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Laos
is a country in Southeast Asia. It is a tropical land
of mountains and thick forests drenched by heavy rains.
Laos has rich soil and valuable mineral deposits, but
its economy has never been developed. The country's official
name is the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Vientiane
is its capital and largest city. In 1975 the communist
Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old
monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization
were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise,
an easing of foreign investment laws, and the admission
into ASEAN in 1997.
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Attractions |
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Wat Sisaket
Wat Sisaket - is the only temple in Vientiane
that survived the sacking of the city by the Siamese in
1828, and is the oldest and one of the most interesting
in the country. In the interior of Ho Trai, the main hall
and inset into the walls of the surrounding courtyard are
hundreds of little niches and shelves containing a total
of 6,840 Buddha images and Buddhist inscriptions of the
18th century.
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Wat
Ho Phakeo
Wat Ho Phakeo - Ho Phakeo was built in 1565
by king Setthathirat when he moved the capital of Lan Xang
from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. It originally housed the
famous Emerald Buddha, now in Bangkok. |
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Patuxay
Patuxay - Situated in the centre of Vientiane
prefecture. The Arch of Triumph, or Victory Gate, was formerly
known only as Anousavary (monument). It was built in 1958
on Lan Xang Avenue, with architecture inspired by the Arc
de Triomphe in Paris, and adorned with typical Lao motifs.
Visitors can climb to the top and enjoy a panoramic view. |
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That Luang
That Luang Shrine (Great Sacred
Stupa) is the most important national monument in Vientiane,
with a golden Stupa believed to contain a relic of the
Lord Buddha. It was constructed in 1566 by King Say Setthathirath
in typical Lao style and is one of the best know That (Stupa)
in Laos. That Luang is the national Emblem of the country. |
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National Ethnic Cultural Park
The National
Ethnic Cultural Park or Suan Vatthana Tham, is located
20 km downriver from Vientiane. The park includes Shady
paths, sculptures of Lao literary heroes and a small zoo.
Visitors can also relax at the Mekong riverside and enjoy
the view of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. |
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Buddha Park
Buddha Park - Or garden of Statues, enshrines
sculptures of Buddha images and Hindu gods, is located
24 km. downstream from Vientiane. |
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Wat
Xieng Thong
Wat Xieng Thong - wat Xieng Thong is a masterpiece
of Buddhist architecture of the 16th century, impressing
visitors with its golden facades and mural paintings. The
temple wass used for the highest royal ceremonies and to
temporarily house the bodies of the deceased kings. |
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Kuangsi Waterfall
Kuangsi Waterfall - The cave is about 30 km
away from Luang Prabang. Travelers can also visit hilltribe
people along their way to the cave. Beautiful natural scenery,
flowers and wildlife surround the location. |
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Pak Ou Cave
Pak Ou Cave
- This highly venerated underground sanctuary houses
thousands of Buddha
images, and is accessible
by boat along the Mekong River from Luang Prabang. Lao
people traditionally bring a Buddha image to house in the
cave. A nearby village, Ban Shang Hai, allows visitors
to taste their fermernted rice whisky called " Lao
Lao" |
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FESTIVALS
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Bun
Pha Wet (January)
Falling on different dates throughout the month - so that people can exchange
invitations with friends and families in different villages to join in their
celebrations - this festival is a commemoration of the Jataka, the life story
of Lord Buddha as Prince Vestsantara. The story is recited in temples throughout
the country and this is considered a particularly auspicious time for ordination
as a monk.
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Magha
Puja (February)
Held on the night of the full moon, this festival commemorates the original teachings
of Lord Buddha given to over a thousand monks who came spontaneously to hear
him speak. The festival is marked by grand parades of candle-bearing worshippers
circling their local temples, merit-making, and much religious music and chanting. |
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Vietnamese
Tet & Chinese
New Year (February)
Celebrated in Vientiane, Pakse and Savannakhet by the larger Vietnamese and Chinese
communities, who close their businesses for several days during this period,
this festival combines visits to temples and merit making with noisy parties,
and hundreds of strings of firecrackers.
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Boun
Khoun Khao (March)
A harvest festival celebrated at local temples |
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Boun
Pimai (April)
Lasting several days in mid-April, this is the celebration of the Lao New Year
and is a combination of merriment and meditation. Similar to festivals at this
time of year in other Southeast Asian countries - particularly Thailand - Boun
Pimai is celebrated with parades, dancing, singing and enthusiastic water-throwing.
The religious aspects of the festival are most apparent in Luang Prabang, where
water pouring ceremonies are used to Buddha statues are worshiped with water
pouring ceremonies. Temple compounds are further decorated with small sand Stupas,
offered as merit towards good fortune and health. |
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Visakha
Puja (May)
Chanting, religious instruction, and candlelit processions highlight this temple
festival in celebration of the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. |
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Boun
Bang Fai (May)
With its origins in pre-Buddhist rain-invoking ceremonies, this festival now
coincides with the Lao Visakha Puja celebrations. Parades, songs, dances and
partying all lead to an explosive climax as huge, ornate, homemade bamboo rockets
are blessed and fired into the skies to invite the rains. Rocket-makers earn
both merit and honour if their creations fly high. This dramatic festival is
also celebrated in north east Thailand. |
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Khao
Phansaa (June/July)
Marking the beginning of the three-month Buddhist Lent, which commences at the
full moon in July and continues until the full moon in October, this is considered
a particularly auspicious time for Lao men to enter the monkhood and is marked
by numerous ordination ceremonies. |
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Haw
Khao Padap Din (August)
Devoted to remembering and paying respect to the dead, it is marked by the macabre
ceremony of exhuming previously buried bodies, cleaning the remains, and then
cremating them on the night of the full moon. Relatives then present gifts to
the monks who have chanted on behalf of those who have passed away. |
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Awk
Phansaa (October)
Marking the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent on the day of the full moon.
Monks are at last permitted to leave the temple and are presented with gifts.
One particularly beautiful aspect is Lai Hua Fai. On the eve of Awk Phansaa people
gather at the nearest body of water to release dozens of small banana-leaf boats
decorated with candles, incense and small flowers, in a celebration similar to
the Thai Loy Krathong.
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Bun
Nam (October)
In riverside towns such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Savannakhet, the highly
competitive Bun Nam boat races (suang heua) are held during the same time as
Awk Phansaa. Smaller communities sometimes hold these races on National Day
on 2nd December |
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Boun
That Luang (November)
Though celebrated at many temples around the country, this festival is traditionally
centred at That Luang in Vientiane. Fairs, beauty contests, music and fireworks
take place throughout the week of the full moon, and end with a candlelight procession
(wien thien) around the temple of That Luang. |
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Lao
National Day (2nd December - public holiday)
Streets strewn with national flags and banners, processions, parades, and speeches
are the highlights of this celebration for the victory of the proletariat in
1975. |
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Fax
: (66 2 ) 268 1288