Sabaidee Lifestyle & Travel Magazine issue 17 by Sabaidee Magazine

N o te DIRECTOR'S

Greetings readers!

ສະບາຍດີ ບັນດາ ເພື່ອນຜູ້ອ່ານ

We hope you enjoyed Sabaidee Magazine Issue #16 released in May and that you’ve been enjoying the cooling rains the wet season has brought us.

ພພວກເຮົາຫວັງວ່າທ່ານທີ່ໄດ້ມີຄວາມສຸກກັບການອ່ານວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ ສະບັບທີ ຂອງພວກເຮົາທີ່ພິມອອກໃນເດືອນພດສະພາແລະຫວັງວ່າທ່ານມີຄວາມສຸກກັບຝົນທີ່ຊຸ່ມຊື່ນ ທີ່ລະດູຝົນໄດ້ນ�ສູ່ພວກເຮົາ.

We have well and truly reached the mid-point of 2014, and this is traditionally a time when many of us are planning summer vacations and short but sweet getaways. We thought it fitting to mark this time of year by highlighting some of the fantastic boutique hotel escapes right on our doorstep in aos. n our abaidee Cover feature we have handpicked just some of the country’s most luxurious, unique and exquisitely placed accommodation offerings to assist you with planning your next retreat.

ພວກເຮົ າ ໄດ້ມ າເຖິ ງ ກາງປີ ແລ້ວ ແລະ ໄລຍະນີ້ ແມ່ນ ໄລຍະທີ່ຫຼ າຍຄົນ ໄດ້ກ ະກຽມແຜນການ ພັກ ແລ້ງ ແລະ ເປັ ນ ການພັກ ໄລຍະສັ້ນ ແລະ ເປັ ນ ການພັກ ທີ່ດີ ພວກເຮົາຄິດວ່າມັນເປັນການເໝາະສົມທີ່ຈຳະສ້າງເ ລາທີ່ມີຄຸນຄ່າຂອງປີ ໂດຍການນ�ສະເໜີ ບັນ ດາໂຮງແຮມ ບູ ຕິ ກ ທີ່ວິ ເ ສດ ທີ່ໄ ກ້ກັບ ບ້າ ນ ຂອງທ່າ ນ ໃນລາວ ໃນບົດ ສະເໜີ ໜ້າ ປົກ ຂອງວາລະສານພວກເຮົ າ ພວກເຮົ າ ໄດ້ຄັດ ເລື ອ ກເອົ າ ແຕ່ ສະຖານທີ່ ພັກ ທີ່ ມີ ລ ະດັບ ມີ ເ ອກະລັກ ສະເພາະ ແລະ ຫຼຫຼາ ທີ່ສຸ ດ ຂອງປະເທດ ເພື່ອ ຊ່ວ ຍທ່າ ນ ໃນການວາງແຜນ ການພັກຜ່ອນຂອງທ່ານ.

lso in this issue, we profile some of aos’ most promising young cinematic talent, spill the beans on some of the capital’s lesser known coffee houses, venture onto the streets of lively Mandalay and explore agan’s striking temples in yanmar, and e perience a slice of life in aksong with a philanthropic coffee roaster doing great things for the community.

ນອກນັ້ນໃນສະບັບນີ້ພວກເຮົາຍັງສະເໝີບົດປະຫວັດຊີວິດຂອງຜູ້ສ້າງໜັງໜຸ່ມທີ່ໂດດເດັ່ນທີ່ສຸດ ມີ ຄ ວາມສຸ ກ ກັບ ຮ້າ ນກາເຟທີ່ໄ ດ້ທີ່ມີ ຮູ້ຈຳັກ ກັນ ດີ ທີ່ສຸ ດ ຂອງເມື ອ ງ ພະຈຳົນ ໄພໄປໃນຖະໜົນ ແມນດາເລ ທີ່ມີຊີວິດຊີວາແລະສ�ຫຼວດວັດທີ່ໂດດເດັ່ນຂອງບາການ ໃນ ປະເທດມຽນມາສ�ຜັດກັບວິຖີຊີວິດບາງສ່ວນໃນເມືອງປາກຊ່ອງດ້ວຍນັກຂົ້ວກາເຟທີ່ຈຳິດໃຈກ້ວ າງຂວາງທີ່ສ້າງສິ່ງທີ່ຍິ່ງໃ ່ສູ່ຊຸມຊົນ.

Remember, Sabaidee Magazine is a monthly publication, and you can find us in your favourite cafes, restaurants, hotels and spas from the 15th of each month. We always love to hear your feedback about our magazine, so if you have any comments, suggestions on people or places to feature, or are a business that would like to be included in ‘The Good Guide’, please feel free to email our editor on editor@sabaidee-magazine.com.

hanhlakhone yboonheung

The Director

ທ່າ ນ ຄົງ ຮູ້ວ່າ ວາລະສານ ສະບາຍດີ ແມ່ນ ພິ ມ ຈຳ�ໜ່າ ຍລາຍເດື ອ ນ ແລະ ທ່າ ນ ສາມາດ ຫາອ່ານໄດ້ທີ່ ບັນດາ ຮ້ານກາເຟທີ່ທ່ານມັກ ຮ້ານອາຫານ ໂຮງແຮມ ແລະ ສະປາ ຈຳາກວັນທີ ຂອງແຕ່ລ ະເດື ອ ນ ພວກເຮົ າ ຍິ ນ ດີ ທີ່ຈຳ ະຮັບ ັງ ຄວາມຄິ ດ ເຫັ ນ ຂອງທ່າ ນ ກ່ຽ ວກັບ ວາລະສານຂອງພວກເຮົ າ , ດັ່ງ ນັ້ນ ຖ້າ ທ່າ ນ ມີ ຄ�ແນະນ� ຂສະເໜີ ແ ນະ ກ່ຽ ວກັບ ບຸ ກ ຄົນ ຫຼື ສະຖານທີ່ ທີ່ຢ າກນ�ສະເໜີ ຫຼື ຈຳະເປັ ນ ຫົວ ໜ່ວ ຍທຸ ລ ະກິ ດ ທີ່ຕ້ອ ງການ ປະກົດ ຕົວ ຢູ່ ໜ້າ ການແນະນ�ດີ ດີ ຂອງພວກເຮົ າ ກະລຸ ນ າສົ່ງ ອີ ເ ມວຫາ ຕິ ດ ຕໍ່ ບັນດາທິການຂອງພວກເຮົາ . . ໂຊກດີ

ພັນລະຄອນສີບຸນເຮືອງ ຜ້ອໍານວຍການ ູ

THIS ISSUE

ON THE COVER Hip Hideaways: Laos' Premier Boutique Hotels

JUNE 2014

photo H ot e l d e la P aix , L u ang P r ab ang

News & Events 10 16 30

What's On What's New Partner Profile: MMG LXML Sepon - Leaving Improved Lives

Travel 24 34

ASEAN Connect: Burma's Old Kings and Older Temples - Mandalay and Bagan Sabaidee Cover: Hip Hideaways - Laos’ Premier Boutique Hotels

Lifestyle 20 22 43 44

My City: My Paksong Spotlight On: Lights, Camera, Action - Vientiane’s New Generation of Young Filmmakers The Good Guide: EAT, DRINK, RELAX, SHOP, SEE & DO, SLEEP listings Sabaidee’s Guide To: Spilling the Beans - Uncovering Vientiane’s Hidden Coffee Houses

CONTRIBUTORS MARGARETE MAGIERA

JAMES ELTON-PYM

With a background in theatre, Maggie has worked in culture both in Germany and Jordan. She is passionate about performing arts, and moved to Laos two years ago with her family to discover the beautiful world of ao theatre and film. Fascinated by the wealth of talent displayed by young ao filmmakers, she is proud to be part of the ientianale nternational Film Festival team. Maggie is learning the Lao language, loves the local food and en oys travelling around the country screening films in villages as part of the festival’s outreach programme ientianale on the Road’. For more information on Vientianale visit www.facebook.com/vientianale or www.vientianale.org.

n the cusp of finishing his ournalism degree in ydney, Australia, James decided to put off the inevitable and instead move to aos, despite being too tall to fit through any of the country’s doorways, to work as a subeditor for the Vientiane Times newspaper. James helped with coverage of the 2013 Australian election for News Corporation and was the host of a local current affairs programme on a Sydney community station. He likes to write stories about little individuals that create big changes, especially in the environment.

KATE ANTONAS Australian-born journalist turned art gallery manager and creative programmer, Kate relocated to Laos last year. Now living in Vientiane she has fallen for Laos’ exquisite traditional art, laid back lifestyle, street food and beer with ice. Always on the lookout for the cool and interesting she is attempting to uncover the best local eats, drinks and hidden gems.

SHAYLING NGO A recent journalism graduate from Australia, Shayling relocated to Vientiane in order to pursue her dreams of writing and travelling. Intrigued by Southeast Asian cultures she hopes to share her adventures and experiences with the world, one word at a time.

HANNAH MCDONALD-MONIZ Hannah has been living in Laos and traveling extensively in the region since 2010. She tries to connect with each location she visits through the lens of her camera, and works as a freelance media consultant. Her other passions include language learning and trying new foods. See her blog, photography, and videos on her website www.seethinkexplore.com.

WHERE WE ARE XAYABOURY

Home to the Land of Million Elephants’ highest pachyderm population. Each year in February aotians and travellers flock here to pay their respects to these magnificent endangered creatures during the annual Elephant Festival.

LUANG PRABANG

Tranquil heritage-listed city boasting exquisite handicrafts, rich cultural sites steeped in history, a cosmopolitan bar scene and oodles of French colonial charm, all where the idyllic Nam Kahn and Mekong rivers meet. The perfect destination for the discerning traveller, the city is dotted with boutique hotels and spas.

SAVANNAKHET

Sitting on the banks of the Mekong, this growing city is the second-largest in Laos. The town centre houses ambient French Colonial architecture and small and friendly eateries are dotted along the riverfront. Just beyond the city you’ll find e cellent trekking routes through the nearby Dong Natad Protected Area.

VANG VIENG

One-time party haven turned an outdoor enthusiasts dream, the small town is set to a backdrop of magnificent limestone karsts and lush forest. Nothing beats whiling a day away kayaking down the Nam Song river or taking a dip at the serene blue lagoon – utter relaxation in nature.

VIENTIANE

Increasingly modern bustling capital with a trailblazing dining scene that must be tasted to be believed. Here you’ll find intricately adorned temples sitting alongside Parisian-style boulangeries, glossy developments, a young emerging creative scene, and some of the country’s most lively marketplaces.

THAKHEK

A launching pad for the captivating Thakhek Loop. Throw your kit on a rented motorbike and set off on a 4-day journey to explore the hidden Buddha Cave, secluded water holes, tiny villages and, the main attraction, Kong Lor Cave which houses a snaking river system accessed only by motorboat.

PAKSE

The capital of the southern province of Champassak, Pakse is the gateway to the picturesque Bolaven Plateau which is home to an abundance of scenic waterfalls and motorcycle routes, and is widely regarded as producing some of the highest-quality coffee in the country.

WHO'S

[ ຄະນະທີປ ່ ກ ຶ ສາ / Consultants ] ພັດທະລະພົງ ຄົງວິຈດ ິ Pattarapong Kongvijit / ວິສດ ິ ເຊົາວະລິດຕານົນ Wisith Chawalitanon / ມານະໄຊ ອິນແກ້ວ Manachai Inkaew / ສົມໃຈ ພິມຜາສຸກ Somjai Pimpasouk [ ຜູອ  ຳນວຍການ / Director ] ພັນລະຄອນ ສີບນ ຸ ເຮືອງ Phanhlakhone Syboonheung [ ບັນນາທິການອຳນວຍການ / Editorial Director ] ເກດ ພິດທະຢາກອນສິນ Gaid Kornsilapa [ ບັນນາທິການບໍລຫ ິ ານ / Editor in Chief ] ຄຳສວນ ຈັນທະລາດ Khamsouan Chanthalat [ ບັນນາທິການ ພາສາອັງກິດ / English Editor ] ເຄັດ ແອນໂທນາສ Kate Antonas [ ບັນນາທິການອອນລາຍ / Online Editor ] ຂະນິດຖາ ອັດຕະເມດ Kanittha Attamate [ ຜູອ  ຳນວຍການຝາຍຂາຍ / Sales & Marketing Director ] ຊະຍາດາ ອະລິຍະພົນຈະເລີນ Chayada Ariyaphoncharoen [ ຝ່າຍຂາຍແລະການຕະຫຼາດ / Sales & Marketing ] ສຸກສະຫວັນ ທຸລະຈັນ Souksavanh Thoulachan [ ປະສານງານການຕະຫຼາດ / Marketing Co-ordinator ] ບຸນລອດ ສິດທິພົງ Bounlod Sittiphong [ ທີມງານຂ່າວ / Reporter ] ເທບພະວົງສອນ ບົວພາ Thepphavongsone Bouapha [ ຈັດໜາ ແລະ ອອກແບບ / Layout Design ] ນັດນະລີ ມາທອງ Nutnaree Mathong / ທະນະວັດ ຄົງແສນຄຳ Thanawatt Khongseankhum / ທັນຍະລັດ ສະທອນລັກ Thunyarat Satornlug / ອະພີດຊະຍາ ພຶກສະອາພອນ Aphitchaya Phrueksa-aphon / ວັນວິລາດ ບຸນລັດ Wanvilart Boonyaratana [ ຫອງການວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ / Sabaidee Magazine Sales Office THM Lao Co., Ltd. ] 256 ບ້ານ ໜອງບອນ ເມືອງໄຊເສດຖາ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ ສປປ ລາວ 265 Baan Nongbone, Xayxetha, Vientiane Lao P.D.R [ ໂທ / ແຟັກ: / Tel / Fax ] +856 21 454782 / +856 21 454782 / Mobile: +856 20 5516 2440, +856 20 5884 8376, +66 83 018 4076 (Thai) [ ອີເມລ ບັນນາທິການ / Editor Email ] editor@sabaidee-magazine.com [ ອີເມລ ຝາຍຂາຍ / Sales Email ] chayada@sabaidee-magazine.com [ ເຈົາ້ ຂອງ ແລະ ຜູຈ ້ ດ ັ ພິມ / Owner & Publisher ] ທີ ເອັສ ເອັມ ລາວ THM Lao www.sabaidee-magazine.com [ ພິມທີ່ / Print by ] ໂຮງພິມ ລາວຍູນິພຮິນ ຈຳກັດ Lao Uniprint Press Co., Ltd ONLINE EDITION ALSO AVAILABLE AT:

HM For more information visit www.sabaidee-magazine.com or simply scan the QR code

LAO

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.

WHAT'S ON

LEARN TO BACHATA AND SALSA

ART.

Tuesdays for Bachata, Thursdays for Salsa, 9pm-10pm, April 12, DANCE. Vientiane April 12 opens their dance floor for classes in Bachata and Salsa each week. Enjoy latin music while teachers Erzio and Amantha teach you the moves from 9pm-10pm, followed by free dance time. Bachata classes are free, Salsa classes are 35,000 kip per person, per session. For more information visit www.facebook. com/april12.restaurant.

LAOS IN FOCUS

Until July 24, Institute Français, Luang Prabang

Pictured: Untitled by Mick Saylom

MOSAIC June 20-July 20, M Gallery, Vientiane MOSAIC is a group exhibition bringing together the diverse style of works by seven prominent contemporary artists of Laos. Exhibiting artists include prominent female artist, Marisa, whose 5.6 metre work Splendour of Mekong captures the beauty of life along the grand Mekong through her rendition of bold colours and eccentric curves. Mick Saylom, whose works have found many overseas collectors, speaks about life through his 16 socio commentary works. Also on show are attractive abstract works by Sivilay Souvannasing through his City Dream series, whilst Ole Scovil presents her take on Pop Art through her play of colours and creative composition. The rare but exciting cubist paintings of Somphet Chanthala are also on display. Also rarely featured in Laos are two individual installation works by Souliya Phoumivong and Bounpaul Phothyzan. For more information visit www.mgallery.com.sg.

This collection of photographs Laos In Focus: Picturing the Millennium Development Goals was gathered through a competition run by the United Nations and the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lao photographers and the public were invited to reflect on development issues in their country from the point of view of the Millennium Development Goals, the result is a moving and personal account of Laos’ development through the people’s eyes. Free entry, gallery hours Mon-Fri 8am-12pm, 2pm-8pm, Sat 8am-1pm, 2pm-5pm visit www.if-laos.org for more details.

CRAFT REVIVAL, SUSTAINABLE ART Throughout June, Benoni Café, Vientiane

Pictured: Elephants by Somphet Chanthala.

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Benoni Café is hosting a month-long exhibition showcasing ancient paper art techniques of Asia. The 2000 year old tradition is revived by MDA Laos in collaboration with the National Institute of Fine Arts (NIFA). Some techniques showcased are Mokushin Kanshitsu, where a core is covered in layers of paper and allowed to set and harden. 15% of the sales for the collaborated artwork will go towards NIFA. Free entry, opening hours Mon-Sun 8am-8pm. For more information visit www.facebook.com/benonicafe. Pictured: Artwork based on the cloister walls at Wat Sisaket, imitation gold and paper, by Steven Savva.

WHAT'S ON

PAUL CARTER LIVE

MUSIC.

July 14, 6.30pm, La Maison Restaurant, Vientiane

CULTURE.

French restaurant La Maison is now hosting local jazz musician Paul Carter in a monthly night of live music. Paul will perform everything from blues, jazz, pop, 80’s and 90’s tunes in the restaurant’s leafy outdoor courtyard. Happy hour runs from 5.30pm-7.30pm, and La Maison is now also broadcasting live sport including NBA, rugby, tennis, and football from 5.30pm-10pm.

FRENCH NATIONAL DAY

July 13, 7pm, Institute Français, Vientiane Institut Français du Laos will host festivities to mark French National Day at their grounds in Vientiane. The evening of celebrations will include traditional French food and drink, and a French DJ playing dance music. Free entry. For more information visit www.if-laos.org.

SOCIAL.

FOR THE LADIES Wednesdays, from 7pm, I-Beam, Vientiane

I-Beam bar and restaurant’s popular Ladies Night continues every Wednesday with female customers enjoying 50% off all glasses of wine from 7pm onwards. The bar is well-stocked with European and South African vintages, so there’s sure to be something for all tastes, and the delectable tapas menu makes for an excellent accompaniment. For more details visit www.facebook.com/ ibeamvientiane.

FILM.

FRENCH ON FILM

Saturdays, 2pm and 6pm, Institute Français, Vientiane

WHAT'S ON?

Institut Français du Laos opens its cinema to the public for free each Saturday to promote the exciting, moving and inspiring world of French film. wo films are shown at each session from 2pm and 6pm. Family friendly films on offer, free entry, for the full programme visit www.if-laos.org.

We are always on the lookout for new and interesting upcoming local events! If you're a local business or organisation that would like to list your events or promotions for free in Sabaidee Magazine's What's On and What's New listings, please contact our editor on editor@sabaidee-magazine.com for more information.

SPORT.

BOURBON, BEERS, PIES & FOOTY AT STICKY FINGERS Weekly, as per scheduled AFL games, Sticky Fingers, Vientiane Sticky Fingers will show all televised afternoon, evening and weekend Australian Rules football games from their upper level bar area – Sticky Jock’s. Enjoy a cold beer and some classic pub fare, including Aussie meat pies, as you cheer on your favourite team. While there’s no games the area will be business as usual, for more information visit www.facebook. com/StickyFingersLaos.

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AUSKICK FOR KIDS July 13, 9.30am-10.30am, Vientiane International School, Vientiane

The Lao Elephants Football Club will hold an Auskick workshop at VIS, aimed at introducing children aged between 5 to 12 years old to Australian Rules Football. The fun, free session is open to kids of all nationalities and levels of experience with all equipment provided. Parents and volunteers welcome to attend or join in on the day, contact the Lao Elephants for more details on 020 5505 9116.

I K n P (Thailand) Co., Ltd Managing Director, Mr Akekawith Bunnuchit (left) and Mr Inthy Deuansavan, Inthira Group President at the i beauty grand opening. I

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DEVOTEES OF HIGH-END BEAUTY PRODUCTS WILL WELCOME THE NEW I BEAUTY SHOP IN UDONTHANI, WHICH OPENED ITS DOORS IN LATE MAY. THE STORE OFFERS WORLD CLASS, HIGH-END LUXURY BEAUTY PRODUCTS AND FRAGRANCES AT DUTY FREE PRICES – AROUND 20%-50% BELOW REGULAR MARKET PRICE. The chic retail space features skin care and beauty products from iconic international cosmetic brands like LA MER, LA PRAIRRIE, ESTEE LAUDER, LANCOME, CLINIQUE, CLARINS, SHISEIDO and SK-II. All products are suitable for a range of skin types, so you’re bound to find a cleanser, serum or cream to suit your beauty regime. Customers can utilize i beauty’s current Gift Set & Tester special package to try new products. i beauty also offers a range of eau de parfum and eau de toilettes from influential fashion houses like R, R, , , R R , R R , FF, F R and JEAN PAUL GAUTIER. The store also stocks exclusive skin care products from Thai best brand R riminister’s usiness nterprise ward , and regular monthly customers will be introduced to R ’s Royal o package which includes facial brightening soap and serum, toner, moisturiser, and sunscreen. he store is a new venture by developer n hailand Co., td, and anaging irector, r kekawith unnuchit, says that while there are plans

to e pand i beauty to ietnam, yanmar and Cambodia in the future, they choose donthani as the location for their inaugural flagship store due to the city’s appeal as a ‘gateway’ to both Laos and North Eastern Thailand. In its location along Udondusadee Road, the main thoroughfare into Udonthani, i beauty is easily accessed by Lao customers travelling from ientiane. Regular customers can also partake in a range of loyalty programmes like Gold and Diamond Memberships, which entitle members to further discounts, sale and new product notifications, and to earn travel points with K n P’s other venture i holiday – a boutique travel agency located in the i beauty store. i holiday is a travel agent outbound for private trip, family trip, business incentive trip and air tickets, accommodation, worldwide holiday destinations. Inbound travel in Phuket - Andaman Sea private yacht. i holiday joins Inthira Group hob Chai eu Restaurant to arrange dventure and co ourism packages to uang rabang, ientiane, ang ieng and Champasak in ao R.

ຄວາມມີລະດັບ ທີ່ທ່ານສາມາດຊື້ໄດ້ພຽງປາຍນວມືສ�ພັດ ຜູ້ທີ່ຫຼົງໄຫຼຜະລິດຕະພັນກ່ຽວກັບຄວາມສວຍຄວາມງາມທີ່ມີຄຸນນະພາບສູງ ຈະຍິນດີກັບຮ້ານຄວາມງາມໄອບິວຕີ້ i eauty ທີ່ເປີດໃໝ່ໃນ ຈັງຫວັດອຸດອນທານີ ເຊິ່ງຫາກໍ່ເປີດໃຫ້ບໍລິການໃນທ້າຍເດືອນພຶດສະພານີ້ ທາງຮ້ານມີຜະລິດຕະພັນກ່ຽວກັບຄວາມງາມ ແລະນໍ້າຫອມ ຍີ່ຫຊນນໍາຂອງໂລກ ໃນລາຄາປອດພາສີ 20 -50 ລາຄາຕ ກ່ວາທ້ອງຕະຫຼາດ

ຮ້າ ນ ໄດ້ນ�ສະເໜີ ປ ະສົບ ການແບບບູ ຕິ ກ ມີ ລ ະດັບ ໂດນເດັ່ນ ມີ ເ ອກະລັກ ພາຍໃນຮ້ານມີການຕົບແຕ່ງທີ່ທັນສະໃໝ ເ ົາງາມ ພ້ອມດ້ວຍການວາງສະແດງຜະລິດ ຕະພັນທີ່ສະດຸດຕາແລະມີເອກະລັກທ່ານສາມາດຄົ້ນຫາຜະລິດຕະພັນບ�ລຸງຜິວແລະ ນ�ຫອມທີ່ທ່ານມັກໄດ້ຢ່າງງ່າຍດາຍດ້ວຍເຄື່ອງໝາຍທີ່ສັງເກດເຫັນງ່າຍດາຍແລະພະ ນັກງານທີ່ລໍຖ້າໃຫ້ຄ�ແນະນ�ແກ່ທ່ານ ແຕ່ທ່ານອາດຈຳະຕ້ອງການໃຊ້ເ ລາຄົ້ນຫາເບິ່ງ ຈຳັກໜ້ອຍໜງກ່ອນແລະອາດຈຳະມີຄວາມສົນໃຈໃນສນຄ້າຍີ່ຫຍອື່ນທີ່ໜ້າສົນໃຈເຕີ່ມອີກ

ຮ້າ ນຄວາມງາມນີ້ແ ມ່ນ ໂຄງການໃໝ່ຂ ອງບໍ ລິ ສັດ ., , ປະທານບໍລິຫານຂອງບໍລິສັດທ່ານເອກກະວິດບຸນນຸຊິດກ່າວວ່າໃນຂະນະທີ່ມີແຜນທີ່ ຈຳະຂະຫຍາຍ ໄປຫວຽດນາມພະມ້າແລະກ�ປູເຈຍໃນອານາຄົດບໍລິສັດໄດ້ ເລື ອ ກເອົ າ ອຸ ດ ອນທານີ ເປັ ນ ສະຖານທີ່ຫຼັກ ໃນການເລີ່ມ ຕົ້ນ ເນື່ອ ງຈຳາກວ່າ ທີ່ຕັ້ງ ຂອງ ເມື ອ ງປຽບເໝື ອ ນ ປະຕູ ທ າງອອກ ສູ່ທັງ ປະເທດລາວ ແລະພາກອີ ສ ານຕອນ ເໜື ອ ຂອງໄທ

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ຮ້າ ນແມ່ນ ຕັ້ງ ຢູ່ຖ ະໜົນ ອຸ ດ ອນດຸ ສ ະດີ ເຊິ່ງ ເປັ ນ ຖະໜົນ ຫຼັກ ເຂົ້າ ຫາຕົວ ເມື ອ ງອຸ ດ ອນ ທ າ ນີ ຮ້າ ນ ສ າ ມ າ ດ ເ ຂົ້າ ເ ຖິ ງ ງ່າ ຍ ສ�ລັບ ລູ ກ ຄ້າ ຄົນ ລ າ ວ ທີ່ເ ດີ ນ ທ າ ງ ຈຳາກນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈຳັນ

ຍັງມີຫຼາກຫຼາຍຜະລິດຕະພັນ ແລະ ຈຳາກ ບໍລິສັດເຄື່ອງອ�ອາງແຟຊັນທີ່ນ�ໜ້າເຊັ່ນ , , , , , , , ແລະ ທາງຮ້ານຍັງມີຜະລິດຕະພັນຮັກສາຜິວ ພັນພິເສດຈຳາກ ຍີ່ຫ ຂອງໄທ ແລະລູກຄ້າປະຈຳ�ລາຍເດືອນຈຳະໄດ້ຮັບການ ນ�ສະເໜີຊຸດກ່ອງຜະລິດຕະພັນ ເຊິ່ງ ປະກອບດ້ວຍສະບູແລະ ເຊລັມ ເຮັດໃຫ້ໃບໜ້າຂາວໃສ ໂທນເນີ ໂລຊັນບ�ລຸງຜິວໃຫ້ ຊຸ່ມຊື່ນແລະຄີມກັນແດດ

ລູ ກ ຄ້າ ປ ະ ຈຳ�ສ າ ມ າ ດ ເ ຂົ້າ ຮ່ວ ມ ລ າ ຍ ກ າ ນ ພິ ເ ສ ດ ທີ່ຫຼ າ ກ ຫຼ າ ຍ ຂ ອ ງ ຮ້າ ນ ເ ຊັ່ນ ເປັ ນ ສະມາຊິ ກ ແລະ ເຊິ່ງ ສະມາຊິ ກ ມີ ສິ ດ ໄດ້ຮັບ ສ່ວ ນຫຼດພິ ເ ສດ ແລະໄດ້ຮັບ ການແຈ້ງ ເຕື ອ ນເມື່ອ ມີ ຜ ະລິ ດ ຕະພັນ ໃໝ່ມ າເຖິ ງ ແລະສະສົມ ຄະແນນ ເ ພື່ອ ເ ຂົ້າ ຮ່ວ ມ ໂ ຄ ງ ກ າ ນ ທ່ອ ງ ທ່ຽ ວ ໄ ປ ກັບ ຂ ອ ງ ບໍ ລິ ສັດ ຕົວ ແທນການທ່ອ ງທ່ຽ ວ ກໍ່ແ ມ່ນ ຕັ້ງ ຢູ່ພ າຍໃນຮ້າ ນ ແມ່ນ ທຸ ລ ະກິ ດ ນ� ທ່ຽ ວຕ່າ ງປະເທດ ແບບກຸ່ມ ສ່ວ ນຕົວ ຄອບຄົວ ກຸ່ມທຸລະກິດບໍລິສັດ ທ່ອງທ່ຽວປະຈຳ� ປີ ແລະຈຳອງປີ້ຍນ ທີ່ົພັກຕ່າງປະເທດ ທ່ຽວພູເກົດ ທະເລອັນ ດາມັນ ດ້ວ ຍເຮື ອ ສ່ວ ນຕົວ ຮ່ວ ມມື ກັບ ບໍ ລິ ສັດ ອິ ນ ທິ ລ າກຸ ບ ຫ້ອ ງອາຫານຂອບໃຈເດ້ ຈຳັດ ນ�ທ່ຽ ວແບບ ແລະ ທີຫຼວງພະບາງວຽງຈຳັນວັງວຽງແລະຈຳ�ປາສັກແຫ່ງສປປລາວ

າຄຸນ

ສົມມະນ

າພິເສດ ຫຼດລາຄ ີ

ັນທ

ຈຳົນເຖິງວ

ກໍລະກົດ

Open Thursday to Tuesday closed Wednesday , 10 am 7. 0 pm A: 210 15 16 dondusadee Road, Makkhang, Muang, UdonThani, Thailand T: 6642 244 007, 6642 242 007 W: www.ibeautyudon.com

WHAT'S NEW

NOKIA LAUNCHES IN LAOS

Sixt Drives INTO LAOS Lumia Sixt Laos, Germany’s largest vehicle rental company, recently opened for business on the first floor of Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, with its world famous orange-coloured kiosk and eye-catching Sixt logo sure to attract customers. The move to Laos is part of Sixt’s Asean expansion strategy, led by Sixt Thailand – managed by Master Car Rental, a subsidiary of the Master Group Corporation sia Co., td., the official master franchisee for Sixt in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia. Sixt offers a full lineup of rental products such as the popular Toyota Vios, Camry and Fortuner vehicles for its customers. Opening hours are 8.30am10.30pm on Tuesday Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and 8.30am-12 midnight on Monday, Thursday and Friday. For further information visit www.sixt.com.

Nok Nok Nok

OPENS SHOP

Fans of mid-century modern furniture will love Nok Nok Nok – a fun new online shopping venture based in Vientiane, stocking chic highquality reproductions of contemporary furniture, lighting and décor by iconic names in design. Born through a partnership between Le Comptoir owner Christine Rozier and artist Valérie Baumal, Nok Nok Nok seeks to fill a gap in the marketplace for striking and classic pieces to furnish homes, offices, and fulfil interior design projects in Laos. While the pair are continuing to source new items to add to their growing collection (including plans for European fashions and tableware sourced from Vietnam), the current range includes colourful Eames chairs, statement Nelson wall clocks, and designs by Philippe Stark. Nok Nok Nok’s showroom is housed above luxe accessory boutique Le Comptoir, and customers are welcome to peruse a sample of the range of products available online. To view the full range visit www.noknoknok.com, or visit the showroom above Le Comptoir at 8 Rue Francois Ngin, Ban Mixai, Vientiane open Sunday to Friday, 9.30am-8pm. 1 6

Nokia has launched its latest model Nokia Lumia 630 Dual SIM in Laos. The smartphone boasts a range of new and improved features including a Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, Quadcore Snapdragon processor for outstanding speed and superior use of programmes and apps including Internet Explorer, and enhanced links with entertainment systems like Xbox. The Sensor Core system battery allows for increased power and longevity, and storage expands to 128GB, making it easy to organise and store photos, music and videos. The new model also comes with an interchangeable back cover, with a variety of bright colours to choose from to personalise your Nokia experience. The Nokia Lumia 630 Dual SIM is available now in Laos, from only 1,250,000 kip with Clear Black LCD 4.5 inches and Quad-core processor.

BETAGRO ARRIVES IN

Vientiane

Thai agro-industry and food business Betagro Company held an opening celebration for its first shop in aos in May. The shop offers local customers the same high-quality products and shopping experience as their operations in Thailand. The franchise, which is located on T4 Road in Hongkae Village, is operated in conjunction with Quality Foods Export-Import Sole Co., Ltd. Inside the sleek and modern store, customers will find etagro’s signature cuts of high uality pork, chicken, sausages, lunch meats, eggs and a range of snacks like meatballs and nuggets, all housed in clean and well-lit fridge and freezers – allowing for maximum shopping convenience. Opening hours Monday to Saturday, 9am-7pm. For more information visit www.betagro.com.

Ock Pop Tok

RELEASES SUMMER COLLECTION

Luang Prabang-based textile and craft group Ock Pop Tok, has released their new summer fashion lines: the Hmong Batik Collection and the Shibori Collection, influenced by traditional dying techniques and pattern-making, in cool deep blues and light grey hues. The Hmong Batik range features women’s dresses and tops in light cotton and silk/cotton with Hmong batik and indigo details drawn from traditional Hmong patterns. The Shibori Collection features women’s dresses and tops, and men’s shirts in cotton and silk/cotton and dyed using four different Shibori dyeing techniques. Both collections are designed and manufactured in Laos, and are available exclusively from the Ock Pop Tok Boutique in Ban Vat Sene at 23 Sakkarine Road, Luang Prabang. For more information visit www.ockpoptok.com.

Supports

LAO TELECOM DENGUE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN

The Lao Telecom Company attended a dengue prevention lecture at the National University of Laos in May, where they presented the Vientiane Health Division with 12,030,000 kip towards the prevention of dengue. The presentation of the fund was made by Ms Somchit Leuangvanxay, Head of Sales and Marketing at Lao Telecom Company, to Dr Sengthong Virakoun, Head of Vientiane Health Division, and Associate Professor Kaenchanh Sinsamphan, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environment. Around 300 teachers and students also attended the presentation, and participated in fun activities and prize giveaways organised by Lao Telecom Company. For more information visit www. laotel.com or www.facebook.com/laotel.

| Photo Burasari Heritage. |

REJUVENATE SPA AT BURASARI HERITAGE HOTEL

Package

Whether it’s a back and shoulder massage before bed, morning manicure or a foot massage after a long day of sightseeing in Luang Prabang, experience total spa indulgence with the 3 day, 2 night Rejuvenate Spa Package at Burasari Heritage Hotel. The package includes; a Spa Butler – a therapist on-call and unlimited spa treatments throughout your stay, taken at the spa or in the comfort of your room; healthy spa lunches, tailor-made for you; use of the infinity swimming pool at the hotel’s sister property overlooking the Mekong; complimentary round-trip airport transfer; a la carte buffet breakfast; complimentary minibar, replenished once daily; complimentary bicycle rental during your stay; complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel. Book today at www.burasariheritage.com or inquiry@burasariheritage.com Terms and conditions: Rejuvenate Spa Package 3 day, 2 night package for 2 persons. Direct booking only. f cancelled or modified up to 14 days before date of arrival, no fee will be charged. Cancellations made within 14 days prior to arrival or no-shows will be subject to full charge. Prices are per room per stay (maximum 2 persons/room). Available from now until 30 September, 2014. Prices are inclusive of taxes and service charge.

WHAT'S NEW

MECHANICS

EUROPEAN

Moving Up

The Peuan Mit Friends-International Laos Mechanics Repair Shop is now up and running in its new location across from Phonthan High School (just down from Joma Phonthan). The garage and workshop is run as a social business offering a professional experience for youth in a real working environment and generating income that is fed back into the training programme, which sees all mechanics students participate in hands-on, practical motorbike and bicycle repair skills training, and customer service. All students come from highly marginalised communities or have left life on the street, and at the end of their training, they receive a certificate of competency and are supported to find a ob or start their own small business in their locale.

Food FESTIVAL

The banks of the Mekong River came alive on May 10 as the third European Food Festival kicked-off in Vientiane. To celebrate the 64th anniversary of the European Union, around 20 local restaurateurs and vendors gathered on the riverside to present the finest cuisine Europe has to offer. From pasta, paella and aromatic baked treats to Belgian beers and fine talian wines, the hungry crowds were given a taste of French, Italian, German, Belgian and Spanish culinary delights. The annual event is organised by the European Union, EU Member States Embassies, The European Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Annam Fine Foods, to promote tourism and culture in Laos. The next European Food Festival will be held in May 2015.

| Photo Shayling Ngo. |

Tee OFF IN LUANG PRABANG Villa Maly boutique hotel has introduced a promotion for their golfsavvy guests. The new Golf Package 3 day, 2 night includes transfers and an 18-hole golf package to the exclusive Luang Prabang Golf Club, along with a two-night stay at in a deluxe room at Villa Maly, dinner on the Nava Mekong boat, massages and complimentary breakfasts. For more details and to book visit www.villa-maly.com.

As a special offer for Sabaidee Magazine readers, customers at the Peuan Mit Friends-International Laos Mechanics Repair Shop can receive 10% off a basic service package (including oil, general checking, wash) if they mention ‘Sabaidee Magazine’. Offer ends July 31, 2014. The garage is open Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm, contact 030 9658431.

Welcome to Sabaidee Club! This is a space for our readers to take part in our monthly competition with the chance to win a variety of fantastic prizes. This month we’d lo e to hear about our fa ourite wa s to kee fit in Laos. Do ou work ekong aerobics into your daily schedule? Have a favourite swimming pool that you do laps in? Have a special running or cycling route? Or perhaps you prefer to hit the gym? Email your answer to editor@sabaidee-magazine.com, or post it on our Facebook page before July 9, 2014. The winner will

win a 2-night stay at Inthira Thakhek.

ສະໂມສອນສະບາຍດີ

ນີ້ເປັນບ່ອນສ�ລັບຜູ້ອ່ານຂອງພວກເຮົາທີ່ຈຳະເຂົ້າຮ່ວມໃນການ ຂໍຕ້ອນຮັບເຂົ້າສູ່ ແຂ່ງຂັນປະຈຳ�ເດືອນຂອງພວກເຮົາເພື່ອລຸ້ນເອົາຫຼາຍລາງວັນໃ ່. ເດືອນນີ້ພວກເຮົາຢາກຮູ້ກ່ຽວກັບວິທີທີ່ດີທີ່ສຸດຂອງທ່ານທີ່ຈຳະເຮັດໃຫ້ທ່ານມີສຸຂະພາບແຂງແຮງຢູ່ໃນປະເທດລາວທ່ານ ໄດ້ເອົາການເຕນອາໂ ບິກແຄມຂອງເຂົ້າໃນລາຍການປະຈຳ�ວັນຂອງທ່ານບໍ່ ມີສະລອຍນ�ທີ່ມັກທີ່ທ່ານສາມາດລົງ ຫຼນ ມີສະຖານທີ່ແລ່ນ ແລະ ຂີ່ລົດຖີບທີ່ພິເສດບໍ່ ຫຼື ບາງເທື່ອທ່ານອາດຕ້ອງການເຂົ້າຫຼິນໂຮງຢິມ ອີ-ເມວຄ�ຕອບ ຂອງທ່ານມາທີ່ . ຫຼືໂພສໃສ່ເຟດບຸກຂອງພວກເຮົາກ່ອນ ກໍລະກົດ .

ຜູ້ຊະນະຈຳະໄດ້ພັກ ຄືນຢູ່ໂຮງແຮມອິນທິຣາທ່າແຂກ. ສົນໃຈເປັນສະມາຊິກວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ

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MY CITY

| The Jhai Coffee House café in Paksong. |

i n te rv i e w K at e A nt onas photos c ou r t e s y J hai C of f e e H ou s e What better way to get to know a city than through those who live, work, and play in it? Sabaidee Magazine chats to a resident to get an insider’s guide to their locale.

ORIGINALLY HAILING FROM THE UNITED STATES, TYSON ADAMS HAD BEEN TRAVELLING TO LAOS FOR FIVE YEARS BEFORE PERMANENTLY SETTLING IN PAKSONG, ON THE BOLAVEN PLATEAU IN 2013. THE FOUNDER OF JHAI COFFEE HOUSE (WWW.JHAICOFFEEHOUSE.COM), THE WORLD’S FIRST COMPLETELY PHILANTHROPIC COFFEE ROASTER AND CAFÉ LOCATED AT THE SOURCE, TYSON AND HIS TEAM INVEST ALL PROFITS GENERATED FROM THE SALE OF COFFEE TO FUND LOCAL CHILDREN’S HYGIENE EDUCATION AND CLEAN WATER PROJECTS IN LAOS. JHAI OPERATES A COSY ARTISAN CAFÉ AND ROASTER IN PAKSONG, AND RUNS TOURS OF THEIR PARTNERING COFFEE PLANTATIONS FOR VISITORS. HERE, TYSON TAKES US THROUGH DAILY LIFE IN HIS PART OF THE WORLD.

M y P akso n g

by local farmers. The JCFC comprises 68 villages, and by end of 2014, every village school will have access to clean water through clean water pumps and erra Clear clay water filters. We are also helping the CFC reach the global market, find more long term buyers and negotiate higher prices. Currently we are selling specialty grade Arabica Typica to Thanksgiving Coffee in America. TAKE US THROUGH A TYPICAL WORKING DAY:

| The Jhai team working with children at Pumako village school on hygiene education. |

TELL US ABOUT HOW JHAI COFFEE HOUSE BEGAN:

first came to aos as a backpacker in 2009. had a dream while sitting by the ekong in uang rabang that showed me ’d import ao coffee to my home city, eattle, and provide education support back to the children in the coffee villages. followed that plan over the ne t si years and the philanthropic business pro ects grew into what they are today.

Customers start coming to the café around 8am for coffee and breakfast. Throughout the day we either run plantation or roasting tours, or meet the JCFC team to discuss coffee exports. After dinner – our curry is getting rave reviews – the last few tourists head out around 9pm. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN PAKSONG?

The fact that I can smile and wave at almost everyone and get a similar sincere response. Lao people are beautiful! YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL EATERY:

here’s a no name chicken stand that we love that sits on the main road. Phu Tevada Hotel also has a nice restaurant. ANY TIPS FOR PEOPLE VISITING PAKSONG?

WHAT ARE JHAI’S AIMS AND BENEFICIARIES?

hai supports the hai Coffee Farmers Cooperative CFC , the largest ao coffee cooperative owned and managed

Travelling from Pakse, be sure to stop at KM38 and KM40, where you can visit amazing waterfalls. Tad Fan is the largest waterfall in Laos, Tad Champi is wonderful for swimming, and Tad Gneuang is beautiful.

ເມືອງປາກຊ່ອງຂອງຂ້ອຍ ຈຳະມີວິທີໃດ ທີ່ຈຳະຮູ້ຕົວເມືອງ ດີໄປກ່ວາ ໂດຍຜ່ານປະສົບ ການ ຂອງ ຜູ້ທີ່ອາໄສ ເຮັດວຽກ ແລະ ທ່ຽວຫຼີ້ນ ໃນເມືອງ ນັ້ນ ວາລະສານສະບາຍ ດີ ໄດ້ລົມກັບຄົນທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ເພື່ອ ທີ່ໃຫ້ພວກເຂົາເປັນຜູ້ແນະນ� ໃຫ້ຮູ້ຈຳັກຕົວເມືອງທີ່ເລິກເຊີ່ ງຂອງພວກເຂົາ.

| Jhai Coffee House founder Tyson Adams (left) with country manager and roastmaster Jackie Thao. |

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ທ່ານໄທສັນ ອາດາມ ທີ່ເກີດຢູ່ອາເມລິກາໄດ້ເດີນທາງມາ ປະເທດລາວ ປີກ່ອນກ່ອນທີ່ຈຳະຕັ້ງຮາກຖານຖາວອນທີ່ເມືອງປາກຊ່ອງໃນປີ ຜູ້ກໍ່ຕັ້ງບ້ານກາເຟ . . ,ເປັນຄົນຂົ້ວກາເ ທີ່ໃຈກ້ວາງທີ່ສດ ຸ ໃນໂລກແລະຮ້ານກາເຟແມ່ນຕັ້ງຢູ່ ແຫຼ່ງປູກກາເຟ ທ່ານ ແລະ ທີມງານຂອງລາວ ໄດ້ເອົາກ�ໄລທັງໝົດ ຈຳາກ ການຂາຍກາເຟ ສະໜັບ ສະໜູ ນ ໂຄງການ ນ�ສະອາດ ແລະ ການສກສາສຸ ກ ຂະອະນາໄມ ຂອງເດັ ກ ນ້ອ ຍ ທ້ອ ງຖິ່ນ ໃນລາວ ດ�ເນີນທຸລະກິດ ຮ້ານກາເຟ ໃນເມືອງປາກຊ່ອງ ແລະ ບໍລກ ິ ານ ທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ສວນກາເຟທີ່ເປັນຄູ່ຮ່ວມ ໃຫ້ແກ່ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ໃນທີ່ນີ້ ພາພວກເຮົາ ຮູ້ຈຳັກກັບຊີວດ ິ ປະຈຳ�ວັນໃນພື້ນທີ່ນີ້ຂອງໂລກ.

ຈຳຸດປະສົງຂອງ

ແລະຜູ້ໄດ້ຮັບມີຫຍັງແດ່

ສົ່ງເສີມສະຫະກອນຜູ້ປກ ູ ກາເຟ ,ເຊິ່ງເປັນກຸ່ມຜູ້ປກ ູ ກາເຟທີ່ໃ ່ທີ່ສດ ຸ ໃນລາວແລະຄຸ້ມຄອງໂດຍຊາວຜູ້ປກ ູ ກາເຟເອງ ປະກອບດ້ວຍ ບ້ານແລະໃນທ້າຍປີ ທຸກໂຮງຮຽນຂອງບ້ານຈຳະສາມາດເຂົ້າເຖິງ ນ�ສະອາດ ໂດຍຜ່ານ ຈຳັກດູດນ� ແລະ ເຄື່ອງກັ່ນຕອງນ� ພວກເຮົາກ�ລັງຊ່ວຍ ໃຫ້ ເຂົ້າເຖິງຕະຫຼາດສາກົນຊອກຫາຜູ້ຊື້ໄລຍະຍາວແລະເຈລະຈຳາສ�ລັບລາຄາທີ່ສງູ ຂນ ປະຈຳຸບັນພວກເຮົາຂາຍກາເ ອາຣາບິກາໄທພິກາ ຄຸນນະພາບພິເສດ ໃຫ້ແກ່ແທງກີບວິງກາເ ໃນປະເທດອາເມລິກາ.

ແມ່ນຫຍັງທີ່ທ່ານມັກໃ ນການອາໃສຢູ່ເມືອງປາກຊ່ອງ

ຄວາມຈຳງິ ທີ່ວ ່າຂ້າພະເຈົ້າສາມາດຍມແລະໂບກມທ ື ັກທ າຍທກ ຸ ຄົນແລະໄດ້ຮັບການຕອບ ກັບທີ່ຄກ ື ັນແລະຈຳງິ ໃຈ.ຄົນລ າວມີຈຳດ ິ ໃຈທີ່ສ ວຍງາມ

ຮ້ານອາຫານທີ່ທ່ານມັກ

ຮ້ານຂາຍປີ້ງໄກ່ທີ່ບໍ່ມຊ ີ ື່ທີ່ພວກເຮົາມັກໄປນັ່ງກນ ິ ແຄມທາງໃ ກໍມຮ ີ ້ານອາຫານທີ່ດຫຼ ີ າຍ.

່ໂຮງແຮມພູເທວະດາ

ທ່ານມຄ ີ �ແນະນ�ຫຍັງແ ດ່ສ�ລັບແ ຂກທີ່ມ າຢ້ຽມຢາມເມືອງປາກຊ່ອງ

ເ ດີນທາງຈຳາກເມືອງປາກເຊຢ່າລມ ື ທີ່ຈຳະຢດ ຸ ພັກທີ່ຫຼັກ ແລະຫຼັກ ຊງທ່ານສາມາດຢ້ຽມ ຊົມນ�ຕົກຕາດທີ່ສວຍງາມຕາດ ານແມ່ນໜງໃນຕາດທີ່ໃ ່ທີ່ສດ ຸ ໃນລາວຕາດຈຳ�ປາ ເປັນຕາດທີ່ສວຍງາມເໝາະສ�ລັບການລອຍນ�ຫຼີ້ນແລະຕາດເ ອ ື ງກໍສວຍງາມຫຼາຍ.

SPOTLIGHT ON words M ar gar e t e

M agie r a

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION:

VIE N T IAN E ’ S N E W GE N E R ATI ON OF Y OUN G FIL M M AKERS

I A scene from Youpalath Phetany's short film 'The Candle'. I The already established Vientianale International Film Festival (www.vientianale.org) held Miniientianale, aos’ first short film festival in arch 2014. he programme of films from ao R, wider Southeast Asia, the United States, and urope centred on the theme you me’. n addition to showcasing international shorts, the festival aimed to give emerging ao filmmakers a platform for their creativity through a short film competition focusing on the same theme. he ne t ientianale will ne t take place in arch 2015. Nirankoon Singpraseuth and Khampa Phimmachack, have been friends since their university days, when they both studied computer science at the ational niversity of aos. While the pair have professionally moved in different directions irankoon works at the university s centre, and hampa is a graphic designer they both share a passion for filmmaking. t all stems from our interest in computer animation and fiddling around with it at uni, says irankoon. We do everything together, writing, directing, editing, says hampa. he pairs’ second film, ost in the Shadow’ debuted at Mini-Vientianale, and is aos’ first fantasy film, a daring adventure set over the past, present and future. irakoon says the pair worked tirelessly for months to bring the pro ect to fruition, and it was well worth it

2 2

THEY ARE IN THEIR TWENTIES, THEY ARE BRIGHT AND MULTI-TALENTED, AND THEY ARE HOOKED ON MAKING FILMS. SABAIDEE MAGAZINE MEETS THE NEW GENERATION OF FILMMAKERS IN LAO PDR, THE WINNERS OF THE COUNTRY’S INAUGURAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION – THE MINIVIENTIANALE 2014.

as the film has been a hit with audiences, and took out second place in the festival’s competition. o they want to continue making films in the future hey both grin bsolutely. fantasy feature is ne t. Youpalath Phetany, the youngest of the three ini Vientianale winners at 21 years old, is a student at the Faculty of ngineering. is first endeavour into filmmaking, he Candle’, won third pri e at the event. t is a witty and poignant student love story which follows love when it’s tested and pushed to its limits. ve always been interested in photography and film, oupalath e plains. When he first heard of the short film competition, he thought long and hard about what story he wanted to tell through film and was ultimately inspired by a wedding he attended. really wanted to show the real thing, the ups and downs of love. Working with friends from high school as his actors, oupalath shot the film in one day and even played the role of one of

I Scenes from Lee Vilayphong Phongsavanh's short film 'you+me=one'.

the film’s gangsters himself. had so much fun and yes, definitely want to create a film again Lee Vilayphong Phongsavanh, 23, is a professional b boy dancer, photographer, videographer and entrepreneur in his own right. is short film you me one’ won first pri e and the audience pri e at the ini ientianale 2014. his was the second of ee’s films to earn first pri e, with his short eddy ay’ awarded in the short film category at the 201 ientianale Festival. n you me one’ wanted to tell a story in first person, filming

backwards, so came up with the idea of showing the events surrounding a motorbike accident. ee, who is rather critical of his own work says When hanumad isattha i on, the director of ao comedy uk m aum’ came up to me and said my film had moved him to tears, was completely overwhelmed and very happy. Currently, ee helps out on the set of local production company ao ew Wave Cinema productions and hopes to learn as much as possible from the e perience. definitely want to make more films, it s my life, he says.

(Left) Behind the scenes on the making of Nirankoon Singpraseuth and Khampa Phimmachack's fanstasy film 'Lost in the Shadow'. (Above) The films' promotional poster. I

I Behind the scenes on the set of Youpalath Phetany's 'The Candle'. I

ໄຟກ້ອງແອັກຊັນ ນັກຜະລິດຮູບເ າົ ໜຸ່ມນ້ອຍລຸ້ນໃໝ່ຂອງວຽງຈຳັນນານ ພວກເຂົາເຈົ້າມີອາຍຸປະມານຊາວປີ ພວກເຂົາມີຄວາມສະຫຼາດແລະພອນສະຫວັນເຕັມປ່ຽມ ແລະມີຄວາມຫຼົງໄຫຼໃນການສ້າງຮູບເ ົາ ວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ ໄດ້ພົບປະກັບນັກສ້າງຮູບເ າົ ລຸ້ນໃໝ່ຂອງ ສປປ ລາວ ຊງເປັນຜູ້ຊະນະລາງວັນງານບຸນມະໂ ານ ແລະ ການແຂ່ງຂັນຮູບ ເ າົ ເລື່ອງສນຄງທໍາອິດຂອງປະເທດ ມິນ-ິ ວຽງຈັນນານ 2014. ງານບຸ ນ ມະໂ ານຮູ ບ ເ ົ າ ສາກົນ ວຽງຈຳັນ ນານ ໄດ້ຈຳັດງານມິນ-ິ ວຽງຈຳັນນານ ຊງເປັນງານບຸນມະໂຫ ລານຮູບເ ົາເລື່ອງສັ້ນຄັ້ງທ�ອິດຂອງປະເທດລາວ ໃນເດືອນມີນາ ລາຍການຮູບເ າົ ຈຳາກສປປ. ລາວອາຊີຕາເ ນ ັ ອອກສ່ຽງໃຕ້ສະຫະລັດອາເມລິກາ ແລະ ເອີຣົບ ແມ່ນເລັ່ງໃສ່ຫົວຂ ເຈົ້າ ຂ້ອຍ ນອກ ຈຳາກສະແດງຮູບເ ົາສັ້ນຂອງຕ່າງປະເທດ ງານບຸນ ມະໂ ານກໍ ວ າງເປົ້າ ໃສ່ມ ອບເ ທີ ໃ ຫ້ຜູ້ສ້າ ງຮູ ບ ລາວທີ່ຫ າກໍ ປ ະກົດ ຕົວ ຂນສ�ລັບ ຄວາມສ້າ ງສັນ ຂອງເຂົ າ ເຈົ້າ ຜ່າ ນການແຂ່ງ ຂັນ ຮູ ບ ເ ົ າ ເລື່ອ ງສັ້ນ ໂດຍສຸມໃສ່ຫົວຂອັນດຽວກັນ ງານວຽງຈຳັນນານຄັ້ງຕໍ່ ໄປຈຳະຈຳັດຂນໃນເດືອນມີນາ ນິລັນກູນ ສິງປະເສີດແລະຄ�ພາ ພິມມະຈັກໄດ້ເປັນ ໝູ່ກັນນັບຕັ້ງແຕ່ຮຽນມະຫາໄລຕອນທີ່ທັງສອງຮຽນວິ ຊາວິທະຍາສາດຄອມພິວເຕີຢູ່ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລແຫ່ງ ຊາດ ເມື່ອທັງສອງໄດ້ກ້າວເຂົ້າສູ່ເສນທາງມືອາຊີບທີ່ ຕ່າງກັນນິລັນກູນເຮັດວຽກຢູ່ທີ່ສນ ູ ໄອທີຂອງມະຫາໄລ ແຫ່ງຊາດແລະຄ�ພາເປັນນັກອອກແບບກຣາບ ກ ິ ທັງ ສອງໄດ້ມີ ຄ ວາມຫຼົງ ໄຫຼໃນການສ້າ ງຮູ ບ ເ ົ າ ທັງ ໝົດ ແມ່ນ ເກີ ດ ຈຳາກຄວາມສົນ ໃຈຂອງພວກ ເຮົາໃນກາຕູນຄອມພິວເຕີແລະຫຼນໄປຫຼນມາກັບມັນ ຕອນຢູ່ມຊ, ນິລັນກູນກ່າວ ພວກເຮົາເຮັດນ�ກັນຂຽນ

ກ�ກັບ ກວດແກ້ ຄ�ພາກ່າວ ຮູບເ າົ ເລື່ອງທີ່ສອງຂອງສອງສະຫາຍ ຫຼົງທາງໃນເ າົ ມືດ ເປີດໂຕທີ່ງານມິນ-ິ ວຽງຈຳັນນານ ແລະເປັນຮູບເ າົ ແຟນຕາຊີເລື່ອງທ�ອິດຂອງລາວ ເປັນເລື່ອງພະຈຳົນໄພຢ່າງອາດຫານ ໃນອະດີດປະຈຳຸບັນແລະອະນາຄົດນິລັນກູນໄດ້ເ ົ້າວ່າພວກເຂົາທັງ ສອງເຮັ ດ ວຽກຈຳົນ ບໍ່ຮູ້ເ ມື່ອ ຍ ເປັ ນ ເດື ອ ນໆເພື່ອ ເຮັ ດ ໃຫ້ໂ ຄງການ ປະສົບຜົນສ�ເລັດ ແລະ ມັນກໍກຸ້ມຄ່າ ຍ້ອນວ່າຮູບເ າົ ໄດ້ຮັບຄວາມ ສົນໃຈຈຳາກຜູ້ຊົມຢ່າງລົ້ນເຫຼືອ ແລະໄດ້ລາງວັນທີສອງໃນການແຂ່ງ ຂັນ ຂອງບຸ ນ ມະໂ ານດັ່ງ ກ່າ ວ ພວກເຂົ າ ຍັງ ຕ້ອ ງການຈຳະສື ບ ຕໍ່ ສ້າງຮູບເ ົາເອົາອີກບໍ່ໃນອະນາຄົດ ທັງສອງພາກັນຍມ ແນ່ນອນ ຮູບເ າົ ແຟນຕາຊີແມ່ນເລື່ອງຕໍ່ໄປ. ຍຸປະລາດ ເພັດທານີເປັນຜູ້ອາຍຸນ້ອຍທີ່ສດ ຸ ໃນບັນດາຜູ້ຊະນະລາງວັນ ມິນິ-ວຽງຈຳັນນານ ຈຳ�ນວນສາມຄົນມີອາຍຸ ປີ ເປັນນັກສກສາ ຂອງຄະນະວິຊາວະກ�ສາດ ຄວາມພະຍາຍາມຄັ້ງທ�ອິດຂອງລາວ ໃນການສ້າງຮູບເ ົາ ທຽນ ຊະນະລາງວັນທີສາມໃນງານດັ່ງກ່າວ ມັນເປັນເລື່ອງຄວາມຮັກຂອງນັກ ສກສາທີ່ຕະລົກແລະໜ້າສົງສານ ເຊິ່ງ ເປັ ນ ການເ ົ້າ ເຖິ ງ ຄວາມຮັກ ເມື່ອ ມັນ ຖື ກ ພິ ສູ ດ ແລະຍູ້ດັນ ໃຫ້ເຖິງຂີດສຸດ ຍຸປະລາດ ອະທິບາຍວ່າ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມີຄວາມ ສົນໃຈ ໃນການຖ່າຍຮູບແລະຮູບເ າົ ມາຕະຫຼອດ ເມື່ອລາວຮູ້ຂ່າວເລື່ອງການ ແຂ່ງຂັນຮູບເ ົາເລື່ອງສັ້ນ ລາວຄິດດົນ ແລະໜັກກ່ຽວກັບວ່າເລື່ອງ ໃດລາວຕ້ອງການສື່ຜ່ານຮູບເ ົາ ແລະໃນທີ່ສຸດກໍໄດ້ແຮງບັນດານ ໃຈຈຳາກງານດອງທີ່ລາວໄດ້ໄປຮ່ວມ ອັນທີ່ຈຳິງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕ້ອງການ ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນຄວາມຈຳິງການຂນລົງຂອງຄວາມຮັກ ເຮັດວຽກກັບໝູ່

ຈຳາກໂຮງຮຽນມັດທະຍົມປາຍໂດຍໃຫ້ເຂົາເຈົ້າເປັນນັກສະແດງໃຫ້ຕົນ ຍຸປະລາດໄດ້ຖ່າຍທ�ຮູບເ າົ ໃນວັນດຽວແລະຍັງໄດ້ສະແດງບົດບາດ ເປັນໜງໃນແກງໃນຮູບເ າົ ດ້ວຍຕົນເອງ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມ່ວນຫຼາຍແລະ ແມ່ນແລ້ວແນ່ນອນຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕ້ອງການສ້າງໜັງອີກ ລ ວິໄລພົງ ພົງສະ ັນ ອາຍຸ ປີ ເປັນນັກເຕນບີ-ບອຍມືອາຊີບ ນັກຖ່າຍຮູບນັກຖ່າຍວິດໂ ີ ອແລະມີທລ ຸ ະກິດເປັນຂອງສ່ວນຕົວຮູບເ າົ ເລື່ອງສັ້ນຂອງລາວ ເຈົ້າ ຂ້ອຍ ໜງ ໄດ້ຮັບລາງວັນ ຊະນະເລີດ ແລະລາງວັນ ຜູ້ຊົມ ໃນ ງານມິ ນິ - ວຽງຈຳັນ ນານ ນີ້ເ ປັ ນ ຮູ ບ ເ າົ ເລື່ອງທີສອງຂອງລີ້ ທີ່ໄດ້ລາງວັນທີໜງໂດຍທີ່ຮບ ູ ເ າົ ເລື່ອງສັ້ນ ຂອງ ລາວ ເທັດດີເຈ ໄດ້ຮັບລາງວັນ ປະເພດເລື່ອງສັ້ນໃນງານ ບຸນມະໂ ານວຽງຈຳັນນານ ໃນ ເຈົ້າ ຂ້ອຍ ໜງ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຕ້ອງການບອກເລື່ອງລາວໃນຜູ້ທ�ອິດຖ່າຍທ�ຫວນຄືນສະນັ້ນຂ້ອຍ ຈຳງໄດ້ຄວາມຄິດ ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນເຫດການທີ່ຢູ່ອ້ອມຮອບ ອຸບັດຕິ ເຫດລົດຈຳັກລີ້ວຈຳ ິ ານຜົນງານຂອງຕົນເອງໄດ້ເ ົ້າວ່າ ຕອນອ້າຍຕົ້ນ ອ�ນວຍການຂອງເລື່ອງຕະລົກລາວ ຮັກອ�ລ� ມາຫາຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ແລະເ ົ້າວ່າຮູບເ າົ ຂອງຂ້ອຍ ເຮັດໃຫ້ລາວນ�ຕາອອກ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຕື້ນຕັນໃຈເອົາແທ້ ແລະດີໃຈຫຼາຍ ປະຈຳຸບັນລີ້ໄດ້ຊ່ວຍວຽກຜະລິດ ຮູບເ າົ ຂອງບໍລສ ິ ັດຜະລິດຮູບເ າົ ຊື່ລາວນິວເ ບຊິເນມາແລະມີຄວາມ ຫວັງວ່າຈຳະໄດ້ຮຽນຮູ້ໄດ້ຫຼາຍເທົ່າທີ່ຈຳະຫຼາຍໄດ້ ຈຳາກປະສົບການ ດັ່ງ ກ່າ ວ ລາວກ່າ ວ ຂ້າ ພະເຈົ້າ ມີ ຄ ວາມມຸ່ງ ໝັ້ນ ຕັ້ງ ໃຈທີ່ຈຳ ະ ເຮັດຮູບເ າົ ອີກມັນເປັນຊີວດ ິ ຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ

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ASEAN CONNECT words J am

e s E lt on- P ym

BURMA’S OLD KINGS AND OLDER TEMPLES:

M an dal ay and Bagan

MYANMAR’S STRICT GOVERNMENT HAS ONLY RECENTLY OPENED THE COUNTRY TO TOURISM AND THE WELCOMING PEOPLE, KNOWN FOR THEIR ‘BURMESE SMILES’, STILL REACT TO FOREIGNERS WITH GENUINE SURPRISE. IN OFTEN-OVERLOOKED MANDALAY, THE REMNANTS OF BRITISH COLONIALISM AND THE CITY’S ROYAL HERITAGE HAVE COLLIDED TO CREATE A BIZARRE AND LIVELY CULTURE. MEANWHILE, BAGAN’S BOUNDLESS PLAINS OF REMARKABLY PRESERVED TEMPLES ARE A STAGGERING TESTAMENT TO THE GENIUS OF BURMA’S ANCIENT INHABITANTS.

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MANDALAY The footpaths and roads look like they’ve been splattered with blood. Taxi drivers chewing lumps of betel lean out their windows and spit globs of stained saliva onto the road, painting the town red. Mandalay is often dismissed as a stopover. To most backpackers, it’s a launching pad to explore Bagan and Inle Lake — the necessary but uninspiring apex of the popular tourist triangle. But Myanmar’s old royal capital is a vibrant and fascinating city, full of a unique quirk that comes from changing hands so many times. Almost all the cars have their steering columns on the right but are driven on the right side of the road — a strange and somewhat dangerous leftover from its days as a British colony. he streets are lined with simple tea houses packed with flimsy metal stools. he tea obsession, too, is an inheritance from the British, but the almost-saccharine condensed milk it is brewed with is a Southeast Asian practice.

he city is flat as a pancake with the exception of Mandalay Hill, a sudden bump on the horizon just north of the old palace grounds. While certainly a hill and not a mountain, the 230-metre barefoot climb is a nearly constant flight of stairs that takes the best part of an hour. A roof over the path offers some shade, but unless you’re climbing at noon the shadow is likely thrown off to the side leaving you exposed to the blazing Burmese sun. The humid stillness of low-lying Mandalay quickly gives way to a pleasant, light breeze. At the hilltop is a Buddhist shrine, but the real attraction is the view over almost the entire city. The 500 kyat (around 50 US cents) fee for taking photographs seems very fair. There are plenty of inexpensive rooms in Mandalay. The Garden Hotel is simple, clean and comfortable, with a twin room costing around US$20. Borrowing a motorbike is a good way to get out of the inner city to some of Mandalay’s most iconic landmarks. The Garden Hotel rents them out for 10,000

kyat but there are similar rates just about everywhere. Ride for 30 minutes to the nearby suburb of Amarapura to see U Bein’s Bridge — the longest teak footbridge in the world. Spanning over one kilometre across Taungthaman Lake, the bridge is supported by gnarled and irregular timber struts. There are some restaurants around the lake serving barbe ued fish and local beers, often with seating in stilted huts suspended over the water. Also in Amarapura is the Maha Ganayon Kyaung monastery. This sprawling campus is home to hundreds of monks, who can be seen reading, studying and praying in their bright red robes. Another 10 minutes on the bike will take you to Inwa. Constructed entirely from dark-stained teak, the Bagaya Kyaung monastery was built in 1834 but is still in use today as a school for novices. The building is elevated by more than 200 wooden posts and there are no lights or windows, so it’s cool and very dark inside. Peacocks and religious motifs are carved into the walls.

| (Above and below) Temple views in Bagan. Photos Hannah McDonald-Moniz. |

| A bird on top of Mandalay Hill. Photo James Elton-Pym. |

BURMESE BOOKWORMS The people of Myanmar have a keen interest in reading, instilled in part by the literature-focused Buddhist education many young people go through. Some of Mandalay’s inner city streets are teeming with second-hand bookshops. t traffic lights, men walk between the cars with their arms full of various newspapers for people to buy through their windows. The past few years have seen major relaxations in the military leadership’s grip on the press, and English language publications like The Myanmar Times are high-quality and often sharply critical.

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BAGAN

easternsafaris.com) offer sunrise hot air balloon flights for around 00.

The plains of the remarkable Bagan archaeological site are dotted with around 4,000 ancient temples and stupas.

Bagan is also famous for its lacquerware. Dishes, plates and furniture made from black lacquered bamboo can be bought in all local markets, for highquality goods try shops like Golden Bagan Lacquerware on Kha Yae Road (www.goldenbaganlacquerware.com).

Buses run from Mandalay to the ancient archaeological temple site of Bagan for less than 10,000 kyat. The eighthour buses often arrive in Bagan at around 3.30am. At that time it can be a challenge to find a room if you haven’t booked in advance but the Silver Moon Hotel and some of its neighbours seem aware of the problem and have people stationed at reception after hours. Before dawn, ask any tuk tuk drivers to take you to one of the step-pyramid shaped stupas that you can climb and wait for the sunrise. Alternatively, B a l l o o n s O v e r B a g a n ( w w w.

The local drivers can be contracted for all-day tours of the temples and will wait outside for you while you explore. It takes a bit of haggling, but they should agree to do this for 20,000 kyats. There’s no supervision of tourists and the temples are becoming worn from people climbing on them. Try to be careful and leave your shoes outside, both to respect their religious importance and to protect the old stone floors.

| A market stall in Mandalay. Photo Hannah McDonald-Moniz. |

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| U Bein’s Bridge on Taungthaman Lake. Photo Hannah McDonald-Moniz. |

ກະສັດຜູ້ເກົ່າແກ່ ແລະ ວັດທີ່ເກົ່າກວ່າຂອງມຽນມາ:

ມັນດາເລ ແລະ ບາການ

ລັດ ຖະບານມຽນມາທີ່ມີ ລ ະບຽບເ ັ່ງ ຂັດ ຫາກໍ ໄ ດ້ເ ປີ ດ ປະເທດຂອງ ຕົນສູ່ການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແລະ ປະຊາຊົນທີ່ມີນິດໄ ຕ້ອນຮັບຂັບສູ່ຍັງຄົງ ປະຕິ ບັດ ຕໍ່ຄົນ ຕ່າ ງປະເທດດ້ວ ຍຄວາມປະຫຼາດໃຈທີ່ເ ປັ ນ ເອກະລັກ ຢູ່ມັນດາເລທີ່ມັກຖືກເບິ່ງຂ້າມ, ເ ດເຫຼືອຂອງລັດທິຈັກກະພັດນິຍົມອັງ ກິດ ແລະ ມໍລະດົກຂອງຣາຊະວົງຂອງຕົວເມືອງໄດ້ມາປະທະກັນເພື່ອ ສ້າງວັດທະນາທໍາທີ່ມຊ ີ ວ ີ ດ ິ ຊີວາ ໃນຄະນະທີ່ທົ່ງພຽງອັນກວ້າງໃ ່ແຫ່ງ ວັດວາອາຮາມ ໄດ້ຖືກປົກປັກຮັກສາເປັນຢ່າງດີຂອງບາການ ແມ່ນຂພິ ສູດທີ່ອັດສະຈັນເ ິງຄວາມອັດສະລິຍະຂອງບັນພະບູລຸດມຽນມາ.

| Bagan sunrise. Photo James Elton-Pym |

ມັນດາເລ

ຣາຊານະຄອນທີ່ເກົ່າແກ່ຂອງມຽນມາໄດ້ກາຍເປັນເມືອງທີ່ມຊ ີ ວ ີ ດ ິ ຊີວາແລະມີສະເໜເຕັມໄປ ດ້ວຍສິ່ງແປກໆທີ່ສົ່ງຜ່ານຈຳາກລຸ້ນສູ່ລຸ້ນຫຼາຍຍຸກສະໄໝ. ຕົວ ເມື ອ ງແມ່ນ ຮາບພຽງຍົກ ເ ນ ພູ ມັນ ດາເລຂັ້ນ ໄດຍ່າ ງດ້ວ ຍຕີ ນ ເປົ່າ ຍາວ ແມັ ດ ໃຊ້ເ ລາຍ່າງຂນປະມານໜງຊົ່ວໂມງ ຢູ່ຈຳອມມີສານຂອງສາສະໜາພຸດ ແຕ່ວ່າສິ່ງທີ່ດງດູດໃຈ ຕົວຈຳິງແມ່ນທິວທັດຂອງຕົວເມືອງຄ່າທ�ນຽມ ຢາດ ປະມານ ເຊັນສະກຸນເ ນ ິ ສະຫະລັດ ສ�ລັບການຖ່າຍຮູບເບິ່ງຄືວ່າຍຸຕທ ິ �ດີ. ມີຫ້ອງເຊົ່າລາຄາບໍ່ແພງຫຼາຍຫ້ອງຢູ່ມັນດາເລ ໂກເດິນໂຮເຕັນແມ່ນລຽບງ່າຍ ສະອາດ ແລະ ສະດວກສະບາຍໂດຍທີ່ຫ້ອງຄູ່ມລ ີ າຄາປະມານ ໂດລາ. ເຊົ່າລົດຈຳັກ ປົກກະຕິປະມານ , ສະຖານທີ່ມຊ ີ ື່ສຽງທີ່ສດ ຸ .

ຢາດ ເປັນວິທທ ີ ີ່ດທ ີ ີ່ຈຳະອອກຈຳາກຕົວເມືອງໃນໄປສູ່ບາງ

ຂີ່ລົດ ນາທີ ໄປຫາເຂດຊານເມື ອ ງ ອາມາຣາປູ ຣ າ ເພື່ອ ຊົມ ຂວາ ອູ ເບນ ຂົວໄຕ່ໄມ້ສັກທີ່ຍາວທີ່ສດ ຸ ໃນໂລກທີ່ເນັ່ງຍາວກວ່າໜງກິໂລແມັດຂ້າມທະເລສາບຕວງທາມານ. ມີຮ້ານອາຫານຕ່າງໆອ້ອມໜອງບໍລກ ິ ານປີ້ງປາແລະເບຍທ້ອງຖິ່ນ. ຢູ່ໃນອາມານຣາປູຣາຍັງມີວັດ ມະຫາ ການາຍົນ ຢວງ ວິທະຍາເຂດອັນກວ້າງໃ ່ນີ້ເປັນທີ່ຢູ່ ຂອງພະສົງຫຼາຍຮ້ອຍອົງ ທີ່ກ�ລັງອ່ານໜັງສື ຮ�ຮຽນ ແລະ ກ�ລັງສວດມົນໃນຊຸດຜ້າສະບົງ ສີແດງແສດຂອງພວກເພິ່ນ.

| Street life in Mandalay. Photo Hannah McDonald-Moniz. |

ຂີ່ລົດຈຳັກໄປອີກ ນາທີທ່ານກໍຈຳະໄປຮອດອິນວາທຸກສ່ວນແມ່ນສ້າງຈຳາກໄມ້ສັກທີ່ທາສີເຂມ, ວັດບາກາຢາຢວງຖືກສ້າງຂນໃນປີ ແຕ່ກຍ ໍ ັງໃຊ້ໄດ້ຮອດປະຈຳຸບັນເປັນໂຮງຮຽນສ�ລັບເນນ ອາຄານຖືກຍົກສູງດ້ວຍເສົາໄມ້ຫຼາຍກວ່າ ເສົາ ແລະ ມີການແກະສະລັກຮູບນົກຍູງ ແລະ ລວດລາຍຕ່າງໆທາງສາສະໜາຢູ່ເທິງຝາ.

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ໜອນໜັງສືມຽນມາ ຄົນພະມ້າມີຄວາມສົນໃຈໃນການອ່ານຫຼາຍ ແລະ ຖະໜົນບາງສາຍໃນ ເຂດຕົວເມືອງໃນຂອງມັນດາເລາ ກໍອັ່ງອໍໄປດ້ວຍຮ້ານຂາຍປື້ມມືສອງ ຕາມໄຟແດງ ຄົນຍ່າງຈຳາກລົດຄັນໜງໄປຫາອີກຄັນໜງໂດຍທີ່ແຂນຂອງ ເຂົາເຈົ້າເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍໜັງສືພມ ິ ສະບັບຕ່າງໆ ເພື່ອໃຫ້ຜູ້ຄົນໄດ້ຊື້ຜ່ານປະຕູ ລົດຂອງເຂົາເຈົ້າ. ໃນສອງສາມປີຜ່ານມາ ມີການໂ ະຍານຢ່າງຫຼວງຫຼາຍ ໃນການຄວບຄຸມສື່ຂອງການນ�ທະຫານແລະສື່ສິ່ງພິມພາສາອັງກິດເຊັ່ນ ເດິມຽນມາທາມກໍມຄ ີ ນ ຸ ນະພາບສູງແລະມີການວິພາກວິຈຳານຢ່າງແຂງແຮງ.

| A temple in Mandalay. Photo Hannah McDonald-Moniz |

ບາການ ຕາມເດີ່ນຂອງເຂດປູສະນີຍະສະຖານອັນໜ້າສັງເກດບາກ ານແມ່ນເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍວັດເກົ່າແກ່ແລະພະທາດປະມານ , ແຫ່ງ. ຂີ່ລົດ ເມ ແປດຊົ່ວ ໂມງຈຳາກມັນ ດາເລ ລາຄາປະມານ , ຢາດ ກໍຈຳະມາຮອດບາການເ ລາປະມານ ໂມງເຄິ່ງຕອນເຊົ້າ ໃນເ ລານີ້ການຫາຫ້ອງພັກເຊົາກາຍ ເປັນສິ່ງທ້າທາຍ ຖ້າທ່ານບໍ່ມີການຈຳອງລ່ວງໜ້າ ແຕ່ວ່າ ໂຮງແຮມຊິນເ ມ ີ ນ ູ ໂຮເຕັນແລະອີກບາງແຫ່ງໃນບໍລເິ ນ ໃກ້ຄຽງມີຜູ້ຄົນນັ່ງເຈົ່າຢູ່ໂຕະຕ້ອນຮັບຂອງໂຮງແຮມເປັນ ເ ລາຫຼາຍຊົ່ວໂມງ.

| U Bein’s Bridge. Photo Hannah McDonald-Moniz. |

ກ່ອນຮຸ່ງເຊົ້າບອກຄົນຂັບລົດຕຸກໆໃຫ້ພາທ່ານໄປພະທາດທີ່ມຮ ີ ບ ູ ຮ່າງຄ້າຍປິລະມິດແຫ່ງໃດແຫ່ງ ໜງທີ່ທ່ານສາມາດປີນຂນແລະລໍຖ້າຕາເ ນ ັ ຂນບອນລູນໂອເ ີ ບາການ . . ບໍລກ ິ ານຂີ່ບອນລູນຍາມຕາເ ນ ັ ຂນໃນລາຄາປະມານ ໂດລາສະຫະລັດ. ບາການມີຊື່ສຽງໃນເລື່ອງຂອງຜະລິດຕະພັນເຄືອບເ າົ ຖ້ວຍຈຳານ ແລະ ເຟີນເິ ຈີ ທີ່ເຮັດຈຳາກໄມ້ ໃຜ່ເຄືອບແລັກເກີສດ ີ �ສາມາດຫາຊື້ໄດ້ໃນຕະຫຼາດທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ແຕ່ ສ�ລັບສິ່ງທີ່ຄນ ຸ ນະພາບສູງໃຫ້ ລອງຮ້ານຕ່າງໆເຊັ່ນໂກເດິນບາການແລັກເກີແ . . . | U Bein’s Bridge. Photo Hannah McDonald-Moniz. |

ສາມາດເຮັ ດ ສັນ ຍາກັບ ຄົນ ຂັບ ລົດ ທ້ອ ງຖິ່ນ ສ�ລັບ ການທ່ຽ ວຊົມ ວັດ ໝົດ ມື້ ບໍ່ມີ ກ ານເ ົ້າ ຕິດຕາມນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວແລະວັດວາອາຮາມຫຼາຍບ່ອນກໍຫຼ້ຍຫ້ຽນຍ້ອນຜູ້ຄົນປີນຂນພະຍາຍາມລະວັງ ແລະປົດເກີບຂອງທ່ານໄ ້ຂ້າງນອກໜງເປັນການເຄົາລົບສິ່ງສ�ຄັນທາງສາສະໜາແລະທັງເປັນ ການປົກປ້ອງພື້ນຫີນອັນເກົ່າແກ່. ເດີນທາງໄປບ່ອນດັ່ງກ່າວ ຖ້ຽວບິນຂອງບັນດາສາຍການບິນໄທທີ່ບນ ິ ຈຳາກບາງກອກຫາຢາງກຸງ ຣັງກູນ ຖ້ຽວຕໍ່ມື້ຂະນະທີ່ສາຍການບິນບາງກອກແອເ ບິນໂດຍກົງສູ່ມັນດາເລໜງຖ້ຽວຕໍ່ມື້. GETTING THERE: Flights with a number of Thai carriers run from Bang-

kok to angon Rangoon 10 times daily, while angkok irways flies directly to Mandalay once daily.

ໄປ ທີ່ ນນດ້ວຍ ວິທໃີ ດ: ສາຍການບິນແອ ເອເຊຍ ນະຄອນກຸງກຸລາລ�ເປີ ທ້ຽວຕໍ່ອາທິດ. | Mandalay markets. Photo Hannah McDonald-Moniz. |

2 8

ໂດຍກົງຈຳາກ ວຽງຈຳັນ ສູ່

PARTNER PROFILE

M MG L XM L S E PON LEAVING IMPROVED LIVES

MMG LANE XANG MINERALS LIMITED (LXML) IS THE ONLY MINING COMPANY (OUT OF HUNDREDS IN THE LAO PDR), TO ACHIEVE AN A+ RATING FROM THE LAO GOVERNMENT FOR ITS HIGH STANDARDS AND CONTRIBUTION TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. LXML’S SEPON OPERATION IN SAVANNAKHET PROVINCE IS WELL REGARDED INTERNATIONALLY FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO ECONOMIC GROWTH, COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY STANDARDS. SABAIDEE MAGAZINE DISCOVERS WHY LXML IS THE FLAGSHIP MINING OPERATION IN THE LAO PDR. Community members enjoy clean water in Vangthakoua village, Vilabouly district.

S i n c e production commenced at Sepon in 2003, LXML has produced 1.5 million ounces of gold and over 630,000 tonnes of copper. The company has delivered over US$1 billion in direct revenue contributions to the Lao PDR. Mining has played an important role in the country’s long term economic growth, and according to a 2011 report by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the resource sector contributes

80% of foreign direct investment, 45% of total exports, 12% of government revenue, and 10% to GDP in the Lao PDR.

production, finance, real estate, and logistics. MMG is based in Melbourne, Australia.

MMG owns 90% of LXML. The Lao Government owns the remaining 10%, and receives a corresponding share of dividends, in addition to taxes and royalties from the Sepon mine.

Core values of safety, integrity, action and results reflect the company’s strong commitment to international standards and maintaining relationships with communities and employees.

MMG Limited was formed in June 2009 as a subsidiary of China Minmetals Corporation (CMC). CMC is a large state-owned enterprise with business in metals trading,

The company is focused on exploration, efficiency, and increasing production – with 2014 forecast copper production guidance between 88,000 and 93,000 tonnes.

MINING FOR PROGRESS In partnership with the Lao Government, LXML is building the next generation of Lao leaders. In 2013 alone, LXML invested US$1.2 million in the training of Lao employees. Over 90% of LXMLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workforce is Lao, with the company employing around 2,000 Lao nationals, including in senior leadership positions. LXML is supporting 17 apprentices enrolled in the LaoGerman Technical College. A further 16 trainees are studying at Savannakhet Technical College in electrical, automotive, and mechanical trades. LXML has also supported many Lao employees on higher education scholarships in Australia since the mine commenced operations. LXML recognises the importance of investment in education and training to ensure the availability of skilled workers and develop non-mine related employment opportunities in the local community. These investments will benefit the ao R now and into the future. In 2013, Sepon copper plant produced 90,000 tonnes of copper, significantly exceeding nameplate capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year.

LEAVING IMPROVED LIVES

A chilli production group Imember harvests chilli to supply to the Sepon mine. LXML Sepon has helped community members to establish 26 business groups that supply goods and services to the mine. The chilli production is one of them.

There have been measurable improvements in household incomes (tenfold since the mine commenced operations), in communities surrounding the Sepon mine. LXML provides targeted support to ensure the benefits from mining operations are shared.

LXML has established four pillars to leave improved lives in communities close to the mine: 1. Improved Incomes. LXML supports three linked projects which are improving local incomes (in addition to mine wages): Since 2005, the mine has established 26 local business groups which have a combined revenue of US$15.6 million, with more than 450 people directly earning increased incomes. LXML supports 1, 00 farmers and rice millers to significantly improve high quality rice yields. Through high value agricultural crops LXML will supplement and eventually replace mine dependent incomes leading to resilient local prosperity. 2. Everyone Healthier. Malnutrition poses serious consequences to development in the Lao PDR. Alarmingly, 68% of infants aged 6 months to 1 year suffer from anemia. MMG has invested US$1.38 million in a unique partnership with the Lao Ministry of Health and UNICEF to address malnutrition in Savannakhet, Saravan, and Attapeu provinces. Over three years, the project will distribute nutrient supplements to 180,000 children through village volunteers and community health care workers, and improve awareness on nutrition and primary health issues. 3. Learning for the Future. To assist the Lao PDR achieve Millennium Development Goals, Sepon is exploring partnerships to improve school attendance and learning outcomes. Education is the key to a more prosperous future for the Lao PDR.

4. Roads to Markets. Sepon is continuing to invest in road networks to ensure better access to markets for agricultural and other produce. Through the Community Development Trust Fund, LXML has invested over US$5 million for poverty alleviation projects near the mine. In 2014, the fund will implement 50 new projects. LXML has provided funding support for roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and clean water facilities that directly benefit local communities. LXML also provides small grants of up to US$15,000 for community needs. Projects supported include c o m m u n i t y ro a d s , s c h o o l s , improved water and sanitation facilities, preservation of cultural heritage and meeting halls. The company has also provided direct support to purchase essential medical equipment for hospitals in Savannakhet and Vientiane.

Female employees account for more than 10% of the total workforce and many occupy important leadership positions in the company, from mine operation to business and finance.

PARTNER PROFILE

Sepon is committed to building the next generation of Lao leaders across all disciplines.

LOOKING FORWARD I Mr Saman Aneka I

Sabaidee Magazine speaks to Mr Saman Aneka, LXML Director and Manager Stakeholder Relations about the future for Sepon. Mr Aneka is a Lao geologist with international experience and an extensive knowledge of the mineral resources in the country. He discovered the significant resource at Sepon and has witnessed the development of the site. How does LXML ensure a safe workplace? Safety is LXML’s most important value and embedded in everything we do. Our vision is to ensure a zero harm and fatality-free environment. Our workforce also takes these principles home to ensure the safety of their families and local communities. We strive to make LXML first in world class safety performance by putting in place correct procedures. How does the company minimise its environmental impact? L X M L’s e n v i r o n m e n t a l m a n a g e m e n t standards are widely recognised as an example of excellence in the Lao PDR. MMG is aligned with ICMM’s sustainability principles and international standards. The company’s reputation is dependent on continuing to ensure these risks are well managed and the environment is well protected. LXML is very proud of our environmental performance and works closely with local communities on water and waste management, rehabilitation, and other issues to ensure sustainability of the mine. What is the future for LXML? What can we expect from you over the next year? LXML is continuing to safely achieve high production targets and deliver strong returns. I am excited about the future of mining in the Lao PDR, which will continue to support growth in other areas as the economy becomes more diversified. has demonstrated solid leadership through its contributions to safety, environmental standards, and community development. This raises the bar higher for other mining operations in the country to follow. At MMG, we say “we mine for progress,” which means we must deliver a lasting benefit to host communities and the government from our activities. For more information about MMG LXML visit www.mmg.com 32

ບໍລິສັດເອັມເອັມຈຳີລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສ ບໍ່ຄ�-ທອງເຊໂປນປະກອບ ສ່ວນເຂົ້າໃນການສ້າງຊີວິດການເປັນຢູ່ທີ່ດີຂນ ບໍລິສັດ ເອັມເອັມຈີ ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສລິມິເຕັດ ເປັນພຽງບໍລິສັດບໍ່ແຮ່ໜງດຽວເທົ່ານນ ໃນຈໍາ ນວນ ຫຼາຍຮ້ອຍແຫ່ງໃນສປປ.ລາວ ທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບການຈັດອັນດັບA+ ຈາກລັດຖະບານແຫ່ງສປປ.ລາວ ສໍາລັບ ມາດຕະຖານສູງສຸດ ແລະການປະກອບສ່ວນເຂົ້າໃນການພັດທະນາເ ດຖະກິດ-ສັງຄົມ ບໍ່ຄໍາ-ທອງເຊ ໂປນຂອງ ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສ ແມ່ນຖືກຍ້ອງຍໍຊົມເຊີຍໃນລະດັບສາກົນ ທາງ ດ້ານການປະກອບ ສ່ວນຂອງຕົນຕໍ່ການຂະ າຍຕົວຂອງເ ດຖະກິດ ການພັດທະນາຊຸມຊົນ ແລະ ພະນັກງານ ມາດຖານ ສິ່ງແວດລ້ອມ ແລະ ຄວາມປອດໄພ ວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ ໄດ້ຄົ້ນຫາວ່າເປັນຫຍັງລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສຈຳງ ເປັນບໍລິສັດຂຸດຄົ້ນແຮ່ນ�ໜ້າໃນສປປ.ລາວ ນັບ ຕັ້ງ ແຕ່ໄ ດ້ເ ລີ່ມ ຕົ້ນ ການຜະລິ ດ ຢູ່ບໍ່ຄ�-ທອງເຊໂປນໃນປີ ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສໄດ້ຜະລິດຄ� . ລ້ານອອນສແລະທອງຫຼາຍກວ່າ , ໂຕນບໍລິສັດໄດ້ມອບລາຍຮັບໂດຍກົງຫຼາຍກວ່າ ຕື້ໂດລາ ສະຫະລັດໃຫ້ແກ່ລັດຖະບານລາວ ບໍ່ແຮ່ໄດ້ມບ ີ ົດບາດສ�ຄັນຕໍ່ການຂະຫຍາຍຕົວອັນຍາວນານທາງເສດຖະ ກິດຂອງສປປ.ລາວແລະອີງຕາມບົດລາຍງານປີ ຂອງສະພາບໍ່ແຮ່ ແລະໂລຫະສາກົນ ຂະແໜງຊັບ ພະຍາກອນໄດ້ກ ວມເອົ າ ຂອງການລົງ ທນໂດຍກົງ ຂອງຕ່າ ງປະເທດ ຂອງການ ສົ່ງ ອອກທັງ ໝົດ ຂອງລາຍຮັບ ລັດ ຖະບານ ແລະ ຂອງ ຈຳີດີພີຂອງສປປ.ລາວ ເອັມເອັມຈຳີຄອບຄອງ ຂອງກິດຈຳະການລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສລັດຖະ ບານລາວເປັນເຈົ້າຂອງໃນສ່ວນທີ່ເຫຼືອຄື ແລະໄດ້ຮັບເ ິນປັນຜົນ ຕາມສັດສ່ວນດັ່ງກ່າວ ອັນບໍ່ນັບອາກອນແລະຄ່າພາສີຊັບພະຍາກອນ ແຮ່ທາດຂອງບໍ່ຄ�-ທອງເຊໂປນ ບໍ ລິ ສັດ ເອັ ມ ເອັ ມ ຈຳີ ລິ ມິ ເ ຕັ ດ ໄດ້ສ້າ ງຕັ້ງ ຂນໃນເດື ອ ນມິ ຖຸ ນ າ ເປັນສາຂາໜງຂອງກຸ່ມບໍລິສັດມິນມີໂທຈຳີ ຂອງສປ.ຈຳີນ ແມ່ນລັດວິສາຫະກິດລັດຂະໜາດໃ ່ທີ່ມທ ີ ລ ຸ ະກິດທາງດ້ານການຄ້າໂລ ຫະການຜະລິດການເ ິນອະສັງຫາລິມະຊັບແລະໂລຈຳິດສະຕິກບໍລິສັດ ເອັມເອັມຈຳີຕັ້ງຢູ່ນະຄອນເມວເບິນປະເທດອົດສະຕຣາລີ ອຸດົມການຫຼັກດ້ານຄວາມປອດໄພຄວາມຊື່ສັດການປະຕິບັດງານແລະ ປະສິດທິຜົນໄດ້ສະທ້ອນໃຫ້ເຫັນເຖິງຄ�ໝັ້ນສັນຍາອັນແຮງກ້າຂອງບໍລິ ສັດທີ່ມກ ີ ັບມາດຕະຖານສາກົນແລະການຮັກສາສາຍພົວພັນກັບຊຸມຊົນ ແລະພະນັກງານ ບໍລິສັດໄດ້ສຸມໃສ່ການສ�ຫຼວດຄວາມມີປະສິດທິພາບ ແລະເພີ່ມກ�ລັງ ການຜະລິດໂດຍມີທິດທາງການຜະລິດທອງໃນປີ ໄ ້ທີ່ , ຫາ , ໂຕນ

Sepon employees benefit from a wide range of training and development opportunities that are organised in and outside of the company.

Sepon management make daily safety observations and discuss safety issues with employees to ensure safe work environment for all employees.

ຂຸດຄົ້ນແຮ່ເພື່ອຄວາມກ້າວໜ້າ

ສ້າງຊີວດ ິ ການເປັນຢູ່ທີ່ດຂ ີ ຶ້ນ

ໂດຍຮ່ວມມືກັບລັດຖະບານແຫ່ງສປປ.ລາວ ບໍລສ ິ ັດລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນ ໂ ນສກ�ລັງສ້າງຜູ້ນ�ລາວຮຸ່ນຕໍ່ໄປຊງໃນປີ ພຽງປີດຽວ ບໍລສ ິ ັດໄດ້ລົງທນ . ລ້ານໂດລາສະຫະລັດເຂົ້າໃນການຝກອົບຮົມ ແລະພັດທະນາພະນັກງານຄົນລາວ

ມີການເພີ່ມຂນຢ່າງເຫັນໄດ້ຊັດເຈນ ທາງດ້ານລາຍຮັບຂອງຄົວ ເຮືອນ ເພີ່ມຂນສິບເທົ່ານັບຕັ້ງແຕ່ໄດ້ເລີ່ມຂຸດຄົ້ນແລະຜະລິດແຮ່ ທາດ ໃນຊຸມຊົນອ້ອມຂ້າງບໍ່ຄ�-ທອງເຊໂປນລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສ ໄດ້ໃຫ້ການສະໜັບສະໜູນກຸ່ມເປົ້າໝາຍເພື່ອຮັບປະກັນວ່າຜົນປະ ໂ ດຈຳາກການຂຸດຄົ້ນແຮ່ແມ່ນໄດ້ຮັບການແບ່ງປັນ

ຫຼາຍກວ່າ ຂອງແຮງງານລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສແມ່ນຄົນລາວ ໂດຍບໍລິສັດໄດ້ຈຳ້າງຄົນລາວປະມານ , ຄົນ ລວມທັງໃນ ຕ�ແໜ່ງການນ�ອາວຸໂສ ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສ ຍັງຊ່ວຍສະໜັບສະໜູນນັກເ ກ ິ ງານ ຈຳ�ນວນ ຄົນທີ່ຮຽນຢູ່ວທ ິ ະຍາໄລເຕັກ ນິກລາວ-ເ ຍລະມັນ ນອກນີ້ຍັງມີພະນັກງານຝກຫັດຈຳ�ນວນ ຄົນ ກ�ລັງສກສາຢູ່ ວິທະຍາໄລເຕັກນິກສະຫວັນນະເຂດ ໃນວິຊາໄຟ ້າສ້ອມແປງລົດ ໃ ່ແລະວິຊາກົນຈຳັກລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສຍັງໃຫ້ການສະໜັບສະ ໜູນພະນັກງານຄົນລາວຫຼາຍຄົນດ້ວຍທນການສກສາລະດັບຊັ້ນສູງ ຢູ່ປະເທດອົດສະຕຣາລີນັບຕັ້ງແຕ່ບໍ່ແຮ່ໄດ້ເລີ່ມການຜະລິດ ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສຍັງຮັບຮູ້ເຖິງຄວາມສ�ຄັນຂອງການລົງທນໃນ ການສກສາແລະການຝກອົບຮົມເພື່ອຮັບປະກັນມີແຮງງານທີ່ມທ ີ ັກ ສະສີມື ແລະສ້າງໂອກາດຈຳ້າງງານທີ່ບໍ່ກ່ຽວກັບບໍ່ແຮ່ໃນຊຸມຊົນທ້ອງ ຖິ່ນ ການລົງທນເຫຼົ່ານີ້ຈຳະເປັນຜົນປະໂ ດຕໍ່ສປປ ລາວ ທັງໃນ ປະຈຳຸບັນແລະອະນາຄົດ

ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສ ໄດ້ກ�ນົດສີ່ເສົາຄ�ເພື່ອປັບປຸງຊີວດ ິ ຂອງປະ ຊາຊົນໃນຊຸມຊົນທີ່ຢູ່ອ້ອມຂ້າງບໍ່ຄ�-ທອງເຊໂປນໃຫ້ດຂ ີ ນ 1. ລາຍຮັບທີ່ເພີ່ມຂຶ້ນລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສໄດ້ສະໜັບສະໜູນ ໂຄງການທີ່ເຊື່ອມໂ ງກັນສາມໂຄງການ ຊງພວມເຮັດໃຫ້ລາຍ ຮັບໃນທ້ອງຖິ່ນມີການເພີ່ມຂນ ນອກຈຳາກຄ່າຈຳ້າງຢູ່ບໍ່ແຮ່ແລ້ວ ນັບຕັ້ງແຕ່ປີ ບໍ່ຄ�-ທອງເຊໂປນໄດ້ສ້າງຕັ້ງກຸ່ມທຸລະກິດ ທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ກຸ່ມ ເຊິ່ງມີລາຍຮັບລວມທັງໝົດ . ລ້ານໂດລາ ໂດຍມີຫຼາຍກວ່າ ຄົນ ມີລາຍໄດ້ເພີ່ມຂນໂດຍກົງ ລ້ານ ຊ້າ ງມີ ເ ນໂ ນສໄດ້ສ ະໜັບ ສະໜູ ນ ຊາວກະສິ ກ� , ຄົນ ແລະໂຮງສີເຂົ້າ ແຫ່ງເພື່ອເພີ່ມກ�ລັງການຜະລິດເຂົ້າຄຸນນະພາບ ສູງໃຫ້ຫຼາຍຂນຢ່າງພົ້ນເດັ່ນ ດ້ວຍພືດກະສິກ�ທີ່ມຄ ີ ນ ຸ ຄ່າສູງ ລ້ານ ຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສຈຳະເພີ່ມແລະໃນທີ່ສດ ຸ ກໍຈຳະປ່ຽນແທນລາຍຮັບທີ່ອງີ ໃສ່ແຕ່ບໍ່ແຮ່ ກ້າວສູ່ຄວາມຮັ່ງມີທີ່ສາມາດປັບຕົວໄດ້ຂອງທ້ອງຖິ່ນ 2. ທຸກຄົນມີສຂ ຸ ະພາບດີຂຶ້ນ ການຂາດສານອາຫານໄດ້ກໍ່ໃຫ້ ເກີດຜົນກະທົບອັນໃ ່ຫຼວງຕໍ່ການພັດທະນາໃນສປປລາວໂດຍທີ່ ຂອງເດັກນ້ອຍອາຍຸ ເດືອນຫາ ປີແມ່ນໄດ້ຮັບຄວາມທຸກ ທໍລະມານຈຳາກພະຍາດເລືອດຈຳາງ ເອັມເອັມຈຳີ ໄດ້ລົງທນ . ລ້ານໂດລາ ໃນໂຄງການຮ່ວມມືກັບກະຊວງສາທາລະນະສຸກ ແລະ ອົງ ການອຸ ຍ ນິ ເ ຊັ ບ ເພື່ອ ແກ້ໄ ຂບັນ ຫາການຂາດສານອາຫານຢູ່

ແຂວງ ສະຫວັນນະເຂດ ສາລະວັນ ແລະ ອັດຕະປື ໃນຕະຫຼອດ ສາມປີ ໂຄງການດັ່ງກ່າວຈຳະແຈກຢາຍອາຫານເສີມໃຫ້ເດັກນ້ອຍ , ຄົນຜ່ານອາສາສະໝັກບ້ານແລະແພດໝໍປະຈຳ�ຊຸມຊົນ ແລະເພີ່ມຈຳິດສ�ນກກ່ຽວກັບບັນຫາໂພສະນາການແລະສຸຂະພາບ ຂັ້ນພື້ນຖານ 3. ການສຶກສາເພື່ອອະນາຄົດ ເເພື່ອຊ່ວຍ ສປປ ລາວ ບັນລຸ ເປົ້າໝາຍສະຫັດສະວັດບໍ່ຄ�-ທອງເຊໂປນກ�ລັງຊອກຫາຄູ່ມື ເພື່ອ ມາປັບປຸງການເຂົ້າຮຽນ ແລະຜົນໄດ້ຮັບທາງ ການສກສາ ການສກ ສາແມ່ນຂໍກນ ຸ ແຈສູ່ອະນາຄົດທີ່ຮັ່ງມີສ�ລັບສປປ.ລາວ 4. ເສັ້ນທາງສູ່ຕະຫຼາດ ບໍ່ຄ�-ທອງເຊໂປນ ກ�ລັງສືບຕໍ່ລົງ ທນເຂົ້າໃນລະບົບເສນທາງ ເພື່ອຮັບປະກັນການເຂົ້າເຖິງຕະຫຼາດທີ່ ສະດວກສະບາຍຂອງສິນຄ້າກະສິກ� ແລະສິນຄ້າອື່ນໆໂດຍຜ່ານ ກອງທນພັດທະນາຊຸມຊົນລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສໄດ້ລົງທນຫຼາຍກວ່າ ລ້ານໂດລາ ສ� ລັບໂຄງການຫຼດຜ່ອນຄວາມທຸກຍາກທີ່ຢູ່ໃກ້ບໍ່ ແຮ່ ໃນປີ ກອງທນດັ່ງກ່າວຈຳະຈຳັດຕັ້ງປະຕິບັດໂຄງການໃໝ່ ໂຄງການລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສໄດ້ໃຫ້ການສະໜັບສະໜູນດ້ານ ທນຮອນ ເພື່ອສ້າງເສນທາງຂົວ ໂຮງຮຽນ ໂຮງໝໍ ແລະຈຳັດສັນນ� ສະອາດທີ່ໃຫ້ຜົນປະໂ ດໂດຍກົງຕໍ່ຊມ ຸ ຊົນທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ນອກນີ້ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສ ຍັງໃຫ້ການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອລ້າຂະໜາດ ນ້ອຍເປັນເ ິນສູງເຖິງ , ໂດລາສ�ລັບສິ່ງຈຳ�ເປັນຂອງ ຊຸມຊົນໂຄງການທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບການສະໜັບສະໜູນປະກອບມີເສນທາງ ຊຸມຊົນໂຮງຮຽນ ບໍ່ນ�ສະອາດ ແລະ ສິ່ງອ�ນວຍຄວາມສະດວກ ທາງດ້ານສຸຂະອະນາໄມ ການອະນຸລັກມໍລະດົກທາງວັດທະນະ ທ�ແລະສ້າງຫ້ອງປະຊຸມບ້ານ ບໍລິສັດຍັງໄດ້ສະໜອງການຊ່ວຍ ເຫຼື ອ ໂດຍກົງ ເພື່ອ ຊື້ອຸ ປ ະກອນການແພດທີ່ຈຳ�ເປັ ນ ສ�ລັບ ໂຮງ ໝໍຢູ່ສະຫວັນນະເຂດແລະວຽງຈຳັນ

ເ ບິ່ງ ໄ ປ ຂ້າ ງ ໜ້າ ວາລະສານສະບາຍດີໄດ້ໂອ້ລົມກັບທ່ານ ສະໝານ ອະເນກາ ອ�ນວຍການແລະຜູ້ຈັດການດ້ານການພົວພັນກັບຜູ້ມສ ີ ່ວນຮ່ວມ ບໍລສ ິ ັດລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂຣນສ໌ ກ່ຽວກັບອະນາຄົດຂອງບໍ່ຄ�-ທອງເຊໂປນ ທ່ານອະເນກາ ເປັນນັກທໍລະນີສາດລາວຜູ້ໜຶ່ງທີ່ມປ ີ ະສົບການ ຈາກຕ່າງປະເທດ ແລະມີຄວາມຮູ້ກວ້າງຂວາງກ່ຽວກັບຊັບພະຍາກອນບໍ່ແຮ່ໃນປະເທດ ເພິ່ນໄດ້ຄົ້ນພົບຊັບພະຍາກອນແຮ່ທີ່ສ�ຄັນຢູ່ບໍ່ ຄ�-ທອງເຊໂປນ ແລະ ໄດ້ເຫັນການພັດທະນາໃນເຂດດັ່ງກ່າວ ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂຣນສ໌ ຮັບປະກັນໃຫ້ມສ ີ ະຖານທີ່ເຮັດວຽກທີ່ປອດ ໄພແນວໃດ? ຄວາມປອດໄພແມ່ນຄຸນຄ່າທີ່ສ�ຄັນທີ່ສຸດຂອງລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນ ໂ ນສ ແລະຝັງຢູ່ໃນທຸກໆຢ່າງທີ່ພວກເຮົາເຮັດ ວິໄສທັດຂອງ ພວກເຮົ າ ແມ່ນ ຮັບ ປະກັນ ບໍ່ໃ ຫ້ມີ ສ ະພາບແ ດລ້ອ ມທີ່ມີ ກ ານ ບາດເຈັບ ແລະການສູນເສຍຊີວດ ິ ພະນັກງານຂອງພວກເຮົາ ຍັງ ນ�ເອົ າ ຫຼັກ ການດັ່ງ ກ່າ ວນີ້ໄ ປເຜີ ຍ ແຜ່ຢູ່ໃ ນບ້າ ນຂອງເຂົ າ ເຈົ້າເພື່ອຮັບປະກັນວ່າ ຄອບຄົວຂອງຕົນແລະຊຸມຊົນທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ມີຄວາມປອດໄພ ພວກເຮົາບຸກບືນເພື່ອເຮັດໃຫ້ບລ ໍ ສ ິ ັດເປັນຜູ້ມີ ການປະຕິ ບັດ ງານດ້າ ນຄວາມປອດໄພລະດັບ ໂລກຜູ້ທ�ອິ ດ ດ້ວຍການສ້າງລະບຽບການທີ່ຖກ ື ຕ້ອງ ບໍ ລິ ສັດ ໄດ້ຫຼດຜ່ອ ນຜົນ ກະທົບ ຂອງຕົນ ທີ່ມີ ຕໍ່ສິ່ງ ແ ດລ້ອ ມ ແນວໃດ

Vangthakhuay villagers in Vilabouly District build water facilities to bring clean water to their village – a project that is supported by MMG LXML Sepon’s Village Development Fund.

ມາດຖານຄຸ້ມຄອງສິ່ງແ ດລ້ອມຂອງລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສ ໄດ້ ເປັນທີ່ຮັບຮູ້ຢ່າງກວ້າງຂວາງວ່າເປັນຕົວຢ່າງທີ່ດເີ ລີດອັນໜງໃນ ສປປ.ລາວ.ເອັມເອັມຈຳີໄດ້ສະໜັບສະໜູນຫຼັກການຄວາມຍືນຍົງ ຂອງ ແລະ ມາດຖານຕ່າງໆຂອງສາກົນ ສື່ສຽງຂອງບໍ ລິສັດແມ່ນຂນກັບການສືບຕໍ່ຮັບປະກັນໃຫ້ຄວາມສ່ຽງເຫຼົ່ານີ້ໄດ້ ຖືກຄຸ້ມຄອງຢ່າງດີແລະສິ່ງແ ດລ້ອມໄດ້ຮັບການປົກປ້ອງຢ່າງດີ ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສມີຄວາມພູມໃຈເປັນຢ່າງສູງຕໍ່ການດ�ເນີນ ງານທາງດ້ານສິ່ງແ ດລ້ອມຂອງພວກເຮົາແລະໄດ້ເຮັດວຽກຢ່າງ

ໃກ້ຊິດກັບຊຸມຊົນໃນທ້ອງຖິ່ນໃນການຄຸ້ມຄອງນ�ແລະສິ່ງເສດ ເຫຼືອການ ື້ນ ສ ູ ິ່ງແ ດລ້ອມແລະບັນຫາອື່ນໆເພື່ອຮັບປະກັນ ຄວາມຍືນຍົງຂອງບໍ່ແຮ່ ແມ່ນຫຍັງຄືອະນາຄົດຂອງລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສ ພວກເຮົາສາມາດຄາດຫວັງຫຍັງແດ່ຈຳາກພວກທ່ານໃນປີຕໍ່ໜ້າ ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສພວມສືບຕໍ່ບັນລຸເປົ້າໝາຍການຜະລິດທີ່ສງູ ແລະນ�ສິ່ງຕອບແທນທີ່ຫຼວງຫຼາຍກັບຄືນ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕື່ນເຕນ ກັບອະນາຄົດຂອງການຂຸດຄົ້ນແຮ່ທາດໃນສປປ.ລາວ ຊງຈຳະ ສືບຕໍ່ສົ່ງເສີມການຂະຫຍາຍຕົວໃນຂົງເຂດອື່ນໆໃນຂະນະທີ່ເສດ ຖະກິດມີຄວາມຫຼາກຫຼາຍຂນລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສ ໄດ້ສະແດງ ໃຫ້ເຫັນເຖິງການເປັນຜູນ ້ �ທີ່ເຂມແຂງໂດຍຜ່ານການປະກອບ ສ່ວນເຂົ້າໃນຄວາມປອດໄພມາດຖານສິ່ງແ ດລ້ອມ ແລະການ ພັດທະນາຊຸມຊົນ ສິ່ງເຫຼົ່ານີ້ໄດ້ຍົກສູງມາດຖານທີ່ຈຳະຕ້ອງ ປະຕິບັດນັ້ນສູງຂນ ສ�ລັບບໍລສ ິ ັດຄຸດຄົ້ນແຮ່ອື່ນໆໃນປະເທດ ຢູ່ ເອັມເອັມຈຳີພວກເຮົາເ ົ້າວ່າ ພວກເຮົາຂຸດຄົ້ນເພື່ອຄວາມ ກ້າວໜ້າ ເຊິ່ງໝາຍຄວາມວ່າພວກເຮົາຕ້ອງນ�ຜົນປະໂ ດ ທີ່ຍນ ື ຍົງມາສູ່ຊມ ຸ ຊົນທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ແລະ ລັດຖະບານຈຳາກວຽກງານ ຂອງພວກເຮົາ ສ�ລັບຂມູນເພີ່ມຕື່ມກ່ຽວກັບ ລ້ານຊ້າງມີເນໂ ນສ ເຂົ້າເບິ່ງທີ່ . .

SABAIDEE COVER

words H annah M c D onald - M oniz photos c ou r t e s y of f e at u r e d hot e ls

HIP HID EAWAYS :

LAOS’ PREMIER BOUTIQUE HOTELS

WITH TOURISM ON THE RISE IN LAOS, MORE AND MORE DISTINCTIVE HOTELS ARE OPENING THEIR DOORS TO VISITORS SEEKING IMPECCABLE HOSPITALITY, WITH FLAIR AND COMFORT TO MATCH. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CURRENT LOW-SEASON PRICE POINTS TO BEAT THE CROWDS FOR A STYLISH ESCAPE AT A LUXURIOUS GETAWAY, RIGHT ON YOUR DOORSTEP. WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING TO PAMPER YOURSELF WITH A SIGNATURE SPA TREATMENT, LAZE BY THE POOL WITH COCKTAIL IN-HAND, OR RELAX AFTER A DAY OF ADVENTURE, SABAIDEE MAGAZINE HAS HANDPICKED A FEW OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST EXQUISITELY PLACED AND UNIQUE BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS TO REST YOUR HEAD.

ການພັກຜ່ອນທີ່ມລ ີ ະດັບ

ບັນດາໂຮງແຮມບູຕກ ິ ທີ່ດທ ີ ີ່ສດ ຸ ຂອງລາວ ເນື່ອງຈາກອຸດສາຫະກໍາທ່ອງທ່ຽວມີການເຕີບໂຕ ໃນລາວ ບັນດາໂຮງແຮມທີ່ມີເອກະລັກສະເພາະ ຫຼາຍແຫ່ງໄດ້ເປີດຕ້ອນຮັບ ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ຜູ້ທີ່ສະແຫວງຫາ ການບໍລິການທີ່ດີເລີດ ພ້ອມດ້ວຍຄວາມຮູ້ສຶກທີ່ອົບອຸ່ນ ແລະ ຄວາມສະດວກສະບາຍ ໂດຍການຈັບເອົາໂອກາດ ໃນໄລຍະລະດູການນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວໜ້ອຍໃນປະຈຸບັນ ເພື່ອຮັບໂອກາດ ການສະເໜີລາຄາທີ່ດີ ໃນການພັກຜ່ອນທີ່ຫຼູຫຼາ ໄກ້ບ້ານຂອງທ່ານ. ບໍ່ວ່າທ່ານຈາກສະແຫວງຫາຄວາມສຸກສໍາລານ ສໍາລັບຕົວທ່ານເອງ ດ້ວຍ ສະປາທີ່ມີຊື່, ຜ່ອນຄາຍຢູ່ຂ້າງສະລອຍນໍ້າ ພ້ອມດື່ມຄອກເທວໄປນໍາ ພັກຜ່ອນຫຼັງຈາກການພະຈົນໄພມາໝົດມື້ ວາລະສານ ສະບາຍດີ ໄດ້ຂັດເລືອກເອົາ ສະຖານທີ່ພັກ ບູຕິກ ທີ່ມີເອກະລັກສະເພາະ ແລະ ດີທີ່ສຸດໃນປະເທດ ເພື່ອໃຫ້ທ່ານໄດ້ຜ່ອນຄາຍ.

I Hotel de la Paix, Luang Prabang. I 34

ເມື່ອຄວາມເປັນພື້ນເມືອງ ບັນຈົງຄູ່ກັບຄວາມທັນສະໃໝ

TRADITION MEETS MODERN

ບັນ ດ າ ໂ ຮ ງ ແ ຮ ມ ທີ່ສ ວ ຍ ງ າ ມ ໂ ດ ດ ເ ດັ່ນ ເ ຫຼົ່າ ນີ້ແ ມ່ນ ກ າ ນ ປ ະ ສ າ ນ ກັນ ລະຫ່ວາງ ຄວາມສວຍງາມ ຂອງ ການອອກແບບ ແລະ ລວດລາຍ ລາວ ພື້ນເມືອງ ພົບກັບຮູບແບບທີ່ທັນສະໃໝ ເຊິ່ງກໍ່ໃຫ້ເກີດ ສະຖານທີ່ພັກທີ່ມີ ລັກສະນະ ທີ່ມີສະເໜ່ງົດງາມທີ່ບໍ່ສາມາດຈະລືມເລືອນໄດ້.

THESE SLEEK AND CHIC SPOTS FUSE THE BEAUTY OF TRADITIONAL LAO CRAFT AND ARCHITECTURE WITH CONTEMPORARY INFLUENCES FOR AN UNFORGETTABLY STYLISH STAY.

HOTEL DE LA PAIX, LUANG PRABANG The unusual architecture of this Luang Prabang must-stay speaks to its former incarnation as a century-old French fort. These days, the boutique accommodation has been carefully transformed into a remarkably sleek getaway, with clean lines and a minimalist décor creating a soothing contemporary ambience. In fact, Hotel de la Paix’s unique design has been turning heads internationally, recently awarded best interiors for a luxury hotel at the prestigious Wold Architecture News awards. Guests have their pick of ultra-luxurious sanctuaries, from the spacious Garden Suites, the Heritage Suites housed within restored UNESCO colonial buildings, the Pool Suites tucked under the original watchtowers at four corners of the property – each with a private pool and garden, and the grand Governor Suite with lofty ceilings, indoor-outdoor bathrooms and expansive terrace. There are two restaurants on site to savour, as well as a cocktail bar and the Ka-Toke Cooking School. After a day of sightseeing, be sure to retire to Spa Indochine for the ultimate in pampering. A: Manomai Street, Ban Mano, Luang Prabang T: +856 71 260 777 W: www.hoteldelapaixlp.com

ໂຮງແຮມde la Paix, ຫຼວງພະບາງ ສະຖາປັດ ຕະຍະກ� ການອອກແບບ ເຄຫາສະຖານ ທີ່ບໍ່ທ�ມະດາ ຂອງ ຫຼວງພະບາງ ແຫ່ງ ນີ້ ໄດ້ສ ະແດງ ເຖິ ງ ສິ ນ ລະປະການກໍ່ສ້າ ງແບບເກົ່າ ຫວນ ຄືນໄປໃນສະໄໝອານານິຄົມຂອງຝຣັ່ງໃນປະຈຳຸບັນສະຖານທີ່ພັກບູຕິກເຫຼົ່ານີ້ ໄດ້ຮັບການປັບປຸງຢ່າງລະມັດລະວັງມາເປັນສະຖານທີ່ພັກທີ່ມີຄວາມໂດດເດັ່ນ ທີ່ເປັນແຖວລຽນລາຍ ສະອາດສະອ້ານ ແລະ ມີການຕົບແຕ່ງທີ່ລຽບງ່າຍ ໄດ້ ສ້າ ງຄວາມຮູ້ສ ກຂອງບັນ ຍາກາດສະໃໝໃໝ່ທີ່ ຽບສະ ົບ .ຄວາມຈຳິ ງ ແລ້ວ ການອອກແບບທີ່ເປັກເອກະລັກຂອງໂຮງແຮມ ໄດ້ກ້າວສູ່ສາກົນ ຊງໃນມໍ່ໆນີ້ ໂຮງແຮມແຫ່ງນີ້ໄດ້ຮັບລາງວັນ ການຕົບແຕ່ງພາຍໃນດີເດັ່ນທີ່ສຸດ ສ�ລັບໂຮງແຮມຫຼຫຼາຈຳາກ ທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງ. ແຂກສາມາດເລືອກຈຳອງຫ້ອງພັກທີ່ຫຼຫຼາທີ່ສຸດຂອງໂຮງແຮມເລີ່ມຈຳາກຫ້ອງ ທີ່ກ້ວາງຂວາງຫ້ອງ ຊງເປັນບ້ານພາຍໃ ນສິ່ງກໍ່ສ້າງສະໃໝຝຣັ່ງ ພາຍໄຕ້ການບູລະນະຂອງອົງການ ຫ້ອງ ຊງເປັນຫໍຄອຍເກົ່າຢູ່ສີ່ດ້ານຂອງໂຮງແຮມ-ແຕ່ລະຫ້ອງແມ່ນມີ ສະລອຍນ�ແລະສວນສ່ວນຕົວແລະຫ້ອງ ທີ່ກ້ວາງໃ ່ ພ້ອ ມດ້ວ ຍເພດານທີ່ສູ ງ ມີ ຫ້ອ ງອາບນ�ພາຍໃນ ແລະ ຫ້ອ ງອາບນ�ນອກ ແລະ ລະບຽງເບິ່ງ ທີ່ມີ ລ ະດັບ ພາຍໃນໂຮງແຮມ ຍັງ ມີ ຮ້າ ນອາຫານ ສອງ ແຫ່ງ ທີ່ທ່ານສາມາດ ມີຄວາມສຸກໃນການຮັບປະທານ, ກໍ່ຄື ສະຖານທີ່ກິນດື່ມ ແລະ ໂຮງຮຽນແຕ່ງ ກິ ນ ກາໂຕກ . ພາຍຫຼັງທ່ຽວຊົມເມືອງໝົດມື້ແລ້ວຢ່າລືມທີ່ຈຳະພັກຜ່ອນກັບສະປາ ເພື່ອຄວາມສຸກສ�ລານ. ທີ່ຢູ່: ຖະໜົນ ມະໂນໄໝ່ ບ້ານ ມະໂນ ຫຼວງພະບາງ ໂທ +856 71 260 777, www.hoteldelapaixlp.com

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eekly in twice-w n limber-up tes classes. Guests ca ila P at M tary complimen ກາຍ ອອກກ�ລັງ ແຂກສາມາດ ໍ່ອາທິດ ຕ ງ ັ້ ງຄ ສາຍສອ ຍືດເສນຍືດ ໃນຫ້ອງຮຽນ . າ ່ ຄ ຍ ສ ເ ໍ່ ບ ໂດຍ

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ບໍ່ຄວາມລືມ

Lao to Champa ing k is home t refresh os Green Par m ’s ty of the ci . Spa. One periences wellness ex າ ໃນດ້ານສະປ ແມ່ນມີຊື່ສຽງ ລາວຈຳ�ປາ ຜ່ອນຄາຍ ົບການການ ະສ ປ ນ ງໃ ໜ ືອງ. ເປັນ ມ ງເ ອ ຂ ດ ຸ ີ່ສ ທີ່ສົດຊື່ນທ

GREEN PARK BOUTIQUE HOTEL, VIENTIANE Arriving at Green Park is like entering a private oasis, and the walled lush gardens surrounding the property make for a surprisingly tranquil environment, despite being located in a busy part of town. The hotel’s design is an aesthetic delight, with luxe traditional Lao touches, like copper ornaments decorated with fresh cut flowers and ornate timber lounges, seamlessly blended with contemporary style throughout the 34 rooms and common areas. The central location and quietude of Green Park make this a perfect option for a ‘staycation’ for Vientiane residents – this is truly a breath of fresh air without the stress of travelling. The ambience of the garden and swimming pool lends itself to a leisurely day of sunning, and after dark oil lamps lead the way to the Sala Nongchanh Restaurant, which specialises in modern Lao and international cuisine. For cocktail hour, be sure to sample a signature ‘Green Park Sling’ in the Dok Dala Lounge and Bar. A: 12 Khouvieng Road, Ban Nongchanh, Vientiane T: +856 21 264 097 W: www.greenparkvientiane.com

ໂຮງແຮມ ບູຕິກ ຄຣີນພາກ, ວຽງຈັນ ເມື່ອມາທີ່ໂຮງແຮມ ເໝືອນດັ່ງການກ້າວເຂົ້າສູ່ແດນສະຫວັນສ່ວນຕົວແລະ ສວນທີ່ເບິ່ງມີລະດັບທີ່ເປັນກ�ແພງອ້ອມໂຮງແຮມເຮັດໃຫ້ມີບັນຍາກາດທີ່ງຽບສະ ົບ ແລະ ຜ່ອ ນຄາຍ ຢ່າ ງໜ້າ ແປກໃຈ ເຖິ ງ ແມ່ນ ວ່າ ຈຳະຕັ້ງ ຢູ່ ໃນເຂດຕົວ ເມື ອ ງທີ່ສົບ ສົນ ການອອກແບບຂອງໂຮງແຮມ ແມ່ນ ເຮັດໃຫ້ມີຄວາມສຸກສົດຊື່ນ ທີ່ສາມາດສ�ຜັດເຖິງ ລັກ ສ ະ ນ ະ ພື້ນ ເ ມື ອ ງ ລ າ ວ ທີ່ມີ ລ ະ ດັບ ເ ຊັ ນ ເ ຄື່ອ ງ ປ ະ ດັບ ທ ອ ງ ແ ດ ງ ທີ່ຕົບ ແ ຕ່ງ ດ້ວ ຍ ດ ອ ກ ໄ ມ້ສົດ ແ ລ ະ ຫ້ອ ງ ຮັບ ແ ຂ ກ ທີ່ຕົບ ແ ຕ່ງ ດ້ວ ຍ ໄ ມ້, ເ ຊິ່ງ ປ ະ ສ າ ນ ກັນໄດ້ຢ່າງລົງຕົວກັບລັກສະນະທີ່ທັນສະໃໝກໍຄື ຫ້ອງພັກ ຫ້ອງແລະພື້ນທີ່ລວມ ທີ່ມີການອອກແບບທີ່ໜ້າປະທັບໃຈ. ດ້ວຍທີ່ຕັ້ງຢູ່ຈຳຸດໃຈກາງເມືອງ ແລະ ຄວາມງຽບສະ ົບ ຂອງ ໂຮງແຮມ ເຮັດໃຫ້ ເປັນທາງເລືອກທີ່ວິເສດສຸດ ສ�ລັບການພັກຜ່ອນແບບພັກແລ້ງ ສ�ລັບຊາວເມືອງວຽງຈຳັນ – ນີ້ແມ່ນການສູດເອົາອາກາດສົດ ໂດຍບໍ່ຕ້ອງເດີນທາງໄກ ບັນຍາກາດຂອງສວນແລະສະລອຍນ�ເຮັດໃຫ້ເປັນມີື້ພັກຜ່ອນທີ່ສະບາຍໃນການນອນ ອາບແດດແລະເມື່ອເຖິງຕາເ ັນຄ້ອຍແລງເປັນເ ລາຂອງອາຫານແລງທີ່ຮ້ານອາຫານ ສາລາໜອງຈຳັນ ເຊິ່ງພໍ່ຄອບມີຄວາມຊ�ນານໃນດ້ານການປຸງແຕ່ງ ອາຫານ ຕ່າ ງປະເທດ ແລະ ອາຫານລາວແບບປະຍຸ ກ ສ�ລັບ ເ ລາ ການດື່ມ , ຢ່າລືມທີ່ຈຳະລອງ ທີ່ລືນາມຢູ່ ຫ້ອງຮັບຮອງແລະບາ ຂອງໂຮງແຮມ. A : 1 2 ຖ ະ ໜົມ ຄູ ວ ຽ ງ , ບ້າ ນ ໜ ອ ງ ຈັນ , ວ ຽ ງ ຈັນ , ໂ ທ : + 8 5 6 2 1 2 6 4 0 9 7 www.greenparkvientiane.com

ຣີເວີຊາຍ ບູຕິກ ລີສອດ, ວັງວຽງ ແມ່ນ ສະຖານທີ່ພັກ ຜ່ອ ນ ທີ່ໄ ກ້ສຸ ດ ແລະ ມີ ອ າກາດທີ່ສົດ ຊື່ນ , ເຊິ່ງ ຫ່າ ງໄກຈຳາກ ເຂດນັກ ທ່ອ ງທ່ຽ ວກະເປົ າ ເປ້ ຂອງ ວັງ ວຽງ ລີ ສ ອດ ຕັ້ງ ຢູ່ແ ຄມນ�ຊອງ ພ້ອ ມດ້ວ ຍສະໜາມຫຍ້າ ທີ່ຂ ຽວງາມ ແລະ ສະລອຍນ�ທີ່ຊ ວນໃຫ້ຢ າກລອຍ ທີ່ມີ ທິ ວ ທັດ ທ�ມະຊາດຂອງ ພູ ຜ າຫີ ນ ອ້ອ ມຮອບ ທີ່ສ ວຍສົດ ງົດ ງາມ ດ້ວ ຍຄວາມຊື່ນ ບານ ວິ ວ ທິ ວ ທັດ ທີ່ເ ປັ ນ ທ�ມະຊາດນີ້ ສາມາດເບິ່ງ ເຫັ ນ ຈຳາກ ທັງ ຫ້ອ ງ ແລະ ຫ້ອ ງພິ ເ ສດ ຂອງ ຣີ ສ ອດ ແລະ ຍັງ ສາມາດເບິ່ງ ເຫັ ນ ຈຳາກ ຮ້າ ນອາຫານໃນຮົ່ມ ແລະ ຮ້າ ນອາຫານກາງແຈ້ງ ຂອງໂຮງແຮມ ແຕ່ລ ະຫ້ອ ງຂອງລີ ສ ອດ ແມ່ນ ໄດ້ຮັບ ການອອກແບບ ທີ່ສ ະແດງເຖິ ງ ລັກ ສະນະຄວາມເປັ ນ ລາວ ແລະ ວັດ ທະນະທ�ທີ່ສື ບ ຕໍ່ກັນ ມາ ຊງ ຕົບ ແຕ່ງ ດ້ວ ຍ ຮູ ບ ແຕ້ມ ຂອງຊົນ ເຜົ າ ລາວ ແຜ່ນແຜແລະແຕ່ລະເອກະລັກຂອງພວກເຂົາຈຳາກຫຼາຍຊົນເຜົ່າຂອງລາວ. ເຂດລອຍນ�ອາບແດດ ແມ່ນ ຢູ່ໃ ຈກາງ ຂອງ ລີ ສ ອດ, ແລະ ແຂກ ສາມາດ ມີຄວາມສຸກກັບການລອຍນ�ແລະອາບແດດຢູ່ທ່າມກາງທິວທັດພູຜາທີ່ໜ້າອັ ດສະຈຳັນພ້ອມດ້ວຍອາຫານເຊົ້າແບບສະບາຍສະບາຍເຊິ່ງແມ່ນວິທີການທີ່ວິເ ສດທີ່ຈຳະພັກຜ່ອນໃນຕອນເຊົ້າແຂກສາມາດສ�ຫຼວດບັນດາຖ�ທີ່ຢູ່ອອ້ມແອ້ມ ຢ່າ ງງ່າ ຍດາຍ ໂດຍການຍ່າ ງຂ້າ ມຂົວ ຍ່າ ງທີ່ເ ຮັ ດ ດ້ວ ຍໄມ້ ໄກ້ໂ ຮງແຮມ ຫຼື ລ່ອງເຮືອກາຢັກແລະເບິ່ງສະຖານທີ່ທີ່ໜ້າສົນໃຈອື່ນໆ.

RIVERSIDE BOUTIQUE RESORT, VANG VIENG The Riverside Boutique Resort is a refreshing and intimate sanctuary, far from Vang Vieng’s usual backpacker set. The resort lingers on the edge of the Nam Song River, with the leafy gardens and inviting swimming pool giving way to breath-taking views of surrounding limestone cliffs. Pleasingly, these same pristine views can be enjoyed from each of the 34 rooms and suites, and the hotel’s open-air and indoor restaurant. Each room has been thoughtfully designed to showcase Lao architectural and cultural heritage, with each drawing their décor, textiles and motifs from the country’s many ethnic groups.

ທີ່ຢູ່: ບ້າ ນ ວຽງແກ້ວ , ເມືອງວັງ ວຽງ, ໂທ +856 23 511 726-8 ເວບໄຊ: www.riversidevangvieng.com

The stunning swimming area forms the heart of the resort, and enjoying a dip and sunning in the midst of the incredible mountains, along with a leisurely breakfast is the perfect way to spend a morning. Guests can easily explore surrounding caves by crossing a nearby wooden footbridge, or taking a short stroll downtown for kayaking and other attractions. A: Ban Viengkeo, Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province T: +856 23 511 7268 W: www.riversidevangvieng.com

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rant ouse restau e ys the in-h liv On Saturda side Lao buffet with ol e. serves a po cal music and danc lo traditional ຮງແຮມ ໃນຮົ່ມຂອງໂ ຮ້ານອາຫານ ານລາວ າຫ ອ ເຟ ບ ຸ ບ ໃຫ້ບໍລິການ ົນຕີ ຍນ�ພ້ອມດ ຂ້າງສະລອ . ນ ອ ້ ະ ລ ພື້ນເມືອງແ

ສະຖານທີ່ພັກ ທີ່ຫຼູຫຼາແບບທໍາມະຊາດ

ECO-LUXE

ຫຼົງເຂົ້າໄປໃນເຂດຫ່າງໄກສອກຫຼີກ ແຕ່ຍັງສາມາດພັກໃນທີ່ພັກທີ່ຫຼູຫຼາ ໂດຍ ການພັກແບບມີຄວາມຮັບຜິດຊອບຕໍ່ສິ່ງເເວດລ້ອມ ໃນສະຖານທີ່ພັກ ເຫຼົ່ານີ້.

STRAY FROM THE BEATEN PATH WITHOUT SACRIFICING OPULENCE AT THESE ENVIRONMENTALLY-RESPONSIBLE STAYS.

LA FOLIE LODGE, PAKSE Situated on secluded Don Daeng Island near Pakse in southern Laos, approaching La Folie Lodge by boat you’ll see the cluster of 12 bungalows and villas set amongst lush tropical gardens. Highlighting their natural surrounds, each spacious villa has a private terrace with superb views of the Mekong and distant mountain vistas. The swimming pool and open-air restaurant and bar, which features continental and Asian cuisines paired with top-shelf wine and spirits, also offer pristine views of the island’s sandy beaches – be sure to enjoy a cocktail here at sunset.

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es for tel’s bicycl e of the ho ing the or pl Borrow on ex n afternoo gs. a leisurely surroundin ’s bucolic 10km island ອງໂຮງແຮມ ຢມລົດຖີບຂ �ຫຼວດ ສ ີ່ ຂ ອ ື່ ພ ເ ຍ ໃນຍາມບ່າ ກມໃນເຂດ ລຍະທາງ ໃນໄ . ນ ອ ດ ໃນ າຍ ອອ້ມແອ້ມພ

La Folie won the ASEAN Green Hotel Award 2012-14 and supports the local community through employing local staff and promoting sustainable tourism, dedicating a portion of profits towards community pro ects on the island. If you feel like venturing from your surrounds, the lodge is ideally situated to explore the Four Thousand Islands, and historic Vat Phou is just 20 minutes away. A: Don Daeng, Pathoumphone District, Pakse T: +856 20 5553 2004 W: www.lafolie-laos.com

La Folie Lodge, ປາກເຊ ຕັ້ງຢູ່ ດອນແດງທີ່ມີຄວາມເປັນສ່ວນຕົວໄກ້ເມືອງປາກເຊພາກໄຕ້ຂອງລາວເຂົ້າຫາ ໂດຍການຂີ່ເຮືອທ່ານຈຳະເຫັນກຸ່ມບັງກະໂລແລະເຮືອນວິລາ ຫຼັງ ທ່າມກາງ ສວນເຂດຮ້ອນທີ່ສວຍສົດງົດງາມ ຈຳຸດເດັ່ນທີ່ຖືກອ້ອມຮອບ ດ້ວຍທ�ມະຊາດ ເຮືອນວິລາທີ່ປອດໂປ່ງແຕ່ລະຫຼັງ ມີລະບຽງສ່ວນຕົວ ພ້ອມດ້ວຍວິວທິວທັດ ແມ່ນ�ຂອງ ແລະ ສາຍພູ ທີ່ຢູ່ຫ່າ ງໄກ ທີ່ງົດ ງາມ. ສະລອຍນ� ແລະ ຮ້າ ນອາຫານກາງແຈ້ງ ແລະ ບາ ຊງເນນອາຫານ ເອເຊຍ ແລະ ອາຫານທ້ອ ງຖິ່ນ ພ້ອ ມດ້ວ ຍ ວາຍທີ່ມີ ລ າຄາ ແລະ ມີ ບັນ ຍາກາດ ພ້ອ ມດ້ວ ຍ ວິ ວ ຫາດຊາຍ ຂອງດອນທີ່ເ ປັ ນ ທ�ມະຊາດ – ຢ່າ ລື ມ ມ່ວນຊື່ນກັບການດື່ມຄອກເທວຢູ່ທີ່ນີ້ໃນເ ລາຕາເ ັນຕົກດິນ.

ໄດ້ຮັບລາງວັນໂຮງແຮມສີຂຽວອາຊຽນ , - ແລະ ສະໜັບ ສະໜູ ນ ຊຸ ມ ຊົນ ໂດຍການຈຳ້າ ງ ພະນັກ ງານ ທ້ອ ງຖິ່ນ ແລະ ສົ່ງ ເ ສີ ມ ກ າ ນ ທ່ອ ງ ທ່ຽ ວ ແ ບ ບ ຍື ນ ຍົງ ປ ະ ກ ອ ບ ສ່ວ ນ ຈຳ�ນ ວ ນ ໜງ ຂ ອ ງ ຜົນ ກ�ໄ ລ ໃຫ້ແກ່ໂຄງການຂອງຊຸມຊົນ ໃນດອນ ຖ້າທ່ານ ຮູ້ສກຢາກພະຈຳົນໄພ ຈຳາກສິ່ງອ້ອມຂ້າງ ບ້ານພັກແຫ່ງນີ້ ແມ່ນທີ່ພັກສ�ລັບທ່ານທີ່ຈຳະສ�ຫຼວດສີ່ພັນດອນ ແລະ ເຂດປະຫວັດສາດ ວັດພູ ຈຳ�ປາສັກ, ແມ່ນພຽງແຕ່ເ ດີ ນທາງ ນາທີ ຈຳາກສະຖານທີ່ພັກ.

ທີ່ຢູ່: ບ້ານ ດອນແດງ, ເມືອງ ປະທຸມພອນ, ປາກເຊ ໂທ: +856 20 5553 2004ເວບໄຊ: www.lafolie-laos.com

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ols, l thermal po e the natura bl in na p ai di st a su Take g and . ’s refreshin ming pool Muang La im sw a to alternative ຸ່ນ ສະທີ່ມີນ�ອ ລອຍນ�ໃນ ວິທີທາງ ນ ັ ປ ເ າດ ແບບທ�ມະຊ ອງ ະຊື່ນບານຂ ທີ່ຍືນຍົງແລ ອຍນ�. ະລ ສ ່ ູ ສ າ ງຫຼ ເມືອ

MUANG LA RESORT, OUDOMXAY With just exquisite 5 wooden villas and 10 rooms, Muang La Resort is nestled against a stunning mountain backdrop – well off the beaten track and far from the tourist crowd. The remote location offers a wealth of outdoor activities for adventurers to tackle like mountain biking, treks, or photographing the stunning surrounds. For those after a more low-key stay, the resort’s idyllic garden and shady salas provide the perfect reprieve to curl up with a book or watch daily life along the riverbank. All rooms feature tasteful local art, textiles and crafts, and have been constructed by local craftspeople using locally-sourced materials. Muang La is working to ensure their environment remains a pristine paradise by supporting sustainable tourism that benefits nearby communities, and employing local staff. Although the remarkable backdrop seems like enough of a draw card, guests will be e ually impressed by the fine ao French fusion cuisine at the in-house restaurant – there’s also a cooking class revealing the secrets of Lao fare. A: Muang La District, Oudomxay T: +856 21 243 446 W: www.muangla.com

ເມືອງຫຼາ ແຂວງ ອຸດົມໄຊ ມີພຽງແຕ່ເຮືອນວິນລາໄມ້ທີ່ງົດງາມ ແລະມີ ຫ້ອງນອນເມືອງຫຼາຣີສອດ ແມ່ນຕັ້ງກົງກັນຂ້າມກັບທິວທັດພູຜາທີ່ສວຍສົດງົດງາມ–ແ ກຈຳາກຊຸມຊົນແລະ ໄກຈຳາກເຂດນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວ.ສະຖານທີ່ແ ກອອກແຫ່ງນີ້ມີກິດຈຳະກ�ກາງແຈ້ງ ທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍ ສ�ລັບນັກຜະຈຳົນໄພ ທີ່ຈຳະຄົ້ນສ�ຫຼວດ ເຊັ່ນ ການຂີ່ລົດຖີບຂນພູ ການຍ່າ ງປ່າ ຫຼື ການຖ່າ ຍພາບ ຂອງທິ ວ ທັດ ພູ ຜ າທີ່ສ ວຍງາມອອ້ມ ຮອບ ຫຼັງ ຈຳາກການອອກກ�ລັງ ກາຍແລ້ວ ສວນ ແລະ ສາລາ ທີ່ ຽບສະງົບ ຂອງ ລີສອດເປັນສະຖານທີ່ ທີ່ເໝາະສົມທີ່ສຸດທີ່ຈຳະນັ່ງອ່ານປມຫຼື ເບິ່ງການເປັນໄປ ຂອງວິຖີຊີວິດປະຈຳ�ວັນຂອງປະຊາຊົນຕາມແຄມແມ່ນ�. ທຸ ກ ຫ້ອ ງ ພັກ ແ ມ່ນ ຈຳ ະ ເ ນນ ສິ ລ ະ ປ ະ , ແ ຜ່ນ ແ ພ ແ ລ ະ ເ ຄື່ອ ງ ຫັດ ຖະກ�ພື້ນ ບ້າ ນ ແລະ ໄດ້ຖື ກ ປຸ ກ ສ້າ ງໂດຍ ຊ່າ ງທີ່ມີ ສີ ມື ພ າຍໃນທ້ອ ງຖິ່ນ ແລະ ນ�ໃຊ້ ວັດ ສະດຸ ກໍ່ສ້າ ງທີ່ມີ ໃ ນທ່ອ ງຖິ່ນ . ໄດ້ພ ະຍາມ ທີ່ຈຳະຮັກສາຄວາມເປັນທ�ມະຊາດຊງເປັນດັ່ງແດນສະຫວັນທີ່ເປັນທ�ມະຊາດ ໂ ດ ຍ ກ າ ນ ສ ະ ໜັບ ສ ະ ໜູ ນ ກ າ ນ ທ່ອ ງ ທ່ຽ ວ ແ ບ ບ ຍື ນ ຍົງ ທີ່ມີ ຜົນ ປະໂ ດຕໍ່ຊຸ ມ ຊົນ ໄກ້ຄ ຽງ ແລະ ຈຳ້າ ງພະນັກ ງານພາຍໃນທ້ອ ງຖິ່ນ . ຄວາມຈຳິງພຽງແຕ່ຈຳຸດເດັນຂອງທິວທັດທ�ມະຊາດທີ່ສວຍສົດງົດງາມ ກໍພຽງພໍ ແລ້ວທີ່ຈຳະດງດູດແຂກເຂົ້າມາພັກ, ແຂກຍັງ ຈຳະໄດ້ຮັບຄວາມປະທັບໃຈກັບ ອາຫານແບບປະສົມລາວ-ຝຣັ່ງທີ່ຮ້ານອາຫານໃນຮົ່ມຂອງໂຮງແຮມ–ເຊິ່ງເປີ ດເຜີຍເຄັດລັບການເຮັດອາຫານລາວ. ທີ່ຢູ່: ເມື ອ ງຫຼາ, ແຂວງອຸ ດົມ ໄຊໂທ: +856 21 243 446 ເວບໄຊ: www.muangla.com 39

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sunset, Enjoy the se lounge from a chai il, ta ck co . ol and a po ity fin by the in ິນ ຕາເ ັນຕົກດ ກັບການເບິ່ງ ກ ັ ງພ ອ ້ ມີຄວາມສຸກ ຫ ອກເທວຈຳາກ ແລະດື່ມຄ ນ�. ໃກ້ສະລອຍ

THE RIVER RESORT, CHAMPASSAK Just 30 minutes from Pakse, and a short drive to Vat Phou, The River Resort is ideally placed for those looking to immerse themselves in the tranquillity of the country’s southwest in an effortlessly chic setting. Choose from Deluxe River Front villas with panoramic Mekong views, or Deluxe Pond and Garden villas which feature views of the river and ponds. ll light filled rooms are spacious with generous terraces and contemporary furnishings. The River Resort takes care to preserve the three hectares of surrounding parkland, teeming with native flora a fauna and perfect for a leisurely stroll. There is an on-site rice paddy and organic vegetable gardens, and over 80% of the hotel staff are local villagers. In keeping with local culture, the resort offers guests a myriad of experiences from music and dance, to riverboat cruises, traditional massage, weaving, kayaking, and in the high-season you can opt for a romantic private picnic on nearby Turtle Island. A: Ban Phaphinnoy, Road14A, Champassak T: +856 20 5685 0198 W: www.theriverresort-champasak.com

ຣີເວີ ຣີສອດ, ແຂວງຈໍາປາສັກ ພຽງແຕ່

ນາທີ ຈຳາກປາກເຊແລະຂີ່ລົດພຽງແຕ່ໄລຍະທາງສັ້ນໆໄປຫາວັດພູ, ແມ່ນ ເປັ ນ ສະຖານທີ່ພັກ ສ�ລັບ ຜູ້ທີ່ຕ້ອ ງການ ດື່ມ ດ�ກັບ ຄວາມງຽບສະ ົບ ໃນພາກຕາເ ັ ນ ອອກສຽງໄຕ້ ຂອງປະເທດ ຢ່າ ງງ່າ ຍດາຍ ເລື ອ ກຈຳາກ ຫ້ອ ງພັກ ວິ ລ າ ພ້ອ ມວິ ວ ແມ່ນ�ຂອງທີ່ເ ປັ ນ ພາບພາໂນຣາມາ ຫຼື ຫ້ອ ງ ແລະຫ້ອງ ,ຊງເນນທິວທັດແມ່ນ�ຂອງແລະສະນ� ຫ້ອງທີ່ປອດໂປ່ງ ທັງໝົດ ແມ່ນ ກ້ວາງຂວາງ ພ້ອມລະບຽງທີ່ໃ ່ ແລະ ຕົບແຕ່ງດ້ວຍ ເຟີນິເຈີທີ່ທັນສະໄໝ. ດູ ແ ລຮັກ ສາ ເຂດສະ ວນ ຮຕ ໃນເຂດອ້ອ ມແອ້ມ ເຊິ່ງ ມີ ດ ອ ກ ໄ ມ້ ແ ລ ະ ແ ນ ວ ພື ດ ພື້ນ ເ ມື ອ ງ ເ ໝ າ ະ ສົມ ສ�ລັບ ກ າ ນ ເ ລ າ ະ ຜ່ອ ນ ຄ າ ຍ ຍັງ ມີ ທົ່ງ ນາ ແລະ ສວນຜັກ ປອດສານພິ ດ ໃນເຂດລີ ສ ອດ ແລະ ພະນັກ ງານ ຂອງລີສອດ ແມ່ນຊາວບ້ານທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ເພື່ອສ�ຜັ ດກັບ ວັດທະນະທ�ທ້ອງຖິ່ນ, ລີສອດ ຍັງ ໃຫ້ປ ະສົບ ການທີ່ມີ ຄຸ ນ ຄ່າ ແກ່ແ ຂກ ຈຳາກ ການສະແດງ ດົນ ຕີ ແລະ ການ ້ອ ນ ຈຳາກອາຫານເທິ ງ ເຮື ອ ການນວດພື້ນ ເມື ອ ງ ການຕ�ຫູ ກ ຂີ່ເ ຮື ອ ກາຢັກ ແລະ ໃນລະດູການທ່ອງທ່ຽວທ່ານຍັງສາມາດມີກິດຈຳະກ�ກິນເຂົ້ານອກບ້ານແບບສ່ວນຕົວ ໂ ແມນຕິກໃນດອນເຕົ່າ ທີ່ຢູ່ໄກ້ຄຽງ. ທີ່ຢູ່: ບ້ານ ພາບຫີນນ້ອຍ Ban Phaphinnoy, ຖະໜົນ 14A, ແຂວງ ຈໍາປາສັກໂທ: +856 20 56850198ເວບໄຊ: www.theriverresort-champasak.com 40

ມົນສະເໜຂອງເມືອງມໍລະດົກ

HERITAGE CHARM

ຫວນເວລາສູ່ອະດີດ ໃນ ເຮືອນພັກ ທີ່ເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍ ປະຫວັດສາດ ມີເອກະລັກ ແລະ ມີວັດທະນະທໍາ ຂອງສະຖານຫຼົ່ານີ້.

CHANNEL A BYGONE ERA IN THESE REFINED AND STYLISH HISTORIC RESIDENCES.

MAISON SOUVANNAPHOUM, LUANG PRABANG This historic Luang Prabang mansion was once the residence of Prince Souvanna Phouma, who also served as Prime Minister of Laos. Rich with history and old-world charm, these days the heritage house has been restored to all its former glory – a unique fusion of French colonial influences and stylish ao motifs. Although you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, Maison Souvannaphoum has created a truly contemporary experience with plush bedding, luxurious bathrooms and high-quality amenities sure to impress the most discerning of modern travellers. Be sure to indulge at the luxury Angsana Spa which will rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. Dine at the Elephant Blanc restaurant, which specialises in Lao, IndoChinese and Western fare, and is on par with some of the city’s best culinary offerings. The restaurant also offers cooking classes for guests who want to learn to create what they’ve sampled. The impeccable staff and highly-personalised service will make your stay here a breeze.

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A: Chao Fa Ngum Road, Ban That Luang, Luang Prabang T: +856 71 254 609 W: www.angsana.com/en/maison_souvannaphoum

taway tailored ge will love the s spa le up co e Romantics ud which incl kfasts. ea br e packages gn pa and cham ts en m at tre ັກ ິ ຈຳະຕ້ອງມ ນຕກ ຄູ່ຮັກໂ ແມ ບບ ແ ວ ົ ຕ ນ ວ ່ ິ ານສ ໍ ກ ລ ັບ ລາຍການບ �ລ ສ າ ວມມີ ສະປ ພເິ ສດເຊິ່ງລ ົ້າພ້ອມ ເຊ ານ າຫ ອ ຄູ່ຮັກແລະ ແຊມເ ປນ.

ວັງ ເຈົ້າ ສຸວັນນະພູມາ, ຫຼວງພະບາງ ວັງ ຫຼວງພະບາງທີ່ເ ປັ ນ ປະຫວັດ ສາດ ແຫ່ງ ນີ້ ຄັ້ງ ໜງ ເຄີ ຍ ເປັ ນ ບ້າ ນພັກ ຂອງ ເຈົ້າຊາຍ ສຸວັນນະພູມາ ຜູ້ທີ່ເຄີຍເປັນ ນາຍົກ ລັດຖະມົນຕີ ຂອງ ລາວ ດ້ວຍມົນສະເໜຂອງສະໃໝເກົ່າແລະປະຫວັດສາດທີ່ອຸດົມສົມບູນໃນປະຈຳຸບັນ ເຮືອນທີ່ເປັນມໍລະດົກນີ້ ໄດ້ຮັບການບູລະນະໃຫ້ມີຄວາມງາມດັ່ງເດີມຂອງມັນ –ການປະສົມປະສານແບບສະໃໝຝຣັ່ງແລະແບບລາວ. ເຖິງແມ່ນວ່າທ່ານຈຳະຮູ້ສກເໜືອນກັບສູ່ອະດີດ, ໄດ້ໃຫ້ຄວາມຮູ້ສກທີ່ມີຄວາມທັນສະໃໝຢ່າງແທ້ຈຳິງພ້ອມດ້ວຍຕຽງນອນທີ່ຫຼຫຼາ ຫ້ອ ງ ນ ອ ນ ທີ່ມີ ລ ະ ດັບ ແ ລ ະ ມີ ກ າ ນ ບໍ ລິ ກ າ ນ ທີ່ມີ ຄຸ ນ ນ ະ ພ າ ບ ສູ ງ ຊງສ້າງຄວາມປະທັບໃຈແກ່ ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວສະໄໝໃໝ່ ຢ່າລືມທີ່ຈຳະໃຊ້ບໍລິການ ທີ່ ສະປາ ທີ່ຫຼຫຼາຊງຈຳະເຮັດໃຫ້ຈຳິດໃຈຮ່າງກາຍແລະຈຳິດວິນຍານ ຂອງທ່ານມີຄວາມສົດຊື່ນຮັບປະທານອາຫານແລງທີ່ຮ້ານອາຫານ ທີ່ພໍ່ຄົວ ມີ ຄ ວາມຊ�ນານ ໃນດ້າ ນ ອາຫານ ລາວ ອິ ນ ໂດຈຳີ ນ ແລະ ອາຫານຕາເ ັນຕົກແລະເປັນໜງໃນບັນດາຮ້ານອາຫານທີ່ດີທີ່ສຸດຂອງເມືອງ ຮ້ານອາຫານຍັງມີຫ້ອງຮຽນເຮັດອາຫານສ�ລັບແຂກທີ່ຕ້ອງການເຮັດອາຫານ ທີ່ພ ວກເຂົ າ ໄດ້ລ ອງຊີ ມ ດ້ວ ຍຕົນ ເອງ. ພະນັກ ງານ ທີ່ມີ ຄ ວາມສາມາດ ແລະ ການບໍ ລິ ກ ານຢ່າ ງມື ອ າຊີ ບ ຈຳະເຮັ ດ ໃຫ້ກ ານພັກ ໃນທີ່ນີ້ ຂອງທ່າ ນ ເປັນປະສົບການທີ່ດີທີ່ສຸດ. ທີ່ຢູ່: ຖະໜົນ ເຈົ້າຟ້າງຸ່ມ, ບ້ານ ທາດຫຼວງ, ແຂວງ ຫຼວງພະບາງ, ໂທ: +856 71 254 609 ເວບໄຊ: www.angsana.com/en/maison_souvannaphoum 41

DON’T MI

SS:

ບໍ່ຄວາມລືມ

located a Hotel is best the Ansar ientiane’s Although V of e m so t in m gh fro ni s a ep d just st to spen a s, be sure in house e th restaurant at ng ch dini nt. ra au for fine Fren st re Signature ຕັ້ງຢູ່ໄກ້ກັບ ໂຮງແຮມ ຽງຈຳັນ ງວ ອ ື ມ ງເ ອ ເຖິງແມ່ນວ່າ ີທີ່ສຸດຂ ອາຫານທີ່ດ າຫານແລງ ບັນດາຮ້ານ ອງຄ�ຄືນອ ະຫຼ ະສ ຈຳ ີ່ ທ ມ ື ານ ຢ່າລ າຫ ອ ນ າ ້ ຮ ີ່ ແບບຝຣັ່ງທ .

ANSARA HOTEL, VIENTIANE Located on a quiet leafy laneway in the heart of downtown Vientiane, the Ansara Hotel manages to feel at once like it’s in the middle of all of the action, and also a secluded oasis. his grand hotel e udes refined sophistication, from taking in the high-ceilinged salon upon entry, to settling into one of the spacious elegant suites. The 24 rooms and four suites radiate old-world glamour blending traditional ao silks and rattan, with colonial style hardwood floors and black and white photographs detailing the country’s cultural and natural beauty. The friendly staff go above and beyond to make your stay a pleasant one, and the peaceful ambience will leave you relaxed in no time. At the time of writing the hotel’s swimming pool was under construction. A: Quai Fa Ngum, Ban Vat Chan Tha, Hom 5, Chanthabury District, Vientiane T: +856 21 213 514 W: www.ansarahotel.com

ໂຮງແຮມ ອັນຊາລາ, ວຽງຈັນ ຕັ້ງ ຢູ່ທ າງຮ່ອ ມທີ່ຮົ່ມ ເ ັ ນ ງຽບສະ ົບ ໃນໃຈກາງເຂດຕົວ ເມື ອ ງວຽງຈຳັນ ໂຮງແຮມ ໃຫ້ບັນຍາກາດຄວາມຮູ້ສກຄັ້ງໜງເໜືອນດັ່ງຢູ່ທ່າມກາງທຸກການເຄື່ອນໄ ແລະ ຍັງເປັນສະຫວັນສ່ວນຕົວ ໂຮງແຮມ ທີ່ສະ ່າງາມ ແຫ່ງນີ້ ໄດ້ສະແດງອອກເຖິງ ການປະສົມປະສານແລະຄວາມລົງຕົວທີ່ດີຈຳາກຫ້ອງເພດານທີ່ສູງໃນທາງເຂົ້າໄປເຖິງ ຫ້ອງພັກທີ່ມີລະດັບຫຼຫຼາ. ຫ້ອ ງນອນ ແລະ ຫ້ອ ງພິ ເ ສດ ທີ່ສ ະແດງ ເຖິ ງ ມົນ ສະເໜ ໃນສະໃໝເກົ່າ ປະສົມປະສານກັບ ຜ້າ ໃໝລາວພື້ນເມືອງ ແລະ ການຕົບແຕ່ງດ້ວຍຫວາຍ ພ້ອມດ້ວຍ ພື້ນໄມ້ແຂງແບບສະໃໝເກົ່າແລະພາບຂາວດ�ສະແດງເຖິງຄວາມງາມທາງທ�ມະຊາດ ແລະວັດທະນະທ�ຂອງລາວພະນັກງານທີ່ເປັນກັນເອງເຮັດໃຫ້ການພັກອາໃສຂອງທ່າ ນມີຄວາມຍິນດີແລະບັນຍາກາດທີ່ງຽບສະ ົບຈຳະເຮັດໃຫ້ທ່ານຜ່ອນຄາຍໃນຂະນະທີ່ ກ�ລັງຂຽນບົດນີ້ສະລອຍນ�ຂອງໂຮງແຮມກໍກ�ລັງໄດ້ຮັບການກໍ່ສ້າງ. ທີ່ຢູ່: ຖະໜົນ ໄກ ຟ້າ ງຸ່ມ Quai FaNgum, ບ້ານວັດຈັນ, ຫ່ອມ 5, ເມືອງຈັນທະບູລີ, ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ ໂທ: +856 21 213 514ເວບໄຊ : www.ansarahotel.com 42

Th e G ood Gu i de

Sabaidee’s Guide to the best eats, drinks, stays, retail, luxuries and experiences in the nation’s urban centres. This month we get our caffeine fix at some of Vientiane’s cosiest coffee houses, take a break from the hustle and bustle at Benoni Café, and indulge in some retail therapy at Maly Indigo – along with scouring the country to bring you the best of the best in our EAT, DRINK, SLEEP, RELAX, SHOP and SEE & DO listings. ການແນະນ�ດີດີ ການແນະນ�ຂອງວາລະສານສະບາຍດີກ່ຽວກັບສະຖານທີ່ ກິນດື່ມພັກເ ຊົາຮ້ານຄ້າສະຖານທີ່ຫຼຫຼາແລະປະສົບກ ານ ໃນສູນກ າງເມືອງຂອງປະເທດ. ເດືອນນີ້,ພວກເຮົາຈຳະພານັກດ ື່ມກາເຟມາທີ່ຮ້ານກາເຟ ທີ່ດີທີ່ສຸດຂ ອງເມືອງວຽງຈຳັນຢຸດພ ັກທ ີ່ຮ້ານກາເຟບີໂ ນນີ ແລະເພີດເ ພີນກັບກ ານຈຳັບຈຳ່າຍຊື້ເຄື່ອງທີ່ຮ້ານ –ພ້ອມທັງຄົ້ນຫາທົ່ວປ ະເທດເພື່ອສະແ ງ ຫາສິ່ງທີ່ດ ີທີ່ສຸດຂອງທີ່ສຸດໃນການກິນດື່ມຫຼັບນອນ ພັກຜ່ອນຈຳັບຈຳ ່າຍຊື້ເຄື່ອງແລະລາຍງານເບິ່ງແລະເຮັດ.

I Masa Spoon Cafe N' Bistro. Photo Nadine Dayag. I

SABAIDEE'S GUIDE TO words & photos J am

e s E lt on- P ym

SPILLING THE BEANS: THE VOLCANIC SOIL OF THE SOUTH AROUND THE BOLAVEN PLATEAU HAS MADE COFFEE ONE OF LAOS’ LARGEST EXPORTS. INSIDE THE COUNTRY, A SOPHISTICATED COFFEE CULTURE IS GROWING. SABAIDEE MAGAZINE FOLLOWED THE BEANS TO SOME OF THEIR LESSER-KNOWN DESTINATIONS IN VIENTIANE, AWAY FROM THE DAILY GRIND.

Uncovering Vientiane’s hid d e n c o f f e e ho use s ເຜີຍຄວາມລັບ ເປີດເຜີຍເຮືອນກາເຟທີ່ຖືກເຊື່ອງຊ້ອນຂອງນະຄອນຫຼວງ ດິນພູເຂົາໄຟຢູ່ພາກໃຕ້ໃກ້ພູພຽງບໍລະເ ນໄດ້ເຮັດໃຫ້ກາເຟກາຍເປັນໜງໃນສິນຄ້າສົ່ງ ອອກທີ່ສ�ຄັ �ຄັນທີ່ສຸດວາລະສານສະບາຍດີໄດ້ນ�ຮອຍແກ່ �ຮອຍແກ່ນກາເຟໄປເຖິງເປົ້າໝາຍຂອງ ພວກມັນທີ່ຄົນບໍ່ຄ່ອຍຮູ້ຈຳັກຢູ່ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈຳັນ.

DELIGHT COFFEE Delight Coffee’s interior has been cleverly designed. Cosy booths running along one wall comfortably seat four and keep conversations enclosed so the small room doesn’t get too noisy. This – along with a solid Wi-Fi network and power points for charging laptops – makes Delight a great place to work. The coffee, a blend of medium-roasted Arabica and Robusta beans from Laos, is 18,000 kip. Iced coffees are a little cheaper, and there’s an array of frappe flavours to choose from. Chocolate muffins in the glass display at the front are a nice accompaniment. The 35,000 kip pizzas are perfect for one, and the sian style noodle dishes are very flavourful and the seafood is fresh. T: 030 900 3781 A: Lao-Thai Road W: facebook.com/delightcoffee.laos Open: Daily 7am-8pm

BEGONIA CAFE egonia Cafe lies at the end of a narrow dirt track, surrounded by a groomed flower garden. The interior design is fantastic. Antique phones, teller machines, record players and lamps are scattered on shelves and tables around the room and decorative umbrellas hang upside-down from the ceiling. The coffee is great, brewed with an Italian machine using Saffron brand beans from Luang Prabang. The cafe has plans to begin roasting its own beans soon. elicious slices of crepe cake are 25,000 kip and the flavours are rotated regularly — recent varieties have been mango, orange and coconut. There’s Wi-Fi access. A pleasant jazz playlist tinkles quietly. T: 020 5555 5082 A: Soi 4 off Nongbone Road, before it turns left towards That Luang W: facebook.com/pages/BegoniaCafé/124868954261514 Open: MondaySaturday 9am-5.30pm

LE TRIO COFFEE Right in the heart of downtown Vientiane, Le Trio is a slick operation with one purpose: to make the best possible coffee. There is no food and there are only a few chairs, with the art deco influenced space housing a huge erman roasting machine. The cafe works directly with small Lao producers to source both Robusta and Arabica beans sustainably and ethically. The 20,000 kip coffees are the most expensive on this list but they are also the best by leagues. n the ultimate flattery, other cafes in ientiane buy e rio’s beans to use themselves. Shelves running along the wall are overflowing with coffee machines and e uipment, mugs and various blends of Le Trio beans for sale. Free Wi-Fi. T: 020 2255 3552 A: Setthathirath Road W: facebook.com/ letriocoffee Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm

BAAN TONMALI CAKE Baan Tonmali Cake is strange and wonderful, hidden on a road less known to expats and tourists. It’s full of odd quirks, from the koi fish pond in the dining area to the options on the fresh juice menu, which include “Eyes’ Lover” and “Fresh Me Up!”. Strange names aside, all are very tasty. The coffee is very good and well-priced at 10,000 kip. A cup pairs superbly with the array of fresh-baked cakes including Oreo Banoffee and Red Velvet. The beans are imported from Thailand. All the staff speak excellent English and are very attentive. The Thai food menu is simple and hearty, and the food stays cheap even when it includes ingredients like crab. Free Wi-Fi. T: 021 480 210 A: Phonpapao Road W: facebook.com/ baantonmalicake Open: Daily 8am-8pm

ດີໄລຄອບ ີ

ມຸມນ້ອຍໆຢູ່ສະບາຍສະບາຍ,ພ້ອມກັບໄ າຍ ສັນ ຍານດີ ແລະ ປັກ ສຽບ ສ�ລັບ ສາກແລັບທອບ ໄດ້ເຮັດໃຫ້ ດີໄລຄອບ ີ ເປັນສະຖານທີ່ທີ່ດີທີ່ ສຸດສ�ລັບເຮັດວຽກ ກ າ ເ ຟ ທີ່ເ ປັ ນ ກ າ ນ ປ ະ ສົມ ລ ະ ຫວ່າ ງ ກາເຟອາຣາບີກາຂົ້ວໝາດໆແລະກາເຟ ໂ ບູສຕາ ຂອງລາວ ແມ່ນ , ກີບ. ກາເຟ ເ ັນຈຳະມີລາຄາຖືກກວ່າໜ້ອຍໜງ ແລະ ຍັງມີ ຫຼາກຫຼາຍລົດຊາດແບບເ ັນ ຈຳຽບໃຫ້ເລືອກ ພິຊາ ລາຄາ , ກີບ ແມ່ນພໍດີສ�ລັບຄົນດຽວ ອາຫານປະເພດ ມີ່ແບບອາຊີແມ່ນມີລົດຊາດດີຫຼາຍ ແລະ ອາຫານທະເລກໍສົດ. ໂທ ທີ່ ຖະໜົນລາວ-ໄທ ເ ບ ັ ໄຊ . . ເປີດ ທຸກມື້ ໂມງເຊົ້າ- ໂມງແລງ

ເລີທຣີໂອຄອບ ີ

ເຄັກບ້ານຕົ້ນມະລິ

ເລີ ທຣີໂອ ຕັ້ງໃຈຈຳະເຮັດກາເຟທີ່ດີທີ່ສຸດ ຮ້າ ນກາເຟນີ້ເ ຮັ ດ ວຽກໂດຍກົງ ກັບ ຜູ້ຜ ະ ລິດກາເຟພາຍໃນປະເທດເພື່ອເລືອກຫາ ເມັດກາເຟທັງໂ ບູສຕາແລະອາຣາບິກາ ຢ່າງຍືນຍົງແລະມີຈຳັນຍາບັນກາເຟລາຄາ , ກີບແມ່ນແພງທີ່ສຸດໃນລາຍການ ນີ້ແຕ່ກໍດີທີ່ສຸດເຊັ່ນກັນ ແລະ ຮ້ານກາເຟ ອື່ນ ໆໃນວຽງຈຳັນ ກໍ ຊື້ກ າເຟເມັ ດ ຂອງຮ້າ ນ ເລີທຣີໂອຫງທີ່ຢູ່ຕາມຝາແມ່ນເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍ ເຄື່ອງຊົງກາເຟເ ືອກແລະກາເຟເມັດປະ ສົມເລີທຣີໂອຫຼາກຫຼາຍຊະນິດສ�ລັບຂາຍ ີວາຍ- າຍ.

ເຄັ ກ ບ້າ ນຕົ້ນ ມະລິ ບໍ ລິ ກ ານກາເຟດີ ໆ ພຽງແຕ່ , ກີ ບ ຈຳອກກາເຟໜງ ຈຳອກມາພ້ອມກັບ ເຂົ້າໜົມທີ່ອົບສຸກໃໝ່ໆ ທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍອັນລວມທັງໂອຣີໂອບັນໂນ ີ ແລະ ເຂົ້າໜົມຈຳອກສີແດງ ຄັບເຄກແດງ ເມັ ດ ກາເຟແມ່ນ ນ�ເຂົ້າ ຈຳາກປະເທດໄທ ພະນັກງານທຸກຄົນເ ົ້າພາສາອັງກິດຢ່າງ ລ່ຽນໄຫຼແລະມີຄວາມເອົາໃຈໃສ່ສງູ .ລາຍ ການອາຫານໄທແມ່ນເປັນອາຫານທົ່ວໄປ ແລະເຕັມອີ່ມແລະອາຫານກໍມີລາຄາຖືກ ເຖິງແມ່ນຈຳະມີສ່ວນປະກອບເຊັ່ນປູກໍຕາມ ີວາຍ- າຍ.

ໂທ ທີ່ ຖະໜົນເສດ ຖາທິ ລ າດ ເ ັ ບ ໄຊ . ເປີ ດ ອັງ ຄານ-ເສົ າ ໂມງເຊົ້າ- ໂມງແລງ

ໂທ ເ ັ ບ ໄຊ

ໂມງແລງ

ທີ່ ຖະໜົນໂພນປາເປົ້າ . ເປີ ດ ທຸ ກ ມື້ ໂມງເຊົ້າ -

ຮ້ານກາເຟເບໂກເນຍ

ການອອກແບບພາຍໃນຂອງເບໂກເນຍ ແມ່ນ ວິ ເ ສດຫຼາຍ ໂທລະສັບ ສະໄໝເກົ່າ ເຄື່ອ ງຫຼນແຜ່ນ ສຽງ ແລະໂຄມໄຟຖື ກ ຈຳັດ ວາງທົ່ວ ຫ້ອ ງພ້ອ ມທັງ ມີ ຄັນ ຮົ່ມ ຍ່ອ ນ ລົງຈຳາກເພດານກາເຟແມ່ນດີຫຼາຍປຸງແຕ່ງ ດ້ວຍເຄື່ອງມືຈຳາກປະເທດອີຕາລີ ໂດຍໃຊ້ ເມັດກາເຟຍີ່ຫຊາ ຣອນຈຳາກຫຼວງພະບາງ ຮ້ານກາເຟນີ້ມີແຜນທີ່ຈຳະເລີ່ມການອົບກາ ເຟດ້ວຍຕົນເອງໃນອີກບໍ່ດົນ ເຂົ້າໜົມເຄກ ເຄັບເປ້ທີ່ແຊບຊ້ອຍມີລາຄາ , ກີບ ແລະ ມີການໝູນປ່ຽນລົດຊາດເປັນປະຈຳ� – ແບບທີ່ມີ ໃ ນປະຈຳຸ ບັນ ແມ່ນ ໝາກມ່ວ ງ ໝາກກ້ຽງແລະໝາກພ້າວ ີວາຍ- າຍ. ໂທ ທີ່ ຮ່ອ ມ ຖະໜົນໜອງບອນ ເ ັບໄຊ . ເປີດ ຈຳັນ-ເສົາ ໂມງເຊົ້າ - . ໂມງແລງ

EAT

Listing

VIENTIANE •

A S G LLE – American/Mexican. It’s all about comfort food at Ray’s – home style burgers, legendary Philly cheese steak sandwiches and tasty quesadillas – all fresh and made to order in this homely joint. A selection of local and imported beers are available including a few micro-brewed American craft beers – just the ticket to wash down the tasty diner fare. 17/1 Sihom Road, 020 5896 6866, facebook. com/raysgrilleLaopdr. Open Monday to Friday, Sunday 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm.

•

ST O – French. Chef Philippe presents honest French bistro fare at this cosy, hole-in-the-wall eatery. he food is fresh and flavourful with highlights including the goat’s cheese salad, rabbit terrine and classic steak frites. Popular with the expat crowd, the service is faultless and the desserts, including a delectable chocolate fondant, are not to be missed. 22 Samsenthai Road, Ban Khaonyot, 021 214 129. Open Monday to Friday 11am – 2pm, Monday to Saturday 6pm – 10pm.

• UNG S A

•

A HET – Lao. This restaurant-cum-social enterprise is working to shape lives. Founded by Friends-International, Makphet provides training in hospitality to disadvantaged youth in Laos. If that wasn’t enough reason to dine here the kitchen creates an inspired take on Lao cuisine, blending traditional flavours with modern techni ues. Downtown behind Wat Ong Teu, 021 260 587, makphet-restaurant. org. Open Monday to Saturday 11am – 9pm, closed Tuesday and Thursday 2pm – 6pm for student training.

• SOUL

T HEN – Italian. This laid-back dinner hot spot is a little off the main drag but the pizzas and casual atmosphere – complete with rock and blues tunes – make it worth the trip. The menu includes tasty pasta dishes and salads but it’s the traditional wood fired pi as that keeps oul itchen’s loyal fans coming back for more. Family friendly. Thadeua Road 143 (KM 0.5), 020 5612 0804, soulkitchen.vientiane@gmail. com. Open Tuesday to Sunday 5.30pm – 10.30pm.

• LA S GNATU E – French/Fusion.

• LAO T HEN – Lao. A colourful eatery that specialises in authentic Lao dishes. Sisters Noi and Teng run the show while their family help out in the kitchen preparing soups, stews, grilled meats, stir-fry dishes and of course laap (the duck variation is a stand out). The menu is full of helpful explanations for each dish and warns you if something may be a little too piquant for some palates. Rue Hengboun (opposite KP Hotel), 021 254 332, lao-kitchen.com. Open Monday to Sunday 11am – 10pm.

• AN GA TE E ANT NA – American/ Mexican. nce famed purely for their finger licking

• LE S LA A

• A A – Italian.

TAL AN UL NA

buffalo hot wings, an ai has recently e panded their menu to include a host of authentic e e classics including nachos, enchiladas and burritos heaped with fresh salsa and gooey cheese. air anything from the menu with one of their delicious margaritas and you’re set. Family friendly, delivery. Sokpalaung Road, 020 9825 6654, facebook.com/BanGaiHouseOfChicken. Open Tuesday to Sunday 11am – 9pm.

LAO. Lao/Breakfast. Tucked down a residential laneway, this popular breakfast and lunch haunt is a hit with those in-the-know. The breakfast and lunch menu runs all day so try Laoinspired sweets like sticky rice pancakes with mango or banana French toast and savoury dishes like meatballs in broth with a fresh crunchy baguette or the Pad Lao noodles with pork. On the main street, look for a small hand painted sign pointing the way. Off Rue Simeuang, Piawat Village, 021 219 101, facebook. com/KungsCafeLao. Open 7 days 6am – 3pm.

Set in the stylish Ansara Hotel, this sophisticated restaurant perfectly marries French-Lao fusion with old-world charm. Sample salmon tartare with green apple millefeuille, urgundy snails and three flavoured lamb or let the chef guide you with daily specials including Lao-style petit fours. Quai Fa Ngum, Ban Vat Chan Tha, 021 213 514, ansarahotel.com. Open 7 days 6.30am – 10.00am, 11.30am – 2.30pm, 16.30pm – 9.30pm.

ESTAU ANT – French. Le Silapa is an elegant gastronomic experience housed above the owners more casual establishment I-Beam Bar. Decadent and extensive the menu contains a collection of classic and modern French-inspired delicacies and the wine list includes bottles from France, Italy, Australia and South Africa. Free WiFi. Level 1, 88 Setthathirath Road (above I Beam), 021 219 689, facebook.com/lesilapavientiane. Open 7 days 11am – 11pm.

A TS

Aria presents high-end epicurean Italian cuisine in an elegant salon setting in downtown Vientiane. The kitchen produces traditional hearty Italian fare including antipasti, homemade pasta and wood fired pi a using the highest uality ingredients. Discerning diners will welcome the extensive wine list which boasts fine imports from taly. et lunches are extremely popular on weekdays. 8 Rue Francois Ngin, 021 222 589, ariaorg.com.

•

ENTON – Spanish/Steakhouse/Tapas.

rawing on ispanic flavours and flair the emphasis here is on open wood fire uality grilled meats and small bites. ry contemporary tapas like montadito of pork belly, homemade grilled chori o, garlic prawns and imported am n ib rico de bellota or look to the grill for succulent tenderloin or lamb chops served with a kicky chimichurri sauce. 5 Rue Nokeoukoumane, 021 215 506, pimentonrestaurant-vte.com. Open Monday to Saturday 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm.

| Pimenton. |

Eat

HIGHLIGHT

words & photos Shayling Ngo

| Apple Crumble. |

Inner

t a e r T y t i C Perched above busy Setthathirath Road, Benoni Café is located in the heart of downtown Vientiane – a welcoming oasis in the midst of the bustling city centre. At Benoni Café, owner Nini has created a menu for diners who love to travel the world with their tastebuds. The restaurants’ extensive menu boasts a wide-range of cuisines encompassing traditional Lao recipes, gourmet salads, light French-inspired baguettes and quiche, hearty Italian pastas, and classic burgers in beef, chicken and salmon. Asian cuisine is celebrated throughout the menu, and the Udang Kecap is a standout. The stir-fry Indonesian-style shrimp, with its spicy yet sweet sauce and aromatic kaffir lime leaves, makes for excellent comfort food. The fiery dish may leave you with sweat on your forehead, but the moreish flavours will have you going back for another spoonful. From the pasta selection, the Penne Pesto is a recipe handpicked by Nini herself. The classic dish is simple yet bursting with flavoursome fresh pesto.

Sweet-tooths will love the array of desserts on offer, all baked in-house. The chef aspires to create light traditional desserts and the Apple Crumble, served with a feathery whipped cream, is a delicious example of this. The tangy, crunchy crumble accompanied with locally roasted Le Trio Coffee, is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

| Udang Kecap. |

| Vintage ornaments adorn the walls at Benoni Cafe. |

enoni’s light filled interior is highlighted with quirky accents like vintage cameras, and fresh-cut blooms complement each table. On cooler days, dining on the airy terrace is a must-do. Benoni Café Open Monday to Saturday, 8am-8pm A: Rue Setthathirath, Vientiane T: 021 213 334 W: www.facebook.com/BenoniCafe

ອາຫານແຊບໃນເມືອງ ຢູ່ຖະໜົນເສດຖາທິລາດທີ່ແອອັດມີຮ້ານເບໂນນິຄາເຟ້ຕັ້ງຢູ່ໃຈກາງຂອງນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈຳັນ–ເປັນໂອເອຊິດທີ່ຍນ ິ ດີຕ້ອນຮັບຜູ້ຄົນໃນຕົວເມືອງທີ່ຄກຄື້ນ. ຢູ່ເ ບໂນນິ ຄ າເຟ້, ເຈົ້າ ຂອງຮ້າ ນ ນິ ນີ່ ໄດ້ສ້າ ງລາຍການ ອາຫານສ�ລັບ ນັກ ຊິ ມ ຜູ້ມັກ ທ່ອ ງທ່ຽ ວທົ່ວ ໂລກ ກັບ ຕ່ອ ມ ຊິມຣົດຊາດລາຍການເມນູທີ່ຍາວຢຽດມີອາຫານຫຼາຍເ ື່ອງ ອັນ ລວມທັງ ອາຫານພື້ນ ເມື ອ ງລາວ ສະລັດ ກູ ເ ມ ເຂົ້າ ຈຳີ່ບ າ ແກດຝຣັ່ງ ແລະ ຄີດ ພາສະຕາອີຕາລີແບບຈຳັດເຕັມ, ແລະ ເບີເກີງົວໄກ່ແລະແຊວມອນແບບຄຣາດຊິກ. ອ າ ຫ າ ນ ອ າ ຊີ ຖື ກ ຈຳັດ ລ ຽ ງ ໃ ນ ລ າ ຍ ກ າ ນ ອ າ ຫ າ ນ ແ ລ ະ ອູ ດັງ ເກແຂັ ບ ແມ່ນ ໜງລາຍການທີ່ຕ້ອ ງຍົກ ໂປ້ ກຸ້ງ ທອດ ສະໄຕອິ ນ ໂດເນເຊຍ ພ້ອ ມຊອດເຜັ ດ ແກມຫວານ ແລະ ໃບໝາກຂີ້ຫູດຫອມກໍ່ໃຫ້ເກີດອາຫານສະດວກຊັ້ນຍອດ.

ຈຳາກລາຍການພາສະຕາ ເປັ ນ ເນ ເປສະໂຕ ແມ່ນ ລາຍ ການທີ່ຄັດ ເລື ອ ກໂດຍມື ຂ ອງນິ ນີ່ເ ອງ ອາຫານຄລາສິ ກ ລຽບງ່າ ຍ ແຕ່ເ ຕັ ມ ໄປດ້ວ ຍຊອດເປສະໂຕທີ່ສົດ ແລະ ມີລົດຊາດແຊບຊ້ອຍ. ຜູ້ມັກກິນຫວານຈຳະຫຼົງໄຫຼ ລາຍການຂອງຫວານທີ່ຫຼາກຫຼາຍ ໃນລາຄາພິເສດ ທັງໝົດແມ່ນອົບປປີ້ງຢູ່ໃນຮ້ານ ແອບໂປຄ ຣ�ໂ ບ ທີ່ເ ສີ ບ ກັບ ວິ ບ ຄ ຣີ ມ ຊ ະ ນິ ດ ອ່ອ ນ ເ ຂົ້າ ກັນ ຢ່າ ງ ລົງຕົວກັບກາເຟເລີທຣີໂອທີ່ອົບກັບທີ່ສ�ລັບເ ລາດື່ມນ� ຊາຍາມບ່າຍທີ່ພິເສດ.

ກ າ ນ ຕົບ ແ ຕ່ງ ພ າ ຍ ໃ ນ ທີ່ເ ບົ າ ຕ າ ຂ ອ ງ ເ ບ ໂ ນ ນີ ໄ ດ້ຮັບ ການໄຮໄລດ້ວ ຍ ບັນ ດາຈຳຸ ດ ເດັ່ນ ທີ່ພິ ເ ສດເຊັ່ນ ກ້ອ ງຖ່າ ຍ ຮູບແບບວິນເທດ ແລະ ດອກໄມ້ທີ່ຕັດມາໃໝ່ໆເສີມສະເໜ່ ໃ ຫ້ກັບ ແ ຕ່ລ ະ ໂ ຕ ະ ໃ ນ ມື້ບັນ ຍ າ ກ າ ດ ດີ ກໍ ຮັບ ປ ະ ທ າ ນ ອາຫານຢູ່ລະບຽບກາງແຈ້ງ.

EAT

Listing

VIENTIANE • ASA S OON A N ST O – Asian/ Western. A bright and cheerful restaurant, split

over two levels Masa pairs minimalist furniture with feature walls of raw timber, cool wall art and vintage china. The menu runs from share-plates of Asianspiced chicken wings and crunchy onion rings to dishes for one including signature dishes Masa Spoon burger, sticky BBQ spare ribs and tasty pastas. Sweet tooths will love the honey toast – perfect with a cup of tea. Rue Dongpalanthong, Phonesinuan (next to Pizza Company), 021 261 634, facebook.com/ MasaSpoonCafeNBistro. Open Monday to Saturday 11am – 11pm.

| Masa Spoon Cafe N' Bistro. |

A – Asian/Western/Café. Escape the bustle of downtown Vientiane at Benoni Café, a bright and airy café-cum-restaurant which serves up fresh and tasty Asian and Western fare. Choose from a wide range of baguettes, quiches, burgers and noodle and rice dishes – all prepared quickly and served with a smile. The Lao coffee is home roasted and the delicious cakes and sweets are all made in-house. WiFi, family friendly. Rue Setthathirath (above Phimphone), 021 213 334, facebook.com/benonicafe. Open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm. • ENON

ESSE E T NA ESTAU ANT AN A S – French. Chef Tinay produces some of ientiane’s finest and most inventive French cuisine at this chic dining spot. he whole duck breast with homemade foie gras and white truffle oil is a current favourite and inay’s signature cassoulet with homemade confit duck is the perfect nod to traditional French comfort food. For dessert the cr me brulee is the best in town. Behind Wat Ong Teu, 020 5691 3434, ladressedetinay.com. Open Monday to Friday 11.30am – 2pm, 6.30pm – 10pm, Saturday 6.30pm – 10pm. •L A

| L’Adresse de Tinay Restaurant Français. |

ESTAU ANT – Japanese/Fusion. Pull up a chair or nestle into a floor cushion at this cute little oint which puts a apanese spin on Western ingredients. While the daily specials are ever-changing popular mainstays include sautéed chicken with tofu, soy sauce and mirin and the potato croquettes with mince beef and a tomato-based sauce. Rue Hengboun, 020 5510 4050, facebook.com/pages/YuLaLa-cafe-restaurant/148520861845706. Open Tuesday to Sunday 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 9.30pm.

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L AH ESTAU ANT – Indian/Pakistani. This cheap and cheerful eatery is affectionately known simply as amil’s by the loyal diners that fre uent it. ucked down an alley, amil and his team serve up authentic ndian and akistani dishes which are full of flavour and light on the hip pocket. rdering anything that comes from amil’s on site traditional tandoori oven is always a safe bet. Off Khounboulom Road, Ban Haysok, 020 5650 2455, facebook.com/ JamilZahidRestaurantVientiane. Open 7 days 11.00am – 10.30pm.

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HAO – Japanese. his cosy eatery is usually bu ing with apanese customers who come for a taste of home always a good sign. imple traditional and not so traditional apanese fare is on offer including generous sushi and sashimi platters, crisp tempura, steaming bowls of ramen and udon noodle soups and a variety of katsu dishes. Nokeokoummane Road (next to Le Banneton).

• OSA A HA

• V ENG SA AN Vietnamese. Look beyond the décor at this bustling eatery which serves up cheap and delicious Vietnamese dishes to hungry masses. Order a fresh or fried spring roll combination which comes with heaped plates of fresh lettuce, herbs and noodles designed to be eaten together. If you’re feeling lost check out how neighbouring diners are doing things and follow suit. Rue Hengboun (opposite Home Ideal), 021 213 990.

VIENTIANE A ONE – Italian. The latest offering from Chef Gerardo is Ai Capone, in downtown Vientiane. The contemporary interior is matched with a modern menu offering top talian dining with a casual flair, boasting simple dishes packing authentic flavours. The menu ranges from pastas and mains to risotto and desserts but it’s hard to look past the wood fired pi as with over 40 combinations straight from Napoli. 8 Rue Francois Ngin, Ban Mixai, 020 5991 0888, facebook.com/aicaponelaospdr. Open 7 days 11.30am – 10.30pm.

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LUANG

| Ai Capone. |

A ANG

ESTAU ANT – Lao. Tamarind specialises in helping diners explore and learn about ao cuisine and the traditions associated with it. n oy sampling platters or something from the a la carte menu with explanations and demonstrations from helpful staff and the Nam Khan River as a picturesque backdrop. Ban Wat Sene on the banks of the Nam Khan River, 071 213 128, tamarindlaos.com. Open Monday to Saturday 11am – 9pm.

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| Tamarind Restaurant. |

• ESTAU ANT L ELE HANT – French/Lao.

• LA ELLE E O UE – Lao /Western. Housed

• TA NA LAO ESTAU ANT – Lao. A familyrun restaurant which delivers delicious authentic and homely Lao cuisine. The in-house cooking school means the staff know their stuff, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Try the crispy bamboo shoots stuffed with pork and vegetables or the ubiquitous Luang Prabang sausage, both are done very well here. Sakarinne Road, 071 212 239, tamnaklao.net. Open 7 days breakfast 8.30am – 10.30am, lunch 11am – 3pm, dinner 5pm – 11pm.

• LA ELLE E O UE – Lao /Western. Housed

L’Elephant is housed in a charming colonial building ust steps away from the magnificent ekong River. Specialising in traditional and creative French and Lao cuisine the kitchen places an emphasis on using organic, local produce which is grown in their own gardens a few kilometres out of town. Free WiFi. Kounxoa Road, Ban Vat Nong, 071 252 482, elephantrestau.com. Open 7 days 11.00am – 10pm.

in the grand uang ay Residence, ust outside the city centre, this upscale dining room exudes a warm, heritage ambience. The seasonal, healthy and creative menu changes quarterly and features a tempting selection of regional dishes from Laos and further afield in outh ast sia. n on site fruit and vegetable garden means fresh ingredients are always at the kitchen’s fingertips. 4-5 Ban Phonepheng, 071 260 891, luangsayresidence.com. Open 7 days 6am – 10.30pm.

| Les 3 Nagas. |

• LES NAGAS – Lao. Executing both authentic

Lao dishes and the chef’s original creations with a touch of French finesse this attractive lunch and dinner spot presents some of the finest food in town. tart your meal with the crisp and tangy Luang Prabang salad and round off with the black sticky rice for dessert. Happy hours 3pm – 6pm. Sakkaline Road, Ban Vat Nong, 071 253 888, 3-nagas.com. Open 7 days 6.30am – 10.30pm.

LUANG

A ANG

• A TOU – Lao /Western. A colourful hole in the wall on a quiet side street leading to the Mekong River. Chef Toui began his culinary ourney as a waiter in ientiane before working the kitchen at L’Elephant where he developed his passion for cooking. Now head of the kitchen at his own eatery Toui serves up hearty Lao and Western fare using fresh, local ingredients. Sisavangvatthana Road, Ban Xieng Mouane, 020 5657 6763, cafetoui.com. Open 7 days 6.30am – 10.30pm.

• OOTS LEAVES – Lao. Fringing a beautiful lotus pond, Roots & Leaves is a culinary and cultural experience in a lush garden setting. he menu is distinctly ao with signature fish dishes the grilled varieties served with tasty sauces and fresh salad are standouts. ightly diners can en oy live traditional music and dance from ethic groups in traditional garb. Settathilath Rd, Luang Prabang 071 254 870 www.rootsinlaos.com Open every day from 7am – 11pm.

| Roots & Leaves. |

A SE • LE ANO A A – Lao /International. As the name might suggest this leafy rooftop terrace, perched on the top floor of the otel akse, has the best views in town. Diners can take their pick from a range of cuisines including Lao, Thai and French. No matter what you’re eating the fact remains Le Panorama is the place to sit back, relax and take in a glorious sunset in Pakse, chilled Beerlao in hand optional. Street 5, Bane Watlouang, 031 212 131, hotelpakse.com.

• NA AO – French/Lao.

great find in akse, adao offers fresh and flavoursome French bistro fare and traditional ao dishes in a fine dining atmosphere. A little out of the city centre, its location hasn’t stopped locals and visitors alike from flocking to e perience some of the best gourmet dining in southern Laos. Near the Japanese Bridge (opposite the Champasak Grand Hotel), 021 213 174.

• LAN HA NOO LE HOUSE – Lao. Attached to the Lan Kham Hotel this noodle house is considered famous around these parts. Particularly popular with locals for breakfast, Lan Kham consistently produces huge steaming bowls of noodle soup accompanied by heaped plates of fresh herbs and greens. Street 13, Lakmeaumg Village. Open 7 days 6.30am – 1pm.

SAVANNA HET • A HA EE – Japanese/Western. Fun little café housed in a sunshine-yellow building on the main street of avannakhet. Chai ee serves up a mi of apanese favourites including katsudon, sushi, cold noodle salad alongside fresh sandwiches and Thai curries. Cosy into a comfy armchair with a freshly brewed Lao coffee lounge on the sunny terrace with an icy Chai Dee Cooler. Occasional live music in the evenings. Free WiFi, book exchange. 1 Latsavongseuk Road, Lattanalansy Thai Village, 020 9179 2479, cafechaidee.com. Open Tuesday to Sunday 8.30am – 9.00pm.

• L N S A E – Asian/Café.

A friendly tucked away eatery housed in a 1930s building complete with original art-deco tiles. Located in the heart of historic downtown this is the perfect place to while away the afternoon with a fresh Lao coffee and tasty Lao/Vietnamese fare. An upstairs gallery exhibits photographs of old Savannakhet. Free WiFi, tourist information, bicycle rental. Latsaphanit Road, Ban Xaiyaphoum Village, 020 9988 1630, lincafe.netau.net. Open 7 days 8.30am – 8.00pm. | Cafe Chai Dee. |

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CAFÉ

Listing

VIENTIANE • O ON G OUN S A AN A E – Café/Mexican. This family friendly café is the perfect

place to kick back in a comfy armchair and refuel with a coffee and homemade cake while the kids enjoy the outdoor playground. Their organic coffee is sourced from Saffron in Luang Prabang which supports farmers to grow coffee instead of opium, so you won’t feel too guilty settling in for a second latte. Free Wi-Fi. Rue Chao Anou, 021 255 057, facebook.com/commongroundslaos. Open Monday to Saturday 7am – 8pm.

A E A Café/Western. A name synonymous with the Vientiane café scene, each of Joma’s three Vientiane shopfronts provides tasty, fresh eats and organic fair trade coffee in a cosy, coffeehouse atmosphere. The friendly staff and speedy service make Joma a popular choice for those on-the-go while others tend to linger awhile over breakfast, lunch or any of the delicious in-house baked goods. Free Wi-Fi, delivery. Joma Namphou: Th. Setthathilath, Joma Phonthan: Th. Dongpalane, Joma That Luang: cnr Singha Rd/ Nongbone Rd, delivery: 021 254 333, joma.biz. Open 7 days 7am – 9pm. • O A

NO A – Café. A hidden, hip little gem perched on a bustling intersection, Café Nomad is a popular haunt for office workers, embassy staff and those in the know. Their straightforward menu of coffee, juices, paninis and cakes may be small, but it’s all executed extremely well. Free Wi-Fi, public pc/printer/scanner. 1-342 Dongpalanthong, Sisattanak, 020 5434 9977, facebook. • A

com/cafenomad.lao. Open Monday to Friday 8.30am – 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am – 6pm.

ESSO – Café. A popular place for a caffeine hit this light filled caf serves up some of the best brew in town. Naked Espresso is all about a combination of fine rabica beans sourced from outhern aos and Northern Thailand, well-trained baristas, friendly service and a world-class espresso machine. Free WiFi. Dongpalan Road, 021 454 631, nakedespressocafe. net. Open Tuesday to Friday 7am – 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am – 5pm. • NA E ES

up at the colourful umbrellas peppering the ceiling. Don’t miss a slice of Begonia’s signature crepe cake – layer upon layer of delicate crepes sandwiched with a filling of your choice including mango and coconut. Soi 4 off Nongbone Road, 020 5555 5082, facebook. com/pages/Begonia-Café/124868954261514. Open Monday to Saturday 9am – 5.30pm.

EE – Café. Le Trio Coffee is the latest addition to Vientiane’s buzzy café scene, with their boutique art deco-inspired shopfront. An artisanal roaster since 2009, e rio roasts the finest ao sourced rabica and Robusta beans with some of the best European equipment in-house. Now in their own café, guests can enjoy a brew on the sunny terrace, at the elegant salonstyle bar, or pick up a bag of beans to enjoy at home. Setthathirath Road, 020 2255 3552, facebook.com/ letriocoffee. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm. • LE T O O

– Café. A cosy new coffee house in the That Luang area, Begonia serves up delicious Saffron-brand coffee from Luang Prabang. Fans of vintage-chic will love the array of quirky trinkets on display including old typewriters, retro phones and record players – and don’t forget to look • EGON A A

| Le Trio Coffee |

LUANG PRABANG AN VAT SENE – Café. Sitting pretty on the main street of tranquil Luang Prabang this elegant café-cum-restaurant combines the home-grown ingredients and cuisine of sister bistro L’Éléphant Restaurant with lighter café-style fare including a selection of delectable pastries. Free Wi-Fi. Sakarine Road, 071 252 482, elephant-restau.com/ cafebanvatsenefr.html. Open 7 days 7am – 10pm. • LE A

PAKSE O EE AN A E – Café. A Lao legacy, the well-known Sinouk Coffee empire has grown from its humble beginnings as a small plantation in the 1990s to a 50 hectare estate and is turning heads across Asia. Pakse’s Sinouk Coffee and Bakery outpost serves up delicious cups of Sinouk’s signature organic blend which comes direct from the farm in Paksong to the table. Free Wi-Fi. Pakse centre, near the Tourism ffice, sinouk cafe.com. • S NOU

– Lao/Café. Housed in the grounds of the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre this intimate eatery offers a range of dishes from northern Lao ethnic minorities, making it the perfect stop after immersing yourself in Lao culture next door. Located at the base of Phou Si Hill patrons will enjoy a unique vantage point of this distinctive attraction. Free Wi-Fi. Ban Khamyong, le_patio@elephant-restau. com, elephant-restau.com/lepatiocafe.html. Open 7 days 9am – 5pm.

• LE AT O A

| Sinouk Coffee and Bakery |

OA A – Lao. Bringing an east meets west philosophy to the kitchen the Silk Road Café combines regional flavours, local ingredients and ideas from cuisines the silk road passed through. Set against a backdrop of the Mekong River this open-air café is housed on the grounds of the Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre making it the perfect spot to grab coffee and a bite after an on-site weaving workshop or demonstration. Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre, Ban Saylom, 071 212 597, ockpoptok.com. Open 7 days 8am – 5pm.8am – 5pm. • THE S L

SAVANNAKHET HE OUNE – Café/Western. Drawing crowds for great European fare, impressive décor and charming atmosphere, Café Chez Boune is a popular spot for dining out in Savannakhet. Opt for something light such as a tasty bruschetta or baguette or if you’re looking for something more substantial the seared duck breast or tender imported steaks are a good choice. Chaimeuang Road, Xayaphoum Village, 041 215 190, cafechezboune.com. Open 7 days 7am – 10pm. • A

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BAR

Listing

VIENTIANE • HO EE A – Bar/Belgian. his

ELG AN EE

| Chokdee Café |

cosy pub, decorated with Tin Tin paraphernalia, is the place to come if you’ve got a hankering for Hoegaarden or any of the other 79 imported Belgian beers they keep. Huge steaming pots of moules frites attract big crowds every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Free WiFi, beer specials on Thursdays. 32/4 Fa Gnum Quai (along the Mekong River front), 020 5610 3434, chokdeecafe.com. Open 7 days 10am – 11pm.

The bartenders make a mean Tom Yum Martini which, refreshingly piquant, comes complete with a whole chilli garnish. Free WiFi, delivery. 10/3 Rue Francois Nginn, 021 215 972. Open Monday to Friday 5pm – 11pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 11pm.

• ONG V E ESTAU ANT AN A – Bar/ Asian. A contemporary Lao-style house with a leafy

open air deck jutting right out to the Mekong River. Enjoy a cocktail or a beer at sunset then while away the evening under the stars and colourful lanterns on the terrace nibbling on some of the selection of Lao and Thai-inspired share plates. 183 Souphanouvong Road, Hom 1 Ban Nongpanay, 021 520 522, kongview.com.

T HOUSE – Bar/Lao/Western. An inviting meeting point with a sprawling terrace looking onto the Mekong River. The cocktail list is extensive with quality liquors preferred, perfect for a sundowner paired with tasty Lao bar snacks. It’s located on a quiet stretch of the waterfront which makes for a peaceful breakfast or afternoon drink before it busies up in the evening. Free WiFi. 93/09 Fa Ngum Road, Ban Seetarn Neua, 021 243 795, thespirithouselaos.com, info@thespirithouselaos. com. Open 7 days 7am – 11pm.

• THE S

| I-Beam Bar |

EA A – Wine/Tapas. Modern and casual this intimate bar combines an excellent drop of red or white with seasonal share plates like dainty croquettes, marinated vegetables and an inventive take on nachos con carne. I-Beam buzzes on Wednesday nights when ladies receive half price wine by the glass. Live jazz on Thursday nights. Free WiFi, lunch buffet daily. 88 Setthathirath Road, 021 254 523, facebook.com/ ibeamvientiane. Open 7 days 11am – 11pm.

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NGE S – Bar/Western/Lao. Sticky’s, as it’s more affectionately known, is a longtime expat institution drawing big crowds for their legendary happy hour on Wednesday and Friday nights.

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| Kop Chai Deu |

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NE – Wine. Whether you’re after a full-bodied red or a dry white Wine95 is the last word in wine service in Vientiane. Upon entry it is evident these guys know their stuff with a slick, fully stocked cellar bar complete with the DiWine Service System guaranteeing a fresh drop in every glass. A staircase leads to an intimate upstairs space with elegant lounges and objects d’art. Setthathirat Road (next to Phimphone), 020 5550 2957, facebook. com/Wine95. Open Monday to Saturday 5pm – 12am.

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EN N ANG – Bar/Western/Lao. This casual rooftop bar attracts an eclectic crowd of locals, seasoned expats and backpackers all who vie for a prime position along the balcony to watch the sunset over the Mekong River with a Beerlao nam kohn. Once the night comes things tend to kick up a notch with parties hitting the pool tables and beer towers. Fa Ngum Road, Wat Chanh, 020 5580 8281. Open 7 days 11am – 12am.

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– Bar. With its exposed brickwork, moody lighting and distinct vintage-look decor The Jazzy Brick exudes effortless cool. The friendly staff make a mean cocktail and can usually make a recommendation from the extensive menu and the wine list is well-edited. Setthathirat Road (next to Wine95), 021 212 489, facebook.com/jazzybricklao. Open 7 days 6pm – 12am.

• A

• THE H GHLAN ESTAU ANT A – Sports bar. Casual and relaxed open-air sports bar

with views of the Mekong River. Drawing huge crowds for rugby, football and soccer matches all broadcast live on big-screen televisions, the menu includes Lao, pizza and pub-style fare – perfect for ravenous sports fans. Khamkhong Road, Ban Khounta, 020 7759 4971, highlandbar.com.

HA EU – Bar/Lao/Western. Kop Chai Deu have hit the nail on the head with their slogan ‘the place where the world meets’, on any given night the oldest and arguably best-located bar in Vientiane brings together locals, expats and travellers with refreshing drinks, good food and nightly live music. Try to nab a spot on the upper level decking to enjoy the sultry Lao evenings. Free WiFi. 54 Setthathirat Road (next to Nam Phu fountain), 021 251 564, facebook.com/KhopChaiDeu.

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| Hive Bar and Restaurant |

LUANG PRABANG | Tangor |

– Bar/Tapas. Contemporary chic meets colonial charm at this intimate spot on Luang Prabang’s main stretch. Tangor specialises in impeccably crafted cocktails and a generous selection of local and imported beers and ciders. Market produce dictates the everchanging menu of share plates but luckily for us their standout fish ceviche is a mainstay. ouse 6 6 Rue Susavangvong, 020 9560 7262, resa@letangor.com. Open 7 days 11am – 11pm.

ON LU – Cocktail. This cosy bohemian haunt attracts a creative crowd, and welcomes live music, and hosts open mic poetry nights. Icon’s walls are adorned with vintage posters and film noir stills and punters are most likely to be seen sipping a brilliantly made cocktail (try the Bloody Mary or a dry martini) over a game of chess or retro board game. Free WiFi. Siphouttabath Road, Ban Xiengmouan, 071 254 905, iconklub.com. Open 7 days 5pm – 11.30pm.

• TANGO

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• H VE A AN ESTAU ANT – Bar/ American. This vibrant garden bar is best known for

• UTO

its snappy cocktails, extensive beer and wine list and for serving up home style southern favourites. Grab a beer and try the mahogany smoked BBQ ribs or pulled pork sandwich. Nightly live entertainment includes Ethnik; a live fashion show of ethnic minority costumes and hip hop performed by local b-boys. Bar Street, Ban Aphay, 020 5999 5370, hivebarlaos.com. Open Monday to Saturday 7am – 12am, Sunday 10am – 12am.

A – Bar/Lao/Western. Hidden on the lush banks of the Nam Khan river amongst charming tropical gardens and thatched decking Utopia has perfected laid back paradise. Patrons can languidly sip tropical cocktails on the cushioned terrace watching the river go by, play a board game with neighbours or party into the night in a tiki hut. Ban Aphay, 020 2388 1771, utopialuangprabang.com. Open 7 days 8am – 11.30pm.

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RELAX

Listing

VIENTIANE • A NA S A This experienced spa team provides

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AS A ASSAGE Champa has two locations in town within serene, quiet surroundings. Traditional Lao Massage, Herbal Treatments, Aromatherapy Massage and Body Steams have a range of lengths and prices. There is also a hand and foot spa, and waxing services. Among the best in Vientiane. Corner of Fa Ngum and Pangkham Roads, and Pangkham Road, near Nam Phu, 021 251926, 9am-10pm, www.champaspa.com

• G EEN A

the ultimate pampering. Unlike many others spas, they provide Japanese traditional massages, Indian massages and a Hot Stone Massage. The facials are amongst the most advanced in the city. Higher-end prices. 170 Phonsaath, Kaysone Road, 021 414138, 9am-10pm, www.adinaspalao.com

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• ALAH S A Luxurious Dalah Spa have a mineral milk

bath, anti-stress back and shoulder treatments, the Four Hands Massage and sports massage for those exerting themselves. Located on a quiet lane just off the main road. 140 Khouvieng Road, 021 285125, 9am-9pm

• A A A S A The setting in an old French colonial

villa is charm enough, but inside the opulence is even greater. They’ve a Swedish oil massage, offer facials, body scrubs, refle ology and saunas. t’s definitely one of the pricier in the capital, but well worth it to relax in a state of pure luxury for a few hours. Phanya Sy Road, 021 216550, 9.30am-7.30pm Tue-Sun, www. papayaspa.com

| Papaya Spa |

A S A You’ve got to travel to Rashmi’s Hotel, 3km from the city centre, to reach Giriya, but that’s small sacrifice for the awaiting e perience. here’s an ndian atmosphere reflected in the decoration, while hai masseuses give excellent massages in private rooms. Soon open to membership. Rashmi’s Hotel, Thadeua Road Km3, 021 315088, www.rashmishotel.com HA A LAO S A This hotelbased spa is walled-in with dark woods and has snow white beds with trinkets on lockers and candles burning for soft light. They’ve got traditional massage, body exfoliation and expert facial treatments for guests and visitors. Foot massages take place in comfy recliners with a view to the gardens. Green Park Hotel, 12 Khouvieng Road, 021 263064, 10am-7pm, www.greenparkvientiane.com S A Located within Don Chan Palace Hotel on the Mekong Riverfront. hey offer refle ology, natural aromatherapy oil massages and Lao hot herbal compress treatments within a spacious and warmly coloured parlour. Don Chan Palace Hotel, Fa Ngum Road, 021 244288, 10am-7pm, www.donchanpalacelaopdr.com • HEAL NG HAN S ASSAGE

AL SAUNA This establishment has Lao style herbal saunas for men and women in separate rooms. It also offers different massages including Lao, oil and foot. Entrance fees include a towel for men but women must rent a sarong for a small fee. Located very close to the Mekong in central Vientiane. Chao Anou Road, 020 550 45655, 1pm-9pm • HE

| Dalah Spa |

AN A NA O SOUL S A Another one of many in the centre of ientiane, but definitely among the best. he staff is friendly and there’s a few packages to choose from. therwise, the raditional ao massage is very popular and the wedish massage is also well worth a try. angkham Road, near am hu, 021 22 57, 10am 9. 0pm

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ANEE S A About 4km from the city centre, anee pa offers consistently good massages in a tran uil setting. here are several private rooms with uality tables and a tasteful interior. t’s on the higher price scale but the setting with beautiful gardens is second to none. okpaluang Road, past the yanmar mbassy, 021 5 207 •

OLA ASSAGE his is ust a 5 minute walk from the ekong in the centre of town and they offer advanced massage and body therapies, as well as the traditional foot and body massages. he owners are very friendly and can further elaborate on options available. 45 ettathirath Road, 9am 11pm •N

• N VANA S A The head and back massage is particularly good but it’s possible to get a combination of several treatments. he delightful honey body wrap could be combined with aromatic skin massage, followed by a herbal skin polish. angkham Rd, facing ao la a otel, 021 2229 6, 10am 9pm, www. nirvana spa laos.com H TE LOTUS ASSAGE OGA White otus gives e cellent foot massages in rela ing leather recliners. t’s one of the more affordable yet consistent massage businesses in town and has a great aromatherapy massage. Try the signature lotus foot massage or the Cleopatra treatment with gold mas ue for 200,000kip heavenly. lso does yoga instruction. angkham, close to am hu, 021 217492, 10am 10pm •

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LUANG

A ANG

• A U S A At Xieng Thong Palace Hotel, Ayu Spa is

massage and body treatment heaven. Holistic practices performed by experienced therapists are a perfect way to slip into true relaxation. You could spend a half-day sampling the variety of massage and sauna/steam options, while a pedicure or manicure ties a few hours off. Kounxaou Road, Ban Phoneheung, 071 213200, www.xiengthongpalace.com

Fully trained and ualified massage therapists mean ok Champa is an excellent place to relieve stress. They offer sports, aromatic oil, and gel and lotion massage. There are also deep cleansing facials for those looking for complete body rejuvenation. Visounarath Road, Ban Vixoun, 020 777 79966, www.dokchampamassage.com

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ASSAGE

A A S A Kiridara Spa’s signature treatment

is the Nuat Bouhan Massage, which lasts 90 minutes and fuses ancient Lao traditions with the regional therapies of Japanese Shiatsu, Thai massage and Chinese acupuncture. hey’ve got many packages to choose from and the view over Luang Prabang is stunning. 22 1 orth Road, an aviengkham, 071 261 , www.snhcollection.com kiridara

OSS Set up to help children in poor communities, ao Red Cross is one of the cheapest in town but with no compromise on quality. Housed in a Lao-French building, try the herbal sauna for 10,000 kip between 4pm pm, or go for one of the traditional massages. Bring your own towel or sarong. Wisunarat Road, 071 252856, 9am-9pm • LAO E

A ANG OGA This collective runs classes in yoga and meditation for beginner and experienced practitioners. The group alternates their regular classes between several picturesque riverside locations including topia and ck op ok and holds yoga retreats at Mandala Ou Resort in Nong Khiaw. luangprabangyoga.org • LUANG

S US S A Across from Wat Sop, L’Hibiscus has been open for several years and rated amongst the best in town. Hot herbal compress, aromatherapy and even eye treatments are on the menu. L’Hibiscus is in a charming old two-storey building and exudes a soothing atmosphere. 45 akhaline Road, 0 0 9235079, Open 10am-10pm •L H

A A OAS S ASSAGE ucked away beside a beautiful lotus pond and surrounded by coconut trees, hammada provides e ceptional massages. here are aroma, oriental and foot massages to ease body tensions and bigger packages to spend a few hours. ery friendly and e perienced staff makes hammada one of the best in town. Luang Prabang Oasis Hotel, an i oun, 071 212642, www.luangprabangoasis.com • HA

ASSAGE This is the place to try a superb Thai herbal compress massage. Sanctuary applies steamed hai and Chinese herbs to the body in a kneading action to release muscle tension and stiffness. There are also aroma and oriental massages in calming rooms. Sanctuary Hotel, Kitsalat Road, 071 213777, www.sanctuaryluangprabang.com • SAN TUA

EN Spread over three locations, he pa arden also known as roma pa has a deep tissue massage, a Mystic Lao massage and a foot massage with herbal creams amongst its signature treatments. Spa products also available for purchase. Ban Phonheuang, 071 212325, 10am-11pm, www. spagardenlpb.com • THE S A GA

| Kiridara Spa |

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SEE & DO

Listing

VIENTIANE | i:cat gallery |

ENT E – Museum. Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise, or COPE, is a locally run non profit working with partners to provide rehabilitation services for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) survivors and other people with disabilities across aos. The Visitor Centre houses a free exhibition about UXO in aos, stories from survivors and information on the services provided by C . nteractive displays, e cellent documentaries and imagery provide a thought provoking e perience to visitors. here is an opportunity to support C through the gift shop or a donation. Centre of edical Rehabilitation, houvieng Road, 021 21 427, 9am 6pm, 7 days, www.copelaos.org. • O E V S TO

| Cope Visitor Centre |

• HOUE HONG VO AT ONAL T A N NG ENT E O O EN – Class/Craft. The Centre

provides training and employment for disadvantaged Lao women in the areas of natural dyeing, weaving, tailoring and administration. Visitors can tour the facilities and take part in dyeing and weaving classes creating a unique textile to take home, the cost of which includes transfers, lunch and provides direct support to the Centre. The gift shop sells stylish products made on-site by staff and trainees. Lane 19, Houey Hong Village, 021 560 006, Mon-Sat 8.30am–12pm, 1.30pm–4.30pm, www.houeyhongcentre.com.

AT GALLE – Gallery. A bright and inviting gallery space featuring a revolving programme of engaging exhibitions from local artists working in a range of mediums. A collection of original prints, art books, photography, paintings and handmade cards are permanently for sale in the gallery space and past installations and events have included visual art, music, poetry, film and fashion. 2 0 2 1 hanon ettathirath, Ban Simeuang, 020 7783 9674, Mon-Fri 6pm–8pm, Sat-Sun 1pm-6pm, www.facebook.com/icatgallery.

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• LAO O L NG ENT E – Activity. A friendly place for a game of ten pin by day this unassuming venue is an evening hot spot with crowds flocking here once the regular haunts close. Get here in the early evening if you actually plan to get in a few rounds because by eight o’clock this joint is packed with locals having a laugh over Beerlao and interesting bowling techniques. But bor pen nyang, half the fun is kicking back with friends and waiting for a free lane. There are also snooker tables available for hire. Boulevard Khunbulom (near the National Stadium), 9am–late, 7 days. | Tuk Tuk Safari |

| Lao Experiences Cooking Class and Food Tours |

• LAO E E EN ES OO NG LASS AN OO TOU S – Class/Tour. Join friendly host

Nook as she teaches you to cook popular Lao dishes with fresh ingredients and traditional methods. These fun and interactive classes are held in a leafy garden kitchen by the Mekong River, the perfect setting to throw together a tasty laap or mok pa (banana leaf steamed fish all of which you’ll devour at the end of class. The additional tour of the largest fresh market in Vientiane is great for those new to Lao ingredients. Bookings at The Full Moon Café or via lao-experiences. com, 020 5569 9429. Classes and Market Tours conducted daily.

• LAO SA LE O EN S EVELO ENT ENT E – Tour/Craft. local non profit run by

• A T TO NA NGU A – Tour. The perfect way to get back to nature while staying close to your base in Vientiane, Green Discovery Laos takes you to the Nam Ngum Resevoir. En route on this guided day trip participants will get a first hand look at Hmong village life to meet locals and visit the market before taking in the 11th century archaeological site of an ang. t the reservoir you’ll lunch on a floating restaurant and explore fishing villages and small islands by boat before returning to Vientiane. For more information visit greendiscoverylaos.com. • O A TO A ET – Tour. Local tour guides Tuk Tuk Safari specialise in small group educational and interactive tours of Vientiane and surrounds. On this tour patrons will visit the Panyanivej Eco Rice and Fish Farm to have a hand at traditional ao fishing, rice planting and other farm activities before using fresh farm ingredients to cook a traditional Lao lunch. 020 5433 3089, tours run daytime from Monday to Saturday, www.tuktuksafari.com.

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women with disabilities for women with disabilities. In a beautiful setting near the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge the Centre is a hive of activity with training programmes including sewing and needlework, social development and women’s civil rights. Visitors can tour the centre, buy locally-made handicrafts including accessories, fashion items and homewares and learn how they are made. Thadeua Road, Hadsayfong District, 021 812282, 8.30am–5pm, 7 days, www. laodisabledwomen.com.

• V ENT ANE LE – Tour. Explore Vientiane on two wheels in either a guided half or full-day tour allowing you to uncover a different side to the city. You’ll follow the gentle curve of the Mekong River to explore nearby scenic villages and observe fishermen and local temples. Back in the city centre you’ll pass touristic highlights like glittering temples, the grand Presidential Palace, Patuxai and That Luang while also venturing off the beaten path to capture scenes of Lao daily life in sleepy residential areas. 020 5581 2337, Tours run daily 8am to 5pm, www.vientianebycycle.com.

LUANG • T A

A ANG

T ONAL A TS AN

ETHNOLOG

ENT E

– Museum/Craft. Housed in a renovated heritage building at the foot of Phou Si hill TAEC is a museum dedicated to the promotion of the culture and knowledge of Laos’ diverse ethnic communities. Several permanent and rotating cultural exhibitions showcase artefacts, traditional art and clothing of Lao ethnic groups and give insight into the diversity and richness of the country. The gorgeous museum shop which keeps handicrafts from village artisans is well worth a look. Guided tours available for an additional fee. Ban Khamyong (behind Dara Market), 071 253 364, taeclaos.org. Open Tuesday to Sunday 9am – 6pm.

• ELE HANT V LLAGE – Tour.

et up close to magnificent pachyderms at this tourist destination operated by international specialists and volunteers who aim to rescue, protect and rehabilitate elephants in Laos. There are a myriad of activities on offer for visitors including thrilling elephant rides, bathing elephants in the Nam Kahn River, a basic mahout training course and feedings. You can also stay overnight in on-site accommodation, aptly named the Elephant Lodge. To book and for more information visit elephantvillage-laos.com. Tours run 7 days. | Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre.|

| Elephant Village |

•O O TO L V NG A TS ENT E – Class/Craft. Take part in a fun hands-on workshop

and learn traditional weaving and dying techniques from skilled Lao artisans at this handicrafts centre set in lush tropical gardens overlooking the Mekong River. A variety of classes suitable for a range of skill levels are on offer or you could visit the weaving centre for a free tour and observe weavers at their craft. Ban Saylom (opposite Phousi Market), 071 212 597, 9am–5pm, 7 days, www.ockpoptok.com

N OO NG S HOOL – Class. This popular cooking class, run by the restaurant of the same name, has been schooling students in the art of laap for years. articipants will first check out ingredients at a local fresh market then head to Tamarind’s lake-side cooking school to cook and, more importantly, eat. The menu consists of a range of Lao classics including jeow spicy dipping sauces and Tamarind’s signature chicken and herb-stuffed lemongrass. To book and for more information visit tamarindlaos.com. Full day classes Mon-Sat 9am–3pm, evening classes Mon-Fri 4pm–8.30pm • TA A

| Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre|

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A SE E S O EE O SHO A SONG – Tour. Explore Southern Laos’ renowned coffee country and see just how beans make it into your morning cup of oe. ou will visit offie’s own organic coffee plantation and farm when you’ll see arabica growing, picked, then learn about the husking and drying processes. After lunch you’ll get hands-on in roasting arabica beans yourself and brew yourself a flavourful cup of aromatic ava. For more information visit paksong.info/laos_coffee_workshop. php, 020 2276 0439, coffee@paksong.info • O

O EE ESO T – Garden. A must-see if you’re travelling through the Bolaven Plateau, Sinouk is a name synonymous with coffee in Laos. Surrounding the resort are palatial landscaped gardens which include coffee plants, rock gardens, a lake and waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy a signature locally grown cup of coffee from Sinouk’s nearby plantation in the pavilion restaurant or cafe. For more information visit sinoukcoffeeresort.com. • S NOU

• T EE TO E LO E AT UNGLE HOTEL A SONG – Tour. Green Discovery Laos lead an

unforgettable adventure in an unparalleled South East Asian mountain forest setting of Champassak province. This tour is not for the faint-hearted with zip-lining over gorges and waterfalls and breathtaking views from a canopy walkway leading to great fun in a stunning environment. Retire to the Jungle Hotel Paksong a cluster of private treehouses set amongst the lush forest. he ultimate e perience in nature. For more information visit greendiscoverylaos.com. | Tree Top Explorer |

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| Sinouk Coffee Resort |

SHOP

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VIENTIANE • LAO

NE A TS HAN

A T E ELLE

Superbly crafted, resplendent jewellery made from wood, coconut and silver can be bought here. Other contemporary and more traditional items can also be purchased. 550/01 Thatluang Tai Village, Saysettha District, 020 5542 6993, 9.30am-5.30pm.

A ET Drawing hordes of tourists and locals to the riverside each evening you simply can’t miss the two rows of red-topped marquees along the waterfront mingling with smoky food stalls and mountainous balloon displays. The wares on sale may be aimed predominately towards tourists (think t-shirts, trinkets and Buddhist inspired art) but locals shop here too and there are plenty of bargains to be had. Mekong riverfront, Fa Ngum Road, Sunset-9pm, 7 days.

• N GHT

A TS Craft. A treasure trove of handmade handicrafts created by over 300 artisans from villages across aos. n store you’ll find uni ue woven baskets and textiles, exquisite homewares and contemporary jewellery with most goods crafted from natural dyes, local bamboo and organically grown cotton and proceeds going back to the artist. 97/1 Chao Anou Road, Mon-Sat 9am–8pm, Sun 1pm–8pm, www. saobancrafts.com.

• SAO AN

| Ministry of Silk |

• T SHO LA GALLE Gallery/Craft. A delightful gallery and crafts store featuring works from local and visiting artists and producing and selling the Les Artisans Lao range of organic skincare and beauty products. The range includes luscious body creams and soaps, all-natural repellents and aromatic oils. Vat Inpeng Street, 021 223 178, Mon-Sat 8am–8pm, Sun 10am–6pm, www. artisanslao.com.

| Saoban Crafts |

• A OL ASS TE T LES Intricate traditional Lao textiles are displayed in this beautiful gallery-workshop whose local weavers have exhibited in US museums. Carol works alongside local weavers to produce some incredibly complex and attractive pieces, specialising in 100% hand-woven silk. Noekummane Road, Ban Mixay, Mon-Fri 8am-12pm & 2pm-5pm, Sat 8am-12pm, www. laotextiles.com.

• NE TH NGS Radiant silks and authentic handicrafts line the walls of Finer Things. The shop, set over two floors, has a flowing selection of traditional ao skirts, colourful silks and figurines made from the delicate material. 34/03 Francois Ngin Road, 9am-6.30pm. • N ST O S L The Ministry of Silk displays a vast array of fine men’s and women’s clothing, fashion accessories, jewellery and handbags. The label is Laos’ first ready to wear collection and this flagship is one of the most prestigious stores in Vientiane, serving champagne and wine to customers. 99/01 Nam Phou Square, 021 213 776, 9am-9pm, 7 days, www.ministryofsilk.com. • ONU ENT OO S Monument Books has good-sized fiction and regional literature sections, as well as children’s travel, arts and history shelves. Travel guidebooks are available and Southeast Asian newspapers and international magazines are just inside the door. Nokeokoummane Road, 021 243 708, Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm, www.monument-books. com. | T'Shop Lai Gallery |

| Carol Cassidy Textiles |

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LUANG

A ANG

• HOS A ET A small distance away from the centre of town lies Phosi Market. This space sees every smell, sound and sight stake a corner as meat, spices, fresh vegetables, and fruits live side by side with those selling phones, watches and house wares. If you’re after a glimpse of local life, don’t miss this. Photisalath Road, south of Phou Vao Rd, 7am-5pm.

• L ET ANGE

• A A A TS This is a non-profit self-help project that supports village women by providing a space for them to sell their goods to a wider audience. Handmade products show off traditional patterns and craft techniques and make excellent mementos or gifts. Ounkham Road, Ban Wath Nong, Luang Prabang, 071 254594, www.camacrafts.org.

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• A USO LAO All products in here are handmade from

wood or silk and wholly produced in Laos, overseen by the shop’s Canadian owner. There are wooden bowls, bed spreads, Buddha heads and cushions to catch the customer’s eye. Sakkarine Road, 071 254574, 9am-9pm, www.carusolao.com.

• A TE SA A boutique shop with shelves of original souvenirs and handicrafts. The store seeks to help local people by working with them to sell their products and improve their livelihoods. Many of the souvenirs are made from recycled paper, bamboo and other natural materials. Sisangvong Road, Ban Xieng Mouane, 071 260 654, 8am-9pm, www.matesai.com. A ET Down the length of Sisavangvong Rd is the city’s famous Night Market. Weave under awnings to admire handicrafts such as rosewood carvings and silver jewellery, alongside herbal teas, rice paper diaries and beautiful linen dresses. It’s a friendly market and bargains are to be had. Sisangvong Road, 5pm-11pm, 7 days (weather dependent).

• N GHT

•O O TO A shop with a difference. Ock Pop Tok seeks to empower local women by developing their artistic skills and sells their items. Woven textiles, bags and scarves are on offer, while they also run classes for visitors who want to try their hand at production or just admire artisans at work. he group also has a flagship store in Ban Vat Nong. Sakkaline Road, Ban Vat Sene, 071 253 219, 8am-9pm, www.ockpoptok.com. • T A T ONAL A TS

ETHNOLOG

ENT E

Although better known as a museum, the centre also supports over 500 handicraft producers from across Laos. They sell beaded necklaces, belts, backpacks, jewellery and lots of other items that showcase the enormous ethnic diversity of Laos. Kitsalat Road, Ban Khamyong, 071 253 364, Tue-Sun 9am-6pm, www. taeclaos.org.

OO S TEA This quaint book café lies close to the Nam Khan River and sells second-hand books. It’s well-stocked and has novels in many languages that cover the arts, travel, fiction, culture and regional history. Over 70 varieties of tea are for sale upstairs. Phousi Road, Ban Aphay, 071 212 880, Mon-Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 10am-10pm.

| Passa Paa |

ASSA AA The culmination of British and Lao creative minds, this store is the shopfront for the textile and accessories label of the same name. The label explores the language of desing that has evolved in Laos to re-think, re-interpret, and re-construct patterns, symbols and forms into contemporary bags, scarves, purses and more. 79 Ban Vat Sene, 020 5541 1244, 7 days 8am-8pm, www. passa-paa.com. | Ma Te Sai |

Shop HIGHLIGHT

words & photos Shayling Ngo

ສະເໜຂອງຝ້າ ຍສ ະໄ ໝໃໝ່ ມາລີ ອິນດີໂກເປັນບູຕິກຄອບຄົວວາງຈຳ�ໜ່າຍແຜ່ນແພທີ່ສວຍງາມທີ່ ໄດ້ມາຈຳາກແຂວງຕ່າ ງໆໃນທົ່ວ ສປປ.ລາວ ນ�ເອົ າ ການອອກແບບທີ່ ເປັນຄຣາດສິກແລະນ�ສະໄໝມາສູ່ນັກຊື້ຫົວໃສໃນນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈຳັນ.

The Charm of

C o n t e m po r ary

Cotton

Maly Indigo is a family-run boutique displaying exquisite textiles sourced from provinces across Laos, bringing classic and stylish designs to discerning shoppers in Vientiane. Specialising in naturally dyed cotton wares, Maly Indigo features men’s and women’s clothing, bags, hats and textiles in colour-ways ranging from subtle neutrals to traditional patterns and vibrant brights – all designed by owner Bounthamaly. The light and airy cotton, sourced from Savannakhet province, is the signature fabric of the store, and is perfect wear for the hot and humid Vientiane climate. To produce their wares, Maly Indigo takes care to support the Lao textile industry, working directly with provincial and local weavers to ensure the artisans receive the best price for their goods.

ໂດຍມີ ຄ ວາມຊ່ຽ ວຊານໃນການຍ້ອ ມຜະລິ ດ ຕະພັນ ຝ້າ ຍແບບທ�ມະຊາດ ມາລີອິນດີໂກໄດ້ວາງສະແດງເຄື່ອງນຸ່ງກະເປົາໝວກແມ່ຍິງແລະຜູ້ຊາຍ ແລະແຜ່ນແພໃນຫຼາຍແບບເລີ່ມແຕ່ມີສີຈຳາງໆໄປເຖິງລວດລາຍແບບພື້ນ ເມືອງແລະສີສັນແບບມີຊີວິດຊີວາ–ທັງໝົດແມ່ນອອກແບບໂດຍເຈົ້າຂອງ ຮ້ານບຸນທ ະມາລີ. ຝ້າ ຍເບົ າ ແລະ ອ່ອ ນຄື ອ າກາດ ທີ່ໄ ດ້ມ າຈຳາກແຂວງສະຫວັນ ນະເຂດ ເປັນຜ້າລະດັບຊິກເນເຈີຂອງຮ້ານ ແລະ ເປັນເຄື່ອງນຸ່ງທີ່ດີທີ່ສຸດສ�ລັບອາ ກາດຮ້ອ ນ ແລະ ຊຸ່ມ ຢູ່ນ ະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈຳັນ ເພື່ອ ຜະລິ ດ ຜະລິ ດ ຕະພັນ ຂອງເຂົາເຈົ້າມາລີອິນດີໂກໄດ້ເອົາໃຈໃສ່ສະໜັບສະໜູນອຸດສາຫະກ�ແຜ່ນ ແພຂອງລາວ ດ້ວ ຍການເຮັ ດ ວຽກໂດຍກົງ ກັບ ຊ່າ ງຕ�ຫູ ກ ແຂວງ ແລະ ທ້ອງຖິ່ນເພື່ອຮັບປະກັນວ່າຊ່າງທີ່ມີສີມືເຫຼົ່ານີ້ໄດ້ລາຄາທີ່ດີທີ່ສຸດສ�ລັບສິນ ຄ້າຂອງເຂົາເຈົ້າ. ຢູ່ຊັ້ນລຸ່ມຂອງຮ້ານບູຕິກ ເຄື່ອງ ແຟເຊິນທີ່ຖືກນ�ສະເໜີແມ່ນມີຕັ້ງແຕ່ຊຸດ ຊິ ບ ເດຣດແບບຄລາສິ ກ ກະໂປ່ງ ຊົງ ສັ້ນ ແລະ ເອ-ລາຍສະເກິ ດ ແລະ ເສື້ອສ�ລັບທ່ານຍິງເສື້ອເຊີດໂສ້ງຂາສັ້ນແລະຜ້າລິນິນສ�ລັບທ່ານຊາຍ ແບບສາມາດເຮັ ດ ໄດ້ຕ າມສັ່ງ ຢູ່ກັບ ທີ່ເ ພື່ອ ໃຫ້ພໍ ດີ ແລະ ຍັງ ມີ ຜ້າ ທີ່ຜ ະລິ ດ ພາຍໃນ ແລະ ນ�ເຂົ້າຫຼາກຫຼາຍຊະນິດສ�ລັບຫຍິບເປັນເຄື່ອງນຸ່ງນັບແຕ່ ເລີ່ມຕົ້ນ. ຊັ້ນເທິງທ່ານຈຳະເຫັນເຄື່ອງໃຊ້ໃນເຮືອນທີ່ເຮັດດ້ວຍແຜ່ນແພທີ່ສວຍສົດງົດ ງາມ ເຊັ່ນ ຜ້າຄຸມຕັ່ງ, ຊົບໝອນ ແລະ ຜ້າປູຕຽງທີ່ມີທັງລວດລາຍສູດສາດ ແລະ ທັງເປັນໂທນສີທ�ມະຊາດ ແຕ່ລະລາຍການແມ່ນມີເອກະລັກໃນໂຕ ແລະບໍ່ມີໂຕຊ�ກັນ. ສິ່ງເຫຼົ່ານີ້ ຖືກວາງສະແດງໄປພ້ອມກັບເຟີນິເຈີ ແລະ ອຸປະກອນຕົບແຕ່ງທີ່ ອອກແບບໂດຍລູກຊາຍຂອງບຸນທະມາລີຊື່ບິນລີ້ ຜູ້ເປັນນັກອອກແບບເຟີ ນິເຈີທີ່ສ�ນານງານ ຜະລິດຕະພັນຂອງບິນລີ ມີທັງຊຸດໂຄມໄຟທັນສະໄໝ ຕັ່ງ ໂຕະ ສິ່ງ ທີ່ຫ້ອ ຍປະດັບ ຝາ ແລະ ຕັ່ງ ອີ້ – ມີ ຫຼ າຍອັນ ເຊິ່ງ ເຮັ ດ ຈຳາກ ວັດຖຸທີ່ນ�ມາໃຊ້ໃໝ່ ຫຼື ວັດຖຸດິບເຮັດໃຫ້ຜະລິດຕະພັນສ�ເລັດຮູບທັນສະ ໄໝເປັນລົດສະນິຍົມຄົນເມືອງ.

n the bouti ue’s ground floor, fashions offered range from classic shift dresses, pencil and A-line skirts and blouses for women, and simple shirts, shorts and linens for men. Designs can be tailored inhouse to fit, and outhanmaly also stocks a range of locally produced and imported fabrics to whip up wearables from scratch. pstairs you’ll find e uisite te tile homewares like throws, cushion covers and bed spreads featuring both bold patterns and natural tones. Each item is unique, with no one piece the same. These pieces are displayed alongside furniture and decorative items designed by Bounthamaly’s son Billy, who is a skilled furniture designer. illy’s wares include contemporary light fittings, stools, desks, feature wall hangings, and chairs – many which are produced from reclaimed or raw materials, giving the finished product an edgy, urban appeal. Maly Indigo Open Monday to Sunday from 9.30am to 6pm A: Dongpalan Road, North Phonsavanh, Vientiane, Laos T: 021 454 632 W: www.malyindigo.com 61

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Listing

VIENTIANE | Settha Palace Hotel |

OUT UE HOTEL – Boutique. Each of the 34 rooms at this exquisite hotel pairs traditional ao style orientation with fine contemporary architecture. The elegance of the interiors, both historic and modern, matched with the lush garden setting create a sophisticated blend of style, luxury and relaxing accommodation. Free WiFi, spa, pool, fitness, city shuttle. 12 houvieng Road, 021 264 097, greenparkvientiane.com. pen 24 hours. Restaurant open 7 days 11. 0am 2. 0pm, 6. 0pm 10. 0pm. • G EEN A

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HASOU ES EN E – Mid range. nfluenced by traditional ao architecture hasouk Residence offers carefully designed and decorated rooms that encapsulate warmth, comfort and relaxation. The specious deluxe suites feature plush king beds, elegant ao ob ects and te tiles and bay windows opening onto a private balconies. The cosier deluxe rooms offer similar understated elegance with double or twin beds. Free WiFI, spa, transfers. 57/4 Wat Xieng Gneun Road, 021 243 415, phasoukresidence.com. Open 24 hours.

• E U E V ENT ANE – Top end. Mercure Vientiane is a 4 star-hotel that caters to both business and leisure travellers. This charming hotel is positioned conveniently close to Wattay International Airport, the Mekong River waterfront and the town centre with its many restaurants, cafes and bars. n oy fantastic service, sumptuous buffet or a la carte dining and a sunny pool terrace bar. Free WiFi, spa, pool, fitness. nit 10 amsenthai Road, 021 213 570, accorhotels.com. Open 24 hours. Le Café open 7 days 6am – 10pm, Poolside and Lobby bars open 7 days 7am – 10pm.

• HOUSE – Mid range. Situated behind the iconic

• HANTHA AN A HOTEL

Nam Phou Fountain, a popular gathering place in the heart of Vientiane, iHouse is the perfect option for those who want to stay where the action is without the usual city centre price tag. Tidy, colourful rooms come in a range of configurations from budget to delu e, all rooms feature comfy queen beds. Free WiFi. 72/6 Pang Kham Street, 021 217 053, ihouse-laos.com. Open 24 hours.

– Mid range. Conveniently located in the heart of the city centre you’ll be at the doorstep of Vientiane’s myriad of bars, cafes and restaurants in this family-run hotel. The warm and inviting atmosphere extends to the spotless guest rooms which are decorated with Lao artworks and ornate carved timber furniture. Free WiFi, pool, business, transfers. Rue Nokeokoumane, Ban Mixay, 021 244 284, chanthapanyahotel.com. Open 24 hours.

| Green Park Boutique Hotel |

| Ansara Hotel |

• ANSA A HOTEL – Boutique. Tucked down a

leafy laneway this boutique destination will delight even the most discerning guests. An elegant hideaway in the bustling city centre the 14 rooms, with private balconies looking onto manicured tropical gardens, exude understated colonial charm. In this location you’ll be surrounded by countless dining options but with excellent in-house restaurant La Signature at hand you won’t need to look far for exquisite epicure. Free WiFi, breakfast included, business. Quai Fa Ngum, Ban Vat Chan Tha, 021 213 514, ansarahotel.com. Open 24 hours.

• SETTHA ALA E HOTEL – Top end. This remarkable hotel is housed in a 1930s mansion which has been restored to its former imperial glory capturing an era of classic elegance, gracious service and French colonial sophistication. ight filled rooms en oy high ceilings and elegant touches like four-poster beds with down feather pillows and hardwood floors. Free WiFi, pool, breakfast included, business. 6 Pang Kham Street, 021 217 581, setthapalace.com. Open 24 hours. • AN ALA OUT UE HOTEL – Mid range/ boutique. A hip 1960s house turned hotel, the

Mandala Boutique Hotel has operated under many guises but none as cool as this boutique stay. In recent years the villa has been refreshed with colourful modern rooms but the unique spirit of the structure has been retained. Stay in and experience the beautiful grounds at night at the open air Mandala Restaurant. Free WiFi, bicycles to rent, transfers. Baan Phiavat, 021 214 493, mandalahotel.asia. Open 24 hours.

VIENTIANE • SALANA OUT UE HOTEL – Top end. The grand façade of the Salana Boutique Hotel embodies sophistication and inside guests can escape the hustle and bustle and experience premier Lao hospitality. Designed to impress even the most discerning guests the ample rooms feature luxurious bedding and are tastefully decorated with ao ob ects d’art. Free WiFi, spa, business. 112 Chao Anou Road, 021 254 254, salanaboutique.com. Open 24 hours. – Top end. A preferred destination for travellers to Vientiane this is the country’s first five star hotel and is setting new standards in luxury hospitality. Over 130 rooms pair thoughtful ao influenced d cor with modern conveniences. Opportunities for relaxation abound with a glistening swimming pool and traditional massages available from the spa. An array of cuisines are on offer in house. Free WiFi, spa, pool, fitness, business. 63 Samsenthai Road, 021 218 800, laoplazahotel.com. Open 24 hours.

• LAO LA A HOTEL

V E E E UT VE SU TES – Top end. Perfect for an extended stay Parkview offers wellappointed serviced apartments in studio, one or two bedroom configurations. ituated in downtown Vientiane with easy access to Wattay International Airport Parkview offers modern amenities to the business travelled will a fully equipped meeting room and business centre. Top of the range recreational facilities include immaculate tennis courts, swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna and Jacuzzi. Luang Prabang Road, 021 250 888, parkviewexecutive.com. Open 24 hours. • A

LUANG

– Mid range. If you’re looking to get back to nature the nine private bungalows surrounded by tranquil tropical gardens at uberge ala npeng might ust do the trick. ituated in the Inpeng Temple Area of Vientiane you’d never know the riverfront and bustling city are right at your doorstep. The bungalows are designed like traditional timber Lao houses and are completed with comfortable furnishings, air-conditioning and private bathrooms. 63/6 Inpeng Street, Ban Wat Chanh, 021 242 021, salalao. com/Sala_Inpeng/Content/Inpeng.htm. Open 24 hours.

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EN HOTEL – Mid range. Situated in a peaceful corner of the city this small hotel offers contemporary-styled rooms surrounding a tranquil swimming pool and gardens. A truly modern experience each spacious room is complete with comfy beds, newly renovated bathrooms, LCD televisions and slick decor. The dedicated and professional staff will go out of their way to make your stay in Vientiane a special one. Free WiFi, pool. 56 Sihome Road, Ban Sihome, 021 241 963, vientianegardenhotel.com. Open 24 hours. • V ENT ANE GA

• ON HAN ALA E HOTEL ONVENT ON ENT E – Top end. Commanding attention from its

location on the edge of the ma estic ekong River, on Chan Palace offers sweeping views of Vientiane and northern Thailand. Each room, from the Classic to the Presidential Suite has been designed for comfort and convenience with plush beds, luxurious bathtubs and quality amenities. Sporting, leisure and dining facilities are first rate. Free WiFi, spa, pool, fitness, business, shuttle service. nit 6 iwat illage, isatanak istrict, 021 244 288, donchanpalacelaopdr.com. Open 24 hours.

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NAGAS HOTEL – Boutique. An intimate and charming boutique hotel situated on Luang Prabang’s main street across three heritage UNESCO-protected buildings. Each of the 15 rooms embodies simple and traditional sophistication with e otic hardwood floors, torchis walls and clay roof tiles. range of configurations offer king and twin beds and you can opt for exclusive airport transfers and city tours in one of two immaculate vintage cars. Free WiFi, breakfast inclusive. akkaline Road, an at ong, 071 25 , nagas.com. pen 24 hours. •

• LE SEN OUT UE HOTEL – Top end. Just a 15

minute stroll from old Luang Prabang but from Le Sen’s lush secluded gardens the city centre will feel a world away. Polished stone and neutral palettes create a slick yet soothing contemporary ambience to the 19 spacious rooms, each of which come with private balconies that overlook a central swimming pool. Free WiFi, pool, fitness, shuttle service to city centre. 11 anomai Road, an ano, 071 261 66 , lesenhotel.com. pen 24 hours

| Salana Boutique Hotel |

• V ENT ANE LA A HOTEL – Mid range. A top choice for business traveller and officials the ientiane Plaza Hotel. For those looking for a business base while in town the convenient on site office comple has hot desks and private spaces for rent. To unwind the fullye uipped fitness centre, tennis court and massage and spa centre are on hand. Spa, business. Sailom Road, Hatsady Neua Village, 020 2300 0433, vientianeplazalao. com. Open 24 hours. S LA A HOTEL – Top end. A stylish and modern luxury hotel with easy access to the city centre and cultural and tourist sites. Guest rooms offer a range of accommodation options from cosy to decadent elegance and each room is a uni ue space specifically crafted to meet the tastes of guests with modern furnishings and stylish finishing touches. Free WiFi, pool, spa, fitness. hadeua Road, an eungkhayong ai, 021 315 088, rashmishotel.com. Open 24 hours.

• ASH

| Le Sen Boutique Hote |

• V LLA AL HOTEL – Top end. A residence of charm, 33 art deco-inspired rooms are housed in seven low rise buildings on this sprawling estate, ust a short walk from the historic heart of the city. Each room is furnished with a blend of French and British colonial touches including classic adornments like hardwood floors, ornate rugs and old world armchairs and with pool and garden views has the feel of staying in a private villa. Free WiFi, spa, pool. BP 158, 071 253 902, villa-maly. com. Open 24 hours.

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O TO V LLA – Mid range/Boutique. Nestled on the banks of the Mekong River, awardwinning textile centre Ock Tok Pop have created a truly relaxing and unique stay in a tropical paradise. Each of the four rooms combines contemporary design with colourful tribe motifs and the two Mekong facing rooms offer unrivalled views of the river. A free shuttle service will take you into town. Free WiFi, breakfast inclusive. Ban Saylom (opposite Phousi market), 071 212 597, ockpoptok.com. Open 24 hours.

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•O

– Boutique. A truly beautiful experience in Luang Prabang, The Apsara cultivates a sense of effortless elegance from the banks of the Nam Khan. Colonial charm meets luxe cool in each of the spacious bedrooms with crisp linens, traditional silks, uirky ob ects d’art with balconies and terraces overlooking the river. If you’re looking to spend your holiday poolside the equally captivating sister hotel he psara Rive roite is ust across the river. Free WiFi, breakfast inclusive. Ban Phanluang, 071 254 252, theapsara.com. Open 24 hours.

HOUSE – Boutique. Located in the heart of the city, Satri House was built at the turn of the last century as the residence of Price Soupha-nouvong. It has been restored to its original elegance and is now renowned as one of the most exquisite structures in the city. Superior crafted wood furnishings are an ambient addition to each of the 31 rooms which feature generous balconies that look onto the manicured grounds. Free WiFi, pool, spa. 57 Photisarath Road, Ban Thatluang, 071 253 491, satrihouse.com. Open 24 hours. 63

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A SE | Sinouk Coffee Resort |

• ATE ALL ESO T AN E TU A SONG – Mid range. A small cluster of charming bungalows on

the site of a former coffee and tea plantation just outside of Paksong. A perfect spot for rest and relaxation if you’re travelling through the Bolaven Plateau, the resort offers spotless private villas with helpful staff who can guide you on what to see, do and eat in the area. The restaurant serves traditional Lao fare made from fresh local ingredients. 020 2866 2809, waterfalletupaksong.com.

A SE HOTEL – Mid range. The first multistorey building constructed under the supervision of the last King of Southern Laos, this hotel was originally the entertainment hub of Pakse housing a casino and cinema. Now owned and run by a French-Lao couple the hotel blends local influences with French Indochina spirit with cosy rooms and excellent service. Street 5, Ban Watkouang, 031 212 131, hotelpakse.com. Open 24 hours.

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O EE ESO T – Mid range. Two chalets nestled amongst of the famous Sinouk Coffee plantation and manicured gardens. Guests have the choice to stay alongside a bubbling river and small waterfall at Chalet I or closer to the plantation in Chalet II, each bungalow contains spotless private ensuite bedrooms and a shared lounge and living room and terrace but it’s so peaceful here you’d barely know you had any neighbours. Tatheng – Bolaven Plateau, sinouk@laopdr.com, sinoukcoffeeresort.com. • S NOU

SAVANNA HET • SALA SAVANH – Mid range. Housed in a renovated 1920s colonial

building Sala Savanh sits pretty in the heart of Savannakhet historical centre. Five superior rooms are neat and tidy with high ceilings, vintage-look cane furniture and spacious balconies on the upper floor. Free WiFi. 020 5564 5111, salalao@laotel.com, salalao.com/Salalao/Content/Savanh.htm.

• LEENA GUESTHOUSE – Mid range. A friendly option if you’re passing

through Savannakhet, Leena’s is a little off the main drag but you can rent a bike for a quick ride. There’s a variety of tidy rooms on offer for different price ranges so ask to take a look at what’s available to find one that’s right for you and your travelling budget, service is super friendly so they will be happy to help. Close to a number of cheap eats, internet cafes and the Mekong River. Free WiFi. Chaokeem Road, 020 9927 4994, leenaguesthouse.blogspot.com

VANG V ENG

| Riverside Boutique Resort |

• VE S E OUT UE ESO T – Top end/ Boutique. A tropical oasis nestled on the banks of

the Nam Song River, Riverside Boutique Resort is a stylishly modern haven in Vang Vieng. Each of the 34 spacious suites are elegantly furnished with artworks and decors inspired by several ethnic groups of Laos, pairing perfectly with contemporary comforts like luxurious bedding and high-end amenities. The pristine swimming pool and the in-house restaurant and bar take in unparalleled views of the river and its sweeping mountainscapes. Gift shop, pool. Ban Viengkeo, 023 511 726-8, riversidevangvieng.com.

A VANG V ENG – Mid range. A beautiful Lao-style villa located in the heart of Vang Vieng – just steps away from all of the local highlights. The 28 well-appointed rooms come in a range of configurations to suit everyone from the comfort-seeker to the budget-conscious traveller. An airy rooftop terrace, complete with sun lounges, is the perfect spot to admire the surrounding ancient limestone mountain vistas. On-site eatery ‘The Kitchen’ serves up hearty local and international fare. Free WiFi. Ban Savang, 023 511 070, inthira.com. • NTH

OSS NG HOTEL – Boutique. Set along the Nam Song River, complete with breathtaking views of Vang Vieng’s majestic natural surrounds is The Elephant Crossing Hotel. A charming getaway, this hotel offers guests 31 rooms, all designed with comfort, elegance and convenience in mind. In addition to classic hardwood floors and spacious en suite facilities, each room features a generous private balcony which looks directly onto the river and mountains. Ban Viengkeo, 023 511 232, theelephantcrossinghotel.com. • THE ELE HANT