilians during the revolution, remains a must-see.

13

TOURISM

ວັງວຽງ ໂຄງການ STDP-Laos ກໍາລັງຂະຫຍາຍຄວາມມ່ວນຊື່ນຂອງວັງ ວຽງໄປສູ່ນໍ້າຕົກ, ຖໍ້າ, ແລະການເດີນປ່າ. “ນໍ້າຕົກແກ້ງຍຸຍ” ສູງ 30 ແມັດ ໃນລະຫ່ວາງການເດີນປ່າຈະຍ່າງຜ່ານນໍ້າຕົກຂະໜາດນ້ອຍ ແກນຫລ້ອນ. ຊາວບ້ານເບິ່ງແຍງທາງຍ່າງ ແລະ ຂົວຂ້າມໄປນໍ້າຕົກ, ເຂດປິກນິກ, ແລະຮ້ ານຂາຍອາຫານ. ຖໍ້າຂຸນລາງ ສວນທໍາມະຊາດ, 60 ກິໂລແມັດອອກໄປທາງເໜືອ ຂອງວັງວຽງໃນເມືອງກາສີ, ໃຫ້ບໍລິການສາມກິດຈະກໍາເພື່ອພັກ ຜ່ອນ ຫລື ທ່ານອາດຈະພຽງແຕ່ເຂົ້າໄປທ່ຽວຊົມ ຖໍ້າຂຸນລາງ. ການເດີນປ່າ 3.5 ກິໂລແມັດ ເຄິ່ງມື້ຕາມ “ເສັ້ນທາງຫ້ວຍສາໄພ” ໄປຕາມປ່າ ແລະ ຮ່ອມພູເພື່ອໄປ ຖໍ້າຫ້ວຍສາໄພ, ຮັບປະທານ ອາຫານທ່ຽງຢູ່ ຕາດສາໄພ ເຊິ່ງເປັນນໍ້າຕົກທີ່ມີຄວາມສູງ ເຖິງ12 ແມັດ. ເດີນປ່າໜຶ່ງມື້ໃນເສັ້ນທາງ “ຫ້ວຍຊານ” 6 ກິໂລແມັດ ໄປຕາມ ສາຍນໍ້າຈົນຮອດ ນໍ້າຕົກຕາດຫ້ວຍຊານ.

ເຂົ້າໄປທ່ຽວຊົມ ສະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວແນະນໍາຂອງ ໂຄງການ STDP-Laos’ ແລະໄປສໍາພັດກັບທໍາມະຊາດ, ວັດທະນະທໍາ ແລະ ຄວາມມະຫັດສະຈັນດ້ານປະຫວັດສາດຂອງປະເທດ. ຖ້າທ່ານຕ້ອງການດາວໂຫລດແຜ່ນພັບ, ປື້ມນໍາທ່ຽວແຂວງ, ແລະ ແຜນທີ່, ກະລຸນາເຂົ້າໄປທີ່ໜ້າຂໍ້ມູນນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງໂຄງການ STDP-Laos ທີ່: www.stdplaos.com/web-based.

Vang Vieng STDP-Laos is expanding Vang Vieng’s fun to waterfalls, caves, and treks. The “Kaeng Nyui Waterfall Circuit” takes in the 30metre-tall cascade during a trek past smaller Kenlon Falls with a swimming hole. Villagers oversee the paths and bridges to the waterfalls, picnic area, and food stalls.

Khoun Lang Cave Nature Park, 60 km north of Vang Vieng in Kasi District, offers three programs or you can just explore Khoun Lang Cave. The 3.5-km half-day trek along the “Houay Saphai Trail” follows forested ridges and valleys to Houay Saphai Cave, with an optional lunch at Tad Saphai’s 12-metrehigh waterfall. The one-day “Houay San Trail” hikes 6 km along a stream to Tad Houay San Waterfall.

Step into the STDP-Laos’ tourism sideshow and experience more of the country’s natural, cultural, and historical wonders.

For downloadable brochures, provincial guidebooks and maps, visit STDP-Laos’s visitor Information information page at: www.stdplaos.com

14

TOURISM

ຂີ່ສະລີງຂ້າມປາຍຕົ້ນໄມ້ ຢູ່ແຂວງຈຳປາສັກ

Flying High in Champassak

16

ຮູ້ສຶກເຖິງຄວາມໄວເມື່ອທ່ານບິນຂຶ້ນໄປເທິງປ່າ ຢູ່ເທິງ ສະລີງ ທີ່ໜ້າຕື່ນເຕັ້ນທີ່ສຸດຢູ່ລາວ.

Feel the rush as you soar high above the jungle on one of Laos’ most exciting canopy zip-lines.

ນັກສໍາຫລວດເທິງຍອດໄມ້ ຕັ້ງຢູ່ໃນພູເຂົາທີ່ສວຍງາມຂອງ ແຂວງຈໍາປາສັກ, ອອກຈາກຕົວເມືອງຈໍາປາສັກ ປະມານ 45 ກິໂລແມັດ. ການເດີນທາງສູ່ ສະລີງ ສາມາດເປັນສ່ວນ ໜຶ່ງຂອງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວຜະຈົນໄພຫລາຍວັນ, ເຊິ່ງລວມມີ ການເດີນປ່າ, ການຂີ່ສະລີງ, ການປີນພູຕາມເສັ້ນທາງ ທີ່ໄດ້ກໍານົດໄວ້ ແລະ ການໂຍນຕົວລົງມາ, ພ້ອມກັບການຄ້າງ ຄືນເທິງຕົ້ນໄມ້ສູງກ່ວາ 10 ແມັດ ຈາກພື້ນດິນ.

Tree Top Explorer is located in the beautiful, mystical mountains of Champassak province about 45km from Pakse. A trip to the zip-line can also be part of a multiday adventure tour, which includes trekking, zip-lining, via ferrata and abseiling, with an overnight stay in a cluster of striking tree houses more than 10m above the forest floor.

ການຜະຈົ ນ ໄພຂອງພວກຂ້ າ ພະເຈົ້າ ໄດ້ ເ ລີ່ມ ຂຶ້ນ ດ້ ວ ຍການ ເດີນປ່າເຊິ່ ງ ລວມມີ ກ ານຍ່ າ ງຕາມປ່ າ ທີ່ ໜ້ າ ຕື່ ນ ຕາຕື່ ນ ໃຈ. ໃນລະຫ່ວາງທາງ, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ຜ່ານນໍ້າຕົກຕາດ ເສືອ ແລະ ກາແມັດ ຂະໜາດໃຫ່ຍ, ມີຄວາມສູງເຖິງ 100 ແມັດ ເຂົ້າໄປໃນພູເຂົາແຄບ, ກ່ອນຕໍ້າຕົກໄຫລເຂົ້າໄປໃນປ່າ ບ່ອນທີ່ສະລີງເລີ່ມຕົ້ນ. ຫລັງຈາກມື້ທີ່ສະໜຸກສະໜານ ແລະ ການຜະຈົນໄພ, ພວກ ຂ້ າ ພະເຈົ້ າ ໄດ້ ມ າພັ ກ ເຊົ າ ຢູ່ ແ ຄັ ມ ທີ່ ສ າມາດແນມເຫັ ນ ນໍ້ າ ຕົກ. ນອນຢູ່ເທິງເຮືອນຕົ້ນໄມ້ ແລະ ອາບນໍ້າຕົກບໍ່ແມ່ນ ສິ່ງທີ່ທ່ານເຮັດຢູ່ເລື້ອຍໆ. ຕື່ນຂື້ນມາໄດ້ຍິນສຽງຂອງສັດປ່າ ເປັນອີກປະສົບການໜຶ່ງທີ່ດີຫລາຍ. ແກ່ວງຕົວເອງຈາກຕົ້ນ ໄມ້ຕົ້ນໜຶ່ງໄປອີກຕົ້ນໜຶ່ງ, ເປັນສິ່ງທ້າທາຍໜຶ່ງແຕ່ການປີນ ເຂົ າ ທີ່ ໜ້ າ ຕື່ ນ ຕາຕື່ ນ ໃຈໄດ້ ສິ້ ນ ສຸ ດ ໃນຕອນເຊົ້ າ , ກ່ ອ ນກັ ບ ຄືນມາໝູ່ບ້ານ.

Our adventure started with a trek into the jungle, which includes a breathtaking canopy walk. On the way, we passed the huge Tiger and ‘Kamet Falls, where the water plunges more than 100m into a narrow gorge, before continuing deeper in to the jungle where the zip-line course begins.

After a day of fun and adventure, we settled in the camp overlooking a beautiful waterfall. Sleeping in a treehouse and showering in a waterfall isn’t something you get to do very often. Waking up to the sounds of the jungle was another great experience. Swinging from tree to tree and a challenging but spectacular via ferrata completed the morning, before coming back to the village.

17

TOURISM

ສະລີງ ຍາວ 400 ແມັດ ທີ່ບິນຜ່ານນໍ້າຕົກຕາດ ແມ່ນບ່ອນທີ່ໂດດ ເດັ່ນຂອງປະສົບການທັງໝົດ. ມັນຕ້ອງໃຊ້ແຮງຫລາຍ ແຕ່ກໍ່ຖືວ່າ ຄຸ້ມຄ່າ. ຖ້າທ່ານຄິດວ່າເໝາະສົມກັບທ່ານ, ທ່ານກໍ່ຄວນ ຈະບໍ່ຄິດວ່າ ມີບັນຫາ. ກ່ ອ ນ ທີ່ ທ່ າ ນ ຈ ະ ໄ ປ ບິ ນ ກັ ບ ສ ະ ລີ ງ , ຜູ້ ນໍ າ ທ່ ຽ ວ ຈ ະ ສ ອ ນ ທ່ າ ນ ເຕັກນິກທີ່ເໝາະສົມ ລວມມີວິທີການຈັບ ແລະ ການວາງຕໍາແໜ່ງ ຂອງຮ່າງກາຍ. ພວກເຂົາຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ແນ່ໃຈວ່າອຸປະກອນຂອງທ່ານ ຖືກປັບຢ່າງຖືກຕ້ອງ ແລະ ຊ່ວຍທ່ານອອກຈາກແຕ່ລະຈຸດປ່ອຍ. ແນ່ນອນວ່າ ເປັນປະສົບການທີ່ທ່ານບໍ່ຄວນພາດເມື່ອມາຢ້ຽມຢາມ ປະເທດລາວ! ສໍາລັບຂໍ້ມູນເພີມເຕີມ, ທ່ານສາມາດເບິ່ງທີ່ເວັບໄຊ: http://www.treetoplaos.com The 400m zip-line which passes a thundering waterfall was definitely the highlight of the whole experience. It’s physically demanding but highly rewarding for anyone who is reasonably fit.

Before you go flying down the zip-line, the guides will teach you the proper techniques, including how to hold on and position your body. They will make sure that your gear is properly adjusted and help you launch off from each platform.

Definitively something you don’t want to miss on any visit to Laos! For more information visit: www.treetoplaos.com

18

Special thanks to Europcar for getting us there safely

19

SHOPPING IN VIENTIANE TOURISM

ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວພະຈົນໄພເລື່ອງລາວຄວາມສໍາເລັດ ບໍ່ຮູ້ວ່າຈະຕ້ອງເຮັດຫຍັງແດ່ເພື່ອຈະສ້າງ ສະລີງ (zip-line) ຄວາມຍາວ 450 ແມັດ, 50 ແມັດ ເທິງປ່າໜາຕຶບ, ຮ່ອມພູສູງຊັນ ແລະນໍ້າຕົກຕາດ? ລິນຄອນ ເທເລີ (Lincoln Taylor) ນັກຜະຈົນໄພ ຈະພາພວກເຮົາໄປຄົ້ນຫາຄໍາຕອບ. ເມື່ອເວົ້າຮອດການພະຈົນໄພກາງແຈ້ງ, ປະເທດລາວມີທ່າແຮງ ເຮັດໄດ້ທຸກຢ່າງ. ບັນດາພູເຂົາຫີນປູນທີ່ໜ້າຕື່ນຕາຕື່ນໃຈເໝາະສໍາ ລັບການປີນໜ້າຜາ, ແມ່ນໍ້າໄຫລແຮງເໝາະສໍາລັບການລອຍເຮືອ ແພ ແລະ ການຂີ່ເຮືອ ຄາຍັກ, ແລະ ປ່າທໍາມະຊາດອຸດົມສົມບູນທີ່ຍັງ ບໍ່ທັນຖືກທໍາລາຍເໝາະແກ່ການເດີນປ່າ. ລິນຄອນ ເທເລີ ແມ່ນຄົນທໍາອິດທີ່ຊ່ວຍຜັກດັນໃຫ້ ປະເທດລາວ ບັນລຸວິໄສທັດຂອງຕົນໃນການເປັນໜຶ່ງ ສະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວພະຈົນ ໄພອັນດັບຕົ້ນໆຂອງພາກພື້ນ ແລະ ນີ້ກໍ່ຄືເລື່ອງລາວຄວາມເປັນມາ ຂອງລາວ. “ຍາມໃດຂ້ າ ພະເຈົ້ າ ກໍ່ ຫ ລົ ງ ໄຫລການທ່ ອ ງທ່ ຽ ວແບບຜະຈົ ນ ໄພ”, ກ່າວໂດຍນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວພະຈົນໄພສາຍເລືອດ ອົດສຕຼາລີທີ່ເຮືອນ ຂອງລາວພັກຢູ່ພາກກາງຂອງຍີ່ປຸ່ນ, ບ່ອນທີ່ລາວປະກອບທຸລະກິດ ທ່ອງທ່ຽວຕາມຫລືບ ເຫວເລິກ ຫລາຍປະເພດ ແລະ ໃຫ້ການຝຶກ ອົບຮົມຜູ້ນໍາທ່ຽວທ້ອງຖິ່ນ. ໃນປີ 2001, ລາວໄດ້ເດີນທາງມາລາວ ຫລັງຈາກທີ່ແຟນເກົ່າຂອງ ລາວໄດ້ບອກລາວວ່າ ລາວ “ຈະຮັກສະ ຖານທີ່ນັ້ນ”, ໂດຍສະເພາະ ການລ່ອງເຮືອຕາມນໍ້າຊອງ. “ແຟນເກົ່າຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເວົ້າຖືກ” ລິນຄອນ ກ່າວ. “ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ກັບປະເທດລາວ ຈາກນາທີທີ່ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມາ ຮອດ! ຜູ້ຄົນທີ່ເປັນມິດ, ວິວທິວທັດທີ່ໜ້າຕື່ນຕາຕື່ນໃຈ ແລະ ການລ່ອງເຮືອແພລະດັບໂລກ. ມັນມີທຸກຢ່າງ ທີ່ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຄົ້ນຫາ”.

Adventure Tourisma success story Wondering what it takes to build a zip-line 450m long, 50m above dense jungle, steep gorges and cascading waterfalls? We caught up with adventurer extraordinaire Lincoln Taylor to find out.

When it comes to outdoor adventures, Laos has the potential for just about everything. Spectacular karst mountains for rock climbing, fast flowing rivers for rafting and kayaking, and dense unspoiled jungle for that wild-side feeling any good trek should bring.

Lincoln Taylor was one of the first to help achieve Laos’ vision of becoming one of the region’s top adventure tourism destinations. This is his story.

“I’d always had a passion for adventure travel”, says the Australian born adventure tourism professional from his home in central Japan, where he runs a series of canyoning tours and provides training to local guides.

In 2001, he went to Laos after a former girlfriend told him he would love the country, particularly white water rafting on the Nam Nong River.

20

ໂດຍການເຮັດວຽກກັບ ກຣີນດີສຄັຟເວີຣີ້ (Green Discovery), ລິນຄອນ ໄດ້ຝຶກອົບຮົມເລື່ອງຄວາມປອດ ໄພໃຫ້ຜູ້ນໍາທ່ຽວ ທ້ອງຖີ່ນ, ເປັນຜູ້ນໍາໃນການທ່ອງທ່ຽວຫລືບເຫວເລິກ ແລະ ເຮັດ ໜ້າທີ່ຜູ້ຮັກສາຄວາມປອດໄພ ໃນການຂີ່ເຮືອຄະຍັກ. ຫລັງຈາກ ມາປະເທດລາວຫລາຍເທື່ອ, ລາວໄດ້ຖືກຮ້ອງຂໍໃຫ້ເຮັດການສໍາ ຫລວດ ເພື່ອຊອກຫາສະຖານທີ່ເໝາະສໍາລັບການທ່ອງທ່ຽວພະຈົນ ໄພແບບໃໝ່ໆ. ມີມື້ໜຶ່ງ, ຜູ້ບໍລິຫານ ທ່ານ ອິນທີ ເດືອນສະຫວັນ ໄດ້ບອກ ລິນຄອນ ກ່ຽວນໍ້າຕົກຢູ່ພາກໃຕ້ ແຂວງຈໍາປາສັກ ເຊິ່ງລາວໄດ້ເຄຍເຫັນຢູ່ໃນ ໜັງສືພິມທ້ອງຖິ່ນ. ທ່ານ ອິນທີ ໄດ້ບອກໃຫ້ລາວເດີນທາງລົງໄປສໍາ ຫລວດຢູ່ໃຕ້ ເພື່ອປະເມີນຄວາມເປັນໄປໄດ້ຂອງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ຫລືບເຫວເລິກ. “ເຂດພື້ນທີ່ນີ້ເປັນທີ່ໜ້າຫງຶດງໍ້ຫລາຍ, ເປັນຫນຶ່ງໃນສະຖານທີ່ໆ ສວຍງາມທີ່ສຸດທີ່ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ເຄີຍເຫັນ” ລິນ ຄອນ ໄດ້ກ່າວ. ແຕ່ຕາມທັດສະນະຂອງການທ່ຽວຫລືບ ເຫວເລິກ, ຈຸດອ່ອນຂອງ ສະຖານທີ່ຄືມັນອາດຈະບໍ່ເໝາະສົມສໍາລັບໝົດທຸກຄົນ, ກັບປີນ ພູເຂົາສູງຊັນ ແລະນໍ້າຕົກສູງກວ່າ 50 ແມັດ ຕ້ອງໄດ້ມີຄວາມ ຮູ້ດ້ານເຕັກນິກສົມຄວນ. ຫລັງຈາກໄດ້ເດີນທາງໄປຫລາຍເທື່ອ, ທຸກຄົນກໍ່ໄດ້ເຫັນດີວ່າ ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ຫລືບເຫວເລິກ ໂດຍສະ ເພາະໃນເຂດນີ້ ແມ່ນມີໄວ້ສໍາລັບນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ແຂງແຮງ ແລະ ມັກການພະຈົນໄພຫລາຍທີ່ສຸດ”. ແຕ່ວິໄສທັດກໍ່ບໍ່ໄດ້ໜີໄປໃສ. ເມື່ອລາວກັບມາວຽງຈັນ, ທ່ານ ອິນທີ ໄດ້ມີແນວຄວາມຄິດສ້າງ ຊິບລາຍ ສູງຢູ່ເທິງຕົ້ນໄມ້, ມີບ່ອນ ສັງເກດ ການລວມທັງມາດຕະການຄວາມປອດໄພຕ່າງໆທີ່ຈໍາເປັນ. “ສໍາລັບ ຊິບລາຍ ນັກສໍາຫລວດເທິງຍອດໄມ້, ສາຍຍາວສູງສຸດແມ່ນ 450 ແມັດ. ໃນຊີວິການເຮັດວຽກຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ, ນີ້ແມ່ນສາຍ ຊິບລາຍ ທີ່ຍາວທີ່ສຸດທີ່ເຄີຍເຮັດມາເຊິ່ງມີແຕ່ປະມານ 50 ແມັດ. ດັ່ງນັ້ນ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງບໍ່ມີປະສົບການ ຫລື ຄວາມຊໍານານສ້າງ ສາຍດ້ວຍຕົນເອງ. ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຈໍາເປັນຕ້ອງໄດ້ຊອກຫາຄວາມ ຊ່ວຍເຫລືອຈາກຂ້າງນອກ.

“She was right,” says Lincoln. “I loved Laos from the moment I arrived. Friendly people, spectacular scenery and world-class rafting. It had everything I was looking for”.

Working with Green Discovery, Lincoln began providing safety training to local guides, leading canyoning tours and working as a safety kayaker. After several trips to Laos, he was asked to carry out surveys, as a way of identifying sites for new adventure tours.

One day, Managing Director Inthy Deuansavan told Lincoln about a waterfall in southern Champasak, which he had seen in a local newspaper. Inthy asked him to travel south and conduct a survey, in order to assess the potential for canyoning tours.

“The area was breathtaking, one of the most spectacular places I have ever seen” says Lincoln. But from a canyoning perspective, the downside to the site was that it was unlikely to be suitable for everyone, with a steep climb and a series of 50m+ waterfalls, requiring a degree of technical knowledge.

After several trips, everyone agreed that the canyoning tours in this particular area would be reserved for the fittest and most adventurous”.

Despite the initial setback, the vision didn’t go away. On his return to Vientiane, Inthy put forward the idea of an enormous zip-line complex high in the forest canopy, complete with observation platforms, as well as all the necessary safety measures.

“Tree Top Explorer’s longest cables are 450m in length. At that point in my career, the longest zip-line I had set up was about 50m. So I didn’t have the experience or the know-how to build the lines myself. So we had to seek outside help”.

The project has been “very successful on many levels” says Lincoln, “providing local employment, protecting wildlife and as a business”.

For anyone thinking of setting up an adventure tourism business in Laos, Lincoln stressed the importance of developing solid local partnerships and putting back into communities. “Wherever possible, we aim to use local labor and resources, with a percentage of the profits going to the community” he says.

21

TOURISM ໂຄງການໄດ້ ຮັ ບ “ຄວາມສໍ າ ເລັ ດ ເປັ ນ ຢ່ າ ງດີ ໃ ນຫລາຍລະດັ ບ ” ລິນຄອນ ກ່າວ, “ໄດ້ສ້າງວຽກເຮັດງານທໍາໃຫ້ທ້ອງຖິ່ນ, ກໍ່ຄືການ ປົກປັກຮັກສາສັດປ່າ”. ສໍາລັບໃຜທີ່ກໍາລັງຄິດຢາກສ້າງທຸລະກິດການທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບຜະຈົນ ໄພໃນປະເທດລາວ, ລິນຄອນ ເນັ້ນຄວາມ ສໍາຄັນຂອງການສ້າງສາຍ ສໍາພັນທ້ອງຖີ່ນ ແລະ ກັບຄືນຫາຊຸມຊົນ. “ເມື່ອໃດທີ່ເຮັດໄດ້, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ແນໃສ່ການນໍາໃຊ້ແຮງງານໃນທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ແລະ ຊັບ ພະຍາກອນ, ດ້ວຍຜົນກໍາໄລຈໍານວນໜຶ່ງກັບຄືນຫາຊຸມຊົນ” ລາວ ກ່າວ. ບາງສິ່ງທ້າທາຍທີ່ພົ້ນເດັ່ນ, ລິນຄອນ ໄດ້ກ່າວເຖິງການຈໍາກັດ ພື້ນທີ່ບິນ, ການເຂົ້າເຖິງເຂດຫ່າງໄກສອກຫລີກ ໃນເວລາເກີດ ເຫດການສຸກເສີນ, ເຄື່ອງມືທີ່ມີຄຸນນະພາບສູງຍັງມີຈໍາກັດ, ແຕ່ສິ່ງ ເຫລົ່ານີ້ໄດ້ຖືກທົດແທນໂດຍລາງວັນ ທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບຫລາຍກ່ວາ. . “ການເຮັ ດ ວຽກໃນຂະແໜງທ່ ອ ງທ່ ຽ ວຜະຈົ ນ ໄພໃນປະເທດລາວ ໄດ້ໃຫ້ລາງວັນອັນຍິ່ງໃຫ່ຍຫລາຍແບບ” ລາວກ່າວ. ການສ້າງ ເພື່ອນມິດສະຫາຍໃໝ່ໆ ແລະ ເບິ່ງເຂົາເຈົ້າຈະເລີນຮຸ່ງເຮືອງ. ການ ເຫັນສະພາບແວດລ້ອມຖືກທໍາລາຍໜ້ອຍລົງ ແລະ ການປົກປັກ ຮັກສາສັດປ່າ “ແມ່ນສິ່ງທີ່ເປັນຕາເບິ່ງຫລາຍ”.

Lincoln admittes that adventure tourism in Laos comes with many challenges, including airspace restrictions, access to remote areas in an emergency, and the limited availability of high quality equipment- although he did stress that these were outweighed by far greater rewards.

“Working in adventure tourism in Laos has been hugely rewarding in so many ways. Making lots of new friends and watching them prosper. Seeing less damage to the environment and protecting wild life” have been among the many highlights”.

22

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 necessitiesand our new au-natural amenities for the discerning guests. Our Lao Traditional Hospitality Makes us Different...

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 23

SHOPPING IN TOURISM VIENTIANE

ສະຫວັນຂ ​ ອງ​ການ​ປິນຜາ

A rock climbing paradise ບາງ​ກິດຈະກຳ​ທີ່ສ ​ າມາດ​ເຮັດ​ໃຫ້ທ ​ ່ານ​ຫຼົງໄ​ ຫຼ​​ໃນການ​ປິນຜາ, ໃ ​ ນ​ ຂະນະ​ທີ່ມີຄວາມ​ຕື່ນເຕັ້ ​​ ນທ ​ ີ່​ຫາ​ບ່ອນ​ປຽບ​ບໍ່​ໄດ້​ຍ້ອນ​ທຳ​ມະ​ຊາດ​ ສ້າງສັນຫ ​ ີນຜ ​ າ​ທີ່​ກ້ວາງ​ໃຫຍ່ຕັ້ງເ​ ທິງສ ​ ະຖານ​ທີ່ໆມ ​ ເີ​ ອກະລັກສ ​ ະ​ ເພາະ​ຕົວ.

24

F

ew activities get your adrenaline flowing like rock climbing at a unique location.

Although the first rock climbers didn’t discover Laos until 2002, year after year people of many nationalities have been coming to Laos with a view to developing the rock-climbing scene. The biggest player has been Green Discovery, who have played a key role in pushing for the necessary planning.

The countless karst mountains all over Laos are just made for climbing, with so many wonderful limestone structures and formations. For now, there are just 250 routes, most of them in Thakhek and Vang Vieng.

​ເຖິງວ ​ ່າ​ນັກປ ​ ິນຜາ​ຄົນທ ​ ຳ​ອິດຄ ​ ົ້ນພ ​ ົບລາວ​ໃນ​ປີ 2002, ​ແຕ່ຫຼ ​ ັງຈ ​ າກ​ ນັ້ນຕ ​ ໍ່​ມາ​ຜູ້​ຄົນຈ ​ າກ​ຫຼາຍ​ສັນຊາດ​ກເໍ່​ ດີນທາງ​ມາລາ​ວ​ໂດຍ​ປາຖະໜາ​ ທີ່​ຈະ​ພັດທະນາ​ພາບ​ລັກຂ ​ ອງ​ການ​ປິນຜາ. ແ ​ ຕ່ຜ ​ ູ້​ທີ່​ມບ ີ​ ົດບາດ​ສຳຄັນ​ ອັນຍ ​ ິ່ງໃ ​ ຫຍ່ນັ້ນກ ​ ໍ່​ຄື ບໍລິສັດ ກຣີນດີສ ​ ​ໂຄ​ເວີ​ລີ ທີ່ເຮັ ​​​ ດ​ບົດບາດ​ອັນ​​ ເປັນແ ​ ກນ​ຫຼັກໃ ​ ນ​ການ​ຜັກດ ​ ັນໃ ​ ຫ້ມ ​ກ ີ​ ານວາງ​ແຜນ​ທຈ ີ່​ ຳ​ເປັນ. ພູ​ເຂົາ​ທີ່​ເຕັມໄ​ ປ​ດ້ວຍ​ຜາ​ຍ້ອຍ​ທີ່​ນັບບໍ່ຖ ​ ້ວນ​ໃນ​ທົ່ວ​ລາວ​ແມ່ນຖ ​ ືກ​ ສ້າງສັນສ ​ ຳ​ລັບກ ​ ານ​ປິນຜາ​ເຊິ່ງມີໂ ​ ຄງ​ສ້າງ​ແຜ່ນຫ ​ ີນປູນ​ແລະ​ການ​ ສ້າງສັນທ ​ ີ່​ສວຍ​ງາມ. ສຳລັບປ ​ ະຈຸບ ​ ັນມ ​ພ ີ​ ຽງ 250 ​ເສັ້ນທາງ​ປິນເ​ ຂົາ​ ໃນ​ລາວ, ສ່ວນ​ໃຫຍ່ແ ​ ມ່ນຢ ​ ູ່​ໃນ​ທ່າແ ​ ຂກ​ແລະ ວ ​ ັງ​ວຽງ.

25

TOURISM

ທ່າແ ​ ຂກ​ສະໜອງ​ຄຸນນ ​ ະພາ​ບຫີນປ ​ ູນທ ​ ສຸ ີ​່ ດຍ ​ ອດ ແ ​ ລະ ມ ​ ຫຼ ີ​ າກ​ ຫຼາຍ​ລະດັບ​ແລະ ຮ ​ ູບ​ແບບ​ໂດຍ​ມີ​ເສັ້ນທາງ​ການ​ປິນທີ່ງ​ ່າຍ​​ ເໝາະ​ກັບຜ ​ ູ້​ເລີ່ມ ​ ປິນຜາ​ໃໝ່ຈ ​ ົນ​ເຖິງສ ​ ະຖານ​ທີ່ໆມ ​ ີ​ຄວາມ​ທ້າທ ​ າຍ​ ສູງສ ​ ຸດສ ​ ຳລັບນ ​ ັກປ ​ ີນຜ ​ າ​ທີ່​ມີ​ປະສົບກ ​ ານ​ສູງ. ແ ​ ລະ​ການ​ກໍ່​ໂຕ​ຂອງ​ ຫີນຜ ​ າ​ທີ່​ມີ​ຮູບ​ຮ່າງ​ແປກ​ປະຫຼາດ​ແລະ ຖ ​ ້ຳ​ຕ່າງໆ​ໃນ​ວັງ​ວຽງ​ກໍ່ສະໜອງ 6​ສະຖານ​ທີ່​ເປັນເ​ ລີດໂ ​ ດຍ​ມຫຼ ີ​ າຍ​ກ່ວາ 100​ເສັ້ນທາງ​ການ​ປີນຜ ​ າ. ໜອງ​ຂຽວ​ກໍ່​ມີ​ແນວ​ໂນ້ມທີ່ສ ​ ຳຄັນຫຼ ​ າຍ​ເນື່ອງ​ຈາກ​ວ່າ​ເຂດ​ດັ່ງກ່າວ​ມີ​ທຳ​ມະ​ຊາດ​ທີ່​ ສວຍ​ສົດງ​ ົດງ​ າມ​ໂດຍ​ມີ​ອົງປ ​ ະ​ກອບ​ທາງ​ດ້ານ​ພູມສ ​ ັນຖານ​ເໝາະ​ແກ່ກ ​ ານ​ປີນຜ ​ າ​ ທີ່​ເປັນເ​ ລີດ. ພຽງ​ແຕ່ 30 ​ກິ​ໂລ​ແມັດ​ຫ່າງ​ຈາກ​ຫຼວງ​ພະ​ບາງ​ໃກ້ກ ​ ັບປ ​ າກ​ອູ​ກໍ່​ແມ່ນ​ ຜາ​ກັບແ ​ ກ້ເ​ ຊິ່ງຕັ້ງສ ​ ູງເ​ ດັ່ນສະຫງ່າເ​ ທິງແ ​ ມ່​ນ້ຳຂອງ ສະໜອງ​ແວດ​ລ້ອມ​ທພິ ີ່​​ ​ເສດ​ແກ່​ ການ​ປີນຜ ​ າ.

Thakhek offers superb limestone quality and a variety of levels and styles, with easy routes suitable for absolute beginners through to those that will challenge even the most advanced climbers. The bizarre rock formations and caves of Vang Vieng also offer six fabulous sites and more than 100 routes.

As an area of stunning natural beauty with all the geological ingredients needed for great climbing, Nong Khiaw has massive potential, while 30 km from Luang Prabang in Pak Ou District lies Gecko Mountain, towering high above the Mekong River.

ສຳລັບກ ​ ານ​ປີນຜ ​ າ​ທີ່​ທ່າແ ​ ຂກ​ທ່ານ​ສາມາດ​ເຂົ້າ​ເບິ່ງໄ​ ດ້​ທີ່: Rock Climbing in Thakhet:

www.greenclimbershome.com ສຳລັບກ ​ ານ​ປີນຜ ​ າ​ທີ່ວັງ​ວຽງ, ຫຼວງ​ພະ​ບາງ ແ ​ ລະ​ໜອງ​ຂຽວ ທ່ານ​ສາມາດ​ເຂົ້າ​ເບິ່ງໄ​ ດ້​ທີ່:

Rock climbing in Vang Vieng, Luang Prabangand Nong Khiaw: www.greendiscoverylaos.com 26

27

TOURISM

ຟາມດອກກ້ວຍໄມ້ວຽງຈັນ / Vientiane

Orchid Farm ຟາມດອກກ້ວຍໄມ້ວຽງຈັນ ເຊິ່ງໄດ້ຮັບການສ້າງຕັ້ງຂຶ້ນໃນປີ 2006 ໂດຍຄົນຝຣັ່ງ ທີ່ມີຈິດໃຈຮັກທໍາມະຊາດ, ແມ່ນໄຊຊະນະຂອງການອະ ນຸລັກຊີວະນາໆພັນໃນພື້ນທີ່, ໄປຄຽງຄູ່ກັບການກະຕຸ້ນການພັດທະ ນາເສດຖະກິດ ແລະ ສັງຄົມ. ໂຄງການມີ ເ ປົ້ າ ໝາຍສົ່ ງ ເສີ ມ ເສດຖະກິ ດ ທ້ ອ ງຖິ່ ນ ແບບຍື ນ ຍົ ງ ພ້ອມກັບປຸກຈິດສໍານຶກກ່ຽວ ກັບບັນຫາ ສິ່ງແວດລ້ອມ ແລະປົກ ປັກຮັກສາສາຍພັນດອກກ້ວຍໄມ້ອັນຫລາກຫລາຍຂອງລາວ ໂດຍການຊ່ວຍເຫລືອ ຂອງບັນດານັກອະນຸລັກ ແລະຜູ້ທີ່ມີ ສ່ວນກ່ຽວຂ້ອງຈາກພາກລັດ ແລະເອກະຊົນ.

28

E

stablished in 2006 by a French nature enthusiast, the Vientiane Orchid Farm is a victory for biodiversity conservation in the area, while also stimulating economic and social development.

The project aims to provide a sustainable boost to the local economy, as well as raising awareness of environmental issues and preserving Laos’ many orchid species with the help of conservationists and stakeholders from the state and private sector.

ຜູ້ເຂົ້າມາທ່ຽວຊົມຈະໄດ້ພົບກັບ ພືດພັນຫລາຍກ່ວາ 2,000 ຊະນິດ ລວມທັງດອກກ້ວຍໄມ້ 300 ສາຍພັນທີ່ແຕກຕ່າງກັນ. ປະເທດລາວມີດອກກ້ວຍໄມ້ປະມານ 800 ສາຍພັນ, ເຊິ່ງປະມານ 60%ຂອງດອກກ້ວຍໄມ້ທັງໝົດແມ່ນພົບໃນປ່າສະຫງວນແຫ່ ງ ຊາດພູເຂົາຄວາຍ, ເປັນບ່ອນທີ່ມີທໍາມະຊາດສວຍງາມ ແລະ ມີວດ ັ ທະນະທໍາທີ່ຫລາກຫລາຍ. ຟາມດອກກ້ວຍໄມ້ວຽງຈັນຍັງໃຫ້ ບໍລິການນໍາທ່ຽວສະຖານທີ່ດັ່ງກ່າວ. ການຍ່າງທ່ຽວຊົມສະຖານທີ່ແມ່ນເໝາະກັບທຸກໆຄົນ. ໄປພ້ອມໆ ກັບການທ່ຽວຊົມດອກກ້ວຍໄມ້ທີ່ສວຍງາມ, ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວຍັງສາ ມາດສໍາພັດກັບໂຂດຫີນອັນງົດງາມ, ບວກກັບການນອນພັກຄ້າງ ຄືນໃນໝູ່ ບ້ານ ຫລື ການຕັ້ງແຄ້ມ. ສໍາລັບຂໍ້ມູນເພີ່ມເຕີມ ກະລຸນາເຂົ້າເບິ່ງທີ່: www.vientianeorchidees.com At the farm visitors can see more than 2,000 plants, including 300 different orchid species. Laos has approximately 800 species of orchid, about 60% of which can be found in the the Phou Khao Khouay National Park, an area of stunning natural beauty and cultural diversity, where the Vientiane Orchid Farm runs guided field tours.

The field walks are suitable for anyone. As well as witnessing the sights and scents of the area’s beautiful orchids, visitors can experience some spectacular rock formations, combined with an overnight stay in a local village or camping.

For more information visit: www.vientianeorchidees.com

29

TOURISM

ຄວາມລັບພາຍໃນຂອງຊຽງໃໝ່

Inside Secrets of

Chiang Mai ເບັນຈາມິນ ເບັລກ / Benjamin Blech

ໃນຊຽງໃໝ່, ມີບາງຢ່າງທີ່ທຸກຄົນຄວນຮູ້ວ່າຈະຊອກຫານັ້ນຄືຈິດວິນຍານທີ່ແທ້ຈິງ ຂອງພາກເໜືອປະເທດໄທ, ຜູ້ຄົນທີ່ເປັນມິດ ແລະ ອາຫານທີ່ຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ທ່ານປາ ຖະໜາຈະຢູ່ສະຖານທີ່ແຫ່ງນີ້ຊົ່ວນິລັນ. ນັກຂຽນເລື່ອງທ່ອງທ່ຽວທ່ານ ເບັນຈາມີນ ເປີດເຜີຍທຸກຢ່າງໃຫ້ທ່ານຊາບ.

In Chiang Mai there are some things everyone should find; the true spirit of northern Thailand, friendly people, and food that will make you want to stay forever. Benjamin Blech reveals all.

ສິ່ງທີ່ແຕກຕ່າງຈາກຫຼວງພະບາງ, ໃນຊຽງໃໝ່ຍຸກປະຈຸບັນ ທ່ານມັກຈະແນມເຫັນ ໄວໜຸ່ມໃນເມືອງແຕ່ງກາຍຕາມກະແສນີຍົມຍຸກປະຈຸບັນໃນຫ້າງສັບພະສີນຄ້າທີ່ ກວ້າງໃຫ່ຍຫຼາຍກ່ວາການເຂົ້າວັດຟັງທຳ. ການປະສົມປະສານລະຫວ່າງປະຫວັດ ສາດອັນສະຫຼັບຊັບຊ້ອນ ແລະ ຄວາມຫຼາກຫຼາຍທາງດ້ານຊົນເຜົ່າ, ຄວາມແຕກຕ່າງ ອັນປະຈັກຕານີ້ເຮັດໃຫ້ຊຽງໃໝ່ ແລະ ຫຼວງພະບາງເປັນການປະສົບປະສານທີ່ຊວນ ໃຫ້ຫຼງົ ໄຫຼສຳລັບທຸກໆແຜນການເດີນທາງທ່ອງທ່ຽວ. ໂຊກດີ, ການເດີນທາງທີເຄີຍ ມີຄວາມຫຍຸ້ງຍາກໃນປະຈຸບັນແມ່ນມີຄວາມສະດວກສະບາຍຍິ່ງຂຶ້ນກ່ວາແຕ່ກ່ອນ ຍ້ອນວ່າມີບໍລິການຂອງຖ້ຽວບິນປະຈຳວັນຂອງສາຍການບິນລາວ.

Unlike in Luang Prabang, in modern-day Chiang Mai you’re more likely to see local youth showing off the latest trends at a shopping mall than paying their respects at a temple.

Combined with a turbulent history and huge ethnic diversity, this striking difference makes Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang a fascinating combination on any travel itinerary. Fortunately, the once arduous journey is now easier than ever thanks to daily Lao Airlines flights.

ມັນບໍ່ແມ່ນຊຸມປີທີ່ຜ່ານມານີ້ເທົ່ານັ້ນທີ່ຜູ້ຄົນພາຍນອກໄດ້ມາຕັ້ງຖີ່ນຖານໃນເມືອງ ຊຽງໃໝ່, ໃນສັດຕະວັດທີ 14 ແລະ 15, ເມືອງນີ້ກໍ່ເຄີຍເປັນໜຶ່ງໃນບັນດາສູນກາງ ທາງການຄ້າຂອງຣາຊະອານາຈັກລ້ານນາໄທເຊິ່ງມີເນື້ອທີ່ອັນກ້ວາງຂວາງທາງ ຕອນໃຕ້ແມ່ນຍາວໄປເຖິງທົ່ງພຽງພາກກາງຂອງໄທ ແລະ ທາງຕອນເໜືອແມ່ນ ຫຍັບຂຶ້ນໄປເຖິງເມືອງຫຼວງພະບາງ. ພະມ້າຍຶດຄອງເມືອງດັ່ງກ່າວເປັນເວລາຫຼາຍ ກ່ວາ 200 ປີ ນັບແຕ່ປີ 1556, ເຊິ່ງໄດ້ປະຖີ້ມຮ່ອງຮອຍດ້ານວັດທະນະທຳ ແລະ ສາສະໜາ. ຈົນກະທັງໃນປະຈຸບັນ, ຈຳນວນນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວຕ່າງປະເທດທີ່ເພີ່ມຂຶ້ນ ໄດ້ເລືອກເມືອງເມືອງຊຽງໃໝ່ເປັນບ່ອນຢູ່ອາໄສເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າມີໂອກາດໃນການ ຈ້າງງານທີ່ດີຂຶ້ນ, ອາກາດທີ່ພໍເໝາະ ແລະ ຄ່າຄອງຊີບບໍ່ແພງ.

32

It’s not just in recent years that outsiders have settled in Chiang Mai. In the 14th and 15th century, it was one of the main trading hubs of the Lanna Thai Kingdom, which stretched as far south as Thailand’s Central plains and north to Luang Prabang. The Burmese occupied the city for more than two hundred years from 1556, leaving behind a host of cultural and religious influences. Today, an ever increasing number of foreign visitors are choosing to make Chiang Mai their home thanks to improved employment opportunities, a temperate climate and low cost of living.

Most of the city’s main attractions are within walking distance of the rebuilt Tha Phe Gate. With over 300 temples, enthusiasts could spend a week or more just soaking up the cultural wonders of the city.

Why not start with the city’s oldest temple, Wat Chiang Man, built in a classic Northern style by King Mengrai in 1296? The best time to visit is early in the evening, when the setting sun catches the pristine teak beams and monks chant until late in the evening.

Also nearby is the exquisite Wat Phra Singh, featuring superb examples of northern Thai painting and sculpture, as well as being home to the deeply revered Phra Singh Buddha.

Perhaps one of the city’s most underrated sights is Wat Cheidi Luang, an enormous temple complex close to the city centre, featuring an enormous Lanna style cheidi guarded by giant intricately carved nagas and elephants. Also look out for the lifelike waxwork of a deceased local monk.

For a taste of the Burmese influence on the city, head to Wat Pon Taow, built almost entirely of pristine teak. The deep red wood adorned with gold is magnificent as a backdrop to the famous Walking Street, a thronging handicraft market that takes place every Sunday evening along the Ratchadamnoen Road close to Thapae Gate. Many shoppers stop for a moment of quiet and to pay their respects.

High in the hills above the city lies one of Thailand’s most famous temples, Wat Phra Doi Suthep, widely regarded as a cornerstone of any visit to Chiang Mai. While it no longer feels like a frontier between the spiritual world and the land of the living thanks to a barrage of souvenir stalls and tour busses, the temple is still worth a visit. Arrive early to avoid the crowds.

ສະຖານທີ່ ທ່ ອ ງທ່ ຽ ວທີ່ ສ ຳຄັ ນ ພາຍໃນຕົ ວ ເມື ອ ງແມ່ ນ ຢູ່ ໃ ນໄລຍະ ທີ່ ສ າມາດຍ່ າ ງໄດ້ ຢ່ າ ງສະບາຍຈາກປະຕູ ທ່ າ ແພທີ່ ສ້ າ ງຂຶ້ ນ ໃໝ່ . ເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າມີວັດຫຼາຍກ່ວາ 300 ແຫ່ງ, ນັກເດີນທາງທີ່ມີຄວາມກະ ຕືລືລົ້ນໃນພຸດທະສາສະໜາສາມາດໃຊ້ເວລາໜຶ່ງອາທິດ ຫຼື ຫຼາຍ ກ່ ວ ານັ້ ນ ໃນການທ່ ອ ງທ່ ຽ ວຊົ ມ ມະຫັ ດ ສະຈັ ນ ທາງດ້ າ ນວັ ດ ທະນະ ທຳຂອງຕົວເມືອງ.

Once you’ve seen the temple, continue along the main road away from the city, stopping to take stock at one of area’s breathtaking waterfalls, before taking in the sights and scents of the Phu Phing Palace, a winter residence for the Thai royal family, where exquisite internationally inspired gardens are sure to impress.

ທ່ າ ນອາດເລີ່ ມ ຕົ້ ນ ດ້ ວ ຍການທ່ ຽ ວຊົ ມ ວັ ດ ທີ່ ມີ ອ າຍຸ ເ ກົ່ າ ແກ່ ຫຼ າ ຍທີ່ ສຸດຂອງຕົວເມືອງ, ວັດຊຽງແມນສ້າງຂຶ້ນຕາມແບບພາກເໜືອສະ ໄໝເກົ່າໂດຍເຈົ້າຊີວິດເມັງລາຍ ໃນປີ 1296. ເວລາເໜາະສົມທີ່ສຸດ ໃນການຢ້ຽມຢາມສະຖານທີ່ດັ່ງກ່າວແມ່ນຕອນຫົວແລງ, ເຊິ່ງເປັນ ເວລາທີ່ພະອາທິດສາດແສງໃສ່ສີໜາສີມທີ່ເຮັດດ້ວຍໄມ້ສັກອັນຊົງ ຄຸນຄ່າແລະໃນຍາມທີ່ພະສົງກ່ຳລັງໄຫ້ວພະຈົນເຖິງເວລາຄ້າຍແລງ. ນອກນີ້ຢູ່ໃກ້ກັນນັ້ນກໍ່ຍັງມີວັດທີ່ສວຍງາມ, ເຊິ່ງໄດ້ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນ ບາງຕົວຢ່າງຂອງພາບແຕ້ມ ລວດລາຍແກະສະຫຼັກ ທີ່ໜ້າອັດສະ ຈັນໃຈ ແລະ ນອກເໜືອຈາກນີ້ກໍ່ຍັງເປັນບ່ອນປະດິດສະຖານພະ ພຸດທະຮູບທີ່ມີຄວາມສັກສິດ. ບາງທີ ອີ ກ ໜຶ່ ງ ໃນສະຖານທີ່ ໆ ຖື ກ ມອງຂ້ າ ມຫຼ າ ຍທີ່ ສຸ ດ ພາຍໃນ ເມືອງແມ່ນ ວັດເຈດີຫຼວງ ເຊິ່ງເປັນວັດທີ່ກ້ວາງໃຫ່ຍໃກ້ກັບໃຈກາງ ເມືອງ ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນວັດແບບລ້ານນາທີ່ກ້ວາງໃຫ່ຍປົກປ້ອງໂດຍ ພະຍານາກແລະຊ້າງ. ນອກນີ້ຄວນລະວັງວ່າທ່ານຈະບໍ່ຕກ ົ ໃຈຍ້ອນ ຫຸ່ນຂີ້ເຜິ້ງພາບເໜືອນອັນໜ້າສະເທືອນຂັວນຂອງພະສົງທີ່ໄດ້ມໍລະ ພາບໄປແລ້ວ.

33

TOURISM Most visits to Chiang Mai will include a trek in the majestic Doi Inthanon or Si Lanna National Parks. Generally, the best treks will include an overnight stay in a local hill tribe village.

Tips for choosing a trek 1. Get feedback from other travellers and look out for certified eco-tourism agents.

2. As each hill tribe has its own distinct language and culture, the best tour operators will employ English-speaking guides who live in the village, providing a fascinating insight into local life.

3. Choose an operator that rotates home-stays between villages. This helps prevent the creation of communities that are dependent on volatile tourism.

Accommodation in Chiang Mai is some of the best value in the region.

For B300 you will find a clean and comfortable room with a fan and private bathroom (Old Town). For around B500, something a little more sophisticated, while B1, 500 upwards allows for considerable luxury. Anything over B5, 000 will get you a night in some of the region’s most exquisite five-star hotels (Night Bazaar).

It’s difficult to imagine anywhere with the same variety of delicious, inexpensive food as Chiang Mai. Some of the best street food can be found along the lively Muang Muang Rd outside the 7/11.

From about 18:00, be sure to try the

ສຳລັບທ່ານທີ່ມລ ີ ດ ົ ນິຍມ ົ ຕໍ່ກບ ັ ອິດທິພນ ົ ຂອງພະມ້າໃນເມືອງ, ທ່ານສາມາດເດີນທາງໄປທີ່ວດ ັ ໂພນເຕົາ, ເຊິ່ງສ້າງດ້ວຍໄມ້ສກ ັ ທີ່ມຄ ີ ນ ຸ ຄ່າເກືອບທັງໝົດ. ໄມ້ສແ ີ ດງຊ້ຳນີ້ເມື່ອຖືກທາດ້ວຍສີຄຳ ແມ່ນມີຄວາມສວຍງາມທີ່ສຸດຖ້າທຽບໃຫ້ເປັນສາກເບື້ອງຫຼັງຂອງຖະໜົນຄົນຍ່າງທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງ, ເຊິ່ງເປັນສະຖານທີ່ສຳລັບຕະຫຼາດນັດຫັດຖະກຳທີ່ໃຫ່ຍເປີດທຸກໆແລງວັນທິດຕາມຖະໜົນ ຣາຊະດຳເນີນໃກ້ກັບປະຕູທ່າແພ. ຜູ້ຄົນທີ່ເດີນທາງມາຈັບຈ່າຍຊື້ເຄື່ອງຢຸດງຽບຫຼືກາບໄຫວ້. ຈຸ ດ ສູ ງ ສຸ ດ ເທິ ງ ພູ ເ ຂົ າ ຕັ້ ງ ຢູ່ ເ ໜື ອ ຕົ ວ ເມື ອ ງແມ່ ນ ໜຶ່ ງ ໃນບັ ນ ດາວັ ດ ທີ່ ມີ ຊື່ ສ ຽງທີ່ ສຸ ດ ໃນໄທ, ວັດພະດອຍສຸເທບ, ຖືໄດ້ວ່າເປັນຈຸດພື້ນຖານໃນການເດີນທາງທ່ຽວຊົມຕົວເມືອງຊຽງໃໝ່. ເຖິງວ່າສະຖານທີ່ດັ່ງກ່າວຈະບໍ່ສາມາດເຮັດໃຫ້ຄົນຮູ້ສຶກວ່າເປັນຊາຍແດນລະຫວ່າງໂລກ ແຫ່ງຈິດວິນຍານ ແລະ ໂລກມະນຸດ, ແຕ່ວັດດັ່ງກ່າວກໍ່ຖືວ່າເປັນສະຖານທີ່ໆຄວນທ່ຽວຊົມ. ທ່ານຄວນເດີນທາງໄປແຕ່ເຊົ້າເພື່ອຫຼີກລ້ຽງຜູ້ຄົນຈຳນວນຫຼວງຫຼາຍ. ເມື່ອທ່ານທ່ຽວຊົມວັດແລ້ວ, ກໍ່ສາມາດເດີນທາງຕໍ່ຕາມເສັ້ນທາງຫຼັກຈາກຕົວເມືອງ, ຢຸດທ່ຽວ ຊົ ມ ໜຶ່ ງ ໃນບັ ນ ດານ້ ຳ ຕົ ກ ທີ່ ໜ້ າ ປະທັ ບ ໃຈທີ່ ສຸ ດ ກ່ ອ ນທີ່ ຈ ະເດີ ນ ທາງຕໍ່ ໄ ປທີ່ ເ ຂດ ພະຣາຊະຖານທີ່ອົບອວນໄປດ້ວຍກິ່ນອາຍຫອມຢ່ງໜ້າອັດສະຈັນໃຈຂອງ ພະຣາຊະວັງພູພິງ, ເຊິ່ງເປັນພະຣາຊະຖານບ້ານພັກລະດູໜາວຂອງຄອບ ຄົວຣາຊະວົງໄທ, ເຊິ່ງໃນນັ້ນສວນໄມ້ດອກໄມ້ປະດັບທີ່ຖືກຕົກແຕ່ງຕາມ ແບບສາກົນທີ່ສວຍງາມຮັບປະກັນໄດ້ວ່າທ່ານຈະຮູ້ສຶກປະທັບໃຈ. ໂປແກມການທ່ອງທ່ຽວໃນຊຽງໃໝ່ສ່ວນຫຼາຍແມ່ນຈະກວມເອົາການ ຍ່າງປ່າໃນເຂດດອຍອິນທະນົນ ຫຼື ສວນອຸທະຍານແຫ່ງຊາດສີລ້ານນາ. ໂດຍທົ່ວໄປແລ້ວການຍ່າງປ່າທີ່ດີທີ່ສຸດແມ່ນຕ້ອງໄດ້ນອນພັກຄ້າງຄືນ ໃນໝູ່ບ້ານຊົນເຜົ່າພູເຂົາທ້ອງຖິ່ນເປັນເວລາໜຶ່ງຄືນ.

ຄຳແນະນຳສຳລັບການເລືອກທົວຍ່າງປ່າ

1. ຄວນຊອກຫາຂໍ້ມູນກ່ອນ. ຮັບຄຳແນະນຳຈາກຜູ້ທີ່ເຄີຍໃຊ້ບໍລິການນີ້ມາກ່ອນ ແລະ ຊອກໃຊ້ບໍລິການຂອງບໍລິສັດທົວແບບອະນຸລັກທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບໃບອະນຸຍາດ.

2. ເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າແຕ່ລະຊົນເຜົ່າມີພາສາ ແລະ ວັດທະນະທຳເປັນຂອງຕົນເອງ, ບໍລິສັດທົວ ທີ່ດີຈຳຕ້ອງສາມາດສະໜອງພະນັກງານນຳທ່ຽງທີ່ເວົ້າພາສາອັງກິດໄດ້, ດຳລົງຊີວິດພາຍ ໃນໝູ່ບ້ານແລະສາມາດສະໜອງຂໍ້ມູນກ່ຽວກັບວິຖີຊີວິດທ້ອງຖິ່ນທີ່ຊວນໃຫ້ຫຼົງໄຫຼໄດ້.

3. ເລືອກບໍລິສັດທົວທີ່ໝຸນວຽນບ້ານທີ່ໃຊ້ເປັນບ່ອນພັກຄ້າງຄືນຂອງນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວ. ສິ່ງດັ່ງ ກ່າວສາມາດຊ່ວຍຫຼີກເວັ້ນການສ້າງຊຸມຊົນທີ່ອາໄສແຕ່ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ.

34

incredible Kuay tiew nua nam kun (dark beef noodle soup) with fresh mint, bean sprouts, morning glory and as much chilli as you can handle.

At lunchtime, for a traditional taste of Chiang Mai, head to the unmarked restaurant next to Blue Diamond Cafe on Muang Muang Soy 9, which any true Lanna-Thai will tell you, serves the best Kow Soi in town (a northernstyle curry-based soup). The food is phenomenal and great value, the service friendly; the atmosphere unmistakably Chiang Mai. And so it’s popular- arrive after 13:00 and the chances are there’ll be nothing left!

ສະຖານທີ່ພັກເຊົາໃນເມືອງຊຽງໃໝ່ຖືໄດ້ວ່າມີລາຄາສົມເຫດສົມ ຜົນທີ່ສຸດໃນພາກພື້ນ. ສຳລັບລາຄາ 350 ບາດ, ທ່ານຈະໄດ້ຫ້ອງ ທີ່ສະອາດແລະສະດວກສະບາຍເຊິ່ງມີພັດລົມແລະຫ້ອງນ້ຳສ່ວນຕົວ (ຈຸດໃຈກາງ). ສຳລັບລາຄາ 500 ບາດ, ທ່ານຈະໄດ້ຫ້ອງທີ່ມີຄວາມທັນ ສະໄໝຍິ່ງຂຶ້ນ. ສຳລັບລາຄາ 1500 ບາດຂຶ້ນໄປ ທ່ານກໍ່ຈະໄດ້ຫ້ອງທີ່ມີຄວາມ ຫຼູຫຼາຫຼາຍ. ແລະສຳລັບລາຄາສູງກ່ວາ 5000 ບາດ, ທ່ານກໍ່ຈະສາມາດໄດ້ຫ້ອງພັກທີ່ມີຄວາມ ຫຼູຫຼາແລະສວຍງາມທີ່ສຸດໃນຕົວເມືອງໃນໂຮງແຮມລະດັບ5ດາວ (Night Bazaar). ມັນເປັນການຍາກທີ່ຈະມະໂນພາບເຖິງສະຖານທີ່ອື່ນທີ່ເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍອາຫານແຊບແລະບໍ່ ແພງຄືກັບເມືອງຊຽງໃໝ່. ອາຫານທີ່ດີສຸດແລະຖືກສຸດວາງຂາຍຕາມຂ້າງຖະໝົນສາມາດຫາ ກິນໄດ້ຕາມຖະໜົນມູນເມືອງ ໃກ້ກັບເຂດ 7/11. ແຕ່ເວລາ 18:00 ໂມງເປັນຕົ້ນໄປ, ທ່ານຕ້ອງ ຮັບປະກັນວ່າໄດ້ລອງຊີມເຝີຊິ້ນນ້ຳຂຸ້ນກີນກັບຜັກຫອມລາບ, ໝາກທົ່ວງອກແລະໝາກເຜັດ ຈຳນວນຫຼາຍເທົ່າທີ່ທ່ານຈະກີນໄດ້. ໃນເວລາອາຫານທ່ຽງ, ສຳລັບລົດຊາດອາຫານບູຮານຂອງເມືອງຊຽງໃໝ່, ທ່ານສາມາດທົດ ລອງໄດ້ທີ່ຮ້ານອາຫານທີ່ປອດໄພໃກ້ກັບຮ້ານອາຫານຄາເຟໄດມອນບຣູ ເທິງຖະໜົນມູນ ເມືອງ ຮ່ອມ 9 ເຊິ່ງເປັນສະຖານທີ່ທ່ານຈະໄດ້ລີ້ມລອງລົດຊາດອາຫານລ້ານນາໄທ ແລະ ກໍ່ບລ ໍ ກ ິ ານ ເຂົ້າຊອຍທີ່ແຊບສຸດໃນຕົວເມືອງ (ອາຫານປະເພດແກງເສັ້ນຕາມແບບຊາວເໜືອ). ອາຫານແມ່ນມີຄວາມເປັນພິເສດ ແລະ ມີຄຸນຄ່າທີ່ສຸດ, ການບໍລິການທີ່ເປັນມິດແລະບັນຍາ ກາດຂອງ ຊຽງໃໝ່ທີ່ບໍ່ມີຄວາມຜິດພ້ຽນ. ແລະກໍ່ແນ່ນອນວ່າຮ້ານອາຫານນີ້ເປັນສະຖານທີ່ໆ ມີຊື່ສຽງຫຼາຍ, ຖ້າທ່ານໄປເຖິງເວລາຫຼັງຈາກ ເວລາ 13:00 ໂມງ ອາດບໍ່ມີຫຍັງເຫຼືອໄວ້.

Although Chiang Mai’s traditional cuisine is some of the best in the region, today’s gastronomic offerings are as international as any large cosmopolitan city. For the best international food scene, head to Nimanheman or Huay Kaew Rd, where you’ll find everything from sushi to steak, to trendy salad bars.

Whatever your vision of Thailand, its easy to see why so many Thais regard Chiang Mai as the jewel of the nation; the city that has it all. With such an astounding range of things to see and do, a rich history, superb food and a relatively low cost of living, it remains one of the true essentials of any visit to South-East Asia.

For the latest Lao Airlines fares between Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang visit: www.laoairlines.com or contact your nearest Lao Airlines agent.

ເຖິງວ່າອາຫານພື້ນເມືອງຊຽງໃໝ່ຈະດີທີ່ສຸດໃນພາກພື້ນ, ການສະໜອງບໍລິການດ້ານ ອາຫານຊ້ຳພັດມີລກ ັ ສະນະສາກົນຄ້າຍຄືກບ ັ ຕົວເມືອງໃຫ່ຍອື່ນໆ. ສຳລັບອາຫານສາກົນ ທີ່ເປັນເລີດທ່ານສາມາດເດີນທາງໄປທີ່ຖະໜົນນິມານເຫມິນຫຼືຫ້ວຍແກ້ວເຊິ່ງເປັນສະ ຖານທີ່ທ່ານສາມາດຊອກກິນທຸກຢ່າງໄດ້ນັບແຕ່ຊູຊິຈົນເຖິງສະເຕັກ ຫຼື ບູບເຟສະຫຼັດທີ່ ພວມໄດ້ຮັບຄວາມນິຍົມ. ເຖິງວ່າມູມມອງຂອງທ່ານກ່ຽວກັບໄທຈະເປັນແນວໃດກໍ່ຕາມ, ມັກຈະເຫັນໄດ້ງ່າຍວ່າຄົນ ໄທຈຳນວນຫຼວງຫຼາຍຖືວ່າຊຽງໃໝ່ເປັນອັນຍະມະນີຂອງປະເທດ, ຕົວເມືອງທີ່ເປັນທຸກ ສິ່ງທຸກຍ່າງ. ເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າມີຫຼາກຫຼາຍໃຫ້ຊົມແລະກິດຈະກຳໃຫ້ເຮັດ, ປະຫວັດອັນຮັ່ງມີ, ອາຫານທີ່ເປັນເລີດແລະຄ່າຄອງຊີບທີ່ຂ້ອນຂ້າງບໍ່ແພງ, ຊຽງໃໝ່ຍັງເປັນເມືອງອັນດັບ ຕົ້ນທີ່ສຳຄັນສຳລັບການທ່ອງທ່ຽວໃນອາຊີຕາເວັນອອກສຽງໃຕ້. ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຄ່າປີ້ໂດຍສານຂອງສາຍການບິນລາວລະຫວ່າງຊຽງໃໝ່ ແລະ ຫຼວງພະ ບາງ, ທ່ານສາມາດເຂົ້າເບິ່ງໄດ້ທີ່: www.laoairlines.com ຫຼືຕິດຕໍ່ຕົວແທນບໍລິສັດໃກ້ບ້ານທ່ານ.

35

ADVENTURE

ແລ່ນລຽບແຄມຂອງ

Mekong River Run ເດືອນພະຈິກ 2012 ຫາ ເດືອນມັງກອນ 2013 ໃນລາວ, ກຳປູເຈັຍ ແລະ ຫວຽດນາມ

from November 2012 to January 2013 in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam

ບົດຂຽນໂດຍທ່ານ/By: Klaus Schwettmann

ແລ່ນພິຊິດລຳແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງຄັ້ງໃໝ່

a new conquest of the Mekong on foot ນັກກິລາກາຍຍະກຳ ທ່ານ ເດວິດ ຄຣອມບີ ແລະ ສັດຕະວະແພດ ທ່ານ ມາກ ວາລອນ, ທັງສອງທ່ານເດີນທາງມາຈາກປະເທດອະຟຣິກກາໃຕ້ ໂດຍທ່ອງທ່ຽວເພື່ອ ເປັນການຜະເຊິນກັບການພະຈົນໄພດ້ວຍຕົນເອງເຊິ່ງອາດຢູ່ນອກເໜືອທຸກສິ່ງທີ່ ພວກເຮົາຈະມະໂນພາບໄດ້ ໂດຍມີເປົ້າໝາຍທີ່ຈະເອົາຊະນະແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງທີ່ຍິ່ງໃຫ່ຍ ດ້ວຍການຍ່າງ. ສິ່ງທ້າທາຍກໍ່ຄືການແລ່ນໃຫ້ໃກ້ກັບຝັ່ງແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງເທົ່າທີ່ຈະເຮັດໄດ້ຈາກຈຸດເລີ່ມຕົ້ນ ທີ່ສາມລ່ຽມຄຳທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງລົງມາຜ່ານປະເທດລາວ, ກຳປູເຈຍ ແລະ ຜ່ານຄວາມກ້ວາງ ໃຫ່ຍໄພສານຂອງເຂດປາກແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງທາງຕອນໃຕ້ຂອງຫວຽດນາມຈົນກ່ວາຈະໄປ ເຖິງຈຸດໝ່າຍປາຍທາງຄືທະເລຈິນໃຕ້. ໂດຍມີພຽງແຕ່ກະເປົາເປ້ນ້ອຍໆ, ການແລ່ນໄລຍະ 3000 ກິໂລແມັດ ອາດໃຊ້ເວລາເຖິງ 3 ເດືອນຈົນກົ່ວຈະເຖິງຈຸດໝາຍ ແລະ ທຽບເທົ່າກັບ ການແລ່ນມາລາທອນໄລຍະ 42 ກິໂລແມັດຕໍ່ມື້ - ໂດຍມີການພັກຜ່ອນຢ່າງສະດວກສະບາຍ ແລະ ເພື່ອຟື້ນພະລັງພຽງແຕ່ ໜຶ່ງຄັ້ງຕໍ່ອາທິດ. ສ່ວນການສະໜັບສະໜຸນການເດີນທາງທຸກຢ່າງແມ່ນໃຊ້ບໍລິການຂອງກຣິນດິສໂຄເວີລີ, ເຊິ່ງເປັນບໍລິສັດທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບອຸນຸລັກທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງ ແລະ ຄວາມຊຳນານໃນການຈັດກິດຈະ ກຳທ່ອງທ່ຽວນອກສະຖານທີ່ໆແຫວກແນວ. ຄໍ່າຄືນໃນການເດີນທາງສ່ວນໃຫ່ຍຈະໄດ້ ພັກເຊົາໃນເຕັ້ນ, ບາງທີຖ້າໂຊກດີກໍ່ອາດໄດ້ພັກເຊົາຕາມເຮືອນພັກຂະໜາດນ້ອຍຕາມ ເສັ້ນທາງຫຼືພັກເຊົານຳຄອບຄົວປະຊາຊົນອາດຊ່ວຍສະໜອງຄວາມສະດວກສະບາຍພໍປະມານໄດ້. ແມ່ນຫຍັງເຮັດໃຫ້ຄົນຈຶ່ງຕ້ອງເຮັດສິ່ງທ້າທາຍເລົ່ານີ້? ເນື່ອງຈາກມີອາຊີບເປັນແພດແລະດ້ວຍການເຫັນໄດ້ຄວາມທໍລະມານຂອງເດັກ ກ່ຳພ້າຈຳນວນນັບບໍ່ຖ້ວນທີ່ເຈັບປວດກັບໂລກ HIV/Aids ໂດຍສະເພາະແມ່ນຢູ່ປະເທດເກີດຂອງເພີ່ນເອງ, ທ່ານ ເດວິດໄດ້ສ້າງຕັ້ງມູນນິທິ “Endurance Challenge Charity Trust”ຂຶ້ນ. ໂດຍການໂຄ ສະນາການແລ່ນແບບສຸດຂອງລາວຢ່າງກ້ວາງຂວາງ ເຊັ່ນ: ການແລ່ນທີ່ທະເລຊາຍກາລາຮາລີ, ໃນປ່າອາເມຊອນແລະຈຸດສູງທີ່ ໜາວເຢັນຂອງພູເຂົາຫິມາໄລ ລາວມີຈຸດປະສົງທີ່ຈະດຶງດູດຄວາມສົນ ໃຈຂອງທົ່ວໂລກໃຫ້ຮັບຮູ້ເຖິງຊາຕາກຳຂອງບັນດາເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ໄຮ້ດຽງ ສາ ແລະ ເພື່ອເປັນການລະດົມທຶນເພື່ອຊ່ວຍບັນເທົາພະຍາດໂລຄາ ຂອງເຂົາເຈົ້າ. ທ່ານມາກ ຮ່ວມແລ່ນກັບລາວເປັນຄັ້ງທຳອິດ, ແລະ ກໍ່ ຕ້ອງປະເຊີນກັບຄວາມທ້າທາຍທີ່ສຳຄັນຂອງຕົນເອງເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າລາວ ມີອາຍຸ 58 ປີ ແລ້ວ.

36

Sports Physician David Crombie and Veterinarian Mark Barron, both from the Republic of South Africa, have embarked on a tour of self-imposed hardship beyond the experience of most of us, with the goal of conquering the mighty Mekong on foot.

All logistical support lies in the hands of Green Discovery, a well-known eco-tourism operator experienced at organizing large-scale outdoor events. Most of the nights will be spent in a tent, with only occasional stays at a local guesthouse or enjoying the hospitality of a local family.

The challenge is to run as close to the river bank as possible along the entire length of the Mekong from the infamous Golden Triangle, across the entire length of Laos, Cambodia and the vastness of Vietnam’s Mekong delta, until ultimately reaching the South China Sea.

So what inspires someone to take on such a challenge? While working in the medical profession, David has witnessed the plight of countless young orphans suffering from HIV/Aids in South Africa, where he founded the “Endurance Challenge Charity Trust”. With his extreme and well-publicized runs, which have included the Kalahari Desert, the Amazon Rainforest and the icy heights of the Himalayas, he aims to direct worldwide attention to the fate of these innocent children and to raise funds that will help ease their suffering. Mark joins him for the first time, indeed a remarkable challenge in itself at 58 years young!

Equipped with nothing but a small backpack, the 3000 km run will take them almost three months to complete and is equivalent to a marathon distance of 42 km a day, with a heavenly day of rest and resurrection only once a week. ໃນວັນທີ 1 ທັນວາ, ທັງສອງນັກແລ່ນຄາດວ່າຈະມາເຖິງວຽງຈັນ ວັນດັ່ງ ກ່າວຍັງເປັນວັນໂລກເອດສາກົນ. ສະນັ້ນຈຶ່ງຖືວ່າເປັນກາລະໂອກາດ ອັນດີເລີດທີ່ຈະຈັດພິທີພິເສດດ້ວຍການຈັດການແລ່ນມາລາທອນ ໃນນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນຂອງສປປລາວ ຮ່ວມກັບເດັກນ້ອຍຈຳນວນ ຫຼາຍຮ້ອຍຄົນ! ທ່ານເດວິດກ່າວວ່າຂ້ອຍຢາກເຫັນທະເລເດັກນ້ອຍ. ເລີ່ມຈາກຈຸດໃກ້ກັບສະໜາມບິນ, ຝຸງຊົນຈະແລ່ນໄລຍະ5ກິໂລແມັດ, ແນ່ນອນຕາມແຄມຝັ່ງແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງລົງໄປເຖິງອານຸສາວະລີເຈົ້າອານຸວົງ. ການແລ່ນຕາມແຄມແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງນີ້ຈະໄດ້ນຳສະເໜີໃຫ້ເຫັນເຖິງວິໄສ ທັດແລະການມີສ່ວນຮ່ວມຢ່າງຫ້າວຫັນຂອງກອງທຶນ “ Green Care Fund “ (ເຊິ່ງປັນກອງທຶນການກຸສົນລິເລີ່ມຂຶ້ນໂດຍກຣິນດີສໂຄເວີລີ) ແລະສອງສະມາຄົມທ້ອງຖິ່ນໜຸ່ມນ້ອຍ: LaoPHA ແລະ ALP+, ທັງ ສອງສະມາຄົມແມ່ນມີບົດບາດໃນການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອຜູ້ທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບເຄາະຮ້າຍ ຈາກໂລກ HIV/Aids ພາຍໃນປະເທດ.

On 1st December, both athletes expect to pass Vientiane, a date that also marks “World Aids Day”. A great opportunity therefore to call for a special event by spearheading a Mini Marathon in the Lao capital with hundreds of children expected to take part. Starting near the airport, the crowd will run five kilometers along the Mekong to the Chao Anouvong monument.

This Mini Mekong Run will highlight the vision and efforts of the Green Care Fund (a charity initiated by Green Discovery), as well as two local charities, Lao PHA and LNP Plus, both committed to helping HIV/Aids victims in Laos.

Keep up to date with the latest from David and Mark’s journey at: www.mekongriverrun.com or at their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/mekongriverrun. For more information on what you can do to help victims of HIV/AIDS in Laos visit: Green Care Laos: www.greencarelaos.org Lao PHA: www.laopha.org LNP Plus: www.lnpplus.com

ທ່ານສາມາດຕິດຕາມຂ່າວສານຫລ້າສຸດກ່ຽວກັບການເດີນທາງຂອງ ທ່ານເດວິດ ແລະ ທ່ານ ມາກ ໄດ້ທີ່: www.mekongriverrun.com ຫຼືວ່າຈະເຂົ້າເບິ່ງທີ່ເຟັດບຸກຂອງພວກທ່ານໄດ້ທີ່: www.facebook. com/mekongriverrun. ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນເພີ່ມເຕີມກ່ຽວກັບສິ່ງທີ່ທ່ານສາ ມາດເຮັດໄດ້ເພື່ອຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອຜູ້ປະສົບເຄາະຮ້າຍຈາກໂລກ HIV/Aids ໃນລາວໄດ້ທີ່: www.greencarelaos.orgມ, www.lnpplus.org www.laopha.org

37

38

ACCOMMODATION

ໂຮງແຮມ ເສດຖາພາເລັສ

Inside Settha Palace Hotel Benjamin Blech

ໂຮງແຮມພຽງແຫ່ ງ ດຽວຫຼົ ງ ເຫຼື ອ ຈາກສະໄໝເມື ອ ງຂຶ້ ນ ໃນນະຄອນຫຼ ວ ງວຽງຈັ ນ : ໂຮງແຮມ ທີ່ຍິ່ງໃຫ່ຍ, ມີເອກະລັກສະເພາະແລະຫຼູຫຼາ.ໂດຍທ່ານ ເບັນຈາມິນ ບະເລັກ ພໍເມື່ອຊົມຮ້ານອາຫານ “La Belle Epoque Restaurant” ທີ່ເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍຄວາມ ສະຫງ່າງາມທີ່ຕົກ ແຕ່ງດ້ວຍວັດຖຸບູຮານອັນເກົ່າແກ່, ເຟີນີເຈີທີ່ເຮັດດ້ວຍໄມ້ແດງ ລວດລາຍອັນສວຍງາມ, ພື້ນຫີນອ່ອນເຫຼື້ອມ, ແພດານສູງ ແລະ ດອກໄຟທີ່ມີລະດັບ, ທ່ າ ນສາມາດມະໂນພາບໄດ້ ຢ່ າ ງງ່ າ ຍດາຍວ່ າ ສະຖານທີ່ ແ ຫ່ ງ ນີ້ ເ ປັ ນ ສິ່ ງ ປຸ ກ ສ້ າ ງ ທີ່ມີລັກສະນະພິເສດໃນໂຕ, ເຊິ່ງເປີດໃຫ້ ບໍລິການຄັ້ງທຳອິດໃນປີ 1932. ໃນປະຈຸບັນເຖິງແມ່ນວ່າ ໂຮງແຮມເສດຖາພາເລັສເປັນສ່ວນໜຶ່ງທີ່ສຳຄັນຂອງນະ ຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນໃນຍຸກສະໄໝໃໝ່, ຄົງຈະມີຄົນພຽງຈຳນວນໜ້ອຍທີ່ຈະບໍ່ຮູ້ສຶກຄິດ ເຖິງຫຼັງຈາກໄດ້ໃຊ້ບໍລິການ. ສຽງເພງເບົາໆທີ່ປຽບເໝືອນສາກຫຼັງ, ກິ່ນອາຍຫອມຂອງ ກາເຟສົ ດ , ແສງແດດອ່ ອ ນຂອງອາລຸ ນ ວັ ນ ໃໝ່ ໄ ດ້ ສ ອດສ່ ອ ງຜ່ າ ນປະຕູ ປ່ ອ ງຢ້ ຽ ມ ລະດັບພະລາດສະວັງ ປະກາຍແສງໃຫ້ເຫັນທຸກລາຍລະອຽດທີ່ເຕັມໄປດ້ວນສິລະ ປະຂອງການຕົກແຕ່ງຫ້ອງນອນທີ່ເປັນໜ້າອັນສະຈັນໃຈນີ້. ມັນກໍ່ບໍ່ຍາກດອກທີ່ຈະ ມະໂນພາບຢ້ອນຫຼັງໃຫ້ເຫັນວ່າສະຖານທີ່ແຫ່ງນີ້ເຄີຍເປັນບ່ອນທີ່ສັງຄົມຊາວຝຣັ່ງ ໃນສະໄໝເມື ອ ງຂຶ້ ນ ພວມນັ່ ງ ຮັ ບ ປະທານອາຫານທ່ ຽ ງຢ່ າ ງມີ ລ ະດັ ບ ຢູ່ ກ້ ອ ງຮົ່ ມ ໄມ້ , ພາບຄັວນຍາຊີກາ, ຜູ້ຊາຍໃສ່ເສື້ອແຈກເກັດຍາວ ແລະ ໝວກສູງ. ມີສະເນ່ທີ່ແທ້ຈິງ ຂອງເສດຖາພາເລັດແມ່ນ ສະຖານທີ່ແຫ່ງນີ້ເປັນໜຶ່ງໃນບັນດາໂຮງແຮມບໍ່ພໍ ເທົ່າໃດ ແຫ່ງທີ່ຍັງຫຼົງເຫຼືອຢູ່ໃນອາຊີອາຄະເນ, ເຊິ່ງເປັນສະຖານທີ່ໆມໍລະດົກຂອງຝຣັ່ງອິນດູ ຈິນຫຼົງເຫຼືອຢູ່ຈົນເຖິງປະຈຸບັນ.

Benjamin Blech drops in for tea at Vientiane’s only surviving colonial hotel: the majestic unique and luxurious, Settha Palace Hotel.

As Vientiane’s only colonial five star hotel, I was impressed but not surprised by the luxury and grandeur of the Setta Palace Hotel.

I caught up with two of the hotel’s friendly managers, Sisouk Thongpadsa and Hugues Hervier, in the hope of finding out more about the hotel and their experiences with one of the capital’s great landmarks.

Looking into the spectacular ‘La Belle Epoque Restaurant’, surrounded by pristine antiques, beautiful rosewood furniture, sparkling marble floors, high ceilings and intricate chandeliers, it is easy to imagine this remarkable building when it first opened back in 1932.

Although Settha Palace is an essential part of modern-day Vientiane, few would claim to have been without experiencing an air of nostalgia. Smooth classical music playing in the background. The rich aroma of freshly ground coffee. The warm light of the late morning sun seeping through the high imperial windows, illuminating the finer detail of this magnificent room. It’s easy to imagine colonial French society lunching politely in the shade, wafts of cigar smoke, men in tailed jackets and tall hats. The real charm of Settha Palace is that it remains one of few places left in Southeast Asia where the legacy of French Indochina lives on.

40

ສິ່ງທີ່ເຮັດໃຫ້ເສດຖາພາເລັສ ໂດດເດັ່ນທີ່ສຸດກໍ່ຄື ໃນໄລຍະຫຼາຍ ກ່ວາ 20 ປີກ່ອນໜ້ານີ້, ສະຖາປັດຍະກຳຂອງຕົ້ນສັດຕະວັດທີ 20 ອັນມີຄຸນຄ່າແຫ່ງນີ້ເຄີຍຖືກທຳລາຍຢ່າງໜັກນ່ວງ. ຫຼາຍກ່ວາ 20 ປີ ພາຍຫຼັງມີການປ່ຽນແປງທາງການເມືອງ, ນັກລົງທຶນຊາວຝຣັ່ງ ທ່ານ ບິນລີ ທີໂອດັດ ໄດ້ເດີນທາງກັບມາທີ່ໂຮງແຮມທີ່ຖືກລືມ ແລະ ຖືກ ມ້າງເພທຳລາຍ, ເຊິ່ງເຄີຍເປັນສະຖານທີ່ໆເພີ່ນເຄີຍບໍລິຫານ ແລະ ໃຊ້ ຊີວິດຢູ່ມາເປັນເວລາຫຼາຍປີ. ເນື່ອງຈາກສະເທືອນໃນສິ່ງທີ່ເພີ່ນເຫັນ, ທ່ານ ທີໂອດັດໄດ້ຊື້ໂຮງແຮມດັ່ງກ່າວ ແລະ ກໍ່ສັນຍາກັບແມ່ເພີ່ນວ່າຈະ ບູລະນະສະຖານທີ່ນີ້ໃຫ້ກັບຄືນມາຍິ່ງໃຫ່ຍເໝືອນກັບໃນອະດິດ. ໃນໄລຍະຕົ້ນທີ່ ທ່ານ ທີໂອດັດ ວາງແຜນໃນການບູລະນະເສດຖາ ພາເລັສ, ທ່ານ ສີສຸກ ກໍ່ເຮັດວຽກໃນໂຄງການດັ່ງກ່າວເຊັ່ນດຽວກັນໃນ ຖານນະນາຍພາສາ. ເພີ່ນໄດ້ບັນລະຍາຍເຖິງປະສົບການໃນຂະນະທີ່ ເພີ່ນມາເບິ່ງສະຖານທີ່ແຫ່ງນີ້ຄັ້ງທຳອິດໃນປີ 1992.

41

ACCOMMODATION ໃນປະຈຸບັນ ໂຮງແຮມເສດຖາພາເລັສ ມີຄວາມສວຍສົດງົດງາມຄື ກັບການມີເອກລັກສະເພາະແບບດັ່ງເດີມ ເຊິ່ງຖືໄດ້ວ່າເປັນບ່ອນພັກ ອາໄສທີ່ມີຄວາມຫຼູຫຼາຢ່າງແທ້ຈິງໃນໃຈກາງຕົວເມືອງເໝາະສຳລັບ ທ່ານທີ່ກ່ຳລັງຊອກຫາປະສົບການຂອງໂລກສະໄໝເກົ່າໂດຍປະ ສົມປະສານກັບສິ່ງອຳນວຍຄວາມສະດວກຂອງສັງຄົມທັນສະໄໝ. ແລະ ໂຮງແຮມແຫ່ງນີ້ກໍ່ຍັງຄົງຮັກສາຕົ້ນກຳເນີດທີ່ສາມາດຮູ້ສຶກ ສຳຜັດໄດ້ຢ່າງແທ້ຈິງ. ເມື່ອທ່ານຍ່າງຕາມລະບຽງທີ່ກ້ວາງຂວາງ ນັ້ນ, ຄວາມຮູ້ສຶກ ແລະ ອາຍຫອມຂອງໄມ້ລວດລາຍທີ່ຖືກບູລະນະ ຢ່າງສົມບູນແບບ, ອີກຈຸດໜຶ່ງທີ່ສຳຄັນທີ່ເປັນຈຸດເດັ່ນຂອງເສດຖາພາເລັສ ຕ່າງຈາກ ໂຮງແຮມຫ້າດາວທົ່ວໄປໃນນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ ແມ່ນມີຫ້ອງນອນ ພຽງ 29 ຫ້ອງ, ຂະໜາດນ້ອຍຈົນຮູ້ສຶກໄດ້ເຖິງໄມຕີຈິດອັນໄກ້ຊິດ ແລະ ຄວາມເປັນພິເສດຢ່າງແທ້ຈິງ. ແລະ ບໍ່ວ່າຈະເປັນຫ້ອງໃດທີ່ ທ່ານເລືອກ, ສາມາດຮັບປະກັນຄວາມຫຼູຫຼາໄດ້.

What makes Settha Palace all the more remarkable is that just over twenty years ago, this now pristine work of early 20th century architecture lay in virtual ruins. More than twenty years after political change forced his parents to leave Laos, French entrepreneur Billy Theodas returned to the forgotten crumbling shell of the hotel they had managed and lived in for many years. Horrified by what they found, Theodas purchased the hotel and allegedly promised his mother to restore it to its former splendour.

“ຂ້ າ ພະເຈົ້ າ ບໍ່ ເ ຄີ ຍ ລື ມ ສະພາບໂຮງແຮມໃນເວລານັ້ ນ ,” ທ່ າ ນ ສີສຸກກ່າວ. “ແຕ່ຖ້າເບິ່ງເວລານີ້ ທ່ານຈະບໍ່ເຊື່ອວ່າມັນເປັນຕຶກຫຼັງ ດຽວກັນ. ສິ່ງໜຶ່ງໃນຄວາມຊົງຈຳທີ່ສະເທືອນໃຈທີ່ສຸດກໍ່ຄືການ ເຫັນປາຕາຍໃນສະລອຍນ້ຳ ແລະ ຈາກຈຸດນັ້ນເອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຮູ້ ດີວ່າໜ້າທີ່ຂອງ ທ່ານ ທີໂອດັດ ແມ່ນເກີດຈາກຈິດໃຈຢ່າງແທ້ຈິງ. ມັນບໍ່ແມ່ນການລົງທຶນທາງທຸລະກິດ ແຕ່ຫາກແມ່ນຄວາມຕັ້ງໃຈ ສ່ວນຕົວ.” ເຖິ ງ ແມ່ ນ ຈະຮັ ບ ຮູ້ ດີ ແ ລ້ ວ ວ່ າ ໂຄງສ້ າ ງຂອງຕຶ ກ ເສື່ ອ ມສະພາບ ຫຼາຍ, ແຕ່ພໍເມື່ອເລີ່ມການບຸລະນະກໍ່ຍິ່ງເຮັດໃຫ້ຮັບຮູ້ເຖິງຄວາມ ຊຳລຸດຢ່າງໜັກຂອງອາຄານ. ສິ່ງໜຶ່ງທີ່ມີຄ່າໃຊ້ຈ່າຍສູງທີ່ສຸດແມ່ນ ການບູລະນະພື້ນໄມ້ປາເກ໋ທີ່ກ້ວາງ, ເຊິ່ງມີການເສື່ອມສະພາບຫຼາຍ ແລະ ຈຳຕ້ອງໄດ້ຮັບການປົວແປງຢ່າງລະມັດລະວັງ, ແບບແຜ່ນ ຕໍ່ ແ ຜ່ ນ ໂດຍການຊ່ ວ ຍເຫຼື ອ ຂອງຊ່ ຽ ວຊານຈຳນວນຫຼ າ ຍທ່ າ ນ. ແຕ່ເຖິງຢ່າງໃດກໍ່ຕາມ, ຄວາມຕັ້ງໃຈຂອງທ່ານ ທີໂອດັດ ຕໍ່ກັບ ໂຄງການກໍ່ບໍ່ເຄີຍປ່ຽນແປງ. ຈາກການວາງແຜນຂັ້ນຕອນໃນເບື້ອງ ຕົ້ນກ້ າວໄປສູ່ທຸກໆລາຍລະອຽດຄ່ ອ ຍໆໄດ້ ຮັບ ການບູ ລ ະນະກາຍ ມາເປັນຮູບປະທຳ ແລະ ຜົນງານອັນຍິ່ງໃຫ່ຍຕາມແບບສະໄໝ ເມືອງຂຶ້ນ. ໃນແງ່ທຸລະກິດແລ້ວ, ເຖິງແມ່ນວ່າການລົງທຶນຈະຄຸ້ມຄ່າຫຼືບໍ່ນັ້ນຈະ ຕ້ອງໄດ້ເບິ່ງໄປອີກດົນ. ແຕ່ນອກຈາກມູມມອງທາງການເງິນແລ້ວ, ຍັງມີຄຳຖາມອີກວ່າມັນຄຸ້ມຄ່າຫຼືບໍ່? ຄຳຕອບງ່າຍໆກໍ່ຄື, “ຄຸ້ມຄ່າ” ເຖິ່ງວ່າທ່ານຜູ້ອ່ານບໍ່ແມ່ນຄົນທີ່ບໍ່ມັກສະຖາປັດຍະກຳແບບເມືອງ ຂຶ້ນ, ຖ້າເບິ່ງຕາມຄວາມງາມ, ປະຫວັດສາດແລະ ຕາມສະພາບໃນ ການເປັນໜຶ່ງໃນໂຮງແຮມທີ່ດີສຸດຂອງລາວ, ເວົ້າຢ່າງງ່າຍໆໄດ້ວ່າ ເສດຖາພາເລັສປະເມີນຄ່າບໍ່ໄດ້.

42

In the early days of Theodas’ plan to restore Settha Palace, Siskouk was working on the project as a translator. During my visit, he described the first time he saw the hotel back in 1992.

“I will never forget the state it was in” Hugues recalls. “Looking at it now, you would not believe it was the same building.

One of my most vivid memories was finding dead fish in the swimming pool. It was then I knew that Theodas’ vision came entirely from the heart. This was never a business venture- it was personal”.

Although the structural integrity of the building was never in doubt, as the renovations got underway, the true extent of the decay started to become apparent. One of the most expensive was repairing the enormous stretch of rosewood flooring, which had been so badly decomposed that it had to be painstakingly restored, piece by piece, with the help of numerous experts. Yet Theodas’ commitment to the project never faltered. Following the original blueprints down to every last detail, the hotel was gradually restored as a beacon of colonial grandeur.

ທຸກໆຫ້ອງຖືກບູລະນະໃຫ້ມີຄວາມເປັນພິເສດຕາມແບບເມືອງຂຶ້ນ ດັ່ງເດີມປະກອບມີຫ້ອງອາບນ້ຳທີ່ສວຍງາມ ໂດຍມີອ່າງອາບນ້ຳທີ່ ກ້ວາງຂວາງແລະແຍກສະເພາະ, ເຄື່ອງເພີນີເຈີທີ່ເຮັດດ້ວຍໄມ້ແດງ ທີ່ສວຍງາມ, ຕຽງນອນກວ້າງ, ໂທລະພາບດາວທຽມແລະບໍລິການ ອີນເຕີເນັດໄຮ້ສາຍ. ຫ້ອງອາຫານ La Belle Epoque Restaurant ປະສົມປະສານ ກັ ນ ລະຫວ່ າ ງອາຫານຊັ້ ນ ຍອດຂອງຝຣັ່ ງ ແລະບາງລາຍການອາ ຫານທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງຂອງລາວ, ສະໜອງບໍລິການດ້ານອາຫານມາດຕະ ຖານສາກົນທີ່ຮັບປະກັນໄດ້ວ່າທ່ານຈະປະທັບໃຈກັບປະສົບການນີ້ ເຖິງວ່າວ່າທ່ານຈະເປັນຄົນທີ່ພິຖີພິຖັນຕໍ່ກັບການສ້າງສັນຄວາມປະ ທັບໃຈ, ໃນຂະນະດຽວກັນກໍ່ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນໄດ້ເຖິງການຕ້ອນຮັບ ອັນອົບອຸ່ນຂອງລາວ. ແລະເພື່ອເປັນການຍົກສູງລະດັບຄວາມເພິ່ງ ພໍໃຈຂອງລູກຄ້າ, ທ່ານ ຮິວ ວາງແຜນທີ່ຈະຮັບເອົາພໍ່ຄົວຊາວຝຣັ່ງ ທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງມາເປັນສ່ວນໜຶ່ງໃນການຕື່ມເຕັມປະສົບການແຫ່ງຄວາມ ສຸກກ່ອນທ້າຍນີ້.

Hugues confirmed that it is now impossible to put a definitive figure on what it costs to restore one of Laos greatest colonial landmarks. In 1995, Theodas spent $1.4m of his personal life savings (which he had planned to use for his retirement), follwed by a further $1.7m loan from the World Bank. Whether the investment will pay off in business terms remains to be seen. But aside from the purely financial, the question remains; was it worth it? The simple answer is ‘yes’. Regardless of whether you are a fan of colonial architecture, aesthetically, historically and as one of Laos’ greatest landmarks, Settha Palace is simply priceless.

Today’s Settha Palace Hotel is as magnificent as it is classic; a truly luxurious abode in the heart of the city, ideal for anyone looking to experience old-world tradition together with all the conveniences of the modern world. Yet the hotel remains refreshingly true to its roots. As you walk down the huge wide corridors, the feel and smell of immaculately restored rosewood under your feat, you really get a sense of the enormous wealth and power the hotel was built to showcase, and a culture where only the best will do; one that remains at the heart of the hotel today.

Another significant part of Settha Palace’s appeal is that, unlike most five star hotels in Vientiane, with just 29 rooms, it’s small enough to feel intimate and truly exclusive. And no matter which room you choose, luxury is guaranteed.

All rooms have been restored to their former colonial splendour and come with exquisite showers, large separate bathtubs, beautiful rosewood furnishings, four poster bed, satellite television and wireless internet access.

The in-house La Belle Epoque Restaurant combines the best of French gastronomy with an exquisite menu of fine Lao cuisine, a dining experience that is sure to impress even the most discerning hedonists, while showcasing the best in Lao hospitality.

The charm of Setha Palace continues beyond its sturdy imperial walls. Upon request, the hotel’s original air-conditioned, 1960s London Taxi can take you wherever you need to go, including the short trip to and from Wattay International Airport.

Settha Palace Hotel is located right in the bustling heart of Vientiane, walking distance from the commercial district, shops, restaurants and tourist attractions. For more information and the latest rates and promotions, visit www. setthapalace.com or drop in and speak to a member of the friendly staff.

ໂຮງແຮມເສດຖາພາເລັສຕັ້ງຢູ່ໃຈກາງນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ, ໃນໄລ ຍະທີ່ສາມາດຍ່າງໄປຫາເຂດການຄ້າ, ຮ້ານຂ້າຍເຄື່ອງ, ຮ້ານອາ ຫານ ແລະ ສະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວຕ່າງໆໄດ້ຢ່າງສະດວກສະບາຍ. ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນເພີ່ມເຕີມ, ກວດສອບລາຄາຫ້ອງແລະສ່ວນຫຼຸດໄດ້ທີ່ ເວັບໄຊ www.setthapalace.com ຫຼືຈະເດີນທາງໄປດ້ວຍຕົນເອງ ເພື່ອສອບຖາມກັບທີມງານທີ່ມີອັດທະຍາໄສດີຂອງໂຮງແຮມກໍ່ໄດ້. ໂຮງແຮມເສດຖາພາເລັສ 6 ຖະໜົນປາງຄຳ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ, ສປປລາວ

Settha Palace Hotel 6 Pang Kham Street Vientiane, Lao PDR ໂທ: / Tel: (856) 217 58 12.

Email: reservations@setthapalace.com 43

Relax and pamper yourself with our luxurious spa treatments: Aromatherapy Four Hands Massage Hot Stone Massage & Other Massage Therapies Body, Facial & Waxing Treatments Many Other Spa Services

140 Ban Phonsavanh Tai, Hom 3 Khouvieng Rd. Sisattanak District, Vientiane Capital Tel: 856-21-285 125, Fax: 856-21-285 126, Email: dalahspa@gmail.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 • Fax: (856) 21-217583 A Belmont International Hotel

ACCOMMODATION

ເມຊົງ ດາລາບົວ, ຫລວງພະບາງ

Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang

ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວສ່ວນຫລາຍທີ່ເດີນທາງໄປຫລວງພະບາງຍັງບໍ່ຮູ້ວ່າ ຕົວເມືອງແມ່ນຖືກປົກປ້ອງດ້ວຍລະບົບດິນບໍລິເວນນໍ້າທີ່ບໍ່ມີໃຜຮູ້, ສ້າງດ້ວຍຄູນໍ້າເລິກທີ່ຖືກທັບຖົມດ້ວຍດິນເໝືອງແຮ່ຫລາຍຮ້ອຍປີ ຜ່ານມາແລ້ວ.

Most visitors to Luang Prabang are unaware that the city is protected by a little known wetland eco-system created by deep ditches left behind by clay mining hundreds of years ago.

ໃນມື້ນີ້ ທໍາມະຊາດໄດ້ສ້າງຕົວເອງ ແລະ ໄດ້ປ່ຽນບໍລິເວນດັ່ງກ່າວ ເປັນບ່ອນຢູ່ອາໄສສໍາລັບສັດຕ່າງໆ. ດິນບໍລິເວນນໍ້າຍັງຊ່ວຍຮັກ ສາລະດັບນໍ້າ, ປົກປ້ອງເມືອງຈາກໄພນໍ້າຖ້ວມ, ແລະ ສະໜອງ ພື້ນທີ່ສວຍງາມ ເຖິງແມ່ນວ່າຈະຢູ່ໃນໃຈກາງເມືອງກໍ່ຍັງຮູ້ສຶກໃກ້ ຊິດກັບຄວາມງຽບ ສະຫງົບຂອງ ຊົນນະບົດລາວ. ຢູ່ ໃ ນໃຈກາງຂອງດິ ນ ບໍ ລິ ເ ວນນໍ້ າ ແມ່ ນ ເລື່ ອ ງລາວຄວາມສໍ າ ເລັ ດ ຂອງເມືອງມໍລະດົກ, ເມຊົງດາລາບົວ. ເຖິງວ່າຈະຍ່າງອອກມາບໍ່ໄກ ຈາກໃຈກາງເມືອງ, ອ້ອມຮອບໂຮງແຮມແມ່ນໜອງນໍ້າຂະໜາດ ໃຫ່ຍ, ສ່ວນດອກລິນລີ້ ແລະ ດອກໄມ້ເຂດຮ້ອນອື່ນໆ, ເຮັດໃຫ້ຮູ້ສຶກ ຢູ່ຫ່າງໄກຈາກຄວາມວຸ້ນວາຍຂອງເມືອງ ແລະ ເປັນສະຖານທີ່ໆ ເໝາະສົມທີ່ຈະສໍາພັດກັບເອກະລັກສະເພາະ ແລະ ຄວາມງາມຂອງ ນະຄອນຫລວງແຫ່ງປະຫວັດສາດ ແລະ ວັດທະນະທໍາ.

46

Nature has reinvented itself and tuned the area into a thriving habitat for wildlife. The wetlands also regulate water levels, protecting the city from flooding, as well as providing beautiful open spaces where even in the heart of a rapidly growing city, it is still possible to feel close to the peace and tranquillity of rural Laos.

In the heart of the wetlands is one of the city’s heritage success stories, the Maison Dalabua. Despite being just a short walk from the city centre, the hotel is surrounded by large ponds, lilies and tropical gardens, making it a world away from the bustle of the town and the ideal place to take in the unique character and beauty of Laos’ historical and cultural capital.

ເ ມ ຊົ ງ ດ າ ລ າ ບົ ວ ຍັ ງ ຄົ ງ ຮັ ກ ສ າ ໄ ວ້ ຈິ ດ ວິ ນ ຍ າ ນ ຂ ອ ງ ຍຸ ກ ລ່ າ ເ ມື ອ ງ ຂຶ້ ນ ຝ ຣັ່ ງ , ປະສົມປະສານຢ່າງກົມ ກືນກັບເອກະລັກລາວຄລາສຊິກ. ຫ້ອງພັກມີຂະໜາດກ້ວາງ ຂວາງພ້ອມການຕົກແຕ່ງແບບອາຊີທີ່ງົດງາມ, ມີເຟີນິເຈີຝຣັ່ງ, ລະບຽງທີ່ສາມາດເບິ່ງ ເຫັນວິວທິວທັດໄດ້ຢ່າງງົດງາມ ລວມທັງສິ່ງ ອໍານວຍຄວາມສະດວກຕ່າງໆຂອງໂຮງ ແຮມທີ່ມີຄຸນນະພາບສູງ. ຮ້ານອາຫານໃນໂຮງແຮມໃຫ້ບໍລິການອາຫານລາວ, ເຊິ່ງສາມາດແນມເຫັນໜອງ ດອກບົວ ແລະ ຕົ້ນໄມ້ ທີ່ສະຫ່ວາງສະໄຫວໄປດ້ວຍແສງໄຟ ແລະ ແສງທຽນ. ການບໍລິການຂອງເມຊົງດາລາບົວແມ່ນດີເລີດ, ກັບພະນັກງານທີ່ເປັນມິດຍາມໃດກໍ່ ແນະນໍາສະຖານທີ່ໜ້າທ່ຽວຊົມ ແລະ ກິດຈະກໍາຕ່າງໆໃນຫລວງພະບາງ. ທາງໂຮງ ແຮມຍັງໃຫ້ບໍລິການເຊົ່າລົດຖີບ ເພື່ອສໍາຫລວດສະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງເມືອງ. ເມຊົງດາລາບົວໃຫ້ບໍລິການສະຖານທີ່ໆສະດວກສະບາຍ ແລະ ຜ່ອນຄາຍ ເຊິ່ງມີໝົດ ທຸກຢ່າງທີ່ ຫລວງພະບາງສາມາດໃຫ້ໄດ້, ໃນຂະນະທີ່ຍັງສໍາພັດໄດ້ເຖິງໜຶ່ງໃນສິ່ງມະ ຫັດສະຈັນທາງທໍາ ມະຊາດທີ່ໜ້ອຍຄົນຮູ້ຈັກ. ສໍາລັບຂໍ້ມູນເພີ່ມກະລຸນາເຂົ້າເບິ່ງທີ່: www.maison-dalabua.com

Maison Dalabua still encapsulates the spirit of the French colonial era, seamlessly combined with classic Lao style. Rooms are spacious, with beautiful Asian decor, sturdy furniture, balconies offering great views, as well as all the facilities of any high quality hotel.

The in-house restaurant serves authentic Lao dishes that can be enjoyed overlooking an oasis of lotus ponds and trees, illuminated by tasteful lighting and candles.

The service at Maison Dalabua is exceptional, with its friendly staff always on hand to advise on what to see and do in Luang Prabang. The hotel also provides bicycles, a great way to explore the sights of the city.

Maison Dalabua provides a comfortable and relaxing base from which to explore everything Luang Prabang has to offer, while also experiencing one of the country’s least known natural wonders.

For more information visit: www.maison-dalabua.com

47

Where to stay?

ACCOMMODATION

Vientiane Ansara Hotel

Home to 12 rooms and 2 suites, these elegantly put together rooms with their hugely underrated decor offer a funky fusion of traditional Lao and Asian contemporary designs. www.ansarahotel.com

Salana Boutique Hotel

Designed to impress even the most discerning guests, this charming boutique hotel is centrally located, placing you in the centre of all the city has to offer. www.salanaboutique.com

My Dream Boutique Resort & Spa

Surrounded by a peaceful garden and stunning views of the Nam Khan River, My Dream Boutique Resort & Spa is an oasis of tranquility just minutes from Luang Prabang’s bustling town centre. www.mydreamresort.com

Villa deux rivières

In the heart of old Luang Prabang, this unique boutique hotel is just a short walk from all the main historical sights of the city. www.villadeuxrivieres.com

Luang Prabang Shangri Lao

Retrace the footsteps of a 19th century French explorer, passing tranquil streams and dense jungle and spending the night in luxury tents with breathtaking views. One of the best travel experiences on offer in Luang Prabang. www.shangri-lao.com

Le Bel Air Hotel

This boutique resort is perfect for a comfortable stay, while giving you a taste of the laid-back life and tranquility of rural Laos. Newly opened, the hotel offers ten guest-rooms with beautiful river views, decorated using local wood, natural silk and traditional Lao ornaments. www.lebelairhotels.com

Vang Vieng Ban Sabai Bungalows

Just a few minutes from the centre of Vang Vieng, these charming bungalows are perfectly set on the banks of the Nam Song River. They also come with great views of the spectacular limestone peaks that surround the area. www.inthira.com | www.ban-sabai-bungalows.com

Riverside Boutique Resort The Riverside Boutique Resort consists of thirty four luxury rooms and suites surrounded by tropical gardens and centred around a swimming pool. The restaurant and bar offer stunning views over the famous limestone mountains of Vang Vieng. www.riversidevangvieng.com

Nam Lik Eco-village

For nature lovers and those looking to embrace the great outdoors, the Nam Lik Eco-Village is a dream come true. The resort is designed to work in harmony with nature, as well as various community development projects in nearby Ban That Wang Monh. www.namlik.com

North Nong Khiaw Riverside

Large comfortable wooden bungalows on stilts offer breathtaking river views and a warm welcome from Danish owner Eskil and his friendly team. The homemade food is excellent. The best place to stay in Nong Khiaw. www.nongkiau.com

Auberge Phouphadend, Phonsavan A delightful hilltop resort in beautiful countryside close to Phonsavan, Auberge Phouphadend makes an ideal base for exploring the famous Plain of Jars. Fifteen comfortable wooden bungalows have been built in-amongst a forest of pine and fern trees.

Charming Lao Hotel, Oudomxai

Close to the centre of town, the Charming Lao Hotel is ideal for anyone visiting Oudomxai for business or pleasure. All rooms are equipped with modern facilities. Best choice in town. www.charminglaohotel.com

The Boat Landing, Ban Kone, Luang Namtha

This premier eco-lodge is a great jump off point for those looking to explore the Nam Ha Protected Area. All the bungalows have been built using local materials and in a local style, while guaranteeing a comfortable stay. A great choice. www.theboatlanding.com

South Residence Sisouk, Pakse

Rooms offer unique views of the Sedone River, as it flows into the Mekong. Close to a market and Wat Luang, Pakse’s most celebrated Buddhist Pagoda, it’s also a great place to experience local life.

Rooms are clean and comfortable. www.residence-sisouk.com

Kingfisher Ecolodge

A great little retreat in Champassak Province. The area around the lodge is one of the most beautiful in the country and great for those that love the great outdoors. The nearby Xe Pian National Protected Area is a haven for rare flora and fauna.

Athena Hotel, Pakse

Situated in the center of Pakse, the Athena Hotel offers guests both convenience and comfort and is one of few hotels in town with a swimming pool. The hotel features 21 spacious and beautifully decorated rooms with modern amenities. www.athena-hotel-laos.com

The River Resort , Champassak Province This newly opened riverside resort offers 20 comfortable rooms; all with stunning riverside terraces offering panoramic views of the Mekong. There’s a great swimming pool overlooking the river and traditional Lao massage. Staff are friendly and accommodating. The perfect retreat. www.theriverresortlaos.com

For more of our favourite accommodation choices, visit our website at: www.champamag.com

Experience the beauty of historical Laos

Experience the wealth of our cultural heritage

...Elegance and timeless comfort... in the heart of Vientiane

...The spirit of traditional Lao hospitality... on the bank of the Nam Song River

12 Khouvieng Rd, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR Phone: +856 21 26 4097. Fax: +856 21 26 3064 Email : info@greenparkvientiane.com www.greenparkvientiane.com

Ban Viengkeo, Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR Phone: +856 (0)23 511 726-8. Fax: +856 (0)23 511 729 Email: info@riversidevangvieng.com www.riversidevangvieng.com

FOOD

ສຸດ​ຍອດ​ອາຫານຝຣັ່ງ

French cuisine at its best La Signature ຖືວ່າແມ່ນໜຶ່ງໃນບັນດາຮ້ານອາຫານທີ່ດີສຸດໃນ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ. ຮ້ານອາຫານແຫ່ງນີ້ແມ່ນຕັ້ງໃນໂຮງແຮມອັນ ຊະລາ ແລະ ຫ່າງຈາກແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງບໍ່ພເໍ ທົ່າໃດແມັດ ແລະ ຕາມປະກົດ ການແຫ່ງຄວາມເປັນຈິງແລ້ວຮ້ານອາຫານແຫ່ງນີ້ມຊ ີ ສ ື່ ຽງ ທີ່ອາດເວົ້າ ໄດ້ວາ່ ເປັນສັນຍາລັກຂອງຮ້ານອາຫານຝຣັ່ງທີ່ດທ ີ ສ ີ່ ດ ຸ ໃນລາວ. ຮ້ານອາຫານ La Signature ສ້າງສັນຄວາມສົມດຸນລະຫວ່າງຄວາມ ຫຼູ ຫຼ າ ແບບດັ້ ງ ເດີ ມ ກັ ບ ພະລັ ງ ແຫ່ ງ ການສ້ າ ງສັ ນ . ຜູ້ ຢູ່ ເ ບື້ ອ ງຫຼັ ງ ສີລະປະ ແລະ ລົດນິຍົມອັນເປັນໜ້າອັດສະຈັນໃຈນີ້ແມ່ນ ທ່ານ ຊອງ ມາຣີ ສະແຕງແມັດ, ພໍ່ຄົວຜູ້ໜຸ່ມນ້ອຍທີ່ມີພອນສະຫວັນ ແລະ ມີຈິດວິນຍານຂອງຄວາມເປັນສາກົນ ທີ່ມາຕັ້ງຖີ່ນຖານຢູ່ນະຄອນ ຫຼວງວຽງຈັນໄດ້ສອງປີແລ້ວ. ລາວອຸທິດແກ່ຄວາມເປັນເລີດດ້ານສິ ລະປະການປຸງແຕ່ງອາຫານຝຣັ່ງ. ອາຫານຂອງລາວເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍ ຄວາມຫຼາກຫຼາຍ, ຫຼູຫຼາ ແຕ່ມີຄວາມຮຽບງ່າຍ.

50

L

a Signature is regarded as one of the finest restaurants in Vientiane. Tucked away in the Ansara Hotel, the restaurant is centrally located just metres from the Mekong River and really lives up to its reputation as an icon of Laos’ best French cuisine.

La Signature successfully balances classical elegance with creative energy. Behind the art and incredible flavours is Jean Marie Stainmesse, a young talented globally inspired chef, who settled in Vientiane two years ago. Dedicated to excellence in French culinary art, his food is rich and elegant yet straightforward.

ທ່ານອາດທົດລອງຮັບປະທານອາຫານທີ່ເປັນເລີດທີ່ສຸດດ້ວຍຕົວ ທ່ານເອງໃນນະຄອນຫຼວງ, ລອງຊີມອາຫານຕາມເມນູທີ່ຊວນໃຫ້ນ້ຳ ລາຍໄຫຼບໍ່ວາ່ ຈະເປັນອາຫານທີ່ເປັນເຊັດຫຼືອາຫານຕາມສັ່ງສະເພາະ. ລາຍການອາຫານປະກອບມີເຂົ້າຈີ່ຕົກແຕ່ງໜ້າດ້ວຍຜັກອົບກອບ, ແຈ່ວນ້ຳຜັກບົວລະພາ (Pesto Sauce) ແລະ ແຮມອົບຄັວນໄຟ, ອົບຊິ້ນອົກເປັດແຕ່ງໜ້າດ້ວຍປາເຕຕັບ, ປິ້ງຫອຍລາດນ້ຳມັນ, ເນີຍ ຫຼາກຫຼາຍທາງເລືອກ, ຄາລາແມວສະຕໍເບີລີ ແລະ ວະນິລາ ແລະ ແນ່ນອນ, ແລະ ລາຍການວາຍອີກນັບບໍ່ຖ້ວນ. ແຂກສາມາດເລື ອ ກຮັ ບ ປະທານອາຫານຢູ່ ດ້ າ ນໃນຂອງຮ້ າ ນທີ່ ມີ ບັນຍາກາດອົບອຸ່ນ ແລະ ເປັນມິດຫຼືວ່າຢູ່ດ້ານນອກຂອງຮ້ານໃນ ເດີ່ນຫຍ້າພາຍໃຕ້ແສງທຽນເຊິ່ງເປັນບັນຍາກາດໂຣແມນຕິກ ແລະ ໜ້າພັກພ່ອນ.

Treat yourself with a fine dining experience in the capital; sample a mouth-watering menu offering a set meal or à la carte specialties. Delicacies include focaccia topped with crunchy roasted vegetables, pesto sauce and smoked ham, roast duck breast topped with foie-gras, seared scallops with truffle oil, a fantastic cheese board, a strawberry and vanilla panna cotta and of course, a fantastic wine list.

Guests can choose between dining indoors in a warm and intimate setting or outdoors in the candlelit courtyard, which makes for a romantic and soothing ambience.

ອາຫານ​ສ່ວນທີ່ເ​ ປັນເ​ ຊັດແ ​ ມ່ນເ​ ລີ່​ມຕົ້ນແ ​ ຕ່/Set lunches are ເຊິ່ງປະກອບມີ (ອາຫານ​ເລີ່​ມຕົ້ນ​+ ອາຫານ​ຫຼັກ + ຂອງຫວານ) (Starter + Main Course + Dessert)

100,000 Kip

La Signature Restaurant, Ansara Hotel, Wat Chan Lane www.z

51

52

INSIDE LAO AIRLINES

ລັດວິສາຫະກິດ ການບິນລາວ ມີຄວາມພາກພູມໃຈທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບກຽດເປັນເຈົ້າພາບ ໃນການຈັດລ້ຽງອາຫານຄ່ຳບັນດາແຂກທີ່ເຂົ້າຮ່ວມ ກອງປະຊຸມນັກທຸລະກິດ ເອຊີ-ເອີຣົບ ງານລຽ້ງດັ່ງກວ່າໄດ້ຈັດຂຶ້ນທີ່ພັດຕະຄານແມ່ຂອງ ໃນວັນທີ 4 ພະຈິກ 12. ເຊິງກອງປະຊຸມດັ່ງກ່າວແມ່ນມີຄວາມໝາຍອັນເລິກເຊິ່ງທີ່ໄດ້ລວມເອົາບັນດາ ນັກທຸລະກິດຈາກອາຊີ ແລະ ເອີລົບ ເຂົ້າຮ່ວມເພື່ອສ້າງຄວາມເຂັ້ມແຂງ ທາງດ້ານການຮ່ວມມືທຸລະກິດຂອງສອງພາກພື້ນ.

ມອບຮັບໜັງສືເດີນທາງສູຄ ່ ວາມສຳເລັດຂອງລານິດ (Lanith) ໃຫ້ແກ່ພະນັກງານການບິນລາວ

Lao Airlines Lands Lanith’s Passport to Success

ເມື່ອວັນທ່ີ 9 ຕຸລາ 2012 ທີ່ຜ່ານມາ ລານິດ (Lanith) ຮ່ວມກັບ ການບິນລາວ ໄດ້ຈັດພິທີມອບ-ຮັບໜັງສືເດີນທາງສູ່ຄວາມສຳເລັດ ໃຫ້ແກ່ພະນັກງານການບິນລາວ ຈຳນວນ 28 ຄົນ ເຊິ່ງໄດ້ສຳເລັດຫຼັກ ສູດການຝຶກອົບຮົບດັ່ງກ່າວທ່ີສຳນັ ກງານໃຫ່ຍຫ້ອງການບິນແຫ່ ງ ຊາດ ສະໜາມບິນວັດໄຕ. ທ່ານ ເລືອງສະໄໝ ເລືອງວັນໄຊ ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການໃຫຍ່ລັດວິສະຫະ ກິ ດ ການບິ ນ ລາວໃຫ້ ກ ຽດມອບໜັ ງ ສື ສູ່ ຄ ວາມສຳເລັ ດ ໃຫ້ ພ ະນັ ກ ງານກ່າວວ່າ: ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມີຄວາມພາກພູມໃຈທີ່ໄດ້ເຮັດວຽກຮ່ວມ ກັບລານິດເພາະເປົ້າໝາຍຂອງພວກເຂົາແມ່ນຝຶກອົບຮົມພະນັກ ງານເພື່ ອ ເຮັ ດ ໃຫ້ ກ ານບໍ ລິ ກ ານມີ ຄຸ ນ ນະພາບເຊິ່ ງ ຖື ວ່ າ ມີ ຄ ວາມ ສຳຄັນຫຼາຍສຳຫຼັບປະເທດລາວ. ໃນໂອກາດນີ້ທ່ານຍັງຢ້ຳຕື່ມວ່າ: ໜັ ງ ສື ເ ດີ ນ ທາງສູ່ ຄ ວາມສຳເລັ ດ ແມ່ ນ ສອດຄ່ ອ ງກັ ບ ໃບຢັ້ ງ ຢື ນ ໄອເອັສໂອ ເຊິ່ງນຳໄປສູ່ຄວາມເພິ່ງພໍໃຈແກ່ລູກຄ້າ. ການບິນລາວ ພວກເຮົາມີສ່ວນຊ່ວຍເຮັດໃຫ້ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວມີບາດກ້າວບຸກທະລຸ ຄວາມພະຍາຍາມ 100% ຄືສູ້ຊົນສ້າງລາຍຮັບໃຫ້ໄດ້ 1 ຕື້ໂດລາ ສະຫະລັດໃນປີ 2015.

54

ດັ່ງນັ້ນໃນຕໍ່ໜ້າພວກເຮົາຕ້ອງກ້າວຂື້ນມຸ່ງສູ່ເສັ້ນທາງແຫ່ງຜົນສຳ ເລັດພ້ອມໆກັບອົງການອື່ ນ ໆທ່ີ ກ່ ຽ ວຂ້ ອ ງເພື່ ອ ສູ້ ຊົ ນ ບັ ນ ລຸ ຕົ ວ ເລກ ຄາດໝາຍດັ່ງກ່າວ.

The Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (Lanith) has presented its Passport to Success to 28 Lao Airlines personnel, who successfully completed customer service skills-training courses, during a ceremony staged at the national carrier’s new office complex at Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport on 9th October.

Passport to Success engineer Mike Loose opened the event with a reminder that Lao Airlines was the first business to embrace the award.

Lao Airlines’ with President Leuangsamay Leuangvanxay, who presented the Passport to Success, said that the award was in line with the airline’s recent ISO certification and that he hoped it would increase passenger satisfaction.

Soulasak Souvannasy, the airline’s Administrative Deputy Director, said the training aimed to teach check-in staff, ticketing agents and flight attendants how to solve a range of problems with a focus on working in a multicultural environment.

“You should be proud to be Passport to Success ambassadors”, Mr. Loose told those receiving the award. “Remember, you may be the first person that a foreigner meets when coming to Laos.”

Peter Semone Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Tel: (856-21) 263-172 Email: peter@lanith.com www.LANITH.com

ພິທີເຊັນບົດບັນທຶກຄວາມເຂົ້າໃຈ ວ່າດ້ວຍການຮ່ວມມືທາງດ້ານທຸລະກິດ ລະຫວ່າງ ທະນາຄານການຄ້າຕ່າງປະເທດລາວ ມະຫາຊົນ ແລະ ລັດວິສາຫະກິດ ການບິນລາວ ທີ່ ໂຮງແຮມດອນຈັນພາເລດ, ວັນທີ 18 ຕຸລາ 2012

Speech by Dr. Somphone Douangdara, President of Lao Airlines, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BCEL And Lao Airlines.

Vientiane, October 2012.

ດັ່ງທີ່ຮູ້ກັນແລ້ວ ລັດວິສາຫະກິດ ການບິນລາວ ແມ່ນຫົວໜ່ວຍທຸລະກິດນຶ່ງຂອງລັດ ທີ່ກຳລັງຢູ່ໃນໄລຍະການປັບປຸງ ເພື່ອພັດທະນາຕົນເອງທາງດ້ານມາດຖານຄວາມປອດໄພ ກໍຄືດ້ານການບໍລິການ ໃຫ້ກ້າວສູ່ລະດັບສາກົນ. ດັ່ງນັ້ນ ການຕົກລົງ ໃຫ້ມີການຮ່ວມມືກັນລະຫວ່າງ ທະນາຄານການຄ້າຕ່າງປະເທດລາວ ມະຫາຊົນ ແລະ ລັດວິສາຫະກິດ ການບິນລາວ ໃນຄັ້ງນີ້ກໍແມ່ນອີກຮູບ ການນຶ່ງຂອງການຮ່ວມມືກັນເພື່ອສ້າງຜະລິດຕະພັນ ໃໝ່ຂຶ້ນມາເພື່ອ ໄວ້ບໍລິການລູກຄ້າໃຫ້ໄດ້ຮັບຄວາມສະດວກສະບາຍໄປຢ່າງລຽນຕິດ ເປັນຕົ້ນ ຜະລິດຕະພັນບັດ (Co-Brand Union Pay Card), ການສ້າງລະບົບການບໍລິການທີ່ທັນສະໄໝ, ວ່ອງໄວ ແລະ ໝັ້ນໃຈໃຫ້ ແກ່ລູກຄ້າ ແລະອຶ່ນໆ.

Lao Airlines is one of the state enterprises taking steps to develop its business. We are working on improving our safety and customer experience to bring our services in line with international standards. This partnership between Lao Airlines and BCEL is another key step towards achieving our goals, including offering a co-brand Union Pay card, as well as an efficient, reliable and cutting-edge service.

55

ÒÔ Á

VIENTIANE

One way :

1,610,000 3,140,000

LAK

Round-trip :

LAK

Á

DANANG

Ò ¡ Æ GUANGZHOU

One way : Round-trip :

1,047,000 2,021,000

BANGKOK

One way : Round-trip :

765,000 1,474,000

Tel: (856 21) 212 051-54 www.laoairlines.com

LAK

LAK

LAK LAK

www.laoairlines.com

Varanasi

Hanoi

Yangon

Jakarta

Singapore

Ho Chiminh

Phnompenh

Siemreap

Kuala Lumpur

Bangkok

Savannakhet Danang Pakse

Vientiane

Luang Prabang Chiangmai

Jinghong

Kunming

Bali

Guangzhou

Route Map

Manila

Narita-Tokyo

Houeisay

Vientiane

Xiengkhouang

Luang Prabang

Oudomxay

Luangnamtha

Kansai-Osaka

Fukuoka

Busan

Seoul

Lao Airlines Future route Code share flights

Flights operate by

Pakse

Savannakhet

Laos

Domestic route

LA

Vientiane Capital of Lao PDR

OS

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.

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 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)

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

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 – 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.