VIENTIANE PROVINCE
Vientiane Province is located in the central of Laos, far
from Vientiane Capital around 85 kilometers. It has total area of 22.554 square
kilometers 2/3 of the land is mountainous and 1/3 is land field. It shares
border with another provinces such as : Luang Prabang to the north, Xieng
Khouang to the north east, Bolikhamxay to the east, Vientiane Capital city to
the south, Sayabouly to the west and Loei Province (Thailand) to the south west
which 97 kilometers length. The provoince has a total population of 450.329
people, female 224.065 people, Vientiane Province consist of 13 districts:
Thoulakhom District, Viengkham, Keo-oudom, Phonhong, Hinherb, Vang Vieng, Kasi,
Meuang Mad, Meuang Feuang, Sanakham, Xaysomboun, Hom and Meuane District. The
capital city of Vientiane Province is Phonhong District. The landscape in
Vientiane Province varies from the flat, fertile alluvial plains of the Mekong
River Valley to rugged limestone mountains in the northern and western part of
the province. Vientiane Province is well-known for having the highest mountain
peak in Laos 2,819m Phou Bia Outside of the main provincial towns the
countryside is a beautiful, lush green mosaic of rice paddies, tropical fruit
trees, and jungle vegetation dotted with quaint villages where traditional
architecture and lifestyles can be seen. The small town of Vang Vieng 150 km
north of the capital is set in a dreamlike landscape of bizarre limestone
mountain peaks and sheer cliffs with the Nam Song River bisecting the town. At
the base of the town’s limestone mountains are a network of caves to explore.
There are a variety of well-developed tourism services in Vang Vieng and a wide
range of accommodations. Water sports
such as kayaking and tubing are popular and rock climbing is also a growing pastime.
For those who prefer less exhausting travel, Vang Vieng’s sights include
several 16th and 17th century monasteries and the small Hmong villages of Nam
Som and Nam Muang.
VIENTIANE CAPITAL
Located on a curve of the Mekong River, Vientiane Capital
has a recorded history that stretches back to around 1,000 AD. The area was
originally settled because of the fertility of the surrounding alluvial plains,
and Vientiane became the capital city of Laos around the mid-16th century. Vientiane
Capital is the home to the most significant national monument in Laos: That
Luang (Great Stupa), which is the symbol of Lao and an icon of Buddhism in
Laos. Of the many beautiful Wats in Vientiane, a visit to Wat Sisaket is a
must; built in 1818, this is one of the oldest temples in Vientiane. Other
Buddhist holy places are Wat Ong Teu Mahavihan, known for its 16th century
bronze Buddha sheltered by a carved wooden masterpiece, and Wat Si Meuang, the
site of the Lak Meuang or pillar-stone of Vientiane. Wat Si Meuang is also home
to the guardian spirit of the city. Hor Phakeo, across the street from Wat
Sisaket houses a beautiful collection of Buddha statues, including traditional
Lao style of the "Calling for Rain" and "Offering
Protection". Spend a morning in the Lao National Museum, which displays an
interesting mixture of revolutionary and contemporary exhibitions. The main
sights in Vientiane are only a short walk or bicycle ride from most hotels. Wat
Xieng Khouan, better known as the Buddha Park should not be missed: take a
tuk-tuk to this unique park that includes Buddhist and Hindu. Shopping for
handicrafts is easy in Vientiane Capital; visit Talat Sao (morning market) for
a wide range of colourful textiles including silks, wall-hangings and other
decorative pieces. For very fine handicrafts, try one of the many upscale
galleries in the city center. Keep your eyes open for traditional wood
carvings, mulberry paper and a variety of basketry made from bamboo and rattan.
XAYSOMBOUN PROVINCE
Xaysomboun Province was established on 13 December, 2013 as
is the 18th Province of Laos. It is located in the central part of Laos,
bordering Xiengkhouang Province to the north and the east, Bolikhamxay Province
to the south and Vientiane Province to the west. The Province consists of 5
districts which include Anouvong, Long Cheng, Long San, Hom and Tha Thom
District. The total population is around 80,000 with Hmong the majority of its
people. This province does not share any borders with neighboring countries. Xaysomboun
Province has abundant natural resources scattered in high mountains and steep
valleys. Due to this contour, the climate in Xaysomboun is pretty cool with the
annual average temperature of approximately 20˚C. Furthermore, this province
has rich culture and tradition coupled with generous hospitality of local people.
BOLIKHAMXAY PROVINCE
Bolikhamxay Province, located just south of Vientiane in
central Laos, is a center for ecotourism activities with its two national
protected areas and extensive system of wetlands. The journey from Ban Khoun
Kham to Lak Sao on Route 8 offers spectacular scenery of karst mountain
landscapes and is considered to be one of the most impressive passages in the
country. Wat Phabath, located on the road between Vientiane and Pakxan is an
important pilgrimage site and sacred temple that houses a shrine containing a
giant footprint of the Lord Buddha (phabath). It is believed that all travelers
passing by the temple should stop and pay their respects to the spirits for a
safe journey and strong health. Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area (NPA)
covers an area of 2.000 km2 in Bolikhamxay and Vientiane Province has excellent
evergreen, mixed decidous and coniferous forests in addition to extensive
fire-clima grasslands which support key species that include wild elephants,
white-cheeked gibbons and green peafowl. A commuity managed elephant watching
tower in Ban Na provides one of the best opportunities to view large wildlife
in Laos. One can take nature walks with village guides through the park's old
growth forests and well-known waterfalls-Tad Leu, Tad Xay and Tad Xang.
Self-guided walks are also available from the visitor center at Tad Leuk which
has camping facilities and tents for rent. Nam Kading NPA is abundant with
wildlife dueits low population density and biologically diverse forest ecology.
Elephant, gaur, giant muntjac, gibbon, the sooty babbler, rufous-throated
fulvetta, river lapwing, wreathed and great hombills and large otters are just
some of the many species that inhabit the area. One of the country's most
extensive wetland systems is located southwest of Pakxan town and is known to
have a very unique and abundant population of migratory birds. The wetlands can
be reached by motorbike or truck via a number of dirt trails leaving town. Also
of interest is the natural cool springs along the Nam Mang River, a pleasant
site for swimming and picnicking.
KHAMMOUANE PROVINCE
The Limestone Mountains are honeycombed with countless
caves, some of which for years concealed forgotten treasures. The Buddha Cave
(Tham Pa Fa) was discovered in 2004 and houses 229 priceless Buddha images.
Kong Lor Cave is perhaps the most well-known in the province. It is 7.5
kilometers long and as high and wide as 90-100 meters in some places. The
province has three national protected areas (NPA) that cover an enormous area
about 6,295 square kilometers in total. Phou Hin Poun NPA encompasses much of
the limestone forest and has 43 recorded species of bats. The Hin Namno NPA is
located in the area where the Central Indochina Limestone meets the Annamite
Chain, and as a result, has prominent limestone escarpments and caves. The most
important area in terms of biodiversity is the Nakai-Nam Theun NPA with its
complex range of habitats and newly discovered species of mammals such as the
saola, giant muntjac, and Indochinese warty pig. Locally made products include
handmade incense sticks, naturally dyed cotton and silk weavings produced in
the Kong Lor area. The province’s favorite snack, khaonome parn, is a soft
sticky green and black colored sweet wrapped in banana leaves made with yellow
soy beans and coconut in the middle. This treat was originally brought to Laos
generations by Vietnamese settlers. Today, whenever Lao people visit Khammouane
they are obliged to bring back a bag of khaonome parn to their friends and
family. Fertile land here is well suited to plantations of rice, cabbage, sugar
cane, bananas, etc. Total population is made up of lowland and up-land Lao
groups: Phuan, Tahoy, Kri, Katang etc. Thakhaek is the provincial capital,
situated across the Mekong from Nakorn Phanom in Thailand. It also has much
well preserved French colonial architecture similar to that found in Vientiane.
The Lao, Phouthai and other Tai-speaking peoples are the main ethnic groups in
Khammouane. Inhabiting mainly lowland river valleys . There are also Mekong or
Bru people, a Mon-Khmer-speaking ethnic minority that make up 13% of the
provincial population. In smaller numbers are the Kri, Nguan, Atel, Themarou,
and Maleng who are mainly found in the mountainous eastern part of the
province. The vast forest of the Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area is an
important watershed that feeds many Mekong tributaries as well as forms the
catchment area for Nam Theun 2, the largest hydropower project in Laos.
SAVANNAKHET
Savannakhet Province is situated in the middle of the
country and the largest province (21,774 square kilometers), being bordered by
Vietnam to the East, Thailand to the West, Khammouane Province to the North and
Salavanh Province to the South. 60% of land is covered by forests. A wide
variety of ethnic groups are found in the province: Lowland Lao, Phoutai, Thai
Dam, Katang, Mangkong, Vali, Lava, Soui, Kapo, Kaleung and Ta-Oi. In addition,
many Vietnamese and Chinese descendants live in the province as well. This fact
makes the province rich in cultural and gastronomic diversity. Savannakhet has long been a center of trade and power. The
province is well noted as the birthplace of the Honorable Kaisone Phomvihan,
first Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and co-founder of the
Lao PDR. His house and a museum documenting his life achievements can be
visited in Savannakhet Town. The province’s history, however, goes back long
before the time of man. The area was once inhabited by dinosaurs as evidenced
by the bones found in Bang Tang Wai Village and the giant footprints found in
Phalanxay, which are documented in the Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum. Remnants of
an ancient civilization can be seen at the Stone temple, “Heuan Hin” a
pre-Angkorian building located 40km down stream from town along the Mekong.
That Ing Hang Stupa, originally built more than 1.000 years ago and later
rebuilt by King Saysethathirath in the 16th century, is the province’s most
important religious site. Also of interest is the historic library, Hortay
Pidok, which is believed to have been built in the 18th century and was
traditionally used to house old “Bai Lan” Buddhist scriptures. Of more recent
history is the section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail which passes through Savannakhet.
Old tanks, guns and other war equipment left behind on the trail can be seen
near villages on Route 9 near the Vietnam border. The Phouthai ethnic group,
known for its unique silk and cotton weaving, claimsits origin in the
province’s Vilabouly District. The Katang ethnic group, which is loved for its
famous folk song, Lam Tang Wai, also has traditional lands in Savannakhet. For
nature enthusiasts, trekking in Dong Phou Vieng National Protected Area (NPA)
provides an opportunity to see rare Douc and Silvered Langurs. Phou Xang Hae
NPA has a population of wild elephants as well as distinctive rocky outcrops
and vistas. The Eld’s deer, once considered to be extinct in Laos, were
rediscovered in 2002 in Xonbouly District and are revered by local villagers.
The Province is a hot spot for crocodiles, which inhabit the confluence of the
Champhone and Xe Bang Hieng Rivers. Hundreds of stump-tailed macaques,
considered sacred by locals, are easily spotted in the 4-hectare Monkey Forest.
Giant Asian soft shelled turtles, also considered sacred, can be easily seen in
Ban Done Daeng. In Dong Na Tad Provincial Forest, snakes, monkeys and old-growth
forest are well protected by the villagers for spiritual reasons. Locally
guided tours to the area are available.
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