Sabaidee Lifestyle & Travel Magazine issue 8

S ABAIDEE

LIFESTYLE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE | VOL.2 NO.8 | march - april 2013

ທ່ອງທ່ຽວຫວນຄືນອະດີດ ຢ້ຽມຊົມສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ ຍຸກອານານິຄົມ ໃນລາວ

TRAVEL BACK TO THE COLONIAL ERA

INTERVIEW WITH

CHALEUNE WARINTHRASAK

Province of a SAYABOURY: The Million Elephants

A JOYFUL TRIP IN KHAMMOUANE

free

Your complimentary copy available in Laos, Udonthani, Nong Khai and Bangkok

Director's Note

C

an you believe we are already in the third month of 2013? Time is flying by and waits for no man… or woman for that matter! Time is something that keeps everyone busy, and without time we probably wouldn’t have history, which brings us neatly to this month’s cover story.

Whenever people talk about Laos, the term ‘French Colonial’ is often mentioned, and has been a major part of the nation’s culture and history for over 150 years.

There are many interesting and colorful examples of Lao-French fusion, but none is more important and visual as the French Colonial architecture that lights up many of Laos’ cities and towns. Most people think that only Vientiane and Luang Prabang are home to French Colonial buildings, but you couldn’t be more wrong.

Also this issue, we had the chance to Interview Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Chaleune Warinthrasak to hear his views of Laos tourism and the country’s participation with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

We’d like to thank you once again for supporting Sabaidee Magazine, and hope we can give you many reasons for coming back to us with open arms each issue. Take care!

Phanhlakhone Syboonheung The Director

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ຜ່ານ​ວາລະ​ສະຫລອງ​ປີ​ໃຫມ່​ສາກົນ​ເມື່ອບໍ່​ດົນ​ມາ​ນີ້ ​ເຊ່ິງບໍ່​ຫນ້າ​ເຊື່ອ​ວ່າ​ ເຮົາ​ຈະ​ກ້າວ​ເຂົ້າສູ່​ເດື​ອນທີ 3 ຂອງ​ປີ 2013 ​ແລ້ວ ​ເວລາ​ຈັ່ງ​ແມ່ນ​ຜ່ານ​ ໄປ​ໄວ​ແທ້​ເນາະ! ​ແລະ ກໍ່​ຄື​ວ່າ​ຈະ​ບໍ່​ລັງ​ເລ​ລໍຖ້າ​ຜູ້​ໃດ​ທັງ​ນັ້ນ ​ເວລາ​ເຮັດ​ໃຫ້​ ທຸກໆ​ຄົນ​ມຸ່ງ​ຫນ້າ​ເຮັດ​ວຽກ​ງານ​ເຊ່ິງຖ້າ​ປາສະຈາກ​ເວລາ​ເຮົາ​ກໍ່​ບໍ່​ມີ​ອະດີດ​ ແລະ ປະຫວັດສາດ ເ​ ຊ່ິງ​ເປັນທ ​ ີ່​ມາ​ຂອງ​ເລື່ອງ​ລາວ​ຈາກ​ຫນ້າປ ​ ົກສ ​ ະບັບນ ​ ີ້ ​ເມືອ ່ ​ເວົາ້ ​ເຖິງ​ປະຫວັດສາດ​ລາວ ​ເຊືອ ່ ວ່າ​ທກ ຸ ​ຄນ ົ ​ເຄີຍ​ໄດ້​ຍນ ິ ​ເລືອ ່ ງ​ລາວ​ຂອງ​ ອານາ​ນິຄົມ​ຝຣັ່ງ ​ເພາະ ​ເປັນ​ເວລາ​ກວ່າ 150 ປີ​ທີ່​ຝຣັ່ງ​ເຂົ້າມາ​ປົກຄອງ​ ດິນແ ​ ດນ​ອິນໂ ​ ດ​ຈີນ ​ເຊ່ິງລວມ​ເຖິງປ ​ ະ​ເທດ​ລາວ ​ແລະ ​ໄດ້ນ ​ �ຳ​ວັດທະນະ​ທ�ຳ ​ ຕາ​ເວັນ​ຕົກ​ມາ​ປະສົມ​ປະສານ​ກັບ​ວັດທະນະທ�ຳ​ການ​ເປັນ​ຢູ່​ໃນ​ທ້ອງ​ຖິ່ນ​ ຢ່າງ​ປະຕິ​ເສດ​ບໍ່​ໄດ້ ດັ່ງ ທີ່​ເຫັນ​ຈາກ​ອາຄານ​ບ້ານ​ເຮືອນ​ເມື່ອ​ຍຸກ​ນັ້ນທີ່ຍັງ​ ຄົງ​ຫລົງ​ເຫລືອ​ມາ​ໃຫ້​ເຫັນ​ໃນ​ທກ ຸ ​ວນ ັ ​ນີ້ ​ແລະ ມີ​ຢ​ໃູ່ ນ​ຫລາຍໆ​ເມືອງ​ທ​ສ ີ່ �ຳຄັນ​ ເຊ່ິງບໍສ ່​ ະ​ເພາະ​ແຕ່ວ ​ ຽງ​ຈັນ ຫລື ຫລວງ​ພະ​ບາງ​ເທົ່າ​ນັ້ນ ນອກຈາກ​ນນ ັ້ ​ໃນ​ສະບັບ​ນີ້ ວາລະສານ​ສະບາຍດີ ຍັງ​ໄດ້​ຮບ ັ ​ກຽດ​ຈາກທ່ານ​ ລັດຖະມົນຕີ​ຊ່ວຍ​ວ່າການ​ກະຊວງ​ຖະ​ແຫລ​ງຂ່າວ ວັດທະນະທ�ຳ ​ແລະ ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ ທ່ານ ຈະ​ເລີ​ນ ວາລິ​ນທະລາ​ສັກ ​ໃຫ້​ສ�ຳພາດ​ພິ​ເສດ​ກ່ຽວ​ກັບ​ ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ​ລາວ ​ແລະ ມຸມມ ​ ອງ​ຕໍ່ AEC ຫລື ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY ຂອບ​ໃຈ​ບນ ັ ດາ​ທາ່ ນ​ທ​ໃີ່ ຫ້ການ​ສະຫນັບສະຫນູນ​ວາລະສານ​ສະບາຍດີ​ມາ​ ໂດຍ​ຕະຫລອດ ​ແລະ ຫວັງ​ວ່າ​ທ່ານ​ຄົງ​ຈະ​ຕອບ​ຮັບ​ວາລະສານ​​ເຫລັ້ມນີ້​ຕໍ່​ ໄປ​ໃນ​ອະນາຄົດທ ​ ີ່​ຍາວ​ສານ ຂໍໃ ​ ຫ້ທ ​ ່ານ​ໂຊກ​ດີ ພັນລະຄອນ ສີບຸນເຮືອງ ຜູອຳນວຍການ

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MAR-APR 2013

12 Sabaidee Guest 16 Bulletin Board 24 Sabaidee Cover 46 Lao Cuisine 54 Escape 57 Sabaidee Club

Directory & Map 58 59 60 64 66 69 70

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Map of Lao Lao’s General Information Vientiane Directory Vang Vieng Directory Luang Prabang Directory Savannakhet Directory Pakse & Champasak Directory

SA BA ID EE

Kou Yang, Ed.D., MSW.

CON TRI BU TORS

A Fulbright Scholar and Sasakawa Fellow, Kou Yang is a Professor of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Stanislaus.

With an extensive publication record on Hmong Diaspora, history and culture, the Hmong American experience, Lao culture, and the American experiences of Indochinese refugees, his essays have appeared in widely-consulted peerreviewed (national and international) journals. He is a Co-Editor of Diversity within Diaspora: Hmong Americans in the Twenty-First Century (2013). Sayaboury: The Province of a Million Elephants is an excerpt from his forthcoming book: Laos and Its Expatriates in the United States.

His other works include “Hmong New Year”(November 2011 issue of Champa Holiday) and Lao New Year. He is a native of Sayaboury and former Novice and Sanghali of Wat Sisavang Vong, Sayaboury.

Alan Wass Alan Wass is a native English speaking writer who has worked for publications across Thailand that include the Phuket Ga ze tte , P huk e t Po s t , D a y & N i g h t Magazine, The Phuketian and Top 10 Phuket, alongside some of the biggest property websites in Thailand such as Siam Real Estate and Thailand Holiday Homes.

Passionate about his job and with a quirky sense of humor, Alan is the stereotypical disillusioned writer/ editor putting words together in a certain way that resembles sentences and paragraphs.

WHO'S

Joe Williams Joseph is determined to have tried out every profession under the sun by the age of 30. A qualified accountant and parttime English tutor, travel writing seemed the next logical step. Joseph lives in Bangkok but has spent time enjoying the sights and sounds of Laos as well as other South East Asian countries.

ຄະນະທີ່ປຶກສາ ພ�ດທະລະພ�ງ ຄ�ງວິຈິດ l ວິສິດ ເ�ົາວະລິດຕານ�ນ l ມານະໄ� ອິນແ�ວ l ສ�ມໃ� ພິມຜາສຸກ CONSULTANTS Pattarapong Kongvijit l Wisith Chawalitanon l Manachai Inkaew l Somjai Pimpasouk | ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການ ພ�ນລະຄອນ ສີບຸນເ�ືອງ DIRECTOR Phanhlakhone Syboonheung | ບັນນາທິການອຳນວຍການ ເ�ດ ພິດທະຢາກອນສິນ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Gaid Kornsilapa | ບັນນາທິການບໍລິຫານ ຄ�ສວນ ຈ�ນທະລາດ EDITOR IN CHIEF Khamsouan Chanthalat | ຫົວໜ້າກຸມ ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການຝ່າຍຂາຍ ແລະ ການຕະຫຼາດ ຣຶຊຸດາ ໂ�ຄະບານ GROUP DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Ruchuda Pokabal | ບັນນາທິການ ພາສາອັງກິດ ອະລ�ນ ວາດ ENGLISH EDITOR Alan Wass | ບັນນາທິການອອນລາຍ ຂະນິດຖາ ອ�ດຕະເ�ດ ONLINE EDITOR Kanittha Attamate | ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການຝ່າຍຂາຍ ຊາຢາດາ ອະລິຍະພ�ນຈະເ�ີນ SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Chayada Ariyaphoncharoen | ປະສານງານການຕະຫຼາດ ບຸນລອດ ສິດທິພ�ງ MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR Bounlod Sittiphong | ທີມງານຂ່າວ ເ�ບພະວ�ງສອນ ບ�ວພາ | REPORTER Thepphavongsone Bouapha ຈັດໜ້າ ແລະ ອອກແບບ ນ�ດນະລີ ມາທອງ lເ�ກກະະສິດ ເ�ບພິທກ � lທະນະວ�ດ ຄ�ງແ�ນຄ� LAYOUT DESIGN Nutnaree Mathong l Ekasith Theppitak lThanawatt Khongseankhum | ໄອທີ ຈ�ກກິດ ອຸດອນພິມ WEBMASTER Jackkrit Udornpim | ຝ່າຍທຸລະການ ຂ�ນທອງ ທ�ມະວ�ງ ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT Khanthong Thammavong | ຫ້ອງການວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ 256 ບານ ໜອງບອນ ເ�ືອງໄ�ເ�ດຖາ ນະຄອນວງວຽງຈ�ນ ສປປ ລາວ | SABAIDEE MAGAZINE SALES OFFICE THM Lao Co., Ltd. 265 Baan Nongbone, Xayxetha, Vientiane Lao P.D.R | ໂທ / ແຟັກ: +856 21 454782 TEL / FAX: +856 21 454782 | MOBILE: +856 20 5512 2440, +856 20 5884 8376, +66 83 018 4076 (Thai) | ອີເມລ ບັນນາທິການ EDITOR EMAIL: editor@sabaidee-magazine.com | ອີເມລ ຝ່າຍຂາຍ SALES EMAIL: chayada@sabaidee-magazine.com | www.sabaidee-magazine.com | ເຈົ້າຂອງ ແລະ ຜູ້ຈັດພິມ ທີ ເ�ັສ ເ�ັມ ລາວ OWNER & PUBLISHER THM Lao

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All material appearing in Sabaidee Lifestyle & Travel Magazine is strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the prior written permission to the copyright holder. All articles and photographs published herein are created by the authors and photographers at their own discretion and do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher of the magazine.

Sabaidee Lifestyle & Travel Magazine holds no responsibility or liability arising out of the publication of such articles and photographs.

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ພາຣເ໌ມຊານຊສ ີ ຊກ ິ ເກນ ້ັ

ຮບ ູ ພາບນຈ ້ີ ດ ັ ແຕງ່ເພອ ່ື ການໂຄສະນາເທາ ່ົ ນນ ້ັ

ກງຸ້ແລະເບຄອນ

ແຮມແລະເຫດ ັ

ຄຣສ ິ ມາສຕເ໌ຣດເຈລລ່ີ Christmas Red Jelly

22,000 kip

ຄຣສ ິ ມາສຕໄ ໌ ຟຣເ໌ວຣ ິ ຄ ໌ Christmas Firework

ຄຣສ ິ ມາສຕກ ໌ ຣນ ີ ເຈລລ່ີ Christmas Green Jelly

22,000 kip

ເທດສະການຄຣດ ິ ສຕມ ໌ າສ ເລມ ່ີ ແລວ ້ ທ່ີ ສະເວນ ັ ເຊນ ່ັ

ຄຣສ ິ ມາສຕເ໌ຈລລໂ ່ີ ບດ ້ Christmas Jelly Boat

29,000 kip

WHERE TO FIND Vientiane Hotel:

Ansara Hotel Aroon Residence Asian Pavilion Hotel AV Hotel Avalon Hotel Avilla Phasouk Hotel Be Na Cam Guesthouse Best Western Vientiane Hotel D Rose Hotel Don Chan Palace Hotel Green Park Boutique hotel iHouse-New Hotel Inter City Boutique Hotel Lao Plaza Hotel Le Leela Hotel Mercure Vientiane Hotel New Lao Paris Hotel Parkview Executive Suites Rashmi’s Plaza Hotel Sabaidee@Lao Hotel Salana Boutique Hotel Settha Palace Vientiane Plaza Hotel

Restaurants & Cafe:

Amphone Aria Italian Blue Bananas Boutique Restaurant Chokdee cafe Common Grounds Cafe and Bakery Croissant d’Or Europe Steak House French Joma Bakery Cafe Full Moon Cafe Khop Chai Deu Kongkhao Restaurant Kong View Kualao Restaurant L’Adresse de Tinay La Bodega La Gondola Lao Garden Pub & Restaurant La Scala Fine Italian La Terrasse Le Banneton Le Cote D’Azur Restaurant L’Estaminet L’Opera Italian Restaurant Makphet Restaurant Nam Phu Restaurant and Bar Nazim Restaurant Indian NOS Sushi Bar Restaurant Osaka Hac Chao Restaurant Le Provencal Scandinavian Bakery Swensen’s Ice Cream Swedish Pizza & Baking House Shabu Shabu Tamnak Lao Restaurant Ty-Na Restaurant Xang Khoo The Spirit House Tex Mex Alexia Vista WiFi Cafe Via Via Restaurant and Bar Xayoh restaurant

Massage & Spa:

Adina Spa Champa Spa Dalah Spa Dragon Massage Happy Garden Kim Traditional Massage LV City Mandarina Body And Soul Spa Manee Spa Niyom Massage & Spa Oasis Spa Massage & Beauty Papaya Spa Shop Sabaidee Massage Shop The Spa Vientiane Thongchan Sauna and Tou White Lotus Massage & Beauty Vongdala Lao Traditional Massage

Vang Vieng Hotel:

Ban Sabai Bungalow Bee Bee Guest House Champa Lao Bungalow

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Champa Lao The Villa Chanthapanya Guest House Domon Guesthouse Grandview Guesthouse Hotel Vilayvong Inthira Vang Vieng Khampaseuth Hotel Khamphone Guesthouse Khamthavee Guesthouse Laos Haven Hotel Le Jardin Organique Malany Villa 1 Malany Villa 2 Moradok 2 Resort (Heritage) Mountain Riverview Nana Pany Hotel Phou Ang Kham 1 Hotel Phou Ang Kham 2 Hotel Popular View Guesthouse River View Bungalows Riverside Boutique Resort Santi Villa Savanh Vangvieng Hotel Silver Naga Hotel Spicylaos Backpackers Thavexok Hotel Thavikhoun Guest House Thavisouk Hotel and Resort Thavonsouk Resort The Elephant Crossing Hotel Vang Vieng Eco Lodge Vangvieng Resort Vansana Hotel Vang Vieng Villa Nam Song Villa Vang Vieng Riverside

Restaurants & Cafe: Arena Restaurant and Bar Erawan Restaurant Jungle Restaurant Khan Kham Restaurant Luang Prabang Bakery Organic Mulberry Farm Cafe Sabaidee Garden Sala Pha Deng Steak House The Terrace Vanpersay Restaurant Via Via Pizza Xayoh Restaurant

Massage & Spa: Linna Phar Massage Mandarina Spa

Luang Prabang Hotel:

3 Nagas Alounsavath Guesthouse Ancient Luang Prabang Arissara House Elephant Lodge Hotel Amantaka Hotel de la Paix Hotel de Lyon Hotel Villa Deux Rivieres Kamu Lodge Kiridara La Residence Phou Vao Lao Spirit Resort Le Bel Air Boutique Resort Le Palais Juliana Le Parasol Blanc Luang Prabang L’hotel Souvannaphoum Lotus Villa Laos Luang Prabang Oasis Luang Prabang Paradise Resort Luang Prabang Residence Luang Prabang River Lodge Luang Prabang River Lodge 2 Luang Prabang View Resort Maison Dalabua Hotel Maison Souvannaphoum Manoluck Hotel Mekong Riverview Hotel Mekong River Villa Muong Lao Riverside My Dream Boutique Resort Nam Khan Villas Resort Nam Ou Riverside Hotel & Resort Ock Pop Tok Villa Pack Luck Villa Guesthouse Phousi Hotel Philaylack Villa Rama Hotel

Ramayana Boutique Hotel & Spa Sabaidee Guesthouse Sala Prabang Sanakeo Hotel Santi Resort & Spa Satri House Saynamkhan Hotel SAYO NAGA Guesthouse Sayo River Guest House Sokdee Residence Sunway Thatsaphone Villa The Apsara The Apsara Rive Droite The Chang Heritage Hotel The Chang Inn The Grand Luang Prabang The Luang Say Residence The View Pavilion Hotel The Xieng Mouark Bellevue Resort Villa Baan Lakkham Villa Ban Lao Hotel Villa Chitdara Villa Laodeum Villa Lao Wooden House Villa Le Tam Tam Villa Luang Sokxay Villa Maydou Boutique Hotel Villa Maly Villa Nagara Villa Santi Hotel Villa Thepsanasinh Hotel Villa Treasure Hotel Luang Prabang Xangkham Resort Xiengthong Palace Zen Namkhan Boutique Resort

Restaurant & Cafe:

Ancient Kili Cafe Ancient Luang Prabang Cafe Arthouse Cafe Aussie Sports Bar and Barbeque Mekong BBQ by the Bridge Big Tree Cafe Blue Lagoon Restaurant Boungnasouk Restaurant Cafe Ban Vat Sen Cafe Mekong Fish Coconut Garden Couleur Cafe and Restaurant Dara Restaurant Delilah’s Place Dyen Sabai Galanga German Restaurant Hive Bar & Restaurant Huean Luang Prabang Icon Klub IndoChina Spirit Joma Bakery Cafe Kitchen by the Mekong La Belle Epoque Lao Lao Garden!

La Residence Phou Vao, Phou Le Banneton Cafe le cafe ban vat sene L’Elephant Restaurant Le Tam Tam Garden Martin’s Pub Morning Glory Cafe Namkhong Cafe Nava Mekong Park Houay Mixay Pizza Sasa Tamarind Restaurant Roots & Leaves Saffron Caffe Sala cafe Savanh Restaurant S Bar & Restaurant Sonphao Tamnak Lao Restaurant Tat Mor The Apsara The Belle Rive Terrace The House Restaurant & Bar The Old Town Restaurant The Silk Road Cafe The View Pavilion Tropical Garden Authentic Thai Cuisine Tum Tum Cheng Utopia Restaurant and Bar Un Petit Nid

Massage & Spa:

Angsana Spa Dhammada Massage Oasis Khmu Restaurant Spa & Massage Lao Red Cross Sauna and Massage Lemongrass Sauna and Traditional Massage Lotus Spa The Mekong Spa The Spa Garden

Pakse Hotel:

Arawan Riverside Hotel Athena Hotel Champassak Grand Hotel Champasak Guesthouse Champasak Palace Hotel Champa Residence Hotel Daovieng Hotel Dokkhoun Hotel Done Khong Guest House Houaygnangkham Hotel Imhoun Homestay & Restaurant Inthira Hotel Khone Pha Pheng Resort And Golf Club Kingfisher Ecolodge Kongmany Hotel La Folie Lodge Lankham Hotel Mely 2 Hotel Mekong Paradise Resort Pakse Hotel Phaythavone Hotel Phonsavan Hotel Pon Arena Hotel Residence Sisouk

Restaurant & Cafe:

Bolaven Cafe Daolin Restaurant Cafe Jaidee Bar and Restaurant Jasmine Restaurant Lankham Pho Pakse Le Panorama Nadao Rattana’s Restaurant The Kitchen Champasak Xuanmai

Massage & Spa: Champasak Spa

Savannakhet Hotel:

Daosavanh Resort & Spa Hoong Thip Hotel Leena Guesthouse Mekong Hotel Phonepaseuth Hotel Rattanasavanh Saisouk Guesthouse Sala Savanh Savanbanhao Hotel Savan Vegas Hotel & Casino

Restaurant & Cafe: Cafe Anakot Lao Lao restaurant Lin’s Cafe Savan Lao Deam Savannakhet iLounge Cafe

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SABAIDEE GUEST

The Way Forward Inter view with

Chaleune Warinthrasak

Executive Interview with Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Chaleune Warinthrasak catching up with the trend of Lao tourism in accordance with the coming of The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)

S

abaidee is honored to get an exclusively granted interview with Mr. Chaleune Warinthrasak, Lao’s Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism in regards to his visionary view relating to the tourism of Lao and the approach of AEC. Mr. Chaleune Warinthrasak started by saying: “Laos PDR is one of the countries that has great diversity in its touristic attractions, many of which are historical such as those beautiful temples located in Luang Prabang, which is a renowned world heritage city.

For ecclectic culture, Lao is second to none. The country is a melting pot of many races and tribes that each have their own characteristics maintaining their roots passed down from generation to generation.

For those who love untapped nature, Laos features a wide variety of natural beauty, ranging from Kon Papeng Falls, Li Phi Falls and Mahanatee Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands), for instance. What you’ll see in Laos is endless and you’ll be impressed with all of the places, for sure”.

Mr. Chaleune also added that Laos PDR being chosen to host the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2013 held in Vientiane on January 2013 has not only attracting high numbers of participants from many countries but has also helped promote the tourism in Laos. At

the end of the day, the forum has been a win-win situation for all members of the AEC as they helped promote the country to one another and this will encourage more national incomes to the members.

It’s obvious that Laos has opened its gates for crowds of tourists from many countries around the globe, as the country has come up with the slogan of ‘Laos Simply Beautiful’ that is campaigning to dramatically affect the growth of tourism.

“I would say that we’re campaigning many new attractions in our country,” said the Deputy Minister.

“In the meantime, we encourage those working in restaurants, hotels or at tourism centers to be well trained because it will entice more numbers of tourists, particularly Asians, to our country. We as a host should provide our best hospitality to the tourists with friendliness so that they will have a great time and come back again.”

Last but not least, he suggested that one should learn about different cultures when you visit different countries as it will bring up the travel in a way of cultural impressions and experience. This is why visiting Laos is always very rewarding for those travelling through our nation for the first time.

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ຕິດຕາມກະແ�ການທອງທຽວລາວ ໃ�ພາວະກາວສູປະຊາ  ຄ�ມອາຊຽນ ທີ ມ ງ າ ນ ສ ະ ບ າ ຍ ດີ ໄ � ມີ ໂ � ກ າ ດ ສ� ນ ທ ະ ນ າ ກ� ບ ທານ ຈະເ�ີນ ວາລິນທະລາສ�ກ ລ�ດຖະມ�ນຕີຊວຍວາການ ກະຊວງ ຖະ ແຫລ ງຂ່າວ ວັດ ທະນະ ທຳ ແລະ ທ່ອງ ທ່ຽວ ແ�ງ ສປປ ລາວ ເ�ອແ�ກປຽນ ຄວາມຄິດເ�ັນກຽວກ�ບ ການທອງທຽວຂອງລາວໃ�ໂ�ກາດກາວສູປະຊາ  ຄ�ມອາຊຽນ. ທານລ�ດຖະມ�ນຕີຊວຍໃ�ຮູວາ: ສປປ ລາວ ເ�ັນປະເ�ດທມີສະຖານທທອງທຽວທ �າກ�າຍ ມີທ�ງປະ��ດສາດ ວ�ດວາອາຮາມທສວຍງາມໃ�ແ�ວງ�ວງພະບາງ ທໄ�ຮ�ບການຍ�ກຍອງວາເ�ັນເ�ືອງມໍລະດ�ກໂ�ກ ສວນໃ�ເ�ອງວ�ດທະນະທ�ປະເ�ນີ ຂອງລາວກເ�ັນ�າ ສ�ນໃ�ບແ�ກ�ນ ເ�າະວາຊ�ນເ�າຕາງໆຍ�ງຮ�ກສາຂະ�ບ � ທ�ນຽມ ປະເ�ນີດງັ ເ�ີມ ໄ�ໂ�ຍບປຽນແ�ງ ເ�ິງເ�ັນເ�ກະລ�ກສະເ�າະທບສາມາດຫາຊ�ມໄ� ຈາກແ�ງອນໆ �ື ຈະປຽນບ�ນຍາກາດໄ�ຊນຊ�ມທ�ມະຊາດນ�ນກບຜິດ��ງອີກເ�ນ ກ�ນ ເ�າະໃ�ປະເ�ດລາວຍ�ງມີແ�ງ ທອງທຽວທາງທ�ມະຊາດທມີຄວາມອຸດມ � ສ�ມບູນ ແ�ະ �າສ�ນໃ�ອີກ�າຍ ແ�ງເ�ັນວາ ນ�ຕ�ກຕາດຄອນພະເ�ງ ນ�ຕ�ກຕາດ�ຜີ ມາຫານະທີສພ�ນດອນເ�ັນຕ�ນ ຖືວາມາລາວເ�ອ ື ດຽວທຽວສະ�ກ ຸ ຄ�ບຖວນໄ�ອ�ດທະລ�ດ ນອກຈາກນ ທານ ຈະເ�ີນ ຍ�ງໃ�ຄວາມເ�ັນເ�ມເ�ີມກຽວກ�ບເ�ອງນອີກວາ “ການ ທ ສປປ ລາວ ໄ�ເ�ັນເ�າພາບໃ�ການຈ�ດງານມະຫະກ�ທອງທຽວອາຊຽນ 2013 (ASEAN TOURISM FORUM 2013) ຢູນະຄອນ�ວງວຽງຈ�ນເ�ອກາງເ�ືອນ ມັງກອນ 2013 ທີ່ ຜ່ານ ມາ ເຊ່ິງມີ ຄະນະ ຜູ້ ແທນ ຈາກ ທົ່ວ ໂລກ ມາ ຮ່ວມ ງານ ຫລາຍ ພໍສ�ມຄວນ ຈງນ�ບວາເ�ັນໂ�ກາດທຊາວຕາງປະເ�ດຈະໄ�ຮູຈ�ກປະເ�ດລາວ�າຍ ຂນໃ�ແ�ມຸມຕາງໆ ງານໃ�ຄ�ງນ ເ�ັນການຊວຍເ�ືອເ�ິງກ�ນ ແ�ະ ກ�ນຂອງບ�ນດາ ສະມາຊິກອາຊຽນ ເ�ິງຈະຊວຍສ�ງເ�ີມ ແ�ະ ກະຈາຍລາຍໄ�ດານການທອງທຽວໄ� ສູບ�  ນດາປະເ�ດສະມາຊິກ” ເ�ອປະເ�ດລາວເ�ີດປະຕູຕອນຮ�ບນ�ກທອງທຽວ ແ�ນອນວາຈະມີນ�ກທອງທຽວໃ� ອາຊີ ແ�ະ ຈາ ກທົວ ທຸກ ມຸມ ໂ�ກ ��ງ ໄ� ເ�າມາ ທຽວ ຊ�ມ ຄວາມ ງ�ດ ງາມ ຂອງ ລາວ ຕາມ ຄ�ຂວ�ນທວາ ລາວດິນແ�ນສວຍງາມ “LAOS SIMPLY BEAUTYFUL” ທາງ ລ�ດຖະບານກຕອງໃ�ຄວາມສ�ຄ�ນກ�ບນະໂ�ບາຍທຈະຊວຍພ�ດທະນາການທອງທຽວ ເ�ອຮອງຮ�ບການຂະ�າຍຕ�ວຢາງວອງໄ� “ສ�ລ�ບປະເ�ດລາວເ�ງກມີໂ�ງການທຈະພ�ດທະນາແ�ງ ທອງທຽວໃ�ໆ  ເ�ມຂນ ມີ ການຝຶກອ�ບຮ�ມບຸກຄະລາກອນທ�ງພະນ�ກງານໂ�ງແ�ມ ແ�ະ ຮານອາຫານເ�ອຕອນຮ�ບ ນ�ກທອງທຽວ ພ�ດທະນາຜະລິດຕະພ�ນເ�ອ ື ການທອງທຽວເ�ອຮອງຮ�ບການກາ ວເ�າສູ ປະຊາຄ�ມອາຊຽນ ເ�ງແ�ນ  ອນວາຈະມີນ�ກທອງທຽວຊາວອາຊຽນ�ງ� ໄ�ກ�ນເ�າມາ ທອງທຽວໃ�ລາວ�າຍຂນ” “ຍງໄ�ກວານ�ນ ຄ�ນລາວເ�ງໃ�ຖານະເ�າຂອງບານກຄວນທ�ຕ�ວເ�ັນເ�າພາບທດີ ມີຄວາມພອມໃ�ການຕອນຮ�ບນ�ກທອງທຽວ ມີອ�ດທະຍາໃ�ດີ ຍມແ�ມແ�ມໃ� ລວມ ໄ�ເ�ິງການສາງຄວາມປະທ�ບໃ�ແ�ຜູເ�າມາຢຽມຢາມ” ທານ ຈະເ�ີນ ກາວ ຢາງໃ�ກດີ ທານ ຈະເ�ີນ ກຢາກຈະຝາກເ�ິງນ�ກທອງທຽວວາ ເ�ລາໄ�ທຽວຕາງ ບານ ຕາງ ເ�ືອງ ແ�ວ ໄ� ພ�ບ ເ�ັນ ��ງ ທ ແ�ກ ຫູ ແ�ກ ຕາ ໄ� ແ�ກ ຄວນ ສຶກສາ ແ�ະ ທ�ຄວາມເ�າໃ�ໃ�ຂະ��ບທ�ນຽມ ວ�ດທະນະທ�ຂອງແ�ລະແ�ງ ເ�ິງຈະເ�ັດໃ� ບ�ນດາທານໄ�ຊຶມຊ�ບ ແ�ະ ເ�າໃ�ເ�ິງວ�ດທະນະທ�ປະເ�ນີຂອງສະຖານທນ�ນໆ ເ�ິງນ�ບວາເ�ັນ ປະສ�ບການທອງທຽວໃ�ແ�ບວ�ດທະນະທ�ທມີຄຸນຄາ ເ�ງທຸກວ�ນນ ມີໃ�ສ�ຜ�ດບ�າຍແ�ວ

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: 021 - 453 801 - 2 : 021 - 453 777

: ( Call Center 1400 ) : ( Call Center 1400 )

applE TrEE groUp sET To dEBUT lUxUry lodgE in Bagan PR BULLETINS

Bagan Lodge offers upscale accom Its principal restaurant, the Tiffin Box, modation near ancient temples delivers a range of culinary fare from authentic Burmese to western cuisine.

BAGAN, Myanmar (Feb. 6, 2013) — Afternoon tea is served in the Lobby Apple Tree Group is targeting April Lounge, and the Pool Bar offers up snacks 15 for the soft opening of the highly and cocktails. anticipated tented luxury lodge located in the heart of historic Bagan.

Beyond the restaurant, the Lodge features a spa, a 20-meter pool and travel desk Located near the eastern shore of the for guests to book local excursions and legendary Irrawaddy River, the property onward flights. offers 85 air-conditioned rooms in three classes of accommodation, “Bagan is the hottest travel destination in ranging from 261 square meters for the Southeast Asia,” said Kurt Walter, Group Courtyard Suite, to 72 square meters for General Manager at the Apple Tree Group. the Deluxe Tented Rooms. The hotel’s “Myanmar culture is on every traveler’s design aesthetic melds classic Burmese radar screen, and Bagan is going to emerge brick design with contemporary as the hottest attraction in the country.” flourishes and tented roofs.

Experience the wonderful feeling of peace and serenity at Dalah Spa

Relax and pamper yourself with our luxurious spa treatments: Relaxing Massage Therapeutic Massage Aroma Massage Milky Body Massage Sport Massage Hot Stone Massage Four Hands Massage Lao Traditional Massage

Hot Herbal Massage Indian Head Massage Anti-Stress Back, Neck & Shoulder Body Scrub / Body Mask Ear & Belly Button Candling Facial Treatment Waxing Treatment Dalah Spa Course or Package and many more...

140 Ban Phonsavanh Tai, Hom 3 Khouvieng Road, Sisattanak District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR Tel.+856-21-285 125 Fax.+856-21-285 126. E-mail:dalahspa@gmail.com www.facebook.com/dalah.spa

lUang praBang lao opEn 2013 THM Lao proudly presents the biggest golf professional tournament in Lao, the Luang Prabang Lao Open 2013 . This is the second year of the event, and is mainly organized by Luang Prabang Governor Dr. Khampheng Saysompheng with his primarily goals to promote tourism in Lao, help develop Lao’s golf industry and provide opportunities for youngsters to participate in this prestige event and earn the valuable experience towards becoming the professional golfers of the future. See the Asian Golf superstars in action at Luang Prabang Golf Club on 24-27 April 2013. Free entry throughout the tournament.

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TBEC Unveils Biogas plant Vientiane, Lao PDR / February 5,2013 - Thai Biogas Energy Company (TBEC), the leading developer of biogas projects in Thailand, and the Laos-based Laolndochina Group Public Company (LtG) have officially opened the TBEC LIG Biogas project - Laos' first-ever industrial scale biogas plant that converts wastewater from cassava flour factories into energy.

The 130 million baht project, financially backed by European Development Finance institutions and EEP Mekong, was launched today in a ceremony presided by H.E. Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR and is capable of producing 7 million cubic meters of biogas per annum - representing the equivalent of 40 million baht in energy from traditional sources and a 60,000 ton reduction in annual greenhouse gas emission.

Mr. Gustaf Godenhielm, Managing Director of Thai Biogas Energy Company, was on hand to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister.

"TBEC is very experienced in the production of biogas and electricity using wastewater from factories.

We have 7 operating projects in the region and intend to grow by three new projects each year,� said Mr. Godenhielm. “We have proven our ability to deliver safe, top-quality, award-winning projects in Thailand and overseas. We offer cost saving for our clients and the ability to focus on their core business without worrying about their wastewater treatment, discharge or the safety of their biogas project.

The projects we build ensure efficient wastewater treatment, eliminate the pungent smell of open ponds, improve the living conditions of nearby people, protect water resources, protect the livelihood of locals, improve air quality, provide a clean fuel and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are Acting Now for a Sustainable Future."

Situated in Naxon Village, Pakngum, Vientiane, the TBEC LIG Biogas project is a collaboration between us and Lao-Indochina Group Public Company. Together, we have developed a large-scale biogas plant equipped with the most advanced technologies yet seen in Laos.

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PR BULLETINS

Vientianale International Film Festival 2013 Vientiane’s International Film Festival “Vientianale” is back for the third time from 26 February to 2 March 2013. Over five evenings, the Vientianale will screen a wide range of new Lao and international movies at the National Circus. In addition there will be two daytime screenings at the Cinema Department aimed at students and children.

Thanks to generous donations by the German, US, Swiss and Japanese embassies, the French Institute, the Banque Franco Lao, DVV International, the film society of Kunstsalon Koeln this cultural event will be entirely free for the people of Vientiane and the international community. The organising committee consists of a group of dedicated film lovers and counts Lao, French, German, Spanish and Japanese residents in Vientiane working in close association with the Lao organisation Doklao (PADETC).

The Cinema Department of the Ministry of Culture and Information also fully supports the film festival.

ລາວ ໂທລະຄົມ ມອບເງິນຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອ ໃຫ້ສະມາຄົມເພື່ອຄົນໂອທິສຕິກ ໃນຕອນ​ເຊົ້າ​ຂອງວັນທ ​ ີ: 4 ກຸມພາ 2013 ທີ່​ຜ່ານ​ມາ ລາວ ​ໂທລະ​ຄົມ​ ໄດ້​ມອບ​ເງິນຊ ​ ່ວຍ​ເຫຼືອໃ ​ ຫ້ສະມາຄົມເ​ ພື່ອຄ ​ ົນໂ ​ ອ​ທິສຕິກ ນະຄອນຫຼວງ​ ວຽງ​ຈັນ. ​ໃຫ້​ກຽດ​ມອບ​ໂດຍ​ແມ່ນ ທ່ານ ຖາວອນ ສົມສ ​ ະກຸນ ຫົວໜ້າ​ ພະ​ແນ​ກບໍລິຫານ ຂອງ ລາວ ​ໂທລະ​ຄົມ, ​ແລະ ຮັບ​ໂດຍ ທ່ານ ນາງ ວຽງ​ຊໍາ ສໍອ ​ ິນໄ ​ ຊ ປະທານ​ສະມາຄົມເ​ ພື່ອຄ ​ ົນໂ ​ ອ​ທິສຕິກ ນະຄອນຫຼວງ​ ວຽງ​ຈັນ ພ້ອມ​ດ້ວຍ​ຄະນະ ແລະ ມີນ້ອງໆ​ຜເູ້​ ປັນໂ ​ ອ​ທິສຕິກເ​ ຂົ້າ​ຮ່ວມ​ ຮັບ​ດ້ວຍ. ​ເ ງິ ນ ​ທີ່ ​ນໍ າ ​ມ າ​ມ ອບ​ໃ ນ​​ຄັ້ ງ ນີ້ ​, ​ເ ພື່ ອ ເປັ ນ ​ກ ານ​ປ ະກອບສ່ ວ ນ​ຊ່ ວ ຍ​ ເຫຼື ອ ​ສັ ງ ຄົ ມ ​​ເ ວົ້ າ ​ລ ວມ,​ເ ວົ້ າ ​ສ ະ​ເ ພາະ​ກໍ ​ຄື ​ນ້ ອ ງໆ​ຜູ້ ​ເ ປັ ນ ​ໂ ອ​ທິ ສ ຕິ ກ​ ແລະ ເປັນກ ​ ານ​ໃຫ້​ກໍາລັງໃ ​ ຈ​ບັນດາ​ອາຈານ​ຜູ້​ຝຶກສອນ ​ແລະ ​ເຝຶກ​ ແອບບັນດານ້ອງໆ​​​ເຫຼົ່າ​ນັ້ນ​​ໃຫ້​ມີພັດທະນາ​ການເໜືອ​ຍຄົນ​ປົກກະຕິ​​ ທົ່ວ​ໄປ ແ ​ ລະ ເ​ ຮັດ​ໃຫ້​ເຂົາເ​ ຈົ້າ​ສາມາດ​ຊ່ວຍ​ເຫຼືອຕົນເ​ ອງ​ໄດ້​​.

Axel de Boynes Named General Manager of Villa Maly & Kamu Lodge Luang Prabang's Villa Maly and its upstream sister property, Kamu Lodge Experience, welcomed a new general manager last week as parent company Apple Tree Group put Axel de Boynes in charge of the group’s Laotian hospitality properties from Feb. 14.

Since 2009, the group has also operated a lunch and dinner cruise on the Mekong River, the Nava Mekong.

Boynes has more than 16 years of hospitality experience with luxury properties in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Since arriving early in 2012 as operations manager for Apple Tree Group in Laos, Boynes has leveraged his considerable expertise toward raising the profile of the group's Laotian properties among travellers and within the industry.

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The anchoring villa at Villa Maly was built in 1938 by His Royal Highness Khamtan Ounkham, a grandson of King Kham Souk Zakarine, and the first of his seven wives, Queen Pheng.

The property was restored and re-opened as a 33-room heritage hotel by Apple Tree Group in 2007.

Kamu Lodge Experience is a 20-room ecoresort located 35 kilometers upstream from Luang Prabang. Each lodge is a hybrid affair, part-safari tent and part-thatched sala.

Solar panels power lights and fans, and heat water for hot showers. The lodge celebrates an earthy, authentic experience reminiscent of the Laos that greeted famed explorer Henri Mouhot when he traveled through the region in the 1860s.

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SR T H OST S “M USIC O N A TRAI N ” PAR TY Easy-listening music, a luxury train, the lush green forests of Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province, and an enjoyable crowd – all the ingredients that went into the Music on a Train party, hosted by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) over the weekend of February 9–10, 2013.

The 2-day party saw over 100 members of the press and public enjoying Kanchanaburi’s natural and historical attractions, enjoying various adventurous activities, and attending a special concert in the countryside of the province.

Saturday morning (February 9) at dawn the lucky attendees left Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong’s station on SRT’s recently launched renovated train, which comes equipped with luxurious and modern amenities, including meeting and karaoke rooms.

The train made an early stop at Phra Pathom Chedi – Thailand’s largest pagoda – and the crowd was welcomed by Pol Kumvijit, Chief of Advertising and Tourism Service Division for SRT. The train then continued on its route, stopping finally for a group lunch at Suan Saiyok Adventure and Historical Resort, next to the Krasae Cave Station. The journey was accompanied by plenty of music, as celebrity singers such as Tem (a member of one of Thailand’s formerly famous boy bands), began performing with a live accompanying band.

After lunch the crowd was offered a choice of various activities, including tower jumping, bamboo rafting, and visiting Krasae Cave, which lies just 400 meters away from the resort. That evening a beautiful fireworks display marked the official opening of the party, and was followed by SRT’s officials thanking both the sponsors and the crowd. The concert then got underway, as local bands such as 20

Calories Blah Blah took turns entertaining the crowd well into the night.

The next morning the crowd moved on to donating clothes, sport equipment, and other necessary items to needy children at the nearby Baan Phutoei School. Following that, the next stop was the famous WWII’s Konyu Cutting Hell Fire Memorial, a part of the famous ‘Death Railway’, where Allied prisoners of war (POWs), and Asian labourers alike, suffered and died after being forced by the Japanese to finish building the railway leading to Myanmar.

The final stop, before returning to Bangkok, was at the 100-year-old Pak Phraek community, famous for local delicacies served in floating river restaurants.

Besides the eye catching architecture – the traditional shop houses are built from cement mixed with sticky rice and adorned by fine carving and stuccos – the community is also the home of Kanchanaburi’s WWII hero, Boonpong Sirivejjabhandu, a Thai merchant and member of the underground “V” Organization, who worked with ”Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop to secretly supply food, medicine, and money to the Allied POWs working on the Death Railway.

The above itinerary is one of the several day and 2-day trip packages offered by SRT. For more information, visit www.railway.co.th or call the Advertising and Tourism Service Division at +66 (0)2 220 4273.

Sabaidee Cover

TRAVEL

BACK

TO THE COLONIAL ERA

One of the most appealing and aesthetically pleasing factors of visiting Laos is the unusual mix of cultures.

Although many parts of the world were colonized during the 19th century, or more honestly, taken over by European nations who were trailblazing planet Earth at the time, you can still see the remnants and taste the flavor of the French colonization of Laos.

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The moment you step foot onto the streets of the capital, Vientiane, or the World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, you immediately notice that some of the buildings seem out of place for an Asian country‌ and you would be right!

French architecture from the colonization period does really give these two cities another dimension in terms of not only diversity, but in a colorful and intriguing manner. It’s not just the two main tourist cities in Laos that have been touch by French architecture, while also other destinations such as Thakaek, Savannakhet, Salavan, Pakse, Champasak and Si Pan Don have colonial architectural influences.

ທ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ​ຫວນ​ຄືນ​ອະດີດ ຢ້ຽມ​ຊົມ​ສະຖາ​ປັດຕະຍະ​ກຳ​ ຍຸກ​ອານ​ານິຄົມ ໃນ​ລາວ

​ ນ​ລະຫວ່າງ​ສະຕະວັດທ ໃ ​ ີ 19 ປະ​ເທດ​ຕາ​ເວັນ​ ຕົກ​ໄດ້ເ​ ຂົ້າມາ​ລ່າອ ​ ານາ​ນິຄົມໃ ​ ນ​ຝັ່ງຕ ​ າ​ເວັນ​ອອກ ​ ແລະ ໄ ​ ດ້ຖ ​ ິ້ມ ຮ່ອງຮອຍ​ທາງ​ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ ຮູບ​ແບບ​ໂຄ​ໂລ​ນຽວ​ເອົາ​ໄ​ວ້ຫລາກຫລາຍ ລາວ​ ກໍເ່​ ປັນອ ​ ີກປ ​ ະ​ເທດ​ຫນຶ່ງທີປ ່​ ະ ຈຸບ ​ ັນນ ​ຍ ີ້​ ັງປ ​ າກົດ​ ເຫັນອ ​ າຄານ​ບ້ານ​ເຮືອນ​ແບບ​ຕາ​ເວັນ​ຕົກທ ​ ມ ີ່​ ີ​ສະ​ ເຫນ​ງົດງ​ າມ​ເຫລືອໄ ​ ວ້​ໃຫ້ເ​ ບ່ິງ ແ ​ ລະ ກາຍ ເ​ ປັນ​ ຈຸດຂາຍ​ທາງ​ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ​ຕາມ​ເມືອງ​ສຳຄັນ​ ຕ່າງໆ​ທົ່ວ​ປະ​ເທດ​ນັບຕ ​ ັ້ງແ ​ ຕ່​ນະຄອນ​ຫລວງ​ວຽງ​ ຈັນ ຫລວງ​ພະ​ບາງ ທ່າແ ​ ຂກ ສະຫວັນນະ​ເຂດ ຈຳປາ​ສັກລົງໄ ​ ປ​ຈົນ​ເຖິງສ ​ ່ພ ີ​ ັນດ ​ ອນ

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French Colonization History of Laos France seized control of most of present-day Laos from Siam in 1893 and gained the rest in 1907. The French administered the kingdom of Luang Prabang indirectly through its king, while French officials directly administered the rest of the country.

They did little to develop Laos, which became the sleepy backwater of Indochina.

During World War II (1939-1945) Japan stationed troops in Indochina under an agreement with the French, who maintained their administration throughout most of the war. In the last six months of the war the Japanese seized control of Indochina and interned French officials and troops. The Japanese granted Laos nominal independence in 1945.

After Japan and its allies lost the war, a nationalist movement known as the Lao Issara (Free Laos) formed an independent government in Laos. However, France reoccupied Laos the following year, and the nationalists fled to Thailand. The French unified their Lao territories into a single country with the king of Luang Prabang, Sisavang Vong, as head of state. Under French supervision, the new government adopted a constitution and joined the French Union.

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In 1949 France granted Laos partial independence and extended an offer of amnesty to the nationalists in exile, most of who returned to the country. A few dissidents under the leadership of Prince Souphanouvong, however, allied themselves with the forces of the pro-Communist Vietnamese liberation movement known as the Viet Minh, who were still fighting the French. The Lao dissidents called their movement Pathet Lao (Lao State). When Viet Minh forces invaded Laos in 1953, they handed over large areas of the country to the Pathet Lao. France accorded Laos full independence in 1953 as a constitutional monarchy, the Kingdom of Laos. Delegates to the 1954 Geneva Conference, who were negotiating France’s withdrawal from Indochina at the end of the First Indochina War (1946-1954), endorsed the country’s independent status.

ການ​ເຂົ້າຍຶດຄອງ​ລາວ​ຂອງ​ຝຣັ່ງ ຝຣັ່ງເ​ ລີ່​ມ​ເຂົ້າມາ​ທຳ​ການ​ຍຶດຄອງ​ປະ​ເທດ​ລາວ​ ບາງ​ສ່ວນ​ໃນ​ປີ 1893 ​ແລະ ຈາກ​ນັ້ນກໍຄ ່​ ອບ​ຄອງ​ ປະ​ເທດ​ລາວ​ທັງຫ ​ ມົດໄ ​ ດ້​ໃນ​ປີ 1907 ​ແຕ່​ບໄ ໍ່​ ດ້ ​ໃຫ້ຄ ​ ວາມ​ສົນໃ ​ ຈ​ຕກ ໍ່​ ານ​ພັດທະນາ​ເທົ່າ​ໃດ ຈົນ​ ເຂົ້າສູສ ່​ ົງຄາມ​ໂລກ​ຄັ້ງທີ 2 ລະຫວ່າງ​ປີ 19391945 ກອງທັບຍ ​ ີ່ປຸ່ນໄ ​ ດ້ບ ​ ຸກເ​ ຂົ້າມາ​ໃນ​ລາວ ​ດິນ​ ແດນ​ອິນໂ ​ ດ​ຈີນ ຝຣັ່ງ ແ ​ ລະ ອື່ນໆ ເ​ ມື່ອໃ ​ ກ້ສ ​ ິ້ນສຸດ​ ສົງຄາມ​ຂະ​ບວນການ​ລາວ​ອິດສະຫລະ​​ເຊິ່ງ​ ເຄື່ອນ​ໄຫວ​ທາງ​ການ​ເມືອງ​ເພື່ອກ ​ ເູ້​ ອກະລາດ ລາວ​ໃນ​ເວລາ​ນັ້ນ ບວກ​ກັບກ ​ ານ​ປົດປ ​ ່ອຍ​ ຫວຽດນາມ​ໄດ້ສ ​ ັ່ນຄ ​ ອນ ອຳນາດ​ຝຣັ່ງຍອມ​ໃຫ້​ ລາວ​ປະກາດ​ເອກະ ລາດ​ບາງ​ສ່ວນ​​ໃນ​ປີ 1949 ​ ແລະ ໄ ​ ດ້ຮ ​ ັບ​ເອກະລາດ​ສົມບູນໃ ​ ນ​ປີ 1953

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French colonial architecture in Laos

In contrast to the situation in neighboring Vietnam and Cambodia, the French colonial government in Laos had little money for infrastructural development and was therefore unable to fund the construction of large French-style buildings on the same scale as neighboring countries. However, French colonial architecture still made a modest impact in most major towns and cities.

Prior to the arrival of the French, Vientiane comprised ramshackle collections of mainly wooden or bamboo stilted houses with thatched roofs, grouped around the overgrown ruins of former temples and palaces. The first major French building to be constructed in the city was the Résidence superior (1900), strategically sited within the former royal palace compound.

The colonial government buildings were also constructed throughout this period in other urban centers such as Luang Prabang, Thakhek, Savannakhet and Pakse.

In addition to government buildings, the French also built two-storey brick and stucco villas with pitched tile roofs and wooden shuttered windows in every major centre of population to accommodate the colonial administrators and their families. However, as elsewhere in the Indochinese colonies, provincial French design was modified to suit the hot and humid tropical climate through the addition of balconies, verandahs and internal corridors. Construction was entrusted mainly to migrant Vietnamese laborers, who also built their own two-storey shop houses in designated areas.

Today, in modern Laos, the remnants of the French colonial era remains right across the country although the buildings have received the maintenance needed because of the high costs. However, such French architectural brilliance is still very interesting, especially for history buffs and culture vultures.

ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ຮູບ​ແບບ​ຝຣັ່ງໃ ​ ນ​ລາວ ເ​ ຖິງຈ ​ ະ​ບໃ ໍ່​ ຫຍ່ໂ ​ ຕ​ທຽບ​ເທົ່າ​ກັບສ ​ ະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ຝຣັ່ງທີພ ່​ ົບ​ ເຫັນໃ ​ ນ​ຫວຽດນາມ ແ ​ ລະ ກຳປູເ​ ຈຍ ​ແຕ່ອ ​ າຄານ ເ​ ກົ່າຮູບຊົງ​ ແບບ​ຝຣັ່ງຢູ່ຫລາຍ​ເມືອງ​ໃນ​ລາວ​ທຫ ີ່​ ລົງເ​ ຫລືອມ ​ າ​ຈາກ​ຍຸກອ ​ ານາ​ ນິຄົມກ ​ມ ໍ່​ ີ​ຄວາມ​ໂດດ​ເດ່ັນດ ​ ້ວຍ​ຮູບ​ແບບ​ອັນເ​ ປັນເ​ ອກະລັກ ສ່ວນ​ ໃຫຍ່ເ​ ປັນຕ ​ ຶກສອງ​ຊັ້ນກໍດ ່​ ້ວຍ​ດິນຈ ​ ີ່​ໂບກ​ຊີມັງ ແ ​ ລະ ປະດັບດ ​ ້ວຍ​ ລວດລາຍ​ປູນປ ​ ັ້ນ ທີສ ່​ ວຍ​ງາມ ແ ​ ລະ ຈະ​ມີ​ສ່ວນ​ຂອງ​ລະບຽງ​ດາດ​​ ຟ້າ ແ ​ ລະ ຊ່ອງ​ທາງ​ຍ່າງ​ພາຍ​ໃນ​ຕົວ​ອາຄານ​ທີ່​ເພີ່ມຂ ​ ຶ້ນມາ​ເພື່ອ​ ໃຫ້ສ ​ ອດ​ຮັບ​ກັບສ ​ ະພາບ​ພູມອ ​ າກາດ​ທີ່​ຮ້ອນ​ເອົ້າ ແ ​ ລະ ມີຝ ​ ົນຕົກ​ ຕາມ​ລະດູກ ​ ານ​ຂອງ​ອິນ​ໂດ​ຈີນ

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Feel a life-rewarding experience with Mekong Cruises’ exclusive pleasures in Laos.

Mekong Cruises has been capturing the imagination of passionate travelers as long back as the 1990, providing the most breathtaking and alluring cruises along the expansive and picturesque Mekong River.

Time to explore the extravagance of the Belle Epoque in Laos www.luangsayresidence.com

Enchanting journey on the Northern Mekong River in the unique way www.luangsay.com

Fascinating travel on luxury floating hotel along the Southern Mekong River www.vatphou.com

BY

www.mekong-cruises.com Laos Hotline: Tel. +856 (0) 20 56 44 90 18 Luang Prabang: Tel. +856 (0) 71 25 25 53 Vientiane: Tel. +856 (0) 21 21 68 86

Pakse: Tel. +856 (0) 31 25 14 46 Houei Sai: Tel. +856 (0) 84 21 20 92 Luang Say Lodge: Tel. +856 (0) 81 21 22 96

French Colonial Towns and Cities in Laos

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Vientiane One of the most pleasant surprises awaiting the visitor to Vientiane is the French cultural influence surviving in the city, the legacy of the colonial period which lasted from the late 19th century until the 1950s. It is a pleasure to enjoy a breakfast of croissants and coffee. Lunch may well comprise freshly baked baguettes and pâté accompanied by a carafe of wine. In the evening, excellent French cuisine is available at up-market restaurants, survivors of the years of socialist austerity.

This agreeable ambience aside, Vientiane’s most notable memorial to the French influence must be its architecture. There are numerous small residences, not just a few mansions, built in the style of the former colonial power. Many of these may be found in the older part of the town, along the riverside appropriately designated Quai Fa Ngum. Here, as by the shaded boulevards in the vicinity of That Dam and along Lane Xang Avenue - the “Champs Élysées” of Vientiane – you will find fine examples of colonial French architecture, complete with shutters and red-tiled roofs, which would not be out of place in a French provincial city like Dijon or Tours.

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And then there is Patuxai, a near-replica of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Many of the former private residences are in stages of advanced decay, and some are clearly beyond saving. Others, however, have been painstakingly restored – and as the authorities come to realize the potential value to tourism of this unique architectural legacy, not to mention the inherent charm of the Lao capital, preservation rather than demolition is becoming the order of the day.

ແຫ​ລ່ງທ່ຽວ​ຊົມອ ​ າຄານ​ໂຄ​ໂລ​ນຽວທີ່​ ສວຍ​ງາມ​ໃນ​ລາວ ນະຄອນຫລວງ​ວຽງ​ຈັນ ເ​ ປັນ​ເມືອງ​ທ​່ວ ີ ັດທະນະທຳ​ຂອງຝຣັ່ງຍັງ​ຄງົ ​ເຫລືອ​ໃຫ້​ເຫັນ​ ຈາກ​ວິຖີ​ຊີວິດປ ​ ະຈຳ​ວັນ​ຂອງ​ຜູ້​ຄົນ ທັງເ​ ລື່ອງ​ຂອງ​ການ​ ກິນ ດື່ມ ນະຄອນຫລວງ​ວຽງ​ຈັນ​ເປັນເ​ ມືອງ​ທສ ີ່​ າມາດ​ ເບິ່ງເ​ ຫັນຮ ​ ້ານ​ອາຫານ​ຝຣັ່ງ ແ ​ ລະ ວາຍ​ຈາກ​ຝຣັ່ງ ໄ ​ ດ້​ ບໍຍ ່​ າກ ແ ​ ລະ ຫາກ​ຈະ​ຊົມສ ​ ະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ດັ້ງເ​ ດີມ​ ຈາກ​ຍຸກອ ​ ານາ​ນິຄົມ ລອງ​ຍ່າງຫລິ້ນໄ ​ ປ​ຕາມ​ຖະຫນົນ ລ້ານ​ຊ້າງ ຖ້າຫ ​ ນົນເ​ ຈົ້າຟ້າງຸ່ມ ແ ​ ລະ ຍ່ານ​ທາດ​ດຳ ກໍຈ ່​ ະ​ ພົບກ ​ ັບອ ​ າຄານ​ບ້ານ​ເຮືອນ​ຈາກ​ຍຸກນ ​ ັ້ນເ​ ຊັ່ນກັນ

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A Place Of Memorable Experiences In Luang Prabang

Tropical Garden Restaurant The Authentic Thai Cuisine in Town A Stylish Budget Accommodation Option in Luang Prabang

The Ultimate Relaxation Hideaway

FOR RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT: 125 Unit 7, Bane Vixoun, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: +856 (0) 71 212 642, +856 (0) 71 252 933 www.tropicaloasispark.com

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Luang Prabang New secular building styles were introduced to Luang Prabang between 1893 and 1907 as the French gradually assumed administrative control of Laos. In constructing administrative buildings and houses the French introduced European construction techniques and materials. For instance, the restriction on the use of bricks, which were previously used only for temples, was lifted. The French, however, did not merely transplant European styles into Luang Prabang. Instead, they employed styles developed in Vietnam and produced designs inspired by vernacular temple architecture and secular wooden structures that were better suited to the warm and humid Laotian climate.

As a result, a new Laotian architectural style emerged, based on indigenous domestic architecture but freely incorporating French and Vietnamese design elements along with European and Chinese technical innovations. The Laotian royalty and aristocracy, who had previously lived in wooden houses, had their new masonry residences constructed in this style. The former Royal Palace, which today houses the Luang Prabang National Museum, was built between 1904 and 1909 and serves as a fine example of the French-inspired architecture that was popular at that time.

The French introduced some elements of Chinese architecture and urbanism indirectly. To execute French public works, skilled Vietnamese laborers were imported. These laborers settled near the foot of the peninsula and built their own commercial quarters which were brick, Chinese-style shop houses in rows that faced directly onto the street, with living accommodations on the upper floors. All of these architectural styles can still be seen today in Luang Prabang.

ຫລວງ​ພະ​ບາງ ​ າຄານ​ເກ່ົາ​ໃນ​ເມືອງ​ຫລວງ​ພະ​ບາງ​ບໄ ອ ໍ່​ ດ້ສ ​ ້າງ​ຂຶ້ນຕາມ​ຮູບ​ແບບ​ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ຕາ​ເວັນ​ຕົກທ ​ ັງຫ ​ ມົດ ແ ​ ຕ່ເ​ ປັນກ ​ ານ​ປະສົມປ ​ ະສານ​ ລະຫວ່າງ​ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ຝຣັ່ງ ຈີນ ແ ​ ລະ ຫວຽດນາມ ລວມທັງ​ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະ ກຳ​ທ້ອງ​ຖິ່ນດ ​ ັ້ງເ​ ດີມລ ​ າວ ດ້ວຍ​ເຫ​ດຜົນທ ​ າງ​ສະພາບ​ ພູມອ ​ າກາດ ຮູບແ ​ ບບ​ສະຖາ​ປັດຕະຍະ​ກຳ​ທີ່​ໄດ້ຮ ​ ັບ​ຄວາມ ນິຍົມໃ ​ ນ​ ຍຸກສ ​ ະ​ໄຫມ​ນັ້ນຄືພ ​ າລາ​ຊະ​ວັງ​ທີ່​ກໍ່ສ້າງ​ ຂຶ້ນໃ ​ ນ​ປີ 1904 ​ແລະ 1909 ​ ເຊ່ິງ​ເປັນສ ​ ະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ປະສົມແ ​ ບບ​ລາວ ແ ​ ລະ ຝຣັ່ງ ປະຈຸບ ​ ັນ ຄື​ ພິພິທະ​ພັນແ ​ ຫ່ງຊ ​ າດ​ຫລວງ​ພະບາງ ນອກຈາກ​ນັ້ນ ອາຄານ​ບ້ານ​​ເຮືອນ​ ທີ່​ຫລວງ​ພະ​ບາງ​ຍັງນ ​ ິຍົມປ ​ ຸກສ ​ ້າງ​ແບບ​ຕຶກແ ​ ຖວ​ທປ ີ່​ ະສົມປ ​ ະສານ​ ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ຈີນ ແ ​ ລະ ຫວຽດ ນາມ​ເຂົ້າ​ໄວ້​ດ້ວຍ 35

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Thakaek During the French colonial period, ThaKaek was an important city, both for trade along the Mekong as well as a defensive outpost on the front lines with the Siamese, who weren’t too happy giving up ‘their’ territory. As a result of the strong French presence, there are a lot of French colonial style buildings around town from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, so if you’re interested in such things, a stroll around the old city area can be a pleasant way to pass some time.

The old city was centered on a broad median plaza that stretched away from the river for a couple of blocks. Most of the interesting buildings are within five or six blocks of the plaza in either direction. You can easily make a loop walking down the riverfront, or better, one block away from the river, until you get to the end, then heading over one block further in and walking back.

Most of the buildings right along the riverfront are not that interesting, and it would seem that many of them have already been replaced by newer buildings. Few of the buildings have been restored to any degree, although some have been modernized with aluminum doors and windows.

ທ່າແ ​ ຂກ ທ່າແ ​ ຂກ​ເປັນເ​ ມືອງ​ທ່າສ ​ ຳຄັນໃ ​ ນ​ຍຸກອ ​ ານາ​ນິຄົມ ຈິ່ງເ​ ຕັມໄ ​ ປ​ ດ້ວຍ​ສິ່ງປ ​ ຸກສ ​ ້າງ​ຮູບ​ແບບ​ຝຣັ່ງຫລາກຫລາຍ​ທີ່ ເ​ ຫລືອມ ​ າ​ຈາກ​ ປາຍ​ສະຕະວັດທ ​ ີ 19 ແ ​ ລະ ຕົ້ນສະຕະວັດທ ​ ີ 20 ສູນກ ​ າງ​ອາຄານ​ ບູຮານ​ຢບ ູ່​ ໍລເິ​ ວນ​ກາງ​ເມືອງ ຕັ້ງແ ​ ຕ່​ແຄມ​ແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງ​ຈົນ​ເຖິງ​ ຖະຫນົນສ ​ າຍ​ຫລັກຂ ​ ອງ​ເມືອງ ໄ ​ ລ່ລ ​ ົງໄ ​ ປ​ປະມານ 5-6 ຊ່ວງ​ຕຶກ ​ ເຊ່ິງ​ເປັນຍ ​ ່ານ​ອາຄານ​ແບບ​ຝຣັ່ງທີສ ່​ າມາດ​ຍ່າງ​ຊົມໄ ​ ດ້

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SAVANNAKHET Legacies of the French colonial period can be found all over Laos, including great tasting baguettes and cheese, good wine, Catholicism and the mark of all colonial powers - architecture. The city of Savannakhet in Southern Laos is full of fine, if crumbling, examples of French colonial architecture. Most of these buildings have deteriorated over the years due to neglect, war and poverty but they still retain a sense of romance and history. The most popular and well known examples of French architecture in Savannakhet include St. Theresa’s Catholic Church and the numerous colonial shop houses.

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ສະຫວັນນ ​ ະ​ເຂດ ສະຫວັນນ ​ ະ​ເຂດ​ເປັນເ​ ມືອງ​ສຳຄັນອ ​ ີກ​ແຫ່ງທ ​ ີ​່ປາກົດເ​ ຫັນອ ​ າຄານ​ ບ້ານ​ເຮືອນ​ເກົ່າ​ແກ່ຈ ​ າກ​ຍຸກອ ​ ານາ​ນິຄົມ ເ​ ຖິງ ວ່າຫ ​ ລາຍ​ແຫ່ງຈ ​ ະ​ ເສື່ອມ​ໂຊມ​ໄປ​ຕາມ​ສະພາບ ແ ​ ຕ່ກ ​ ໍ່​ຍັງມ ​ ີ​ອາຄານ​ສຳຄັນທີໄ ່​ ດ້ຮ ​ ັບ​ ການ​ດແ ູ​ ລ​ຮັກສາ​ເຊ່ັນ ໂ ​ ບດ​ກາ​ໂຕ​ລິກ ເ​ ຊ​ນເ​ ທ​ເຣຊາ ​ເຊ່ິງ​ເປັນ​ ຕົວຢ່າງ​ທຊ ີ່​ ັດເ​ ຈນ​ຂອງ​ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ຝຣັ່ງ ນອກຈາກ​ນັ້ນ ຍັງມ ​ ີ​ຮ້ານ​ຄ້າຕ ​ ຶກ​ແຖວ​ອີກຫ ​ ລາຍ​ແຫ່ງທ ​ ີ່​ຫນ້າທ ​ ່ຽວ​ຊົມໃ ​ ນ​ເມືອງ​ນີ້ 39

PAKSE Located at the confluence of the Mekong and Se Don rivers, Pakse derives its name from the Lao for ‘mouth of the Se’. Pakse is the capital of the southern province of Champasak, with a population of about 80 thousand making it the third most populous city in Laos. The city was founded by the French in 1905. Pakse offers some fine examples of colonial era architecture. The pink Franco -Chinese style Chinese society building is a good example. Once serving as a French administrative outpost, Pakse is still characterized by a good variety of colonial buildings, some of which now function as guesthouses and shops.

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ປາກ​ເຊ ຝຣັ່ງຕັ້ງເ​ ມືອງ​ປາກ​ເຊ​ເປັນສ ​ ູນບ ​ ັນຊາ​ການ​ເມື​່ອປີ 1905 ເ​ ມືອງ​ນີ້ຈິ່ງເ​ ຕັມໄ ​ ປ​ດ້ວຍ​ອາຄານ​ ເກ່ົາ​ແກ່ທ ​ ີ່​ສະທ້ອນ​ໃຫ້ເ​ ຫັນ​ເຖິງຍ ​ກ ຸ​ ສະ​ໄຫມ​ເມື​່ອ​ຄັ້ງຝຣັ່ງປົກຄອງ​ອິນໂ ​ ດ​ຈີນ ອາຄານ​ຊົງ​ ຈີນ-ຝຣັ່ງຂອງ​ສະມາຄົມຈີນທ ​ ປ ີ່​ າກ​ເຊ​ເປັນຕ ​ ົວຢ່າງ​ຂອງ​ສະຖາປັດຕະຍະກຳ​ຍຸກໂ ​ ຄ​ໂລ​ ນຽວທີໂ ່​ ດດ​ເດ່ັນທ ​ ີ່​ສຸດ

The Laos Speciality Coffee Aromatic Flavor

Our Branches VIENTIANE

Vientiane Center, near Nam Phou, Samsenthai Home Ideal Talat Sao Mall 1 & 2 Km9, Thadeua Road Khem Khong

SOUTH LAOS

Pakse center, near Tourism Office Thateng - Sinouk Coffee Resort @ Boleven Plateau

Sinouk Coffee Resort

www.sinouk-cafe.com sinouk@laopdr.com

Coffee Plantation and Botanic Gardens Restaurant and Lodge www.sinoukcoffeeresort.com

CHAMPASAK TOWN This used to be the seat of the Champasak Kingdom, until about 35 years ago. But it seems it was a lot longer ago than that now. Now the town is peacefully quiet, and the only reminders of a splendor long gone, is the fountain traffic circle in the main street, and the two remaining French colonial style royal residences of Chao Boun Oum na Champasak, and his father Chao Ratsadanai. There is little traffic on the streets these days, and the cows have it pretty much to themselves.

The town itself is dotted with simply stunning colonial buildings. Of these, the former residence of Champasak hereditary Prince Boun Oun and former leader of the right wing opposition, who fled the country in 1975 after the Communist takeover, is quite possibly the most magnificent colonial building in Laos. His daughter-in-law now resides there and although it is not open to tourists it is

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ຈຳປາ​ສັກ ຈຳປາ​ສັກເ​ ປັນເ​ ມືອງ​ສະຫງົບສ ​ ຸກທ ​ ຍ ີ່​ ັງຄ ​ ົງປ ​ າກົດຮ ​ ່ອງຮອຍ​ຂອງ​ ສະ​ຖາ​ປັດຕະຍະ​ກຳ​ຍຸກໂ ​ ຄ​ໂລ​ນຽວຢູບ ່​ າງ​ສ່ວນ ອາຄານ​ທີ່​ຫນ້າ​ ສົນໃ ​ ຈ​ຄື ອາຄານ​ຂອງ​ບຸນອ ​ ູ້ມທ ​ ນ ີ່​ ັກທ ​ ່ອງ​ທ່ຽວ​ສາມາດ​ເບິ່ງໄ ​ ດ້​ ຈາກ​ພາຍ​ນອກຮົ້ວເ​ ທົ່າ​ນັ້ນ

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SI PAN DON In colonial times, the French attempted to create a cargo route through Si Pan Don, otherwise known as 4,000 islands, by building a narrow gauge railway across two of the islands.

Goods were hoisted from boats sailing up through Cambodia from Vietnam and then reloaded onto new boats above the falls on the Laos side, so it is obvious that the islands would have some French Colonial influences with their architecture.

It’s quite intriguing to observe these luscious Asian island that have French architecture such as Don Khon District Museum, built in 1898, or the now deteriorating colonial building in Don Khon.

ສີ ່ພ ​ ັນດ ​ ອນ ​

ໃນ​ສະ​ໄຫມ​ອານາ​ນິຄົມ ຝຣັ່ງສ້າງ​ ທາງ​ລົດ​ ໄຟ​ເພື່ອຂ ​ ົນສົ່ງສ ​ ິນຄ້າໄ ​ ປ​ທີ່​ກຳປູ​ເຈຍ ແ ​ ລະ ຫວຽດນາມ ຜ່ານ​ບໍລເິ​ ວນ​ເກາະ​ໃນ​ແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງ ປະຈຸບ ​ ັນ ຍັງຄ ​ ົງມ ​ ີ​ອາຄານ​ບູຮານ​ຈາກ​ຍຸກສ ​ ະ​ ໄຫມ​ກ່ອນ​ເຫລືອໃ ​ ຫ້ເ​ ຫັນຢ ​ ​ເູ່ ທິງເ​ ກາະ​ເດດ ແ ​ ລະ ດອນ​ຄອນ 44

BANGKOK OFFICE 8, Soi Phahonyothin 29, Phahonyothin Rd, Ladyao, Jatujak, Bangkok, Thailand 10900 Tel. 66 (0) 2939 5512-3, 2939 5488 | Fax. 66 (0) 2939 5477

VIENTIANE OFFICE 265 Baan Nongbone, Xaysetha, Vientiane Lao P.D.R Tel. | Fax. +856 21 454782

LAO CUISINE

How to Make

Authentic Laos Sour Pork Sausages story & photo : Somchanh

EVER WANTED TO TRY YOUR HAND AT COOKING TRADITIONAL LAO DISHES BUT DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO START? PLEASE SEE OUR RECIPE FOR CONCOCTING DELICIOUS SOUR PORK SAUSAGES IN THE MOST AUTHENTIC WAY! Sour pork sausages are great value for money Lao foods with old recipes concocted by the wisdom of villagers over many years through the process of tasting, diversity and abundance. This dish is called Som Mu in Laos. Sour pork wrapped in banana leaves is one of those rustic dishes that personifies a certain area of the world, and maybe it’s the signature dish of Vientiane city.

Please see a list of ingredients and a tried and tested method for producing these local sausages in an authentic manner.

Ingredients and cooking methods • 1 Kg of fresh ground pork (meat of back leg) • 2Kg of pork skin (trim the fat), washed clean, boil the pork skin and dip it out and slice them up to 2 inches in length • 1 teaspoon of salt • 1 teaspoon of sugar • 4 cloves of crushed garlic • A lump of steamed glutinous rice Wash the rice with clean water two or three times, which will take away the starch. Mix all the ingredients with the pork and stir well then mix together with the sliced pork.

Mix and crush all the ingredients together for a while until it becomes a glutinous pulp. Clean some banana leafs, but make sure they are not too young or old.

Wrap and roll the mix with banana leaves using the same method that you sometimes see with sticky rice.

Leave the sausages for two days until it becomes sour and gives of a nice smell. Then you are ready to cook the Som Mu, which can be served with steamed rice.

This formula for making these local sausages has been used by Vientiane’s cooks and chefs for as long as anyone can remember. Enjoy!

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ສ�ມໝູ ສ�ມປາ

ຄຸນຄາອາຫານລາວ ບອກກາວຜານໃ�ຕອງ ໂ�ຍ : ສ�ມຈ�ນ ສ�ມໝູ ສ�ມປາ ມີ ຄຸນຄາ ທາງ ອາຫານ ເ�ີດ ຈາກ ພູມ ປ�ນຍາ ຊາວບານ ໃ� ການ ປຸງ ແ�ງ ລ�ດຊາດ ທາກາຍ ແ�ະ ອຸດ�ມສ�ມບູນ ສ�ມໝູ ແ�ະ ສ�ມປາ ທ ຫມາ ໃ�ໃ�ຕອງ ຈະ ມີ ລ�ດ ຊາດ ແ�ບກວາມີ ເ�ກະລ�ກ ແ�ງ ສີ ໄ� ລາຍ ມື ສວຍ ງາມ ຂອງ ແ�ຍິງ ລາວ ທ ບອກ ກາວວ�ທະນະ ທ� ການ ປຸງ ແ�ງອາຫານ ທ ເ�ັນ ຕ�ນານແ�ະ ສືບ ສານ ມາ ເ�ັນ ອາຫານ ຈານ ເ�ັດ ໃ� ຍຸກ ປ�ດຈຸບ�ນ ວິທີເ�ັດສ�ມໝູເ�ມຈາກການກະກຽມສວນປະກອບດ�ງນ • ຊນໝູສ�ດ (ຊນຂາ�ງ) 1ກິໂ�ກລາມ,ລາງໃ�ສະອາດປະໄ�ໃ�ສະເ�ັດ ນ�ແ�ວນ�ມາບ�ດືຟ�ກໃ�ແ�ກລະອຽດ • ໜ�ງໝູ (ລືບນ�ມ�ນ ອອກ ເ�ືອບໝ�ດ) 2ກິ ໂ�ກ ລາມ,ລາງ ໃ� ສະອາດ ນ� ໄ� ຕ�ມ ໃ� ສຸກ ຕ�ກ ຂນໄ� ໃ� ສະ ເ�ັດ ນ� ແ�ວ ນ� ມາ ຊອຍ ບາງໆ ຍາວ ປະມານ2ຂນວມື.

• ກືອ 1 ບວງຕ�ກແ�ງ • ນ�ຕານຊາຍ 1 ບວງກາເ� • ຜ�ກທຽມແ�ງ 4ຫ�ວ (ຕ�ໃ�ມຸນ) • ເ�າໜຽວໜງ (1ປ�ນ) ລາງ ນ� ໃ� ສະອາດ2–3 ເ�ອ ເ�ອ ໃ� ຢາງ ເ�ືອກ ອອກໝ�ດປະໄ�ໃ�ສະເ�ັດນ� ນ� ເ�ອງປຸງ ທ�ງໝ�ດ ໃ� ກ�ບ ຊນໝູຄ�ນ ໃ� ເ�າກ�ນ ແ�ວ ຈງ ນ�ໜ�ງໝູຊອຍ ໃ� ລ�ງ ໄ��ງຈາກ ນ�ນ ໃ� ນວດ ສວ ນປະສ�ມທ�ງໝ�ດປະມານ 30 ນາທີ ຈ�ນໜຽວດີ ແ�ວ ປ�ນ ເ�ັນ ກອນ ຕາມ ໃ� ມ�ກ , ນ� ໃ�ຕອງ ທ ເ�ັດ ສະ ອາດ (ໃ�ຕອງ ນາງ) ບອອນບແ� ແ�ະ ບ ປຽກນ� ເ�ົາ ມາ ຫສວນ ປະສ�ມ ທ ປ�ນ ໄ� ແ�ວນ�ໃ�ຕອງແ�ຂຽວເ�ມທ ເ�ັດສະອາດແ�ວມາຫລ�ກສະນະຄືຫ ເ�າຕ�ມ ໃ�ໄ� ຕອກ ( ໄ� ໄ�) ມ�ດ ໃ� ແ�ນໆປະ ໄ� ປະມານ 2 ວ�ນ ກໍຈະ ມີ ລ�ດສ�ມ ແ�ະ ກນຫອມພອມຮ�ບປະທານ (ດິບືປງ) ກໍໄ� ຮ�ບປະທານກ�ບ ເ�າໜຽວໜງຮອນໆືເ�ັນຂອງແ�ມແ�ບາຍ! ວິທີ ເ�ັດ ສ�ມປາ ກໍ ນ� ໃ�ສູດ ດຽວກ�ນ (�ຸດ ປະລິມານ ເ�ອງປຸງ ລ�ງ �ອຍ �ງ ແ�ະບໃ�ນ�ຕານ) - ປາ ເ�ັ ດ ໂ� ໃ�ໆ (ຄ�ວ ເ�ອ ງ ໃ� ລາ ງ ອອກ ໃ� ສະອາດ ຈ�ນ ��ດ ເ�ື ອ ດ) ປະ ໄ� ໃ� ສະ ເ�ັ ດ ນ� ແ�ວ ນ� ມາ ຂູ ດ ເ�ົ າ ແ�ຊນ ໃ� ໄ� 1 ກິ ໂ�ກ ລາມ ແ�ວ ນ� ໄ� ບ�ດ �ື ຟ�ກ ໃ� ລະອຽດ ເ�າ ເ�ອ ງປຸ ງ (ເ�ືອ, ຜ�ກທຽມ ແ�ງ, ເ�ົາ �ຽວ �ງ) ໃ� ກ�ບ ຊນ ປາ ບ�ດ ຄ�ນ ໃ� ເ�ົາ ກ�ນ ແ�ວ ນວດ ໃ� �ຽວ ແ�ະ ຫ ດວ ຍ ໃ�ຕອງ ແ�ບ ດຽວ ກ�ບ ສ�ມ �ູ ປະ ໄ� ປະມານ 2ວ�ນ ກ ຮ�ບ ປະທານ ໄ�, ແ�ະນ� ໃ� ປງ ສຸ ກ ກອ ນຈງ ຮ�ບ ປະທານ ກ�ບ ເ�າ�ຽວ �ງ ຮອນໆ �ື ເ�ັນ ຂອງ ແ�ມ ກໍ ແ�ບ ດີ. ສູດນເ�ັນວິທີປຸງຂອງແ�ຄ�ວຊາວນະຄອນ�ວງວຽງຈ�ນ.

47

SABAIDEE RELAX

GIRIYA SPA

Indulge yourself in an Authentic Indian Atmosphere

story & photo : Gaid Kornsilapa

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The first step you take into the Giriya Spa in Rashmi’s The Plaza Vientiane Hotel, you will feel like you are entering into a mysterious corner of an Indian palace. This is the only spa in town that will allure you in with its Indian atmosphere and decorations while offering some of the best signature treatments available.

At the spa you can select your desired treatment from various therapies, such as hydro therapy, body and facial therapy. For spa packages, the Giriya Moment is worth a try, and within 3 hours of the treatment, you’ll be provided with an orange peel body scrub followed by a Giriya aromatic massage and organic facial.

If you are just wanting a simple massage, the Giriya Secret Massage is one on the top list of signature massages that begins with an herbal heat pack to relieve the joint pains and relax your muscles during the 120-minute treatment period, while the 90-minute Giriya Signature Massage offers the balance of your energy centre and improves the integration of the internal system including blood circulation, and then relief muscle aches.

Giriya Spa also offers many other treatments on the menu with prices starting from LAK 125,000++ Giriya Spa, Rashmi’s The Plaza Vientiane Open daily from 10am to 10pm.

Make a reservation for your treatment call (856) 21-315088

49

T R AV E L F E AT U R E

SAYABOURY THE PROV INCE OF A MILLION ELEPHANTS story : Kou Yang photo : Nipon Riabriang

In February 2013, Sayaboury town hosted the 2013 Elephant Festival, and the people of Sayaboury shared their elephant related traditions as well as their rich and colorful culture with the world. This festival can showcase up to 100 elephants in one place at one time, and it includes many activities performed by the elephants and their mahouts. The event can attract more than 50,000 people from Laos and foreign countries.

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Previously, the Elephant festival in Sayaboury Province was rotated among the three major towns of the province: Sayaboury, Hongsa and Pak Lay. Sayaboury hosted the 2009 festival, Pak Lay the 2010; and Hongsa the 2011. The 2012 event returned to Sayaboury Town, the capital of the province. In 2012, decision was made by the Government of Sayaboury to stop the rotation and keep the annual Elephant Festival permanently in Sayaboury Town. It is now the major event for the town and its people, and an opportunity to share their hidden traditions and diverse culture with the world.

Sayaboury,, which is one of the two Laotian provinces west of the Mekong River, is well renowned as the province that has more elephants than any other Lao or Thai province. The province has a long history, diverse people and culture, rich agricultural lands and full of diverse flora and fauna.

Because of its long history and diverse cultures, almost every mountain, cave, natural wonder and village has its own folk story or legend, adding spirituality, mystery, and supernatural elements to the land and its people.

Almost everything in Sayaboury is related to elephants – in one way or another. The story Pha Xang or Elephant Mountain, for 51

example, is not only the land mark of Sayaboury town, but the source of the names of many villages in the Sayaboury District.

It also represents the strength, pride and spirits of the people of the town. To make it brief, the story says, an elephant hunter went to hunt and saw an elephant in the forest searching for food. The hunter prepared his musket to shoot at the elephant.

He followed the elephant and shot at it and the elephant fell down in pain. That very site is now known as Na Sou, which in Lao means pain.

The elephant later walked on its knee to the east side of the Nam Houng River to a site called Na Khan. The legend says the elephants followed the Nam Houng River to the south and crossed the Nam Houng River to the west side, where it hit a tree stump at a site now known as Na To. The elephant was in pain and could hardly keep itself up, when it walked further south to a place called Na Xam because Xam can mean semi-consciousness. At sundown, the hunter found the elephant dead. He sat on a stool and then proceeded to cut part of the elephant’s leg. The stool became a small mountain known today as Pha Tang as “Tang”, which in Lao means stool or seat. It was dark, so the hunter left the dead elephant and followed the Nam Houng to the Mekong River, and reached the Mekong by sunset. He rested for a while and then returned to his elephant and found that it had already turned into a mountain, known today as Pha Xang or Elephant Mountain.

Pha Xang Mountain resembles a giant elephant lying down with its knees and chest to the ground, its back and head to the sky, and its trunk to the west; is the sacred mountain and landmark of Sayaboury town.

As you can see, elephants and Sayaboury are synonymous with each other and have a spiritual connection with each other. This year’s Elephant Festival is once again a great success, and what a great way to observe Lao culture and festivals at their brilliant best!

52

Residence Sisouk Pakse

THE HOTEL SISOUK RESIDENCE WELCOMES YOU ALL YEAR LONG IN A WARM, CHARMING AND TRADITIONAL ATMOSPHERE

RESIDENCE SISOUK contact@residence-sisouk.com Tel +856 (0)31 214716 Fax +856 (0)31 214716 www.residence-sisouk.com

ESCAPE

Story & photo : Gaid Kornsilapa Lao PDR is a perfect land for discovery in many ways such as discovering untouched natural beauty including the Khammouane sub-district where tourists can ďŹ nd beautiful nature in an ideal place for trekking. Recently, the Tourism of Laos collaborating with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) set up a FAM trip (Familiarization trip) in order to take the representatives from tour agencies and the media to see many attractions inside Khammouane.

54

Only a 30 minute-drive from Tha Kaek and you will reach the Elephant Cave - a sacred place among villagers, home to a number of elephantlike little rocks, ancient holy objects such as an ancient scripture box and a number of little Buddha statues. There’s a tale that a monk on a pilgrimage finds and falls in love with the cave so deeply that he convinces those who live far away to come and set up a new community nearby the cave. Another historic event relating to the cave happened in 1963-1964 when it became a sheltering place for villagers hiding away from the war between Vietnam and USA. At present, the cave is promoted to be one of the fascinating destinations in Khammouane.

Apart from those precious things, the cave is an ideal place for those who love climbing.

And a reward to do so is you’ll be able to see breathtaking views from 250 meter high from the ground. Of course, it’s not a bed of roses since it requires a bit of physical strength when it comes to climbing up a steep path. On a clear sky day, you‘ll be able to see Nakhonpanom in Thailand, located on the opposite side of the Mekong River.

From the Elephant Cave, it takes a little while traveling until you find another cave called Buddha Cave, home to over 200 ancient Buddha amulets and statues. Please note that taking photos is not allowed in the cave. 1 kilometer away from the Buddha Cave, you’ll find some other interesting places such as Nong Tao or a little pond that the water is crystal clear and is enclosed with a steep cliff with surrounding natural beauty.

55

Khammouane is also a place where the beautiful nature is protected by the theme of National Protection Area. Anyone who visits Khammouane is recommended to try trekking to any place in the sub district.

It takes some time trekking so we stayed over one night at a home stay in Baan Liang Pha, which is a small village that features adequate facilities such as sleeping places and food for tourists. Our group were well greeted by friendly people as they helped set up a rice-offering ceremony on our arrival.

In the next morning after having rice soup with tendered pork ribs, we were on foot for 10 kilometers to cross over 4 mountains in a row in the Hin Boon National Protection Area where features an impressive variety of wild flora and fauna and of course untouched nature. It took us four hours to reach our destination, is Baan NaKue. One of its most interesting sites ground under olor oise-c turqu res featu that pond a spot, water. The pond has become a must-see ng and particularly for those who aren’t into trekki can reach the place by car. istrict It’s fair to point out that Khammouane sub-d ring ticks all rights boxes in terms of a place featu includes beautiful natural sites for visiting, which It is a a number of stunning caves and cliffs. ation inform r furthe For sure. for trip memorable ct Lao about Khammouane sub-district, conta National Tourism office.

ຄ�ນພ�ບຄ�ມວນ ຄ�ນພ�ບຄວາມມວນ

ເ�ອບນານມານ ການທອງທຽວແ�ງ ສປປ ລາວ ຮວມກ�ບອ�ງການ ໄ�ກາ (Japan International Cooperation Agency “JICA”) ໄ�ຈ�ດພິມເ�ກະສານແ�ະນ�ການທອງທຽວຂນ ເ�ອພາຕ�ວແ�ນ ການທອງທຽວ ແ�ະ ສມວນຊ�ນເ�ີນທາງໄ�ທແ�ວງຄ�ມວນເ�ອ ທ�ຄວາມຮູຈ�ກ ແ�ະ ສ� ຜ�ດປະສ�ບການການທອງທຽວຂອງແ�ວງ ຄ�ມວນ ເ�ິງເ�ັນອີກແ�ວງ�ງທມີແ�ລງທອງທຽວທ�າສ�ມໃ� �າຍ ແ�ງທ ພວມ ລໍຄອຍ ການ ໄ� ຢຽມຢາມ ຂອງ ນ�ກ ເ�ີນທາງ ຜູ��ງໄ�ໃ�ທ�ມະຊາດ ແ�ະ ການ ທອງທຽວປາ ໂ�ຍເ�ມຈາກ ທຽວຊ�ມຖ�ຊາງ ແ�ະ ຈຸດຊ�ມວິວຖ�ພຣະ ນອນໂ�ມສະເ� ແ�ະ ເ�ີນປາພາຍໃ�ເ�ດປາສະ�ວນແ�ງຊາດຫີນບູນ ແ�ະ ຈ�ບການ ເ�ີນທາງ ທ ກອງ ແ�ງ ເ�ິງ ເ�ັນ ບ ນ�ສີຂຽວ ມໍ ລະ ກ�ດ ສວຍ ງາມທ ໄ� ລອດ ອອກ ມາ ຈາກ ໃ� ຫີນ ບໍລິ ເ�ນ ບານ ນາ ຊ ແ�ະ ໄ� ຮ�ບ ການ ພ�ດທະນາ ເ�ັນ ແ� ລງທອງ ທຽວ ຂອງ ຄ� ມວນ ອີກ ແ ຫງ�ງ ສ�ນໃ�ທອງທຽວແ�ວງຄ�ມວນຕິດຕການທອງທຽວ ສປປ ລາວ

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CLUB Simply post anything on our Facebook Fan Page and we will randomly pick a lucky poster to receive several prizes, such as hotel vouchers, dining vouchers, spa vouchers, etc. worth more than 1,000 USD. Visit www.facebook.com/sabaidee now. ຍ�ງມີລາງວ�ນອີກ�ວງ�າຍໃ�ທານໄ�ຮວມມວນຊນເ�ນ ບ�ດທພ�ກໂ�ງແ�ມ ບ�ດຮ�ບປະທານອາຫານ ແ�ະ ນວດສະປາ ພຽງແ�ສະແ�ງຄ�ຄິດເ�ັນ �ື ອນໆ ທເ�ຊບຸກແ�ນເ�ຈຂອງວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ ທ www.facebook.com/sabaidee ແ�ວລຸນ  ລາງວ�ນມູນຄາກວາ 1,000 ໂ�ລາສະຫະລ�ດ

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Map Of Laos 58

www.laoairlines.com

Seoul, Korea

Guangzhou, China

Jinghong, China

Kunming, China

Hanoi, Vietnam

Luangnamtha Houeisay

Oudomxay Xiengkhouang

Chiangmai, Thailand

Luang Prabang

VIENTIANE

Udonthani, Thailand

Danang, Vietnam Savannakhet

Pakse

Bangkok, Thailand

Siemreap, Cambodia

Phnompenh, Cambodia Internation Route Future Route Domestic Route Code Share Route Airport

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Singapore