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Email reservations.champasak@mosaic-collection.com
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Welcome aboard and thank you for choosing Lao Skyway.
The magazine you are holding in your hands is the product of cooperation between RDK Group and Lao Skyway State Own Enterprise. I hope that the Lao Sky magazine will be a channel for communicating to our readers and society at large our range of activities as well as being an important contribution to our goal of making Laos into a green and sustainable destination, which the Party and Government are helping to realize before our very eyes.
Lao Skyway provides domestic flights from Vientiane Capital to seven important provinces, including Phongsaly, Houaphanh, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang, and Champasak. We are the only company in Laos offering charter flight services for use in passenger transportation, freight, medical evacuations, aerial firefighting, and other services.
Lao Skyway boasts a number of subsidiary businesses, including Lao Skyway tour company and Lao Skyway Hotels, which can facilitate the travel requirements of our customers.
I hope that Lao Sky magazine will be well received by our readers and any feedback will be welcomed so that we may continually improve our magazine and continue to serve society.
With the utmost respect,
Col. Siviengthong Konnyvong President & CEO of Lao Skyway
An Akha Pusho woman by Mick Shippen
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Lao Sky, the inflight magazine of Lao Skyway. This is also the Lao New Year, so a time for new beginnings.
Take a closer look at the fun-filled New Year festival as it is celebrated in Luang Prabang. Also learn how old can become new again in Savannakhet.
Visit people from remote northern ethnic groups in Phongsaly and also see the unique natural beauty of Nong Khiaw and Oudomxay.
Meet the CEO of Lao Skyway and learn more about the airline. Prepare for your travels with a visit to Prudential and stock up on beauty supplies at Muanjai.
Feeling hungry? Foodpanda is ready to deliver at your destination! Thanks for being onboard, The Lao Sky team
Note: In light of the current Covid-19 situation throughout the world, please be aware that certain activities, festivals, sites, businesses, and events mentioned in this magazine may not be open and operating as planned. Do exercise good judgment, maintain safety precautions, and follow the directions of Lao authorities at all times.
Siviengthong Konnyvong Chief Executive Officer
Bouachanh Sounnalath
Administration Director
Panthavy Sisongkham Commercial Director
Onta Phompanya Lao Skyway Industry Director
Khamla Phomsichanh Lao Skyway Director
Head office: Asean Road, Ban Akard, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane Capital, Lao P.D.R, P.O Box 6618
(856)21 512 027
(856)21 513 022 info@laoskyway.com, service@laoskyway.com
Group Editor-in-Chief Editor
Creative Director
Contributing Writers
Jason Rolan
Angkhana Vongphukdy
Thanouphet Maniseng
Mick Shippen
David Ormsby
Bridget Dooley
Aditta Kittikhoun
Kate Meadley
Contributing Photographers
Sales & Marketing Manager
Sales & Marketing Executive
Phoonsab Thevongsa
Mick Shippen
David Ormsby
Phonesavanh Chanthavong
Prae Phongpipatkul prae.phongpipatkul@rdkgroup.la
(856-20) 95646578
Souphaphone Insixiengmay souphaphone.insixiengmay@rdkgroup.la
(856-20) 55471337
www.facebook.com/laoskyway
134 Samsenthai Road, Xiengyeun Village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, Laos
(856-20) 55731717 | info@rdkgroup.la
Words Bridget Dooley
Images Phoonsab Thevongsa
AAccessible only by boat, the tiny town of Meuang Ngoi (sometimes called Old Meuang Ngoi) sits bucolically on the deep green waters of the ecologically crucial Nam Ou, arguably Laos’ most beautiful river. Until as recently as 2013 Meuang Ngoi had no electricity.
Despite recent modernization, the town has maintained its old-world tranquility: buffaloes doze happily in the water, fishermen cast nets from brightly painted boats, and local women smash wet riverweed and spices into sheets to dry, fry, and eat with spicy sauce.
Adventurous travelers can spend their time trekking to the top of Meuang Ngoi’s highest peak for a view of the river and surrounding villages. Located along that steep trail are the small caves where monks and villagers took shelter from American bombs for years at a time. While these are not as well marked or as famous as some other caves in Laos’ northern provinces, the caves of Meuang Ngoi are uniquely pristine, free of graffiti, and to this day contain both the religious totems placed there by monks and the barriers of sand put there by soldiers as final means of protection. Seeing these
artifacts firsthand is as deeply moving as it is historically compelling.
While Meuang Ngoi offers plenty of comfortable accommodations for backpackers, those who prefer an artistic space to sleep will want to stay in Nong Khiaw at the Mandala Ou Resort, which boasts not only delicious tropical cocktails and generous breakfasts (featuring locally-made jams) but also gorgeously designed rooms with space heaters. The heaters are particularly well-appreciated by those of us not acclimated to the cool nights of the north. Best of all, Mandala Ou is right on the bank of the misty Nam Ou, and their front desk will happily arrange for a local guide to take you from the resort to Meuang Ngoi by boat. The day trip includes cave tours, kayaking, and an authentic local lunch. Sit on banana leaf seats beside the river and enjoy a meal complete with sticky rice, fish, and of course that delicious smashed riverweed.
Left: Travelling by boat to Old Meuang Ngoi
Top: The Ou River at Meuang Ngoi
Right: A temple in Nong Khiaw
Words Jason Rolan
AAs the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
What’s the best way to have peace of mind and plan for the future? Protecting yourself and your family today through Prudential Laos.
Prudential is one of the largest life insurers in the world, offering life insurance, savings, protection, and health insurance products.
Kenyon KY Ho, Chief Commercial Officer for Prudential Laos says, “Prudential is more than just an insurance company. Our vision is to ‘help people get the most out of life’, and this cuts across everything that we do.”
In January 2021, the company launched its “Prudential x SuperM” marketing campaign. SuperM is a premier Korean pop group, also known as the Avengers of K-Pop. This collaboration with SuperM aims to promote the positive energy of music and dance, helping everyone to be healthier and happier.
A Prudential song and music video with SuperM will also be released later this year! Kenyon also says, “We have
also launched our regional mobile application, Pulse by Prudential, which was developed centrally, and has been rolled out to nearly every country where we operate in 2020. Pulse is a health and lifestyle application, and it is free for everybody to use. Go ahead – please download and try it!” In fact, most of the features on Pulse are not related to life insurance at all, but are designed to help people live healthier lives.
“Lao Sky readers love to travel – we know that! A product geared towards travelers which I would recommend is PRUDengue. This product is available exclusively on our Pulse app, so you can find it there. It is very cheap, only around USD 1 dollar per month, and it provides you with insurance protection against dengue fever,” adds Kenyon. With this coverage, if you are diagnosed with dengue fever, you will receive a lump sum benefit for your medical expenses, so less worry and stress if you get sick.
Insurance through Prudential is definitely the way to have peace of mind while you get the most out of life.
Prudential, founded in England in 1848, is one of the most trusted insurance companies around the world, with over 16 million customers in Asia. Prudential began operating in Laos in 2016 and provides over 500 billion kip of life insurance protection to Lao people throughout the country.
Pulse is available on the App store and Play store
Our vision is to help people get the most out of life.
Rise early to view the mountains and valleys of Phongsaly shrouded in mist.
IIf your arrival in Phongsaly makes you feel as if you have discovered a unique destination on the fabled road less traveled, it’s because you most certainly have. Secured to a mountain ridge by a web of steep cobbled streets, the town’s intriguing old quarter feels more like China’s nearby Yunnan Province than Laos.
Here, cured sausages hang from the railings of single-storey wooden houses, trays of tofu and fermented soybean cakes are laid out to dry in the street, the fresh market is filled with unusual ingredients, and the cool air vibrates with the sound of unfamiliar languages.
Phongsaly is thought to have been settled toward the end of the 18th century by the Phounoy ethnic group, who relocated from Meuang Sing, Luang Namtha and Myanmar, and later by Haw Chinese traders from Yunnan. Today, these two groups still
make up the majority of the population. Although the small town has enough to hold a traveler’s interest for a day or so, it is the forest-covered mountains beyond that beckon those with a spirit for adventure. This gloriously unspoiled northernmost province is home to more than 40 ethnic minorities, which includes 14 Akha subgroups.
Most of the ethnic groups live in villages that are reached by rough dirt roads, while the more remote can only be accessed by several hours’ trek along walking trails. As many villages are hard to find and not signposted, a local guide and driver is recommended, if not essential. For harderto-reach villages, a guide can also arrange overnight homestay accommodation. The reward for a travel adventure in Laos’ province ‘above the clouds’ is the creation of memories as colorful and diverse as the wonderful people that live there.
Words and Images Mick Shippen
The remote northern outpost of Phongsaly is unlike anywhere else in Laos.
An elderly Akha Nuqui woman
Two Haw Chinese ladies dressed in their colorful costumes.
There are several basic guesthouses and hotels in Phongsaly. These include the Viphaphone Hotel which is conveniently located on the edge of the old quarter, and Villa Amazing Maison Guesthouse, close to restaurants and the town’s fresh market.
In Phongsaly town there are several noodle shops serving hearty bowls of Laos’ ubiquitous pho and khao soi. More interesting local offerings can be found at Laoper where you can savor delicious Yunnan-style food in the shadow of colorful Maoist propaganda posters. There is no menu – just look in the fridge and discuss options with the cook. Laojin, another Chinese restaurant, is located opposite Villa Amazing Maison Guesthouse. Joom Ton E Hom Hot Pot, close to the lake, is a pleasant place for an evening sin daat barbecue and a Beerlao.
A scene from a traditional Haw Chinese village. This group migrated to Laos from Yunnan in southern China which borders the far north of Phongsaly Province.
There are about a dozen Akha Pala villages in northern Laos with a total population of around 6,000.
1. Can you tell us about the history of Lao Skyway?
Lao Air State Enterprise was founded in 2002 offering charter, medical, passenger, and cargo flights. In the beginning, the company had only 23 staff and a fleet of two Mi-17 aircraft.
In 2007, the government allowed us to operate scheduled flights to three provinces: Phongsaly, Houaphan, and Xayaboury.
In 2013, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) granted us two MA60 56-seat aircraft to begin routes to another six provinces: Bokeo, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang, and Champasak. At this time, we changed our name to Lao Skyway.
In 2019, Lao Skyway expanded our business to include Lao Skyway Hotel and Lao Skyway Travel Service. And at the present day, we have a fleet of 19 aircraft and 325 employees.
2. Tell us about your background. Could we hear about your experience in the military? When did you join Lao Skyway?
I actually studied literature and linguistics at the Vientiane Teacher Training College and was a teacher. In 1982, since I loved aviation, I applied to join the Air Force Command of the Lao People’s Army and was trained as a radio and radar mechanic for MiG-21 aircraft. In 1983, I studied civil aviation economics at the Civil Aviation University of the Soviet Union. After receiving a Master’s Degree, I worked in the Air Force Battalion 703.
In 2001, the MoD contributed two Mi-17 aircraft and the capital required to operate the company. We focused on supporting air survey activities and assisting the search for the remains of Americans missing in action during the war, as well as serving the flying needs of other sectors.
3. Even with the current Covid pandemic, Lao Skyway seems to be increasingly popular each year. What is the secret to Lao Skyway’s success?
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lao PDR enacted protection and control measures within the country, many of these still in effect today, which has kept the Lao economy stable and the Lao people can live their lives relatively normally. Lao Skyway has taken this opportunity to improve our internal management to be more aligned with the needs of the consumer in the new normal situation, such as adjusting airfares and increasing cooperation with companies within and outside of Laos.
4. Are there any plans to take the airline to international destinations once borders reopen?
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Lao Skyway had plans to expand internationally to neighboring countries. But now, all of our plans will need to be reevaluated and restructured. When the country reopens, Lao Skyway will continue developing plans to connect regionally and internationally.
When the country reopens, Lao Skyway will continue developing plans to connect regionally and internationally.
PHOU HOUA XANG
The “Elephant Head Hills” in Anouvong District of Xaysomboun Province are one of the hottest new spots for photographers.
This high region south of Luang Prabang is perfect for camping, picking strawberries, and seeing a sea of clouds on winter mornings.
Images Phoonsab Thevongsa
AAs the Lao economy expands, so does the demand for quality goods. Capitalizing on the need for better health and beauty products is Muanjai, which opened its doors in Vientiane’s Parkson department store in 2020. Chintana Siphandone (Jenny), Director of Muanjai, noticed that their current customer base wanted products that were safe, high quality, and in a suitable price range.
When asked how she chooses what to sell, she explained, “I give importance to the product source and trustworthiness of each product. We will select only high-quality products for our customers before we place them in our store. When I make the selection, I think to myself if I would personally use them or not.” Muanjai prides itself on flexibility, quality assurance, customer service, suitable prices, clear business goals, and is always looking to improve its business. Muanjai staff never exaggerate the effectiveness of products and will tell you directly how it is, because customer
trust is of utmost value. They are always looking for more products to add to their shelves and widen their selection. The products that are best sellers at Muanjai are Korean and Japanese skincare products, which are reasonably priced and of high quality.
Other popular products are brands from America and Europe. Lao Sky readers can expect reasonable prices, safe products, and high standards at Muanjai.
This year, 2021, Muanjai has plans to expand its business to other provinces such as Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Champasak. They will also introduce a new range of skin protection products and their own new and high-quality makeup brand ‘Jenny Jen’. Chintana also lets us in on the secret to her success.
“The most essential part of my business model is sustainability," says Chintana.
"Convenience and satisfaction are what our slogan is based on because your happiness is our pride."
Your happiness is our pride.
Words and Images
David OrmsbyKhanthaboury, Savannakhet, and now Kaysone Phomvihane. The name of Laos’ second largest city has changed over the years, and now there is a new change. Not a new name, but new businesses breathing new life to the decrepit building facades, now hiding a new wave of super cool bars, restaurants, and cafes.
Inspired by Thai hipsters, nostalgia, rustic chic, and the ephemeral beauty of the patina of decay, Savannakhet is in the middle of an urban renaissance.
Buildings have sat empty for the better part of the last 50 years, while the utopian promises of 60s futurist architecture were frozen in time. This new wave of businesses seeks to rekindle those dreams, revitalizing the buildings to give them new life. A mixture of retro cool and contemporary styling, old and new coming together to make something unique.
Of course, Laos is no stranger to the eternal elegance of old buildings given new life. But the historic downtown district of Savannakhet is unlike anywhere else in Laos. Instead of the immaculately preserved and reconstructed colonial buildings of Luang Prabang, here in Savannakhet, local entrepreneurs have embraced the ruination, highlighting it as a defining characteristic of the buildings and businesses that inhabit them. Each building shows its age through exposed brick where slabs of plaster have fallen away, antique light fittings, faded
paint on wooden doors, and scuffed staircases. The nostalgia of the buildings, harking back to an older time, declares itself loudly in both décor and business.
In the old cinema you can find, amongst other things, a shop selling film and analog cameras, advertising its wares with an antique Kodak sign. In a dilapidated art deco mansion, you can find a classic speakeasy making artisanal cocktails, dimly lit by Edison bulbs in 60s light fittings. On the rooftop of a 1920s hotel, you can find hip young locals playing acoustic guitar under string lights or posing for Instagram photos beside fading posters for French 60s sci-fi movies. Inside an old colonial building, you can find pizzas being made in a single pizza, wood-fired oven, the small size of the oven focusing the chef on the quality of each pizza, placing each basil leaf individually and precisely.
With any area attracting a crowd of young creatives you will find visual art embedded within the fabric of that culture. The Savannakhet Fine Art School is one of the best in the country and here students are encouraged to embrace a more contemporary style.
Along the newly built riverfront promenade, you will find murals adorning walls and planter boxes. On the roof of the cinema, you can discover stencil work, images of The Beatles and Elvis sitting next to rickshaws and dirtbikes. There are also some more traditional gallery spaces, but these modern styles are best appreciated when juxtaposed
against their dilapidated surroundings.
Savannakhet is an anomaly in Laos. In a rush to develop itself, many of Laos' older buildings are being discarded in favor of the latest trend. But like a true fashionista, Savannakhet has hung on to last season’s wares, waiting for them to become retro-cool. The renaissance sweeping this oft-overlooked city is taking full advantage of fashion’s love of all things retro and has created an air of chic, authenticity, and originality.
Instead of allowing the buildings’ disrepair to create a sense of loss, these new businesses spark a sense of revitalization, giving new life to the buildings and the city. Savannakhet’s historic district is not simply frozen in time, it is making its own history.
GETTING
AAmeal wouldn’t normally be Lao without a jeo – that delicious assemblage of mashed spices, vegetables and sometimes meat – made by hand in a mortar and pestle. Oftentimes, a proper meal can include only a jeo and sticky rice, and maybe a side of steamed or fresh greens. But which jeo to choose? We at Lao Sky are in a daring mood, so for this most auspicious inaugural issue, we recommend the wild jeo mengda. It hails from the exotic corners of Laos and is constituted by bits of the mengda insect (a giant water beetle), which infuses the dish with an atypically minty scent. Apart from insect parts, jeo mengda
is made with intensely grilled peppers and shallots, salt, and for a finishing touch, some grilled fish pieces.
How do you eat it? Easy. Dunk a tiny lump of sticky rice into the Jeo and allow your taste buds to be entertained by its complex flavors. Don’t mind the insect bits, it’s a great source of protein! While eating it may be easy, a good Lao chef has to know how long to grill the ingredients and how hard to grind them. During the process, the chef has to taste the unfinished jeo frequently, as each smack of the pestle alters the jeo’s taste. Jeo mengda is uniquely special in that you have to taste it to know it.
Words Aditta Kittikhoun
Images François Hervy
THAKHEK
Thakhek was an important trading post during the French colonial times and still has many charming buildings in its downtown heritage area.
DONG LING –SAVANNAKHET PROVINCE
A large troop of monkeys lives in the sacred forest at Dong Ling.
Images foodpanda
Thanyalat Chaleunsouk Managing Director of Delivery Hero Laos
MMotorbike delivery riders garbed in foodpanda’s ubiquitous pink are now a common sight throughout Laos, making good food more readily available everywhere. But how did this happen so fast?
foodpanda Laos is a subsidiary of Delivery Hero SE, the world's largest global food network, which is headquartered in Berlin. After a year and a half, the company has grown rapidly, with 150 employees and thousands of rider, restaurant, and shop partners nationwide. foodpanda is currently the largest food delivery company in Laos with a presence in 12 provinces and will expand to cover all 18 provinces this year.
Thanyalat Chaleunsouk, Managing Director of Delivery Hero Laos explains the company’s extraordinary expansion.
“We started our business right before the pandemic, and while other businesses were having a hard time during that period, it created conditions that
helped our particular business to thrive.
People without jobs could now support their families by becoming a rider, restaurants were able to keep themselves open by becoming our partners, and customers could still enjoy good food while staying home during lockdown.”
foodpanda also prides itself on its technological advances. The app uses the latest technology and is continually developed to keep it new, exciting, and to cater to the customer's specific needs.
As Thanyalat points out, “foodpanda service is one-of-a-kind as it emphasizes speedy deliveries and provides the largest variety of food and products to our customers. All of this is done to ensure that customers receive the best user experience possible.”
Be prepared to find the pink riders whizzing through your province very soon.
WWhat do a severed head, a beautiful maiden, and a nationwide water fight have to do with Pi Mai, the traditional Lao new year? According to legend, a four-faced god named Kabilaphom challenged a wise man to answer a riddle with high stakes and the loser would have his head chopped off. The wise man prevailed and the god lost his head. Since the head was still full of magic power that would destroy whatever it landed upon, it was entrusted to his daughters who keep it inside a cave in a holy mountain to this day.
To honor Kabilaphom, once a year, one of his daughters rides out in a procession on a special animal and brings the head out to be respected,
so it may offer up blessings of prosperity and a good harvest. One of the seven daughters is selected depending on the day of the week of the first day of the new year festivities in the traditional calendar. This year, Monthathevi will ride her donkey as Miss New Year in various processions throughout Southeast Asia, carrying the severed four-faced head of her father.
One of the most vibrant and exciting places to see Monthathevi will be in Luang Prabang running from the 14th to the 16th of April. Miss New Year, along with the guardian ancestor spirits of Luang Prabang, and hundreds of townspeople will parade down Sisavangvong Road from Wat That Noy to Wat Xieng Thong, where blessings will take place.
Many thousands of revelers line the street cheering and splashing water, as a form of blessing, but also a great relief from the hot tropical summer. During this period, homes and temples are cleaned and Buddha images are brought outside for ceremonial washing, all the while water fights occur out on the streets. The water fights began as a traditional sprinkling of fragrant water as a blessing, but have become a bit wilder over time.
On one of the days, the entire city departs across the Mekong to a sandy island where teams launch bamboo rockets to summon rain from the gods along with much music, dancing, and merriment. Groups of friends or families also work together to build stupas made of sand and decorated with incense, flowers, and banners containing auspicious animals of the zodiac. It is believed that each grain of sand used in these stupas will absolve the builders of one sin. By this metric, everyone is going to heaven!
But the 16th is not the end of the festivities. Now that the new year has arrived, Laos’ most important Buddha image, the Prabang, is carried out of the Haw Prabang the following day and paraded next door to Wat Mai, where it is installed for three days. The procession is unique as participants dress in their finest silks and men even wear traditional
sarongs tucked between the legs, while Brahmins blow conch shells like trumpets. People come from all over to see the Buddha up close, pay their respects, and pour fragrant water over it in the hopes of building merit.
And with this, Pi Mai ends, Kabilaphom’s head returns to its cave, the land and people have been blessed, and life returns to its languid pace for another year.
Lao Skyway has several daily flights from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.
1. Washing Buddhas during Lao New Year
2. The Prabang statue as it leaves the Haw Prabang
3. Villagers bringing a Buddha image out to wash
4. Miss New Year entering Wat Xieng Thong
5. A roadside celebration keeps things cool
Words Jason Rolan
Images Phoonsab Thevongsa
Images Phoonsab Thevongsa and HTTPOOL
Vannaleth Phimphachanh Httpool Laos Client Partner Lead
SSmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute more to the global economy than what is visible on the surface. Facebook is an excellent marketing tool to bring visibility to Lao SMEs especially with the vital link provided by Httpool. In this way, Lao enterprises can maximize their online effectiveness.
“We are excited to make Facebook's best-in-class knowledge available to all advertisers in the country, regardless of their size. Our purpose is to help SMEs grow by enabling them to reach millions of people, who are active daily on Facebook in Laos,” says Vannaleth Phimphachanh, Httpool Laos Client Partner Lead.
The Covid–19 pandemic has shown that businesses with digital practices could survive even during a lockdown, with some even thriving, and reaffirmed that digital is the way forward.
Vannaleth added, “Our overall aim in Laos is to help the local businesses thrive by assisting them in performing better on digital platforms, with our team of local experts.”
As Facebook’s Authorized Sales Partner, Httpool is trained and equipped to deliver high-quality Facebook media consultancy service free of charge to local businesses and agencies in Laos. They will also offer programs and training, including Facebook Blueprint, to help local businesses learn new and essential skills.
Businesses in Laos will also have the option to pay for their Facebook advertising locally in Lao Kip so they can get the most out of their Facebook experience with their customers.
Vannaleth adds, “Httpool is an international company, but with a Lao focus. When we help a Lao SME succeed, that not only helps one business, it helps the entire economy.”
Httpool is an Aleph Holding company, representing leading digital media platforms across Europe and Asia in over 30 markets.
Our overall aim in Laos is to help the local businesses thrive by assisting them in performing better.
Words Jason Rolan
Images Phonesavanh Chanthavong
People often pass through Oudomxay on their way to other places, but if you slow down and look, it has many unseen places worth exploring. With a wealth of natural and cultural highlights from caves and waterfalls to temples and tea plantations, this mountainous northern province has enough to inspire repeat visits.
Pakbeng
(Above)
A stop on Mekong River cruises between Houay Xay and Luang Prabang, visitors can trek in the area and even visit friendly elephants, or just relax and enjoy fantastic views as the river slices between mountains.
(Top right)
Located only eleven kilometers from Meuang Xay town, this waterfall is a lovely spot to take a swim and have a picnic. The falls are located in a protected area, so you will be surrounded by lush forests.
(Middle right)
One of the most interesting, beautiful, and largest caves in Laos is in Oudomxay. Chom Ong Cave is over 15km long and has not yet been totally explored. Some chambers are vast, opening up 50m high! The road has recently been improved, so visitors can visit more easily.
Follow the official Lao Thiao Lao Facebook page to see special offers, learn about interesting places to visit, and compete to win prizes!
(Above)
Have you ever seen tea trees grow naturally in a forest? This village outside of Pakbeng has a forest of ancient trees – some may even be 1,000 years old! The tea leaf buds are gathered and processed by locals and available for sale throughout the area. Enjoy a warm cup of history!
(Left)
The provincial capital is a strategic commercial town between Luang Prabang and the Chinese border. The ancient Phou That Stupa stands on a hill in the center of town along with a large standing Buddha. Make merit here at the holiest site in town.
The symbol of Laos, elephants were historically important for logging and war. Visit them in Xayaboury and learn more about the current lives of these incredible animals.
THAT LUANG
The most sacred place in Laos, That Luang also holds the country’s largest festival during November.
The Khan River begins in Xieng Khouang and demarcates Luang Prabang’s old quarter as it flows into the Mekong.
KHAN RIVER
1
Sofitel Luang Prabang
Tel: 071 260 777
Facebook: Sofitel
Luang Prabang
2
Maison
Dalabua
Tel: 071 255 588
Facebook: Maison Dalabua
3
Manda de Laos
Tel: 071 253 9230
Facebook: Manda de Laos
4
Gaspard
Tel: 071 252 247
Facebook: Gaspard
5
Luang Prabang
View Hotel
Tel: 071 260 560
Facebook: Luang Prabang View Hotel
6
The Belle Rive Hotel
Tel: 071 260 733
Facebook: The Belle Rive Hotel
Luang Prabang
Sofitel Luang Prabang
Gaspard
Maison Dalabua
Manda de Laos
Luang Prabang View Hotel
The Belle Rive Hotel
Le Bistro Ban Vat Sene
7
Le Calao Restaurant
Tel: 071 212 100
Facebook: Le Calao Restaurant
8
Le Bistro Ban Vat Sene
Tel: 071 212 517
Facebook: Le Bistro Ban Vat Sene
9
525 Cocktails & Tapas
Tel: 020 5666 5046
Facebook: 525 Cocktails & Tapas
10
11
12
13
14
15
Tel: 030 990 4780
Facebook: Lao Natural
Laos Buffalo Dairy
Tel: 030 9690 487
Facebook: Laos Buffalo Dairy
Lao Natural Sanctuary
Luang Prabang Hotel
Tel: 020 5286 9826
Facebook: Sanctuary
Luang Prabang Hotel
Victoria Xiengthong Palace
Tel: 020 5927 9997
Facebook: Victoria
Xiengthong Palace
Maison Souvannaphoum
Hotel by Angsana
Tel: 071 254 609
Facebook: Maison Souvannaphoum
Hotel by Angsana
Ock Pop Tok
Tel: 071 212 597
Facebook: Ock Pop Tok
525 Cocktails & Tapas Lao Natural Laos Buffalo Dairy Sanctuary Luang Prabang Hotel Victoria Xiengthong PalaceLe Grand Pakbeng
Tel: 020 5550 6791
Facebook: Le Grand Pakbeng
2
1 Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Tel: 081 212 304
Facebook: Sanctuary
Pakbeng Lodge
3
Mekong Elephant Park
Tel: 020 5532 0069
Facebook: Mekong Elephant Park
4
Oudomxay Car Rental and Guide Service
5
Charming Lao Hotel
Tel: 020 2396 8111
Facebook: Charming Lao Hotel
6
Namkat Yorla Pa Resort
Tel: 020 5556 4359
Facebook: Nam Kat Yorla Pa
Tel: 020 2284 4222
Tel: 020 5852 0046 Facebook:
Tel: 020 2262 6261 Facebook:
Tel: 081 312 200 Facebook: SL Cafe
Tel: 020 55 355 353
Tel: 020 99 999 225
1
The Boat Landing
Guest House
Tel: 020 5878 3777
Facebook: The Boat Landing Guest House
2
Pou Villa
Louangnamtha
Tel: 020 2929 2626
Facebook: Pou Villa
Louangnamtha
3
Zuela Guesthouse and Restaurant
Tel: 020 9182 3489
Facebook: Zuela Gueshouse and Restaurant
4
Thoulasith Guesthouse
Louang Namtha Laos
Tel: 086 212 166
Facebook: Thoulasith
Guesthouse Louang Namtha
Laos
5
Luang Namtha Trek
Tel: 020 2881 9198
Facebook: Luang Namtha
Trek
Onmany Sin Dart and Nem Neuang 6
The Boat Landing GuestHouse Pou Villa Louangnamtha Zuela Guesthouse and Restaurant7
Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park
8 9
Xayphasouk
Hotel & Restaurant
Tel: 064 312 033
Keochinda Hotel
Tel: 020 9966 6999
10
Sam Neua Hotel
Tel: 020 9933 0346
11
Mittaphap Hotel 3 Bounua
Tel: 088 212 999
Facebook: Mittaphap Hotel 3 Bounua
12
Viphaphone Hotel
Tel: 088 210 999
Facebook: Viphaphone Hotel
13
Laoper Restaurant
Tel: 020 5679 0326
14
Amazing Lao Travel
Tel: 020 5577 4354
Facebook: Amazing Lao Travel co.,
15
Sengsaly Guesthouse
Tel: 020 2293 5519
Luang Namtha Trek
Mittaphap Hotel 3 Bounua
Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park
Viphaphone Hotel
Onmany Sin Dart and Nem Neuang
Restaurant & Bar
Tel: 031 255 111–8
Facebook: Sa La Gang Kong
Restaurant & Bar
5
Tel: 031 210 022
Facebook: The Riviera Champasak
Pakse
Tel: 031 212 131
Facebook: Pakse Hotel
Athena Hotel
Tel: 031 214 888
Facebook: Athena Hotel
Cloud
Tel: 020 9847 9244
Facebook: Cloud 9 Cafe Hostel
Sa La Gang Kong
7
Caffeine pakse
Tel: 020 5875 5888
Facebook: Caffeine pakse
8
Lao Go Car Rental
Tel: 020 5563 3777
Facebook: Laogo Carrental
9
L'Ancient Café
Tel: 020 9526 9666
Facebook: L'Ancient Café
10
Paksong Danngarm Hotel
Tel: 031 211 345
Facebook: Paksong Danngarm Hotel
11
Mystic Mountain Homestay
Tel: 020 99661 333
Facebook: Mystic Mountain Homestay
12
LAK 40 - Coffee & tea
Tel: 020 2274 8822
Facebook: LAK 40 - Coffee & tea
13
La Folie Lodge
Tel: 020 5553 2004
Facebook: La Folie Lodge
14
15
Tel: 020 5650 1579
Facebook: Jhaicoffee
Jhai Coffee Wopakok Hotel & Restaurant
Tel: 020 9718 1269
Facebook: Wopakok Hotel
L'Ancient Café
Paksong Danngarm Hotel
Mystic Mountain Homestay LAK 40 - Coffee & Tea
La Folie Lodge
1
Tonhom House
2
Asa Hot Spring
Resort & Spa
Tel: 030 537 5710
Facebook: Asa Hot Spring
Resort & Spa
3
JL Yakiniku
4
Nunglin Cafe
Tel: 020 2803 7471
Facebook:
Nunglin cafe
5
Phouluang Hotel
Tel: 020 5545 3854
Facebook: Phouluang Hotel
Ton Paek
Pub & Restaurant 7
8
Maly Hotel
Xieng Khouang
Tel: 061 312 031
Facebook: Maly Hotel
Xieng khouang
9
Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel
Tel: 061 312 170
Facebook: Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel
10
Bungalow & Restaurant
Yod Nam Mut
Tel: 020 9527 3816
Facebook: Bungalow & Restaurant
Yod Nam Mut
11
Phouphadeng
Hotel - Auberge de la Plaine des Jarres
Tel: 020 2353 3333
Facebook: Phouphadeng
Hotel - Auberge de la Plaine des Jarres
12
Cranky-T Café and Bar
Tel: 030 538 8003
Facebook: Cranky-T Café and Bar
13 14 15
Jennida Guesthouse
Tel: 020 2859 0001
Facebook: Jennida Guesthouse
Xiengloei Cafe
Tel: 020 2855 5512
Facebook: Xiengloei Cafe -
Sipanya Guesthouse
Tel: 020 2993 1354
Facebook: Sipanya Guesthouse
1
Crowne Plaza
Vientiane
Tel: 021 908 888
Facebook: Crowne Plaza
Vientiane
2
Laotel Vientiane
Tel: 021 213 570
Facebook: Laotel Vientiane
Le Thatluang
D’or Boutique Hotel
Tel: 021 417 959
Facebook: Le Thatluang D’or
Boutique Hotel
4
Landmark Mekong
Riverside Hotel
Tel: 021 266 888
Facebook: Landmark Mekong
Riverside Hotel
Barn1920s Hostel
Tel: 020 5449 3355
Facebook: Barn1920s
Hostel
Espécial Café & Bar
Tel: 020 5866 4073
Facebook: Espécial Café & Bar
7
Suntara Lounge
Tel: 020 2878 7779
Facebook: Suntara Lounge
8
La Seine by Burasari
Tel: 021 253 800
Facebook: La Seine by Burasari
9
VKS Vongkhamsene Hotel
Tel: 021 219 922
Facebook: VKS
Vongkhamsene Hotel
10
7th Heaven by Burasari
11
Grand Hotel Vientiane
Tel: 021 410 275
Facebook: Grand Hotel Vientiane
12
River Moon - Camping
Tel: 020 5599 3737
Facebook: River Moon - Camping
13 14 15
The Galleria Coffee & Bar
Tel: 020 5768 6868
Facebook: The Galleria Coffee & Bar
Hom sa
Tel: 020 9111 6938
Facebook: ຮ້ານຮົ່ມສາ - Hom sa
Jupdard Buffet
VKS Vongkhamsene Hotel 7th Heaven by Burasari
Grand Hotel Vientiane
River Moon - Camping
The Galleria Coffee & Bar
Hom sa
VIENTIANE
Lao Skyway Route
Future Route
FLIGHT OPERATED BY: LAO SKYWAY
SAVANNAKHET PAKSE
VIENTIANE – XAYABOULY 01:05 h
VIENTIANE – HOUAPHAN 02:25 h
VIENTIANE – PHONGSALY 02:20 h
VIENTIANE – LUANGNAMTHA 02:05 h
VIENTIANE – OUDOMXAY 01:50 h
VIENTIANE – BORKEO 02:20 h
VIENTIANE – BORLIKHAMXAY 00:40 h
VIENTIANE – KHAMMUON 01:30 h
VIENTIANE – SAVANNAKETH 02:20 h
VIENTIANE
03:50 h VIENTIANE
ATTAPEU 03:55 h 02:10 h 02:20 h 01:20 h 04:50 h 04:40 h 04:10 h 03:20 h 04:40 h 01:20 h 03:00 h 04:40 h 06:40 h 07:40 h 07:40 h 07:50 h VIENTIANE – VANGVIENG 00:45 h VIENTIANE – LUANGPRABANG 01:20 h VIENTIANE – XAYABOULY 01:05 h VIENTIANE – XIENGKHUANG 01:10 h VIENTIANE – XAISOMBOUN 00:40 h VIENTIANE – HOUAPHAN 02:25 h VIENTIANE – PHONGSALY 02:20 h VIENTIANE – LUANGNAMTHA 02:05 h VIENTIANE – OUDOMXAY 01:50 h VIENTIANE – BORKEO 02:20 h VIENTIANE – BORLIKHAMXAY 00:40 h VIENTIANE – KHAMMUON 01:30 h VIENTIANE – SAVANNAKETH 02:20 h VIENTIANE – CHAMPASAK 03:20 h VIENTIANE – SALAVANH 03:50 h VIENTIANE – SEKONG 03:50 h VIENTIANE – ATTAPEU 03:55 h 01:30 h 02:40 h 02:10 h 02:20 h 01:20 h 04:50 h 04:40 h 04:10 h 03:20 h 04:40 h 01:20 h 03:00 h 04:40 h 06:40 h 07:40 h 07:40 h 07:50 h ROUTES ONE WAY ROUND TRIP
CESSANA 208 GRAND CARAVAN MA-60
ROUTES ONE WAY ROUND TRIP ROUTES ONE WAY ROUND TRIP ROUTES ONE WAY ROUND TRIP
VIENTIANE - OUDOMXAY 01:36 h
VIENTIANE - BORKEO 01:25 h
VIENTIANE - TONPHERNG 01:40 h
VIENTIANE - XIENGKHUANG 00:48 h
VIENTIANE - XAYABOULY 00:45 h
VIENTIANE - SAVANNAKETH 01:42 h
VIENTIANE – LUANGNAMTHA 01:05 h 02:00 h 02:10 h
VIENTIANE
– OUDOMXAY 01:00 h
VIENTIANE – XIENGKHUANG 00:40 h 02:10 h 03:30 h
– CHAMPASAK 01:45 h
