Champa Holidays Magazine

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

9

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 ​ ັດ​ພູ​ຈຳປາ​ສັກ

Vat Phou Festival

12 Salad; the Lao concept ຂີ່ລົດຈັກຂຶ້ນເໜືອ ສີ່ງທີ່ຕ້ອງລອງ

16 Northern Laos by Motorbike 36

ໄປ​ທ່ຽວວັງວ ​ ຽງ

31 Holiday in Vang Vieng ເທດສະການລະຄອນຫຸ່ນເງົາ

40 Shadow Festival

announces nationwide tour

22 ປະ​ເພນີແ ​ ຕ່ງດອງ​ຂອງ​ລາວ

42 ທີ່ສ​ ູນສ​ ິລະປະ​ພື້ນເ​ ມືອງ ແ​ ລະ ຊົນເ​ ຜົ່າວິ​ທະຍາ Wedding Traditions of Laos

at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

ພະນົມເປັນ ກັບປະຫວັດສາດອັນຮັ່ງມີ

46 Phnom Penh ຈຳປາໂຮລິ​ເດພາທົວສິງກະ​ໂປ 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​ ຮືອບິນ​ແອ​ບັດສ ​ ລຳ​ທສ ີ​ 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 ທ່ານ​ຜູ້​ອ່ານ​ທັງຫຼາຍ

Dear readers,

ປີ​ໃໝ່ 2012 ທີ່ຜ ​ ່ານ​ມາ​ຫວັງ​ວ່າ​ທ່ານ​ຜູ້​ອ່ານ​ ທັງຫຼາຍຄົງຈ ​ ະ​ມ່ວນ​ຊື່ນສຸກສ ​ ົມຫວ ​ ັງ​ດັ່ງປ ​ ະຕິ​ ທານ​ທຕ ີ່​ ັ້ງໄ​ ວ້. ‘’ຈຳປາ​ຮໍ​ລິ​ເດ’’ ທີ່​ທ່ານ​ກຳລັງຖ ​ ື​ ຢູ່​ໃນ​ມື​ສະບັບນ ​ ີ້​ແມ່ນສ ​ ະບັບທ ​ ີ 9 ປະຈຳເດືອນ​ ກຸມພາ/ມີນາ ທີ່ມ ​ ີ​ເຫດການ​ສຳຄັນທ ​ ີ່​ຈະ​ເກີດ​ ຂຶ້ນຕ ​ າມ​ປະຕິທິນທ ​ ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ​ເຊັ່ນ: ວັນທ ​ ີ7 ກຸມພາ ເ​ ປັນວ ​ ັນ​ມາຄະ​ບູຊາ, ບຸນນ ​ ະມັດສະການ​ ພຣະທາດ​ສໂ ີ​ ຄດ​ຕະບອງ​ແຂວງ​ຄຳ​ມ່ວນ ແ ​ ລະ ບຸນວ ​ ັດ​ພູ​ຈຳປາ​ສັກ, 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 ລຳ​ທສ ີ​ ອງ​ຂອງ ບໍລິສັດກ ​ ານບິນ​ ລາວ​ໄດ້​ເຫີ​ນຟ້າມ ​ າ​ລົງສ ​ ະໜາມບິນວ ​ ັດໄ​ ຕ​ເປັນ​ ທີ່​ຮຽບຮ້ອຍ​ແລ້ວ​ເພື່ອບ ​ ໍລິການ​ຜໂ ູ້​ ດຍສານ​ຕາມ​ ແຜນ​ຂະຫຍາຍ ແ ​ ລະ ພັດທະນາ​ເສັ້ນທາງ​ບິນ​ ໃໝ່ຂອງ​ບໍລິສັດ. ໃນ​ສະບັບທ ​ ີ 9 ນີ້ສ ​ ິ່ງທ ​ ີ່ໜ້າຕິດຕາມ​ອ່ານ​ເຊັ່ນ: ສີສັນ ແ ​ ຫຼ່ງການທ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງ​ແຂວງ​ຄຳ​ມ່ວນ, ງານ​ບຸນຊ ​ ້າງ​ທີ່​ໄຊ​ຍະ​ບູຣີ, ການ​ເດີນທາງ​ສູ່​ພາກ​ ເໜືອຂອງ​ລາວ, ຈຳປາ​ຮໍ​ລິ​ເດ ທົວໄ​ ປ​ສິງກະ​ໂປ ​ ແລະ ອື່ນໆ. ທັງໝົດນີ້ ຄະນະ​ຈັດ​ທຳ​ວາລະສານ​ຈຳປາ​ຮໍ​ລິ​ ເດ ​ໄດ້​ຈັດ​ສັນມ ​ າ​ໃຫ້ທ ​ ່ານ ​ ເ​ ພື່ອເ​ ປັນຂ ​ ໍ້​ມູນເ​ ພື່ອ​ ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແ ​ ລະ ຄັງຄ ​ ວາມ​ຮູ້​ຂອງ​ທ່ານ​ຜູ້​ ອ່ານ​ທັງຫຼາຍຊຶ່ງຄ ​ ະນະ​ຈັດ​ທຳ​ຫວັງ​ຢ່າງ​ຍິ່ງວ ​ ່າ​ ຈະ​ເກີດຜ ​ ົນປ ​ ະ​ໂຫຍ​ດ ແ ​ ລະ ຄວາມ​ບັນເ​ ທິງໃ ​ ຫ້ ​ ແກ່ທ ​ ່ານ​ພສ ໍ​ ົ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

ທ່ຽວບຸນ​ວັດ​ພູ​ຈຳປາ​ສັກ

Vat Phou Festival

ວັດ​ພູ​ຈຳປາ​ສັກແ ​ ມ່ນກ ​ ຸ່ມເ​ ທວະສະຖານ ​ແລະ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ແຫ່ງ​ ສາດສະໜາອິນດູສ ​ ະ​ໄໝຍຸກຂ ​ ອມ ຕັ້ງຢ ​ ູ່​ເປີ້ນພູນ ​ າກ​ຊຶ່ງ​ເປັນພ ​ າກສ່ວນ ໜຶ່ງຂອງ​ພູ​ເກົ້າ​ທີ່​ມີ​ທິວທ ​ ັດສ ​ ວຍ​ງາມ. ຫຼັ ກ ຖານ​ທ າງ​ສີ ​ລ າ​ຈ າລຶ ກ​ເ ວົ້ າ ​ວ່ າ ​ກຸ່ ມ ​ເ ທວະສະຖານ​ແ ຫ່ ງ​ນີ້ ​ສ້ າ ງ​ເ ມື່ ອ​ ສະຕະວັດທ ​ ີ V ​ແລະ VI ຕໍ່ມາ​ຖືກເ​ ພພັງໄ​ ປ​ຕາມ​ການ​ເວລາ ຈົນເ​ ຖິງຕ ​ ົ້ນ​ ສະຕະວັດທ ​ ີ XI ຜູຄ ້​ ອງ​ເມືອງ​ຈຶ່ງເ​ ລີ່ມມ ​ ີ​ການກໍ່ສ້າງ​ໃໝ່ ​ໃສ່ເ​ ທິງສ ​ ະຖານ​ ທີ່ເ​ ກົ່າ ​ແລະ ມີ​ການ​ສ້າງຕໍ່ເ​ ຕີມ ເມື່ອສ ​ ະຕະວັດທ ​ ີ XII ​ແລະ XIII ດ້ວຍ​ ການ​ອອກ​ແບບ​ແຜນຜັງຕາມ​ຫຼັກການຍຶດ​ເສັ້ນ​​ແກນ​ຕາ​ເວັນ​ອອກ-ຕາ​ ເວັນ​ຕົກເ​ ປັນຫຼັກ ຖື​ເອົາກ ​ ານ​ເລີ່​ມຕົ້ນຈ ​ າກ​ທົ່ງພຽງ​ເນັ່ງຂ ​ ຶ້ນໄ​ ປ​ຕາມ​ເປີ້ນພູ​ ຈົນ​ໄປ​ເຖິງຖ ​ ້ານ​ສຸດທ ​ ້າຍ​ອັນເ​ ປັນທ ​ ຕ ີ່​ ັ້ງຂ ​ ອງ​ຜາສາດ​ປະທານ. ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ທຕ ີ່​ ັ້ງຢ ​ ູ່​ທັງສ ​ ອງ​ຟາກ​ທາງ​ຂຶ້ນນ ​ ັບແ ​ ຕ່ ໜອງສະ ​ເສົາ​ ເສ​ໂຮງ​ຊາວ ຫຼື ​ໂຮງ​ທ້າວ​ໂຮງ​ນາງ ​ໂຮງ​ງົວ ອຸສຸພະຣາດ ຫຼື ງົວ​ນັນທ ​ ິນ ຮູບຫຼໍ່ພະຍາ​ກຳ​ມະ​ທາ​ໄປ​ຈົນ​ເຖິງ​ຜາ​ສາດ​ປະທານ​ຖ້າ​ນສູງ​ສຸດ​ລ້ວນ​ແຕ່​ ມີ​ສຄ ື່​ ວາມໝາຍທາງ​ດ້ານ​ຄວາມ​ເປັນສ ​ ິລມ ິ​ ຸງຄຸນ ຄວາມ​ມີ​ພະລັງແ ​ ຂງ​ ແກ່ນຂ ​ ອງ​ອານາຈັກຂ ​ ອມ​ຍຸກນ ​ ັ້ນ.

V

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.

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ເມື່ອສ ​ ີ້ນສຸດຍຸກຂ ​ ອມ ສາດສະໜາພຸດເ​ ກີດມ ​ າ​ມີ​ອິດທ ​ ິພົນ ກຸ່ມເ​ ທວະສະ ຖານ​ດັ່ງກ່າວ​ຖືກຮ ​ ັກສາ​ໄວ້​ໃຫ້ເ​ ໝືອນ​ເດີມ ​ແຕ່ກ ​ ໍ່ມບ ີ​ າງ​ຢ່າງ​ຖືກດ ​ ັດແ ​ ປງ​ ມາ​ຮັບ​ໃຊ້ສ ​ າສະໜາພຸດ ​ແລະ ສືບຕໍ່ສ້າງ​ບາງ​ຢ່າງ​ເສີມເ​ ຂົ້າ​ໄປ​ໂດຍ​ສະ​ ເພາະ​ທົດແ ​ ທນ​ໃນ​ສິ່ງເ​ ປ່​ເພ.

ວັດ​ພູ​ຈຳປາ​ສັກ​ຖືກ​ຮັບຮອງ​ຈາກ​ອົງການ​ຢູ​ແນ​ສ​ໂກ​​ໃຫ້​ເປັນ​ມໍລະດົກ​ ໂລກ​ແຫ່ງທ ​ ີ 2 ​ໄປ​ແລ້ວ​​ເມື່ອ 5 ປີກ ​ ່ອນ ປັດຈຸບັນວ ​ ັດ​ພູ​ຍັງສ ​ ືບຕໍ່ປັບປຸງ​ ບູລະນະ​ໃຫ້​ຄື​ໂຄງ​ສ້າງ​ເດີມ​ທີ່​ເພພັງ​ໃນ​ເມື່ອ​ກ່ອນ​ໂດຍ​ນຳ​ເອົາ​ກ້ອນ​ຫີນ​ ທີ່ຫ ​ ັກພ ​ ັງລ ​ ົງມ ​ າ​ໃສ່ຄ ​ ືນບ ​ ່ອນ​ເກົ່າ ຊຶ່ງ​ມີຫຼາຍ​ໂຄງການ​ຈາກ​ສາກົນ ​ແລະ ປະ​ເທດ​ເພື່ອນ​ມິດໃ ​ ຫ້ການ​ຊ່ວຍ​ເຫຼືອ. ນັບ​ແຕ່​ສາດສະໜາພຸດ​ໄດ້​ເຂົ້າ​ມາ​ມີ​ບົດບາດ​ໃນ​ເທວະສະຖານ​ແຫ່ງ​ນີ້ ອົງການ​ປົກຄອງ​ທ້ອງ​ຖິ່ນພ ​ ້ອມ​ດ້ວຍ​ອົງການ​ຈັດ​ຕັ້ງຕ ​ ່າງໆ ​ແລະ ປະຊາ ຊົນລ ​ າວ​ບັນດາ​ເຜົ່າ​ທົ່ວ​ແຂວງ​ຈຳປາ​ສັກ ພາກ​ໃຕ້ຂ ​ ອງ​ລາວ​ກໍ່​ໄດ້​ຈັດ​ ຕັ້ງເ​ ທດສະການ ບຸນວ ​ ັດ​ພູ​ຈຳປາ​ສັກຂ ​ ຶ້ນໂ ​ ດຍ​ຖື​ເອົາ​ວັນ​ເພັງ 15 ຄຳ​ ເດືອນ 3 ລາວ​ມສ ື້​ ະຫຼອງສຸດທ ​ ້າຍ ​ເພື່ອລະນຶກ ​ແລະ ອຸທິດສ ​ ່ວນ​ກຸສົນ​ ໄປ​ຍັງບ ​ ັນພະ​ບູລຸດ ຜູອ ້​ ອກ​ແຮງ​ງານ ​ເຈົ້າ​ກຳ​ນາຍ​ເວນ​ທີ່​ມີ​ສ່ວນ​ກໍ່ສ້າງ​ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ທີ່​ສວຍ​ງາມ​ແຫ່ງນ ​ ີ້. ງານ​ບຸນມ ​ ີ​ຄວາມ​ຄຶກຄັກຄ ​ ຶກຄື້ນ ຕາມ​ປະ​ເພນີທ ​ ີ່​ເຄີຍທ ​ ຳ​ມາ​ບາງ​ຄັ້ງເ​ ພີ່ນຈ ​ ັດ 3 ມື້ 3 ຄືນ ຫຼື 7 ມື້ 7 ຄືນ ​ໂດຍ​ ມີລ ​ າຍການ​ທາງ​ສາດສະໜາ (​ໄຫ້​ວພະ​ຮັບ​ສິນທ ​ ຳບຸນຕັ ​​ ກບ ​ າດ) ລາຍ ການ​ຕາມ​ປະ​ເພນີ (ຄົບງັນ ຂັບລ ​ ຳ ສິລະ​ປະ​ວັນນະຄະດີ ກິລາກາຍ​ຍະ​ ກຳ ການບັນເ​ ທິງ) ​ແລະ ລາຍການ​ວາງສະ​ແດງ​ສິນຄ້າຕ ​ າມ​ທ່າແ ​ ຮງ​ ຂອງ​ແຂວງ ຫຼື ຕາມ​ທີ່​ປະຊາຊົນໃ ​ ນ​ທ້ອງ​ຖິ່ນຜ ​ ະລິດໄ​ ດ້. ​ແຕ່ສ ​ ຳຄັນແ ​ ມ່ນ​ ມື້​ສຸດ​ທ້າຍ​ທີ່​ມີ​ການ​ຕັກບາດ​ຫຼວງ​ໂດຍ​ການ​ນຳ​ຂັ້ນ​ເທິງ​ເຂົ້າ​ຮ່ວມ​ພ້ອມ​ ດ້ວຍ​ພຸດທະ​ສາ​ກະນິຊາ​ຊົນໃ ​ ນ​ທ້ອງ​ຖິ່ນ ຫຼື ຈາກ​ທ້ອງ​ຖິ່ນອ ​ ື່ນ. ໃນ​ພິທດ ີ​ ັ່ງກ່າວ​ຍັງມ ​ກ ີ​ ານ​ແຫ່​ຊ້າງ​ແຫ່​ມ້າ ມີ​ການ​ເຂົ້າ​ຮ່ວມ​ວາງສະ​ແດງ ສ້າງ​ກິດຈະກຳ​ຂອງ​ອ້າຍ​ກົກຜ ​ ູ້​ທີ່​ເຄີຍສ ​ ້າງ​ດຳລົງຊ ​ ີວິດ ​ແລະ ຮ່ວມ​ທຸກ​ ຮ່ວມ​ສຸກໃ ​ ນ​ດິນແ ​ ດນ​ແຫ່ງນ ​ ີ້​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.

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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.

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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).

V

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..

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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.

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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

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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.

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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 ການ​ຜະຈົນ​ໄພ​ທີ່​ໄຮ້​ດຽງສາ​ໃນ​ໄຊ​ຍະ​ບູລີ

By Bernie Rosenbloom

ລູກຂ ​ ອງ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ຮັກ​ການ​ຜະຈົນໄ​ ພ​ທີ່​ແທ້​ຈິງ. ​ເມື່ອໂ ​ ຮງຮຽນຂອງ ພວກ​ເຂົາ​ໄດ້ປິດພ ​ າກຮຽນ​​; ກໍ່ເ​ ຖິງເ​ ວລາ​ຜະຈົນໄພ​ ​​​ ກັນແ ​ ລ້ວ.

M

ນີ້ ​ໝ າຍ​ຄ ວາມ​ວ່ າ ​ຂ້ າ ພະ​ເ ຈົ້ າ ​ຈ ະ​ຕ້ ອ ງ​ໄ ດ້ ​​ແ ວ່ ເ ບິ່ ງ ​ຂໍ້ ​ມູ ນ ​ຢູ່ ​ທີ່ ​ໂ ຄງການ​ ພັດທະນາ​ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ​ແບບ​ຍືນຍ ​ ົງ (STDP) ຂອງ​ອົງການ​ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ​ ແຫ່ງຊ ​ າດ, ເ​ ຊິ່ງ​ເປັນກ ​ ຸນແ ​ ຈ​ສໍາຄັນຂ ​ ອງ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄປ​ບ່ອນ​ທີ່​ບໍ່ຮູ້ຈັກ.

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 ຈິ​ມ ຈອນ​ຊັນ (Jim Johnston) ​ເຮັດ​ ຣ ວຽກກັບອ ​ ົງການ​ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ​ແຫ່ງຊ ​ າດ - ​ໂຄງການ​ຂອງ ADB, ​ແລະ​ໄຊ​ ຍະ​ບູລີ ​ໄດ້ກາຍ​ເປັນເປົ້ ​​ າໝາຍ​ໃນ​ຈໍເຣ​ດາຂອງ​ພວກ​​ເຂົາ​​ເຊິ່ງກວມ​ເອົາ ທັງ “ບ່ອນ​ທີ່​ທີ່​ນິຍົມອ ​ ີ່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, ພູ​ເຂົາ ​ແລະ​ບໍ່ມຖ ີ​ ະໜົນໃ ​ ຫ່ຍຕັດຜ ​ ່ານ​​​ເຊິ່ງໂດດ ດ່ຽວ “ດິນ​ແດນ​ແຫ່ງລ ​ ້ານ​ຊ້າງ” ອອກ​ຈາກ​ວຽງຈັນ, ດັ່ງ​ນັ້ນຂ ​ ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ຈຶ່ງ​ ບອກ​ລູກວ່າ, “ພວກ​ເຮົາ​ຈະ​​​ໄປຜະຈົນໄພ​ ​​​ ກັນ.” ພວກ​ເ ຂົ າ ​ເ ດີ ນ ທາງ​ໄ ປ​ຕ າມ​ຄໍ າ ​ຊີ້ ​ແ ນະ​ຂ ອງ​ຂ້ າ ພະ​ເ ຈົ້ າ ​ຂຶ້ ນ ​ໄ ປ​ຕ າມ​ ເສັ້ນທາງ​ເລກທີ 13 ​ເໜືອ​ໄປ​ວັງ​ວຽງ ຈົນເ​ ຖິງຫຼວງພະ​ບາງ. “ຈາກ​ທີ່​ ນັ້ນ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ຂີ່​ເຮືອ​ຂຶ້ນ​ໄປ​ຕາມ​ລໍາ​ແມ່​ນໍ້າຂອງ​ຈົນ​ເຖິງ​ທ່າ​ຊວ່ງ​ ແຂວງ​ໄຊ​ຍະ​ບູລີ. ທີ່ນ ​ ີ້​ເອງ​ທີ່​ການ​ຜະຈົນໄພ​ ​​​ ໄດ້​ເລີ່​ມຕົ້ນຂ ​ ຶ້ນ.”

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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.”

ຫັດຖະ​ກໍາ​ຜ້າຝ ​ ້າຍ

ເ​ ຮືອ​ໄມ້​​ເກົ່າໆ ອອກ​ຈາກທ່າເ​ ຮືອຫຼວງພະ​ບາງຫຼັງຈາກ​ເວລາ 07:00​ ໂມ​ງຕອນ​ເຊົ້າ, ​ແລະ ຂີ່​ໄປ​ຊ້າໆ​ຂຶ້ນໄ​ ປຕາມ​ລໍາ​ແມ່​ນໍ້າ. ຢູບ ່​ ່ອນ​ນີ້ບໍ່ມີ​ ສັ ນ ຍານ​ໂ ທລະ​ສັ ບ , ມີ ​ພ ຽງ​ເ ຮື ອ ​ທີ່ ​ໂ ດດດ່ ຽ ວ​ເ ບິ່ ງ ​ຄື ​ນ້ ອ ຍໆ​ຖ້ າ ​ທ ຽບ​ ໃສ່ບັນດາ​ຕົ້ນໄ​ ມ້​ໃຫ່ຍສູງລ ​ ຽບ​ໄປ​ຕາມ​ໜ້າຜາ. ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ມາ​ຮອດ​ທ່າຊ ​ ວ່ງ​ຕອນ​ທ່ຽງ, ບ່ອນ​ທີ່​ມີລົດໂ ​ ດຍສານ​ ສອງ​ແຖວ ມາ​ຮັບ​ຜູ້​ໂດຍສານ​ໄປ​ເມືອງ​ຫົງສ ​ າ​ເຊິ່ງ​ໃຊ້ເ​ ວລາ​ປະມານ ສີ່​ ຊົວ​ໂມງ. ສູນ​ຂໍ້​ມູນ​ຂ່າວທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວຂອງ​ເມືອງ​ຫົງ​ສາ​ໄດ້​ແນະ​ນໍາ​ແຜນ​ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ ສອງ​ມື້ລວມມີກ ​ ານທ່ຽວຊົມສວນ​ຝ້າຍ​ອິນຊ ​ ີ ​ແລະ​ການ​ຂຊ ີ່​ ້າງ . ຣິກ ​ແລະ ຈິ​ມ​ ເຄີຍ​ໄດ້​ເວົ້າ​ຮອດ​ການ​ຊ່ວຍ​ເຫຼືອຂອງ​ໂຄງການ STDP ສໍາລັບຊ ​ າວ​ຜູ້​ຕໍ່າຫູກໄຕ​ລື້ ​ໃນ​ເມືອງ​ຫົງສ ​ າ​ບ້ານ​ວຽງ​ແກ້ວ ທີ່​ຜະລິດເ​ ຄື່ອງ​ ຫັດຖະ​ກໍາ​ມີ​ຄຸນນ ​ ະພາ​ບ. ​ເພື່ອເ​ ປັນກ ​ ານ​ເລີ້ມຕ ​ ົ້ນ, ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າໄ​ ດ້​ຂີ່​ ລົດອ ​ ອກ​ໄປ​ປະມານ 44 ກິ​ໂລ​ແມ້ດ ຈົນຮ ​ ອດ​ເມືອງ​ເງິນ​ບ້ານບີໝ ​ ີ ບ່ອນ​ ທີ່​ປະຊາຊົນເ​ ຮັດ​ການ​ແປ​ຮູບ​​ຝ້າຍ​ທ້ອງ​ຖີ່​ນ ເ​ ປັນແ ​ ຜ່ນແ ​ ພ. ຢູ່​ທີ່​ນີ້ ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄດ້​ພົບກ ​ ັບ ນວນ​ສີ ລັດຕະນະ​ສິດທ ​ ີ, ຜູອ ້​ ໍານວຍ​ ການ​ກຸ່ ມ ​ຜ້ າ ​ຝ້ າ ຍ​ໄ ຊ​ຍ ະ​ບູ ລີ , ຜູ້ ​ທີ່ ​ຈ ະໄດ້ ອ ະ​ທີ ​ບ າຍ​ວິ ທີ ກ ານ​ແ ປ​ຮູ ບ​ ດັ່ງກ່າວ​ໃຫ້ພ ​ ວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​. ​ແມ່​ຍິງ​ຂະ​ມຸຄົນ​ໜຶ່ງນັ່ງ​ຢູ່​ເທິງຕັ່ງ​ມ້າ ຂ້າງ​ເຄື່ອງ​ແຍກ​ແກ່ນ​ຝ້າຍ​ແບບ​ ງ່າຍດາຍ, ດ້າມ​ມືຈັບໝ ​ ູນອ ​ ິ້ວ ​ແລະ​ແຍກ​ເອົາ​ແກ່ນຝ ​ ້າຍ​ອອກ​ມາ. ຢູ່​ໃກ້ໆ, ມີ​ແມ່ຍ ​ ິ່ງ​ຜູ້​ເຖົ້າ​ຄົນໜ ​ ຶ່ງ​ໃຊ້ໄ​ ມ້​ຈັບ​ຝ້າຍຢ່າງ​ແຂງ​ຂັນໃ ​ ນ​ກະ​ຕ່າ​ ຂ້ວມ​ອັນໜ ​ ຶ່ງ. “ຂັ້ນ​ຕອນຄວາມ​ລັບເ​ ພື່ອເ​ ຮັດ​ໃຫ້ຜ ​ ້າຝ້າຍມີຄ ​ ວາມ​ນຸ້ມ (ລໍ້ຝ້າຍ).” ລາວ​ໄດ້​ຍື່ນກ ​ ້ອນຝ້າຍ​ທີ່​ເບິ່ງແ ​ ລ້ວ​ຄ້າຍຄືໜ ​ ວດ​ຂອງ​ແຊນ​ຕ້າ ​ໃຫ້ອ ​ ີກແ ​ ມ່​ ຍິງ​ຄົນ​ໜຶ່ງທີ່​​ເຂັນ​ຝ້າຍ​​ຟູອອກ​ມາ​ໃຫ້​ເປັນ​ເສັ້ນ​ຍາວ​ແລ້ວ​ກາຍ​ເປັນ​ເສັ້ນ​ 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.

25

TOURISM ເ​ ຄື່ອງ​ຫລາ ດຶງເ​ ສັ້ນດ ​ ້າຍປິ່ນອ ​ ້ອມ​ລໍ້​ໝູນ, ດຶງ​ເສັ້ນໄຍ​ ​​ ຢ່າງ​ມີ​ທັກສ ​ ະ, ໝຸນ​ ມັນອ ​ ້ອມຫຼອດດ້າຍຢູເ່​ ທິງເ​ ພົາ​ຂອງ​ລໍ້, ​ແລະ​ເລີ່ມປ ​ ິ່ນ, ​ໂດຍ​ໃຊ້ນ ​ ິ້ວຕີນ​ ຂອງ​ລາວນໍາທາງ​ເສັ້ນໄຍ. ​​

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 ນວນ​ສີ ​ໄດ້ພ ​ າພວກຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ຍ່າງ​ຂ້າມ​ຫົນທາງ​ໄປ​ເບິ່ງ ການ​ໝູນກ ​ ໍ້ດ້າຍ 20 ອັນຢ ​ ູ່​ເທິງຮ ​ າວ​ເຝືອ ຕອນ​ແມ່ຍິງສ ​ າວ​​ເສັ້ນດ້າຍ​ ໂດຍ​ຍ່າງ​ເປັນ 10 ແ ​ ມ້ດ ເ​ ພື່ອເກາະ​ ​​ ເສັ້ນຝ ​ ້າຍ​ໃສ່ເ​ ທິງຮາວ​​ແຂ້ວ​ເຝືອ.

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.

​ ນ​ຂະນະ​ທີ່​ກໍາລັງອ ໃ ​ ະທິບາຍ​ຂັ້ນຕ ​ ອນ​ການ​ຍ້ອມ​ສີ​ນໍ້າ​ເງິນເ​ ຂັ້ມ ​ເຊິ່ງເ​ ຂົາ​ ເຈົ້າ​ໄດ້ໝ ​ ັກນໍ້າ​ຍ້ອມ​ປະສົມລ ​ ະ​ຫ່ວາງ​ເປືອກ​ໄມ້, ​ໃບ​ໄມ້ ​ແລະ​ມົດ, ທ່ານ​ ນາງ ນວນ​ສີ ​ໄດ້ບ ​ ອກ​ວ່າຜູເ້​ ປັນແ ​ ມ່​ໄດ້​ປະ​ໝໍ້​​ຍ້ອມ​ໄວ້​ໃຫ້ຜູ ​​ ້​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!?” ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ຂ້ຽວຟ້າວ​ແລ່ນຂ ​ ້າມ​ທາງ​ໄປ​ຊອກ​ຫາ​ລູກ​ ສາວ​ອາຍຸເ​ ກົ້າ​ປີ ຮັນນ ​ າ (Hannah) ກໍາລັງຕ ​ ໍ່າຜ້າຢ ​ ູ່​ເທິງກ ​ ີ່​ຕໍ່າຫູກ​​ ໂດຍ​ມີອາຈານ​ເປັນຜ ​ ູ້​ແນະ​ນໍາ​ຢູ່. ຕີນນ ​ ້ອຍໆ​ຢຽບ​ໄມ້ ​ໃນ​ຂະນະ​ທມ ີ່​ ື​ ນ້ອຍໆກໍ່ດຶງດ ​ ້າຍຢູເ່​ ທິງແ ​ ຜ່ນຜ ​ ້າ. ​ແອນ​ເດຣຍ (Andrea), ຜູເ້​ ປັນ​ ເອື້ອຍ, ປ່ຽນຜຽນກັບຜ ​ ູ້​ນ້ອຍ, ພະຍາຍາມ​ຊຶມຊັບເອົາທ ​ ຸກໄ​ ລຍະ​ເວລາ ເທົ່າທ ​ ມ ີ່​ ີ. ຫຼັງອາຫານ​ທ່ຽງ, ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄດ້​ພາກັນຢ ​ ຸດເ​ ຊົາ​ຢູ່​ທີ່ພະທາດ​ເຕົ່າ​ ທອງ​ທີ່​ສ້າງ​ຂຶ້ນໃ ​ ນ​ສັດຕະ​ວັດທ ​ ີ 16 ​ເພື່ອປ ​ ົກຫຸ້ມຂ ​ ຸມທີ່ເ​ ປັນຕ ​ ໍານານ​ ເຊິ່ງມີລ ​ ັກສະນະ​ເປັນຄ ​ ື​ຜິວຊ ​ ້າງ​ສີ​ເງິນ ​ແລະ​ຖືກຫຸ້ມຕ ​ ອມ​ດ້ວຍ​ແມງ​ເຕົ່າ​ ທອງ. ​ ກ້ກ ໃ ​ ັນນັ້ນ ມີວ ​ ັດ​ສີ​ບຸນຍ ​ ືນທ ​ ີ່​ສ້າງ​ຂຶ້ນ​ໃນ​ປີ 1736, ​ແລະ​ເປັນທ ​ ີ່​ ປະດິດສະຖານ​ພະພຸດທະ​ຮູບ​ຂະໜາດ​ໃຫ່ຍ ​ແລະ​ມີ​ຮ້ານ​ນ້ອຍໆ ທີ່​ຄັ້ງ​ ໜຶ່ງ​ໃຊ້ເ​ ປັນຫ້ອງການ​ຂອງ​ອຸປະຮາ​ຊ. ທຸງ – ​ເພື່ອໃ ​ ຊ້ເ​ ປັນທ ​ ່າແພ​ ​​ ຂ້າມ “​ ແມ່​ນໍ້າ​ມໍລະນະ” – ແ ​ ຂວນ​ອອກ​ມາ​ຈາກ​ຄົນຂ ​ ີ່​ເຮືອ​ແພ. ເ​ ພື່ອສ ​ ະຫຼຸບການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ​ໃນ​ມື້​ນີ້, ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄດ້​ພາກັນຍ ​ ່າງ​ ຜ່ານທົ່ງນ ​ າ ​ແລະ​ຍ່າງ​ຂຶ້ນໄ​ ປ​ເບິ່ງເສັ້ ​​ ນຂອບ​ຟ້າ, ມີ​ເນີນສ ​ ູງຢູທ ່​ າງ​ໜ້າ, ໝາຍ​ໄວ້ວ ​ ່າ “ການ​ກັດເ​ ຊາະ​ຂອງ​ໜ້າດິນທ ​ ີ່ບໍ່ຄໃ ື​ ຜ”, ​ແລະມີສ ​ າກຫຼັງ​ ເປັນວ ​ ິວທິວທ ​ ັດຂ ​ ອງ​ເປີ້ນພູ.

26

“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.

ການ​ຜະຈົນ​ໄພກັບຊ ​ ້າງ ຢູ່ນອກ​ເມືອງ​ຫົງຫ ​ າ, ມີປ ​ ະຕູຊ ​ ຸ້ມໄມ້​​ ໄຜ່ ຕ້ ອ ນ​ຮັ ບ ​ນັ ກ ​ທ່ ອ ງ​ທ່ ຽ ວ​ເ ຂົ້ າ​ ໄປ​ບ້ານ​ວຽງ​ແກ້ວ, ​ເຊິ່ງມີຊ້າງ​ ນໍາ​ທ່ຽວອາຍຸ 22 ປີ ມີ​ຊື່ວ່າ ປູນຸດ (Poo Noot) ມາ​ຫາ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ ເຈົ້າ, ​​ເພື່ອໃ ​ ຫ້ລ ​ ູກໆ​ຂອງ​ຂ້າພະ​ ເຈົ້າ​ມີ​ເວລາ ຊົມສ ​ ວນ​ສະນຸກທ ​ ໍາ​ມະ​ ຊາດ. ​ ນ​ຂະນະ​ດຽວກັນ, ຜູ້​ເຖົ້າ​ໃນ​ບ້ານ​ໄດ້​ອະທິບາຍ​ວ່າ​ ໄຊຍະ​ບູລີ ​ມີ​ຊ້າງ​ບ້ານ 75 ສ່ວນ​ຮ້ອຍ​​ ໃ ໃນຊ້າງບ້ານ​ຂອງ​ປະ​ເທດລາວ​ທັງໝ ​ ົດຈໍານວນ 500 ​ເຊືອກ ​ແລະຊ້າງ​ປ່າອ ​ ີກເ​ ກືອບ 150​ ເຊືອກ. ບ້ານ​ວຽງ​ແກ້ວ ມີຄ ​ ວານ​ຊ້າງ 30ຄົນ (ຄົນ​ເບິ່ງຊ ​ ້າງ) 15 ​ເຊືອກ, ​ເຊິ່ງສ່ວນຫຼາຍ​ແມ່ນໃ ​ ຊ້​ ໄວ້​ລາກ​ທ່ອນ​ໄມ້. ທາງ​ຂີ້ຕົມຕ ​ ັດຜ ​ ່ານດິນນ ​ າ ​ແລະ ​ເຂົ້າ​ສູ່​ປ່າອ ​ ະນຸລັກ. ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄປ​ຕາມ​ເສັ້ນທາງ ​ແລະ​ ຢຸດຢ ​ ູ່​ທີ່​ໜອງ​ແຫ່ງໜ ​ ຶ່ງ​ເພື່ອເ​ ຕີມແ ​ ຮງ​ໃຫ້ ປູ​ນຸດ, ​ເຊິ່ງ​ໄປ​ຕາມ​ທາງ​ກໍ່​ໄດ້​ກິນໃ ​ ບ​ໄມ້​ໃບ​ຫຍ້າ​ ຈໍານວນຫຼາຍ​ເພື່ອເ​ ປັນຂ ​ ອງ​ວ່າງຕະຫຼອດການ​ເດີນທາງ​ສອງ​ຊົ່ວ​ໂມງ. ນັ້ນກ ​ ໍ່ຖວ ື​ ່າ​ພໍ​ແລ້ວສ ​ ໍາລັບກ ​ ານ​ຜະຈົນໄພສໍາລັ ​​ ບພ ​ ວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ, ​ແຕ່ກ ​ ໍ່ຂຂ ໍ​ ອບ​ໃຈຄວາມ​ພະຍາ ຍາມ​ຂອງ​ໂຄງການ STDP, ບ້ານ​ວຽງ​ແກ້ວ ທີ່ຍັງໄ​ ດ້​ໃຫ້ພ ​ ວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ ນອນ​ພັກຄ ​ ້າງ​ຄືນຢ ​ ູ່​ນໍາ ແ ​ ລະສໍາລັບເຄື່ ​​ ອງ​ຕໍ່າ​ຄຸນນະພາ​ບສູງ. ຕາມ​ທາງ​ກັບ, ​ແມ່ຍ ​ ິງຢ ​ ູ່​ກີ່​ຕໍ່າຫູກ ຢູກ ່​ ້ອງ​ເຮືອນ ກໍາລັງຕ ​ ໍ່າສິ້ນ, ທຸງຊາດ, ຜ້າພັນ​ຄ,ໍ ຜ້າ​ປ​ໂ ູ ຕະ, ​ແລະ ​ຜາ້ ​ສໍາລັບ​ເຮັດ​ເສື້ອ​ຄມ ຸ , ກະ​ເປົາ໋ ​ແລະ​ໝວກ. ຮ້ານ​ຄ້າໝ ​ ູ່​ບ້ານ​ຂາຍ​ຜະລິດຕ ​ ະພັນທ ​ ີ່​ສໍາ​ເລັດແ ​ ລ້ວ, ​ແລະ​ລູກສ ​ າວຂອງ​ ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄດ້​ຊື້​ຖົງພາຍ ແ ​ ລະ​ສິ້ນເ​ ປັນຂ ​ ອງຝາກ​ໃຫ້ແ ​ ມ່​ຂອງ​ພວກ​ເຂົາ.

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.

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TOURISM

ທາງ​ໃຕ້ຂ ​ ອງ​ໄຊ​ຍະ​ບູລີ ຂີ່​ລົດປ ​ ະມານ 2.5 ຊົ່ວໂ ​ ມງ ​ໄປ​ທາງ​​​ໃຕ້ຂ ​ ອງ​ເມືອງ​ໄຊ​ຍະ​ບູລີ, ​ເປັນບ ​ ່ອນ​ ຈັດ​ງານ​ເທດສະການບຸນຊ ​ ້າງປະ​ຈໍາປີ (17-19 ກຸມພາ), ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ ເຈົ້າ​​ໄດ້​ຂີ່​ລົດຜ່ານບ້ານ​ຂອງຊົນເ​ ຜົ່າ ​ໄພຣ, ​ເຊິ່ງ​ເປັນສ ​ ັງຄົມທ ​ ີ່​ມີ​​ແມ່​ຍິງ​ ເປັນຜ ​ ູ້​ນໍາ​ຄອບຄົວອ ​ າ​​ໄສ​ຢູ່​ເປັນກ ​ ົກເ​ ປັນເ​ ລົ່າ. ມື້ຕມ ໍ່ າ, ອີເ​ ນສ ເ​ ຊ​ເລີ ທີ່ປ ​ກ ຶ ສາ​ພະ​ແນກທ່ອງທ່ຽວ​ແຂວງ (PTD), ຂອງອົງ| ການ​ພັດທະນາ​ເຢຍລະ​ມັນ DED, ໄ​ ດ້​ພາ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ. ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ເລີ່ມຈ ​ າກທ່າເ​ ຮືອ ທ່າເ​ ດື່ອ, ​​ແລະ​ຕໍ່ຈາກ​ນັ້ນກໍ່ໄ​ ປ​ຕາມ​ ທາງ​ເພື່ອໄ​ ປ​ເບິ່ງຖ ​ ໍ້າພະ​ລສ ື​ ີ ​ແລະສານ​ເຈົ້າ ທີ່ຫຼຽວໜ້າໄປທາງແມ່ ​​ ນ ​ ໍ້າ,​ ເຊິ່ ງ ທີ່ ​ນັ້ ນ ​ມີ ​ນໍ້ າ ​ສັ ກ ​ສິ ດ ​ປິ່ ນ ປົ ວ ​ພ ະຍາດ​ໄ ດ້ ທີ່ ຄັ້ ງ ​ໜຶ່ ງ ​ເ ຄີ ຍ ​ດຶ ງ ​ດູ ດ ຄອບ ຄົວເຈົ້າ​ຊີວິດລ້ານ​ຊ້າງ​​ໃຫ້ມ ​ າສະຖານທີ່ນ ​ ີ້. ມີ​ແມ່​ຍິງລາວ​ລຸ່ມຄ ​ ົນໜ ​ ຶ່ງ​ກໍາລັງເກັ ​​ ບໄ​ ຄ​ຢູ່​ໃນ​ສາຍ​ນໍ້າ ຫ່າງ​ຈາກໜ້າຜາ ນໍ້າຕົກຕາດ​ເຈົ້າ 20 ​​ແມ້ດ ​ເທົ່າ​ນັ້ນ, ສາຍ​ນໍ້າ​ນີ້​ຊອດ​ໄປ​ຮອດ​ແມ່​ນໍ້າຂອງ ບ່ອນ​ທີ່​ມຄ ີ​ ົນຮ ​ ່ອນ​​ຄໍາ. ຫຼັງຈາກ​ນັ້ນກ ​ ໍ່​ໄປ​ວັດ​ນາ​ຕໍ​ມ້ອຍ, “ຫໍຄອຍ​ຂອງ ສະຫວັນ”​ເພື່ອເ​ ປີດ​ ຫູ​ເປີດຕາ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ. ​​ເປັນເ​ ວລາ​ສັ້ນໃນ​ລະ​ຫ່ວາງ​ປີ​ໃໝ່ລ ​ າວ, ຊາວບ້ານ​ໄດ້​ພາກັນ​ມາ​ສົງ​ພະ​ໂດຍ​ຫົດ​ນໍ້າ​ໃສ່​ຮາງ​ນໍ້າ​ທີ່ຄ່ອຍໆ​​​ໄຫຼ​ລົງ​ ມາໃສ່ຕູບນ້ອຍ ແ ​ ລະ​ໃສ່ມ ​ ືຂອງ​ພະພຸດທະ​ຮູບ. ກະ​ຕ່າຫ ​ ້ອຍ​ຢູ່​ຂ້າງ​ໃນ​ຂອງ​ວັດນ ​ າ​ຕໍ​ນ້ອຍ ​ເພື່ອອ ​ ຸທິດໃ ​ ຫ້ແ ​ ກ່ວ ​ ິນ​ຍານ​ ຂອງ​ພະ​ລາຊາ​ພະ​ເຫວ​ດສັນດ ​ ອນທີ່ເ​ ປັນຕ ​ ໍານານ​ຂອງ​ໄຊ​ຍະ​ບູລີ, ​ແລະ​ ໃນ​ແຕ່ລະ​ປີ ກາງ​ເດືອນ​ມີນາທາງ ​ແຂວງ​ຈະ​ອຸທິດສ່ວນ​ບຸນສ ​ ວ່ນກຸສົນ​ ໃຫ້ແ ​ ກ່ພ ​ ະ​ລາຊາ ໂ ​ ດຍ​ການ​ເຮັດບຸນພ ​ ະ​ເຫວ​ດ. ບຸນຈັ ​​ ດ​ຂຶ້ນເ​ ປັນເ​ ວລາ​ສາມ​ມື້ – ມີໜ້າກ ​ າກ​ໄມ້​ຂະໜາດ​ໃຫ່ຍ ​ແລະ​ມີ​ ສີສັນເ​ ປັນສ ​ ັນຍາ​ລັກ – ​ເລີ່ມຕ ​ ົ້ນດ ​ ້ວຍ​ຂະ​ບວນວິນຍ ​ ານ​ພູ​ດຜີ ​ແລະ​ພໍ່ໝໍ​ ນໍາ​ຂະ​ບວນ​ແຫ່ຈາກ​ວັດ​ສີ​ບຸນເ​ ຮືອນ, ​ເຊິ່ງ​ເປັນບ ​ ່ອນ​ທີ່​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ ກໍາລັງຈ ​ ະ​ໄປ. ວັດດັ່ງກ່າວ​ນີ້​ໄດ້​ເລີ່​ມສ້າງຂຶ້ນທ ​ ໍາ​ອິດໃ ​ ນ​ປີ 1456 ​​ເຊິ່ງສາມາດ​ແນມ​ເຫັນ​ ແມ່​ນໍ້າ​ຮຸງ, ​ແລະ​ເປັນວ ​ ັດທ ​ ີ່​ເກົ່າ​ແກ່ທ ​ ີ່​ສຸດໃ ​ ນ​ໄຊ​ຍະ​ບູລີ ​​ເຊິ່ງປະດິດສະ ຖານ​ພ ະພຸ ດ ທະ​​ໄ ສຍາດ(ນອນ)ຄໍ າ ​ທີ່ ​ໃ ຫ່ ຍ ທີ່ ​ສຸ ດ ​ໃ ນ​ແ ຂວງ​ມີ ​ຄ ວາມ​ ສູງເຖິງ 7​​ແມ້ດ ເ​ ຖິງຢ ​ ່າງ​ໃດ​ກໍ່ຕາມ, ວັດສ ​ ີສະ​ຫວ່າງ​ວົງ ທີ່​ມີ​ຮາວ​ບັນໄ​ ດ​ພະຍາ​ນາກ​ຍາວ​ ຢູ່​ໃນ​ໃຈກາງ​ຂອງ​ມອ ື​ ງ, ກໍ​ເປັນໜ ​ ຶ່ງ​ໃນ​ສາມ​ວັດຂ ​ ັ້ນສູງໃ ​ ນ​ລາວ. ຍ້ອນ​ ແນວ​ນີ້​ຈຶ່ງ​ເປັນ​ແຮງ​ບັນດານ​ໃຈ​ໃຫ້​ພະສົງຮູ້ສຶກ​ເປັນກຽດທີ່​ໄດ້​ມາ​ສຶກສາ​ ຮາໍ່​ຮຽນ, ນັ່ງສ ​ ະມາທິ ແ ​ ລະ​ໄດ້​ຮັບ​ການ​ອຸປະສົມບົດໃນ​ວັດແ ​ 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.

28

ສະ​ປາ​ໃນ​ປາ່ ​ແລະ ຊ້າງ ອີ​ເນສ ພາ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ ໄປ ສູນອ ​ ະນຸລັກພືດສະ​ໝູນ​ ໄພຫ້ວຍ​ນໍ້າ​ໃສ ​ແລະ ​ສະ​ ປາ​ສະ​ໝູນໄ​ ພ ຢູ່​ໃນ​ປ່າ ປະມານ 19 ກິໂ ​ ລ​ແມ້ດ ອອກ​ໄ ປ​ທ າງ​​ໃ ຕ້ ​ຈ າກຕົ ວ​ ເມືອງ. “ມັນເ​ ປັນບ ​ ່ອນ​ທໍາ​ອິດ​ ທໍ າ ​ອໍ່ ຢູ່ ​ໃ ນ​ປ ະ​ເ ທດ​ລ າວ,” ລາວ​ໄດ້​ບອກ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ ເຈົ້າ, ​ແລະຫຼັງຈາກ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄປ ມັນກ ​ ໍ່​ໄດ້​ ເປີດໃ ​ ຫ້ບ ​ ໍລິການ​ເປັນເ​ ວລາ​ສັ້ນໆ. ການ​ເດີນທາງ​ເພື່ອກ ​ ານ​ອະນຸລ ​ ັກ ​ໄດ້​​​ນໍາສະ​ເໜີ ການ​ເດີນທາງ​ແບບ​ພື້ນ​ ເມືອງ​ລາວ​ຂອງ​ PTD, ​ເຊິ່ງໜຶ່ງ​ໃນ​ນັ້ນນັກທ ​ ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວຈະ​ມີ​ໂອກາດ​ໄປ​ ທ່ຽວຊົມສວນພຶກສາຊາດ​ທ​ມ ີ່ ​ປ ີ າ້ ຍ​ບອກພືດ​ສະ​ໝນ ູ ​ໄພ​ເກືອບ 100 ຊະ​ນດ ິ . ວາງ​ບໍ່ດົນນ ​ ີ້ ອີ​ເນສ ​ໄດ້​ບອກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ວ່າ ມີໝ ​ ໍຜຊ ູ້​ າຍ​ຄົນໜຶ່ງນໍາ​ທ່ຽວ​ ເຊິ່ງ​ໃນ​ລະ​ຫ່ວາງ​ການທ່ຽວນັ້ນ, “ນັກ​ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວສາມາດ​ຮຽນຮູ້​ກ່ຽວກັບ​ ວິທີ​ບໍາບັດຮ ​ ັກສາ, ສູດຢ ​ າ​ຕ່າງໆ, ​ແລະ ​ຜົງຢ ​ າ​ປິ່ນປົວພ ​ ື້ນເ​ ມືອງ​ຕ່າງໆ​ ຂອງ​ລາວ.”

ລາວ​ໄດ້​ກ່າວ​ຕື່ມອ ​ ີກວ ​ ່າ, “ການ​ຮົມ​ຢາ ​ແລະ ​ນວດ​ສະ​ໜູນ​ໄພ​​ໃນ​ປະຈຸ​ ບັນແມ່ນມ ​ໃ ີ​ ຫ້ບ ​ ໍລິການ​ແລ້ວ,” ​ແລະການຮົມ ​ແລະ​ບ່ອນ​ອາບ​ນໍ້າ​ຢູ່​ແມ່​ ນໍ້າ​ທໍາ​ມະ​ຊາດ​ທີ່​ສາມາດ​ປິ່ນປົວພ ​ ະຍາດ​ໄດ້ ກໍາລັງມ ​ ີ​ການກໍ່ສ້າງ​ຢູ່.

​PTD ກໍາລັງນ ​ ໍາ​ສະ​ເໜີ ການ​ລ່ອງ​ເຮືອ​ສອງ​ມື້​ຈາກ​ນໍ້າ​ຮຸ່ງ ຫາ​ແມ່​ນໍ້າຂອງ​ ແລະ​ຈາກ​ແມ່​ນໍ້າຂອງ​ ຫາ ນໍ້າ​ປຸຍໃ ​ ນ​ຕົ້ນປ ​ ີ 2012, ​​ທີ່ຈະພາ​ທ່ຽວຊົມ​ ອ້ອມຮອບ​ສູນອ ​ ະນຸລັກ ແ ​ ລະ​ລວມທັງກ ​ ານ​ຄ້າງ​ຄືນຢ ​ ູ່​ໃນ​ໝູ່​ບ້ານ. ເ​ ມື່ອກັບເ​ ຂົ້າ​ມາ​ໃນ​ເມືອງ, ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄດ້​ໄປ​ຮັບ​ປະທານ​ອາຫານ​ຢູ່​ ທີ່ຮ້ານ​ອາຫານ​ແຫ່ງໜ ​ ຶ່ງ​ທີ່​ແນມ​ເຫັນ ສູນອ ​ ະນຸລັກຊ ​ ້າງຂອງອາຊີ ຢູເ່​ ທິງ​ ແຫຼມອ່າງ​ເກັບ​ນໍ້າຕຽນ, ​ແຕ່​ກອ ໍ່ ກ ີ ​ຄງັ້ ​ໜງຶ່ ​ພວກ​ຂາ້ ພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ຫາກໍ່ຂ​ເີ່ ຮືອ​ມາ. ​ການ​ເຮັດ​ວຽກຂອງ​ສູນດ ​ ັ່ງກ່າວ​ໃນ​ປະຈຸບ ​ ັນ ​ແມ່ນຮ ​ ວມ​ເອົາ​ການ​ເບິ່ງ​ ແຍງ​ຊ້າງ​ກັບກ ​ ານທ່ອງທ່ຽວ​ແບບ​ອະນຸລັກ ຫຼື ອີໂ ​ ຄ​ທົວຣິ​ຊືມ. ສູນ​ ດັ່ງກ່າວ​ໄດ້ປິ່ນປົວຊ ​ ້າງ​ມາ​ແລ້ວ​ເປັນຮ ​ ້ອຍ​ຄັ້ງ ​ແລະ​ລ້ຽງຊ້າງ 10 ​ເຊືອກ ລວມມີສ ​ າມ​ແມ່​ແລະ​ລູກ. “ປະຊາຊົນມ ​ ັກມ ​ າ​ເບິ່ງລູກຊ ​ ້າງຕອນ​ຫາກໍ່ເ​ ກີດໃ ​ ໝ່,” ຜູອ ້​ ໍານວຍ​ການ ​ ່ວມ ​ເຊ​ບບັດສ ຮ ​ ຕຽນ ດູ​ຟິລໂ ີ​ ອ, ​ສູນອານຸລັກຊ້າງອາຊີປ ​ ະ​ຈໍາ​ປະ​ເທດ​ ລາວ​ໄດ້ບອກ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ. ນອກຈາກ​ນີ້ທາງສູນ ຍັງໃ ​ ຫ້ບ ​ ໍລິການ​ບ້ານ​ພັກເ​ ປັນຕ ​ ູບເກົ້າຫຼັງ​ ເຊິ່ງມີ​ ຫ້ອງ​ເປັນແ ​ ບບບ້ານ​ຂອງ​ໄຕ​ລື້ພື້ນເ​ ມືອງ, ມີ​ຮ້ານ​ອາຫານ, ​ໂຮງໝໍ​ປິ່ນປົວ​ ຊ້າງ, ແ ​ ລະລາຍການ​ກິດຈະ​ກໍາທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍ. ເ​ ຊັບ ​ໄດ້​ເວົ້າ​ວ່າ​ການ​ອາບ​ນໍ້າໃນ​ຕອນ​ທ່ຽງ​​ແມ່ນເປັນທີ່ນ ​ ິຍົມ. “ມີ​ແສງ​ ແດດກໍາລັງດ ​ ີ ​ແລະ​ນັກທ ​ ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວສາມາດ​ໄປ​ກັບຄວານ​ລ້ຽງຊ້າງແລະ​ ຊ້າງ​ເພື່ອໄ​ ປ​ບ່ອນ​ກິນຫ ​ ້ຍາ.” ຕໍ່​ໄປ​ຍັງຈ ​ ະ​ມີ​ການ​ໃຊ້ຊ ​ ີວິດ​ກັບສູນຊ ​ ຸມຊ ​ ົນຄ ​ ວານຊ້າງ, ຜູນ ້​ ໍາ​ທ່ຽວຂອງ​ ສູນຂ ​ ໍ້​ມູນຂ ​ ່າວສານ​ກ່ຽວກັບຊ ​ ້າງ ​ແລະ​ໂຮງໝໍ, ​ເດີນປ ​ ່າພ ​ ້ອມ​ກັບຊ ​ ້າງ​ ແລະ​ຂີ່​ເຮືອ​ເທິງນ ​ ໍ້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.

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TOURISM

ສິ້ນສ ​ ຸດກ ​ ານ​ເດີນທາງ

ຂັບລ ​ ົດຫ ​ ້າ​ຊົ່ວ​ໂມງ​​ໄປ​ທາງ​​ໃຕ້ ຜ່ານ​ຖະໜົນເ​ ປັນຂ ​ ຸມແລະ​ ​​ ຂີ້ຕົມເພື່ອໄ​ ປ​ ປາກ​ລາຍ, ​ເພາະ​ລົດດຸດໄ​ ດ້​ເປີດທ ​ າງ ​ເພື່ອສ ​ ້າງ​ຖະໜົນທີ່ໃ ​ ຫ້ທ ​ ຶນໂດຍ ADB ​ແລະ​ຂົວ​ຂ້າມ​ແມ່​ນໍ້າຂອງ​ສາມ​ແຫ່ງ ​ເຊື່ອມ​ຕໍ່​ໄຊ​ຍະ​ບູລກ ີ​ ັບ​ ເສັ້ ນ ທາງ​ມໍ ລ ະດົ ກ ​ໃ ນ​ພ າກ​ເ ໜື ອ ​ທີ່ ​ໄ ດ້ ​ຮັ ບ ​ກ ານ​ສ ະ​ໜັ ບ ສະ​ໜູ ​ນ ​ໂ ດຍ​ ໂຄງການ STDP: ວຽງຈັນ-ຫຼວງພະ​ບາງ-ຊຽງຂວາງ-ຫົວພັນ. ປາກ​ລາຍ ​ເປັນບ ​ ່ອນພັກຫຼັງຈາກ​ການ​ຂີ່​ລົດມາ​ດົນ. ທີ່​ນັ້ນມ ​ ີ​ບ້ານ​ສະ​​ໄໝ​ ຫົວ​ເມືອງ​ຂຶ້ນຢ ​ ູ່​ສິບຫຼັງ ​ແລະ​ບ້ານ​ຂອງ​ຄອບຄົວເ​ ຈົ້າ​ຊີວິດ​ມີ​ອາຍຸ 120 ປີຕັ້ງຢ ​ ູ່​ໃນ​ເມືອງ, ​ແລະ​ວັດສ ​ ີສະ​ຫ່ວາງ​ວົງຂ ​ ອງ​ປາກ​ລາຍ ຄື​ກັນກ ​ ັບຂ ​ ອງ​ ໄຊ​ຍະ​ບູລີ ​​ທີ່ປະຊາຊົນໃ ​ ຫ້ການເຄົາລົບນ ​ ັບຖືເປັນຢ ​ ່າງ​ສູງ. ມີ​ເຮືອ​ປະ​ຈໍາ​ທາງ​ຕາມ​ລໍາ​ແມ່​ນໍ້າຂອງ​ໄປ​ວຽງຈັນ​ເມື່ອຫຼາຍປີ​ກ່ອນພຸ້ນ, ດັ່ງນ ​ ັ້ນພ ​ ວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ຈຶ່ງ​ໄດ້​ຈອງ​ບ່ອນ​ນັ່ງນໍາ​ລົດຕ ​ ູ້ ​ແລະ​ຕ້ອງ​ໃຊ້ເ​ ວລາ​ ອີກຫ ​ ້າ​ຊົ່ວໂ ​ ມງ​ຢູ່​ເທິງຖ ​ ະໜົນທີ່ເ​ ປັນຂ ​ ຸມເ​ ປັນບ ​ ວກ. ລູກສ ​ າວ​ຂອງ​ຂ້າພະ​ ເຈົ້າພາກັນອ ​ ົດທົນເປັ ​​ ນຢ ​ ່າງ​ດີ. ປີ​ກາຍ​ນີ້ ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄດ້​ໄປ​ລົບກ ​ ວນ ຣິກ ​ແລ​ະ ຈິ​ມ ຢູຫ ່​ ້ອງການ​ໂຄງການ STDP, ​ແລະ​ຖາມ​ເຂົາ​ເຈົ້າວ່າ, “ມີ​ຫຍັງໃ ​ ໝ່ບ ​ ໍ່?” “ນໍ້າ​ທ້າງ ຢູ່​ໄຊ​ຍະ​ບູລີ ມີຖ ​ ໍ້າ​ເປັນ 1,000 ​ແຫ່ງ ​ແລະນອນ​ຄ້າງ​ຄືນຢ ​ ູ່​ບ້ານ​ ແກ້ວ,” ຣິກ​ໄດ້​ແນະ​ນໍາ. “ຖາມ​ຈິ​ມ. ລາວ​ເກັ່ງທ ​ າງ​ນີ້.” ຈິ​ມ ​ເວົ້າ​ຂຶ້ນ​ວ່າ. “ສ່ວນ​ທີ່​ດທ ີ​ ີ່​ສຸດຂ ​ ອງ​ພື້ນຖ ​ ໍ້າ​ແມ່ນມ ​ ັນນ ​ ຸ້ມ, ບໍ່ຄກ ື​ ້ອນ​ຫີນ​ ຂະໜາດ​ໃຫ່ຍ, ​ແລະ​ມີ​ຂັ້ນໄ​ ດ​ທໍາ​ມະ​ຊາດ​ຂຶ້ນໄ​ ປ​ຫາ​ປ່ອງ​ອອກ​ໄປ​ທາງ​ ນອກ. ​ເມື່ອທ ​ ່ານ​ປີນຜ ​ ່ານ, ມັນເ​ ປັນຄ ​ ື​ການ​ຍ່າງ​ກ້າວ​ອອກ​ໄປ​ອີກໂ ​ ລກໆ​ ໜຶ່ງ.” ລາວ​ໄດ້​ອະທິບາຍ​ກ່ຽວກັບ ຖໍ້າ​ລຸບ – ການຍ່າງ​ອ້ອມອຸໂ ​ ມງ​ພູ​ເຂົາ​ທີ່​ໜ້າ​ ຕື່ນເ​ ຕັ້ນຈົນໄ​ ປຂອບ​ສນ ັ ຂ ​ ອງພູເ​ ຂົາ. ການທ່ຽວຖໍ້າ​ລອດ​ເຄິ່ງມື້ – ເ​ ສັ້ນທາງ ​ໄປ​ຖໍ້າ​ເຈຍ​ຄິວ ​ເລີ່​ມຈາກ​ການ​ຍ່າງ​ແບບ​ງ່າຍໆ, ຂ້າມ​ສາຍນໍ້າທ້າງ,​ ແລະ ລົງເ​ ຮືອໄປ​ ​​ ອີກ 350 ​ແມັດ ເ​ ພື່ອໄ​ ປ​ຖໍ້າ​ເຈຍ​ຄິວ. “ທ່ານ​ອອກ​ຈາກ ຖໍ້າ​ເຈຍ​ຄິວ​​ເຂົ້າ​ໄປ​ໃນ​ປ່າ, ​ແລະ ​ໄປ​ຕາມ​ສາຍ​ນໍ້າ​ຈົນ​ ຮອດ​ຖໍ້າ​ລອດ, ​ເຊິ່ງທີ່ນ ​ ັ້ນມີອ ​ ຸ​ໂມງ​ຍາວ 500 ​ແມ້ດ. ທ່ານ​ເກືອບ​ວ່າ​ຢູ່​ ໃນນໍ້າຕະຫຼອດ​ເວລາ.” ຕອນ​ກັບບ ​ ້ານ, ລູກສ ​ າວ​ຂອງ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ບໍ່ລລ ີ​ ໍ​ທີ່​ຈະ​ຜະຈົນໄພ​ ​​​ ອີກຄ ​ ັ້ງທ ​ ີ່​ ສອງ​ຖາ້ ມ ​ ​ໂ ີ ອກາດ. ​ແຂວງ​ນຍ ີ້ ງັ ໃໝ່ ​​ ຄກ ື ນ ັ ​ກບ ັ ​ລກ ູ ​ສອງ​ຄນ ົ ​ຂອງ​ຂາ້ ພະ​ເຈົ້າ.

​ ໍ້​ມູນເ​ ພີ່ມເ​ ຕີມ: ສໍາລັບຂ plaos.com ion: www.std at rm fo in e ​ ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ”) or ​ ັກທ For m ​ ອງ​ສໍາລັບນ ໍ້​ ູນຂ ັບ​ໄຊ “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.

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Colonial Charm, Luxurious Elegance www.setthapalace.com

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

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MAKING TRACK

ໄປ​ທ່ຽວວັງວ ​ ຽງ

ວັ

ນຊາດ​ຂອງ​ລາວ​ຫຍັບ​ໃກ້ເ​ ຂົ້າ​ມາ, ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ ​ແລະ ​​ໝູ່​​ຈໍານວນ​ ໜຶ່ງ​ຕັດສິນໃ ​ ຈ​ໄປ​ຫຼິ້ນວັງວ ​ ຽງສາມ​ມື້. ຂັບ​ລົດບ ​ ໍ່ດົນຈ ​ າກ​ວຽງຈັນ,​ ໄປ​ຫາ ສະຖານ​ທີ່​ພັກຜ ​ ່ອນ​ທີ່​ສົມບູນແ ​ ບບ ​ແລະ ມ່ວນ​ຊື່ນໄ​ ປ​ ກັບວ ​ ິວທິວທ ​ ັດທ ​ ີ່​ງົດງ​ າມ​ທີ່​ສຸດໃ ​ ນ​ປະ​ເທດ​ລາວ, ລວມທັງກ ​ ິດຈະ​ກໍາ​ກາງ​ ແຈ້ງ​ທີ່​ໜ້າ​ຕື່ນເ​ ຕັ້ນອ ​ ີກຫຼາກຫຼາຍ.

ຖະໜົນຖ ​ ືກພ ​ ະຍຸທ ​ ຳລາຍເປັນຂ ​ ຸມ ​ແລະ ​ບາງ​ເທື່ອກ ​ ໍ່ຄົດໂ ​ ຄ້ງມ ​ ີ​ຄວາມ​ ຍາວ 150 ກິໂລ​ ​​ ແມັດ ​ຈາກວຽງຈັນ​​ ເຖິງ ​ວັງ​ວຽງ. ດັ່ງນັ້ນພ ​ ວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ ເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງ​ຕັດສິນໃ ​ ຈຂໍຄ ​ ວາມ​ຊ່ວຍ​ເຫຼືອຈາກຄົນຂ ​ ັບລ ​ ົດຂ ​ ອງ ຍູໂ ​ ຣຄາ (Europcar). ອອກ​ເງິນກ ​ ັນລ ​ ະ​ຫ່ວາງ​ໝສ ູ່​ ີ່​ຄົນ, ​ລາຄາບໍ່ແ ​ ພງ​ຢ່າງ​ໜ້າ​ ແປກ​ໃຈ ​ແລະ​ ເຮັດ​ໃຫ້ພ ​ ວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ສາມາດນັ່ງເ​ ອນຫຼັງໄ​ ດ້​ຢ່າງ​ ສະບາຍ ແ ​ ລະ ມ ​ ວນ​ຊື່ນກ ​ ັບກ ​ ານ​ເດີນທາງ. ວັງ​ວຽງມີຄວາມ​ພິ​ເສດ​ຢ່າງ​ແທ້ຈ ​ ິງ. ອ້ອມ​ຮອບ​ດ້ວຍ​ໜ້າຜາ​ຫີນສ ​ ູງຊ ​ ັນ​ ລຽງລາຍ​ກັນໄ​ ປ​ແບບ​ບໍ່​ສິ້ນສ ​ ຸດ, ​ເບິ່ງຄ ​ ື​ເກີດຂ ​ ຶ້ນມ ​ າ​ຈາກ​ຄວາມ​ເລິກຂ ​ ອງ​ ແມ່​ນໍ້າ​ຊອງ, ມັນເ​ ຮັດ​ໃຫ້ເ​ ກີດມ ​ ີ​ສິ່ງມ ​ ະຫັດສະຈັນທ ​ າງທໍາ​ມະ​ຊາດ​ທີ່​ໜ້າ​ ຕື່ນຕ ​ າ​ຕືນໃ ​ ຈຫຼາຍທີ່ສ ​ ຸດທີ່ໄ​ ດ້​ພົບໃ ​ ນ​ອາຊີຕ ​ າ​ເວັນອ ​ ອກສ່ຽງ​ໃຕ້. ຕອນ​ ເຊົ້າໆ, ​ເມື່ອພ ​ ເູ​ ຂົາ​ອ້ອມ​ແອ້ມປ ​ ົກຫ ​ ຸ້ມໄ​ ປ​ດ້ວຍ​ໝອກ​, ມັນເ​ ຮັດ​ໃຫ້​ ເກີດມ ​ສ ີ​ າກຫຼັງທີ່ມ ​ ະຫັດສະຈັນ. ບໍ່ມທ ີ​ ໍາ​ມະ​ຊາດບ່ອນ​ໃດ​ອີກ​ ແລ້ວຕອບ​ສະ​ໜອງ​ໄດ້​ເຖິງ​ຄວາມ​ຕ້ອງການ​ຂ ອງ​ຄົ ນ​ ໃນ​ລັກສະນະ​ທີ່ໜ້າ​ຕື່ນຕ ​ າ​ຕື່ນໃ ​ ຈ​ຄື​ແນວ​ນີ້.

W

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

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MAKING TRACK

ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ເຂົ້າ​ພັກໃນ​ ​​ ວິລາ​ວັງ​ວຽງຣິເວີ​ໄຊທ໌, ຕັ້ງຢ ​ ູ່​ກໍ້າ​ຂວາ​ຂອງ​ ຝັ່ງແ ​ ມ່​ນໍ້າ. ຫ້ອງ​ພັກ​ສະອາດ​ສະ​ອ້ານ ​ ​ແລະ​ສະດວກ​ສະບາຍ ​ແລະ ​ກໍ່ບໍ່​​ ໄກຈາກ​ສະ​ລອຍ​ນໍ້າ, ເ​ ປັນຈ ​ ຸດ​ທສ ີ່​ ົມບູນແ ​ ບບ​​​ໃນ​ການ​ເບິ່ງວ ​ ິວທິວ​ທັດ. ພາຍຫຼັງອາຫານ​ທ່ຽງ, ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄປ​ກຮີນ​ດສ ີ​ ​ໂຄ​ເວີຣີ (Green Discovery) ​ເພື່ອພ ​ ົບກ ​ ັບຜ ​ ູ້​ນໍາ​ທ່ຽວ ທີ່​ຈະ​ພາ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ໄປ​ຂີ່​ເຮືອ​ ຄາ​ຢັກເ​ ຄິ່ງມື້. ​ເຖິງ​ວ່າ​ຈະຫາກໍ່ຮຽນຮູເຕັ ້​​ ກນິກພ ​ ື້ນຖານ​ຂອງ​ການ​ຂເີ່​ ຮືອ​ ຄາ​ຢັກ, ນໍ້າ​ຊອງມີບ ​ າງບ່ອນ​ນໍ້າ​​ໄຫລ​ບແ ໍ່​ ຮງ​​ເໝາະ​ສໍາລັບຜ ​ ູ້​ເລີ່​ມຕົ້ນເ​ ພື່ອ​ ໃຫ້ມ ​ ວນ​ຊື່ນ. ບ່ອນ​ຢຸດທ ​ ໍາ​ອິດຂ ​ ອງ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າແ ​ ມ່ນ ຖໍ້າ​ລົມ ​ເພື່ອໂ ​ ດດ​ນໍ້າ​ຫຼິ້ນ. ຕໍ່ຈາກ​ນັ້ນໄ​ ປ​ຖໍ້າ​ນອນ ລົງໄ​ ປ​ລຸ່ມແ ​ ມ່​ນໍ້າ, ໜຶ່ງ​ໃນ​ຖໍ້າ​ທີ່​ໃຫ່ຍທີ່ສ ​ ຸດໃ ​ ນ​ ວັງ​ວຽງ ​ເຊິ່ງກ່ອນ​ໜ້າ​ນີ້​ເຄີຍໃຊ້ ​​ ເ​ ປັນບ ​ ່ອນ​ພັກເ​ ຊົາໃ ​ ຫ້ຊ ​ າວບ້ານ​ໃນ​​ລະ ຫວ່າງສົງຄາມ​ອິນໂ ​ ດ​ຈີນ. ​ໃນ​ປະຈຸບ ​ ັນ ​ເປັນບ ​ ້ານ​ຂອງ​ເຈັຍ ​ແລະ ‘ຫີນ​ ມະຫັດສະຈັນຂ ​ ອງ​ວັງ​ວຽງ’. ທ້າຍ​ສຸດ ກໍ່ກັບໄ​ ປ​ວັງ​ວຽງ ພໍດທ ີ​ ັນເ​ ບິ່ງຕ ​ າ​ ເວັນ​ຕົກດ ​ ິນທ ​ ີ່​ພິ​ເສດຢູໃ ່​ ນ​ລາວ.

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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.

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MAKING TRACK

ເ​ ນື່ອງ​ຈາກ​ມຖ ີ​ ໍ້າຫຼາຍ​ແຫ່ງ, ບັນດາວັງນຳ້ ​ແລະ ​ໝູ່​ບ້ານ​ເຊິ່ງລ້ວນ​ແລ້ວ​ ແຕ່ເ​ ຂົ້າ​ໄປ​ໄດ້​ງ່າຍ​ຈາກ​ລົດສ ​ ອງ​ແຖວ​ເປື້ອນຝຸ່ນ, ​ເຊົ່າ​ລົດໄປ​ ​​ ເອງ​ກໍ່​ ເປັນອີກທ ​ າງ​ເລືອກ​ໜຶ່ງ​ທີ່​ດີ. ດັ່ງ​ນັ້ນໃ ​ ນ​ມື້​ທີ່​ສອງ​ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ຕັດສິນ​ ໃຈ​ເຊົ່າ​ລົດຖີບເ​ ພື່ອໄ​ ປ​ເລາະ​ເບິ່ງທ ​ ້ອງ​ຖນ ີ່​ . ນີ້ໃ ​ ຊ້ເ​ ວລາ​ເຖິງໜ ​ ຶ່ງ​ມື້​ເຕັມໆ,​ ແຕ່ ​ວ່ າ ​ວິ ວ ທິ ວ ​ທັ ດ ທີ່ ​ຕື່ ນ ​ຕ າ​ຕື່ ນ ​ໃ ຈ​ກໍ່ ເ ຮັ ດ ​ໃ ຫ້ ​ພ ວກ​ຂ້ າ ພະ​ເ ຈົ້ າ ​ຮູ້ ສຶ ກ​ ຜ່ອນຄາຍ​ກັບຊ ​ ີວິດ​ທ້ອງ​ຖນ ີ່​ . ​ ຊກ​ບໍ່ດີ, ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າພ ໂ ​ າດ​ໂອກາດ​ຂຶ້ນບ ​ ອນ​ລູນ ​ເຊິ່ງບ່ອນ​ນັ່ງຖືກ​ ຈອງໝົດແ ​ ລ້ວ. ‘ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວດ້ວຍ​ສາຍຕາ​ຂອງ​ທ່ານ’ ບໍລິສັດນ ​ ໍາ​ທ່ຽວພາ​ ຂຶ້ນເ​ ທິງຟ ​ ້າ​ມລ ື້​ ະ​ສອງ​ຖ້ຽວ, ຖ້ຽວທໍາ​ອິດ​ຂຶ້ນຕ ​ ອນ​ເຊົ້າ ​ແລະ ອີກຖ ​ ້ຽວໜຶ່ງ​ ຕອນ 5 ​ໂມງ​ແລງ. ​ເສຍ​ເງິນ 60 ​ໂດ​ລາ​ສະຫະລັດເ​ ພື່ອເ​ ບິ່ງທ ​ ັດສະນີຍ ​ ະ​ ພາບ​ຢູ່​ເທິງວ ​ ັງ​ວຽງ. ທຸກໆ ​ ຖ້ຽວຕ້ອງ​ໄດ້​ຈອງ​ກ່ອນ​ລ່ວງ​ໜ້າ. ​ ນ​ຕົວ​ເມືອງ​ສ່ວນຫຼາຍ​ແມ່ນລ ໃ ​ ົ້ນໄ​ ປ​ດ້ວຍ ບາ​ກິນດ ​ ື່ມບົນແ ​ ຊວຫຼາຍປະ​ ເພດ ລວມທັງຮ ​ ້ານ​ອາຫານ. ຮອດ​ມື້​ທສ ີ​ ອງ ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ຕ້ອງການ​ ຫລົບ​ໜີ​ ບັນດາ​ຮ້ານ​ອາຫານ​ທີ່ສ່ວນ​ໜຶ່ງ​ເປັນບາ​ເບິ່ງໂ ​ ທລະພາບ​ໄປ​ ນໍາ, ບໍ່ລວມທັງປ ​ ້າຍ​ໂຄສະນາ​ຂາຍ​ສະ​ປາ​ເກັດຕ ​ ີ ​ແລະ​ ແຮມ​ເບີ​ເກີ. ດັ່ງ​ ນັ້ນພ ​ ວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງ​​ໄດ້ພາກັນໄ​ ປ ສວນ​ກາ​ເຟອິນຊ ​ ີ ​ບ່ອນ​ທີ່​ເຂົາ​ ເຈົ້າ​ເອົາ​ຜົນຜ ​ ະລິດທ ​ ີ່​ສົດໃ ​ ໝ່ມ ​ າ​ເຮັດ​ລາຍການ​ອາຫານ​ທີ່​ແຊບ​ ​ແລະ ​ດີ​ ຕໍ່ສຸຂະພາບ. ນອກຈາກ​ນີ້​ກໍ່ບໍ່ຄວນ​ພາດ​ໂອກາດ​ຊີມ ​ແກງ​ກະລີແ ​ ບບ​ ພື້ນເ​ ມືອງ​ລາວ, ຊີ​ສ​ແບ້ທ ​ ີ່​ດີ​ເລີດ ​ແລະ​ນໍ້າ​ປັ່ນຫຼາຍປະ​ເພດ​ກໍ່ມໄີ​ ວ້​ໃຫ້​ ເລືອກ. ບໍ່ວ່າ​ທ່ານ​ຈະ​ມລ ີ​ ົດນິ ​​ ຍົມແ ​ ນວ​ໃດ, ວັງ​ວຽງຈະ​ມີ​ບາງ​ສິ່ງບ ​ າງ​ຢ່າງ​ທີ່​ທ່ານ​ ມັກ. ປີນ​ພູ​ເຂົາ, ການ​ເດີນປ ​ ່າ ຫຼື ລ່ອງ​ນໍ້າ​ດ້ວຍກົງເ​ ບັງ ມີ​ໃຫ້ບ ​ ໍລິການ​ຢູ່​ ທົ່ວ​ທຸກບ ​ ່ອນ​ໃນ​ເມືອງ. ສໍາລັບມ ​ ື້​ສຸດທ ​ ້າຍ, ພວກ​ຂ້າພະ​ເຈົ້າ​ຕັດສິນໃ ​ຈ ພັກຜ ​ ່ອນ​ ​ແລະ​ຊົມວ ​ ິວທິວ​ທັດຊື່ໆ, ກ່ອນ​ຈະ​ປະ​ເຊີນໜ ​ ້າກ ​ ັບອີກເຊົ້ ​​ າວັນ​ ຈັນ​​ເພື່ອເ​ ຮັດ​ວຽກ, ຫຼັງຈາກ​ກັບແຕ່ວັງວ ​ ຽງ, ​ເບິ່ງຄ ​ ື​ເປັນອ ​ ີກໂ ​ ລກ​ໜຶ່ງ​ໄປ​ 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.

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ACCOMMODATION

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A surprise attraction

ປົກກະຕິ​ແລ້ວກິລາ​ທາງ​ນໍ້າບໍ່​ແມ່ນ​ສິ່ງ​ທີ່​ນັກ​ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວຄິດ​ຮອດ​ກ່ຽວກັບ​ ລາວ. ​ແຕ່ສ ​ ິ່ງນ ​ ັ້ນ​ອາດ​ຈະ​ບໍ່ຄເື​ ກົ່າ​ແລ້ວດ ​ ້ວຍ​ສະຖານ​ທີ່​ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ​ແຫ່ງ​ ໃໝ່ ພຽງ​ແຕ່ 3 ຊົ່ວ​ໂມງ​ຈາກ​ວຽງຈັນເ​ ທົ່າ​ນັ້ນ. ບລູລ ​ າ​ກູນລີສ ​ ອດ (Blue Lagoon Resort) ​ໃຫ້ບ ​ ໍລິການ​ກິດຈະ​ກໍາ​ທາງ​ນໍ້າຫລາຍປະ​ເພດ​​ເທິງ​ ແຄມ​ອ່າງນໍ້າ​ງື່ມ ​ແລະ​ທດ ີ່​ ີ​​ໄປກ່ວາ​ນັ້ນແ ​ ມ່ນບ ​ ໍ່ມຊ ີ​ າຍ​ຫາດ​ທີ່​ຄັບຄາ​ໜາ​ ແໜ້ນ​ໃຫ້ເ​ ຫັນ. ລີ​ສອດ​ມບ ີ​ ັນຍາກາດສະຫງົບງ​ ຽບ ​ແລະ​ ເປັນ​ກັນເ​ ອງ ຕັ້ງຢ ​ ູ່​ບ້ານ​ທ່າ​ ເຮືອ, ປະມານ 20 ກມ ຈາກ​ສູນລ ​ ວມນັກທ ​ ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວຂອງ​ວັງ​ວຽງ. ອ້ອມ​ ຮອບ​ດ້ວຍ​ເກາະດອນ​ທີ່​ຍັງບ ​ ໍ່ຖືກເ​ ຕາະ​ຕ້ອງ ​ແລະ​ປ່າທ ​ ີ່​ຂຽວອຸ່ມທ ​ ຸມ, ມັນ​ ເປັນ​ການ​ພັກ​ຜ່ອນທີ່​ສົມບູນ​ແບບ​ສໍາລັບຜູ້​ທີ່​ຊອກ​ຫາ​ການພັກ​ຜ່ອນ​ທີ່​ ປະສົມປ ​ ະສານ​ກັນລ ​ ະ​ຫ່ວາງ​ການ​ຜ່ອນຄາຍ ​ແລະ ຄວາມ​ມວນ​ຊື່ນເ​ ທິງ​ ນໍ້າ. ບໍ່ວ່າ​ທ່ານ​ຄິດເ​ ຮັດ​ຫຍັງ, ​ຫຼິ້ນວິນ​ເຊີບ ​ເຮືອບາ​ນານາ​ (banana boating), ​ເວັກ​ໂບດ​ດິງ (wake boarding), ​ເຈັດ​ສກີ (jet skiing), ຫຼື ຍ່າງ​ຫຼິ້ນນໍາ​ຢ່າງ​ສະຫງົບງ​ ຽບຈາກ​ດອນ​ໜຶ່ງ​ໄປ​ຫາ​ອີກດ ​ ອນ​ໜຶ່ງ​ດ້ວຍ​ ເຮືອ​ແຄນ​ນູທເີ່​ ຮັດ​ດ້ວຍ​ໄມ້ ຫຼື ​ເຮືອຄາ​ຍັກ, ບລູເ​ ລກ​ອນມີໃ ​ ຫ້ບ ​ ໍລິການ​ ທັງໝ ​ ົດນ ​ ີ້.

W

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.

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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.

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ACCOMMODATION

ທຸກສ ​ ິ່ງທ ​ ີ່​ທ່ານ​ຕ້ອງການ​ສາມາດ​ເຊົ່າ​ໄດ້ ​ເລີ່​ມ​ຈາກ​ເຄິ່ງຊ ​ ົ່ວ​ໂມງຈົນ​ ເຖິງຫຼາຍຊົ່ວໂ ​ ມງ ​ເຊິ່ງ​ເຮັດ​ໃຫ້ທ ​ ່ານ​ມີ​ໂອກາດ​ສໍາຫຼວດອ່າງ​ນໍ້າ, ຢຸດ​ ຮັບ​ປະທານ​ອາຫານ​ທ່ຽງຢູເ່​ ທິງດ ​ ອນ​ທີ່​ສວຍ​ສົດງ​ ົດງ​ າມ ​ແລະ​​ໃຊ້ເ​ ວລາ ເພື່ອຜ ​ ່ອນຄາຍ. ​ແລະທ່ານ​ບໍ່ຈໍາ​ເປັນຕ ​ ້ອງ​ເປັນຜ ​ ູ້​ຊ່ຽວຊານ ​ເພາະວ່າ​ ພວກ​ເຮົາ​ມີ ທີມ ​ ງານ​ຜູ້​ສອນ​ທີ່​ເປັນກ ​ ັນເ​ ອງ​ຈະ​ຢກ ູ່​ ັບທ ​ ່ານ​ຕະຫຼອດ​ເວລາ​ ເພື່ອໃ ​ ຫ້ຄ ​ ໍາ​ແນະ​ນໍາ. ສິ່ງທ ​ ດ ີ່​ ີ​ທີ່​ສຸດກ ​ ່ຽວກັບບ ​ ລູລ ​ າ​ກູນລີສ ​ ອດ ​ແມ່ນທ ​ ໍາ​ມະ​ຊາດ​ອ້ອມ​ຮອບທີ່​ ໜ້າ​ຕື່ນຕາ​ຕື່ນໃ ​ ຈ. ​ເພື່ອດ ​ ູດດ ​ ື່ມເ​ ອົາ​ບັນຍາກາດ​ເລົ່າ​ນັ້ນ, ຈັດງ​ ານ​ ລ້ຽງບາ​ບີ​ຄິວ ຫຼື ຕັ້ງ​ແຄ້ມຢູເ່​ ທິງດ ​ ອນ​ໃດ​ດອນ​ໜຶ່ງ, ​ເປັນກ ​ ານ​ພັກຜ ​ ່ອນທີ່​ ດູດດ ​ ື່ມທ ​ ີ່​ສຸດຂ ​ ອງ​ຄຮ ູ່​ ັກ​ທີ່​ຊອກ​ຫາ​ສິ່ງທ ​ ີ່​ແຕກ​ຕ່າງ. ​ໃນ​ຂະນະ​ທີ່​ທ່ານ​ຢູ່​ທີ່​ ນັ້ນ, ຢ່າລ ​ ືມປ ​ ົກປ ​ ັກ​ຮັກສາ​ຄວາມ​ງາມ​ຂອງ​ທໍາ​ມະ​ຊາດ​ທີ່​ມະຫັດສະຈັນ​ ຂອງ​ປະ​ເທດ​ລາວ ​ໂດຍ​ລະມັດລະວັງສ ​ ະ​ເໝີຕໍ່ຜົນກ ​ ະທົບທ ​ ີ່​ອາດ​ມີ​ຕໍ່ສິ່ງ​ ແວດ​ລ້ອມ​ຂອງ​ທ່ານ. ລີ​ສອດ​ຍັງໃ ​ ຫ້ບ ​ ໍລິການ​ທີ່​ພັກທ ​ ີ່​ສະ​ດວກ​ສະບາຍ ​ເຊິ່ງລວມມີເ​ ຮືອນ​ພັກ​ ແບບບັງກ ​ ະ​ໂລ​ທີ່​ແນມ​ເຫັນແ ​ ມ່​ນໍ້າ. ລາຄາ​ແມ່ນເ​ ລີ່​ມຕົ້ນຈ ​ າກ 100,000 ຫາ 300,000 ກີບຕ ​ ໍ່ຄືນ. ນອກຈາກ​ນີ້​ຍັງມ ​ ີ​ຮ້ານ​ອາຫານ ​ແລະ​ບາ​ແຄມ​ ນໍ້າ, ​ເປັນ​ສະຖານ​ທີ່ໆສ ​ ົມບູນແ ​ ບບ​ເພື່ອນ ​ ັ່ງພ ​ ັກຜ ​ ່ອນ ​ແລະ​ມີ​ຄວາມສຸກ​ ກັບໜ ​ ຶ່ງ​​ໃນ​ບັນຍາກາດ​ຕາ​ເວັນ​ຕົກດ ​ ິນທ ​ ີ່​ພິ​ເສດ​ທີ່​ສຸດໃ ​ ນ​ລາວ. ​ເພື່ອໃ ​ ຫ້​ ເຂົ້າ​ກັບບ ​ ັນຍາກາດ ​ໃນ​ຮ້ານ​ອາຫານກໍ່ມີທັງອ ​ າຫານລາວ ​ແລະ ຕາ​ ເວັນຕ ​ ົກຫຼາຍ​ປະ​ເພດ​ເພື່ອໃຫ້ ​​ ບໍລິການ ​ເຊັ່ນດ ​ ຽວກັນກ ​ ັບເ​ ຄື່ອງ​ດື່ມທ ​ ີ່​ ມີ​ການຄັດເ​ ລືອກມາ​ເປັນຢ ​ ່າງດີດ້ວຍລາຄາ​ທີ່​ສົມເ​ ຫດ​ສົມຜ ​ ົນ. ຢ່າລ ​ ືມ​ ແວະ​ທ່ຽວຊົມ ​ແລະ​ໂອ້​ລົມກ ​ ັບເ​ ຈົ້າ​ຂອງ​ທີ່​ເປັນກ ​ ັນເ​ ອງ Christophe, Laurent ​ແລະ Medi, ​ເພື່ອຊ ​ ອກ​ຮວ ູ້​ ່າສະຖານ​ທີ່ໆໜ ​ ້າ​ຕື່ນຕາ​ຕື່ນໃ ​ ຈ​ ແຫ່ງນ ​ ີ້​ມກ ີ​ ິດຈະ​ກໍາຫຍັງອ ​ ີກແ ​ ດ່ທໄີ່​ ດ້​ກຽມ​ໄວ້. ບລູລ ​ າ​ກູນລີສ ​ ອດ ຕັ້ງ​ຢູ່ ກິ​ໂລ​ແມ້ດທີ 120 ​ໄປ​ທາງ​ເໜືອ​ຂອງ​ວຽງຈັນ. ນັກທ ​ ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວສາມາດ​ຂຶ້ນລ ​ ົດເ​ ມ ຫຼື ຂັບລ ​ ົດໄ​ ປ​ຕາມ​ຖະໜົນເ​ ລກທີ 13 ​ເໜືອ, ຈົນເ​ ຖິງບ ​ ້ານ​ທ່າເ​ ຮືອ ​ເມືອງ​ວັງ​ວຽງ. ​ໄປ​ຕາມ​ປ້າຍ​ປະມານ 800 ​ແມ້ດ​ ​​ຮອດ​ລີ​ສອດ. ສໍາລັບທ ​ ່ານ​ໃດ​ທີ່​ຕ້ອງການ​ຂີ່​ລົດຖີບມ ​ າ​ຈາກ​ ວຽງຈັນ, ທ່ານ​ສາມາດ​ຖີ້ມຊ ​ ີວິດ​ໃນ​ເມືອງ​ໄວ້​ທາງຫຼັງ ​ແລະມີຄ ​ ວາມສຸກຢ ​ ູ່​ ເທິງນ ​ ໍ້າ​ໃນ​ເວລາ​ພຽງສອງ​ຊົ່ວ​ໂມງ​ເຄິ່ງ. ປະ​ເທດ​ລາວ​ແມ່ນປ ​ ະ​ເທດ​ໜຶ່ງ​ ທີ່ເ​ ຕັມໄ​ ປ​ດ້ວຍ​ຄວາມ​ປະຫຼາດ​ໃຈ - ​ແລະ​ກໍ່ຍັງມ ​ ີ​ອີກຫຼາຍສິ່ງຫຼາຍຢ່າງ​ ໃຫ້ທ ​ ່ານຄົ້ນຫ ​ າ. ຂໍໃ ​ ຫ້ມ ​ຄ ີ​ ວາມ​ສຸກ.

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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

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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

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Lao Art s

© TAEC

ປະ​ເພນີແ ​ ຕ່ງດອງ​ຂອງ​ລາວ ທີ່ສ ​ ູນສ ​ ິລະປະ​ພື້ນເ​ ມືອງ ​ ແລະ ຊົນເ​ ຜົ່າວິ​ທະຍາ

Wedding Traditions of Laos at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

By Tara Gujadhur, Co-Director of the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre.

ປະ​ເທດ​ລາວ​ເປັນໜຶ່ງ ​ໃນ​ປະ​ເທດ​ທີ່​ມີ​ຄວາມຫຼາກຫຼາຍທາງ​ດ້າ ນ​ຊົນ​ ເຜົ່າ​ຢູ່​ໃນ​ພາກ​ພື້ນອ ​ າຊີຕ ​ າ​ເວັນ​ອອກສ່ຽງ​ໃຕ້, ປະກອບ​ດ້ວຍ 49 ຊົນ​ ເຜົ່າທ ​ ີ່​ຮັບຮ ​ ູ້​ຢ່າງ​ເປັນທ ​ າງ​ການ ​ແລະ ອີກຊ ​ ົນເ​ ຜົ່າ​ສ່ວນ​ນ້ອຍກຸ່ມຍ່ອຍ​ ອີກຈໍານວນຫຼາຍ. ຊົນເ​ ຜົ່າສ ​ວ ່ ນ​ນອ ້ ຍ​ກວມ​ເອົາເ​ ຄິ່ງໜຶ່ງຂ ​ ອງ​ປະຊາກອນ​ ທັງໝ ​ ົດ, ​ເຊິ່ງສ່ວນຫຼາຍອາ​​ໄສ​ຢູ່​​ແຂວງ​ທາງພາກ​ເໜືອ ​ແລະ ​ໃຕ້ ລວມ ທັງເ​ ຂດ​ຊົນນະບົດແ ​ ລະ​ຕົວເ​ ມືອງ. ​ເຖິງວ ​ ່າຫຼາຍໆຮີດຄອງປະ​ເພນີຂ ​ ອງ​ ຊຸມ​ຊົນ​ເລົ່າ​ນີ້​ຈະ​ໄດ້​ຮັບ​ອິດ​ທິພົນ​ຈາກ​ການ​ພັດທະນາ​ເສດຖະກິດ​ຢ່າງ​ ໄວວາ, ​​ແຕ່ງານ​ແຕ່ງງານກໍ່ຍັງສ ​ ືບຕໍ່ເ​ ປັນສ ​ ິ່ງທ ​ ີ່​ສະ​ແດງ​ເຖິງສ ​ າຍ​ສໍາພັນ​ ອັນດ ​ ີ​ງາມ​ຂອງ​ຄອບຄົວ, ຄວາມ​ເຊື່ອ​ພື້ນເ​ ມືອງ ​ແລະ ອຸດົມໄ​ ປ​ດ້ວຍ​ ມໍລະດົກທ ​ າງ​ວັດທະນະ​ທໍາ. ​ ນ​ເດືອນ​ກັນຍາ 2011, ​ໄດ້​ມີ​ງານ​ວາງສະ​ແດງ​ທີ່​ເອີ້ນວ່າ ‘ຈາກການ​ ໃ ກ້ຽວພາລາ​ສີ ສູ່ຄວາມ​ເປັນຍາດຕິພ ​ ີ່ນ້ອງ: ການສະ​ເຫຼີມສະຫຼອງການ​ ແຕ່ງງານ​ຂອງ​ຂອງ​ບັນດາ​ຊົນເ​ ຜົ່າ​ຂອງ​​ລາວ’, ທີ່ສ ​ ູນສ ​ ິນລະປະ​ພື້ນເ​ ມືອງ​ ແລະ ຊົນ​ເຜົ່າ​ວິທະຍາ​ຢູ່ຫຼວງພະ​ບາງ. ງານ​ວາງສະ​ແດງ​ດັ່ງກ່າວ​ນີ້ ​ໄດ້​ ໃຫ້​ພວກ​ເຮົາ​ຮູ້​ເລິກ​ເຊິ່ງ​ເຖິງປະ​ເພນີ​ການ​ແຕ່ງງານ​ຂອງ​ປະຊາຊົນ​ລາວ​ ທີ່​ມີຫຼາຍ​ຊົນເ​ ຜົ່າ​ສ່ວນ​ນ້ອຍ. ຜູທ ້​ ່ຽວຊົມສາມາດ​ຮຽນຮູ້​ກ່ຽວກັບພິທີການ​ ກ້ຽວພາລາ​ສີ​ທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍ, ຄວາມ​ສໍາຄັນຂ ​ ອງ​ແຜ່ນແ ​ ພ​ໃນ​ການສະ​ ເຫຼີມສະຫຼອງງານ​ແຕ່ງງານ ​ເຊັ່ນດ ​ ຽວກັນກ ​ ັບປ ​ ະ​ເພນີການ​ໃຫ້ສ ​ ິນສ ​ ອດ​ ທອງ​ໝັ້ນ. ໃນ​ງ ານ​ດັ່ ງ ກ່ າ ວ​ຍັ ງ ​ໄ ດ້ ​ວ າງສະ​ແ ດງ​​ເ ຄື່ ອ ງ​ເ ກົ່ າ ​ຂ ອງ​ແ ກ່ ​ທີ່ ​ຫ າ​ຍ າກ​ ຈໍານວນ​ໜຶ່ງ, ​ເຊັ່ນ “ມົງກຸດທ ​ ້ອງຟ້າ” ຂອງ​ຊົນເຜົ່າຢ ​ ້າວ​ມູນ, ທີ່​ເຮັດ​ ດ້ວຍ​ເງິນບ ​ ໍລິສຸດ ​ແລະ ​ເສັ້ນຜ ​ ົມມ ​ ະນຸດ. ຜູທ ້​ ່ຽວຊົມຍ ​ ັງສ ​ າມາດ​ເບິ່ງຊ ​ ຸດ​​ ໄໝ​ພື້ນເ​ ມືອງ​ຂອງ​ຊົນເຜົ່າໄ​ ຕ​ລາວ, ​ເຊິ່ງມີກ ​ ານ​ປັກແ ​ ສ່ວ​ດ້ວຍ​ຄໍາ​ທີ່​ ສວຍ​ສົດງ​ ົດງ​ າມ​ ​ເຊັ່ນດ ​ ຽວກັນກ ​ ັບປ ​ທ ີ່​ ີ່​ເຮັດ​ດ້ວຍ​ທອງ​ເຫຼືອງ ​ແລະ​ໄມ້​​ໄຜ່​ ຂອງ​ເຜົ່າ​ມົ້ງ. ນອກຈາກ​ນີ້​ກໍ່ຍັງມ ​ ີ​ຮູບ​ພາບ​ປະກອບ​ຂໍ້​ມູນ ​ແລະ ການ​ອະ​ ທິ​ບາຍ​ກ່ຽວກັບປະ​ເພນີກ ​ ານ​ແຕ່ງງານ​ຕ່າງໆ.

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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.

ການວາງສະ​ແດງ​ຍັງ​ໄດ້​ນໍາ​ສະ​ເໜີຂໍ້​ມູນ​ເລິກ​ເຊິ່ງທີ່​ໜ້າ​ສົນ​ໃຈກ່ຽວກັບ ພິທີການ​ກ້ຽວພາລາ​ສໃນ​ ີ​​ ປະ​ເທດ​ລາວ. ​ໃນ​ອະດີດ ​ , ຜູ້​ສາວ ​ແລະ ຜູບ ້​ ່າວ​ ຈະ​ເລີ່ມ ​ ຊອກ​ຫາ​ຄູ່​ແຕ່ເ​ ລີ່​ມ​ເປັນໄ​ ວ​ໜຸ່ມ​ແຕ່ອ ​ າຍຸປ ​ ະມານ 13 ຫລື 14 ປີ. ການ​ກ້ຽວພາລາ​ສີ​ທີ່​ເປັນທາງການ ສ່ວນ​ໃຫ່ຍຈະ​ເປັນລ ​ ະດູກ ​ ານ, ກົງ​ ກັບໄລຍະພັ ​​ ກຂ ​ ອງ​ຮອບ​ວຽນການ​ເຮັດ​ໄຮ່​ເຮັດ​ນາ. ​ເທດສະການ​ເກັບ​ ກ່ຽວ ​ແລະ​ງານ​ສະ​ເຫຼີມສະຫຼອງບຸນປີໃ ​ ໝ່ ​ເປັນໂ ​ ອກາດ​ທີ່ດໃ ີ​ ນ​ການ​ພົບ​ ປະ​ກັບຜ ​ ູ້​ຄົນໃ ​ ໝ່ໆຈ ​ າກ​ໝບ ູ່​ ້ານ​ອື່ນໆ. ​​ການ​ຫຼິ້ນກ້ຽວພາລາ​ສີ ​ເຊັ່ນ​ ການ​ ເຫຼັ້ນໝາກ​ຄອນ ​​ຂອງ​ຊາວ​ມົ້ງໂປ​ບປອບ (pov pob) ຂອງ​ໄຕ​ດໍາ ​ແລະ,​ ເຊິ່ງ​ໃຫ້ຜ ​ ູ້​ບ່າວ ​ແລະ ຜູສ ້​ າວ​ໂຕ້​ຕອບ​ກັນໂ ​ ດຍ​ອາ​​ໄສ​ການ​ຫຼິ້ນຢ່າງ​ມ່ວນ​ ຊື່ນ ​ແລະ​ທໍາ​ຄວາມ​ຮູ້ຈັກ​ກັນແ ​ ບບ​ບໍ່​ເປັນທ ​ າງ​ການ, ​ໃນ​ບັນຍາກາດ​ ຜ່ອນຄາຍ. ກໍ່ຄກ ື​ ັນກ ​ ັບຮ ​ ູບ​ແບບ​ການ​ດໍາລົງຊ ​ ີວິດຂ ​ ອງ​ຄົນລ ​ າວຫຼາຍຢ່າງ, ກົດເ​ ກນ​ ຂອງ​ພິທີການ​ສະ​ເຫຼີມສະຫຼອງການ​ແຕ່ງງານ ​ແລະ ການ​ກ້ຽວພາລາ​ ສີ ກໍາລັງ​ມີ​ການ​ປ່ຽນ​ແປງ​ຢ່າງ​ໄວວາ. ​ທຸກມ ​ ື້​ນີ້ ພໍ່​ແມ່​ຈະ​ບໍ່ຄ່ອຍ​ເຂົ້າ​ໄປ​ ຫຍຸ້ງ​ກຽ່ວກັບຊ ​ ີວິດ​ຄູ່​ຂອງ​ຄົນໜ ​ ຸ່ມ​ສາວ ​ແລະ ຜູ້ຍິງຫຼາຍຄົນກ ​ ໍ່ຈົບກ ​ ານ​ ສຶກສາກ່ອນ​ເລີ່ມ ​ ຕົ້ນມ ​ ີ​ຄອບ​ມີ​ຄົວ. ມັນໄ​ ດ້​ກາຍ​ເປັນເ​ ລື່ອງ​ປົກກະຕິ​

© Kees Sprengers

© Kees Sprengers

ສໍາລັບ​ຄູ່​ບ່າວ​ສາວ​ທີ່​ຈະ​ຄົບ​ຫາ​ກັນ​ເປັນ​ເວລາ​ຫຼາຍປີ​ກ່ອນ​ຕັດສິນ​ໃຈ​ ແຕ່ງງານ. ຍິ່ງໄ​ ປ​ກ່ວາ​ນັ້ນ, ການ​ແຕ່ງງານ​ລະ​ຫ່ວາງ​ຊົນເ​ ຜົ່າ​ໃນ​ປະຈຸບ ​ ັນ​ ໄດ້​ກາຍ​ເປັນເ​ ລື່ອງ​ປົກກະຕິແ ​ ລ້ວ ​ເຊິ່ງ​ໃນ​ອະດີດເ​ ປັນສ ​ ິ່ງຕ ​ ້ອງ​ຫ້າມ​ທາງ​ ວັດທະນະ​ທໍາ. ໃນ​ຂະນະ​ທີ່​ມີຫຼາຍສິ່ງຫຼາຍຢ່າງ​ກ່ຽວກັບພ ​ ິທີການ​ແຕ່ງງານ ​ແລະ​ການ​ ກ້ຽວພາລາ​ສີ​​​ໃນ​ປະ​ເທດ​ລາວ ໄດ້​ມີ​ການ​ປ່ຽນ​ແປງ, ສາຍ​ສໍາພັນລ ​ ະ​ ຫ່ວາງ​ຍາດຕິ​ພີ​ນ້ອງ​ຍັງ​ຄົງ​ເປັນ​ສິ່ງ​ສໍາຄັນ​ສໍາລັບ​ປະຊາຊົນ​ເຜົ່າ​ຕ່າງໆ. ພາຍຫຼັງການ​ແຕ່ງງານ, ຄູແ ່​ ຕ່ງງານ​ສ່ວນຫຼາຍບໍ່ໄ​ ດ້ສ້າງ​ເຮືອນ​ເປັນຂ ​ ອງ​ ຕົນເ​ ອງ - ​ເຈົ້າ​ບ່າວ ຫຼື ​ເຈົ້າ​ສາວ​ໃໝ່ຈ ​ ະ​ຍ້າຍ​ມາ​ຢູ່​ກັບຄ ​ ອບຄົວຂ ​ ອງ​ຝ່າຍ​ ຊາຍ ຫຼື ຝ່າຍຍິງ ກາຍ​ເປັນສ ​ ່ວນ​ໜຶ່ງ​ຂອງ​ຄອບຄົວ ຫຼື ວົງຕ ​ ະກູນ. ​ໂດຍ​ ທົ່ວ​ໄປ​ແລ້ວ ຄົນສ ​ າມ​ລຸ້ນຈະ​ອາ​​ໄສ​ຢູ່​ນໍາ​ກັນ ​ເຊິ່ງມີພ ​ ໍ່ຕແ ູ້​ ມ່ຕູ້ ຫຼື ພໍ່ເ​ ຖົ້າ​ ແມ່​ເຖົ້າ​ຊ່ວຍ​ລ້ຽງຫຼານ ແ ​ ລະ ສືບຕໍ່ຊ່ວຍວຽກ​ເຮືອນ​ວຽກຊານ. ສູນສ ​ ິນລະປະ​ພື້ນເ​ ມືອງ ​ແລະ ຊົນເ​ ຜົ່າ​ວິ​ທິຍາ ​ແມ່ນຫ ​ ໍພິພິທະພັນ ​ແລະ​ ອົງການ​ທາງ​ດ້ານ​ວັດທະນະ​ທໍາ​ຢູ່ຫຼວງພະ​ບາງ. ​ເປົ້າ​ໝາຍ​ແມ່ນເ​ ພື່ອ​ ສົ່ງ​ເສີມຄຸນຄ່າຂອງ​ຄວາມຫຼາກຫຼາຍທາງ​ດ້ານ​ຊົນ​ຊາດ​ຊົນ​ເຜົ່າ​ຂອງ​ ປະ​ເທດ​ລາວ ​ໂດຍ​ຜ່ານ​ການ​ສຶກສາ, ການວາງສະ​ແດງ, ການ​ຄົ້ນຄ ​ ້ວາ​ ແລະ​ການ​ພັດທະນາ​ຊຸມຊ ​ ົນ. ງານ​ວາງສະ​ແດງ ‘ຈາກ​ການ​ກ້ຽວພາລາ​ສີ ສູ່ຄວາມ​ເປັນຍ ​ າດຕິພ ​ ີ​ນ້ອງ’ ຈະ​ເລີ່​ມ​ເປີດໃ ​ ຫ້ປ ​ ະຊາຊົນທ ​ ົ່ວ​ໄປ​ເຂົ້າ​ຊົມ​ ໄດ້​ຈົນ​ເຖິງ​ເດືອນກັນຍາ 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.

© Gabriel Shaya

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

ຮ້ານ​ຄ້າພິພທ ິ​ ະພັນຂ ​ ອງສູນສ ​ ິລະປະ​ພື້ນເ​ ມືອງ ແລະ ຊົນ​ເຜົ່າ​ວິ​ທິຍາ ຈໍາໜ່າຍ​ເຄື່ອງ​ຫັດຖະ​ກໍາຈາກ​ຫຼາຍກ່ວາ 500 ໝູບ ່​ ້ານສິລະປະ. ​ເລີ ປາ​ຕີ​ໂອ ຄາ​ເຟ (Le Patio Café) ຍັງ​​ໃຫ້ບ ​ ໍລິການ​ອາຫານ​ພື້ນເ​ ມືອງ​ ຂອງ​ຊົນເ​ ຜົ່າ​ສ່ວນ​ນ້ອຍ, ​ເຄື່ອງ​ດື່ມ ​ແລະ​ເຄັກ. ​ເຊີນບ ​ ັນດາ​ທ່ານ​ເຂົ້າ​ມາ​ ທ່ຽວຊົມ ​ແລະ ຢ້ຽມຢາມ​ຫໍພິພິດທ ​ ະພັນ ​ແລະ​ຮຽນຮູ້​ເພີ່ມເ​ ຕີມກ ​ ່ຽວກັບ ວັດທະນະ​ທໍາ​ທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍ ແ ​ ລະ​ມະຫັດສະຈັນຂ ​ ອງ​ລາວ!

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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.

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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 ​ ະຫວັດສາດ​ອັນຮ ​ ັ່ງ​ມີ, ຄວາມ​ອຸດົມສົມບູນຂ ​ ອງ​ຜືນແຜ່ ​​ ນດ ​ ິນອ ​ ັນ ກ້ວາງ​ຂວາງ ​ແລ​ະ ພະ​ລັງງານ​ທີ່​ບໍ່ຈົບສ ​ ິ້ນ, ພະນົມເ​ ປັນ ​ເມືອງຫຼວງຂອງ​ ປະ​ເທດ​ກໍາປູເ​ ຈັຍ ​ແມ່ນໜຶ່ງໃ ​ ນ​ເມືອງຫຼວງທີ່ສ ​ ວຍ​ງາມ​ທີ່​ສຸດຢ ​ ູ່ອາຊີຕາ​ ເວັ ນ ​ອ ອກສ່ ຽ ງ​ໃ ຕ້ . ຕັ້ ງ ​ຢູ່ ທ່ າ ມ​ກ າງ​ແ ມ່ ​ນໍ້ າ ​ສ ອງ​ສ າຍ​ທີ່ ​ມ າ​ບັ ນ ຈົ ບ​ ກັ ນ , ​ເ ມື ອ ງຫຼ ວ ງ​ແ ຫ່ ງ ​ນີ້ ​ຢັ ງ ຢາຍຢູ່ ​ຕ າມພື້ ນ ​ທີ່ ​ສີ ຂ ຽວອັ ນ ກ້ ວ າງຂວາງ​ ເຊິ່ງປະກອບ​ມີ​ຖັນ​​ແຖວ​ບ້ານ​ແບບ​ບູຮານຫຼາກຫຼາຍພ້ອມ​ດ້ວຍ​ສວນ​ທີ່​ ສວຍ​ງາມ. ຕົ້ນໄ​ ມ້​ໃຫ່ຍລຽນກັນເ​ ປັນສ ​ າຍຕາ​ມຖະໜົນໃ ​ ຫ່ຍເບິ່ ​​ ງແລ້ວ​​ ແມ່ນເໝາະຫຼາຍສໍາລັ ​​ ບກ ​ ານ​ຍ່າງ​ຫຼິ້ນພັກຜ ​ ່ອນ ​ແລະ​ບາງ​ຄັ້ງກ ​ ໍ່ສະ​ແດງ​ ເຖິງກ ​ ານ​ເດີນທາງ​ຂອງ​ທ່ານ. ​ເມື່ອທ ​ ່ານ​ຄຸ້ນເ​ ຄີຍກ ​ ັບສ ​ ະຖານ​ທີ່​ແລ້ວ, ຢ່າລ ​ ືມຫ ​ າ​ໂອກາດ​ໄປ​ທ່ຽວຊົມ​ ຫໍພິພິທະ​ຕະພັນແ ​ ຫ່ງຊ ​ າດ, ພະ​ລາຊະ​ ວັງ​ເຈົ້າ​ຊີວິດ, ວັດພ ​ ະນົມ ​ແລະ​ສູນກ ​ ັກກ ​ ັນໂ ​ ຕນສະ​ເລັງ (Tuol Sleng detention centre), ຮູ້​ກັນໃ ​ ນ​ທ້ອງ​ຖີ່​ນ​ໃນ​ສະ​ໄໝ​ຍຸກຂ ​ ອງ​ພອນ​ພົດ​​ ເອີ້ນວ່າ​ເອັສ21 (S21). ສໍາລັບອ ​ າຫານ​ທ່ຽງ, ອາດ​ຈະ​ໄປ​ຊເື້​ ຄື່ອງຊື້ຂອງ​ ຢູ່​ບ່ອນ​ໃດບ່ອນ​ໜຶ່ງ, ຫຼື ​ໄປ​ສໍາ​ພັດກ ​ ັບຄ ​ ວາມ​ຄຶກຄັກຢ ​ ູ່​ບ່ອນ​ນັ້ນ, ຢ່າ​ລືມ​​ ໄປແວ່ທ່ຽວຊົມຕະຫຼາດ​ເຊັນທ ​ ຣັນມາ​ເກັດ (Central Market) ທີ່​ອັ່ງອ ​ ໍ​ ດ້ວຍ​ຜູ້​ຄົນ. ຂີ່​ເຮືອ​ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ​ໄປ​ຕາມ​ທະ​ເລ​ສາບ ຕົງ​ເລ​ສາບ (Tonle Sap) ຕອນ​ຕາ​ ເວັນຕ ​ ົກດ ​ ິນ, ​ເພື່ອເ​ ບິ່ງຂ ​ ອບ​ຟ້າ​ຂອງ​ເມືອງ​ໃນ​ເວລາ​​ເປັນສ ​ ີ​ນຳ້ໝາກກຽ້ງ​ ແລະ ​ແສງ​ໄຟ​ສະທ້ອນລະ​ຍິບລະ​ຍັບຈ ​ າກວັດວາອາ​ຮາມ​ສີ​ທອງຫຼາຍ​ ແຫ່ງຢູໃ ່​ ນ​ເມືອງຕອນ​ແລງ, ສິ່ງ​ນີ້​ເປັນສ ​ ັນຍາ​ລັກຂ ​ ອງ​ປະ​ເທດ​ກໍາປູເ​ ຈັຍ​ ຍຸກໃ ​ ໝ່. ຕໍ່ຈາກ​ນັ້ນໄ​ ປ​ທີ່​ຖະໜົນໂນ​​ ​​ ໂຣ​ດົມ (Norodom Boulevard),​ ເຊິ່ງແມ່ ​​ ນສູນກ ​ າງ​ຄວາມ​ຈະ​ເລີ​ນ ​ແລະ​ເປັນສ ​ ິ່ງຢ ​ ໍ້າ​ເຕືອນ​ວ່າພ ​ ະນົມເ​ ປັນ​ ເປັນເ​ ມືອງ​ໜຶ່ງ​ທີ່​ກໍາລັງມີກ ​ ານ​ພັດທະນາ.

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ອາຫານ​ກໍາປູເ​ ຈັຍ ບໍ່ຄອຍ​ມີ​ຊື່ສຽງຄືກ ​ ັນກ ​ ັບອ ​ າຫານ​ຂອງ​ປະ​ເທດ​ເພື່ອນ​ ບ້ານຄືໄ​ ທ ຫຼື ຫວຽດນາມ, ​ແຕ່ສ ​ ໍາລັບຜ ​ ູ້​ຮັກ​ອາຫານ, ພະນົມເ​ ປັນຈ ​ ະ​ບໍ່​ ເຮັດ​ໃຫ້ທ ​ ່ານ​ຜິດຫວ ​ ັງ​ຢ່າງ​ແນ່ນອນ. ມີສ ​ ະຖານ​ທີ່​ຮັບ​ປະທານ​ອາຫານ​ທີ່​ ດີ​ເລີດໃ ​ ຫ້ເ​ ລືອກ​ຊີມຫຼາຍ​ແຫ່ງ, ນັບແ ​ ຕ່ຮ ​ ້ານ​ອາຫານ​ຂະ​​ເໝນ ​ແລະ​ຝຣັ່ງ ຈົນ​ເຖິງອ ​ າຫານ​ແບບ​ອາ​ເມ​ລິ​ກາ, ພ້ອມ ​ ກັບບ ​ ັນດາ​ອາຫານ​ຂ້າງ​ຖະນົນ​ ທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍລາຄາ​ບໍ່​ແພງ. ​ແນ່ນອນ​ສິ່ງທ ​ ີ່​ຢາກ​ເນັ້ນຢ ​ ໍ້າກໍ່ຄກ ື​ ານ​ຊອກ​ ຫາອາຫານ​ຂະ​ເໝນທີ່ແ ​ ທ້​ຈິງ. ຂ່າວ​ດີກໍ່ຄື ທ່ານ​ຢູ່​ບ່ອນ​ທີ່​ຖືກຕ ​ ້ອງ​ແລ້ວ.

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.

ອາຫານ​ກໍາປູ ​ເຈັຍ ​ມີ​ຄວາມ​ຄ້າຍ​ຄືກັນ ​ກັບ ​ອາຫານ​ຂອງຫຼາ ຍປະ​ເ ທດ​ ຢູ່​ເຂດ​ອາຊີຕ ​ າ​ເວັນ​ອອກສ່ຽງ​ໃຕ້ ​ເຊັ່ນ​ແກງ​ກະລີ່, ບິ້ງບາ​ບີ​ຄິວ ​ແລະ​ ອາຫານ​ປະ​ເພດ​ປາ​ທີ່​ມີ​ລົດຊ ​ າດ​ແຊບ​ຊ້ອຍ. ​ໂດຍ​ທົ່ວ​ໄປ​ແລ້ວ ການ​ ປຸງແ ​ ຕ່ງອາຫານຂະ​ເໝນ ​ແມ່ນບ ​ ໍ່​ເຜັດຄ ​ ື​ກັນກ ​ ັບອາຫານປະ​ເທ​ດ​ອື່ນໆ​. ອາຫານ​ທີ່​ຕ້ອງ​ຊີມສ ​ ໍາລັບນ ​ ັກທ ​ ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ ​ແມ່ນອ ​ າ​ມົກ (Amok) - ​ແກງ ກະລີໃສ່ ​​ ກ ​ ະທິສ ​ ີ​ເຫຼືອງ, ປຸງແ ​ ຕ່ງແ ​ ບບ​ບູຮານ​​ແລະ​ເສີ​ບກັບກະທິ ​​ ສ ​ ົດ.

ແຫຼ່ງທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວທີ່ຂໍແນະນຳ | OUR PICKS ​ຮັບ​ປະທານ​ອາຫານ

ຮ້ານ​ອາຫານ ມາລີສ ​ (Malis Restaurant) ຖະໜົນໂ ​ ນ​ໂຣ​ດົມທີ ​​ 136 ເປັ ນ ​ປ ະສົ ບ ​ກ ານ​ຮັ ບ ​ປ ະທານ​ອ າຫານ​ທີ່ ​ດີ ​ທີ່ ​ສຸ ດ ​ໃ ນ​ພ ະນົ ມ ​ເ ປັ ນ . ອາຫານ​ໄດ້​ຖືກກ ​ ະກຽມຢ່າງ​ມີ​ສິລະປະ​ແບບ​ຮ່ວມ​ສະ​ໄໝ ​ແລະ​ແບບ​ດັ້ງ​ ເດີມຈ ​ າກ​ພໍ່ຄົວສ ​ ີມດ ື​ ີ​ຊາວ​ກໍາປູເ​ ຈັຍ ລູ ​​ແມງ (Luu Meng), ອາຫານ​ ທຸກຢ ​ ່າງ​ບໍລິການ​ໃຫ້ທ ​ ່າມກາງ​ບັນຍາກາດທີ່ທ ​ ັນສ ​ ະ​ໄໝ​ ຂອງສະ​ລອຍ​ ນໍ້າ​ທີ່​ໄດ້​ແຮງ​ບັນດານ​ໃຈ​ຈາກອັງກ ​ ໍ, ລວມທັງສວນ ​ແລະ ​ຮູບ​​ແບບ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະ​ກໍາ. ນອກຈາກ​ນີ້​ຍັງມ ​ ີ​ບາ​ເຄື່ອງ​ດື່ມຄ ​ ໋ອກ​ເທວ ທີ່ຫລູ ຫລາ ​ແລະ​ຕູ້​ແຊ່​ເຫຼົ້າວາຍ​ທີ່​ກ້ວາງ​ຂວາງ. ສວນ​ລະບຽງທີ່ໜ ​ ້າ​ຮັກ​ເໝາະ​ ສໍາລັບກ ​ ານ​ຮັບ​ປະທານ​ອາຫານ​ທີ່​ໂລ​ແມນ​ຕິກ.

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.

ສະຖານ​ທີ່​ພັກຜ ​ ່ອນ

ວິນ​ລາ ປາຣາດີໂຊ ​​ (Villa Paradiso) www.thevillaparadiso.com ​ເປັນ​ສະຖານ​ທີ່​ພັກ​ຜ່ອນ​ຢ່ອນ​ໃຈ​ທີ່​ໜ້າ​ຮັກ​ແຫ່ງ​ໜຶ່ງ​ຕັ້ງ​ຢູ່​ໃຈກາງ​ຂອງ​ ພະນົມເ​ ປັ​ນ, ​ເຊິ່ງບໍລິຫານ ​ແລະ​ເປັນເ​ ຈົ້າ​ຂອງ​ໂດຍ​ສອງຜົວເ​ ມັຍ​ ສານ​ ດຣາ (Sandra) ​ແລະ ຟິນລີບ (Philipp). ອາຄານ​​ຂອງ​ວິນ​ລາ​ເຄີຍ​ ເປັນເ​ ຮືອນ​ພັກຂ ​ ອງ​ເຈົ້າໜ ​ ້າທ ​ ີ່​ກໍາປູເ​ ຈັຍ. ຫ້ອງ​ໄດ້​ຮັບ​ການ​ຕົກແ ​ ຕ່ງຢ ​ ່າງ​ ມີ​ລົດນິ ​​ ຍົມດ ​ ້ວຍ​ຄວາມ​ເປັນເ​ ອກະລັກສ ​ ະ​ເພາະ​ຂອງ​ຕົນ. ນອກຈາກ​ນີ້​ ກໍ່ຍັງມ ​ ີ​ສະ​ລອຍ​ນໍ້າ ​ແລະ​ພື້ນທ ​ ີ່​ຮ້ານ​ອາຫານ, ອາຫານ​ທີ່​ແຊບ​ຊ້ອຍພ້ອມ​ ກັບເ​ ຄື່ອງ​ດື່ມລ ​ ົດເ​ ລີດ ແ ​ ລະ​ບ່ອນ​ນວດ​ຜ່ອນຄາຍສະດວກ​ສະບາຍ.

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.

ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ​ກາງຄືນ

ເ​ ຄຣຊີ 88 ຄລັບນັ່ງດືມເຫຼົ້າ ​ເລກທີ 7, ກຣາລາ ຮົມກ ​ ົງ ​​ໄນ​ຄລັບຫລູ ​ແລະ ​ບ່ອນນັ່ງດືມເຫຼົ້າ ສໍາລັບຜ ​ ູ້​ທີ່​ກໍາລັງຊ ​ ອກ​ຫາ​ງານ​ລ້ຽງ ຫຼື ພຽງ​ແຕ່​ຕ້ອງການຜ່ອນຄາຍ​ກັບບ ​ ັນຍາກາດ​ເທົ່າ​ນັ້ນ. ມີ​ເຄື່ອງ​ດື່ມໃ ​ ຫ້​ ເລືອກຫຼາກ ຫຼາຍ, ບັນຍາກາດດີ ​ແລະ​ ແອເຢັນໆ, ​ຊື່ງຕັ້ງຢ ​ ູ່​ຂ້າງ​ແມ່​ນໍ້າ​ ຢູ່ໃຈກາງ​ຕົວ​ເມືອງ.

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.

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OUTSIDE DISTINATION

​ດອນໂກ​ດັດ

(Koh Dach island), ຄວາມ​ລັບທ ​ ີ່​ຖືກເ​ ຊື່ອງຊ້ອນ​ໄວ້​ຂອງ​ພະນົມເ​ ປັນ ຢູ່​ໃຈກາງ​ແມ່​ນໍ້າຂອງ, ມີ​ດອນ​ນ້ອຍ​ແຫ່ງໜ ​ ຶ່ງເ​ ອີ້ນວ່າເກາະດັກ ​ທມ ີ່​ ີ​ຮູບ​ ແບບ​ການ​ດໍາ​ເນີນ​ຊີວິດ​ທີ່ສະທ້ອນ​ເຖິງ​​ວັດທະນະ​ທໍາທີ່​ແທ້​ຈິງຂອງ​ກໍາ​ ປູ​ເຈຍ. ​ແມ່ຍິງທ ​ ີ່​ມີ​ສີມຕ ື​ ໍ່າ​ຜ້າໄ​ ໝ​ທີ່​ລະອຽດອ່ອນ, ​ໃນ​ຂະນະ​ທີ່​ຕາມ ເສັ້ນທາງ​ຍາງ​ລົງຈ ​ າກ​ດອນທີ່ຄ ​ ັບແ ​ ຄບ ມີຄູບາ​ຄຸມຜ້າສະບົງສີເ​ ຫຼືອງສົດ​ ໃສ​ຍ່າງ​ບິນທະບາດ​ໃນ​ຍາມ​​ເຊົ້າ. ການ​ດໍາລົງຊ ​ ີວິດຂ ​ ອງ​ປະຊາຊົນຢ ​ທ ູ່​ ີ່​ນີ້​ ເປັນແ ​ ບບຢ່າງ​ ການ​ດໍາລົງຊ ​ ີວິດ​ທີ່​ລຽບງ່າຍສວຍ​ງາມ. ດອນໂກ​ດັດ ​ມີ​ໄລຍະ​ທາງປະມານ 15 ກມ ຈາກ​ພະນົມເ​ ປັນ. ທ່ານ​ ສາມາດ​ເດີນທາງ​ໄປ​ທີ່​ນັ້ນດ ​ ້ວຍ​ເຮືອ​ນັກທ ​ ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ ອອກ​ຈາກທະ​ເລ​ ສາບ ຕົງເ​ ລ​ສາບ ຫຼື ໄ​ ປ​ດວ ້ ຍ​ເຮືອສ ​ ໍາລານ​ແມ່ຂ ​ ອງ​ລໍາ​ໃດ​ລໍາ​ໜງຶ່ ເ​ ຊິ່ງດອນ​ ແຫ່ງ​ນີ້ກໍ່ຖືກລວມຢູ່​ໃນ​ຈຸດ​ພັກ​ເຊົ່າຂອງ​ແຜນ​ການເດີນທາງຂອງ​ເຂົາ​ ເຈົ້າ. ອີກທ ​ າງ​ເລືອກ​ໜຶ່ງ ທ່ານ​ສາມາດ​ເຊົ່າ​ລົດຖີບ ຫຼື ລົດຈັກຈາກ​ທ້ອງ​ ຖີ່​ນ​​ເດີນທາງ​ໄປ​ດ້ວຍ​ຕົວເອງ​ກໍ່ມ່ວນ​ດີ (ຖ້າ​ຫົນທາງ​ມີ​ຂຸມໜ ​ ້ອຍ​ໜຶ່ງ)​ ເປັນ​ການ​ແນະ​ນໍາ​ໃຫ້​ຮູ້ຈັກ​ກັບ​ການ​ດໍາລົງ​ຊີວິດ​ໃນ​ເຂດ​ຊົນນະບົດ​ຂອງ​ ກໍາປູເ​ ຈັຍ.

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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.

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Champa Holiday s News

ຈຳປາຮໍລເິ​ ດພາທົວສິງກະ​ໂປ​ ຫຼ າ ຍຄົ ນ ​ຄົ ງ ​ຈ ະ​ຄິ ດ ​ໄ ປ​ທ່ ຽ ວປະ​ເ ທດ​ສິ ງ ກະ​ໂ ປ​ດ້ ວ ຍ​ຕົ ນ ​ເ ອງ. ​ເ ພາະ​ ເປັ ນ ​ປ ະ​ເ ທດໜຶ່ ງ ທີ່ ​ມີ ​ຄ ວາມ​ທັ ນ ​ສ ະ​ໄ ໝ ​ແ ລະ ມີ ​ລ ະບົ ບ ​ກ ານຂົ ນ ​ສົ່ ງ​ ສາທາລະນະ​ທີ່​ມຄ ີ​ ວາມ​ສະດວກ, ດັ່ງນ ​ ັ້ນກ ​ ານ​ທີ່​ຈະ​ເດີນທາງ​ໄປ​ຫາ​ແຕ່​ ລະ​ບ່ອນ​ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ​ແມ່ນໃ ​ ຊ້ເ​ ວລາ​ພຽງ 5 ນາທີ ຫຼື 10 ນາທີ ​ແລະ ​ແຕ່ລະ​ ຈຸດ​ກໍ່ມປ ີ​ ້າຍ​ບອກ​ເປັນພ ​ າສາ​ອັງກິດໃ ​ ຫ້ລ ​ ະອຽດ. ​ແຕ່ສ ​ ຳລັບໃ ​ ຜ​ທີ່​ບໍ່​ເຄີຍ​ ເດີ ນ ທາງ​ດ້ ວ ຍ​ຕົ ນ ​ເ ອງ, ພວກ​ເ ຮົ າ ​ກໍ່ ບໍ່ ກ້ າ ຂໍ ​ແ ນະນຳ​ເ ພາະ​ມັ ນ ​ກໍ່ ​ເ ປັ ນ​ ການ​ທີ່​ຈະ​ໃຫ້ທ ​ ່ານຫຼົງທາງ​ໄດ້ງ່າຍໆ ​ແລະ ອາດ​ເສຍ​ເງິນເ​ ພື່ອຈ ​ ້າງ​ແທັກ​ ຊີ​ກັບທ ​ ີ່​ພັກ. ປະ​ເ ທດ​ສິ ງ ກະ​ໂ ປ​ແ ມ່ ນ ​ເ ປັ ນ ​ປ ະ​ເ ທດ​ທີ່ ​ຄົ ນ ​ລ າວ​ເ ຮົ າ ​ຄ ວນ​ໄ ດ້ ​ໄ ປ​ ທ່ ຽ ວຊົ ມ ​ໃ ນ​ຊີ ວິ ດ , ​ເ ຊິ່ ງ ປະ​ເ ທດນີ້ ຄ ວນ​ເ ອົ າ ​ແ ບບຢ່ າ ງ​ໃ ນ​ເ ລື່ ອ ງ​ກ ານ​ ພັດທະນາ​ທາງ​ດ້ານ​ການຈັດສ ​ ັນ, ຄວາມ​ເປັນລ ​ ະບຽບ ​ແລະ ທີ່​ສຳຄັນ​​ ຄວາມ​ສ ະອາດ. ​ດັ່ ງ ​ນັ້ ນ ​ທຸ ກ ​ຄົ ນ ​ທີ່ ​ໄ ດ້ ​ໄ ປກ່ ອ ນ​ອື່ ນ ໝົ ດ ກໍ່ ຕ້ ອ ງລະວັ ງ​ ການ​ຖິ້ ມ ​ຂີ້ ​ເ ຫຍື້ ອ ​ຊ ະຊາຍ​ທ່ າ ນ​ອ າດ​ຈ ະ​ຖື ກ ​ປັ ບ ​​ໄ ໝ​ໂ ດຍ​ງ່ າ ຍ​ຖ້ າ ​ຖິ້ ມ​ ຜິດບ ​ ່ອນ. ​ສິງກະ​ໂປ​ ມີຫຼາຍບ່ອນ​ທີ່​ເປັນຕາ​ໄປ​ທ່ຽວຊົມ ຊຶ່ງທ ​ າງ​ ທີມທ ​ ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວຈຳປາຣໍລເິ​ ດກໍ່ໄ​ ດ້​ເປີດລ ​ າຍການ​ທົວຄ ​ ັ້ງທ ​ ຳ​ອິດ 4 ມື້ 3 ຄືນ ຫຼັງຈາກໄດ້ເປີດເສັ້ນທາງປີນ ວຽງຈັນ-ສີງກະໂປ ຕັ້ງແຕ່ເດືອນ ພະຈິກ 2011 ເປັນຕົ້ນມາ. ​ລາຍການທົວນີ້ຈະນຳ​ທ່ານເດີນທາງໄປ ຫຼາຍສະຖານທີ່ ແບບ​ຈຸ​ໃຈ​ ສຳລັບໃ ​ ຜ​ທີ່​ມັກຮ ​ ູ້ມັກ​ເຫັນຫຼ ​ າຍບ່ອນຍິ່ງບໍ​ໍ່ 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.

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ພັກຜ່ອນ​ໃນໂຮງ​ແຮມຫຼູຫຼາ, ກິນອ ​ າຫານ​ແບບ​ ນາໆຊາດ, ຊອບ​ປິ້ງ​ ຮ້ານ​ຄ້າຊ ​ ື່​ດັ່ງ ​ແລະ ​ແຫຼ່ງທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວຫຼາຍບ່ອນ​ທີ່​ຈະ​ເຮັດ​ໃຫ້ທ ​ ່ານ​ເພີດ​ ເພີນ​ເຊັ່ນ: ​ດອນ​ເຊັນໂ ​ ຕ​ຊາ ທີ່ເ​ ນ​ລະ​ມິດທ ​ ຸກຢ ​ ່າງ​ໃຫ້ເ​ ປັນໄ​ ປ​ໃນສ່ວນ​ ສະນຸກ Universal Studio ທີ່ທ ​ ່ານ​ບໍ່​ເຄີຍສ ​ ຳ​ພັດຈ ​ າກ​ບ່ອນ​ໃດ​ມາ​ ກ່ອນ ​ແລະ ຊີງຊ້າສະຫວັນ ທີ່ສ ​ ູງທ ​ ີ່​ສຸດ​ໃນ​ໂລກ (Singapore Flyer) ​ທີ່​ ທ່ານ​ສາມາດ​ແນມ​ເຫັນວ ​ ິວທິວ​ທັດທ ​ ົ່ວ​ເມືອງ​ສິງກະ​ໂປ, ແລ້ວ​ພະຍາ​ ຍາມຊອກ​ຫາ​ວ່າ​ຍັງ​ບ່ອນ​ໃດ​ແດ່​ທີ່​ເພີ່ນ​ຍັງ​ບໍ່​ທັນ​ໄດ້​ພັດທະນາ​ເທື່ອ.​ ຖ້າກ ​ ານ​ເບິ່ງວ ​ ິວນີ້​ຍັງບ ​ ໍ່​ຈຸ​ໃຈພໍ ​ພວກ​ເຮົາ​ຍັງຈະ​ພາ​ທ່ານ​ໄປ​ນັ່ງເ​ ຮືອ​ ຊົມວ ​ ິວ ​ແລະ ທ່ານ​ສາມາດ​ຮຽນຮູ້​ເຖິງຄ ​ ວາມ​ເປັນມ ​ າ​ຂອງ​ສະຖານ​ທີ່​ ຕ່າງໆ​ໄດ້. ກ່ ອ ນ​ກັ ບ ​ພ ວກ​ເ ຮົ າ ​ຍັ ງ ​ພ າທ່ າ ນໄປ​ຂໍ ​ພ ອນ​ຈ າກ​ວັ ດ ​ເ ພື່ ອ ​ເ ປັ ນ​ ສິ ລິ ​ມຸ ງ ຄຸ ນ ​ໃ ຫ້ ​ແ ກ່ ​ຕົ ວ ​ເ ອງ ​ແ ລະ ຄອບ​ຄົ ວ ​ທີ່ ​ວັ ດ ​ພ ະ​​ແ 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 ​ ຜ​ທສ ີ່​ ົນໃ ​ ຈ​ໃນ​ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ​ເຕັມຮ ​ ູບ​ແບບ​ກໍ່ສາມາດ​ຕິດຕໍ່ ກັບທ ​ ມ ີ​ ງານ​ຈຳປາ​ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ​ໄດ້​.

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

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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 ​ ລຳ​ທ​ສ ີ ອງ​ມາ​ຮອດ

ພາຍຫຼັງທີ່ລ ​ ັດວ ​ ິ​ສາ​ຫະກິດກ ​ ານບິນລ ​ າວ ​ໄດ້​ສັ່ງຊ ​ ື້​ເຮືອບິນແ ​ ອ​ ບັດສ ​ A320 ຈຳນວນ​ສອງ​ລຳ ​ແລະ ລຳ​ທີ່ສອງກໍ່ໄ​ ດ້​ມາ​ຮອດ​ ລາວ​ເປັນທ ​ ີ່​ຮຽບຮ້ອຍ​​ໃນ​ວັນ​ທີ 2​ທັນວາ 2011 ຜ່ານ​ມາ​ນີ້​ຊຶ່ງ​ ອອກ​ຮັບ​ໂດຍ​ທ່ານ ດຣ ສົມພ ​ ອນ ດວງ​ດາລາ ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການ​ ໃຫ່ຍ ພ້ອມ​ບັນດາ​ພະນັກງານ​ວິຊາ​ການ. ຊຶ່ງ​ຍົນລ ​ ຳ​ນີ້​ຈະ​ໄດ້​ນຳ​ ໃຊ້ບ ​ ິນ ວຽງຈັນ - ຄຸນໝິງ, ວຽງຈັນ - ຫຼວງພະ​ບາງ, ວຽງຈັນ ຮ່າ​ໂນ​ຍ, ວຽງຈັນ - ບາງກອກ ​ແລະ ວຽງຈັນ - ​ໂຮຈິ​ມິນ ​ເພື່ອ​ ໃຫ້ບ ​ ິນໄ​ ດ້​ຕາມ​ເປົ້າ ໝາຍທີ່ວ ​ າງ​ໄວ້ ​ເພີ່ມຄວາມ​ສະດວກ ​ແລະ ທີ່​ສຳຄັນເ​ ພີ່ມຈ ​ ຳນວນ​ຜູ້​ໂດຍສານ​ຕໍ່ຖ້ຽວ​ໄດ້​ຫຼາຍຂຶ້ນ. ​ແລະ ​ໃນ​ວັນ​ທີ 7 ທັນວາ 2011, ທາງ​ລັດວ ​ ິ​ສາ​ຫະກິດກ ​ ານບິນ​ ລາວ​ກໍ່ ​ໄ ດ້ ​ຈັ ດ ​ງ ານ​ກິ ນ ລ້ ຽ ງຕ້ ອ ນຮັ ບ ​ວິ ຊ າ​ກ ານ​ຢ່ າ ງ​ມ່ ວ ນ​ຊື່ ນ​ ທີ່​ໂຮງ​ແຮມ​ລ້ານ​ຊ້າງ​ເພື່ອສ ​ ້າງ​ຄວາມ​ສາມັກຄີພ ​ າຍ​ໃນ ​ແລະ ຕ້ອນຮັບເ​ ຮືອບິນແອ​ ​​ ບັດສ ​ A320.

58

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

60

AC

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

Ac

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

61

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

63

LA

Vientiane Capital of Lao PDR

OS

Vientiane

Vientiane is Southeast Asia’s most laid-back capital. This city boasts outstanding French colonial architecture and low level buildings spread throughout the city, exuding its rich cultural heritage and relaxed atmosphere. Life in this pleasant capital is slow-paced. We explore this small, peaceful capital at a leisurely pace, visiting some of the finest and most important historical sites in Laos.

How to get to Vientiane on Lao Airlines?

From Bangkok, there are two daily flights. There are daily flights from Hanoi / Kunming / Siem Reap. From Ho Chi Minh, three flights a week (Tue, Thu & Sat).

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

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

Opon arrival in Vientiane, you will be met and transferred to a centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. After a short rest, we begin visiting the major sights of the capital, including Vat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Vat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha.

Enroute to Lao’s national icon, the precious and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

We’ll end the day by the Mekong riverside for a relaxing stroll and admire the sunset.

Overnight in Vientiane (B)

Day 2: Vientiane – Nam Ngum Lake

After breakfast, we head out of the city to make our way to Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir created by the damming of the Nam Ngum River. On the way to Nam Ngum Lake, we’ll stop at Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt extraction plant and a village that distills the local Lao whiskey.

On arrival at Nam Ngum Lake, we embark on a long tail boat to visit fishing villages in the various islets. We take a short walk to explore the lifestyle of the local fishermen. After that we’ll have lunch. On the return drive to Vientiane, [if time permits], perhaps you might want to experience gambling at the Lao casino located in the valley where you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the lake. We return to Vientiane by late evening. Overnight in Vientiane (B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overnight in Pakse. (B/L/D)

Code : Champa 3.1

Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package in Pakse, the southern city of Laos. You can make a connection flight on Lao Airlines flight from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Luang Prabang and Vientiane.

Day 1: Meet at Pakse airport and transfer to hotel for check-in and relaxation.

Day 2: Enjoy breakfast at hotel and free time or you may contact hotel counter for city tour yourself.

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

Pakse Splendid We explore the beautiful region of Pakse, located in the southern part of Laos, also home to the famous Ancient Khmer ruins of Vat Phou from the 5th Century and the aweinspiring Khone Phapheng Vaterfall, the biggest in Southeast Asia! The surrounding forests teem with flourishing vegetation and you will be greeted by the friendly locals as we visit a few villages. You will take a trip to the Bolaven Plateau, which will provide you with a refreshing break from the heat and allow you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea and other crops.

On Pakse on Lao Airlines flights from Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh. Direct flights are available from Ho Chi Minh to Pakse as follows: Tue, Thu, Sat – Depart at 11:45 and arrive at 13:45. Pakse to Ho Chi Minh: Tue, Thu, Sat– Depart at 09:15 and arrive at 10:45.

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

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

Luang Prabang World Heritage City Luang Prabang has a beautiful and tranquil dream-like setting with a fusion of foreign influences and splendid landscape and scenery, making this an idyllic, unspoiled and charming destination for visitors. It is no wonder this amazing city has been declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO. The ancient city was the former capital of Laos, with a reign of more than 63 kings over 600 years. Luang Prabang is known as the ‘Thousand Pagoda City’ and there are countless intriguing architectural highlights in this sleepy and once royal capital.

How to get to Luang Prabang?

Lao Airlines has direct flights from Bangkok, Chiangmai and Hanoi daily; three times a week from Siem Reap; three flights daily from Vientiane.

Day 1: Arrival-Luang Prabang Luang Prabang Free & Easy Stay-3 Days Code: CPH11 Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package in the World Heritage City of Laos which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodations in a hotel room of your choice with daily breakfast, round trip airport transfer and half day city tour.

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

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

Day 2: Luang Prabang-Pak Ou Cave On this day, we enjoy a short-guided tour to see the city’s oldest temples of Vat Sene and the magnificent Vat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture.

We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil coun-

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

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

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

Luang Prabang World Heritage City Luang Prabang Wonder-4 Days

Day 2: Luang Prabang-Pak Ou Cave

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

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

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

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

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and this day you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou, Lao Oum Village and Ban Thapene, which are Khmu villages. This then takes us to the beautiful Khouangsi Vaterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.

On the return trip to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for its silk weavings and for its Saa (jute) Papermaking. We return to the city by late evening to admire the sunset at Vat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 4: Luang Prabang-Departure Visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last reign. There will also be time for us to look around the Central Market.

After visiting these sights in the morning, there may be free time (depending on your flight) to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

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

Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam Formerly known as Saigon How to get to Ho Chi Minh City?

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

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

Day 1: Meet on arrival at Tan San Airport

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

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

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

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

Day 1:

Arrive Ho Chi Minh – CITY TOUR (L,D)

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Ho Arrive Ho Chi Minh by QV515 at 10:45.

Chi Minh (Meals: B/L)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 2: Angkor Thom (B/L/D ) After breakfast at hotel, visit South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon temples, Bapuon, Phimenakas, Terrace of Elephant and Leper King. In the afternoon, visit Ta Prum temple, Takeo, Angkor Vat temple and Vatch the sunset over Bakheng Hill, dinner and back to hotel.

Day 3: Siem Reap – Pakse/Vientiane (B) Breakfast at hotel, visit old market and transfer to Siem Reap International Airport to fly back.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jinghong-China Visit Jinghong , Xishuang Banna Located in the south of Yunnan Province, Jinghong is the political, economic and cultural center of Xishuang Banna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, which is a supernatural oasis in southwest China, while Jinghong is a bright pearl in the oasis.

Attractions in Xishuang Banna Known for its tropical flowers, plants, and garden, attractions in Xishuang Banna include the Meng Tropical Botanical Garden, tropical rain forest valley, Mengle great Buddhist monastery, Mengle cultural park, Manting park, Dai ethnic garden, wild elephant ravine, south medicinal plants garden, the virgin forest park and Mengjinglai village and more.

How to get to Jinghong?

Travel with Lao Airlines direct flight from Luang Prabang on Friday and Sunday or on a connecting flight from Vientiane.

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

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

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

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

Overnight at Jinghong.

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

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

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 – 3 Days, 2 Nights

Kunming Attraction – 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