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Salana Boutique Hotel: A Tale of Tradition and Luxury CULTURE Boun Bang Fai

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ທີ່່ານເລືອກເດ່ນທີ່າງໄປກັບ ສາຍການບິນ ລາວສະກາຍເວ.

ພວກເຮ້າຂົ້ສງຄໍາາອວຍພອນອັນປະເສ່ດໄປຍັງຜູ້້�ໂດຍສານທີ່່�ຈະເດ່ນທີ່າງ ມາ ສປປ ລາວ ໃນປທີ່່ອງທີ່່ຽວ ລາວ 2024 ນ່ ຈງເຕ້ັມໄປດ�ວຍແຮງ

ບັນດານໃຈທີ່່� ສ້ງສງ ແລະ ມ່ແຕ້ຄໍາວາມສຸກສ່ມຫວັງ. ພວກເຮ້າຮສຶກເປັນ

ກຽດເປັນຢ່່າງຍິ�ງທີ່່�ໄດ�ເອ່�ນປະເທີ່ດທີ່່�ແສນສວຍງາມແຫ່ງນ່ວ່າບ�ານ.

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ວັດທີ່ະນະທີ່າ ເຊິ�ງເປັນແຂົ້ວງທີ່່� ມ່ປະຊາກອນຫລາຍທີ່່� ສຸດໃນປະເທີ່ດ

ລາວ ແລະ ລາວສະກາຍເວ ກພ�ອມແລ�ວ ທີ່່�ຈະນາພາທີຸ່ກຄໍາ່ນໄປ

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ສະຫວັນນະເຂົ້ດ.

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ບລິການແກທີ່່ານເທີ່ິງຖ້ຽວບິນຂົ້ອງພວກເຮ້າອ່ ກຄໍາັງ. ຂົ້�າພະເຈາຫວັງວ່າ

ລາວສະກາຍເວ ຈະເປັນອ່ ກທີ່າງເລືອກໜຶ່�ງໃນການເດ່ນທີ່າງທີ່່�ຈະນາພາ

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ດ�ວຍຄໍາວາມຮັກແພງ ແລະ ເຄໍາ້າລ່ບນັບຖ້ືເປັນຢ່່າງສ້ງ, ພັນເອກ ສ່ວຽງທີ່ອງ ກອນນວ່ ງ

ຜູ້້�ອານວຍການໃຫຍ ລາວສະກາຍເວ

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Dear Passengers,

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Welcome aboard and thank you for choosing Lao Skyway.

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We would like to send our warmest wishes for inspiration and fulfillment to our passengers traveling to Laos on this Visit Laos Year 2024. We are honored to call this stunning nation home.

I am thrilled to announce that Lao Skyway will soon be taking off for a new flight route to Savannakhet province, The historical and cultural delights of Laos’ most populous province, Lao Skyway will soon be available for passengers to visit and conveniently enjoy Savannakhet Province’s beautiful landscape.

No matter how far or how close you are, Lao Skyway is always here to service you, we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again aboard a flight with Lao Skyway soon. I hope that Lao Skyway will be your choice for a convenient means of transportation to your destination.

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With the highest respect and warm regards,

Col. Siviengthong Konnyvong CEO of Lao Skyway

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COVER IMAGE

A beautiful rock formation on Phou Ya Kha by Phoonsab Thevongsa

Dear Readers,

Welcome to Lao Sky, the inflight magazine of Lao Skyway as we continue Visit Laos Year 2024 and explore more of the richness Laos has to offer.

During this time of year, rocket festivals sprout up all over the country to bring rain. Learn more about this curious tradition and maybe see one yourself!

Xieng Khouang is famous for its history, like the Plain of Jars. Young people in this area are making their own history at Lone Buffalo through education and entrepreneurship programs.

Luang Prabang’s Wat Xieng Thong is a spectacular temple and a highlight of any visit to the old city.

Stay at Salana Boutique Hotel for a luxurious and sustainable experience in the heart of downtown Vientiane.

Oudomxay is not as well known as other places in Laos, but it still has a lot ot offer anyone who visits.

Thanks for being onboard,

The Lao Sky team

PUBLISHING ADVISORY BOARD

Siviengthong Konnyvong Chief Executive Officer

Bouachanh Sounnalath Administration Director

Panthavy Sisongkham Commercial Director

Onta Phompanya Lao Skyway Industry Director

Khamla Phomsichanh Lao Skyway Director LAO SKYWAY

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

www.facebook.com/laoskyway

Group Editor-in-Chief

Contributing Editors

Creative Director

Contributing Writers

Contributing Photographers

ADVERTISING

Sales & Marketing Manager

Sales Executive RDK GROUP

Jason Rolan

Vilavanh Chanthavong

Dokfa Malaithong

Anita Preston

Mick Shippen

Keota Thamnuvong

Phoonsab Thevongsa Evensong Film

Latsamee Phaxay

Mark Gandeza

sales@rdkgroup.la (856-20) 56581416 (856-20) 59596621

134 Samsenthai Road, Xiengyeun Village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, Laos (856-20) 55731717 | info@rdkgroup.la

ທີ່່� ຈັດຂົ້ຶ�ນທີ່່າມກາງການສະ ເຫມສະຫີອງເທີ່ສະການອັນໂດດເດັນອ່ ກງານໜຶ່�ງຂົ້ອງລາວ ໂດຍ ຈັດຂົ້ຶ�ນໃນຊ່ວງເວລາທີ່່�ອາກາດຮ�ອນອ່ ບເອາທີ່່� ສຸດຂົ້ອງປ ກ່ອນ ຈະຮອດລະດ້ການເຮັດນາປີ, ເຊິ�ງບັນດາພ່ແມ່ປະຊາຊ່ນພາຍໃນບ�ານຈະພາ ກັນ ປະດິດບັງໄຟຂົ້ຶ�ນ ພ�ອມປ່ອຍບັງໄຟດັ ງກ່າວຂົ້ຶ�ນສ້່ທີ່� ອງຟ້າ. ເນື�ອງຈາກມ່ຄໍາວາມ

ເຊື�ອທີ່່� ວ່າ ການປ່ອຍບັງໄຟເຫີ່ານ່ກໍເ ພື�ອເ ປັນການ ສ ງ ສັນຍານເ ຕ້ືອນແ ກ່ພວກ

ເທີ່ວະດາຟ້າແຖ້ນໃຫ�ສງນ້າຝົົນລ່ງມາຍັງໂລກມະນຸດ ຈຶ�ງຈະສາມາດດາເນ່ນການ

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ບັນຍາກາດໃນຕ້ອນເຊາຂົ້ອງງານບຸນດັ ງກ່າວເຕ້ັມໄປດ� ວຍສຽງຮ�ອງ ລ າ ທີ່ າເພງ ມ່ທີ່ັງເພງໝ່ລາ ແລະ ເພງລ້ກທີ່ງຍອດນ ຍ່ ມທີ່່�ອອກໃໝ່່ ຫີ�າ ສຸດຈາກ ບັນດາໂ ຄໍາ ສ່ກທີ່ັງຫີາຍ. ບັນດາໝ່້່ຄໍາ້່ເພື�ອນຝົ້ງຈະມາລວມຕ້່ວກັນໃນຈຸດປະດິດບັງໄຟໂດຍ ໃຊ�ໄມ�ໄຜູ້ ຫີື ທີ່ PVC ເປັນລາຕ້່ວ ເ ຊິ�ງ ຂົ້� າງໃນເ ຕ້ັມໄປ ດ� ວຍ ດິນ ປືນ ແລະ ສ່ວນ

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ພວກຊາວບ�ານຈະມ່ການຈັດຂົ້ະບວນແຫບັງໄຟ ພ�ອມຕ້່ກອງ, ດ່ດພິນ, ແຕ້່ງກາຍ

ນຸ່ງຖ້ືແປກຕ້າ ທີ່ັງເຕ້ັນ-ຟ້ອນ ພ�ອມດື�ມເຫີ່າ/ເບຍ ໃນຂົ້ະນະທີ່່� ກາລັງແບກບັງໄຟ. ໄຟຈະຖ້ືກນາມາຕ້ິດທີ່່� ຟິວບັງໄຟໃນຂົ້ະນະທີ່່� ທີຸ່ກຄໍາ່ນຕ້່າງກຕ້ັງຕ້າລຄໍາອຍພ�ອມກັນ ລ່ມຫັນໃຈໄວ� ແລະແລ�ວບັງໄຟກທີ່ະຍານຂົ້ຶ�ນສ້່ທີ່�ອງຟ້າ

ຈ້ດບັງໄຟບັງຕ້່ໄປ.

It takes a village to mount a Bang Fai

Boun Bang Fai

Words by Jason Rolan

Images by Phoonsab Thevongsa

n one of the most distinctive Lao celebrations, the Rocket Festival takes center stage. Set against the backdrop of the hottest period of the year, just preceding the rice planting season, locals create and launch rockets, known as bang fai, into the sky. They believe that the act of launching these rockets signals the gods to send rain, thus ensuring a bountiful harvest.

In the morning, the atmosphere is already charged with the latest molam and loukthong country music hits resonating from the speakers. Friends gather to fashion rockets using sturdy bamboo or PVC pipes as the fuselage, which are filled with a homemade concoction of gunpowder and other secret ingredients, and then equipped with a fuse.

Villagers parade with drums and an electric guitar, called a phin, dressed in outlandish clothing, dancing, and drinking beer as they carry their rockets.

The fuse is lit while everyone holds their breath. The rockets launch into the sky and the village cheers on. The villagers celebrate by dancing and drinking more until the next rocket launch.

First, locals must help each other carry the large Bang Fai to the launching point

Ponds of muddy water await those whose rockets explode on launch - villagers will merrily give them a mud bath

Tall scaffolds are erected for the festival so that Bang Fai may be mounted and launched

When the Bang Fai are in place, everyone will clear the area and the fuse is ignited electrically from afar

This festival is one exciting party in the fields with music, dancing, and Bang Fai!

ຂົ້ຽນໂດຍ ແກ້້ວົຕາ ທຳນຸວົົງ ຮ້ ບໂດຍ ໂຮງແຮມ ຊັາລັານາ ບຕກ້

ຕໍໍານານແຫ່ງຄວາມປະສົົມປະສົານ

ແຮມຊາລານາບ້ຕ້ິກ ຖ້ືເປັນບ່ອນເປີດຮັບບັນຍາກາດ ໃໝ່່ທີ່່� ມ່ຊ່ວິດຊ່ວາແຫ່ງໜຶ່�ງຂົ້ອງນະຄໍາອນຫີວງວຽງຈັນ ຜູ້່ານການນາສະເໜຶ່່ຄໍາວາມກ່ມກືນອັນງ່ດງາມຂົ້ອງມ່ນ ສະເໜຶ່່ແບບດັງເດ່ມຂົ້ອງລາວ ໂດຍປະສ່ມປະສານເຂົ້້າກັບຄໍາວາມຫີຫີາ ທີ່ັນສະໄໝ່ຢ່່າງລ່ງຕ້່ວ. ສະຖ້ານປະກອບການອັນງ່ດງາມແຫ່ງນ່ ປະກອບ ມ່ຫ�ອງພັກທີ່່�ໄດ�ຮັບການອອກແບບຢ່່າງຫີຫີາຈານວນ 42 ຫ�ອງ ເຊິ�ງ ຈະມອບປະສ່ບການທີ່່� ຄໍາຸ�ມຄໍາ່າເໜຶ່ືອຊັນ. ຫ� ອງ ພັກແ ຕ້່ລະ ຫ� ອງ ໄ ດ�ສ ງ ມອບຄໍາວາມສະດວກສະບາຍຕ້ັງແຕ້ຫ�ອງຊພ່ເຣຍໄປຈ່ນເຖ້ິງຫ�ອງຊາລາ ນາ ສວິດອັນຫີຫີາ, ທີ່ັງໝ່່ດເຫີ່ານ່ລ�ວນແຕ້່ໄດ�ຮັບການອອກແບບມາ ເພື�ອສງມອບແດນສະຫວັນແຫ່ງຄໍາວາມສະຫງ່ບງຽບ ແລະ ຄໍາວາມສະ ຫງ່າງາມໃຫ�ແກ່ແຂົ້ກຜູ້້�ມາພັກເຊ້າ.

ທີ່່ານສາມາດດື�ມດາກັບບັນຍາກາດ ທີ່� ອງ ຖ້ິ�ນ ທີ່່າມກາງຕ້ະຫີາດອັນຄໍາຶກຄໍາື�ນ, ວັດວາອາຮາມເກ້າແກຫີາຍແຫ່ງ

ແລະ ສະພາບແວດລ�ອມທີ່າງທີ່າມະຊາດອັນງຽບສະຫງ່ບ.

ຍາມຄໍາ�ອຍຄໍາາລ່ງແລງ, Pepper Wood Lounge ກໍເ ປັນອ່ ກໜຶ່�ງຄໍາາຕ້ອບ ທີ່່�ຈະເຊື�ອເຊ່ນທີ່່ານລິ�ມລອງ ກັບ ບັນຍາກາດ ອັນ ໜຶ່� າ ຕ້ື�ນເ ຕ້ັ ນ ເພາະທີ່່� ນ່ ມ່ບ ລ ການເຄໍາື�ອງດື�ມຄໍາັອກເທີ່ວສ້ ດສະເພາະ ທີ່່� ປຸງແຕ້່ງຈາກການປະສ່ມຢ່່າງມ່ສິລະປະ ກັບລ່ດຊາດແບບລາວໂດຍແທີ່� ເຊິ�ງຈະມອບລ່ດຊາດອັນເປັນເອກະ ລັກ ທີ່ າງ ມ ລະດ່ກຕ້່ກທີ່ອດອັນຍາວນານຂົ້ອງຊາດ ຜູ້່ານທີຸ່ກຢ່ົດທີ່່� ທີ່່ານໄດ�ຊິມ.

ນັນກຄໍາ

mbracing the dynamic pulse of Vientiane, Salana Boutique Hotel presents an exquisite fusion of Lao traditional charm with the finesse of modern luxury. This magnificent establishment, boasting 42 elegantly designed rooms, provides an experience that goes beyond the standard. Each room, from the plush comfort of the Superior to the grandeur of the Salana Suite, is crafted to offer guests a haven of tranquility and elegance.

Salana Boutique Hotel

Words by Keota Thamnuvong

Images by Salana Boutique Hotel

The hotel's selection of amenities promises that each stay is exceptional. Surrender to the peaceful ambiance of Sarila Spa, where age-old Lao therapies harmonize with contemporary relaxation practices. Discover artisanal crafts at the Sava Artisan shop, a treasure trove perfect for those looking to take a piece of Laos home. The culinary adventure continues at Kitchen Vibe Bistro, an innovative eatery where Western gastronomy meets Lao creativity.

A Tale of Tradition and Luxury

Nestled on Chao Anou Road, Salana Boutique Hotel positions guests just moments away from the cultural mosaic of Vientiane. Immerse yourself in the local scene with nearby bustling markets, historic temples, and the tranquil Mekong River—a blend of vibrant city life and peaceful natural surroundings.

As the evening descends, the Pepper Wood Lounge invites you on a flavorful journey. Here, handcrafted cocktails are artfully infused with authentic Lao flavors, offering a unique taste of the country's rich heritage in every sip.

Central to Salana Boutique Hotel's philosophy is a deep-seated commitment to sustainability and ethical tourism. Celebrated as a Travelife-certified hotel, we take pride in our rigorous environmental and social practices. Bolstered by the SUSTOUR Laos Project, with support from the European Union and Plan International Laos, we guarantee that your indulgent stay advances the cause of responsible tourism. Experience the allure of Laos at Salana Boutique Hotel, where every visit is a step towards a more sustainable and culturally rich world.

For more information: salanaboutique.com

GETTING THERE

Lao Skyway has flights to Vientiane from many provinces in Laos.

CAPTIONS

1: The stylish lobby of Salana Boutique Hotel

2: Unwind in the spa

3: Indulge in room service at the hotel

4: Rooms at Salana have all of the modern conveniences

5: A foot massage is the perfect end of a long day of sightseeing

6: The rooms are spacious and comfortable

ວັດຊຽງທອງ

ຍ່າງຜູ້່ານປະຕ້້ຫ່ນເກ້າແກສ່ຂົ້າວສະອາດ ໃນ ຊ່ວງ ຕ້ ອນ ບ່າຍ ທີ່່າມ ກາງແສງແດດສ່ດໃສ ຈະເຮັດໃຫ�ຮສຶກໄດ�ວ່າບມ່ບ່ອນໃດອ່ ກແລ�ວ ທີ່່�ຈະ ມ່ບັນຍາກາດ ດ່ ໄປກ ວ່າເ ດ່�ນ ອັນງຽບສະຫ ງ່ ບ ຂົ້ ອງ ວັດຊຽງ

ທີ່ອງ. ສະຖ້ານທີ່່� ດັງກ່າວອາບເອ� ໄປດ� ວຍແສງແດດສ່ທີ່ອງບວກກັບຮມໄມ�ເປັນເງ້າ

ທີ່ອດຍາວ ເຮັດໃຫ�ວັດ ແລະ ອາຄໍາານອື�ນໆໃນບລິເວນແຫ່ງນ່ມ່ສະເໜຶ່ໜຶ່�າຫີ່ງໄຫີເປັນ ພິເສດ. ເປັນທີ່່� ຮັບຮ ແລະ ເຂົ້້າໃຈໄດ�ຢ່່າງງ່າຍດາຍວ່າ ຍ�ອນເຫດຜູ້່ນຫຍັງ “ວັດຊຽງ ທີ່ອງ” ມ່ຄໍາ ວາມ ໝ່ າຍ ວ່າ “ ວັດແ ຫ່ງເ ມືອງ ທີ່ ອງ” ເ ຊິ�ງເ ປັນໜຶ່�ງສະ ຖ້ ານທີ່່�ທີ່່�ໄ ດ�ຮັບ

ຄໍາວາມນຍ່ມຫີາຍທີ່່� ສຸດໃນລາວ, ນອກຈາກພະທີ່າດຫີວງວຽງຈັນແລ�ວ ກບມ່ອາຮາມ ອື�ນໃດທີ່່�ສາມາດຈ່ ດຈາໄດ� ໃນທີ່ັນທີ່່ ຫີື ມ່ຄໍາວາມສາຄໍາັນທີ່າງປະຫ ວັດສາດ. ຄໍາ ວາມ

ກ່ຽວຂົ້�ອງກັນຢ່່າງໃກ�ຊິດກັບພຸດທີ່ະສາສະໜຶ່າ ແລະ ພທີ່່ກາຕ້່າງໆ ຖ້ືເ ປັນ ຕ້່ ວຢ່່າງ

ທີ່່� ສ່ມບ້ນແບບທີ່າງດ�ານສະຖ້າປັດຕ້ະຍະກາວັດຂົ້ອງລາວ.

ກ່່ຽວິກ່ັບຮູບພາບ

1: ພະສ່ງສ້ດມ່ນໃນວັດ

ຊຽງທີ່ອງ 2: ຕ້່ນໂພທີ່່�ເຮັດດ�ວຍ ແກ�ວສ່ 3: ຫີາຍຄໍາ່ນມັກຖ້່າຍຮ້ ບຢ່້່ ຫໍໄຫວ�ສ່ກຫີາບ

ໂດຍທີ່ວໄປແລ�ວ, ວັດບາງແຫ່ງໃນລາວຈະຖ້ືກສ�າງຂົ້ຶ�ນ ໃນສະຖ້ານທີ່່�ທີ່່� ກ່ຽວຂົ້�ອງກັບນທີ່ານພື�ນເມືອງ. ຕ້່ ນ ກາເນ່ດຂົ້ອງວັດຊຽງທີ່ອງ ມ່ການເລ້າສືບມາວ່າ ເປັນ

ບ່ອນທີ່່� ລສ່ສອງອ່ ງເປັນຜູ້້�ກຕ້ັງເມືອງ ແລະ ວາງສ່ລາ ເຂົ້ດແດນຂົ້ອງຊຸມຊ່ນແຫ່ງໃໝ່່ໄ ວ�ຢ່້່ຈຸດໜຶ່�ງທີ່່� ຢ່້່ ໃ ກ� ກັບຈຸດໄຫີພ່ບລະຫວ່າງແມນ້າຄໍາານກັບແມນ້າຂົ້ອງ.

ສາສະໜຶ່າພຸດຂົ້ອງລາວ ໄດ�ລວມເອ້ າອ່ ງປະກອບທີ່າງ

ຄໍາວາມເຊື�ອດັງເດ່ມ ແລະ ຜູ້່ສາງທີ່່�ເກ້າແກຫີາຍຢ່່າງເຂົ້້າ ໃສກັນ. ຊາວເມືອງໃນສະໄໝ່ກ່ອນເຊື�ອວ່າ ມ່ ພະຍາ ນາກສອງໂຕ້ອາໄສຢ່້່ໃນແມນ້າໃກ�ກັບຈຸດວາງສ່ລາແຫ່ງ ນ່ ພ�ອມທີ່ັງເຝົົາຮັກສາເມືອງໄວ� ໃຫ�ມ່ຄໍາວາມປອດໄພ

ຈິ�ງຕ້ອງໄດ�ມ່ການຂົ້າບໄຫວ�ພ�ອມຖ້ວາຍບ້ຊາ ເພື�ອເຮັດ ໃຫ�ພະຍານາກທີ່ັງສອງມ່ຄໍາວາມເພິ�ງພໍໃຈ ແລະ ມ່ຄໍາວາມ ສຸກໃຈ. ນອກຈາກນ່ຍັງມ່ການບັນລະຍາຍກ່ຽວກັບ

ພະຍານາກດ�ວຍການປະດັບຕ້່ກແຕ້່ງຮ້ ບພະຍານາກ

ທີ່ວທີ່ັງວັດ.

ທີ່່� ດ�ານຫີັງຂົ້ອງສິມກມ່ຮ້ບຕ້່ນໄມ�ແຫ່ງຊ່ວິດ (ຕ້່ນໂພ) ທີ່່� ໜຶ່�າອັດສະຈັນ. ຮ້ບນ່ສ�າງຂົ້ຶ�ນໃນປ 1960 ເຊິ�ງສ�າງ

ຄໍາາສອນຂົ້ອງພຸດທີ່ະສາສະໜຶ່າ.

ຢ່້່ ເ ດ່�ນ ກ່ ງ ກັນ ຂົ້� າມ ກັບ ສິມໃຫ ຍ ກ ໍແ ມ່ນ “ໂຮງ ມ� ຽນ ໂກດ” ທີ່່�ເປັນໄມ�ສັກແກະສະ ຫີັກປິດຄໍາາແປວຮອບຄໍາັນ ສ�າງຂົ້ຶ�ນໃນປ 1960 ໃນລັກສະນະເປັນຮ້ບຊ່ງທີ່າງຊຽງ

ຢ່້່ດ�ານຊ�າຍຂົ້ອງສິມ, ກ ມ່ຫໍໄຫ ວ�ສ່ກ ຫີ າບທີ່່� ຕ້່ ກແ ຕ້່ງ ດ�ວຍແກ�ວສ່ຕ້ັດຕ້ກັນໃຫ�ເປັນເນື�ອໃນລາຍລະອຽດ

ດ�ວຍແກ�ວສ່ຈາກຍປຸ່ນມາຕ້ັດຕ້ກັນເປັນຮ້ ບຕ້່ ນໄມ�, ຮ້ບພາບດັງກ່າວໄດ�ກວມເອ້າທີ່ວຝົາຜູ້ະໜຶ່ັງ. ມ່ນທີ່ານ ທີ່່�ເລ້າແບບປາກຕ້່ປາກສືບມາວ່າ ແ ຕ້ ກ່ອນ ມ່ ຜູ້້� ສ� າງ ເມືອງໄດ�ພ່ບເຫັນໄມ�ຕ້່ນໜຶ່�ງທີ່່� ມ່ລັກສະນະຄໍາ�າຍຄໍາືໄຟ ໄໝ່� ແລ�ວຈິ�ງຕ້ັດສິນໃຈຕ້ັງຖ້ິ�ນຖ້ານບ�ານເຮືອນຢ່້່ອ�ອມ ຮອບບລິເວນຕ້່ນໄມ�ດັງກ່າວ. ຍ�ອນແນວນັນ, ໃນເວ ລາທີ່່�ແກ�ວສ່ຕ້ອງກັບແສງ ຈິ�ງເກ່ດມ່ປະກາຍແວວວາວ ຄໍາ�າຍຄໍາກັບແປວໄຟ. ມ່ນທີ່ານອ່ກເລື�ອງໜຶ່�ງເລ້າວ່າ ໄມ� ຕ້່ນນ່�ແມ່ນຕ້່ນໂພທີ່່�ພະພຸດທີ່ະເຈາໄດ�ຕ້ັດສະຮ ພ�ອມ ດ�ວຍສັດຕ້່າງໆເຊັນ ນ່ກຍ້ງ ແລະ ສັດນ�ອຍອື�ນໆຈາກ

ກ່ຽວກັບການເຄໍາື�ອນໄຫວທີ່າງພຸດສະສາສະໜຶ່າ ເຊິ�ງເປັນສ່ວນໜຶ່�ງໃນຊ່ວິດປະຈາ

ວັນຂົ້ອງສຽວສະຫວາດ, ຕ້່ວລະຄໍາອນສາຄໍາັນໃນວັນນະຄໍາະດ່ທີ່່� ມ່ຊື�ສຽງ, ເ ຊິ�ງ ສ� າງ ສາເລັດໃນມືຄໍາ່ບຮອບ 2,500 ປີແຫ່ງການປະລນິພານຂົ້ອງພະພຸດທີ່ະເຈາ. ຫາກ ທີ່່ານໄດ�ມາຮອດຫໍໄຫວ�ແຫ່ງນ່�, ກ່ອນຖ້່າຍຮ້ ບແມ່ນໃຫ�ປ່ອນຫ່ວອອກມາທີ່າງໜຶ່�າ

ປະຕ້້ປ່ອງຢ່້ຽມເພື�ອໄດ�ເກັບພາບໃຫ�ຄໍາ�າຍຄໍາກັບເຈາຖ້ິ�ນ.

ຫາກທີ່່ານເດ່ນທີ່າງມາເຖ້ິງສະຖ້ານທີ່່�ແຫ່ງນ່�ໃນຊ່ວງຕ້ອນເຊາກໍຈະ ພ່ບວ່າ ທີ່່� ດ�ານ

ໜຶ່�າຂົ້ອງອາຄໍາານຈະເຕ້ັມໄປດ�ວຍແສງສະຫວ່າງ ຂົ້ະນະທີ່່�ລາຍລະອຽດທີ່າງສະຖ້າ

ປັດຕ້ະຍະກາກໍຈະ ມ່ຄໍາວາມໂດດເດັນຢ່່າງເຫັນໄດ�ຊັດເຈນ. ກ່ ງ ກັນ ຂົ້� າມ, ຖ້ າ ທີ່່ານ ຫາກມາຮອດໃນຊ່ວງຄໍາ�າຍແລງ, ແສງແດດກໍຈະ ອ່ອນລ່ ງ ແລະ ເປັນສ່ທີ່ອງ ໂດຍ ທີ່່� ຕ້າເວັນຄໍາ່ອຍເລື�ອນລ່ງຢ່້່ດ�ານຫີັ ງວັດ ຂົ້ະນະທີ່່� ທີ່� ອງ ຟ້າແ ມ່ນຈະເ ຕ້ັມໄປ ດ� ວຍ ສ່ສັນ ແລະ ເປັນສາກຫີັງທີ່່� ງ່ດງາມຫາເບິ�ງໄດ�ຍາກ.

ເພື�ອເປັນເຄໍາື�ອງພສ້ ດໃຫ�ເຫັນເຖ້ິງຄໍາວາມສາຄໍາັນຂົ້ອງວັດຊຽງທີ່ອງ, ງານບຸນ ແລະ

ພທີ່່ທີ່າງການຕ້່າງໆຍັງຄໍາ່ງຈັດຂົ້ຶ�ນຢ່້່ທີ່່� ນ່�.

ປະກອບ ສ່ວນໃນການ ດ້ ແລ ຮັກສາ ແລະ ບ ລິຫານ ຄໍາຸ�ມ

ຄໍາອງວັດຊຽງທີ່ອງ, ສ່ວນຫ�ອງຂົ້າຍປີສາລັບແຂົ້ກທີ່່�ມາ

ທີ່່ຽວຊ່ມກຢ່້່ພາຍໃຕ້ການຄໍາຸ�ມຄໍາອງດ້ແລໂດຍຜູ້້�ທີ່່�ອາໄສ

ຢ່້່ເຂົ້ດໃກ�ຄໍາຽງ ທີ່່� ຍັງເລັງເຫັນວ່າ ວັດແຫ່ງນ່ຖ້ືເປັນສ້ນກາງ

ແຫ່ງຊ່ວິດຂົ້ອງພວກຕ້່ນ. ໃນ ບັນດາ ລ າ ດັບ ຊັ ນ ດ� ານທີ່່�

ເພິ�ງທີ່າງຈິດວິນຍານຂົ້ອງວັດຫີາຍແຫ່ງໃນຫີວງພະບາງ

ສາມາດເວາໄດ�ວ່າ ວັດຊຽງທີ່ອງແມ່ນເປັນບ່ອນທີ່່�ໄດ�ຮັບ

ຄໍາວາມເຄໍາ້າລ່ບນັບຖ້ຫີາຍກວ່າໝ່້່.

ເ ມື�ອ ທີ່່ານ ມ່ຈຸດປະ ສ່ ງຈະເຂົ້້ າ ຢ່້ຽມ ຊ່ ມ ວັດ, ທີ່່ານ ຄໍາ ວນ ແຕ້່ງກາຍໃຫ�ເໝ່າະສ່ມ ແລະ ປະພຶດຕ້່ນດ�ວຍຄໍາວາມເຄໍາ້າ

ລ່ບນອບນ�ອມ. ທີ່າງທີ່່� ດ່ຄໍາວນມ່ຜູ້�າຄໍາຸມບ່າໄຫີ່ ແລະ ບ

ຄໍາວນນຸ່ງເຄໍາື�ອງແບບເປີດເຜູ້່ຍເນື�ອໜຶ່ັງເກ່ນໄປ ຫີື ລ່ມກັນ

ສຽງດັງ. ຫ�າມແຕ້ະຕ້ອງພະສ່ງ ແລະ ຕ້ອງປົດເກ່ບກ່ອນ

ເຂົ້້າໄປຂົ້�າງໃນອາຄໍາານຂົ້ອງວັດ.

ເຄັັ ດີລັັບ ການຕ້ັກບາດບ່ໄດ�ມ່ສະເພາະຕ້າມເສັ ນທີ່າງຖ້ະ

ຈຸດທີ່າບຸນຕ້ັກບາດທີ່່� ດ່ກຄໍາບລິເວນໃກ�ປະຕ້້ວັດ ຊຽງທີ່ອງ ເບື�ອງທີ່ິດຕ້າເວັນຕ້່ກສ່ຽງໃຕ້ ເຊິ�ງຈະ ຊ່ວຍໃ ຫ�ທີ່່ານ ມ່ ໂອກາດໄ ດ�ພ່ ບເ ຫັນປະຊາ ຊ່ ນ ທີ່�ອງຖ້ິ�ນຈານວນຫີາຍພາກັນທີ່າບຸນຖ້ວາຍທີ່ານ ຕ້່ພະສ່ງ-ສາມະເນນ ພ�ອມເພ່ດເພ່ນໄປກັບປະ ສ່ບການຕ້່ວຈິງຫີາຍຂົ້ຶ�ນ.

ວິິທີີເດີີນທີາງ

ສາຍການບິນລາວເດ່ນອາກາດ (Lao Skyway) ໃ ຫ�ບ ລິການຖ້ ຽວ ບິນ ທີຸ່ກ ວັນ ຈາກ

ນະຄໍາອນຫີວງວຽງຈັນໄປຍັງຊຽງຂົ້ວາງ.

The elegant roofline of Wat Xieng Thong has become a symbol of Luang Prabang

Wat Xieng Thong

Words by Anita Preston

Images by Anita Preston / Evensong Film

alking through the old white-washed stone archways on a sunny afternoon, there is no better place to be than in the tranquil temple courtyard of Wat Xieng Thong. Bathed in golden light and long shadows from the trees the temple and its outbuildings look particularly enchanting. It’s easy to understand why Wat Xieng Thong, in English means ‘Temple of the Golden City. It is one of the most popular locations in Laos. Apart from That Luang in Vientiane, no other building is so instantly recognizable or historically significant. Closely entwined with religion and ceremony it’s a picture-perfect example of Lao temple architecture.

The sim (main hall) with its nine elegantly paneled rooftops sweeping to the ground is a building covered in artwork that shows the skill and imagination of temple artisans. Teak columns painted black and maroon with elaborate gold stenciling support a crimson roof decorated with Buddhist symbols such as the Wheel of Life. The outside of the sim also has a multitude of elaborate gold stencils showing scenes from Buddhist tales.

Lao temples are normally constructed on some ancient mythical site. The temple’s origins are said to be where two hermits founded the city and placed the boundary stones of the new settlement at a spot close to where the Khan and Mekong Rivers meet. Laos’ version of Buddhism has incorporated many older superstitious and animistic elements. Early inhabitants believed two nagas (river serpents) dwelled in the rivers close to this spot and guarded the city and therefore needed to be kept happy and appeased by offerings and devotions. This also explains nagas being used as ornaments throughout the temple.

Lao Skyway flies frequently to Luang Prabang from Vientiane.

On the rear of the sim is the stunning tree of life. Created in 1960 with colored mosaics of Japanese glass, the tree covers the entire wall. Folklore says it is based on the city founders discovering a tree that appeared to be on fire and built the town around that, hence the mirrors twinkling like flames when they catch the light. Another legend says the tree is the bodhi tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment, complete with animals such as peacocks and smaller creatures from the Buddhist teachings.

Across the courtyard from the main sim is the gilded teak funerary carriage house built in the Xieng Khouang style by artist Thit Tan and temple craftsmen in 1960. It houses the 12-meter-tall gilded funeral chariot decorated with 9 nagas used for the funeral of King Sisavangvong in April 1962. Relics such as the sandalwood urn which carried the king are placed in the center and other sacred objects such as masks from the royal family used in the recreations of Ramayana legends are displayed.

To the left of the sim, the Rose Chapel is decorated with mosaics showing religious activities as part of the daily life

of Siew Sawat, a popular literary figure, completed on the 2500th anniversary of Buddha’s death. While you are here, pop your head out of the window for a photo like local.

If you visit in the morning the front of the building will be flooded with light and the architectural details will stand out. By contrast, if you go in the late afternoon the light is soft and golden with the sun setting behind the temple and the sky is awash in color and makes for a great backdrop.

As a testament to Wat Xieng Thong’s importance many festivals and official ceremonies are still focused here. It plays a major role during Awk Phansa (the end of Buddhist Lent) when the courtyards and temple are decorated with hundreds of colored lanterns and paper boats are launched into the Mekong from the steps of the temple. During Lao New Year in April, the second holiest statue after the Prabang image, the Phaman, is taken out from its chapel behind the temple and ritually bathed with water.

The temple continues to provide spiritual comfort and be a center of the community as it has been for the past

Almsgiving is not only held on the main street. Every temple participates. As monks walk around the neighborhood, a good spot to see almsgiving is near the gate on the southwest side of Wat Xieng Thong. This gives you a chance to see a large number of locals offering devotions to the monks and enjoy a more authentic experience.

five hundred years. Many locals in the area still participate in the upkeep and administration of the temple and the ticket office for visitors is manned by neighbors who still highly regard the complex as the central point of their life. Among a spiritual hierarchy consisting of scores of temples in Luang Prabang, Wat Xieng Thong is the most revered.

When you visit the temple please make sure that you dress appropriately and behave respectfully. It’s best to cover your shoulders and not to wear revealing clothing or talk loudly. Touching monks is forbidden and you must remove your shoes before entering any buildings.

1: People love taking photos through the window of the Rose Chapel

2: The Rose Chapel

3: The Funerary Carriage House

4: Near Wat Xieng Thong is a quiet area for almsgiving

Majestic Wat Xieng Thong

ນ ທີ່ິໂລນ ບັບຟາໂລ (Lone Buffalo)

ແມ່ນອ່ ງການການກສ່ນທີ່່� ຈ່ດທີ່ະບຽນໃນ

ລາຊະອານາຈັກອັງກິດ ເຊິ�ງຮ່ວມກຕ້ັງຂົ້ຶ�ນ

ໃນປ 2011 ໂດຍ ທີ່່ານ ມະໂນເພັດ ມຸ�ຍດວງດ່ “ໂລນ ບັບ

ຟາໂລ” ແລະ ທີ່່ານ ມາກ ສະເຕ້ດແມນ (Mark Steadman) ຫ່ວໜຶ່�າຝົ່າຍບລິຫານ. ແຕ້ກໍເ ປັນເລື�ອງເສາໃຈ ທີ່່� ທີ່່ານ ມະໂນເພັດ ໄດ�ຈາກໄປໂດຍບມ່ວັນຫວນ ກັບມາ ໃນປ 2010, ເຊິ�ງ ທີ່່ານ ມາກ ພ� ອມ ທີ່່ ມງານ ຂົ້ ອງເ ພິ�ນ

ຍັງຄໍາ່ງມຸ່ງໝ່ັນໃນວິໄສທີ່ັດເດ່ມ ເ ພື�ອແນໃ ສ່ການ ປັບ ປຸງ ຊ່ວິດການເ ປັນ ຢ່້່ ແລະ ຜູ້ັນ ຂົ້ ະຫຍາຍ ຂົ້ ອບເ ຂົ້ ດ ດ� ານ ຄໍາ

ໜຶຸ່່ ມລາວໃ ຫ�ຫີ າຍ ຂົ້ຶ�ນ. ໂລນບັບຟາໂລ ຊ່ວຍເຮັດໃຫ�ນັກຮຽນໄດ� ເ ຕ້່ ບໃຫ ຍ ຈ່ ນ ກາຍເປັນພ່ນລະເມືອງດ່ ທີ່ັງມ່ຄໍາວາມຮັບຜູ້ິດຊອບ, ມ່ ຄໍາວາມໝ່ັນໃຈໃນຕ້່ນເອງ, ມ່ຄໍາ ວາມ ຄໍາິດ ສ� າງ ສັນ ແລະ ມ່ ຄໍາວາມມຸ່ງໝ່ັນຕ້ັ ງໃຈ ດ� ວຍການປະສ່ ມປະສານ ກັບ ຫີັ

ກຳາເຟນ້ກຳຮຽນຮ່ວມໃຈ

ນັນກຄໍາ ສະຫະກອນກາເຟນັກຮຽນຮ່ວມໃຈ From Bombs to Beans. ສາລັບແຮງບັນດານໃຈຂົ້ອງສະຫະກອນກາເຟແຫ່ງນ່�ແມ່ນມາຈາກໂສກນາດ ຕ້ະກາໃນອະດ່ດ (ຊຽງຂົ້ວາງເຄໍາ່ຍເປັນພື�ນທີ່່�ທີ່່� ຖ້ືກຖ້ິ�ມລະເບ່ດຢ່່າງໜຶ່ັກໜຶ່່ວງ ໃນລາວ) ແລະ ຄໍາວາມຫວັງສາລັບອະນາຄໍາ່ດ (ເມື�ອລ້ກລະເບ່ດທີ່່� ຍັງບທີ່ັນແຕ້ກ ຖ້ືກທີ່າລາຍຖ້ິ�ມ, ຈິ�ງມ່ການປ້ກກາເຟໃນເຂົ້ດເນ່ນສ້ ງຄໍາືນໃໝ່່). ນັກຮຽນທີ່່� ເລືອກເຂົ້້າຮ່ວມໃນໂຄໍາງການ ຈະມ່ໂອກາດໄດ�ຮຽນຮທີ່ັກສະທີ່າງທີຸ່ລະກິດຫີາຍ ດ�ານ. ນັກຮຽນເຫີ່ານ່ມ່ໜຶ່�າທີ່່� ຮັບຜູ້ິດຊອບໃນການຈັດຫາ, ການຜູ້ະລິດ ແລະ ການຈັດຊື�, ການຂົ້າຍ ແລະ ການຕ້ະຫີາດ, ການຈາໜຶ່່າຍ ແລະ ການບັນ ຊ່ ປີກາຍນ່�, ໂຮງຮຽນດັງກ່າວສາມາດຈາໜຶ່່າຍກາເຟອາຣາ

ໂຄງກຳານ Green Buffalo (ໂຄງກຳານຮ້ກຳສາສິງແວດລັ້ອມ)

ໃນເດືອນກໍລະ ກ່ດຂົ້ອງປີກາຍ, ທີ່າງໂຮງຮຽນໄດ�ເລ່�ມ ຈັດຕ້ັງປະຕ້ບັດໂຄໍາງການ Green Buffalo (ໂຄໍາງການຮັກສາສິ�ງແວດລ�ອມ) ເຊິ�ງເປັນໂ ຄໍາ ງການໃໝ່່ ທີ່່� ອທີ່ິດຕ້່ນເພື�ອປ້ກຈິດສານຶກກ່ຽວກັບບັນຫາສິ�ງແວດລ�ອມໃນ ທີ່� ອງ ຖ້ິ�ນ ແລະ ຄໍາວາມພະຍາຍາມໃນການແກ�ໄຂົ້ບັນຫາເຫີ່ານັ ນ. ນາງ ໄມ ສ່ ຢ່່າງ, ໜຶ່�ງ ໃນສະມາຊິກຜູ້້�ກຕ້ັງໂຄໍາງການໄດ�ອະທີ່ິບາຍວ່າ “ໂຄໍາງການ Green Buffalo ໄດ�ຮັບແຮງບັນດານໃຈຈາກບັນຫາທີ່່�ພວກເຮ້າກາລັງປະສ່ ບ ພ່ ບ ພ້ໃນແ ຕ້ ລະວັນ ບວ່າຈະຢ່້່ຕ້າມຕ້່ວເມືອງ ກຄໍາໝ່້່ບ�ານຕ້່າງໆ, ແຕ້່ພວກເຮ້າໄດ�ຕ້ັດສິນ ໃຈວ່າ ຈະຕ້ອງເລ່�ມ ຕ້່ນດ�ວຍການປ່ຽນແປງທີ່່�ໂຮງຮຽນຂົ້ອງພວກເຮ້າກ່ອນ. ນັບແຕ້ມື�ເລ່�ມ ຕ້່ນ, ພວກເຮ້າໄດ�ຫ�າມບ່ໃຫ�ນາໃຊ�ຢ່າງພລາສຕ້ິກແບບໃ ຊ�ຄໍາັ ງ ດຽວໃນທີ່່� ນ່�, ຖ້າຜູ້້�ໃດຝົ່າຝົືນກໍຈະ ຖ້ືກປັບໄໝ່ເປັນເງິນ 5000 ກ່ບ! ເ ງິນທີ່່� ໄດ�ຈາກການປັບໄໝ່ດັງກ່າວແມ່ນຈະນາເຂົ້້າສ້່ກອງທີ່ຶນຮັກສາສິ�ງແວດລ�ອມ ເຊິ�ງພວກເຮ້າຈະນາໃຊ�ເຂົ້້າໃນການລິເລ່�ມໂ ຄໍາງການດ�ານສິ�ງແວດລ�ອມອື�ນໆ.” ທີ່່�ໂຮງຮຽນແຫ່ງດັງກ່າວ, ບັນດານັກຮຽນໄດ�ພາກັນຜູ້ະລິດເຈ�ຍດ�ວຍຕ້່ນເອງ ໂດຍນາໃຊ�ເສດເຈ�ຍທີ່່�ໃຊ�ແລ�ວ ແລະ ນາເອ້ າແກ�ວໂຊດາທີ່່�ໃຊ�ແລ�ວມາຕ້ັດເປັນ

Outback Laos; ສ່ວນແຂົ້ວງຊຽງຂວິາງມ່ຈາ ໜຶ່່າຍທີ່່� ສ້ນຢ່້ຽມຢ່າມຂົ້ມ້ນຂົ້່າວສານແມັກ, ບ�ານ ຕ້່ນຫອມ, ເຮືອນພັກພ້ຂົ້ຽວ ແລະ ຊຽງເລ່ຍ ຄໍາາ ເ ຟ່; ທີ່າແຂກ່ມ່ຈ າ ໜຶ່່າຍທີ່່� ສ້ ນ ຂົ້ ມ້ ນ ຂົ້່າວສານ

ແ ມັກ; ແລະ ຈັາປາສັັກ່ແ ມ່ນ ມ່ຈ າ ໜຶ່່າຍທີ່່� ຮ� ານ

Chez Maman. ທີ່່ານຍັງສາມາດສັງຊື�ໂດຍກ່ງ

ຜູ້່ານ WhatsApp ທີີ 020 2283 0370

ພ�ອມທີ່ັງມ່ບລິການສັງຊື�ຈາກຕ້່າງປະເທີ່ດ.

ທີ່່ານຍັງສາມາດໃຫ�ການສະໜຶ່ັບສະໜຶ່້ນມ້ນນທີ່ ໂລນບັບຟາໂລ ແລະ ຊ່ວຍໃຫ�ໄວໜຶຸ່່ມຜູ້້�ທີ່່� ມ່ຄໍາວາມ ມຸ່ງໝ່ັນຕ້ັງໃຈ ສາມາດພັດທີ່ະນາອະນາຄໍາ່ດຂົ້ອງ ຕ້່ນໄດ�. ການບລິຈາກເງິນຈານວນ 288 ໂດລາສະຫະລັດ ຈະຊ່ວຍໃຫ�ນັກຮຽນ

Lone Buffalo: Cultivating Leaders, Brewing Change Lone Buffalo: Cultivating Leaders, Brewing Change

Words and Images by Mick Shippen

one Buffalo is a UK-registered charity that was co-founded in 2011 by Manophet ‘Lone Buffalo’ Mouidouangdy and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Steadman. Sadly, Manophet passed away in 2010, but Mark and his team have remained committed to the original vision of improving the lives and expanding the horizons of Lao youth. Through a combination of free English language programs, boys and girls football clubs, practical activities such as filmmaking, education about online safety, and a strong focus on developing leadership skills, Lone Buffalo helps students grow into responsible, confident, creative, and ambitious citizens.

From Bombs to Beans

One project that encompasses a wide range of life and business skills is the school’s own coffee cooperative, From Bombs to Beans. The inspiration for the student-run company came from the tragedy of the past (Xieng Khouang province is the most heavily bombed region of Laos) and hope for the future (as unexploded ordnance has been gradually cleared, coffee growing has returned to upland areas). Students who choose to be involved in the project learn a wide range of business skills. They are responsible for recruitment, production and ordering, sales and marketing, distribution,

and accounting. Last year, the school sold more than 600 bags of its premium 100% arabica northern Laos-grown coffee at outlets in Xieng Khouang, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Thakhek, and Champasak. From Bombs to Beans student manager, Maichue Yang, says that everyone involved is a volunteer. “We invest our time and energy in the project for free because we know we will gain lots of business knowledge, communication skills, and much more. This project has helped me discover myself. I love it so much that one day I would like to have my own café and coffee business,” says Maichue.

Green Buffalo

Last July, the school started Green Buffalo, a new project dedicated to raising awareness of local environmental issues and trying to solve them. Maisee Yang, one of the founding members explained.

“Green Buffalo was inspired by the problems we see and experience every day in the towns and villages, but we decided we must start by making changes at our school. From the outset, we decided to ban single-use plastic here. If anyone breaks this rule, they are fined 5,000 kip! Money raised goes into our green fund which we will use to start other environmental projects.” At the school, they make their own paper from wastepaper and upcycle soda bottles into drinking glasses. The ‘green team’ also plans to invite their parents to a workshop at the school to try and educate them about waste and the steps they can take to reduce, reuse, and recycle at home.

“Our goal is to get our parents actively involved. We know this will be a big challenge, but we have to try,” says Maisee.

As you would expect from such conscientious and well-educated youngsters, they are keen to sow the seeds of positive change within the wider community. “We want to start working with local authorities so we can get our green initiative introduced to all local schools and at the local fresh market where the use of plastic and waste is a big issue.” If you could bottle and distribute the spirit, energy, and optimism of the Lone Buffalo youths (in a reusable bottle, of course), then Laos would be assured a truly bright and green future.

Lone Buffalo’s education program has been phenomenally successful. The curriculum, which mirrors the Common European Framework system of teaching English, emphasizes spoken and functional English. Ten classes teach Beginner to Advanced level English, starting from age 11. Students signing up are required to attend three twohour classes each week. Over the years,

Ms.

Ms. Maysa (Waste Management/Creative)

hundreds of young people have benefitted from English language tuition and development activities, with up to 85 percent of students going on to tertiary education here in Laos, and abroad. The model school is a blueprint for success that could be rolled out nationwide. Just imagine the societal change that could be initiated if there was a Lone Buffalo in every town!

Lone Buffalo is perhaps best summed up by the words of Maichue. “Before I came to study here, I was a shy girl. I was amazed by all the classes and activities available. I signed up for everything I could. Gradually, Lone Buffalo staff and students helped me grow in confidence. Now I love to encourage others and help them grow too.” Last year, Maichue was awarded a place in the US Embassy’s Southeast Asia Young Persons Leadership Program and spent three weeks in America. It was an amazing personal achievement for that once-shy girl.

Mr.

Ms.

Mr. Souphakone (Waste Management/Creative)

Ms. Koularp Thor (Director)

Nou Thor (Sales Manager)

Ms. Phonekeo (Marketing Deputy)

Maisee Yang (Green Baffalo Coordinator)

Ms. Maichue Yang (Deputy Director)

Mr. Khommangkone (Deputy Accounts Manager)

Bounsy Yang (Green Team Police)

Each year, just 30 students are chosen from ASEAN countries for the scholarship. Only three have ever been selected from Xieng Khouang and all are students of Lone Buffalo. This year, Maichue’s friend, Maisee, was selected and will soon travel to Washington DC, returning full of energy and ideas to inspire her fellow students.

The Lone Buffalo student coffee cooperative supplies cafés and restaurants in Laos with its From Bombs to Beans coffee. The coffee is currently available in Vientiane at Noy’s Fruit Heaven, Crowne Plaza, and the Mekong Garage Bar; in Luang Prabang at LPMC Bar and Restaurant and Outback Laos; in Xieng Khouang at the MAG Visitors Centre, Ton Hom House, Pukyo Guesthouse, and Xieng Loei Café; in Thakhek at the MAG Visitors Centre; and in Champasak at Chez Maman. You can also order directly via WhatsApp at 02022830370. Overseas orders are welcome.

You can also support Lone Buffalo and help ambitious youngsters improve their futures. A donation of $288 provides a student with one year of quality English tuition and development activities. You can also help by donating any amount to the school or purchasing From Bombs to Beans coffee.

MORE INFO

To discover more, visit lonebuffalo.org, fb.com/ lonebuffalo, or email office@lonebuffalo.org

GETTING THERE

Lao Skyway offers daily flights to Xieng Khouang from Vientiane.

Words by Jason Rolan Images by Phoonsab Thevongsa and Jason Rolan

ແຫວນເ ງິນຄໍາາທີ່່�ເ ປັນ ວັດ ຖ້ ລ້າ ຄໍາ່າໄ ດ� ເ ຊື�ອງ ຊ� ອນໄ ວ�ຢ່້່ ແ ຫ່ງ ຫ່ ນໜຶ່�ງໃນພາກເ ໜຶ່ືອ ຂົ້ອງລາວນັນກຄໍາ ແຂົ້ວງອດ່ ມໄຊ. ເ ຖ້ິງແ ມ່ນ ວ່າ ແຂົ້ວງດັງກ່າວຈະບມ່ຄໍາວາມໂດດເດັນໃນດ�ານເສັນ ທີ່ າງ ທີ່່ອງ ທີ່່ຽວ ທີ່ ວໄປ, ແ ຕ້່ການ ສຶກສາຢ່່າງລະ

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ແຕ້ນ້າຕ້່ກຕ້າດແຫ່ງຕ້່າງໆ ໄປຈ່ນຮອດວັດວາອາ

ຮາມຫີາຍແຫ່ງ, ລວມທີ່ັງກຸ່ມຊ່ນຊາດຊ່ນເຜູ້້າທີ່່�

ມ່ຫີາຍສ່ສັນໄປຈ່ນເຖ້ິງຖ້້າຕ້່າງໆທີ່່� ໜຶ່�າທີ່່ຽວຊ່ມ, ເຊິ�ງຖ້ືໄດ�ວ່າ ແຂົ້ວງອດ່ມໄຊໄດ�ເປີດໂອກາດໃ ຫ�ນັກ ທີ່່ອງທີ່່ຽວສາມາດຄໍາ່ນພ່ບຕ້່ວຕ້່ນອັນແທີ່�ຈິງຂົ້ອງ ປະເທີ່ດລາວ.

ne hidden gem in northern Laos is arguably Oudomxay. Despite its lack of prominence on the typical tourist trail, delving into its cultural and natural treasures reveals a side of the country that is both authentic and captivating. From waterfalls to temples to colorful ethnic groups to caves, Oudomxay offers an opportunity to explore the real Laos.

Chom Ong Cave is one of the longest in Laos and available for overnight treks inside

Making merit at Wat Pha Chao Singkham in Meuang La A rustic temple in Na Lae village

Pa is an escape for nature and adventure

Amulets of Buddha and the revered Prince Phetsarath Nam Kat Yorla

Hong Tieng is a Chinese-themed cafe and bar

A mythical Manikhot tree made of cement at Wat Ban Cheng Souvenirs from many various ethnic groups at Nam Kat Yorla Pa

Breathtaking views at Phou Ya Kha

AS 350 B2

MI-17V1

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