Champa Holidays Magazine by insmai

V O L 0 2 I S S U E 0 9 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

Issue 09 Feb - March 2012

ທຽວບຸນວ�ດພູຈ�ປາສ�ກ Vat Phou Festival ຜະຈ�ນໄ�ໃ�ໄ�ຍະບູລີ Adventures in Sayabouly ຂລ�ດຈ�ກຂນເ�ືອ ສງທຕອງລອງ Northern Laos by Motorbike ແ�ງທອງທຽ່ວທຈະເ�ັດໃ�ທານປະາດ A Surprise Attraction ໄ�ທຽວພະນ�ມເ�ັນ Destination Phnom Penh ຈ�ປາໂ�ລິເ� ພາທຽ່ວ ສີງກະໂ� A Tour of Singapore

www.laoairlines.com www.champaholiday.com

ຫອມກິ່ນຈຳປາ

(ເນື່ອງໃນໂອກາດ Champa holidays 1 ປີ) ໂດຍ:ດອກຊ້ອນ ດອນໂຂງ ດວງໜຶ່ງໄຂກີບອ້າ ຊູຊໍ່ແວວວາວໃສ

ເຫລືອງອ່ອນອົມຂາວ ກິ່ນບໍ່ເຫີຍຫາຍສີ້ນ

ບານທົ່ວດິນແດນຊ້າງ

ຫອມຫວນສະໜິດແນບ

ຕິດແຈບໃຈຊາດເຊື້ອ

ຕະກຸນກ້າແກ່ນລາວ

ຈຳປາທູນເທີດໄທ້

ຖວາຍທອດບູຊາທຳ

ສາວນຳແປງປຸນປະດັບ ຍາມທີ່ຍໍແຂນຟ້ອນ ງາມນາງຍໍຍົກພົ້ວ

ທັດລຳລຽນເກົ້າ ລາວແພນໂອນແອ່ນ ຈຳປາດວງດອກດົ້ວ ເຫັນຮວຍກີບງາມ

ຄັ້ງໜຶ່ງຮຽມຫ່າງບ້ານ

ແສນໂສກອາໄລຫາ

ນອນຝັນເຫັນຈຳປາ

ແນບອຸລານວນເນື້ອ

ເຫລືອໃຈຄະນິງໂອ້

ນອນຝັນບ້ານເພິ່ນ

ຈຳປາແດນລ້ານຊ້າງ

ຄຽງຄູ່ປາລະມີ

ຫລາຍຂອບປີກາຍມາ

ກິ່ນຂະຈອນຫອມກຸ້ມ

ຄາວເມື່ອມໍລະສຸມຮ້າຍ

ໄພມານຄຸມຄອບ

ຈຳປາເຫລືອງລ່າເສົ້າ ສົດໃສດວງດອກດົ້ວ ຟ້າໃໝ່ຮົງເຮືອງສີ ອາຍກິ່ນບຸດສະບາກົ້ວ ບານຢູ່ກາງເວຫາ ຫອມບໍເຫີຍຫ່າງບ້ານ

ເພາະເງົາຮ້າຍເຫລື່ອມງຳ ບານທົ່ວປັດຖະພີ ລຶບຮອຍອະສູນຮ້າຍ ໂຮຍໄກຫອມກິ່ນ ທົ່ວດິນແດນລ້ານຊ້າງ ພົງເຊື້ອຊາດລາວ ຄັກເດ.

ສານຂອງທ່ານ ດຣ. ສົມພອນ ດວງດາຣາ ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການໃຫ່ຍລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວ Message from Dr.Somphone DOUANGDARA President of Lao Airlines ໃນທ່າມກາງບັນຍາກາດທີ່ທວ ົ່ ພັກ ທົ່ວລັດ ແລະ ປວງຊົນລາວທັງຊາດພວມພາກັນ ຫ້າວຫັນຜັນຂະຫຍາຍມະຕິ

ຂອງພັກເຮົາຢູ.່

ລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວ,

ສາຍການບິນແຫ່ງຊາດມີຄວາມພູມໃຈແຈ້ງຂ່າວດີໃຫ້ແກ່ບັນດາພໍ່ແມ່ພ່ີນ້ອງປະຊາ ຊົນລາວທັງຫລາຍຊາບວ່າ.

ລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວໄດ້ນຳເອົາເຮືອບິນຊະນິດ

ໃໝ່ລະບົບອາຍພົ່ນທີ່ທນ ັ ສະໄໝເຂົ້າມາປະຈຳຝູງບິນຂອງ ທີ່ຮຽບຮ້ອຍແລ້ວ

ໃນຈຳນວນສອງ

ເດືອນທັນວາຜ່ານມາ

(2)

ລຳ

ບໍລສ ິ ດ ັ ການບິນລາວເປັນ

ຊື່ງລຳທີ່ສອງກໍ່ໄດ້ມາຮອດໃນຕົ້ນ

ເພື່ອໃຫ້ການບໍລກ ິ ານມີຄວາມສະດວກ

ຮັບໃຊ້ເສັ້ນ

ທາງບິນໃໝ່ເຊັ່ນ: ວຽງຈັນ - ສິງກະໂປ ອາທິດໜຶ່ງສາມຖ້ຽວບິນຄື: ວັນຄານ, ພະຫັດ ແລະ ວັນອາທິດ ອອກຈາກວຽງຈັນເວລາ 15:10ມ ເຖິງສິງກະໂປ 17:20ມ (ຖ້ຽວບິນ

QV 535) ຂາກັບເວລາ 18:30ມ ເຖິງວຽງຈັນ 20:40ມ (ຖ້ຽວບິນ QV 545). ເຮືອບີນຊະນິດດັ່ງກ່າວຜະລິດໂດຍ ບໍລສ ິ ດ ັ ແອຣ໌ບາສ (Airbus) ຊະນິດ A320

ບັນຈຸຜໂ ູ້ ດຍສານໄດ້ 142 ຄົນ ຊັ້ນທຸລະກິດ (J Class) 16 ບ່ອນນັ່ງ ແລະ ຊັ້ນທຳມະດາ 126 ບ່ອນນັ່ງ ເສັ້ນບິນອື່ນໆຈະປະກອບດ້ວຍ ວຽງຈັນ - ບາງກອກ, ວຽງຈັນ -

ຮາໂນ້ຍ, ວຽງຈັນ - ຄຸນມິງ, ວຽງຈັນ - ປາກເຊ - ໂຮຈິມນ ິ ແລະ ວຽງຈັນຫລວງພະບາງ. ພ້ອມນີ້ກມ ໍ່ ແ ີ ຜນ ໄຂເສັ້ນທາງບິນໃໝ່ເຊັ່ນ: ວຽງຈັນ, ກວາງໂຈ, ວຽງຈັນ - ນະຄອນເຊອຸນ (ສ.ເກົາຫລີ) ອີກດ້ວຍ.

ດັ່ງນັ້ນຈຶ່ງແຈ້ງຂ່າວດີມາຍັງພີ່ນ້ອງລາວຢູ່ທັງພາຍໃນ

ແລະ

ຕ່າງປະເທດພ້ອມທັງ

ຊາວຕ່າງປະເທດຈົ່ງກຽມຕົວເພື່ອໃຊ້ບໍລິການຂອງ ການບິນລາວ ໄດ້ໃນເວລາມໍ່ໆນີ້ ດ້ວຍເຮືອບິນຊະນິດໃໝ່ ແລະ ທັນສະໄໝ, ປອດໄພ ແລະ ປະທັບໃຈ.

ສຸດທ້າຍນີຂ ້ າ້ ພະເຈົາ້ ຂໍຕາ່ ງໜ້າໃຫ້ພະນັກງານແລະກຳມະກອນຂອງລັດວິສາຫະກິດຂອງ ການບິ ນ ລາວຂໍ ສ ະແດງຄວາມຮູ້ ບຸ ນ ຄຸ ນ ມາຍັ ງ ທຸ ກ ທ່ າ ນທີ່ ເ ລື ອ ກໃຊ້ ກ ານບໍ ລິ ກ ານ ຂອງພວກເຮົາ

ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຂໍອວຍພອນໄຊອັນປະເສີດມາຍັງບັນດາທ່ານຈົ່ງມີແຕ່

ຄວາມສຸກ, ສຸຂະພາບເຂັ້ມແຂງ, ປະສົບຜົນສຳເລັດໃນໜ້າທີ່ການງານ ແລະ ສົມ ຫວັງໃນທຸກ ສິ່ງທີ່ທ່ານປາດຖະໜານີ້ດ້ວຍເທີ້ນ.

ໃນສິ່ງທີ່ຊອບທັມ. ຂໍໃຫ້ເບີກບານມ່ວນຊື່ນສະຫຼອງວັນສະຖາປະນາ ສປປ ລາວ ຄົບຮອບ 36 ປີ ແລະ ປີໃໝ່ສາກົນ 2012 ທີ່ປ່ຽມລົ້ນໄປດ້ວຍສຸກ ແລະ ຄວາມຫວັງ ໃໝ່ດ້ວຍເທີ້ນ.

While the government is proactively implementing the Resolution of the 9th Party Congress, Lao Airlines, the national airline, is proud to announce that a second Airbus aircraft arrived in Vientiane in early December 2011, and will serve passengers on new routes such as Vientiane – Singapore, three flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, departing Vientiane at 15:10 and arriving in Singapore at 17:20 (QV535), and Singapore -Vientiane at 18:30, arriving in Vientiane at 20:40 (QV545). Other routes include Vientiane – Bangkok, Vientiane – Hanoi, Vientiane – Kunming, Vientiane – Pakse – Ho Chi Minh and Vientiane – Luang Prabang. The new A320 series aircraft can carry 142 passengers, 16 seats for business class (J Class) and 126 seats for economy class. New routes include Vientiane – Guanzhou and Vientiane – Seoul (South Korea). Therefore, we are pleased to inform all clients, locals and foreigners, domestically and abroad, to be prepare for a modern, safe and impressive travel experience. On behalf of the staff and board members of Lao Airlines, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all clients who choose to use our services and wish everyone happiness, health and success in the year ahead. I hope everyone has an enjoyable celebration of the 36th anniversary of the establishment of Lao PDR, and wish everyone a happy New Year.

ສາລະບານ

Contents

10 8

ທ່ຽວບຸນວ ັດພູຈຳປາສັກ

Vat Phou Festival

12 Salad; the Lao concept ຂີ່ລົດຈັກຂຶ້ນເໜືອ ສີ່ງທີ່ຕ້ອງລອງ

16 Northern Laos by Motorbike 36

ໄປທ່ຽວວັງວ ຽງ

31 Holiday in Vang Vieng ເທດສະການລະຄອນຫຸ່ນເງົາ

40 Shadow Festival

announces nationwide tour

22 ປະເພນີແ ຕ່ງດອງຂອງລາວ

42 ທີ່ສ ູນສ ິລະປະພື້ນເ ມືອງ ແ ລະ ຊົນເ ຜົ່າວິທະຍາ Wedding Traditions of Laos

at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

ພະນົມເປັນ ກັບປະຫວັດສາດອັນຮັ່ງມີ

46 Phnom Penh ຈຳປາໂຮລິເດພາທົວສິງກະໂປ 50 A Tour of Singapore ວາລະສານຈຳປາສະຫຼອງ 1 ປິ 52 1ofYear Celebration Champa Holidays Magazine

ທະນາຄານການຄ້າໄດ້ຮບ ັ ວັນທະນາຄານດີເດັ່ນ

54 Lao Bank receives bank of the year award ຕ້ອນຮັບວິຊາການ & ເ ຮືອບິນແອບັດສ ລຳທສ ີ ອງ

56 Lao Airlines welcomes second A320 aircraft

Editor’s Note

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

ສະບາຍດີ ທ່ານຜູ້ອ່ານທັງຫຼາຍ

Dear readers,

ປີໃໝ່ 2012 ທີ່ຜ ່ານມາຫວັງວ່າທ່ານຜູ້ອ່ານ ທັງຫຼາຍຄົງຈ ະມ່ວນຊື່ນສຸກສ ົມຫວ ັງດັ່ງປ ະຕິ ທານທຕ ີ່ ັ້ງໄ ວ້. ‘’ຈຳປາຮໍລິເດ’’ ທີ່ທ່ານກຳລັງຖ ື ຢູ່ໃນມືສະບັບນ ີ້ແມ່ນສ ະບັບທ ີ 9 ປະຈຳເດືອນ ກຸມພາ/ມີນາ ທີ່ມ ີເຫດການສຳຄັນທ ີ່ຈະເກີດ ຂຶ້ນຕ າມປະຕິທິນທ ່ອງທ່ຽວເຊັ່ນ: ວັນທ ີ7 ກຸມພາ ເ ປັນວ ັນມາຄະບູຊາ, ບຸນນ ະມັດສະການ ພຣະທາດສໂ ີ ຄດຕະບອງແຂວງຄຳມ່ວນ ແ ລະ ບຸນວ ັດພູຈຳປາສັກ, ວັນທ ີ 8 ມີນ າ ກໍແ ມ່ນວ ັນ ແມ່ຍິງສ າກົນ.

We hope you had an enjoyable New Year celebration and would like to wish you the very best for 2012.

ເຮືອບິນ A320 ລຳທສ ີ ອງຂອງ ບໍລິສັດກ ານບິນ ລາວໄດ້ເຫີນຟ້າມ າລົງສ ະໜາມບິນວ ັດໄ ຕເປັນ ທີ່ຮຽບຮ້ອຍແລ້ວເພື່ອບ ໍລິການຜໂ ູ້ ດຍສານຕາມ ແຜນຂະຫຍາຍ ແ ລະ ພັດທະນາເສັ້ນທາງບິນ ໃໝ່ຂອງບໍລິສັດ. ໃນສະບັບທ ີ 9 ນີ້ສ ິ່ງທ ີ່ໜ້າຕິດຕາມອ່ານເຊັ່ນ: ສີສັນ ແ ຫຼ່ງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງແຂວງຄຳມ່ວນ, ງານບຸນຊ ້າງທີ່ໄຊຍະບູຣີ, ການເດີນທາງສູ່ພາກ ເໜືອຂອງລາວ, ຈຳປາຮໍລິເດ ທົວໄ ປສິງກະໂປ ແລະ ອື່ນໆ. ທັງໝົດນີ້ ຄະນະຈັດທຳວາລະສານຈຳປາຮໍລິ ເດ ໄດ້ຈັດສັນມ າໃຫ້ທ ່ານ ເ ພື່ອເ ປັນຂ ໍ້ມູນເ ພື່ອ ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແ ລະ ຄັງຄ ວາມຮູ້ຂອງທ່ານຜູ້ ອ່ານທັງຫຼາຍຊຶ່ງຄ ະນະຈັດທຳຫວັງຢ່າງຍິ່ງວ ່າ ຈະເກີດຜ ົນປ ະໂຫຍດ ແ ລະ ຄວາມບັນເ ທິງໃ ຫ້ ແກ່ທ ່ານພສ ໍ ົມຄ ວນ. ສະບາຍດີ ພົບກ ັນໃ ໝ່ ສະບັບໜ້າ ບກ ສຸຂີ ນໍຣະສິລປ໌

You are holding the 9th issue of Champa Holidays Magazine, which coincides with a number of important events within Laos’ tourism calendar, including Makhaboucha day on February 7, Sikhottabong Festival in Khammuane, Wat Phou Festival in Champasack and International Women’s day on 8th March. A second Airbus A320 series aircraft has arrived at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, to serve Lao Airline’s passengers on a range of new and existing air routes, as part of an ongoing development plan. This issue includes many interesting articles on Khammuane’s colorful tourist destinations, the Xayabuly Elephant Festival, a journey to the north of Laos, a tour of Singapore and many others. Whatever you are looking for on your visit to Laos, we hope you will find the information in this magazine useful and enjoyable. Best wishes for me, Soukee Norasilp, and everyone and Champa Holidays Magazine. We look forward to seeing you in the next issue. Editor Soukhee Norasilp

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

www.champaholiday.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

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VIENTIANE

Don Chan Palace Hotel & Convention

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

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

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

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

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

EVENT & FESTIVAL

ທ່ຽວບຸນວັດພູຈຳປາສັກ

Vat Phou Festival

ວັດພູຈຳປາສັກແ ມ່ນກ ຸ່ມເ ທວະສະຖານ ແລະ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳແຫ່ງ ສາດສະໜາອິນດູສ ະໄໝຍຸກຂ ອມ ຕັ້ງຢ ູ່ເປີ້ນພູນ າກຊຶ່ງເປັນພ າກສ່ວນ ໜຶ່ງຂອງພູເກົ້າທີ່ມີທິວທ ັດສ ວຍງາມ. ຫຼັ ກ ຖານທ າງສີ ລ າຈ າລຶ ກເ ວົ້ າ ວ່ າ ກຸ່ ມ ເ ທວະສະຖານແ ຫ່ ງນີ້ ສ້ າ ງເ ມື່ ອ ສະຕະວັດທ ີ V ແລະ VI ຕໍ່ມາຖືກເ ພພັງໄ ປຕາມການເວລາ ຈົນເ ຖິງຕ ົ້ນ ສະຕະວັດທ ີ XI ຜູຄ ້ ອງເມືອງຈຶ່ງເ ລີ່ມມ ີການກໍ່ສ້າງໃໝ່ ໃສ່ເ ທິງສ ະຖານ ທີ່ເ ກົ່າ ແລະ ມີການສ້າງຕໍ່ເ ຕີມ ເມື່ອສ ະຕະວັດທ ີ XII ແລະ XIII ດ້ວຍ ການອອກແບບແຜນຜັງຕາມຫຼັກການຍຶດເສັ້ນແກນຕາເວັນອອກ-ຕາ ເວັນຕົກເ ປັນຫຼັກ ຖືເອົາກ ານເລີ່ມຕົ້ນຈ າກທົ່ງພຽງເນັ່ງຂ ຶ້ນໄ ປຕາມເປີ້ນພູ ຈົນໄປເຖິງຖ ້ານສຸດທ ້າຍອັນເ ປັນທ ຕ ີ່ ັ້ງຂ ອງຜາສາດປະທານ. ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳທຕ ີ່ ັ້ງຢ ູ່ທັງສ ອງຟາກທາງຂຶ້ນນ ັບແ ຕ່ ໜອງສະ ເສົາ ເສໂຮງຊາວ ຫຼື ໂຮງທ້າວໂຮງນາງ ໂຮງງົວ ອຸສຸພະຣາດ ຫຼື ງົວນັນທ ິນ ຮູບຫຼໍ່ພະຍາກຳມະທາໄປຈົນເຖິງຜາສາດປະທານຖ້ານສູງສຸດລ້ວນແຕ່ ມີສຄ ື່ ວາມໝາຍທາງດ້ານຄວາມເປັນສ ິລມ ິ ຸງຄຸນ ຄວາມມີພະລັງແ ຂງ ແກ່ນຂ ອງອານາຈັກຂ ອມຍຸກນ ັ້ນ.

at Phou Champasak is the most famous Hindu temple complex built in Laos under the Khmer Empire, which dominated much of Southeast Asia from the 10th to 14th century.

Ancient stone inscriptions found at the complex, describe how it was first built in the 5th century, and how by the 6th century, its gradually began to fall into ruins, before it was finally restored to its former glory in the early 11th century. The temple was further expanded in the 12th and 13th century, with the addition of a new section designed to support the east-west axis, which runs from the foot of a dramatic hillside known as Mount Phou Nak, to the impressive Pathan Palace. The complex is enormous and includes several large reflection pools and statues of various ruling kings. All these figures are designed to reflect the ethos of goodness and strength behind the Khmer Empire.

ເມື່ອສ ີ້ນສຸດຍຸກຂ ອມ ສາດສະໜາພຸດເ ກີດມ າມີອິດທ ິພົນ ກຸ່ມເ ທວະສະ ຖານດັ່ງກ່າວຖືກຮ ັກສາໄວ້ໃຫ້ເ ໝືອນເດີມ ແຕ່ກ ໍ່ມບ ີ າງຢ່າງຖືກດ ັດແ ປງ ມາຮັບໃຊ້ສ າສະໜາພຸດ ແລະ ສືບຕໍ່ສ້າງບາງຢ່າງເສີມເ ຂົ້າໄປໂດຍສະ ເພາະທົດແ ທນໃນສິ່ງເ ປ່ເພ.

ວັດພູຈຳປາສັກຖືກຮັບຮອງຈາກອົງການຢູແນສໂກໃຫ້ເປັນມໍລະດົກ ໂລກແຫ່ງທ ີ 2 ໄປແລ້ວເມື່ອ 5 ປີກ ່ອນ ປັດຈຸບັນວ ັດພູຍັງສ ືບຕໍ່ປັບປຸງ ບູລະນະໃຫ້ຄືໂຄງສ້າງເດີມທີ່ເພພັງໃນເມື່ອກ່ອນໂດຍນຳເອົາກ້ອນຫີນ ທີ່ຫ ັກພ ັງລ ົງມ າໃສ່ຄ ືນບ ່ອນເກົ່າ ຊຶ່ງມີຫຼາຍໂຄງການຈາກສາກົນ ແລະ ປະເທດເພື່ອນມິດໃ ຫ້ການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອ. ນັບແຕ່ສາດສະໜາພຸດໄດ້ເຂົ້າມາມີບົດບາດໃນເທວະສະຖານແຫ່ງນີ້ ອົງການປົກຄອງທ້ອງຖິ່ນພ ້ອມດ້ວຍອົງການຈັດຕັ້ງຕ ່າງໆ ແລະ ປະຊາ ຊົນລ າວບັນດາເຜົ່າທົ່ວແຂວງຈຳປາສັກ ພາກໃຕ້ຂ ອງລາວກໍ່ໄດ້ຈັດ ຕັ້ງເ ທດສະການ ບຸນວ ັດພູຈຳປາສັກຂ ຶ້ນໂ ດຍຖືເອົາວັນເພັງ 15 ຄຳ ເດືອນ 3 ລາວມສ ື້ ະຫຼອງສຸດທ ້າຍ ເພື່ອລະນຶກ ແລະ ອຸທິດສ ່ວນກຸສົນ ໄປຍັງບ ັນພະບູລຸດ ຜູອ ້ ອກແຮງງານ ເຈົ້າກຳນາຍເວນທີ່ມີສ່ວນກໍ່ສ້າງ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳທີ່ສວຍງາມແຫ່ງນ ີ້. ງານບຸນມ ີຄວາມຄຶກຄັກຄ ຶກຄື້ນ ຕາມປະເພນີທ ີ່ເຄີຍທ ຳມາບາງຄັ້ງເ ພີ່ນຈ ັດ 3 ມື້ 3 ຄືນ ຫຼື 7 ມື້ 7 ຄືນ ໂດຍ ມີລ າຍການທາງສາດສະໜາ (ໄຫ້ວພະຮັບສິນທ ຳບຸນຕັ ກບ າດ) ລາຍ ການຕາມປະເພນີ (ຄົບງັນ ຂັບລ ຳ ສິລະປະວັນນະຄະດີ ກິລາກາຍຍະ ກຳ ການບັນເ ທິງ) ແລະ ລາຍການວາງສະແດງສິນຄ້າຕ າມທ່າແ ຮງ ຂອງແຂວງ ຫຼື ຕາມທີ່ປະຊາຊົນໃ ນທ້ອງຖິ່ນຜ ະລິດໄ ດ້. ແຕ່ສ ຳຄັນແ ມ່ນ ມື້ສຸດທ້າຍທີ່ມີການຕັກບາດຫຼວງໂດຍການນຳຂັ້ນເທິງເຂົ້າຮ່ວມພ້ອມ ດ້ວຍພຸດທະສາກະນິຊາຊົນໃ ນທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ຫຼື ຈາກທ້ອງຖິ່ນອ ື່ນ. ໃນພິທດ ີ ັ່ງກ່າວຍັງມ ກ ີ ານແຫ່ຊ້າງແຫ່ມ້າ ມີການເຂົ້າຮ່ວມວາງສະແດງ ສ້າງກິດຈະກຳຂອງອ້າຍກົກຜ ູ້ທີ່ເຄີຍສ ້າງດຳລົງຊ ີວິດ ແລະ ຮ່ວມທຸກ ຮ່ວມສຸກໃ ນດິນແ ດນແຫ່ງນ ີ້ອີກດ ້ວຍ.

Shortly after the collapse of Khmer power, Buddhism became the dominant religion in most of Southeast Asia- yet remarkably, the temple remained largely unchanged. Only a few alterations were commissioned to better serve Buddhist practices, as well as the restoration of several ruined structures. Five years ago, Vat Phou was certified as a world heritage site by the United Nations. In recent years, with the help of many international organisations and neighbouring countries, the complex has seen almost continuous renovation projects aimed at keeping what is left of the existing structure from collapsing. Ever since Buddhism recognised Vat Phou as a site of huge religious and cultural importance, local authorities, together with several other organisations and local people, have organised Boun Vat Phou (Vat Phou Festival) on 15th day of the 3rd month of Lao lunar calendar, designed to commemorate all those who have contributed to this wonder of ancient architecture. Based on traditional Buddhist practices, the festival is held for either three days and three nights or seven days and seven nights. It hosts displays of traditional music, dance, sports and a variety of local produce. Most importantly of all, on the final day, senior dignitaries and religious figures from around the country, come to take part in a traditional Taak Baat (alms ceremony). The festival also includes a parade of elephant or horses, a crafts fair and demonstrations of ancient traditions passed down by generations of people living off the surrounding land.

Ecotourism Laos

Ecotourism Laos Five Highlights in Khammouane Province

Bernie Rosenbloom drives you six hours south of Vientiane to Khammouane Province and five of its top attractions. A 7.5-km boat ride through Konglor Cave with an overnight village stay flashes bright on the province’s marquee, as does a one-day tour to the recently discovered Nong Pa Fa Cave and its 600-year-old Buddha images. Another new entry is the easy-to-spot bald bulbul bird, which was just declared a species in 2009. A one-day tour around the provincial capital, Thakaek, reveals several historical gems including the 1,500-year-old Sikhottabong Stupa and ancient “Great Wall”, while the hearty can trek in a national protected area with an overnight stay in a village lodge.

1. Beauty in the Dark

Cruise in a long-tail boat through a natural tunnel of total darkness as the Nam Hinboun River drills 7.5 km through a mountain at Konglor Cave. The river runs about 30 metres wide with a limestone ceiling up to 100 metres high, and it flows by sandy beaches and rock formations named for their shapes: “Buddha”, “frog”, “owl”, “soft-shell turtle”, and “fish trap”. According to local lore, five Konglor villagers first navigated the tunnel to Ban Natan in the 17th century. Today, the villages offer boat excursions through the cave, overnight lodge stays, and trekking options inside protected areas, including a hike to the 70-metrehigh Nam Sanam Waterfall.

2. Buddha Cave

Climb a 20-metre ladder to the upper Nong Pa Fa Cave, where 229 bronze and gold-plated Buddha images have been sitting on naturally formed, terraced rock rims for up to 600 years. The cave and its treasure had been hidden for centuries until a local made the surprising discovery in 2004. Easy to access by road from Thakaek or on a one-day community-based trek, “Buddha Cave” also houses palm-leaf pages written in ancient scripts, and petrified eggs laid on the cave’s ceiling many years ago by an unknown type of lizard. Nong Pa Fa (soft-shell turtle lake) sits at the entrance to the lower cave, which can be explored by boat.

3. Historic “Guest Landing”

Take a tour around Thakaek (Guest Landing), Khammouane’s provincial capital on the Mekong, and see the historical sites dotting the environs of this old trading post. Observe French provincial architecture in the centre of the old town, before heading north to examine the 16-metre-high “Kamphang Nyak” (Great Wall), built in the 8th century. The 29-metre-high, golden-tipped Sikhottabong Stupa, one of Laos’ most sacred sites, stands just south of town. Originally built in the 6th century to keep relics of Lord Buddha, the Khmer Empire renovated the stupa in Hindu style soon after. During the 1500s, the Lane Xang Kingdom refurbished the icon to its present form.

4. Spot the Bald Bulbul

Be among the first to check the bald bulbul on their birdwatching list, as the species was just recognized in 2009, after being spotted in Khammouane. According to Mr Singphet, owner of the Phamaan View Guesthouse in Ban Nahin Town, “The bulbul can be found on the roadside (Route 8), and tourists can see this bird almost every time they visit.” He said the best months for viewing are from October to May, and added, “In the Nahin area there are approximately 180 species of birds, and the bulbul is the most popular one.” Phamaan View provides a free map that shows where to spot the various species including the bald bulbul. Email: singphet@gmail.com.

5. Pristine Phou Hin Poun

Explore the pristine natural beauty of the Phou Hin Poun National Protected Area (NPA) with local guides and get a real taste of village life on a two-day, community-based trek. The NPA’s limestone karst landscape hides crystal clear lakes, caves and cliffs, and the forest home of rare wildlife. Phontong Village offers a simple lodge and hospitality delivered by a local family, as well as a welcome Baci ceremony and traditional Lao dinner on the evening of the first day. The next day’s challenging trek leads to Nakeu Village and on to the bright turquoise Kuhn Kong Leng Lake for a swim before a motorized oxcart ride to Kon Keo rapids.

For a complete description and to book these programs, visit the Khammouane Visitor Information Centre in Thakaek. Phone: (+856 051) 212 512. Major Lao tour companies also offer Khammouane tour packages.

For more information, visit www.ecotourismlaos.com or www.stdplaos.com (web-based knowledge centre).

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

Lao Food

Salad; the Lao concept by Benjamin Blech

‘Mango in a salad; are you serious?’ That was my initial reaction as a westerner, when informed that Lao cooking commonly incorporated fruit into traditional salads known as ‘tam’. Yet I will never forget my first; what a phenomenal array of flavours; the slight acidity of a sour fruit, the salty richness of fish sauce (nam pa), the freshness of lime juice, the slight sweetness of palm sugar and the firry warmth of freshly pounded chillies.

Tam The huge popularity of Tam, literally meaning pounded, is likely to have spread to the rest of Southeast Asia from Laos, as a cheap meal from home for poor Lao migrants. The ingredients are typically eaten raw and pounded together using a traditional wooden mortar and pestle.

Tam Mak Hoong (Green Papaya Salad) If Lao has a true signature dish, it’s the Tam Mak Hoong, sometimes known simply as ‘tam’, or by its more foreigner-friendly Thai name, Som Tam. A good Tam Mak Hoong should offer sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours, although how to achieve the perfect balance is as hotly debated in the night markets of Vientiane as the perfect tomato sauce is in the back-streets of Rome. Some like it sweet (more sugar, less fish sauce). Some like salty (lots of fish sauce or fermented fish paste). Others like it sour (hearty squeeze of lime, less sugar). Some also add chopped tomatoes, crushed peanuts or shallots- just about anything goes. For an authentic Tam Mak Hoong, peel and shred a fistful of green papaya per person and pound together with all the basic tam ingredients; fresh chillies, palm sugar, fish sauce (nam pa) and lime juice. You could also add a small clove of garlic, and if you can overlook its unpleasant smell, some fermented fish paste (pa deak).

Tam Mak Tour (Long Bean Salad) For a crunchier variation on Tam Mak Teng, uncooked long-beans (green or black) pounded together with the basic tam ingredients (Tam Mak Tour) can be a real delight to the senses. Again, the fermented fish paste can be omitted- although there are no set rules. Why not experiment and see what works for you?

Tam Mak Teng (Cucumber Salad) In the height of summer, when the rains are eagerly awaited and the air is thick, there’s nothing quite like the clean, crunchy freshness of cucumber (mak teng) combined with the classic flavours of an all-Lao tam. It’s great with a glass of ice-cold beer or fresh lemongrass juice (nam hoor see kai). For an authentic Tam Mak Teng, peel and shred the cucumber, gradually adding the essential tam ingredients. Because of the subtle flavour of cucumber, the rich flavour of fermented fish paste is best left out. For the same reason, half a clove of garlic and a few drops of fish sauce are usually enough. For some extra crunch, the slightly Thai addition of crushed peanuts can be forgiven. photos by Khcopchaideu Restaurant

Lao Food

Nyam A Nyam is the closest equivalent to a western style salad. The obvious similarity is that it consists of a number of raw or cooked ingredients served cold on a single plate. This most commonly ingredients are one or more vegetables, limejuice, garlic, fish sauce, toasted sesame seeds and smashed chillies. The addition of meat is also common but not essential.

photos by Khcopchaideu Restaurant

In the centre of Luang Prabang, there’s a dish known as a Luang Prabang Salad, a tasty amalgamation of eggs, lettuce, lime juice, tomatoes, chopped nuts, sugar and sometimes chicken, served with a sweet lemon dressing. While this fusion of the western salad-concept with Lao flavours has become popular, it isn’t a true Nyam, not least because sweet flavours are generally regarded as undesirable in Lao culture, as expressed by the popular saying, ‘van pen lom; com pen ya’ (sweet makes you sick, bitter makes you healthy’).

Nyam Nor Mai (Bamboo Salad) For those looking to experience a bite of rural Laos, look no further than the nutty crunch of lightly fried bamboo (nor mai), toasted sesame seeds and of course, sun-dried chillies. Bamboo shoots are cheap and widely available throughout Laos and can be found at most local markets fresh, dried or pickled, although for an unforgettable Nyam Nor Mai, they are best picked and cooked the same day. Fresh bamboo shoots are hard and bitter and sometimes contain harmful chemical that are removed once cooked. First, remove the hard outer skin and base. Cut the shoots into several vertical sections and boil them until soft. If they are still sour, discard the water and boil them again to remove any extra acid. Once cooked, the bamboo can be shredded easily. Add a pinch of salt, some lightly toasted sesame seeds, a generous splash of fish sauce, finely chopped garlic and some pounded fresh chillies. Mix together then fry until golden brown.

Nyam Mak Pii (Banana Flower Salad) One of the things I love most about Lao cooking is that nothing goes to waste. Once the banana season has finished, a beautiful red pod-like flower is left behind. This can be chopped into a crunchy and highly distinctive salad known as Nyam Mak Pii. Mak Pii (banana flower) has a mild but unique flavour. A mixture between the nutty crunch of bamboo and a flavour unlike anything else I have ever tasted. The texture resembles a very fine steamed cabbage. To prepare Mak Pii, chop the flower into thin strips. They can then be fried but are commonly eaten raw. Add some pounded dry chillies, a generous splash or fish sauce and a few spoonfuls of toasted sesame seeds. Finish with fresh chillies and sticky rice.

Where to eat an authentic Lao salad Most visitors looking to experience Lao salads will have no trouble finding something wonderful just about anywhere in Laos. To eat them like a local, head to one of the many night markets.

BIKE ADVENTURE

ຂີ່ລົດຈັກຂຶ້ນເໜືອ ສີ່ງທີ່ຕ້ອງລອງ

Northern Laos by Motorbike ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມັກລົດຊາດຂອງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແລະ ກ່ອນຈະເດີນທາງ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມັກກວດສອບເບິ່ງແຜນທີ່ກ່ອນສະເໝີ. ແລະ ເມື່ອຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າໄດ້ສຶກສາແຜນທີ່ຂອງປະເທດລາວ, ແຂວງຜົ້ງສາລີເປັນແຂວງ ທີ່ໜ້າຮຽນຮູ້ຫຼາຍ. ຢູ່ຕິດກັບຊາຍແດນປະເທດຈີນ, ຫ່າງໄກສອກຫຼີກ ແລະ ຫຍຸ້ງຍາກໃນການເຂົ້າເຖິງ, ແຂວງນີ້ດຶງດູດເອົານັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ ຊ ອ ກ ຫ າ ກ າ ນ ຜ ະ ຈົ ນ ໄ ພ ຢູ່ ສ ະ ຖ າ ນ ທີ່ ນ ອ ກ ກ າ ນ ເ ວ ລ າ ນັບມື້ນັບຫຼາຍຂຶ້ນ. ແຂວງ ແລະ ເມືອງທີ່ມີຊື່ອັນດ່ຽວກັນ ປະກອບ ດ້ວຍຊົນເຜົ່າສ່ວນນ້ອຍທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍ ເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າຊາວ “ພູນ້ອຍ” (ຊົນເຜົ່າທິເບດ-ພະມ້າ) ອາໄສຢູ່ເຂດແດນຮ່ວມກັບເຜົ່າອາຄາ ແລະ ຈີນຍູນານ. ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເຫັນອິດທິພົນໂດຍສະເພາະແມ່ນຈີນໃນ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍາກໍາຂອງບ້ານເຮືອນ ແລະອຸປະກອນເຄື່ອງໃຊ້ສະໄໝ ໃໝ່ຂອງຊາວຜູ້ອົບພະຍົກເລົ່ານີ້, ເຊິ່ງກົງກັນຂ້າມກັບຄວາມເປັນຈິງ ຂອງຄອບຄົວຄົນລາວແບບດັ້ງເດີມ. ຢູ່ຫຼວງພະບາງ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄປຫາບໍລິສັດທ່ອງທ່ຽວເຈເວທຣາໂວ ລາວ ທີ່ບໍລິຫານໂດຍໄພວັນ ຜູ້ທີ່ໃຫ້ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເຊົ່າລົດຈັກຄາວາສະກິ 250ຊີຊີ ສະພາບດີ ແລະ ເດີນທາງໄປສໍາຫຼວດພາກເໜືອຂອງປະເທດ ລາວ. ເສັ້ນທາງທີ່ສວຍງາມລະຫ່ວາງຫຼວງພະບາງ ແລະ ປາກມອງ, ຂົງເຂດ ທີ່ ສ ວຍສົ ດ ຫງົ ດ ງາມບ່ ອ ນທີ່ ຄ ວາມງາມຂອງຕອນເຊົ້ າ ເປັ ນ ແນວສັ ນ ພູຕົກແຕ່ງດ້ວຍຜ້າພັນຄໍຂອງໝອກປາກົດມາຈາກໂຕພີມພາສາຈີນ. ເສັ້ນທາງແຄບຄົດຄ້ຽວໄປມາຄືງູ ໄປຕາມນໍ້າອູ.

As someone with a taste for travel, I have always liked to study maps. As soon I found Phongsaly on a map of Laos, the province attracted my curiosity. On the border of China, remote and difficult to access, the area draws a growing number of travellers looking for adventure; a place far removed from the outside world. Phongsaly hosts huge ethnic diversity, as an area shared by Phoi Noi (a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group), Akkha and the decedents of immigrants from Yunnan in southern China. This has created a fascinating contrast of architecture and homes that are radically different from anything found in villages further south. I began by trip north at the friendly Jewel Travel agency in Luang Prabang, where I rented an excellent Kawasaki 250cc motorbike, which would take me to the isolated extreme north.

HOTEL ADVISOR ຫຼັງຈາກປາກມອງ, ສະພາບເສັ້ນທາງເຊື່ອມໂຊມເລັກນ້ອຍ ແຕ່ກໍ່ຍັງຂີ່ ໄດ້ດີ. ຮ່ອມພູສີຂຽວເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍກິດຈະກໍາ, ສີສັນ ແລະ ຄວາມສຸກ “ສະບາຍດີ” ສຽງຖາມຈາກເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ໃບໜ້າມີຮອຍຍີ້ມ. ມາຮອດອຸດົມໄຊຕອນທ່ຽງ. ເມືອງບໍ່ມີຫຍັງໜ້າສົນໃຈຫຼາຍ, ມັນເປັນ ພຽງແຕ່ກ້າວໜຶ່ງຕາມເສັ້ນທາງໄປຜົ້ງສາລີ. ປີນຂຶ້ນໄປວັດພູທາດ ເປັນ ບ່ອນເບິ່ງວິວທິວທັດທີ່ດີເລີດຂອງຕົວເມືອງ. ແຂວງອຸດົມໄຊເປັນສະຖານ ທີ່ດີສໍາລັບການໄປທ່ຽວຊົມໝູ່ບ້ານເຜົ່າມົ້ງ ແລະ ຂະມຸ ໃນຂະນະທີ່ຂ້ອນ ຂ້າງແນ່ໃຈວ່າຈະເປັນນັກທ່ຽວກຸ່ມດ່ຽວຢູ່ທີ່ແຫ່ງນັ້ນ. ນອກຈາກນີ້ມັນຍັງ ເປັນທີ່ຮູ້ຈັກສໍາລັບນໍ້າພຸຮ້ອນຢູ່ເມືອງຫຼາ ແລະ ນໍ້າຕົກທີ່ສວຍງາມບາງບ່ອນ ເຊິ່ງສ່ວນຫຼາຍຍັງບໍ່ທັນໄດ້ຖືກແຕະຕ້ອງ ແລະໄດ້ຮັບການພັດທະນາ. ມື້ຕໍ່ມາ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເດີນທາງອອກຈາກອຸດົມໄຊ ຕາມເສັ້ນທາງຍາວລາດ ຢາງໝາກຕອຍໄປຕາມລໍາແມ່ນໍ້າ. ວິວສີຂຽວຕັດກັບສີເຫຼືອງຂອງທົ່ງໄຮທົ່ງ ນາທີ່ຫາກໍ່ເກັບກ່ຽວ. ໝູ່ບ້ານນ້ອຍໆທີ່ສວຍງາມ, ບາງບ່ອນກໍ່ຢອງຢູ່ຕາມ ເນີນພູແນມເຫັນແມ່ນໍ້າ. ໄປຕາມທາງໄດ້ຢຸດພັກຢູ່ເມືອງຫຼາ, ເປັນເມື່ອງ ທີ່ໜ້າຮັກແຫ່ງໜຶ່ງ. ສວນຜັກສີຂຽວ ແລະເຮືອນຊານເຮັດດ້ວຍໄມ້ໃຜຢູ່ ເຊິ່ງໜ້າກັນໂດຍມີແມ່ນໍ້າສອງສາຍໄຫຼຜ່ານ: ນໍ້າພາກ ແລະນໍ້າຫຼ້າ. ນອກ ຈາກຄວາມງາມທົ່ວໄປ ແລະວັດວາອາຮາມອັນເກົ່າແກ່ທີ່ໜ້າດຶງດູດ, ເຫດ ຜົນຕົ້ນຕໍທີ່ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວມາຢ້ຽມຢາມເມືອງແຫ່ງນີ້ແມ່ນນໍ້າພຸຮ້ອນ. ຫຼັງຈາກສິນໄຊ, ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຂີ່ລົດເປັນຮ້ອຍໆກິໂລແມັດຈົນຂໍ້ມືແຂງ,ຕໍ່ຈາກ ນັ້ນຈຶ່ງພໍ້ຖະໜົນສະພາບດີຈົນເຖິງຜົ້ງສາລີ. ມັນໜາວ ແລະ ໜາວຂຶ້ນ ເລື່ອຍໆແລະມີໝອກ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕ້ອງໄດ້ຢຸດພັກເຊົາຝີງໄຟກັບຊາວບ້ານ ຫຼາຍຄັ້ງເພື່ອໃຫ້ຮ່າງກາຍອົບອຸ່ນ. The road between Luang Prabang and Pakmong is stunning. The rugged splendour of dramatic mountain ridges shrouded in morning mist, seem to depict a world long ago, as though lifted from an improbable postcard. The road weaves through a narrow corridor like a enormous slumbering snake, stopping to rest a while on the banks of the Nam Ou River. After Pakmong, road conditions deteriorate somewhat but it was still a pleasant drive. The impossibly green valleys are a hive of activity, colours and friendly “Sabaidee” (the most common Lao greeting) from children exited to see an unfamiliar face. An afternoon in Udomxai has few promises of excitement but is a welcome break on the road north. The climb to the Phu That temple provides excellent views of the city. Udomxai Province is also a good location for visiting Hmong and Khmu Hilltribe villages, while being practically sure of being the only tourist there. It is also known for the natural hot spring at Muang La, as well as some spectacular waterfalls, most of which are still undeveloped.

Vientiane Don Chan Palace hotel

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

Settha palace hotel

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

Salana Boutique Hotel

Designed to impress even the most discerning guests, this charming boutique hotel is offering a wide selection of rooms, ranging from Superior to Salana Suite, all the guestrooms are tastefully designed to provide utmost comfort to all guests.

Rashmi’s Plaza Hotel

Guests will find all of the finest amenities in each of the 54 rooms in this popular 5-star hotel. Each room includes non smoking rooms, television LCD/plasma screen, ironing board, bathrobes.

Luang Prabang Satri House Hotel

This beautiful, refurbished property is the most exquisite places in this ancient city. Located in the heart of the city, the whole interior is designed with a style inspired by Lao culture, set in a serene ambience. www.satrihouse.com

My Dream Boutique Resort & Spa

Surrounded by a peaceful garden which also captures the 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

Shangri Lao

The first camp in Laos to offer uncompromising luxury accommodation in a charming blend of canvas ambiance. All spacious tents, furnished with selected handcraft 19th century style furniture. www.shangri-lao.com/

Vang Vieng Villa Vang Vieng Riverside

A luxurious hotel located directly at the shore of the Nam Song River in Vang Vieng. From your room and from the pool you can enjoy a spectacular view at the breathtaking mountains. www.villavangvieng.com

BIKE ADVENTURE ຂົ ງ ເຂດດັ່ ງ ກ່ າ ວມີ ຄ ວາມອາດສາມາດເປັ ນ ສະຫວັ ນ ສໍ າ ລັ ບ ການເດີ ນ ປ່າ. ຖະໜົນຫລຸບໂນນສອງສາມສາຍ ແຕ່ມຫຼ ີ າຍເສັ້ນທາງໃນປ່າ, ປ່າປົກ ຫຸ້ມຍັງເປັນສິ່ງສໍາຄັນທັ່ງໆທີ່ມີການທໍາລາຍປ່າໄມ້ ແລະ ການຖາງ ປ່າເຮັດໄຮ, ແລະມີຊົນເຜົ່າສ່ວນນ້ອຍຈໍານວນຫຼາຍ. ເມື່ອຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມາຮອດ ກໍ່ໄດ້ພົວພັນກັບຫ້ອງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວໃຫ້ຈັດ ລາຍການເດີນປ່າສອງມື້ໂດຍມີຜູ້ນໍາທ່ຽວທ້ອງຖີ່ນໄປນໍາ. ເປັນການ ເດີນທາງສອງວັນທີ່ມ່ວນຫຼາຍໃນເປີ້ນພູທີ່ປົກຫຸ້ມໄປດ້ວຍຕົ້ນໄມ້ຂຽວ ອຸ່ມຊຸມແລະວິວທິວທັດທີ່ຍອດຢ້ຽມ. ນອນຄ້າງຄືນໃນໝູ່ບ້ານເຜົ່າອາ ຄາພູໂຊ. ການເດີນທາງທ່ອງທ່ຽວຊ່ວຍສ້າງຄວາມຍືນຍົງ ແລະເຜີຍແຜ່ ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບມີຄວາມຮັບຜິດຊອບ ໃນຂະນະທີ່ກະຈາຍຜົນປະ ໂຫຍດທີ່ເປັນທໍາໃຫ້ແກ່ຊຸມຊົນທ້ອງຖີ່ນ, ຂໍຂອບໃຈສໍາລັບການປະ ກອບສ່ວນຂອງທ່ານເຂົ້າໃນກອງທຶນໝູ່ບ້ານ, ໃນຂະນະທີ່ສົ່ງເສີມການ ອະນຸລັກທໍາມະຊາດໄປພ້ອມກັນ. ກັບມາຜົ້ງສາລີ, ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ໄປຕະຫຼາດ, ເປັນໂອກາດທີ່ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຈະໄດ້ຊື້ຊາຂຽວ ແລະ ຊາດໍາປູກໃນພື້ນທີ່. ອາກາດເປັນໃຈ, ປີນພູຟ້າ ເພື່ອເບິ່ງວິວທິວທັດຂອງຕົວເມືອງ ແລະ ເປີ້ນພູ. ມື້ຕໍ່ມາ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕັດສິນໃຈໄປເມືອງຂວາດ້ວຍເຮືອ. ຢູ່ທີ່ຫາດສາ, 20 ກິໂລແມັດຈາກຜົ້ງສາລີ, ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເອົາລົດຈັກຂຶ້ນເຮືອລ່ອງໄປ ຕາມນໍ້າອູປະມານ 5 ຊົ່ວໂມງ. ການລ່ອງເຮື່ອທີ່ຍອດຢ້ຽມ, ມ່ວນອີ່ຫຼີ, ທໍາມະຊາດທີ່ສວຍງາມທີ່ຖືກເຊື່ອງຊ້ອນ. ເປັນປະສົບການທີ່ດີຫຼາຍ. ມາຮອດເມືອງຂວາ, ທ່າເຮື່ອນ້ອຍໆແຫ່ງໜຶ່ງ, ເຊິ່ງກໍ່ເປັນທາງຜ່ານ ໄປດຽນບຽນຟູ ປະເທດຫວຽດນາມ. ໝູ່ບ້ານນ້ອຍໆແຫ່ງນີ້ອ້ອມຮອບ ດ້ວຍພູເຂົາ ເໝາະສົມກັບການເດີນປ່າ. ຈັ່ງໃດກໍ່ໃຫ້ກວດສອບເບິ່ງກັບ ຫ້ອງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ. ຫຼັງຈາກນັ້ນກໍ່ເດີນທາງກັບຫຼວງພະບາງ ດ້ວຍເສັ້ນທາງດີແຫ່ງໜຶ່ງ ໄປຕາມແມ່ນໍ້າທີ່ມີວິວທິວທັດທີ່ສວຍສົດງົດງາມ, ໃນຫົວເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍ ພາບຄວາມຊົງຈໍາ ແລະອາລົມຄວາມຮູສ ້ ກ ຶ ຂອງການເດີນທາງທີ່ລມ ື ບໍ່ໄດ້.

The next day I left Udomxai via a long windy road, surrounded by a landscape of spectacular contrasts; beautiful lush green hillsides against the brilliant yellow of freshly harvested rice fields, and a scattering of tiny villages clinging to the hills. My first stop was the picturesque town of Muang La, where the endless expanse of green vegetation finally meets a larger settlement of traditional houses made entirely of wood and bamboo. Aside of its stunning beauty and ancient temple, the only real attraction is the nearby hot spring. Despite my aching wrists after Sin Xai, I pushed on for another hundred kilometres along bumpy mountain track, finally reaching a smoother road, which would take me all the way to Phongsaly. You know you are getting closer as it becomes increasingly cold and misty as you head north. So I made a few stops to warm up and share camp-fire stories with local people. The region has the potential to become a paradise for trekking. Rugged and with few roads, the province has endless forest-covered trails, despite being constantly ravaged by deforestation, mostly at the hands of illegal logging and slash and burn agriculture.

HOTEL ADVISOR Inthira VangVieng When I arrived in Phongsaly, I headed to the tourist information office to organise some trekking with a local guide, settling on a wonderful two day hike through wooded valleys with magnificent views, as well as a night in an Akha Puxo village. In Phongsaly you can really see how when properly managed, trekking can help encourage a more sustainable model for tourism, by embracing an area’s natural beauty and distributing the benefits fairly within local communities. Back in Phongsaly, I headed to the local market, an opportunity to purchase some of the excellent green and black tea grown in the area. Weather permitting, Mount Phu Fa offers a superb panorama of the town and surrounding valley.

Beautiful Lao style villa in the heart of Vang Vieng. offering 28 clean, comfortable and well appointed rooms. www.inthirahotels.com

The Elephant Crossing Hotel

Located in Vang Vieng this hotel is conveniently close to many of the city’s most historic and famous Buddhist temples. The hotel offers 40 comfortable guest rooms with modern amenities. www.theelephantcrossinghotel.com

North Nong Khiaw Riverside

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

Auberge Phouphadend-Phonsavan

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

Charming Lao Hotel

The next morning, I decided to take a five hour cruise up the Nam Ou River to Muang Khua, boarding with my bike at Hat Sa, 20km upriver from Phongsaly. This was a great experience and really provided an opportunity to be out in middle of one of Laos’ most spectacular natural wonders; mile after mile of green rolling hillsides, against infinite blue skies, all mirrored in the murky depths of the river. The small village of Muang Khua acts as a small river port and the main jump-off point for passage to Vietnam. It also offers numerous opportunities for trekking. Check local tourist information when you arrive. When I finally returned to Luang Prabang, it took several days for my incredible journey to fully sink in. Phongsaly was an unforgettable experience. For more information on travelling in Phongsaly contact: Udomxai Provincial Tourism Office Udomxai Town, Xay District, Udomxai Province Email: ptdoudomxay@yahoo.com Phongsaly Provincial Tourism Office Phone: +856 (0) 81 212 483 Phongsaly (just outside the central market), www.oudomxay.info Tel: +856 (0)88 210 098 Email: info@phongsali.net www.phongsaly.net

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

The boat landing

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

South Tad Fane Resort

The resort has a total of 14 comfortable rooms in bungalow-style houses. Go to sleep to the sound of chirping cicades and the distant thunder of the huge Tad Fane Falls. Wake up, refreshed, by the sound of singing birds! www.tadfane.com

Inthira Champasak

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

Kingfisher Ecolodge-Champassak province

Is a great little retreat in Champasak Province. The area around the lodge is one of the most beautiful in the country and great for those that love the outdoors. The lodge is situated close to the Xe Pian Natural Protected Area, a haven for flora and fauna www.kingfisherecolodge.com

La Folie Laos-Done Daeng

Located on Dong Daeng Island, on the banks of the Mekong River in southern Laos, where exceptional natural beauty and unspoilt charm combine with areas of significant cultural interest, La Folie Lodge sits on a secluded beach facing the ruined Khmer temples of Wat Phou. www.lafolie-laos.com

Sala Hinboun

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

TOURISM

Innocent Adventures in Sayabouly ການຜະຈົນໄພທີ່ໄຮ້ດຽງສາໃນໄຊຍະບູລີ By Bernie Rosenbloom

ລູກຂ ອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຮັກການຜະຈົນໄ ພທີ່ແທ້ຈິງ. ເມື່ອໂ ຮງຮຽນຂອງ ພວກເຂົາໄດ້ປິດພ າກຮຽນ; ກໍ່ເ ຖິງເ ວລາຜະຈົນໄພ ກັນແ ລ້ວ.

ນີ້ ໝ າຍຄ ວາມວ່ າ ຂ້ າ ພະເ ຈົ້ າ ຈ ະຕ້ ອ ງໄ ດ້ ແ ວ່ ເ ບິ່ ງ ຂໍ້ ມູ ນ ຢູ່ ທີ່ ໂ ຄງການ ພັດທະນາການທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບຍືນຍ ົງ (STDP) ຂອງອົງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແຫ່ງຊ າດ, ເ ຊິ່ງເປັນກ ຸນແ ຈສໍາຄັນຂ ອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄປບ່ອນທີ່ບໍ່ຮູ້ຈັກ.

This meant stopping at the Sustainable Tourism Development Project (STDP) office at the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA), my key to the not-yet-known.

ິກ ພົນ (Rik Ponne) ແລະ ຈິມ ຈອນຊັນ (Jim Johnston) ເຮັດ ຣ ວຽກກັບອ ົງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວແຫ່ງຊ າດ - ໂຄງການຂອງ ADB, ແລະໄຊ ຍະບູລີ ໄດ້ກາຍເປັນເປົ້ າໝາຍໃນຈໍເຣດາຂອງພວກເຂົາເຊິ່ງກວມເອົາ ທັງ “ບ່ອນທີ່ທີ່ນິຍົມອ ີ່ຫຼີ”.

Rik Ponne and Jim Johnston lead the LNTA - Asian Development Bank (ADB) initiative, and Sayabouly blinked on their radar screens that cover “really off the beaten path”.

ໃນແຜນ ທີ່ມແ ີ ມ່ນ ໍ້າຂອງ, ພູເຂົາ ແລະບໍ່ມຖ ີ ະໜົນໃ ຫ່ຍຕັດຜ ່ານເຊິ່ງໂດດ ດ່ຽວ “ດິນແດນແຫ່ງລ ້ານຊ້າງ” ອອກຈາກວຽງຈັນ, ດັ່ງນັ້ນຂ ້າພະເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງ ບອກລູກວ່າ, “ພວກເຮົາຈະໄປຜະຈົນໄພ ກັນ.” ພວກເ ຂົ າ ເ ດີ ນ ທາງໄ ປຕ າມຄໍ າ ຊີ້ ແ ນະຂ ອງຂ້ າ ພະເ ຈົ້ າ ຂຶ້ ນ ໄ ປຕ າມ ເສັ້ນທາງເລກທີ 13 ເໜືອໄປວັງວຽງ ຈົນເ ຖິງຫຼວງພະບາງ. “ຈາກທີ່ ນັ້ນພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຂີ່ເຮືອຂຶ້ນໄປຕາມລໍາແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງຈົນເຖິງທ່າຊວ່ງ ແຂວງໄຊຍະບູລີ. ທີ່ນ ີ້ເອງທີ່ການຜະຈົນໄພ ໄດ້ເລີ່ມຕົ້ນຂ ຶ້ນ.”

y kids love an authentic adventure. Their school year had ended; it was time to explore.

The map showed the Mekong, mountains, and no major roads isolated the “Land of the Elephants” from Vientiane, so I told my girls, “We’ll do a loop.” They followed my finger up Highway 13 to Vang Vieng, then to Luang Prabang. “From here we cruise up the Mekong to Tha Xoung in Sayabouly. That’s where the adventure begins.”

ຫັດຖະກໍາຜ້າຝ ້າຍ

ເ ຮືອໄມ້ເກົ່າໆ ອອກຈາກທ່າເ ຮືອຫຼວງພະບາງຫຼັງຈາກເວລາ 07:00 ໂມງຕອນເຊົ້າ, ແລະ ຂີ່ໄປຊ້າໆຂຶ້ນໄ ປຕາມລໍາແມ່ນໍ້າ. ຢູບ ່ ່ອນນີ້ບໍ່ມີ ສັ ນ ຍານໂ ທລະສັ ບ , ມີ ພ ຽງເ ຮື ອ ທີ່ ໂ ດດດ່ ຽ ວເ ບິ່ ງ ຄື ນ້ ອ ຍໆຖ້ າ ທ ຽບ ໃສ່ບັນດາຕົ້ນໄ ມ້ໃຫ່ຍສູງລ ຽບໄປຕາມໜ້າຜາ. ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມາຮອດທ່າຊ ວ່ງຕອນທ່ຽງ, ບ່ອນທີ່ມີລົດໂ ດຍສານ ສອງແຖວ ມາຮັບຜູ້ໂດຍສານໄປເມືອງຫົງສ າເຊິ່ງໃຊ້ເ ວລາປະມານ ສີ່ ຊົວໂມງ. ສູນຂໍ້ມູນຂ່າວທ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງເມືອງຫົງສາໄດ້ແນະນໍາແຜນທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ສອງມື້ລວມມີກ ານທ່ຽວຊົມສວນຝ້າຍອິນຊ ີ ແລະການຂຊ ີ່ ້າງ . ຣິກ ແລະ ຈິມ ເຄີຍໄດ້ເວົ້າຮອດການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອຂອງໂຄງການ STDP ສໍາລັບຊ າວຜູ້ຕໍ່າຫູກໄຕລື້ ໃນເມືອງຫົງສ າບ້ານວຽງແກ້ວ ທີ່ຜະລິດເ ຄື່ອງ ຫັດຖະກໍາມີຄຸນນ ະພາບ. ເພື່ອເ ປັນກ ານເລີ້ມຕ ົ້ນ, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄ ດ້ຂີ່ ລົດອ ອກໄປປະມານ 44 ກິໂລແມ້ດ ຈົນຮ ອດເມືອງເງິນບ້ານບີໝ ີ ບ່ອນ ທີ່ປະຊາຊົນເ ຮັດການແປຮູບຝ້າຍທ້ອງຖີ່ນ ເ ປັນແ ຜ່ນແ ພ. ຢູ່ທີ່ນີ້ ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ພົບກ ັບ ນວນສີ ລັດຕະນະສິດທ ີ, ຜູອ ້ ໍານວຍ ການກຸ່ ມ ຜ້ າ ຝ້ າ ຍໄ ຊຍ ະບູ ລີ , ຜູ້ ທີ່ ຈ ະໄດ້ ອ ະທີ ບ າຍວິ ທີ ກ ານແ ປຮູ ບ ດັ່ງກ່າວໃຫ້ພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ. ແມ່ຍິງຂະມຸຄົນໜຶ່ງນັ່ງຢູ່ເທິງຕັ່ງມ້າ ຂ້າງເຄື່ອງແຍກແກ່ນຝ້າຍແບບ ງ່າຍດາຍ, ດ້າມມືຈັບໝ ູນອ ິ້ວ ແລະແຍກເອົາແກ່ນຝ ້າຍອອກມາ. ຢູ່ໃກ້ໆ, ມີແມ່ຍ ິ່ງຜູ້ເຖົ້າຄົນໜ ຶ່ງໃຊ້ໄ ມ້ຈັບຝ້າຍຢ່າງແຂງຂັນໃ ນກະຕ່າ ຂ້ວມອັນໜ ຶ່ງ. “ຂັ້ນຕອນຄວາມລັບເ ພື່ອເ ຮັດໃຫ້ຜ ້າຝ້າຍມີຄ ວາມນຸ້ມ (ລໍ້ຝ້າຍ).” ລາວໄດ້ຍື່ນກ ້ອນຝ້າຍທີ່ເບິ່ງແ ລ້ວຄ້າຍຄືໜ ວດຂອງແຊນຕ້າ ໃຫ້ອ ີກແ ມ່ ຍິງຄົນໜຶ່ງທີ່ເຂັນຝ້າຍຟູອອກມາໃຫ້ເປັນເສັ້ນຍາວແລ້ວກາຍເປັນເສັ້ນ ດ້າຍ.

Crafting Cotton

The old wooden river boat left Luang Prabang’s pier just after 07:00, and lazily churned up the river. No phone signal here, just a lonely boat dwarfed by towering trees scaling grey cliffs. We arrived at Tha Xoung in mid-afternoon, where a “sawng taew” (pickup truck with benches) shuttled passengers on the hour-long drive to Hongsa Town. Hongsa’s Visitor Information Centre suggested a two-day itinerary spotlighting organic cotton and an elephant ride. Rik and Jim had mentioned STDP’s support for Tai Lue weavers in Hongsa’s Ban Vieng Keo in crafting quality products. For an introduction, we drove 44 km to Ngeun District’s Ban Bi Mi, where women transformed local cotton into fabric. Here we met Nuancy Ratanasithy, Director of the Sayabouly Cotton Group, who orchestrated a show. An upland Khmu woman sat on a stool at a simple ginning machine, hand-cranked its rollers, and deseeded cotton buds. Nearby, an older woman used a stick to vigorously attack cotton in an overturned basket. “Secret softening process.” She handed a clump of what looked like Santa’s beard to another woman, who firmly rolled a long rod over the fluffy mass until it became a long, narrow cotton tube.

TOURISM ເ ຄື່ອງຫລາ ດຶງເ ສັ້ນດ ້າຍປິ່ນອ ້ອມລໍ້ໝູນ, ດຶງເສັ້ນໄຍ ຢ່າງມີທັກສ ະ, ໝຸນ ມັນອ ້ອມຫຼອດດ້າຍຢູເ່ ທິງເ ພົາຂອງລໍ້, ແລະເລີ່ມປ ິ່ນ, ໂດຍໃຊ້ນ ິ້ວຕີນ ຂອງລາວນໍາທາງເສັ້ນໄຍ.

The “spinner” fastened the tube on a spinning wheel, deftly plucked a strand, wrapped it around a spool on the wheel’s axel, and started spinning, guiding the fibre with her toe.

ທ່ານນາງ ນວນສີ ໄດ້ພ າພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຍ່າງຂ້າມຫົນທາງໄປເບິ່ງ ການໝູນກ ໍ້ດ້າຍ 20 ອັນຢ ູ່ເທິງຮ າວເຝືອ ຕອນແມ່ຍິງສ າວເສັ້ນດ້າຍ ໂດຍຍ່າງເປັນ 10 ແ ມ້ດ ເ ພື່ອເກາະ ເສັ້ນຝ ້າຍໃສ່ເ ທິງຮາວແຂ້ວເຝືອ.

Mrs Nuancy walked me across the street to 20 spools whirling on a rack as women braided the threads on a 10-metre walk to wind them on wall-mounted pegs.

ນຂະນະທີ່ກໍາລັງອ ໃ ະທິບາຍຂັ້ນຕ ອນການຍ້ອມສີນໍ້າເງິນເ ຂັ້ມ ເຊິ່ງເ ຂົາ ເຈົ້າໄດ້ໝ ັກນໍ້າຍ້ອມປະສົມລ ະຫ່ວາງເປືອກໄມ້, ໃບໄມ້ ແລະມົດ, ທ່ານ ນາງ ນວນສີ ໄດ້ບ ອກວ່າຜູເ້ ປັນແ ມ່ໄດ້ປະໝໍ້ຍ້ອມໄວ້ໃຫ້ຜູ ້ເປັນລ ູກສ າວ ເພື່ອສ ືບທອດ.

While describing the indigo dyeing process, in which they brewed a mix of bark, plants, leaves, and ants, Mrs Nuancy noted that mothers passed the vats down to their daughters.

“ລູກສ າວ!?” ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຂ້ຽວຟ້າວແລ່ນຂ ້າມທາງໄປຊອກຫາລູກ ສາວອາຍຸເ ກົ້າປີ ຮັນນ າ (Hannah) ກໍາລັງຕ ໍ່າຜ້າຢ ູ່ເທິງກ ີ່ຕໍ່າຫູກ ໂດຍມີອາຈານເປັນຜ ູ້ແນະນໍາຢູ່. ຕີນນ ້ອຍໆຢຽບໄມ້ ໃນຂະນະທມ ີ່ ື ນ້ອຍໆກໍ່ດຶງດ ້າຍຢູເ່ ທິງແ ຜ່ນຜ ້າ. ແອນເດຣຍ (Andrea), ຜູເ້ ປັນ ເອື້ອຍ, ປ່ຽນຜຽນກັບຜ ູ້ນ້ອຍ, ພະຍາຍາມຊຶມຊັບເອົາທ ຸກໄ ລຍະເວລາ ເທົ່າທ ມ ີ່ ີ. ຫຼັງອາຫານທ່ຽງ, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ພາກັນຢ ຸດເ ຊົາຢູ່ທີ່ພະທາດເຕົ່າ ທອງທີ່ສ້າງຂຶ້ນໃ ນສັດຕະວັດທ ີ 16 ເພື່ອປ ົກຫຸ້ມຂ ຸມທີ່ເ ປັນຕ ໍານານ ເຊິ່ງມີລ ັກສະນະເປັນຄ ືຜິວຊ ້າງສີເງິນ ແລະຖືກຫຸ້ມຕ ອມດ້ວຍແມງເຕົ່າ ທອງ. ກ້ກ ໃ ັນນັ້ນ ມີວ ັດສີບຸນຍ ືນທ ີ່ສ້າງຂຶ້ນໃນປີ 1736, ແລະເປັນທ ີ່ ປະດິດສະຖານພະພຸດທະຮູບຂະໜາດໃຫ່ຍ ແລະມີຮ້ານນ້ອຍໆ ທີ່ຄັ້ງ ໜຶ່ງໃຊ້ເ ປັນຫ້ອງການຂອງອຸປະຮາຊ. ທຸງ – ເພື່ອໃ ຊ້ເ ປັນທ ່າແພ ຂ້າມ “ ແມ່ນໍ້າມໍລະນະ” – ແ ຂວນອອກມາຈາກຄົນຂ ີ່ເຮືອແພ. ເ ພື່ອສ ະຫຼຸບການທ່ອງທ່ຽວໃນມື້ນີ້, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ພາກັນຍ ່າງ ຜ່ານທົ່ງນ າ ແລະຍ່າງຂຶ້ນໄ ປເບິ່ງເສັ້ ນຂອບຟ້າ, ມີເນີນສ ູງຢູທ ່ າງໜ້າ, ໝາຍໄວ້ວ ່າ “ການກັດເ ຊາະຂອງໜ້າດິນທ ີ່ບໍ່ຄໃ ື ຜ”, ແລະມີສ າກຫຼັງ ເປັນວ ິວທິວທ ັດຂ ອງເປີ້ນພູ.

“Daughters!?” I raced across the street to find nine-year-old Hannah working a loom under a master’s tutelage. Little feet tapped pedals while tiny hands tightened threads on a growing sheet. Andrea, the elder, took her turn, absorbing every authentic moment. After lunch, we stopped at the 16th century Golden Flea Stupa covering a legendary sinkhole, in which a silver-skinned elephant fell and was swarmed by golden fleas. Nearby, Vat Si Boun Yeun dates to 1736, and houses a large Buddha image and tiny booth that once served as a viceroy’s office. Toung (flags) – steps across the “River of Death” – hang from the rafters. To cap the day, we trekked through rice fields and up a trail to see the Earth Pillars, a handful of towering soil spikes, labelled “oddities of erosion”, and backed by a valley view.

ການຜະຈົນໄພກັບຊ ້າງ ຢູ່ນອກເມືອງຫົງຫ າ, ມີປ ະຕູຊ ຸ້ມໄມ້ ໄຜ່ ຕ້ ອ ນຮັ ບ ນັ ກ ທ່ ອ ງທ່ ຽ ວເ ຂົ້ າ ໄປບ້ານວຽງແກ້ວ, ເຊິ່ງມີຊ້າງ ນໍາທ່ຽວອາຍຸ 22 ປີ ມີຊື່ວ່າ ປູນຸດ (Poo Noot) ມາຫາພວກຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າ, ເພື່ອໃ ຫ້ລ ູກໆຂອງຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າມີເວລາ ຊົມສ ວນສະນຸກທ ໍາມະ ຊາດ. ນຂະນະດຽວກັນ, ຜູ້ເຖົ້າໃນບ້ານໄດ້ອະທິບາຍວ່າ ໄຊຍະບູລີ ມີຊ້າງບ້ານ 75 ສ່ວນຮ້ອຍ ໃ ໃນຊ້າງບ້ານຂອງປະເທດລາວທັງໝ ົດຈໍານວນ 500 ເຊືອກ ແລະຊ້າງປ່າອ ີກເ ກືອບ 150 ເຊືອກ. ບ້ານວຽງແກ້ວ ມີຄ ວານຊ້າງ 30ຄົນ (ຄົນເບິ່ງຊ ້າງ) 15 ເຊືອກ, ເຊິ່ງສ່ວນຫຼາຍແມ່ນໃ ຊ້ ໄວ້ລາກທ່ອນໄມ້. ທາງຂີ້ຕົມຕ ັດຜ ່ານດິນນ າ ແລະ ເຂົ້າສູ່ປ່າອ ະນຸລັກ. ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄປຕາມເສັ້ນທາງ ແລະ ຢຸດຢ ູ່ທີ່ໜອງແຫ່ງໜ ຶ່ງເພື່ອເ ຕີມແ ຮງໃຫ້ ປູນຸດ, ເຊິ່ງໄປຕາມທາງກໍ່ໄດ້ກິນໃ ບໄມ້ໃບຫຍ້າ ຈໍານວນຫຼາຍເພື່ອເ ປັນຂ ອງວ່າງຕະຫຼອດການເດີນທາງສອງຊົ່ວໂມງ. ນັ້ນກ ໍ່ຖວ ື ່າພໍແລ້ວສ ໍາລັບກ ານຜະຈົນໄພສໍາລັ ບພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ, ແຕ່ກ ໍ່ຂຂ ໍ ອບໃຈຄວາມພະຍາ ຍາມຂອງໂຄງການ STDP, ບ້ານວຽງແກ້ວ ທີ່ຍັງໄ ດ້ໃຫ້ພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ນອນພັກຄ ້າງຄືນຢ ູ່ນໍາ ແ ລະສໍາລັບເຄື່ ອງຕໍ່າຄຸນນະພາບສູງ. ຕາມທາງກັບ, ແມ່ຍ ິງຢ ູ່ກີ່ຕໍ່າຫູກ ຢູກ ່ ້ອງເຮືອນ ກໍາລັງຕ ໍ່າສິ້ນ, ທຸງຊາດ, ຜ້າພັນຄ,ໍ ຜ້າປໂ ູ ຕະ, ແລະ ຜາ້ ສໍາລັບເຮັດເສື້ອຄມ ຸ , ກະເປົາ໋ ແລະໝວກ. ຮ້ານຄ້າໝ ູ່ບ້ານຂາຍຜະລິດຕ ະພັນທ ີ່ສໍາເລັດແ ລ້ວ, ແລະລູກສ າວຂອງ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ຊື້ຖົງພາຍ ແ ລະສິ້ນເ ປັນຂ ອງຝາກໃຫ້ແ ມ່ຂອງພວກເຂົາ.

Elephant Adventure Just outside Hongsa Town, an arched bamboo gate welcomes visitors to Ban Vieng Keo, where a 22-yearold tusker, Poo Noot, eased up to us, giving the girls time to ponder nature’s amusement park ride. Meanwhile, a village elder explained that Sayabouly is home to 75 per cent of Laos’ 500-some domesticated elephants, and a wild pachyderm population approaching 150. Ban Vieng Keo’s 30 mahouts oversee 15 elephants, most of which drag logs. The muddy trail cut through farmland and into a protected forest. We followed a stream, and stopped at a pond to refill Poo Noot, who also ripped out massive shrubs for snacks during our two-hour jaunt. That was adventurous enough for us, but thanks to STDP’s efforts, Ban Vieng Keo also offers overnight homestays and high-quality woven wares. Upon our return, women at looms, tucked underneath stilted houses, were weaving designs for sin skirts, prayer flags, scarves, table cloths, and fabric for jackets, handbags, and hats. The village store sold their finished products, and my girls scored handbags and a sin for their mom.

TOURISM

ທາງໃຕ້ຂ ອງໄຊຍະບູລີ ຂີ່ລົດປ ະມານ 2.5 ຊົ່ວໂ ມງ ໄປທາງໃຕ້ຂ ອງເມືອງໄຊຍະບູລີ, ເປັນບ ່ອນ ຈັດງານເທດສະການບຸນຊ ້າງປະຈໍາປີ (17-19 ກຸມພາ), ພວກຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າໄດ້ຂີ່ລົດຜ່ານບ້ານຂອງຊົນເ ຜົ່າ ໄພຣ, ເຊິ່ງເປັນສ ັງຄົມທ ີ່ມີແມ່ຍິງ ເປັນຜ ູ້ນໍາຄອບຄົວອ າໄສຢູ່ເປັນກ ົກເ ປັນເ ລົ່າ. ມື້ຕມ ໍ່ າ, ອີເ ນສ ເ ຊເລີ ທີ່ປ ກ ຶ ສາພະແນກທ່ອງທ່ຽວແຂວງ (PTD), ຂອງອົງ| ການພັດທະນາເຢຍລະມັນ DED, ໄ ດ້ພາພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າທ່ອງທ່ຽວ. ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເລີ່ມຈ າກທ່າເ ຮືອ ທ່າເ ດື່ອ, ແລະຕໍ່ຈາກນັ້ນກໍ່ໄ ປຕາມ ທາງເພື່ອໄ ປເບິ່ງຖ ໍ້າພະລສ ື ີ ແລະສານເຈົ້າ ທີ່ຫຼຽວໜ້າໄປທາງແມ່ ນ ໍ້າ, ເຊິ່ ງ ທີ່ ນັ້ ນ ມີ ນໍ້ າ ສັ ກ ສິ ດ ປິ່ ນ ປົ ວ ພ ະຍາດໄ ດ້ ທີ່ ຄັ້ ງ ໜຶ່ ງ ເ ຄີ ຍ ດຶ ງ ດູ ດ ຄອບ ຄົວເຈົ້າຊີວິດລ້ານຊ້າງໃຫ້ມ າສະຖານທີ່ນ ີ້. ມີແມ່ຍິງລາວລຸ່ມຄ ົນໜ ຶ່ງກໍາລັງເກັ ບໄ ຄຢູ່ໃນສາຍນໍ້າ ຫ່າງຈາກໜ້າຜາ ນໍ້າຕົກຕາດເຈົ້າ 20 ແມ້ດ ເທົ່ານັ້ນ, ສາຍນໍ້ານີ້ຊອດໄປຮອດແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ ບ່ອນທີ່ມຄ ີ ົນຮ ່ອນຄໍາ. ຫຼັງຈາກນັ້ນກ ໍ່ໄປວັດນາຕໍມ້ອຍ, “ຫໍຄອຍຂອງ ສະຫວັນ”ເພື່ອເ ປີດ ຫູເປີດຕາພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ. ເປັນເ ວລາສັ້ນໃນລະຫ່ວາງປີໃໝ່ລ າວ, ຊາວບ້ານໄດ້ພາກັນມາສົງພະໂດຍຫົດນໍ້າໃສ່ຮາງນໍ້າທີ່ຄ່ອຍໆໄຫຼລົງ ມາໃສ່ຕູບນ້ອຍ ແ ລະໃສ່ມ ືຂອງພະພຸດທະຮູບ. ກະຕ່າຫ ້ອຍຢູ່ຂ້າງໃນຂອງວັດນ າຕໍນ້ອຍ ເພື່ອອ ຸທິດໃ ຫ້ແ ກ່ວ ິນຍານ ຂອງພະລາຊາພະເຫວດສັນດ ອນທີ່ເ ປັນຕ ໍານານຂອງໄຊຍະບູລີ, ແລະ ໃນແຕ່ລະປີ ກາງເດືອນມີນາທາງ ແຂວງຈະອຸທິດສ່ວນບຸນສ ວ່ນກຸສົນ ໃຫ້ແ ກ່ພ ະລາຊາ ໂ ດຍການເຮັດບຸນພ ະເຫວດ. ບຸນຈັ ດຂຶ້ນເ ປັນເ ວລາສາມມື້ – ມີໜ້າກ າກໄມ້ຂະໜາດໃຫ່ຍ ແລະມີ ສີສັນເ ປັນສ ັນຍາລັກ – ເລີ່ມຕ ົ້ນດ ້ວຍຂະບວນວິນຍ ານພູດຜີ ແລະພໍ່ໝໍ ນໍາຂະບວນແຫ່ຈາກວັດສີບຸນເ ຮືອນ, ເຊິ່ງເປັນບ ່ອນທີ່ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ກໍາລັງຈ ະໄປ. ວັດດັ່ງກ່າວນີ້ໄດ້ເລີ່ມສ້າງຂຶ້ນທ ໍາອິດໃ ນປີ 1456 ເຊິ່ງສາມາດແນມເຫັນ ແມ່ນໍ້າຮຸງ, ແລະເປັນວ ັດທ ີ່ເກົ່າແກ່ທ ີ່ສຸດໃ ນໄຊຍະບູລີ ເຊິ່ງປະດິດສະ ຖານພ ະພຸ ດ ທະໄ ສຍາດ(ນອນ)ຄໍ າ ທີ່ ໃ ຫ່ ຍ ທີ່ ສຸ ດ ໃ ນແ ຂວງມີ ຄ ວາມ ສູງເຖິງ 7ແມ້ດ ເ ຖິງຢ ່າງໃດກໍ່ຕາມ, ວັດສ ີສະຫວ່າງວົງ ທີ່ມີຮາວບັນໄ ດພະຍານາກຍາວ ຢູ່ໃນໃຈກາງຂອງມອ ື ງ, ກໍເປັນໜ ຶ່ງໃນສາມວັດຂ ັ້ນສູງໃ ນລາວ. ຍ້ອນ ແນວນີ້ຈຶ່ງເປັນແຮງບັນດານໃຈໃຫ້ພະສົງຮູ້ສຶກເປັນກຽດທີ່ໄດ້ມາສຶກສາ ຮາໍ່ຮຽນ, ນັ່ງສ ະມາທິ ແ ລະໄດ້ຮັບການອຸປະສົມບົດໃນວັດແ ຫ່ງນ ີ້.

South to Sayabouly On the 2.5-hour drive south to Sayabouly District, host of this year’s Elephant Festival (17-19 February), we passed a group of Phrai, a matriarchal society that lives in clans. The following day, DED German Development Services’ Ines Seiler, an advisor to the Provincial Tourism Department (PTD), led our tour. We started near Tha Deua pier, and followed a path to a small hermit cave and shrine overlooking a brook, whose healing waters once attracted Lane Xang royalty. A Lao Leum woman was collecting river weed in the stream just before it leapt 20 metres off a cliff as the Tad Jao Waterfall, landing in the Mekong, where two men were panning for gold. Moving to Vat Natornoy v, “Heaven’s Tower” grabbed our eyes. During Lao New Years, villagers pour perfumed water into its troughs that zigzag down to a small hut and the hands of a Buddha image. Baskets hang inside Vat Natornoy for the spirit of legendary Sayabouly King Phavet, and each year in mid-March the province pays tribute by celebrating Boun Phavet. The three-day festival – marked by large, colourful, wooden masks – begins with spirit ghosts and medicine men leading a parade from Vat Sibounheuang, our next stop. Originally built in 1456, Sayabouly’s oldest temple houses the province’s largest golden reclining Buddha at 7 metres. However, Vat Sisavangvong, with its long decorative Naga banisters in the town centre, is just one of three Lao temples holding the highest rank. Aspiring monks consider it an honour to study, meditate, and be ordained at this vat.

ສະປາໃນປາ່ ແລະ ຊ້າງ ອີເນສ ພາພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ໄປ ສູນອ ະນຸລັກພືດສະໝູນ ໄພຫ້ວຍນໍ້າໃສ ແລະ ສະ ປາສະໝູນໄ ພ ຢູ່ໃນປ່າ ປະມານ 19 ກິໂ ລແມ້ດ ອອກໄ ປທ າງໃ ຕ້ ຈ າກຕົ ວ ເມືອງ. “ມັນເ ປັນບ ່ອນທໍາອິດ ທໍ າ ອໍ່ ຢູ່ ໃ ນປ ະເ ທດລ າວ,” ລາວໄດ້ບອກພວກຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າ, ແລະຫຼັງຈາກພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄປ ມັນກ ໍ່ໄດ້ ເປີດໃ ຫ້ບ ໍລິການເປັນເ ວລາສັ້ນໆ. ການເດີນທາງເພື່ອກ ານອະນຸລ ັກ ໄດ້ນໍາສະເໜີ ການເດີນທາງແບບພື້ນ ເມືອງລາວຂອງ PTD, ເຊິ່ງໜຶ່ງໃນນັ້ນນັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວຈະມີໂອກາດໄປ ທ່ຽວຊົມສວນພຶກສາຊາດທມ ີ່ ປ ີ າ້ ຍບອກພືດສະໝນ ູ ໄພເກືອບ 100 ຊະນດ ິ . ວາງບໍ່ດົນນ ີ້ ອີເນສ ໄດ້ບອກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າວ່າ ມີໝ ໍຜຊ ູ້ າຍຄົນໜຶ່ງນໍາທ່ຽວ ເຊິ່ງໃນລະຫ່ວາງການທ່ຽວນັ້ນ, “ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວສາມາດຮຽນຮູ້ກ່ຽວກັບ ວິທີບໍາບັດຮ ັກສາ, ສູດຢ າຕ່າງໆ, ແລະ ຜົງຢ າປິ່ນປົວພ ື້ນເ ມືອງຕ່າງໆ ຂອງລາວ.” ລາວໄດ້ກ່າວຕື່ມອ ີກວ ່າ, “ການຮົມຢາ ແລະ ນວດສະໜູນໄພໃນປະຈຸ ບັນແມ່ນມ ໃ ີ ຫ້ບ ໍລິການແລ້ວ,” ແລະການຮົມ ແລະບ່ອນອາບນໍ້າຢູ່ແມ່ ນໍ້າທໍາມະຊາດທີ່ສາມາດປິ່ນປົວພ ະຍາດໄດ້ ກໍາລັງມ ີການກໍ່ສ້າງຢູ່.

PTD ກໍາລັງນ ໍາສະເໜີ ການລ່ອງເຮືອສອງມື້ຈາກນໍ້າຮຸ່ງ ຫາແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ ແລະຈາກແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ ຫາ ນໍ້າປຸຍໃ ນຕົ້ນປ ີ 2012, ທີ່ຈະພາທ່ຽວຊົມ ອ້ອມຮອບສູນອ ະນຸລັກ ແ ລະລວມທັງກ ານຄ້າງຄືນຢ ູ່ໃນໝູ່ບ້ານ. ເ ມື່ອກັບເ ຂົ້າມາໃນເມືອງ, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ໄປຮັບປະທານອາຫານຢູ່ ທີ່ຮ້ານອາຫານແຫ່ງໜ ຶ່ງທີ່ແນມເຫັນ ສູນອ ະນຸລັກຊ ້າງຂອງອາຊີ ຢູເ່ ທິງ ແຫຼມອ່າງເກັບນໍ້າຕຽນ, ແຕ່ກອ ໍ່ ກ ີ ຄງັ້ ໜງຶ່ ພວກຂາ້ ພະເຈົ້າຫາກໍ່ຂເີ່ ຮືອມາ. ການເຮັດວຽກຂອງສູນດ ັ່ງກ່າວໃນປະຈຸບ ັນ ແມ່ນຮ ວມເອົາການເບິ່ງ ແຍງຊ້າງກັບກ ານທ່ອງທ່ຽວແບບອະນຸລັກ ຫຼື ອີໂ ຄທົວຣິຊືມ. ສູນ ດັ່ງກ່າວໄດ້ປິ່ນປົວຊ ້າງມາແລ້ວເປັນຮ ້ອຍຄັ້ງ ແລະລ້ຽງຊ້າງ 10 ເຊືອກ ລວມມີສ າມແມ່ແລະລູກ. “ປະຊາຊົນມ ັກມ າເບິ່ງລູກຊ ້າງຕອນຫາກໍ່ເ ກີດໃ ໝ່,” ຜູອ ້ ໍານວຍການ ່ວມ ເຊບບັດສ ຮ ຕຽນ ດູຟິລໂ ີ ອ, ສູນອານຸລັກຊ້າງອາຊີປ ະຈໍາປະເທດ ລາວໄດ້ບອກພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ. ນອກຈາກນີ້ທາງສູນ ຍັງໃ ຫ້ບ ໍລິການບ້ານພັກເ ປັນຕ ູບເກົ້າຫຼັງ ເຊິ່ງມີ ຫ້ອງເປັນແ ບບບ້ານຂອງໄຕລື້ພື້ນເ ມືອງ, ມີຮ້ານອາຫານ, ໂຮງໝໍປິ່ນປົວ ຊ້າງ, ແ ລະລາຍການກິດຈະກໍາທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍ. ເ ຊັບ ໄດ້ເວົ້າວ່າການອາບນໍ້າໃນຕອນທ່ຽງແມ່ນເປັນທີ່ນ ິຍົມ. “ມີແສງ ແດດກໍາລັງດ ີ ແລະນັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວສາມາດໄປກັບຄວານລ້ຽງຊ້າງແລະ ຊ້າງເພື່ອໄ ປບ່ອນກິນຫ ້ຍາ.” ຕໍ່ໄປຍັງຈ ະມີການໃຊ້ຊ ີວິດກັບສູນຊ ຸມຊ ົນຄ ວານຊ້າງ, ຜູນ ້ ໍາທ່ຽວຂອງ ສູນຂ ໍ້ມູນຂ ່າວສານກ່ຽວກັບຊ ້າງ ແລະໂຮງໝໍ, ເດີນປ ່າພ ້ອມກັບຊ ້າງ ແລະຂີ່ເຮືອເທິງນ ໍ້າຕຽນ.

Jungle Spa & Elephants Ines then took us to the Houay Namsai Medicinal Plants Preserve and Herbal Spa in the jungle about 19 km south of town. “It’s the first one of this kind in all Laos,” she said. The Preserve’s Spiritual Journey headlines the PTD’s one-day Lao Traditions Journey, during which visitors follow gravel pathways in a botanical garden with signs pinpointing almost 100 medicinal plants. Ines recently told me Mr Chanthi, the traditional medicine practitioner from nearby Ban Houay Kaeng, guides tours during which, “visitors can learn about the remedies, recipes, and healing powers of traditional Lao medicine.” The spa’s steam rooms use a “shotgun mix” of around eight herbs harvested in the area’s forest for use as antiseptics and muscle relaxants or to improve circulation and relieve arthritis. These are wrapped in cloth and steeped in a boiling vat, with the vapours wafting into the steam rooms. She added, “The traditional massage is also available,” and a natural riverside bath with healing waters is being built. The PTD is also launching a two-day Nam Houng-MekongNampouy River Cruise in early 2012, which explores the Preserve and includes a village homestay. Back in town, we dined at a restaurant overlooking ElefantAsia’s Elephant Conservation Centre on a Nam Tien Reservoir peninsula, but again we had just beaten the boat. Now up and running, the Centre merges elephant care with

ecotourism. It has performed hundreds of veterinarian checks and houses 10 elephants including three mothers with calves. “People love to observe the baby elephants at the nursery,” said ElefantAsia Laos Co-director Sebastien Duffillot. The Centre offers nine bungalows and rooms in a traditional Tai Lue house, a restaurant, elephant hospital, and growing list of activities. Seb said the afternoon elephant bath is popular. “The light is great, and visitors can accompany the mahout and elephant to the grazing area.” Also on the slate are living with the Centre’s mahout community, guided tours of the Elephant Information Centre and hospital, trekking alongside the elephants, and boating on the Nam Tien.

TOURISM

ສິ້ນສ ຸດກ ານເດີນທາງ

ຂັບລ ົດຫ ້າຊົ່ວໂມງໄປທາງໃຕ້ ຜ່ານຖະໜົນເ ປັນຂ ຸມແລະ ຂີ້ຕົມເພື່ອໄ ປ ປາກລາຍ, ເພາະລົດດຸດໄ ດ້ເປີດທ າງ ເພື່ອສ ້າງຖະໜົນທີ່ໃ ຫ້ທ ຶນໂດຍ ADB ແລະຂົວຂ້າມແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງສາມແຫ່ງ ເຊື່ອມຕໍ່ໄຊຍະບູລກ ີ ັບ ເສັ້ ນ ທາງມໍ ລ ະດົ ກ ໃ ນພ າກເ ໜື ອ ທີ່ ໄ ດ້ ຮັ ບ ກ ານສ ະໜັ ບ ສະໜູ ນ ໂ ດຍ ໂຄງການ STDP: ວຽງຈັນ-ຫຼວງພະບາງ-ຊຽງຂວາງ-ຫົວພັນ. ປາກລາຍ ເປັນບ ່ອນພັກຫຼັງຈາກການຂີ່ລົດມາດົນ. ທີ່ນັ້ນມ ີບ້ານສະໄໝ ຫົວເມືອງຂຶ້ນຢ ູ່ສິບຫຼັງ ແລະບ້ານຂອງຄອບຄົວເ ຈົ້າຊີວິດມີອາຍຸ 120 ປີຕັ້ງຢ ູ່ໃນເມືອງ, ແລະວັດສ ີສະຫ່ວາງວົງຂ ອງປາກລາຍ ຄືກັນກ ັບຂ ອງ ໄຊຍະບູລີ ທີ່ປະຊາຊົນໃ ຫ້ການເຄົາລົບນ ັບຖືເປັນຢ ່າງສູງ. ມີເຮືອປະຈໍາທາງຕາມລໍາແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງໄປວຽງຈັນເມື່ອຫຼາຍປີກ່ອນພຸ້ນ, ດັ່ງນ ັ້ນພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງໄດ້ຈອງບ່ອນນັ່ງນໍາລົດຕ ູ້ ແລະຕ້ອງໃຊ້ເ ວລາ ອີກຫ ້າຊົ່ວໂ ມງຢູ່ເທິງຖ ະໜົນທີ່ເ ປັນຂ ຸມເ ປັນບ ວກ. ລູກສ າວຂອງຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າພາກັນອ ົດທົນເປັ ນຢ ່າງດີ. ປີກາຍນີ້ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ໄປລົບກ ວນ ຣິກ ແລະ ຈິມ ຢູຫ ່ ້ອງການໂຄງການ STDP, ແລະຖາມເຂົາເຈົ້າວ່າ, “ມີຫຍັງໃ ໝ່ບ ໍ່?” “ນໍ້າທ້າງ ຢູ່ໄຊຍະບູລີ ມີຖ ໍ້າເປັນ 1,000 ແຫ່ງ ແລະນອນຄ້າງຄືນຢ ູ່ບ້ານ ແກ້ວ,” ຣິກໄດ້ແນະນໍາ. “ຖາມຈິມ. ລາວເກັ່ງທ າງນີ້.” ຈິມ ເວົ້າຂຶ້ນວ່າ. “ສ່ວນທີ່ດທ ີ ີ່ສຸດຂ ອງພື້ນຖ ໍ້າແມ່ນມ ັນນ ຸ້ມ, ບໍ່ຄກ ື ້ອນຫີນ ຂະໜາດໃຫ່ຍ, ແລະມີຂັ້ນໄ ດທໍາມະຊາດຂຶ້ນໄ ປຫາປ່ອງອອກໄປທາງ ນອກ. ເມື່ອທ ່ານປີນຜ ່ານ, ມັນເ ປັນຄ ືການຍ່າງກ້າວອອກໄປອີກໂ ລກໆ ໜຶ່ງ.” ລາວໄດ້ອະທິບາຍກ່ຽວກັບ ຖໍ້າລຸບ – ການຍ່າງອ້ອມອຸໂ ມງພູເຂົາທີ່ໜ້າ ຕື່ນເ ຕັ້ນຈົນໄ ປຂອບສນ ັ ຂ ອງພູເ ຂົາ. ການທ່ຽວຖໍ້າລອດເຄິ່ງມື້ – ເ ສັ້ນທາງ ໄປຖໍ້າເຈຍຄິວ ເລີ່ມຈາກການຍ່າງແບບງ່າຍໆ, ຂ້າມສາຍນໍ້າທ້າງ, ແລະ ລົງເ ຮືອໄປ ອີກ 350 ແມັດ ເ ພື່ອໄ ປຖໍ້າເຈຍຄິວ. “ທ່ານອອກຈາກ ຖໍ້າເຈຍຄິວເຂົ້າໄປໃນປ່າ, ແລະ ໄປຕາມສາຍນໍ້າຈົນ ຮອດຖໍ້າລອດ, ເຊິ່ງທີ່ນ ັ້ນມີອ ຸໂມງຍາວ 500 ແມ້ດ. ທ່ານເກືອບວ່າຢູ່ ໃນນໍ້າຕະຫຼອດເວລາ.” ຕອນກັບບ ້ານ, ລູກສ າວຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າບໍ່ລລ ີ ໍທີ່ຈະຜະຈົນໄພ ອີກຄ ັ້ງທ ີ່ ສອງຖາ້ ມ ໂ ີ ອກາດ. ແຂວງນຍ ີ້ ງັ ໃໝ່ ຄກ ື ນ ັ ກບ ັ ລກ ູ ສອງຄນ ົ ຂອງຂາ້ ພະເຈົ້າ.

ໍ້ມູນເ ພີ່ມເ ຕີມ: ສໍາລັບຂ plaos.com ion: www.std at rm fo in e ່ອງທ່ຽວ”) or ັກທ For m ອງສໍາລັບນ ໍ້ ູນຂ ັບໄຊ “ຂມ ວ ເ າງ ທ ້ ູ rmation”) ຮ າມ In ວ r ຄ (ສູນ er’s “Visito fo nt Ce e dg le ow (Web-based Kn mlaos.com is ur to co .e w ww ytourism.com www.sayaboul enter.com tconservationc www.elephan

Completing the Loop The five-hour drive south to Paklai twisted over rough and muddy roads, as bulldozers cleared the way for an ADB-funded highway and three Mekong bridges tying Sayabouly to the STDP-backed Northern Heritage Route: Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Xieng Huang-Houaphanh. Paklai provided a respite from the abdominally challenging ride. Ten colonial-era houses and the 120-year-old royal family home dot the town, and Paklai’s Vat Sisavangvong, like Sayabouly’s, is highly revered. Boats quit plying the Mekong to Vientiane years ago, so we booked passage in a minivan and five more bumpy hours. The girls suffered like champs. Late last year, I interrupted Rik and Jim at the STDP office, and asked a non-rhetorical, “What’s new?” “Sayabouly’s Nam Thang 1,000 Caves Area with Ban Keo homestays,” Rik advised. “Ask Jim. He’s blazing that trail.” Jim lit up. “The best parts are the old men in Ban Keo getting out their cross-bows and holding archery competitions. You can even take part! And, the cave floors are soft, not like cobblestones, and natural stairs lead to portholes to the outside. When you climb through, it’s like stepping into another world.” He described the Tham Loub – Mountain Circuit’s large cavern exiting to a mountaintop ridge. The half-day Tham Lot – Tham Chia Khiu Trail starts with an easy walk, crosses the Nam Thang stream, and embarks on the 350-metre path to Tham Chia Khiu cave. “You exit Chia Khiu cave into a forest, and follow the stream into Tham Lot cave, which is really a 500-metre tunnel through which the stream flows, and is only for adventurous souls prepared to get wet to the waist.” Jim added that another new program exits Tham Loub through a small hole into the “secret forest” before entering Tham Chia Khieu from behind. Back home, the girls jumped at the chance for a second authentic Sayabouly adventure. In spite of new developments, the province remains as innocent as my two kids.

Colonial Charm, Luxurious Elegance www.setthapalace.com

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

MAKING TRACK

ໄປທ່ຽວວັງວ ຽງ

ວັ

ນຊາດຂອງລາວຫຍັບໃກ້ເ ຂົ້າມາ, ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ແລະ ໝູ່ຈໍານວນ ໜຶ່ງຕັດສິນໃ ຈໄປຫຼິ້ນວັງວ ຽງສາມມື້. ຂັບລົດບ ໍ່ດົນຈ າກວຽງຈັນ, ໄປຫາ ສະຖານທີ່ພັກຜ ່ອນທີ່ສົມບູນແ ບບ ແລະ ມ່ວນຊື່ນໄ ປ ກັບວ ິວທິວທ ັດທ ີ່ງົດງ າມທີ່ສຸດໃ ນປະເທດລາວ, ລວມທັງກ ິດຈະກໍາກາງ ແຈ້ງທີ່ໜ້າຕື່ນເ ຕັ້ນອ ີກຫຼາກຫຼາຍ.

ຖະໜົນຖ ືກພ ະຍຸທ ຳລາຍເປັນຂ ຸມ ແລະ ບາງເທື່ອກ ໍ່ຄົດໂ ຄ້ງມ ີຄວາມ ຍາວ 150 ກິໂລ ແມັດ ຈາກວຽງຈັນ ເຖິງ ວັງວຽງ. ດັ່ງນັ້ນພ ວກຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງຕັດສິນໃ ຈຂໍຄ ວາມຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອຈາກຄົນຂ ັບລ ົດຂ ອງ ຍູໂ ຣຄາ (Europcar). ອອກເງິນກ ັນລ ະຫ່ວາງໝສ ູ່ ີ່ຄົນ, ລາຄາບໍ່ແ ພງຢ່າງໜ້າ ແປກໃຈ ແລະ ເຮັດໃຫ້ພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າສາມາດນັ່ງເ ອນຫຼັງໄ ດ້ຢ່າງ ສະບາຍ ແ ລະ ມ ວນຊື່ນກ ັບກ ານເດີນທາງ. ວັງວຽງມີຄວາມພິເສດຢ່າງແທ້ຈ ິງ. ອ້ອມຮອບດ້ວຍໜ້າຜາຫີນສ ູງຊ ັນ ລຽງລາຍກັນໄ ປແບບບໍ່ສິ້ນສ ຸດ, ເບິ່ງຄ ືເກີດຂ ຶ້ນມ າຈາກຄວາມເລິກຂ ອງ ແມ່ນໍ້າຊອງ, ມັນເ ຮັດໃຫ້ເ ກີດມ ີສິ່ງມ ະຫັດສະຈັນທ າງທໍາມະຊາດທີ່ໜ້າ ຕື່ນຕ າຕືນໃ ຈຫຼາຍທີ່ສ ຸດທີ່ໄ ດ້ພົບໃ ນອາຊີຕ າເວັນອ ອກສ່ຽງໃຕ້. ຕອນ ເຊົ້າໆ, ເມື່ອພ ເູ ຂົາອ້ອມແອ້ມປ ົກຫ ຸ້ມໄ ປດ້ວຍໝອກ, ມັນເ ຮັດໃຫ້ ເກີດມ ສ ີ າກຫຼັງທີ່ມ ະຫັດສະຈັນ. ບໍ່ມທ ີ ໍາມະຊາດບ່ອນໃດອີກ ແລ້ວຕອບສະໜອງໄດ້ເຖິງຄວາມຕ້ອງການຂ ອງຄົ ນ ໃນລັກສະນະທີ່ໜ້າຕື່ນຕ າຕື່ນໃ ຈຄືແນວນີ້.

ith the Lao National Day approaching, some friends and I decided to spend three days in Vang Vieng. Just a short drive from Vientiane, it proved the perfect place to relax and enjoy some of Laos’ most spectacular scenery, as well as an exiting range of outdoor activities. 150 km of bumpy and sometimes precarious mountain road separate Vientiane from Vang Vieng. So we decided to enlist the help of a driver courtesy of Europcar. Shared between four of us, this was surprisingly affordable and allowed us to sit back and enjoy the journey. Vang Vieng is truly exceptional. Surrounded by impossibly steep rock faces which seem to go on forever, as if majestically rising from the depths of the Nam Song River, it offers some of the most spectacular natural wonders found anywhere in South-East Asia. Early in the morning, when the surrounding mountains are draped in morning mist, they provide an incredible backdrop. Nowhere else does the glory of nature meet the desires of man in such spectacular fashion.

photos by Green Discovery Laos

MAKING TRACK

ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເຂົ້າພັກໃນ ວິລາວັງວຽງຣິເວີໄຊທ໌, ຕັ້ງຢ ູ່ກໍ້າຂວາຂອງ ຝັ່ງແ ມ່ນໍ້າ. ຫ້ອງພັກສະອາດສະອ້ານ ແລະສະດວກສະບາຍ ແລະ ກໍ່ບໍ່ ໄກຈາກສະລອຍນໍ້າ, ເ ປັນຈ ຸດທສ ີ່ ົມບູນແ ບບໃນການເບິ່ງວ ິວທິວທັດ. ພາຍຫຼັງອາຫານທ່ຽງ, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄປກຮີນດສ ີ ໂຄເວີຣີ (Green Discovery) ເພື່ອພ ົບກ ັບຜ ູ້ນໍາທ່ຽວ ທີ່ຈະພາພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄປຂີ່ເຮືອ ຄາຢັກເ ຄິ່ງມື້. ເຖິງວ່າຈະຫາກໍ່ຮຽນຮູເຕັ ້ ກນິກພ ື້ນຖານຂອງການຂເີ່ ຮືອ ຄາຢັກ, ນໍ້າຊອງມີບ າງບ່ອນນໍ້າໄຫລບແ ໍ່ ຮງເໝາະສໍາລັບຜ ູ້ເລີ່ມຕົ້ນເ ພື່ອ ໃຫ້ມ ວນຊື່ນ. ບ່ອນຢຸດທ ໍາອິດຂ ອງພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າແ ມ່ນ ຖໍ້າລົມ ເພື່ອໂ ດດນໍ້າຫຼິ້ນ. ຕໍ່ຈາກນັ້ນໄ ປຖໍ້ານອນ ລົງໄ ປລຸ່ມແ ມ່ນໍ້າ, ໜຶ່ງໃນຖໍ້າທີ່ໃຫ່ຍທີ່ສ ຸດໃ ນ ວັງວຽງ ເຊິ່ງກ່ອນໜ້ານີ້ເຄີຍໃຊ້ ເ ປັນບ ່ອນພັກເ ຊົາໃ ຫ້ຊ າວບ້ານໃນລະ ຫວ່າງສົງຄາມອິນໂ ດຈີນ. ໃນປະຈຸບ ັນ ເປັນບ ້ານຂອງເຈັຍ ແລະ ‘ຫີນ ມະຫັດສະຈັນຂ ອງວັງວຽງ’. ທ້າຍສຸດ ກໍ່ກັບໄ ປວັງວຽງ ພໍດທ ີ ັນເ ບິ່ງຕ າ ເວັນຕົກດ ິນທ ີ່ພິເສດຢູໃ ່ ນລາວ.

We checked into a lovely room at the Villa Vang Vieng Riverside, perched right on the banks of the river. The room was clean and comfortable and not far from a great swimming pool, the perfect spot to enjoy the views. After lunch, we went to Green Discovery to meet our guide, who would take us on a half-day kayaking tour. Having only just mastered the basics of kayaking, the Nam Song offered some small rapids, ideal for beginners to have some fun. Our first stop was the Tham Lom (Winding Cave) for a swing jump. Then onwards to Tham None (Sleeping Cave) further downstream, one of the biggest caves in Vang Vieng, used as a shelter for villagers during the Second Indochina War. Today, it’s home to a bat colony and ‘The Magic Stone of Vang Vieng’. Finally, back to Vang Vieng, in time to catch one of those special Lao sunsets.

MAKING TRACK

ເ ນື່ອງຈາກມຖ ີ ໍ້າຫຼາຍແຫ່ງ, ບັນດາວັງນຳ້ ແລະ ໝູ່ບ້ານເຊິ່ງລ້ວນແລ້ວ ແຕ່ເ ຂົ້າໄປໄດ້ງ່າຍຈາກລົດສ ອງແຖວເປື້ອນຝຸ່ນ, ເຊົ່າລົດໄປ ເອງກໍ່ ເປັນອີກທ າງເລືອກໜຶ່ງທີ່ດີ. ດັ່ງນັ້ນໃ ນມື້ທີ່ສອງພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕັດສິນ ໃຈເຊົ່າລົດຖີບເ ພື່ອໄ ປເລາະເບິ່ງທ ້ອງຖນ ີ່ . ນີ້ໃ ຊ້ເ ວລາເຖິງໜ ຶ່ງມື້ເຕັມໆ, ແຕ່ ວ່ າ ວິ ວ ທິ ວ ທັ ດ ທີ່ ຕື່ ນ ຕ າຕື່ ນ ໃ ຈກໍ່ ເ ຮັ ດ ໃ ຫ້ ພ ວກຂ້ າ ພະເ ຈົ້ າ ຮູ້ ສຶ ກ ຜ່ອນຄາຍກັບຊ ີວິດທ້ອງຖນ ີ່ . ຊກບໍ່ດີ, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າພ ໂ າດໂອກາດຂຶ້ນບ ອນລູນ ເຊິ່ງບ່ອນນັ່ງຖືກ ຈອງໝົດແ ລ້ວ. ‘ທ່ອງທ່ຽວດ້ວຍສາຍຕາຂອງທ່ານ’ ບໍລິສັດນ ໍາທ່ຽວພາ ຂຶ້ນເ ທິງຟ ້າມລ ື້ ະສອງຖ້ຽວ, ຖ້ຽວທໍາອິດຂຶ້ນຕ ອນເຊົ້າ ແລະ ອີກຖ ້ຽວໜຶ່ງ ຕອນ 5 ໂມງແລງ. ເສຍເງິນ 60 ໂດລາສະຫະລັດເ ພື່ອເ ບິ່ງທ ັດສະນີຍ ະ ພາບຢູ່ເທິງວ ັງວຽງ. ທຸກໆ ຖ້ຽວຕ້ອງໄດ້ຈອງກ່ອນລ່ວງໜ້າ. ນຕົວເມືອງສ່ວນຫຼາຍແມ່ນລ ໃ ົ້ນໄ ປດ້ວຍ ບາກິນດ ື່ມບົນແ ຊວຫຼາຍປະ ເພດ ລວມທັງຮ ້ານອາຫານ. ຮອດມື້ທສ ີ ອງ ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕ້ອງການ ຫລົບໜີ ບັນດາຮ້ານອາຫານທີ່ສ່ວນໜຶ່ງເປັນບາເບິ່ງໂ ທລະພາບໄປ ນໍາ, ບໍ່ລວມທັງປ ້າຍໂຄສະນາຂາຍສະປາເກັດຕ ີ ແລະ ແຮມເບີເກີ. ດັ່ງ ນັ້ນພ ວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງໄດ້ພາກັນໄ ປ ສວນກາເຟອິນຊ ີ ບ່ອນທີ່ເຂົາ ເຈົ້າເອົາຜົນຜ ະລິດທ ີ່ສົດໃ ໝ່ມ າເຮັດລາຍການອາຫານທີ່ແຊບ ແລະ ດີ ຕໍ່ສຸຂະພາບ. ນອກຈາກນີ້ກໍ່ບໍ່ຄວນພາດໂອກາດຊີມ ແກງກະລີແ ບບ ພື້ນເ ມືອງລາວ, ຊີສແບ້ທ ີ່ດີເລີດ ແລະນໍ້າປັ່ນຫຼາຍປະເພດກໍ່ມໄີ ວ້ໃຫ້ ເລືອກ. ບໍ່ວ່າທ່ານຈະມລ ີ ົດນິ ຍົມແ ນວໃດ, ວັງວຽງຈະມີບາງສິ່ງບ າງຢ່າງທີ່ທ່ານ ມັກ. ປີນພູເຂົາ, ການເດີນປ ່າ ຫຼື ລ່ອງນໍ້າດ້ວຍກົງເ ບັງ ມີໃຫ້ບ ໍລິການຢູ່ ທົ່ວທຸກບ ່ອນໃນເມືອງ. ສໍາລັບມ ື້ສຸດທ ້າຍ, ພວກຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕັດສິນໃ ຈ ພັກຜ ່ອນ ແລະຊົມວ ິວທິວທັດຊື່ໆ, ກ່ອນຈະປະເຊີນໜ ້າກ ັບອີກເຊົ້ າວັນ ຈັນເພື່ອເ ຮັດວຽກ, ຫຼັງຈາກກັບແຕ່ວັງວ ຽງ, ເບິ່ງຄ ືເປັນອ ີກໂ ລກໜຶ່ງໄປ ເລີຍ.

With dozens of caves, lagoons and villages all easily accessible from a loop of dirt tracks, hiring your own wheels is a great way to get around. So on our second day we decided to rent some dirt bikes to explore the area. This made for an intensive day out, but the stunning views quickly lulled us into the relaxed rhythm of local life. Unfortunately, we missed out on the opportunity of a hot-air balloon flight, which were already fully booked. The ‘Travel With Your Eyes’ tour company takes to the skies twice a day, with one flight early early in the morning and one at 5pm. For $60 you spend a thrilling half and hour over Vang Vieng. All flights must be booked in advance. Much of the town has been swamped by a range of noisy bars and restaurants. By day two we wanted to escape the restaurant-cum-TV-bars, not to mention the endless advertising of spaghetti and hamburgers. So we went to the Organic Farm Café, where fresh produce has been put together into a delicious, healthy menu. The traditional Lao harvest curry, excellent goat cheese and a great selection of wonderful fruit shakes are not to be missed. Whatever your taste, Vang Vieng will have something for you. Rock climbing, trekking or tubing are all on offer throughout the town. For our last day, we decided to just relax and enjoy the views, before facing another Monday morning; a day at work, which after three days in Vang Vieng, seemed like an entirely different world.

ACCOMMODATION

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A surprise attraction

ປົກກະຕິແລ້ວກິລາທາງນໍ້າບໍ່ແມ່ນສິ່ງທີ່ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວຄິດຮອດກ່ຽວກັບ ລາວ. ແຕ່ສ ິ່ງນ ັ້ນອາດຈະບໍ່ຄເື ກົ່າແລ້ວດ ້ວຍສະຖານທີ່ທ່ອງທ່ຽວແຫ່ງ ໃໝ່ ພຽງແຕ່ 3 ຊົ່ວໂມງຈາກວຽງຈັນເ ທົ່ານັ້ນ. ບລູລ າກູນລີສ ອດ (Blue Lagoon Resort) ໃຫ້ບ ໍລິການກິດຈະກໍາທາງນໍ້າຫລາຍປະເພດເທິງ ແຄມອ່າງນໍ້າງື່ມ ແລະທດ ີ່ ີໄປກ່ວານັ້ນແ ມ່ນບ ໍ່ມຊ ີ າຍຫາດທີ່ຄັບຄາໜາ ແໜ້ນໃຫ້ເ ຫັນ. ລີສອດມບ ີ ັນຍາກາດສະຫງົບງ ຽບ ແລະ ເປັນກັນເ ອງ ຕັ້ງຢ ູ່ບ້ານທ່າ ເຮືອ, ປະມານ 20 ກມ ຈາກສູນລ ວມນັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງວັງວຽງ. ອ້ອມ ຮອບດ້ວຍເກາະດອນທີ່ຍັງບ ໍ່ຖືກເ ຕາະຕ້ອງ ແລະປ່າທ ີ່ຂຽວອຸ່ມທ ຸມ, ມັນ ເປັນການພັກຜ່ອນທີ່ສົມບູນແບບສໍາລັບຜູ້ທີ່ຊອກຫາການພັກຜ່ອນທີ່ ປະສົມປ ະສານກັນລ ະຫ່ວາງການຜ່ອນຄາຍ ແລະ ຄວາມມວນຊື່ນເ ທິງ ນໍ້າ. ບໍ່ວ່າທ່ານຄິດເ ຮັດຫຍັງ, ຫຼິ້ນວິນເຊີບ ເຮືອບານານາ (banana boating), ເວັກໂບດດິງ (wake boarding), ເຈັດສກີ (jet skiing), ຫຼື ຍ່າງຫຼິ້ນນໍາຢ່າງສະຫງົບງ ຽບຈາກດອນໜຶ່ງໄປຫາອີກດ ອນໜຶ່ງດ້ວຍ ເຮືອແຄນນູທເີ່ ຮັດດ້ວຍໄມ້ ຫຼື ເຮືອຄາຍັກ, ບລູເ ລກອນມີໃ ຫ້ບ ໍລິການ ທັງໝ ົດນ ີ້.

ater sports are not normally something visitors associate with Laos. But that may be about to change with a new surprise attraction just 3 hours from Vientiane. Blue Lagoon Resort offers a wide range of aquatically orientated activities on the banks of the Nam Ngum Reservoir and best of all, there’s not a crowded beach in sight. The resort has a low-key, intimate feel, ideally located in the village of Tha Heua, about 20km from the busy tourist centre of Vang Vieng. Surrounded by unspoilt islands and lush forest, it’s the perfect getaway for those looking to combine a relaxing break with some fun on the water. Whatever you feel like doing, whether its windsurfing, banana boating, wake boarding, jet skiing, or paddling peacefully from island to island in a pirogue or kayak, Blue Lagoon has it all.

Everything you need can be rented from half an hour to several hours, giving you the opportunity to explore the reservoir, stop for lunch on one of the beautiful islands and just take some time to relax. And there’s no need to be an expert, as a friendly team of instructors is always around to show you how it’s done. The best thing about Blue Lagoon Resort is its stunning natural surroundings. To get the most out of them, strike up a BBQ or camp out on one of the islands, a great romantic getaway for couples looking for something a little different. While your there, don’t forget to do your bit to preserve Laos’ natural beauty, by staying mindful of your impact on the environment.

ACCOMMODATION

ທຸກສ ິ່ງທ ີ່ທ່ານຕ້ອງການສາມາດເຊົ່າໄດ້ ເລີ່ມຈາກເຄິ່ງຊ ົ່ວໂມງຈົນ ເຖິງຫຼາຍຊົ່ວໂ ມງ ເຊິ່ງເຮັດໃຫ້ທ ່ານມີໂອກາດສໍາຫຼວດອ່າງນໍ້າ, ຢຸດ ຮັບປະທານອາຫານທ່ຽງຢູເ່ ທິງດ ອນທີ່ສວຍສົດງ ົດງ າມ ແລະໃຊ້ເ ວລາ ເພື່ອຜ ່ອນຄາຍ. ແລະທ່ານບໍ່ຈໍາເປັນຕ ້ອງເປັນຜ ູ້ຊ່ຽວຊານ ເພາະວ່າ ພວກເຮົາມີ ທີມ ງານຜູ້ສອນທີ່ເປັນກ ັນເ ອງຈະຢກ ູ່ ັບທ ່ານຕະຫຼອດເວລາ ເພື່ອໃ ຫ້ຄ ໍາແນະນໍາ. ສິ່ງທ ດ ີ່ ີທີ່ສຸດກ ່ຽວກັບບ ລູລ າກູນລີສ ອດ ແມ່ນທ ໍາມະຊາດອ້ອມຮອບທີ່ ໜ້າຕື່ນຕາຕື່ນໃ ຈ. ເພື່ອດ ູດດ ື່ມເ ອົາບັນຍາກາດເລົ່ານັ້ນ, ຈັດງ ານ ລ້ຽງບາບີຄິວ ຫຼື ຕັ້ງແຄ້ມຢູເ່ ທິງດ ອນໃດດອນໜຶ່ງ, ເປັນກ ານພັກຜ ່ອນທີ່ ດູດດ ື່ມທ ີ່ສຸດຂ ອງຄຮ ູ່ ັກທີ່ຊອກຫາສິ່ງທ ີ່ແຕກຕ່າງ. ໃນຂະນະທີ່ທ່ານຢູ່ທີ່ ນັ້ນ, ຢ່າລ ືມປ ົກປ ັກຮັກສາຄວາມງາມຂອງທໍາມະຊາດທີ່ມະຫັດສະຈັນ ຂອງປະເທດລາວ ໂດຍລະມັດລະວັງສ ະເໝີຕໍ່ຜົນກ ະທົບທ ີ່ອາດມີຕໍ່ສິ່ງ ແວດລ້ອມຂອງທ່ານ. ລີສອດຍັງໃ ຫ້ບ ໍລິການທີ່ພັກທ ີ່ສະດວກສະບາຍ ເຊິ່ງລວມມີເ ຮືອນພັກ ແບບບັງກ ະໂລທີ່ແນມເຫັນແ ມ່ນໍ້າ. ລາຄາແມ່ນເ ລີ່ມຕົ້ນຈ າກ 100,000 ຫາ 300,000 ກີບຕ ໍ່ຄືນ. ນອກຈາກນີ້ຍັງມ ີຮ້ານອາຫານ ແລະບາແຄມ ນໍ້າ, ເປັນສະຖານທີ່ໆສ ົມບູນແ ບບເພື່ອນ ັ່ງພ ັກຜ ່ອນ ແລະມີຄວາມສຸກ ກັບໜ ຶ່ງໃນບັນຍາກາດຕາເວັນຕົກດ ິນທ ີ່ພິເສດທີ່ສຸດໃ ນລາວ. ເພື່ອໃ ຫ້ ເຂົ້າກັບບ ັນຍາກາດ ໃນຮ້ານອາຫານກໍ່ມີທັງອ າຫານລາວ ແລະ ຕາ ເວັນຕ ົກຫຼາຍປະເພດເພື່ອໃຫ້ ບໍລິການ ເຊັ່ນດ ຽວກັນກ ັບເ ຄື່ອງດື່ມທ ີ່ ມີການຄັດເ ລືອກມາເປັນຢ ່າງດີດ້ວຍລາຄາທີ່ສົມເ ຫດສົມຜ ົນ. ຢ່າລ ືມ ແວະທ່ຽວຊົມ ແລະໂອ້ລົມກ ັບເ ຈົ້າຂອງທີ່ເປັນກ ັນເ ອງ Christophe, Laurent ແລະ Medi, ເພື່ອຊ ອກຮວ ູ້ ່າສະຖານທີ່ໆໜ ້າຕື່ນຕາຕື່ນໃ ຈ ແຫ່ງນ ີ້ມກ ີ ິດຈະກໍາຫຍັງອ ີກແ ດ່ທໄີ່ ດ້ກຽມໄວ້. ບລູລ າກູນລີສ ອດ ຕັ້ງຢູ່ ກິໂລແມ້ດທີ 120 ໄປທາງເໜືອຂອງວຽງຈັນ. ນັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວສາມາດຂຶ້ນລ ົດເ ມ ຫຼື ຂັບລ ົດໄ ປຕາມຖະໜົນເ ລກທີ 13 ເໜືອ, ຈົນເ ຖິງບ ້ານທ່າເ ຮືອ ເມືອງວັງວຽງ. ໄປຕາມປ້າຍປະມານ 800 ແມ້ດ ຮອດລີສອດ. ສໍາລັບທ ່ານໃດທີ່ຕ້ອງການຂີ່ລົດຖີບມ າຈາກ ວຽງຈັນ, ທ່ານສາມາດຖີ້ມຊ ີວິດໃນເມືອງໄວ້ທາງຫຼັງ ແລະມີຄ ວາມສຸກຢ ູ່ ເທິງນ ໍ້າໃນເວລາພຽງສອງຊົ່ວໂມງເຄິ່ງ. ປະເທດລາວແມ່ນປ ະເທດໜຶ່ງ ທີ່ເ ຕັມໄ ປດ້ວຍຄວາມປະຫຼາດໃຈ - ແລະກໍ່ຍັງມ ີອີກຫຼາຍສິ່ງຫຼາຍຢ່າງ ໃຫ້ທ ່ານຄົ້ນຫ າ. ຂໍໃ ຫ້ມ ຄ ີ ວາມສຸກ.

The resort offers some great accommodation, including lovely bungalows overlooking the water. Prices range from 100,000 to 300,000 kip per night. There is also a waterside restaurant and bar, the perfect place to sit back and enjoy one of those special Lao sunsets. To go with it, a delicious range of Lao and Western food is on offer, as well as a good selection of drinks at reasonable prices. Be sure to stop by and chat to friendly owners Christophe, Laurent and Medi, to find out what else is planned for this stunning location. Blue Lagoon Resort is located 120 km north of Vientiane. Visitors can catch a bus or drive along Route 13 heading north, until they reach Tha Heua Village in Vang Vieng district. Follow signs for 800 metres to reach the resort. For those who would prefer to hire a dirt bike from Vientiane, you can leave the city behind and be on the water in just two and half hours. Laos is a country that’s full of surprises- and there’s another for you. Enjoy.

ENTERTAINMENT

ເທດສະການລະຄອນຫຸ່ນເງົາປະກາດອອກສະແດງທົ່ວປະເທດ

Shadow Festival announces nationwide tour

ເປັນເວລາຫຼາຍກ່ວາສາມສິບປີຫຼັງຈາກການຫາຍສາບສູນ, ສິລະປະ ການສະແດງລະຄອນ ຫຸ່ນເງົາໄດ້ກັບຄືນມາສູ່ພາກໃຕ້ຂອງລາວໃນ ປີ 2009, ໂດຍການເປີດ ‘ໂຮງລະຄອນຫຸ່ນເງົາ’ ໃໝ່ຂຶ້ນຢູ່ແຂວງຈໍາ ປາສັກ ເຊິ່ງໄດ້ຮັບການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອຈາກມູນນິທິ ພຣາຍອໍຣິຕີ ຊັບພອດ ຟາວເດເຊີນ (FSP). ເຊັ່ນດຽວກັນກັບໂຮງລະຄອນ, ໂຄງການປະກອບດ້ວຍ “ໂຮງຮູບເງົາ ຕຸກຕຸກ”, ເຊິ່ງເປັນໂຮງ ລະຄອນເຄື່ອນທີ່ສະແດງຮູບເງົາບໍ່ມີສຽງກືກ ນໍາສະແດງໂດຍ ຊາລີ ຊັບປລິນ (Charlie Chaplin), ບຸສເຕີ ເຄຕັນ (Buster Keaton) ແລະນັກສະແດງຮູບເງົາບໍ່ມີສຽງອື່ນໆ. ໃນປີ 2012, ເປັນປີທີສາມຂອງໂຮງລະຄອນ, ເທດສະການເດີນທາງ ທີ່ກ່ອນ ໜ້ານີ້ຈໍາ ກັດການສະແດງຢູ່ແຕ່ໃນໝູ່ບ້ານໃນຈໍາປາສັກ ຈະ ອອກເດີນທາງໄປສະແດງຢູ່ທົ່ວປະເທດ, ຈາກສີພັນດອນ ຢູ່ພາກໃຕ້ ສຸດ, ສູ່ວຽງຈັນ, ຫຼວງພະບາງ ແລະອີກຫຼາຍໝູ່ບ້ານທາງພາກ ເໜືອ, ຢຸດຢູ່ລະຫ່ວາງທາງເພື່ອສະແດງພິເສດຢູ່ງານບຸນຊ້າງທີ່ໄຊຍະບູລີ. ເທດສະການເດີນທາງຈະຈ້າງນັກດົນຕີຫຼາຍກ່ວາສິບຫ້າຄົນ, ລວມ ທັງນັກຮ້ອງ, ນັກສະແດງ, ຫຸນ ່ ສະແດງ ແລະຊ່າງເຕັກນິກ. ໃນລະຫ່ວາງ ການກວດກາສະຖານທີ່ໆໄດ້ຄັດເລືອກໄວ້, ຈະມີການສະແດງຂອງນັກ ຫຼິ້ນເປຍໂນທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງຈາກຝຮັ່ງ. ກອງທຶນປຣີນສ ຄລາວຟັນ (ໄດ້ຮັບການສະໜັບສະໜູນໂດຍກະຊວງ ການຕ່າງປະເທດຂອງເນ ເທີແລນ), ສະຖານທູດຝຣັ່ງ ແລະ FSP, ໄດ້ ຮ່ວມມືກັນຊ່ວຍສ້າງອົງກອນທີ່ບໍ່ຫວັງ ຜົນກໍາ ໄລເພື່ອຊ່ວຍກັນຈັດຕັ້ງ ແລະບໍລິຫານ ບໍລິສັດໂຮງລະຄອນຫຸ່ນເງົາໃນລາວທີ່ກໍາລັງມີການພັດ ທະນາຢູ່. ມາຮອດປັດຈຸບັນ, ບໍລິສັດໂຮງລະຄອນຫຸ່ນເງົາໄດ້ມອບປະສົບປະ ການໃຫ້ບັນດາໝູ່ບ້ານເຂດ ຫ່າງໄກສອກຫຼີກໃນຈໍາປາສັກ ໃຫ້ມີໂອ ກາດຊົມຮູບເງົາເລື່ອງທໍາອິດຂອງພວກເຂົາ ແລະກໍ່ຖື ວ່າມັນໄດ້ຮັບ ຜົນສໍາເລັດ! ປະຊາຊົນຫຼາຍກ່ວາ 2000 ຄົນໄດ້ເຂົ້າມາຊົມຮູບເງົາ

More than thirty years after its disappearance, the art of shadow puppetry returned to southern Laos in 2009, with the opening of a new ‘Theatre of Shadows” in Champasak province, set up with the help of the Priority Support Foundation (FSP). As well as a theatre, the project includes a “cinema tuktuk”, a mobile theatre showing silent films by Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and other renowned silent movie stars. In 2012, the theatre’s third year, a travelling festival previously confined to the villages of the Champasak will be on tour throughout the country, from Four Thousand Islands in the extreme south, to Vientiane, Luang Prabang and many northern villages, stopping on route for a special appearance at the Sayaboury Elephant Festival. The travelling festival will employ over fifteen musicians, singers, actors, puppeteers and technicians. In between screenings at selected venues, there will also be a performance from a well-known French pianist. The Prince Claus Fund (supported by The Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the Embassy of France and the FSP, have joined force to help create a non-profit organisation to help organise and manage the ongoing development of the Shadow Theatre Company in Laos.

ຂາວດໍາທີ່ຖາ່ ຍ ທໍາໃນຊຸມ ່ ປີ1920 ແລະ 30, ໂດຍສະເພາະຮູບ ເງົາເກົ່າແກ່ເລື່ອງ “ຄິງຄອງ”, ເຊິ່ງໄດ້ຖາ່ ຍ ທໍາຢູໃ ່ ຈກາງປ່າຂອງລາວ, ໃນບັນຍາກາດການ ດໍາລົງຊີວດ ິ ປະຈໍາວັນຂອງປະຊາຊົນລາວສະ ໄໝກ່ອນເກືອບໜຶ່ງສັດຕະວັດຜ່ານມາ. ນະວະນິຍາຍດັ່ງກ່າວນີ້ເຮັດ ໃຫ້ພວກເຮົາເບິງເຫັນວິວ ທິວທັດອັນສວຍງາມຂອງປ່າໄມ້ທີ່ໄດ້ຫາຍ ໄປ; ປະເທດທີ່ຍັງບໍ່ທັນຖືກແຕະຕ້ອງ ຈາກໂລກພາຍນອກ, ປະເທດ ຊາດຈະເລີນຮຸ່ງເຮືອງທັງໆທີ່ມີ ຄວາມຮຸນແຮງຂອງທໍາມະຊາດ, ບ່ອນທີ່ສັດສາວາສິ່ງ ແລະມະນຸດອາ ໄສຢູ່ຮ່ວມກັນຢ່າງສະງົບສຸກ. ບາງຄົນອາດຈະຮູ້ສຶກໄດ້ໃນ ຂະນະທີ່ກໍາ ລັງເບິ່ງຮູບເງົາເລື່ອງ ນີ້ຢູ່ວ່າເປັນຫຍັງປະ ເທດລາວຄັ້ງໜຶ່ງຈຶ່ງຖືກຮຽກ ວ່າລ້ານຊ້າງ; ອານາຈັກລ້ານຊ້າງ. ປະຊາຊົນລາວທຸກໆຮຸ້ນຄົນຮັກ ‘ຄິງຄອງ’ ເພາະ ວ່າຮູບ ເງົາເລື່ອງນີ້ໄດ້ນໍາສະເໜີພາບ ແຫ່ງຄວາມເປັນເອກະລັກສະ ເພາະ ແລະວັດທະນະທໍາທີ່ມພ ີ ະລັງ, ເຊິ່ງກໍ່ເປັນທີ່ໜາ້ ເສົ້າໃຈ ສິ່ງເລົ່າ ນີ້ ກໍ າ ລັ ງ ສູ ນ ຫາຍໄປໃນອົ່ ງ ມື ຂ ອງການພັ ດ ທະນາເສດຖະກິ ດ ຢ່ າ ງ ວອງໄວ.

To date, the Shadow Theatre Company has provided many remote villages in Champasak their first-ever movie experienceand what a success it has been! More than 2000 people have turned out to watch black and white films shot in the 1920s and 30s, particularly classics such as ‘King Kong’, which filmed in the heart of the Lao jungle, provides a glimpse of the daily lives of Lao people almost a century ago. This surreal work of fiction offers a view of a beautiful lost wilderness; a country still untouched by the outside world, a nation thriving despite the harshness of nature, where animals and humans lived in perfect harmony. One can also realise while watching this film, why Laos was once known as Lang Xang; the kingdom of a million elephants. Lao people of all generations love ‘King Kong’ because it offers a powerful portrayal of their distinct identity and culture, which sadly, is disappearing at the hands of increasingly rapid (and often shortsighted) economic development.

ໜຶ່ງໃນເປົ້າໝາຍຕົ້ນຕໍຂອງເທດສະການລະຄອນຫຸ່ນເງົາແມ່ນເພື່ອປຸກ ຈິດສໍານຶກຂອງທັງປະ ຊາຊົນທ້ອງຖີ່ນ ແລະນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວ, ໃນຄວາມຈໍາ ເປັນທີ່ຕ້ອງປົກປັກຮັກສາລະບົບນິເວດທີ່ ອ່ອນແອຂອງປະເທດລາວ ລວມທັງມໍລະດົກທາງວັດທະນະທໍາ; ສິ່ງທ້າທາຍທີ່ບໍ່ເຄີຍສໍາຄັນ ຕໍ່ອະ ນາຄົດຂອງປະເທດທີ່ມີສະເໜແຫ່ງນີ້.

One of the fundamental aims of the shadow festival is to raise awareness among both locals and visitors, of the need to preserve Laos’ fragile echo-systems and cultural heritage; a challenge that has never been so important to the future of this enchanting country.

ເທດສະການລະຄອນຫຸ່ນເງົາຄາດວ່າຈະເລີ່ມຕົ້ນໃນວັນທີ 1 ກຸມພາ 2012, ແລະຈະສິ້ນສຸດ ການເດີນທາງອ້ອມປະເທດຢູ່ທີ່ສີພັນດອນ ໃນ ອາທິດທໍາອິດຂອງເດືອນມີນາ.

The shadow festival is expected to commence on 1st February 2012, ending its journey around the country at the Four Thousand Islands in the first week of March For more information, please contact Yves Bernard on: (+856) 020 550 81 109. Email: ciam.laos@gmail.com

Lao Art s

ປະເພນີແ ຕ່ງດອງຂອງລາວ ທີ່ສ ູນສ ິລະປະພື້ນເ ມືອງ ແລະ ຊົນເ ຜົ່າວິທະຍາ

Wedding Traditions of Laos at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre By Tara Gujadhur, Co-Director of the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre.

ປະເທດລາວເປັນໜຶ່ງ ໃນປະເທດທີ່ມີຄວາມຫຼາກຫຼາຍທາງດ້າ ນຊົນ ເຜົ່າຢູ່ໃນພາກພື້ນອ າຊີຕ າເວັນອອກສ່ຽງໃຕ້, ປະກອບດ້ວຍ 49 ຊົນ ເຜົ່າທ ີ່ຮັບຮ ູ້ຢ່າງເປັນທ າງການ ແລະ ອີກຊ ົນເ ຜົ່າສ່ວນນ້ອຍກຸ່ມຍ່ອຍ ອີກຈໍານວນຫຼາຍ. ຊົນເ ຜົ່າສ ວ ່ ນນອ ້ ຍກວມເອົາເ ຄິ່ງໜຶ່ງຂ ອງປະຊາກອນ ທັງໝ ົດ, ເຊິ່ງສ່ວນຫຼາຍອາໄສຢູ່ແຂວງທາງພາກເໜືອ ແລະ ໃຕ້ ລວມ ທັງເ ຂດຊົນນະບົດແ ລະຕົວເ ມືອງ. ເຖິງວ ່າຫຼາຍໆຮີດຄອງປະເພນີຂ ອງ ຊຸມຊົນເລົ່ານີ້ຈະໄດ້ຮັບອິດທິພົນຈາກການພັດທະນາເສດຖະກິດຢ່າງ ໄວວາ, ແຕ່ງານແຕ່ງງານກໍ່ຍັງສ ືບຕໍ່ເ ປັນສ ິ່ງທ ີ່ສະແດງເຖິງສ າຍສໍາພັນ ອັນດ ີງາມຂອງຄອບຄົວ, ຄວາມເຊື່ອພື້ນເ ມືອງ ແລະ ອຸດົມໄ ປດ້ວຍ ມໍລະດົກທ າງວັດທະນະທໍາ. ນເດືອນກັນຍາ 2011, ໄດ້ມີງານວາງສະແດງທີ່ເອີ້ນວ່າ ‘ຈາກການ ໃ ກ້ຽວພາລາສີ ສູ່ຄວາມເປັນຍາດຕິພ ີ່ນ້ອງ: ການສະເຫຼີມສະຫຼອງການ ແຕ່ງງານຂອງຂອງບັນດາຊົນເ ຜົ່າຂອງລາວ’, ທີ່ສ ູນສ ິນລະປະພື້ນເ ມືອງ ແລະ ຊົນເຜົ່າວິທະຍາຢູ່ຫຼວງພະບາງ. ງານວາງສະແດງດັ່ງກ່າວນີ້ ໄດ້ ໃຫ້ພວກເຮົາຮູ້ເລິກເຊິ່ງເຖິງປະເພນີການແຕ່ງງານຂອງປະຊາຊົນລາວ ທີ່ມີຫຼາຍຊົນເ ຜົ່າສ່ວນນ້ອຍ. ຜູທ ້ ່ຽວຊົມສາມາດຮຽນຮູ້ກ່ຽວກັບພິທີການ ກ້ຽວພາລາສີທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍ, ຄວາມສໍາຄັນຂ ອງແຜ່ນແ ພໃນການສະ ເຫຼີມສະຫຼອງງານແຕ່ງງານ ເຊັ່ນດ ຽວກັນກ ັບປ ະເພນີການໃຫ້ສ ິນສ ອດ ທອງໝັ້ນ. ໃນງ ານດັ່ ງ ກ່ າ ວຍັ ງ ໄ ດ້ ວ າງສະແ ດງເ ຄື່ ອ ງເ ກົ່ າ ຂ ອງແ ກ່ ທີ່ ຫ າຍ າກ ຈໍານວນໜຶ່ງ, ເຊັ່ນ “ມົງກຸດທ ້ອງຟ້າ” ຂອງຊົນເຜົ່າຢ ້າວມູນ, ທີ່ເຮັດ ດ້ວຍເງິນບ ໍລິສຸດ ແລະ ເສັ້ນຜ ົມມ ະນຸດ. ຜູທ ້ ່ຽວຊົມຍ ັງສ າມາດເບິ່ງຊ ຸດ ໄໝພື້ນເ ມືອງຂອງຊົນເຜົ່າໄ ຕລາວ, ເຊິ່ງມີກ ານປັກແ ສ່ວດ້ວຍຄໍາທີ່ ສວຍສົດງ ົດງ າມ ເຊັ່ນດ ຽວກັນກ ັບປ ທ ີ່ ີ່ເຮັດດ້ວຍທອງເຫຼືອງ ແລະໄມ້ໄຜ່ ຂອງເຜົ່າມົ້ງ. ນອກຈາກນີ້ກໍ່ຍັງມ ີຮູບພາບປະກອບຂໍ້ມູນ ແລະ ການອະ ທິບາຍກ່ຽວກັບປະເພນີກ ານແຕ່ງງານຕ່າງໆ.

Laos is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Southeast Asia, with 49 officially recognised ethnic groups and numerous sub-groups. Ethnic minorities equate to almost half the population, most of whom live in northern and southern provinces, in both rural and urban areas. Although many of the cultural practices of these communities have been influenced by rapid economic development, weddings continue to put on a wonderful display of family ties, traditional beliefs and rich cultural heritage. In September 2011, a new exhibition called ‘From Courtship to Kinship: Wedding Celebrations of Laos’ Ethnic Groups’, opened at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre in Luang Prabang. The exhibition provides a rare insight into the wedding customs of Lao people, including several ethnic minorities. Visitors can learn about the variety of courtship rituals, the importance of textiles in wedding celebrations, as well as the tradition of bride wealth. The exhibition features some unusual artefacts, such as the “celestial crown” of the Yao Mun hill tribe, made of pure silver and human hair. Visitors can also see the traditional silk dress of a Tai Lao bride, with its beautiful gold embroidery, as well as a Hmong brass and bamboo mouth harp. The exhibit also includes some informative photography, as well as explanations of various wedding customs. The display offers a fascinating insight into the traditional rituals of courtship in Laos. In the past, girls and boys would begin seeking a partner in their early teens, often as young as 13 or 14. Formal courtship was mostly seasonal, coinciding with breaks in the farming cycle. Harvest festivals and New Year celebrations provided opportunities to meet new people from other villages. Courtship games, such as the Tai Dam lin mak khone and the Hmong pov pob, allowed boys and girls to interact playfully and get to know each another in an informal, relaxed setting.

ການວາງສະແດງຍັງໄດ້ນໍາສະເໜີຂໍ້ມູນເລິກເຊິ່ງທີ່ໜ້າສົນໃຈກ່ຽວກັບ ພິທີການກ້ຽວພາລາສໃນ ີ ປະເທດລາວ. ໃນອະດີດ , ຜູ້ສາວ ແລະ ຜູບ ້ ່າວ ຈະເລີ່ມ ຊອກຫາຄູ່ແຕ່ເ ລີ່ມເປັນໄ ວໜຸ່ມແຕ່ອ າຍຸປ ະມານ 13 ຫລື 14 ປີ. ການກ້ຽວພາລາສີທີ່ເປັນທາງການ ສ່ວນໃຫ່ຍຈະເປັນລ ະດູກ ານ, ກົງ ກັບໄລຍະພັ ກຂ ອງຮອບວຽນການເຮັດໄຮ່ເຮັດນາ. ເທດສະການເກັບ ກ່ຽວ ແລະງານສະເຫຼີມສະຫຼອງບຸນປີໃ ໝ່ ເປັນໂ ອກາດທີ່ດໃ ີ ນການພົບ ປະກັບຜ ູ້ຄົນໃ ໝ່ໆຈ າກໝບ ູ່ ້ານອື່ນໆ. ການຫຼິ້ນກ້ຽວພາລາສີ ເຊັ່ນ ການ ເຫຼັ້ນໝາກຄອນ ຂອງຊາວມົ້ງໂປບປອບ (pov pob) ຂອງໄຕດໍາ ແລະ, ເຊິ່ງໃຫ້ຜ ູ້ບ່າວ ແລະ ຜູສ ້ າວໂຕ້ຕອບກັນໂ ດຍອາໄສການຫຼິ້ນຢ່າງມ່ວນ ຊື່ນ ແລະທໍາຄວາມຮູ້ຈັກກັນແ ບບບໍ່ເປັນທ າງການ, ໃນບັນຍາກາດ ຜ່ອນຄາຍ. ກໍ່ຄກ ື ັນກ ັບຮ ູບແບບການດໍາລົງຊ ີວິດຂ ອງຄົນລ າວຫຼາຍຢ່າງ, ກົດເ ກນ ຂອງພິທີການສະເຫຼີມສະຫຼອງການແຕ່ງງານ ແລະ ການກ້ຽວພາລາ ສີ ກໍາລັງມີການປ່ຽນແປງຢ່າງໄວວາ. ທຸກມ ື້ນີ້ ພໍ່ແມ່ຈະບໍ່ຄ່ອຍເຂົ້າໄປ ຫຍຸ້ງກຽ່ວກັບຊ ີວິດຄູ່ຂອງຄົນໜ ຸ່ມສາວ ແລະ ຜູ້ຍິງຫຼາຍຄົນກ ໍ່ຈົບກ ານ ສຶກສາກ່ອນເລີ່ມ ຕົ້ນມ ີຄອບມີຄົວ. ມັນໄ ດ້ກາຍເປັນເ ລື່ອງປົກກະຕິ

ສໍາລັບຄູ່ບ່າວສາວທີ່ຈະຄົບຫາກັນເປັນເວລາຫຼາຍປີກ່ອນຕັດສິນໃຈ ແຕ່ງງານ. ຍິ່ງໄ ປກ່ວານັ້ນ, ການແຕ່ງງານລະຫ່ວາງຊົນເ ຜົ່າໃນປະຈຸບ ັນ ໄດ້ກາຍເປັນເ ລື່ອງປົກກະຕິແ ລ້ວ ເຊິ່ງໃນອະດີດເ ປັນສ ິ່ງຕ ້ອງຫ້າມທາງ ວັດທະນະທໍາ. ໃນຂະນະທີ່ມີຫຼາຍສິ່ງຫຼາຍຢ່າງກ່ຽວກັບພ ິທີການແຕ່ງງານ ແລະການ ກ້ຽວພາລາສີໃນປະເທດລາວ ໄດ້ມີການປ່ຽນແປງ, ສາຍສໍາພັນລ ະ ຫ່ວາງຍາດຕິພີນ້ອງຍັງຄົງເປັນສິ່ງສໍາຄັນສໍາລັບປະຊາຊົນເຜົ່າຕ່າງໆ. ພາຍຫຼັງການແຕ່ງງານ, ຄູແ ່ ຕ່ງງານສ່ວນຫຼາຍບໍ່ໄ ດ້ສ້າງເຮືອນເປັນຂ ອງ ຕົນເ ອງ - ເຈົ້າບ່າວ ຫຼື ເຈົ້າສາວໃໝ່ຈ ະຍ້າຍມາຢູ່ກັບຄ ອບຄົວຂ ອງຝ່າຍ ຊາຍ ຫຼື ຝ່າຍຍິງ ກາຍເປັນສ ່ວນໜຶ່ງຂອງຄອບຄົວ ຫຼື ວົງຕ ະກູນ. ໂດຍ ທົ່ວໄປແລ້ວ ຄົນສ າມລຸ້ນຈະອາໄສຢູ່ນໍາກັນ ເຊິ່ງມີພ ໍ່ຕແ ູ້ ມ່ຕູ້ ຫຼື ພໍ່ເ ຖົ້າ ແມ່ເຖົ້າຊ່ວຍລ້ຽງຫຼານ ແ ລະ ສືບຕໍ່ຊ່ວຍວຽກເຮືອນວຽກຊານ. ສູນສ ິນລະປະພື້ນເ ມືອງ ແລະ ຊົນເ ຜົ່າວິທິຍາ ແມ່ນຫ ໍພິພິທະພັນ ແລະ ອົງການທາງດ້ານວັດທະນະທໍາຢູ່ຫຼວງພະບາງ. ເປົ້າໝາຍແມ່ນເ ພື່ອ ສົ່ງເສີມຄຸນຄ່າຂອງຄວາມຫຼາກຫຼາຍທາງດ້ານຊົນຊາດຊົນເຜົ່າຂອງ ປະເທດລາວ ໂດຍຜ່ານການສຶກສາ, ການວາງສະແດງ, ການຄົ້ນຄ ້ວາ ແລະການພັດທະນາຊຸມຊ ົນ. ງານວາງສະແດງ ‘ຈາກການກ້ຽວພາລາສີ ສູ່ຄວາມເປັນຍ າດຕິພ ີນ້ອງ’ ຈະເລີ່ມເປີດໃ ຫ້ປ ະຊາຊົນທ ົ່ວໄປເຂົ້າຊົມ ໄດ້ຈົນເຖິງເດືອນກັນຍາ 2012.

Like many aspects of Lao life, the norms of wedding celebrations and courtship are changing rapidly. Today, parents are less likely to chaperone young couples and many women finish their education before starting a family. It has also become increasingly common for couples to have a relationship for several years before deciding to marry. What’s more, intermarriage is now common between ethnic groups, something which was once a taboo. While a great deal has changed with regards to the norms of weddings and courtship in Laos, the ties of kinship are still of great importance to people of all ethnic groups. After marriage, most couples do not set up their own home- a new groom or bride will join his or her spouse’s household, becoming part of the family or clan. Usually, three generations live together, with grandparents helping to raise their grandchildren and contributing to the housework.

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre is a museum and cultural organisation in Luang Prabang. It aims to promote an appreciation of the rich ethnic diversity of Laos, through education, exhibitions, research and community development. The ‘From Courtship to Kingship’ exhibition will be open to the public until September 2013. TAEC’s museum shop sells fair-trade handicrafts from over 500 village artists. Le Patio Café also serves ethnic minority food, drinks and cakes. Come and visit the museum and learn more about Laos’ incredible diversity of cultures! Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

Ban Khamyong, LuangPrabang Open: 9.00am – 6.00pm, Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays). Entry: 20,000 Kip, free for Lao citizens. Phone: + 856 71 253 364 E-mail: information@taeclaos.org Web: www.taeclaos.org www.facebook.com/taeclaos

ຮ້ານຄ້າພິພທ ິ ະພັນຂ ອງສູນສ ິລະປະພື້ນເ ມືອງ ແລະ ຊົນເຜົ່າວິທິຍາ ຈໍາໜ່າຍເຄື່ອງຫັດຖະກໍາຈາກຫຼາຍກ່ວາ 500 ໝູບ ່ ້ານສິລະປະ. ເລີ ປາຕີໂອ ຄາເຟ (Le Patio Café) ຍັງໃຫ້ບ ໍລິການອາຫານພື້ນເ ມືອງ ຂອງຊົນເ ຜົ່າສ່ວນນ້ອຍ, ເຄື່ອງດື່ມ ແລະເຄັກ. ເຊີນບ ັນດາທ່ານເຂົ້າມາ ທ່ຽວຊົມ ແລະ ຢ້ຽມຢາມຫໍພິພິດທ ະພັນ ແລະຮຽນຮູ້ເພີ່ມເ ຕີມກ ່ຽວກັບ ວັດທະນະທໍາທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍ ແ ລະມະຫັດສະຈັນຂ ອງລາວ!

DOS & DON’TS

IN LAOS

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

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

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

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

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

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

More cartoon please visit: www.champaholiday.com

OUTSIDE DISTINATION

ພະນົມເປັນ ກັບ ປະຫວັດສາດອັນຮັ່ງມີ

Destination Phnom Penh ກັບປ ະຫວັດສາດອັນຮ ັ່ງມີ, ຄວາມອຸດົມສົມບູນຂ ອງຜືນແຜ່ ນດ ິນອ ັນ ກ້ວາງຂວາງ ແລະ ພະລັງງານທີ່ບໍ່ຈົບສ ິ້ນ, ພະນົມເ ປັນ ເມືອງຫຼວງຂອງ ປະເທດກໍາປູເ ຈັຍ ແມ່ນໜຶ່ງໃ ນເມືອງຫຼວງທີ່ສ ວຍງາມທີ່ສຸດຢ ູ່ອາຊີຕາ ເວັ ນ ອ ອກສ່ ຽ ງໃ ຕ້ . ຕັ້ ງ ຢູ່ ທ່ າ ມກ າງແ ມ່ ນໍ້ າ ສ ອງສ າຍທີ່ ມ າບັ ນ ຈົ ບ ກັ ນ , ເ ມື ອ ງຫຼ ວ ງແ ຫ່ ງ ນີ້ ຢັ ງ ຢາຍຢູ່ ຕ າມພື້ ນ ທີ່ ສີ ຂ ຽວອັ ນ ກ້ ວ າງຂວາງ ເຊິ່ງປະກອບມີຖັນແຖວບ້ານແບບບູຮານຫຼາກຫຼາຍພ້ອມດ້ວຍສວນທີ່ ສວຍງາມ. ຕົ້ນໄ ມ້ໃຫ່ຍລຽນກັນເ ປັນສ າຍຕາມຖະໜົນໃ ຫ່ຍເບິ່ ງແລ້ວ ແມ່ນເໝາະຫຼາຍສໍາລັ ບກ ານຍ່າງຫຼິ້ນພັກຜ ່ອນ ແລະບາງຄັ້ງກ ໍ່ສະແດງ ເຖິງກ ານເດີນທາງຂອງທ່ານ. ເມື່ອທ ່ານຄຸ້ນເ ຄີຍກ ັບສ ະຖານທີ່ແລ້ວ, ຢ່າລ ືມຫ າໂອກາດໄປທ່ຽວຊົມ ຫໍພິພິທະຕະພັນແ ຫ່ງຊ າດ, ພະລາຊະ ວັງເຈົ້າຊີວິດ, ວັດພ ະນົມ ແລະສູນກ ັກກ ັນໂ ຕນສະເລັງ (Tuol Sleng detention centre), ຮູ້ກັນໃ ນທ້ອງຖີ່ນໃນສະໄໝຍຸກຂ ອງພອນພົດ ເອີ້ນວ່າເອັສ21 (S21). ສໍາລັບອ າຫານທ່ຽງ, ອາດຈະໄປຊເື້ ຄື່ອງຊື້ຂອງ ຢູ່ບ່ອນໃດບ່ອນໜຶ່ງ, ຫຼື ໄປສໍາພັດກ ັບຄ ວາມຄຶກຄັກຢ ູ່ບ່ອນນັ້ນ, ຢ່າລືມ ໄປແວ່ທ່ຽວຊົມຕະຫຼາດເຊັນທ ຣັນມາເກັດ (Central Market) ທີ່ອັ່ງອ ໍ ດ້ວຍຜູ້ຄົນ. ຂີ່ເຮືອທ່ອງທ່ຽວໄປຕາມທະເລສາບ ຕົງເລສາບ (Tonle Sap) ຕອນຕາ ເວັນຕ ົກດ ິນ, ເພື່ອເ ບິ່ງຂ ອບຟ້າຂອງເມືອງໃນເວລາເປັນສ ີນຳ້ໝາກກຽ້ງ ແລະ ແສງໄຟສະທ້ອນລະຍິບລະຍັບຈ າກວັດວາອາຮາມສີທອງຫຼາຍ ແຫ່ງຢູໃ ່ ນເມືອງຕອນແລງ, ສິ່ງນີ້ເປັນສ ັນຍາລັກຂ ອງປະເທດກໍາປູເ ຈັຍ ຍຸກໃ ໝ່. ຕໍ່ຈາກນັ້ນໄ ປທີ່ຖະໜົນໂນ ໂຣດົມ (Norodom Boulevard), ເຊິ່ງແມ່ ນສູນກ າງຄວາມຈະເລີນ ແລະເປັນສ ິ່ງຢ ໍ້າເຕືອນວ່າພ ະນົມເ ປັນ ເປັນເ ມືອງໜຶ່ງທີ່ກໍາລັງມີກ ານພັດທະນາ.

ອາຫານກໍາປູເ ຈັຍ ບໍ່ຄອຍມີຊື່ສຽງຄືກ ັນກ ັບອ າຫານຂອງປະເທດເພື່ອນ ບ້ານຄືໄ ທ ຫຼື ຫວຽດນາມ, ແຕ່ສ ໍາລັບຜ ູ້ຮັກອາຫານ, ພະນົມເ ປັນຈ ະບໍ່ ເຮັດໃຫ້ທ ່ານຜິດຫວ ັງຢ່າງແນ່ນອນ. ມີສ ະຖານທີ່ຮັບປະທານອາຫານທີ່ ດີເລີດໃ ຫ້ເ ລືອກຊີມຫຼາຍແຫ່ງ, ນັບແ ຕ່ຮ ້ານອາຫານຂະເໝນ ແລະຝຣັ່ງ ຈົນເຖິງອ າຫານແບບອາເມລິກາ, ພ້ອມ ກັບບ ັນດາອາຫານຂ້າງຖະນົນ ທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍລາຄາບໍ່ແພງ. ແນ່ນອນສິ່ງທ ີ່ຢາກເນັ້ນຢ ໍ້າກໍ່ຄກ ື ານຊອກ ຫາອາຫານຂະເໝນທີ່ແ ທ້ຈິງ. ຂ່າວດີກໍ່ຄື ທ່ານຢູ່ບ່ອນທີ່ຖືກຕ ້ອງແລ້ວ.

With its rich history, an abundance of open space and relentless energy, Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, is one of South-East Asia’s most pleasant cities. Situated at the confluence of two rivers, the city is spread over a huge green space, with its many rows of traditional villas and beautiful gardens. The wide tree-lined avenues are great for a leisurely stroll and some time to reflect on your travels. Once you are settled in, be sure to stop off at the The National Museum, The Royal Palace, Wat Phnom and the chilling Tuol Sleng detention centre, locally known by its Pol Pot era name, S21. For lunch, a spot of shopping, or just to experience its energy, don’t miss the bustling Central Market. Take a cruise along the Tonle Sap at sunset, to witness the city’s skyline in spectacular shades of orange and its many golden temples, shimmering in the evening light, alongside symbols of the new Cambodia. Then brace yourself for Norodom Boulevard, the heart of the action and a reminder that Phnom Penh is a city on the move. Cambodia’s cuisine is not as well-known as that of neighbouring Thailand or Vietnam, but for food lovers, Phnom Penh certainly won’t disappoint. There’s an excellent selection of dining venues, ranging from fine Khmer and French restaurants to American style diners, as well as inexpensive local street stalls selling a variety of local dishes. The emphasis is of course, on finding that authentic Khmer cuisine. The good news is; your in the right place. Cambodian food shares many similarities with many of its Southeast Asian counterparts, including offerings such as curries, barbecue and some exquisite fish dishes. Generally, Khmer cooking is less spicy than other regional cuisines. The ‘must-try’ dish for visitors is Amok - a yellow coconut curry, traditionally cooked and served in a fresh coconut cream.

ອາຫານກໍາປູ ເຈັຍ ມີຄວາມຄ້າຍຄືກັນ ກັບ ອາຫານຂອງຫຼາ ຍປະເ ທດ ຢູ່ເຂດອາຊີຕ າເວັນອອກສ່ຽງໃຕ້ ເຊັ່ນແກງກະລີ່, ບິ້ງບາບີຄິວ ແລະ ອາຫານປະເພດປາທີ່ມີລົດຊ າດແຊບຊ້ອຍ. ໂດຍທົ່ວໄປແລ້ວ ການ ປຸງແ ຕ່ງອາຫານຂະເໝນ ແມ່ນບ ໍ່ເຜັດຄ ືກັນກ ັບອາຫານປະເທດອື່ນໆ. ອາຫານທີ່ຕ້ອງຊີມສ ໍາລັບນ ັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແມ່ນອ າມົກ (Amok) - ແກງ ກະລີໃສ່ ກ ະທິສ ີເຫຼືອງ, ປຸງແ ຕ່ງແ ບບບູຮານແລະເສີບກັບກະທິ ສ ົດ.

ແຫຼ່ງທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ຂໍແນະນຳ | OUR PICKS ຮັບປະທານອາຫານ

ຮ້ານອາຫານ ມາລີສ (Malis Restaurant) ຖະໜົນໂ ນໂຣດົມທີ 136 ເປັ ນ ປ ະສົ ບ ກ ານຮັ ບ ປ ະທານອ າຫານທີ່ ດີ ທີ່ ສຸ ດ ໃ ນພ ະນົ ມ ເ ປັ ນ . ອາຫານໄດ້ຖືກກ ະກຽມຢ່າງມີສິລະປະແບບຮ່ວມສະໄໝ ແລະແບບດັ້ງ ເດີມຈ າກພໍ່ຄົວສ ີມດ ື ີຊາວກໍາປູເ ຈັຍ ລູ ແມງ (Luu Meng), ອາຫານ ທຸກຢ ່າງບໍລິການໃຫ້ທ ່າມກາງບັນຍາກາດທີ່ທ ັນສ ະໄໝ ຂອງສະລອຍ ນໍ້າທີ່ໄດ້ແຮງບັນດານໃຈຈາກອັງກ ໍ, ລວມທັງສວນ ແລະ ຮູບແບບ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກໍາ. ນອກຈາກນີ້ຍັງມ ີບາເຄື່ອງດື່ມຄ ໋ອກເທວ ທີ່ຫລູ ຫລາ ແລະຕູ້ແຊ່ເຫຼົ້າວາຍທີ່ກ້ວາງຂວາງ. ສວນລະບຽງທີ່ໜ ້າຮັກເໝາະ ສໍາລັບກ ານຮັບປະທານອາຫານທີ່ໂລແມນຕິກ.

Dining

Malis restaurant 136 Boulevard Norodom Phnom Penh’s best Cambodian dining experience. Artfully prepared contemporary and traditional Khmer cuisine from the kitchen of renowned Cambodian chef Luu Meng, all served in the stylish surroundings of Angkorian-inspired pools, gardens and architecture. There’s also an elegant cocktails bar and extensive wine celler. The lovely terraced garden is perfect for a romantic diner.

ສະຖານທີ່ພັກຜ ່ອນ

ວິນລາ ປາຣາດີໂຊ (Villa Paradiso) www.thevillaparadiso.com ເປັນສະຖານທີ່ພັກຜ່ອນຢ່ອນໃຈທີ່ໜ້າຮັກແຫ່ງໜຶ່ງຕັ້ງຢູ່ໃຈກາງຂອງ ພະນົມເ ປັນ, ເຊິ່ງບໍລິຫານ ແລະເປັນເ ຈົ້າຂອງໂດຍສອງຜົວເ ມັຍ ສານ ດຣາ (Sandra) ແລະ ຟິນລີບ (Philipp). ອາຄານຂອງວິນລາເຄີຍ ເປັນເ ຮືອນພັກຂ ອງເຈົ້າໜ ້າທ ີ່ກໍາປູເ ຈັຍ. ຫ້ອງໄດ້ຮັບການຕົກແ ຕ່ງຢ ່າງ ມີລົດນິ ຍົມດ ້ວຍຄວາມເປັນເ ອກະລັກສ ະເພາະຂອງຕົນ. ນອກຈາກນີ້ ກໍ່ຍັງມ ີສະລອຍນໍ້າ ແລະພື້ນທ ີ່ຮ້ານອາຫານ, ອາຫານທີ່ແຊບຊ້ອຍພ້ອມ ກັບເ ຄື່ອງດື່ມລ ົດເ ລີດ ແ ລະບ່ອນນວດຜ່ອນຄາຍສະດວກສະບາຍ.

Sleeping

The Villa Paradiso www.thevillaparadiso.com A lovely oasis of calm in the heart of Phnom Penh, owned and managed by friendly and welcoming couple Sandra and Philipp. The building was the former mansion of a Cambodian official. The rooms have been tastefully decorated with their own unique theme. There’s a great pool and restaurant area, delicious food & drink and a lovely spa.

ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວກາງຄືນ

ເ ຄຣຊີ 88 ຄລັບນັ່ງດືມເຫຼົ້າ ເລກທີ 7, ກຣາລາ ຮົມກ ົງ ໄນຄລັບຫລູ ແລະ ບ່ອນນັ່ງດືມເຫຼົ້າ ສໍາລັບຜ ູ້ທີ່ກໍາລັງຊ ອກຫາງານລ້ຽງ ຫຼື ພຽງແຕ່ຕ້ອງການຜ່ອນຄາຍກັບບ ັນຍາກາດເທົ່ານັ້ນ. ມີເຄື່ອງດື່ມໃ ຫ້ ເລືອກຫຼາກ ຫຼາຍ, ບັນຍາກາດດີ ແລະ ແອເຢັນໆ, ຊື່ງຕັ້ງຢ ູ່ຂ້າງແມ່ນໍ້າ ຢູ່ໃຈກາງຕົວເມືອງ.

Going out

Crazy 88 Club & Lounge No.7, Krala Hom Kong This chic, upmarket nightclub and lounge is ideal for those looking to party or just enjoy a relaxing atmosphere. There’s a wide selection of drinks, carpets and full air-conditioning, all conveniently located beside the river in the heart of the city.

OUTSIDE DISTINATION

ດອນໂກດັດ

(Koh Dach island), ຄວາມລັບທ ີ່ຖືກເ ຊື່ອງຊ້ອນໄວ້ຂອງພະນົມເ ປັນ ຢູ່ໃຈກາງແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ, ມີດອນນ້ອຍແຫ່ງໜ ຶ່ງເ ອີ້ນວ່າເກາະດັກ ທມ ີ່ ີຮູບ ແບບການດໍາເນີນຊີວິດທີ່ສະທ້ອນເຖິງວັດທະນະທໍາທີ່ແທ້ຈິງຂອງກໍາ ປູເຈຍ. ແມ່ຍິງທ ີ່ມີສີມຕ ື ໍ່າຜ້າໄ ໝທີ່ລະອຽດອ່ອນ, ໃນຂະນະທີ່ຕາມ ເສັ້ນທາງຍາງລົງຈ າກດອນທີ່ຄ ັບແ ຄບ ມີຄູບາຄຸມຜ້າສະບົງສີເ ຫຼືອງສົດ ໃສຍ່າງບິນທະບາດໃນຍາມເຊົ້າ. ການດໍາລົງຊ ີວິດຂ ອງປະຊາຊົນຢ ທ ູ່ ີ່ນີ້ ເປັນແ ບບຢ່າງ ການດໍາລົງຊ ີວິດທີ່ລຽບງ່າຍສວຍງາມ. ດອນໂກດັດ ມີໄລຍະທາງປະມານ 15 ກມ ຈາກພະນົມເ ປັນ. ທ່ານ ສາມາດເດີນທາງໄປທີ່ນັ້ນດ ້ວຍເຮືອນັກທ ່ອງທ່ຽວ ອອກຈາກທະເລ ສາບ ຕົງເ ລສາບ ຫຼື ໄ ປດວ ້ ຍເຮືອສ ໍາລານແມ່ຂ ອງລໍາໃດລໍາໜງຶ່ ເ ຊິ່ງດອນ ແຫ່ງນີ້ກໍ່ຖືກລວມຢູ່ໃນຈຸດພັກເຊົ່າຂອງແຜນການເດີນທາງຂອງເຂົາ ເຈົ້າ. ອີກທ າງເລືອກໜຶ່ງ ທ່ານສາມາດເຊົ່າລົດຖີບ ຫຼື ລົດຈັກຈາກທ້ອງ ຖີ່ນເດີນທາງໄປດ້ວຍຕົວເອງກໍ່ມ່ວນດີ (ຖ້າຫົນທາງມີຂຸມໜ ້ອຍໜຶ່ງ) ເປັນການແນະນໍາໃຫ້ຮູ້ຈັກກັບການດໍາລົງຊີວິດໃນເຂດຊົນນະບົດຂອງ ກໍາປູເ ຈັຍ.

Koh Dach island, Phnom Penh best kept secret In middle of the Mekong River, the small picturesque island of Koh Dach offers a laid-back display of authentic Cambodian culture. Women hand-weave delicate silks, while a short distance down the island’s narrow paths, monks in brilliant saffron robes collect morning alms. Life here exemplifies a wonderful simplicity. Koh Dach is about 15km north of Phnom Penh. To get there, you can catch a tourist boat heading north along the Tonle Sap or one of the many Mekong pleasure cruises, which include it as a stop on their itinerary. Alternatively, take the short trip like a local, by hiring a bicycle or motorbike- a fun (if a little bumpy) introduction to rural Cambodian life.

Champa Holiday s News

ຈຳປາຮໍລເິ ດພາທົວສິງກະໂປ ຫຼ າ ຍຄົ ນ ຄົ ງ ຈ ະຄິ ດ ໄ ປທ່ ຽ ວປະເ ທດສິ ງ ກະໂ ປດ້ ວ ຍຕົ ນ ເ ອງ. ເ ພາະ ເປັ ນ ປ ະເ ທດໜຶ່ ງ ທີ່ ມີ ຄ ວາມທັ ນ ສ ະໄ ໝ ແ ລະ ມີ ລ ະບົ ບ ກ ານຂົ ນ ສົ່ ງ ສາທາລະນະທີ່ມຄ ີ ວາມສະດວກ, ດັ່ງນ ັ້ນກ ານທີ່ຈະເດີນທາງໄປຫາແຕ່ ລະບ່ອນທ່ອງທ່ຽວແມ່ນໃ ຊ້ເ ວລາພຽງ 5 ນາທີ ຫຼື 10 ນາທີ ແລະ ແຕ່ລະ ຈຸດກໍ່ມປ ີ ້າຍບອກເປັນພ າສາອັງກິດໃ ຫ້ລ ະອຽດ. ແຕ່ສ ຳລັບໃ ຜທີ່ບໍ່ເຄີຍ ເດີ ນ ທາງດ້ ວ ຍຕົ ນ ເ ອງ, ພວກເ ຮົ າ ກໍ່ ບໍ່ ກ້ າ ຂໍ ແ ນະນຳເ ພາະມັ ນ ກໍ່ ເ ປັ ນ ການທີ່ຈະໃຫ້ທ ່ານຫຼົງທາງໄດ້ງ່າຍໆ ແລະ ອາດເສຍເງິນເ ພື່ອຈ ້າງແທັກ ຊີກັບທ ີ່ພັກ. ປະເ ທດສິ ງ ກະໂ ປແ ມ່ ນ ເ ປັ ນ ປ ະເ ທດທີ່ ຄົ ນ ລ າວເ ຮົ າ ຄ ວນໄ ດ້ ໄ ປ ທ່ ຽ ວຊົ ມ ໃ ນຊີ ວິ ດ , ເ ຊິ່ ງ ປະເ ທດນີ້ ຄ ວນເ ອົ າ ແ ບບຢ່ າ ງໃ ນເ ລື່ ອ ງກ ານ ພັດທະນາທາງດ້ານການຈັດສ ັນ, ຄວາມເປັນລ ະບຽບ ແລະ ທີ່ສຳຄັນ ຄວາມສ ະອາດ. ດັ່ ງ ນັ້ ນ ທຸ ກ ຄົ ນ ທີ່ ໄ ດ້ ໄ ປກ່ ອ ນອື່ ນ ໝົ ດ ກໍ່ ຕ້ ອ ງລະວັ ງ ການຖິ້ ມ ຂີ້ ເ ຫຍື້ ອ ຊ ະຊາຍທ່ າ ນອ າດຈ ະຖື ກ ປັ ບ ໄ ໝໂ ດຍງ່ າ ຍຖ້ າ ຖິ້ ມ ຜິດບ ່ອນ. ສິງກະໂປ ມີຫຼາຍບ່ອນທີ່ເປັນຕາໄປທ່ຽວຊົມ ຊຶ່ງທ າງ ທີມທ ່ອງທ່ຽວຈຳປາຣໍລເິ ດກໍ່ໄ ດ້ເປີດລ າຍການທົວຄ ັ້ງທ ຳອິດ 4 ມື້ 3 ຄືນ ຫຼັງຈາກໄດ້ເປີດເສັ້ນທາງປີນ ວຽງຈັນ-ສີງກະໂປ ຕັ້ງແຕ່ເດືອນ ພະຈິກ 2011 ເປັນຕົ້ນມາ. ລາຍການທົວນີ້ຈະນຳທ່ານເດີນທາງໄປ ຫຼາຍສະຖານທີ່ ແບບຈຸໃຈ ສຳລັບໃ ຜທີ່ມັກຮ ູ້ມັກເຫັນຫຼ າຍບ່ອນຍິ່ງບໍໍ່ ຄວນພາດ.

A Tour of Singapore Singapore is one of the most modern and efficient countries in Southeast Asia. Large distances can be covered by public transport in a matter of minutes. There are always detailed signs in English. It’s also a very sociable city. All in all, it’s a great destination for solo travellers. It is however, a lot cheaper if you share your trip with someone- although just knowing where you are going will go a long way too! Everyone should experience Singapore at least once. It perfectly aspires to the model of a ‘new Asia’; a society in which efficiency, discipline and cleanliness are the order of the day. While we would advise the same for any destination, visitors to Singapore should take extra care not to drop rubbish in public places. Under local law, anyone found doing so could face heavy fines. Champa Holidays has opened a four-day three nights tour of Singapore, following the announcement that Lao Airlines has opened it as a new route from Vientiane. The tour will bring you to several of the city’s major attractions and for those who like exploring new places with the help of inside knowledge, it’s not to be missed. In Singapore you can stay at some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, enjoy a renowned range of food from round the world, shop at famous shopping malls and visit many fantastic tourist attractions, such as Sentosa Island, where just about anything is possible.

ພັກຜ່ອນໃນໂຮງແຮມຫຼູຫຼາ, ກິນອ າຫານແບບ ນາໆຊາດ, ຊອບປິ້ງ ຮ້ານຄ້າຊ ື່ດັ່ງ ແລະ ແຫຼ່ງທ່ອງທ່ຽວຫຼາຍບ່ອນທີ່ຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ທ ່ານເພີດ ເພີນເຊັ່ນ: ດອນເຊັນໂ ຕຊາ ທີ່ເ ນລະມິດທ ຸກຢ ່າງໃຫ້ເ ປັນໄ ປໃນສ່ວນ ສະນຸກ Universal Studio ທີ່ທ ່ານບໍ່ເຄີຍສ ຳພັດຈ າກບ່ອນໃດມາ ກ່ອນ ແລະ ຊີງຊ້າສະຫວັນ ທີ່ສ ູງທ ີ່ສຸດໃນໂລກ (Singapore Flyer) ທີ່ ທ່ານສາມາດແນມເຫັນວ ິວທິວທັດທ ົ່ວເມືອງສິງກະໂປ, ແລ້ວພະຍາ ຍາມຊອກຫາວ່າຍັງບ່ອນໃດແດ່ທີ່ເພີ່ນຍັງບໍ່ທັນໄດ້ພັດທະນາເທື່ອ. ຖ້າກ ານເບິ່ງວ ິວນີ້ຍັງບ ໍ່ຈຸໃຈພໍ ພວກເຮົາຍັງຈະພາທ່ານໄປນັ່ງເ ຮືອ ຊົມວ ິວ ແລະ ທ່ານສາມາດຮຽນຮູ້ເຖິງຄ ວາມເປັນມ າຂອງສະຖານທີ່ ຕ່າງໆໄດ້. ກ່ ອ ນກັ ບ ພ ວກເ ຮົ າ ຍັ ງ ພ າທ່ າ ນໄປຂໍ ພ ອນຈ າກວັ ດ ເ ພື່ ອ ເ ປັ ນ ສິ ລິ ມຸ ງ ຄຸ ນ ໃ ຫ້ ແ ກ່ ຕົ ວ ເ ອງ ແ ລະ ຄອບຄົ ວ ທີ່ ວັ ດ ພ ະແ ຂ້ ວ ແ ກ້ ວ . ທັງທຽ່ວ ທັງອິ່ມບຸນ ໄປກັບພວກເຮົາ ກັບການເດີນທາງທີ່ປອດໄພ ໄປກັບຈຳປາຮໍລີເດທົວ.

The island hosts Universal Studios, as well as the city’s highest building, offering birds-eye views of Singapore city, not far from an almost totally undeveloped area. If the view is not quite enough, you can come aboard our boat for more great city views and to learn more about the city’s history. The tour will also include a visit to Wat Pha Khiew Keo temple. For those who are interested in the full Singapore tour package, please contact Champa Holidays tour team. ສຳລັບໃ ຜທສ ີ່ ົນໃ ຈໃນການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ເຕັມຮ ູບແບບກໍ່ສາມາດຕິດຕໍ່ ກັບທ ມ ີ ງານຈຳປາທ່ອງທ່ຽວໄດ້.

Champa holidays tour: Tel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile: 22413161, 22224884 info@laoairlines.com, sales@champaholidays.com, www.champaholidays.com

News

ງານສະຫລອງວັນຄົບຮອບ 1 ປີ ວາລະສານ ຈຳປາຮໍລີເດ.

ໃນວັນທີ່13 ມັງກອນຜ່ານມາ, ວາລະສານຈຳປາຮໍລີເດໄດ້ຈັດງານສະຫຼອງຄົບຮອບ 1 ປິ, ຊື່ງທ່ານ ແສງປະເສີດ ມາທຸຈັນ ຮອງອຳນວຍການຂອງການບີນລາວໄດ້ໃຫ້ກຽດຮ່ວມເຂົ້າຮ່ວມ ແລະ ແຂກຄົນ

ສຳຄັນຫຼາຍທ່ານເຊັນ: ທ່ານ ສົມພົງ ມົງຄົນວິໄລ, ທ່ານ ສົມສະນຸກ ມີໄຊ ແລະ ຂາດບໍໄດ້ກໍແມ່ນ

ລູກຄ້າຂອງວາລະສານ ແລະ ທີມງານທັງໝົດກໍໄດ້ເຂົ້າຮ່ວມ. ງານນີ້ໄດ້ຈັດຂື້ນເພື່ອເປັນຂວັນກຳລັງໃຈ ທີ່ທີມງານໄດ້ຕັ້ງໃຈເຮັດວຽກນຳກັນມາ. ເຮັດໃນທາງທຸລະກີດທີ່ດີເທື່ອ.

ໃນນື່ງປີຜ່ານມາພວກເຮົາສາມາດເວົ້າໄດ້ວ່າມັນຍັງບໍແມ່ນການ

ແຕ່ນື່ງປີຜ່ານມາມັນເປັນການຄຸ້ມຄ່າໃນການເດີນທາງ,

ການທ່ອງທຽ່ວ

ແລະ ການຮຽນຮູ້. ທາງທີມງານກໍໄດ້ເດີນທາງໄປຫຼາຍບ່ອນ, ຫຼາຍແຂວງ, ເພື່ອຊອກຫາຂ່າວນຳມາຂຽນ ທີ່ຈີງແລ້ວທີມງານຂອງພວກເຮົາບໍໄດ້ມີປະສົບຫຼາຍໃນດ້ານນີ້

ແຕ່ພວກເຮົາພໍຮູ້ຫຼາຍຄົນທີ່ມັກໃນເລື້ອງນີ້

ແລະ ໄດ້ ຜູ້ຊົງຄຸນວຸດທິດີຊີ້ນຳ, ເຮັດໃຫ້ວຽກທຸກຄັ້ງທີ່ອອກມາໄດ້ດີ. ມັນຄົງເປັນບົດພິສູດ ໄດ້ວ່າສີ່ງນື່ງ ທີ່ພວກເຮົາເຮັດວຽກນີ້ໄດ້ກໍຍ້ອນຄວາມມັກ,

ຮັກໃນການທ່ອງທຽ່ວ

ພວກເຮົາກໍຢາກໃຫ້ວາລະສານ

ນີ້ເປັນທາງເລືອກນື່ງທີ່ສາມາດ ສື່ສານໃຫ້ ຄົນອື່ນໄດ້ເຫັນດັງຄືກັບພວກເຮົາໄດ້ສຳພັດ, ພວກເຮົາມັກຮັກໃນ ວັດທະນາທຳ ແລະ ເຮັດແນວໃດຈະສາມາດສືບສານວັດທະນາທຳນີ້ອອກໄປໃຫ້ຄົນອື່ນເຂົ້າໃຈ, ແລະ ມັກຮັກໃນສີ່ງທີ່ລາວເຮົາມີ. ສີ່ງເລົ່ານີ້ຈະເກີດຂື້ນບໍໄດ້ຖ້າຂາດການການສະໝັບສະໝູນຈາກບໍລີສັດຕ່າງ.

ດັ່ງນັ້ນ ພວກເຮົາຂໍຂອບໃຈທຸກທ່ານ ແລະ ພ້ອມທັງຜູ້ອ່ານຜູ້ຕິດຕາມວາລະສານພວກເຮົາ. ຖ້າທ່ານໃດມີປະ

ສົງທີ່ຈະສົ່ງຄຳຄິດ ເຫັນ ຫຼື ມີແຫຼ່ງທ່ອງທຽ່ວບ່ອນໃດຢາກໃຫ້ພວກເຮົາໄປຄົ້ນຫາກໍສາມາດຕິດຕໍ່ທີມງານ ພວກເຮົາໄດ້ ຕາມທີ່ຢູ່ດ້ານລຸ່ມ.

ບໍລສ ິ ດ ັ ອິນສະໄໜ: ບ້ານສີບນ ຸ ເຮືອງ, ວຽງຈັນ. ໂທ/ແຟັກ: 856-20-223590, Email: info@insmai.com

1 Year Celebration of Champa Magazine Last Friday 13 Jan, Holiday magazine has celebrated first year anniversary, and we would like to take this occasion to thank members of our dynamic and multicultural team, who aim to help you discover the extraordinary cultural and natural riches of Laos through feature articles, news stories, and vibrant photographs. Directed by Insmai Creative Communication, an established and well-known media and design solutions company in Laos, Champa Holidays also delivers insight into the country’s festivals, art exhibitions, entertainment, and coming events as well as introduces hotels, restaurants, and tours. In the frist year, we can say that this is a good business, but in this first year worth to travel to many places in Laos, to find interesting topic to write about. Actually we didn’t have much experience about travel industry, but we know such good people who are expert about traveling and Lao culture such as Soukhee, Mixay, Bernie, Vincent, Fabien ... who help to advice and give suggestion. we can say it’s passion of Laos, culture, art, and we want to share this to everyone in the world to see what we seen and what we have touch. In future issues, we will unveil Laos’ many magical attractions and activities along with interesting stories from countries served by Lao Airlines: Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and most recently Singapore. We are happy to help guide you in your travels and hope to spark the desire to discover more wonders of Laos and its neighbours.

News

ທະນາຄານການຄ້າຕ່າງປະເທດສະຫຼອງ ລາງວັນທະນາຄານດີເດັ່ນແຫ່ງປີ

Lao Bank receives bank of the year award On the 29th December 2011, the Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao (BCEL) received the ‘Bank of the Year 2011’ award at a conference attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Somsavat Lengsavad. BCEL saw large-scale growth and achieved impressive business result in 2011, helping the bank secure the award courtesy of Banker Magazine (United Kingdom). In addition, the bank was awarded the ‘New Product Creation and Good Coordination’ award from leading global investment bank, JP Morgan. It also also received further distinction for its efforts in working to expand its network, with the development international money transfer services such as Money Gram. Because BCEL has worked hard at improving professional services and promoting transparency in response to customer feedback, the services of the bank are now certified to international standards.

ໃນວັນທີ່ 29 ທັນວາຜ່ານມາ, ທະນາຄານການຄ້າຕ່າງປະເທດລາວມະ ຫາຊົນໄດ້ສະເຫຼີມສະຫຼອງ ຢ່າງຍີ່ງໃຫ່ຍ ລາງວັນອັນຊົງກຽດທີ່ບໍ່ ເຄີຍມີໃນປະຫວັດສາດ. ລາງວັນທະນາຄານດີເດັ່ນແຫ່ງປີ 2011 ແລະ ພິທີມອບຮັບໃບຢັ້ງຢືນການບໍລິການມາດຖານສາກົນ ISO 90012008, ໂດຍພະນະທ່ານສົມສະຫວາດເລັ່ງສະຫວັດ ຮອງນາຍົກລັດ ຖະມົນຕີໄດ້ໃຫ້ກຽດເຂົ້າຮ່ວມ. ດ້ວຍຄວາມພັດທະນແບບບໍ່ຢຸດຢັ້ງ ທະນາຄານການຄ້າຕ່າງປະເທດລາວ ມະຫາຊົນ ໄດ້ມີການເຕີບໃຫ່ຍ ຂະຫຍາຍຕົວ ແລະ ຜົນການດຳເນີນທຸລະກິດມີປະສິດທິຜົນສູງ ຈິ່ງເຮັດໃຫ້ ທຄຕລ ໄດ້ຮັບລາງວັນທະນາຄານດີເດັ່ນແຫ່ງປີ 2011 ຈາກວາລະສານ The Banker ຂອງປະເທດອັງກິດ. ນອກນີ້, ໃນປີດຽວກັນ ທະນາຄານຍັງໄດ້ຮັບລາງວັນສຳຄັນອີກ ຄື: ລາງວັນດ້ານ ການເສີມສ້າງຜະລິດຕະພັນໃໝ່ໆ ແລະ ການຮ່ວມມືທີ່ດີຈາກທະນາຄານ JP Morgan ທີ່ເປັນທະນາຄານຊັ້ນນຳຂອງໂລກ, ລາງວັນດີເດັ່ນ ໃນ ການຂະຫຍາຍຕາໜ່ າ ງບໍ ລິ ກ ານດ້ າ ນການໂອນເງີ ນ ດ່ ວ ນລະຫວ່ າ ງ ປະເທດ ຈາກ Money Gram. ຍ້ອນ ທຄຕລ ໄດ້ເອົາໃຈໃສ່ປັບປຸງການ ບໍລິການທີ່ມີລະບຽບຫລັກການ ແລະ ຄວາມໂປ່ງໃສ, ປັບປຸງທຸກຂອດ ບໍລິການບໍ່ສອດຄ່ອງຕາມການສົ່ງຂ່າວຂອງລູກຄ້າ, ເຮັດໃຫ້ ທຄຕລ ໄດ້ຮັບການຢັ້ງຢືນ ຮັບຮອງເອົາການບໍລີການທີ່ໄດ້ມາດຕະຖານສາກົນ ດ້ານບໍລິການລະຫວ່າງປະເທດ.

ບໍລິສັດ ໂຕໂຍຕາ ມໍເຕີ ປະເທດໄທຈຳກັດ ມອບ ຖະໜົນຈຳລອງໃຫ້ແກ່ພະແນກຕຳຫຼວດຈາລະ ຈອນນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ Toyota brings road-safety training to Vientiane Capital

At a ceremony in on 10th December 2011, Mr. Sittachai Jiratthanyasakul, Vice-President of Toyota Motors (Thailand), officially handed over a model road system to Vientiane’s Traffic Police Division, deigned to simulate real- life driving scenarios and promote improved road-safety training. At the event, Toyota Motors (Thailand) also organised an art competition called “Motoring of the Future – the 2nd Toyota Dream Car Art Contest” at the National Cultural Hall. There was also a road-safety training centre, which provided instruction on driving theory and practice for teenagers. Receiving the model on behalf of local police was Lieutenant Lianxay Mongkhonkham, Deputy Director of the Public Traffic Division for Vientiane Capital, and Lieutenant Sangkhom Phommalath. For Toyota, the event formed a key part of its stagey to increase its participation in social activities in Laos, which it plans to continue doing throughout the year ahead.

ໃນວັນທີ10 ທັນວາ 2011 ນີ້, ບໍລິສັດ ໂຕໂຍຕາ ມໍເຕີ ປະເທດໄທ ຈຳກັດ ໄດ້ຈັດ ງານປະກວດແຕ້ມຮູບຂື້ນ ໃນຫົວຂໍ້ “ຍົນຕະກຳແຫ່ງອານາຄົດ ລົດໂຕໂຍຕ້າ ໃນຝັນຂອງຂ້ອຍ ຄັ້ງທີ 2” ຂຶ້ນທີ່ ຫໍວັດທະນະທຳແຫ່ງຊາດ. ນອກຈາກການປະກວດແຕ້ ມ ຮູ ບ ທີ່ ເ ປັ ນ ຫຼັ ກ ໃນການຈັ ດ ງານແລ້ ວ , ໂຕໂຍຕ້າ ຍັງໄດ້ຈັດໃຫ້ມີສູນຝືກອົບຮົມການຂັບຂີ່ປອດໄພທັງພາກທິດ ສະດີແລະພາກປະຕິບັດຂັບຕົວຈິງໃຫ້ແກ່ນ້ອງໆເຍົາວະຊົນອາຍຸຕໍ່າກວ່າ 10ປີ. ເຊິ່ງໃນໂອກາດດຽວກັນນີ້ບໍລິສັດ ໂຕໂຍຕາ ມໍເຕີ ປະເທດໄທ ຈຳກັດ ໄດ້ຈັດພິທີມອບ-ຮັບຖະໜົນຈຳລອງຈຳນວນໜຶ່ງຊຸດໃຫ້ກັບ ພະແນກຕຳຫຼວດຈາລະຈອນ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ ເພື່ອໃຊ້ເຂົ້າ ໃ ນ ກ າ ນ ຝື ກ ອົ ບ ຮົ ມ ດ້ າ ນ ກ າ ນ ຂັ ບ ຂີ່ ປ ອ ດ ໄ ພ ໃ ນ ໂ ອ ກ າ ດ ຕໍ່ ໄ ປ . ຕາງໜ້າມອບໃນຄັ້ງນີ້ໂດຍ ທ່ານ ສິດຕະໄຊ ຈີຣະທັນຍາສະກຸນ, ຜູ້ຊ່ວຍກຳມະການຜູ້ຈັດການໃຫຍ່ ບໍລິສັດ ໂຕໂຍຕາ ມໍເຕີ ປະເທດໄທ ຈຳກັດ ແລະຕາງໜ້າຮັບໂດຍ ທ່ານ ຮ້ອຍໂທ ຫຼຽນໄຊ ມົງຄົນຄຳ ຮອງຫົວໜ້າກອງໂຄສະນາຈາລະຈອນ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ ແລະ ທ່ານ ຮ້ອຍໂທ ສັງຄົມ ພົມມະລາດ ຮອງຫົວໜ້າກອງໂຄສະນາຈາລະຈອນ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ. ໃນຄັ້ງນີ້ຖເື ປັນບາດກ້າວໜຶ່ງໃນການມີສວ ່ ນຮ່ວມເຂົ້າໃນກິດຈະກຳສົ່ງເສີມ ສັງຄົມຂອງ ໂຕໂຍຕາ ທີ່ຍາມໃດກໍ່ໄດ້ໃຫ້ຄວາມສຳຄັນດ້ານການສະໜັບ ສະໜູນກິດຈະກຳເພື່ອສັງຄົມແລະຫວັງວ່າຈະໄດ້ມີໂອກາດມີສ່ວນຮ່ວມ ໃນກິດຈະກຳອື່ນໆອີກໃນອະນາຄົດ.

Champa Holiday s News

ງານລຽ້ງຕ້ອນຮັບວິຊາການ, ເຮືອບິນແອ ບັດສ ລຳທສ ີ ອງມາຮອດ

ພາຍຫຼັງທີ່ລ ັດວ ິສາຫະກິດກ ານບິນລ າວ ໄດ້ສັ່ງຊ ື້ເຮືອບິນແ ອ ບັດສ A320 ຈຳນວນສອງລຳ ແລະ ລຳທີ່ສອງກໍ່ໄ ດ້ມາຮອດ ລາວເປັນທ ີ່ຮຽບຮ້ອຍໃນວັນທີ 2ທັນວາ 2011 ຜ່ານມານີ້ຊຶ່ງ ອອກຮັບໂດຍທ່ານ ດຣ ສົມພ ອນ ດວງດາລາ ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການ ໃຫ່ຍ ພ້ອມບັນດາພະນັກງານວິຊາການ. ຊຶ່ງຍົນລ ຳນີ້ຈະໄດ້ນຳ ໃຊ້ບ ິນ ວຽງຈັນ - ຄຸນໝິງ, ວຽງຈັນ - ຫຼວງພະບາງ, ວຽງຈັນ ຮ່າໂນຍ, ວຽງຈັນ - ບາງກອກ ແລະ ວຽງຈັນ - ໂຮຈິມິນ ເພື່ອ ໃຫ້ບ ິນໄ ດ້ຕາມເປົ້າ ໝາຍທີ່ວ າງໄວ້ ເພີ່ມຄວາມສະດວກ ແລະ ທີ່ສຳຄັນເ ພີ່ມຈ ຳນວນຜູ້ໂດຍສານຕໍ່ຖ້ຽວໄດ້ຫຼາຍຂຶ້ນ. ແລະ ໃນວັນທີ 7 ທັນວາ 2011, ທາງລັດວ ິສາຫະກິດກ ານບິນ ລາວກໍ່ ໄ ດ້ ຈັ ດ ງ ານກິ ນ ລ້ ຽ ງຕ້ ອ ນຮັ ບ ວິ ຊ າກ ານຢ່ າ ງມ່ ວ ນຊື່ ນ ທີ່ໂຮງແຮມລ້ານຊ້າງເພື່ອສ ້າງຄວາມສາມັກຄີພ າຍໃນ ແລະ ຕ້ອນຮັບເ ຮືອບິນແອ ບັດສ A320.

Lao Airlines welcomes second A320 aircraft A second Airbus A320 series aircraft has arrived at Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport, to serve passengers on new and existing routes. On 2nd December 2011, the much anticipated delivery was met by Managing Director of Lao Airlines, Dr. Somephone Douangmala, as well as members of the airline’s ground staff team. A reception was later held, aimed at strengthening solidarity within the company, as well as marking the end of the first phase in a transition to jet aircraft, which will remain a high priority between now and 2020. The Airbus A320 offers a more modern travel experience, shorter jounery times and a world-class safety record. A longer range and higher capacity will also make Lao Airlines more competitive with other airlines in the region. From Vientiane, the A320 series aircraft will serve passengers on route to Khunming, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh.

INTERNATIONAL ROUTE

Please contact Lao Airlines office for confrimation FLT No

STP

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ບາງກອກ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV414 Daily VTE BKK QV415 Daily VTE BKK QV4571 Daily VTE BKK QV4575 Daily VTE BKK QV424 Daily BKK VTE QV425 Daily BKK VTE QV4570 Daily BKK VTE QV4574 Daily BKK VTE

Day

Routing

Dep

Vientiane - Bangkok - Vientiane 07:20 08:40 ` 16:30 17:50 13:50 14:55 21:45 22:50 09:40 11:00 18:50 20:10 11:45 12:55 19:50 21:00

Arr

AT7 AT7 737 737 AT7 AT7 737 737

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຮາ່ ໂນຍ ້ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV312 Daily VTE HAN QV840 Daily VTE HAN QV322 Daily HAN VTE QV841 Daily HAN VTE

Vientiane - Hanoi - Vientiane 14:30 15:50 18:10 19:10 16:30 17:55 08:30 09:35

AT7 320 AT7 320

0 0 0 0

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ພະນ ົມເປັນ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV841 Daily VTE PNH QV840 Daily PNH VTE

Vientiane - Phnompenh - Vientiane 10:20 11:50 15:50 17:20

320 320

0 0

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ສຽມຣຽບ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV512 123.5.7 VTE REP QV522 123.5.7 REP VTE

Vientiane - Siemreap - Vientiane 06:30 09:25 10:05 13:00

AT7 AT7

PKZ PKZ

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຄຸນມິງ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV817 Daily VTE KMG QV827 Daily KMG VTE

Vientiane - Kunming - Vientiane 06:40 08:50 10:50 12:00

AT7 AT7

0 0

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ໂຮຈ ິ ນ ິ - ວຽງຈ ັນ ່ ມ QV515 .2.4.6. VTE SGN QV525 .2.4.6. SGN VTE

Vientiane - Hochiminh - Vientiane 07:45 11:05 12:05 15:20

MA6 MA6

PKZ PKZ

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ຊຽງໃໝ່ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV635 .23.567 LPQ CNX QV645 .23.567 CNX LPQ

Luang Prabang - Chieng Mai - Luang Prabang 13:10 14:10 15:00 16:00

AT7 AT7

0 0

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ບາງກອກ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV633 Daily LPQ BKK QV643 Daily BKK LPQ

Luang Prabang - Bangkok - Luang Prabang 07:30 09:10 10:20 12:00

AT7 AT7

0 0

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ສຽມຣຽບ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV513 1..4.6. LPQ REP QV869 123.56. LPQ REP QV523 1..4.6. REP LPQ QV868 123.56. REP LPQ

Luang Prabang - Siemreap - Luang Prabang 10:50 14:20 10:30 12:10 15:00 18:30 12:50 14:30

MA6 F70 MA6 F70

PKZ 0 PKZ 0

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ຮາ່ ໂນຍ ້ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV313 .2.4567 LPQ HAN QV868 123.56. LPQ HAN QV323 .2.4567 HAN LPQ QV869 123.56. HAN LPQ

Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Luang Prabang 16:40 17:40 15:10 16:00 18:25 19:25 08:55 09:50

AT7 F70 AT7 F70

0 0 0 0

ປາກເຊ - ສຽມຣຽບ - ປາກເຊ QV512 123.5.7 PKZ REP QV513 1..4.6. PKZ REP QV522 123.5.7 REP PKZ QV523 1..4.6. REP PKZ

Pakse - Siemreap - Pakse 08:25 09:25 13:20 14:20 10:05 11:05 15:00 16:00

AT7 AT7 AT7 AT7

0 0 0 0

ປາກເຊ - ບາງກອກ - ປາກເຊ QV213 ..3.5.7 QV223 ..3.5.7

PKZ BKK BKK PKZ

Pakse - Bangkok - Pakse 09:25 12:10 13:10 15:45

MA6 MA6

ZVK ZVK

ປາກເຊ - ໂຮຈິມນ ິ - ປາກເຊ QV515 .2.4.6. QV525 .2.4.6.

PKZ SGN SGN PKZ

Pakse - Hochiminh - Pakse 09:30 11:05 12:05 13:35

MA6 MA6

0 0

ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ - ບາງກອກ - ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ QV213 ..3.5.7 ZVK BKK QV223 ..3.5.7 BKK ZVK

Savannakhet - Bangkok - Savannakhet 10:50 12:10 13:10 14:30

MA6 MA6

0 0

DOMESTIC ROUTE

Please contact Lao Airlines office for confrimation FLT No

Days

Routing

Dep

Arr

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຫລວງພະບາງ

QV101 QV103 QV109

1234567 1234567 1234567

VTE LPQ VTE LPQ VTE LPQ

Vientiane - Luang Prabang 11:50 12:30 AT7 16:30 17:10 AT7 09:30 10:10 MA6

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV102 QV104 QV110 QV110

1234567 1234567 1..4.6. .23.5.7

LPQ VTE LPQ VTE LPQ VTE LPQ VTE

Luang Prabang - Vientiane 13:10 13:50 17:50 18:30 19:10 19:50 10:40 11:20

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ປາກເຊ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV513 QV523

1..4.6. 1..4.6.

AT7 AT7 MA6 MA6

..3.5.7 ..3.5.7

VTE ZVK ZVK VTE

..3.5.7 ..3.5.7

PKZ ZVK ZVK PKZ

Vientiane - Savannakhet - Vientiane 07:30 10:00 MA6 15:10 17:40 MA6

PKZ PKZ

Pakse -Savannakhet - Pakse

09:25 15:10

10:00 15:45

MA6 MA6

0 0

Vientiane - Pakse - Vientiane 06:30 07:45 AT7 07:30 08:25 MA6 07:45 09:00 MA6 11:45 13:00 AT7 16:25 17:40 MA6 14:05 15:20 MA6

0 0 0 0 0 0

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ປາກເຊ - ວຽງຈ ັນ

QV512 QV201 QV515 QV522 QV202 QV525

123.5.7 ..3.5.7 .2.4.6. 123.5.7 ..3.5.7 .2.4.6.

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

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ອຸດ ົມໄຊ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV501 QV502

.2.4.6. .2.4.6.

VTE ODY ODY VTE

Vientiane - Oudomxay - Vientiane 13:20 14:10 AT7 14:50 15:40 AT7

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຫວ ້ ຍຊາຍ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV901 QV902

.2.4.6. .2.4.6.

VTE HOE HOE VTE

Vientiane - Houeysay - Vientiane 13:10 14:05 MA6 14:45 15:40 MA6

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຫລວງນຳ້ ທາ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV601 QV602

1.3.5.. 1.3.5..

VTE LXG LXG VTE

Vientiane - Luang Namtha - Vientiane 12:30 13:30 MA6 14:10 15:10 MA6

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຊຽງຂວາງ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV401 QV402

1.3.5.7 1.3.5.7

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

VTE XKH XKH VTE

0 0 0 0 0 0

ປາກເຊ - ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ - ປາກເຊ

QV213 QV223

0 0 0

Luang Prabang - Pakse - Luang Prabang 10:50 12:40 MA6 16:40 18:30 MA6

LPQ PKZ PKZ LPQ

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV201 QV202

STP

Vientiane - Xiengkhouang - Vientiane 13:20 13:50 AT7 14:30 15:00 AT7

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2 Pangkham Rd., P.O. Box: 6441 Vientiane Lao P.D.R Tel: (856-21) 212 057 Fax: (856-21) 212 065 www.laoairlines.com

LAO AIRLINES OFFICES

Vientiane (Head Office)

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

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

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

Wattay Airport Office

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

Branch offices (Abroad)

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

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

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

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

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

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

CAMBODIA Phnompenh 111 sihanouk st, no274, Phnompenh CAMBODIA Tel: (855-23) 222956, Tel/Fax: (855-23) 216 563 Email: pnhqv@laoairlines.com SITA: PNHRRQV Siem Reap 114 Sala Khanseng Village, road no 6 Svay Dongkhom Commune, Siem Reap District, Siem Reap Province Tel: (855-63) 963283 Fax: (855-63) 965160 Email: qvrep@laoairlines.com VIETNAM Hanoi 03 Lieu Giai Road, Badinh District, Hanoi Capital, Vietnam. Tel: (84-4)3942 5362 Fax: (84-4)3942 5363 Email: laoairlines.han@fpt.vn SITA: HANTOQV Hochiminh City 93 Pateur st, District 1, Hochiminh City, Vietnam. Tel/Fax: (84) 838231350 Email: qvsgn@laoairlines.com CHINA Kunming N. 96 Easr Dong Feng Road Camellia Hotel , Kunming, Yunnan, China 650041 Tel: (86 871) 3163000 ext 5166 Tel/Fax: (86 871) 312 5748 Email: kunming@laoairlines.com Jinghong 1st floor Kingland Hotel, 6Jingde Rd, Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China Tel/Fax: (86) 691 2199 Email: qvjhg@laoairlines.com

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

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

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

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

HUNGARY AVIATION GSA Co. 1065 Budapest VI., Nagymezo utca 47. Tel: (361) 302-2484, (361) 354-1849 Fax: (361) 354-1848 Mobil: (36) 30-397-7353 E-mail: aviationgsa@t-online.hu

Vientiane Capital of Lao PDR

Vientiane

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

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

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

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

Day 2: Vientiane – Nam Ngum Lake

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Code : Champa 3.1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Luang Prabang World Heritage City Luang Prabang Wonder-4 Days

Day 2: Luang Prabang-Pak Ou Cave

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 1: Meet on arrival at Tan San Airport

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

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

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

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

Day 1:

Arrive Ho Chi Minh – CITY TOUR (L,D)

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

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

Welcome by friendly guide then transfer to hotel. Buffet lunch provided by hotel. PM: City tour – visit local neighborhoods and landmarks such as China Town, Thien Hau Pagoda, Remnant War Museum, Reunification Hall (Formerly Presidential Pal-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kunming, China Attractions Stone Forest

Bamboo Temple

The Stone Forest is a national 4A scenic spot, 86 kilometers from Kunming. A karst landform 200 million years old, known in Yunnan as the “First Wonder under the Sun”. The Stone Forest and Imperial Palace in Beijing, the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an and the mountains and rivers in Guilin have been generally recognized as four main scenic spots in China.

This temple was initially built in the early Yuan Dynasty and has been the largest Buddhist temple in Yunnan since the introduction of Dhyana to Yunnan from the Central Plains. It is famous for the five hundred Buddhist saint caricatures, a masterpiece of Chinese folk statuary.

Yuantong Temple

The Golden Temple was constructed by Wu Sangui in 1671 A.D. The temple is made of copper and reflects the excellent metallurgical and casting technology from more than 300 years ago in Yunnan. The temple weighs 250 tons and is 6.7 meters high. It is the largest and heaviest as well as the best preserved copper temple in China.

It is situated at the foot of Yuantong Hill. It is the largest Buddhist temple in downtown Kunming, with a history of around 1,200 years. It combines both the Buddhist and Daoism architectural styles because it was once rebuilt as a Daoism temple.

Western Hills (Xishan) & Dragon Gate This is a scenic spot which boasts a dense forest and ancient temples such as Sanqingge, Taihua and Huating built in the Yuan Dynasty, as well as Dragon Gate carved into the cliff over 72 years ago.

Dianchi Lake Renowned as the “pearl on the plateau,” with many natural historic and cultural attractions around the lake, it is the largest lake in Yunnan.

Yunnan Ethnic Villages A national 4A scenic spot and a window on the ethnic culture of Yunnan, where you may see traditional buildings of different ethnic groups in Yunnan and enjoy various ethnic customs and culture.

Jiu Xiang Karst Cave This area is 100 km away from Kunming, and 30 km from Stone Forest. The total area of Jiu Xiang landscape area is 278 square km. There are vivid natural landscapes imposing underground, and archaic cultural and special folk custom. It is a unique international site and geological park.

Golden Temple

Kunming Free & Easy Stay – 3 Days, 2 Nights Code: CPH21 Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay 3 days, 2 nights which include round trip air ticket, 2 nights accommodation in a hotel room with daily breakfast and round trip airport transfer.

Kunming, China Kunming Stop-Over â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 Days, 2 Nights

Kunming Attraction â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 Days, 3 Nights

Code: CPH22

Code: CPH23

Spend your holidays with the Kunming Stop-Over package, 3 days and 2 nights which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodation in a hotel with twin sharing room, full meals , private transportation, entrance fees to tourist sites, tour guide and tour program as follows:

Choose the Kunming Attraction package for a 4 days and 3 nights tour which includes a round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 3 nights accommodation in a hotel in a twin sharing room, all meals provided, private transportation, entrance fee to tourist sites, tour guide and tour program as follows:

Day 1: VTE/KMG (Western Hills & Jiu Xiang Caves) (L/D) Take flight QV817 (06:30-09:40) to Kunming Airport, meet and transfer to the Forest Park of the Western Hills, 26 km away from downtown and is located on the edge of Dianchi Lake. We will visit the Dragon Gate consisting of of the Sanqing Temple Complex and the Dragon Gate Grotto Complex. In the afternoon, transfer to Jiu Xiang and tour the Jiu Xiang Limestone Caves. Transfer to the Stone Forest, check-in to the hotel. Overnight at the Stone Forest.

Day 1: VTE/KMG (Western Hills & Golden Temple) (L/D) Take flight QV817 (06:30-09:40) to Kunming Airport, meet and transfer to the Forest Park of the Western Hills, 26 km away from downtown and is located on the edge of Dianchi Lake. We will visit the Dragon Gate which consists of the Sanqing Temple Complex and the Dragon Gate Grotto Complex. Then we will visit the Golden Temple reputed to be built in 1871 with 250 tons of solid bronze, the largest bronze hall in China. Overnight Kunming.

Day 2: Stone Forest/Kunming (B/L/D) Tour the Stone Forest which is a massive collection of grey limestone pillars formed about 270 million years ago which were split by rain Vater and eroded to their present fanciful forms. In the Stone Forest, the stone peaks rise abruptly, stalagmites crowd together like sharp swords piercing toward the sky and the group of stones look much like a mighty forest.

Day 2: Jiuxiang Cave & Stone Forest (B/L/D)

Day 3: Departure (B) Breakfast at hotel, free time and then transfer to the airport for departure at 10:45.

Transfer to Jiuxiang in the morning and tour in Jiuxiang Limestone Caves. Then transfer to the Stone Forest in the afternoon, check-in at the hotel and overnight at the Stone Forest.

Day 3: Stone Forest/Kunming (B/L/D) In the morning, tour the Stone Forest, a massive collection of grey limestone pillars formed about 270 million years ago which were split by rain Vater and eroded to their present fanciful forms. In the Stone Forest, the stone peaks rise abruptly, stalagmites crowd together like sharp swords piercing toward the sky and the group of stones look much like a mighty forest. Return back to Kunming in the afternoon. Overnight in Kunming.

Day 4: Departure (B) Transfer to the airport for departure in the morning (QV827 10:45-12:00). 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