champa holidays #15

ທອງທຽວໄປກບອາຊຽນ

ງານມະຫາກຳບນຊາງ 2013

ໂສມໜາໃໝຂອງແຂວງບລຄຳໄຊ

ອກຄງນງທຮາໂນຍ

ກບຕນແຫວນທອງ ສລວງ

ASEAN Hightlights

The Lao Elephant Festival 2013

Bolikhamxay Rediscovered

Hanoi Stopover Captain Vanthong Soulivong

w w w . L a o a i r L i n e s . c o m | w w w . c h a m p a h o L i d a y s . c o m | w w w . c h a m p a m a g . c o m

issue 15 FeBruary - march

Lao airLines in-FLight magazine

VoL 03 issu

e 15 ch

am

pa h

oLid

ays tou

rs an

d g

uid

e in La

os

ww

w.

ch

am

pa

ma

g.

co

m

Dr.Somphone DOUANGDARAPresident of Lao Airlines

Welcome on BoardOn the occasion of welcoming New Year 2013, Lao Airlines is pleased to introduce four new regional routes due to rising demand, and service which is already available for businesspeople and tourists.

We have launched a Pakse-Danang-Pakse route with three flights per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday) as well as a Pakse-Bangkok-Pakse via Sa-vannakhet routing with five weekly flights (Mon-day, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday). These flights incorporate direct access between Savan-nakhet and Bangkok. Lao Airlines has also opened three flights per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday) between Savannakhet and Danang. The New Year will also see a fourth new Airbus A320 and an ATR 72-600 join Lao Airlines grow-ing fleet as part of our new business development plan to better serve passengers. The aircrafts are expected to arrive in Vientiane within months, at which time a handover ceremony will take place with the contracting company.

On behalf of all Lao Airlines’ staff, I would like to thank you for choosing our carrier, wish you a safe journey, and hope you select us for your next flight.

ວາລະຕອນຮບປໃຫມ 2013 ລດວສາຫະກດການ ບນລາວ ຍນດຕອນຮບທານໃນເສນທາງບນເຊງໄດ ເປດໃຫການບລການ ແລະ ກຳລງຈະເປດໃຫບລການໃຫແກນກທລະກດ, ນກທອງທຽວໄປຍງຈດໝາຍປາຍທາງໂດຍການເຊອມຕຈາກສະໜາມບນໃຫຍເຊນ: ປາກເຊ ໄປກບ ດານງ 3 ຖຽວຕອາທດ (ອງຄານ, ພະຫດ, ອາທດ) ປາກເຊ ໄປກບ ບາງກອກ ຜານສະຫວນນະເຂດ 5 ຖຽວຕອາທດ (ຈນ, ພດ, ສກ, ເສາ, ອາທດ) ສະຫວນນະເຂດ ໄປກບ ບາງກອກ 5 ຖຽວຕອາທດ (ຈນ, ພດ, ສກ, ເສາ, ອາທດ) ສະຫວນນະເຂດ ໄປກບ ດານງ 3 ຖຽວບນຕອາທດ (ອງຄານ, ພະຫດ, ອາທດ)

ຂາວດອກອນໜງກຄໃນໄວໆນເຮອບນ Airbus 320 ລຳທ 4 ແລະ ເຮອບນ ATR 72-600 ກຈະໄດເດນ ທາງມາເຖງວຽງຈນ ແລະ ຮບມອບກນລະຫວາງບສດ ລດວສາຫະກດການບນລາວ ເຮອບນທງສອງລຳຈະ ໄດມາບນໃຫບລການຕາມແຜນພດທະນາຂອງການ ບລການລກຄາ, ນກທອງທຽວ ແລະ ຜໂດຍສານທງ ຫລາຍ.

ສະບາຍດທານຜອານທງຫາຍ

ຍນດຕອນຮບສວາລະສານຈຳປາຮລເດສະບບທ 15 ປະຈຳເດອນກມພາ/ມນາ 2013, ວາລະສານແນະນຳການທອງທຽວທດທສດ ຢໃນລາວໂດຍຜານບດຂຽນ ກຽວກບຂມນການທອງທຽວ ແລະ ຮບພາບທເປນແຮງ ບນດານໃຈຈາກທມງານທຊຽວຊານດານການທອງ ທຽວນຳມາສະເໜທານ. ໃນສະບບນ ເບນ ໄດນຳສະເໜແຫລງທອງ ທຽວຂອງ 10 ປະເທດອາຊຽນທທກຄນຄວນໄດໄປ ແລະ ຄນພບແຫງທອງທຽວບອນໃຫມຂອງແຂວງບລ ຄຳໄຊ. ແລະ ຄວາມຕນເຕນຫຍງໃຫຍຂອງບນຊາງທ ແຂວງໄຊຍະບລຊງໄດກາຍມາເປນປະເພນ ແລະ ເອ ກະລກຂອງແຂວງ. ເຊນ: ປະເພນ ສຂວນຊາງ, ພທແຫ ແລະ ເຕາໂຮມຊາງພາຍໃນແຂວງ ນອກນນກຍງມກດຈະກຳສະແດງວທຝກຊາງ, ການອະນລກຊາງ. ໄຊຍະບລ ແມນໜງໃນແຂວງທມຊາງລຽງຫາຍທສດ ຂອງ ສປປ ລາວ. ຈາກແຫງທອງທຽວແລວບນດາ ໂຮງແຮມທມລະດບບວາພາຍໃນ ແລະ ຕາງປະເທດ ຮາໂນຍ. ກໄດຖກແນະນຳໃຫທານລະອຽດພສມຄວນ ຊງທານສາມາດເລອກເຟນໄດຕາມອດທະຍາໄສ. ນອກນນ ສງ ທແປກໃຫມກແມນຄລຳສຳພາດ ຊງ ຂເປດສກກະລາດດວຍ ກບຕນ ແຫວນທອງ ສລວງ ກບຕນແອບສ ມນງຂອງສາຍການບນລາວ ທຫລາຍ ຄນໃຫຄວາມສນໃຈ.

EXECUTIVE ADVISERS:MR. SOUKASEUM PHOTHISANEDR. SOMPHONE DOUANGDARAMR. SOMSANOUK MIXAY MR. CHANTHY DEUANSAVANH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:MR. SOUKHEE NORASILPLAO PROOF EDITOR:MR. SOMSOUK SOUKSAVATH ENGLISH EDITOR:MR. BERNIE ROSENBLOOMEXECUTIVE EDITOR:MS. PHITSMAI CHANTHABOURY

GRAPHIC DESIGNER:INSMAI CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONTRANSALATION:MR. ANOUSA KOUNNAVONGPHOTOGRAPHY:FAB WORLD | MARIONACCOUNT-FINANCE:MS. KHOUNKHAM CHANTHABOURYCHAMPA HOLIDAYS MAGAzINE IS PRODUCED & PUBLISHED BY INSMAI CREATIVE COMMUNICATION TEL/FAX: (856-21) 223590, 020 22464321

[email protected]

www.champamag.com | www.insmai.com

OWNER & PUBLISHER:INTER MEDIA LAO CO.LTDTEL/FAX: (856-21) [email protected] license of Lao Airlines

LAO AIRLINES HEAD OFFICE:WATTAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTSOUPHANOUVONG AVENUEVIENTIANE CAPITAL, LAO P.D.RP.O BOX: 6441TEL: (856-21) 513 150FAX: (856 -21) 512 004

[email protected] | www.laoairlines.com

LAO AIRLINES IN-FLIGHT MAGAzINE

Sabaidee readers,

Welcome to the 15th edition of Champa Holidays magazine, Laos best travel magazine, and filled with insightful tourism articles written by inspired travel experts and highlighted with excellent photos.

In the February-March 2013 edition, Bernie Rosenbloom heads to the Asean Tourism Forum to uncover the latest attractions and activities at Lao Airline’s regional destinations. Back in Laos, Sayabouly Province’s annual Elephant Festival is coming up in February. Pachyderms from throughout the province will gather for the iconic cultural event, that includes the crowning of “The Elephant of the Year”, processions, cere-monies, performances, markets, and activities to raise awareness in this endangered species. Sayabouly, known as the “Land of the Elephants”, has the largest elephant population in Laos.

This issue also gives readers a tourist view of neighboring Hanoi, with its historical and cultural attractions, a dining hotspot, and an over-night stay at the venerable Sofitel Legend Metropole. We also take you to relatively unexplored Bolikhamxay Province, easily accessed from Vientiane Capital, host of the “Vientianale” Film Festival from 26 Febru-ary to 2 March.

Until we meet again in the next issue, the Champa Holidays team and I wish you a very pleasant and safe journey.

Soukhee NorasilpEditor-in-Chief

Editor’s Note

ຂອວຍພອນໄຊໃຫທານເດນທາງດວຍຄວາມສະຫວດດພາບ.

ສາລະບານ




ໂຮງແຮມອບສະຣາ

ອອກພບຕກ: ຫນປຽນວດທະນະທຳ ໃຫກາຍເປນເສດຖະກດ


ກບຕນແຫວນທອງ

ມະຫະກຳຮບເງາສາກນ ວຽງຈນນານ

ຈຳປາພາທວ ສະຫວນ - ດານງ

11

14

18

26

28

32

43

50

52

ASEAN Hightlights



Apsara: A Peaceful Pair

Ock Pop Tok: Where East Meets West in Style

Hanoi Stopover

Meet Pilot Vanthong Silivong

Vientianale 3

Champa Tour in Danang

18

26

43

14

28

CoNtENts

11

Hightlights

Laos hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum in January, and the event starred TRAVEX, a trade show featuring the latest regional hot spots. For this issue, Bernie Rosenbloom visited Travex to find five new regional highlights, and discovered LEGOLAND in Malaysia, Bai Dinh Pagoda in Viet-nam, Bikes in Bangkok, Cambodia’s Yeak Laom Volcano Lake, and Ban Yang Kheua in Laos.

Five Highlights in AsEAN

1. Lego Comes Alive…AlmostIf you’re looking for a full day of family fun while in Malaysia, LEGOLAND tops the charts. Located on 76 acres, Asia’s first LEGOLAND, in the country’s southernmost Jahor Bahru and a jump from the Singapore causeway, features more than 40 rides, shows and interactive attractions in seven themed areas for all ages: The Beginning, LEGO® Technic, LEGO Kingdoms, Imagination, LEGO City, Land of Adventure, and MINILAND. MINILAND, the park’s centrepiece, recreated Asian landmarks in 1:20 scale using more than 30 million LEGO bricks. From LEGO experiment centres to roller coasters, LEGOLAND pre-sents a day-long voyage of discovery for everyone.

www.legoland.com.my

Ecotourism Laos

2. Vietnam’s Sacred WalkVisit Vietnam’s largest pagoda complex about 95 kilometres south of Hanoi, but before you reach Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province, expect to see plenty more. First, you’ll enter the 700 ha site through the country’s largest gate of its kind: 550 tonnes of iron wood. Then stroll down a 1-km corridor lined with 500 white-stone Arhat statues to a tower with its 36-ton bronze bell and the Kwan Yin Sanctum with its massive statue. The Phap Chu Sanctum comes next with the heaviest bronze Buddha image in the country. A climb to Tam The Sanctum and a 2-km walk through nature leads to 200 steps to the an-cient Bai Dinh Pagoda.

www.vietnamtourism.com

Town

Airport

Mekong RiverMukdahan Welcome Center

Thailand

Town

Airport

Mekong RiverMukdahan Welcome Center

Thailand

13

Vientiane-based travel writer,

Bernie Rosenbloom, has covered

Southeast Asia for more than 15

years. He has authored several

Lao provincial guidebooks, and

along with Champa Holidays, has

recently contributed stories about

Laos to Thai Airway’s Sawasdee

magazine, PATA Compass, and

Travel Review. Bernie is currently

a public relations consultant for

the Laos Sustainable Tourism

Development Project, Lanith (Lao

National Institute for Tourism

and Hospitality), and the New

zealand-Laos CBT-SED project. E [email protected]

W www.bernco-laos.com

3. Bikes in BangkokBeating Bangkok traffic has taken a new twist. First, the BTS skytrain smoothened commutes, and then the MRT under-ground entered the picture. Now, it’s bicycles. In November 2012, the City of Angels embarked on a programme to make moving around the city even easier by renting out 100 cycles at the MRT’s Sam Yan station and the BTS’ Siam stop. Now it’s expanding the project to 50 stations and 500 bicycles early this year, and peddlers can purchase a registration card, which includes an insurance package. So for those wanting to really beat Bangkok’s stifling traffic to see the sites…saddle up.

www.tourismthailand.org

4. Super Round, Super ClearAdventure travellers that want a new natural experience can head to Cambodia’s far northeast to Ratanakiri Province and Yeak Laom Volcano Lake. Close to town, this perfectly round crater, 750 metres in diameter, presents a 48-metre-deep, crystal clear lake, perfect for a swim, picnic, or hike around the crater rim of the old volcano. You’ll also find a small informa-tive local museum. This area represents Cambodia’s finest at-tempt at preserving a natural site, and features a wood deck for jumping into cool waters. Nearby, park rangers erected examples of traditional bride and groom homes on stilts.

www.tourismcambodia.com

5. Laos Latest Natural TreatTry trekking alongside rapids to a swimming hole, natural waterslide, and boat ride at Ban Yang Kheua. Located near Vientiane, you’ll hit the turn at Km 99 on Route 13 South to the ethnic Meui village, a charming relaxing riverside commu-nity. Along with its temple and shrine, the village, known for basket weaving, offers a new lodge for overnight visitors, the opportunity for a traditional massage, and the base for this authentic cultural and natural adventure. The trail follows the Yong River’s rapids to wide, short falls and a clear pool for a swim. From here, a boat takes you back to the new landing at Ban Yang Kheua.

For more information on the 2013, ASEAN Tourism Forum in Laos, visit www.atflaos.com

Hightlights

14

INSIDE LAOS

,tstde[o-k xt9exu @W!#

ພະແນກຖະແຫງຂາວ, ວດຖະນະທຳ ແລະ ທອງທຽວແຂວງໄຊຍະບລຈະ ເປນເຈາພາບຈດມະຫະກຳບນຊາງປະຈຳປຄງທ 6 ຂອງລາວຂນໃນວນທ 17-19 ເດອນກມພາ ຂອງທກປ ທເມອງໄຊຍະບລເພອເປນການສະເຫມ ສະຫອງສາຍສຳພນທມມາແຕດນນານລະຫວາງຄນ ແລະ ສດທແສນ ຮນ. ໃນເບອງຕນງານບນດງກາວຖກສາງຕງຂນ ແລະ ຊນຳໂດຍອງການ ຈດຕງທບຫວງຜນກຳໄລ “ອງການຊາງອາຊ” ຫ (ElefantAsia) ແລະ ບນດງກາວກເຄຍຖກໝນວຽນຈດໂດຍຕວເມອງຕາງໆຂອງແຂວງ, ແຕສຳລບການເລອກສະຖານທຈດບນໃນປ 2013 ຍງແມນເມອງໄຊຍະບລເຊງຖກເລອກສາມປຊອນແລວ.

ຊາງຈຳນວນກວາ 60 ໂຕຈະໄດແຂງຂນກນຊງລາງວນອນຊງຄນ ຄາ “ລາງວນຊາງແຫງປ” ແລະ ກຄາດວາຈະມການແຫຂະບວນຊາງ, ການອາບນຳຊາງ, ການສະແດງຂອງຄວນຊາງ, ພທບາສຊຂວນຊາງ ແລະ ພທສດໃຫພອນຊາງທມສສນ ຄຽງຄກບການສະແດງສດຂອງ ນກສລະປນຈາກພາຍໃນ ແລະ ຕາງປະເທດ, ຕະຫາດກາງຄນ, ການຄບ ງນມວນຊນ ແລະ ອກຫາຍໆຢາງທໜາສນໃຈ.

ບນຊາງທມສສຽງນໄດດງດດຜທເດນທາງມາທຽວຊມນບແຕໄດຖກຈດຂນເປນຄງທຳອດໃນປ2008 ເກອບເຖງ 100,000ຄນແລະ ກໄດຕອນ ຮບຜທຮກຊາງທກເພດໄວ ເພອເຂາຮວມສະເຫມສະຫອງງານປະເພນວດທະນະທຳທເຕມໄປດວຍໄມຕຈດ, ຄວາມເບກບານມວນຊນ ແລະ ຈດຂນໃນບນຍາກາດຂອງຊນນະບດ.

ນອກນງານບນດງກາວຍງເປນກາລະໂອກາດອນດທຈະຍກສງຄວາມ ເຂາໃຈກຽວກບສະພາບຂອງຊາງອາຊໃນລາວ ແລະ ກຽວກບສງທຄວນ ໄດຮບການຈດຕງປະຕບດທຈຳເປນໃນການປອງກນບໃຫສາຍສຳ ພນສດອນງດງາມນສນພນ. ແຂວງໄຊຍະບລເຊງຖກຮບຮກນໃນນາມ “ດນແດນເມອງຊາງ” 75% ເປນບອນອາໄສຂອງປະຊາກອນຊາງ, ບານ ຈຳນວນຫາຍກວາ 500ໂຕຂອງລາວ ແລະ ຊາງປາປະມານ100-150ໂຕ.

ການເດນທາງ:ຈາກວຽງຈນ > ເດນທາງດວຍລດເມ/ລດຕ: ຂນລດເມຕອນເຊາ (8:00ໂມງເຊາ) ຫ ລດເມຖຽວ ກາງຄນ (16:00ໂມງແລງ) ຈາກສະຖານລດເມສາຍເໝອໃໝ, ຄາບລການ110,000ກບ.ເດນທາງດວຍລດສວນຕວ: ການເດນທາງດວຍລດສວນຕວແມນໄວກວາ ແລະ ຈະກນເວລາ ພຽງ 8 ຊວໂມງໂດຍທານສາມາດນຳໃຊເສນທາງໃໝຈາກສາມແຍກສໄຄທແລນລຽບແຄມຂອງ ໄປຫາປາກລາຍ ແລະ ແລນຕາມເສນທາງເລກສໄປຫາເມອງໄຊຍະບລ ຫລ ທານສາມາດໃຊບ ລການຂອງການເຊາລດ ເອລບຄາທສາມາດ ນຳພາທານໄປດວຍປອດໄພ ພອມຄນຂບລດທຊຳນານ.ດວຍເຮອບນແມນສາມາດ ບນໄປຫລວງພະບາງ ເພອນງລດຈາກຫລວງພະບາງ ໄປແຂວງໄຊຍະບລກຖວາສະດວກເຊນກນ.ຫລໃນລະຫວາງມງານກມການຈດຖຽວບນສະເພາະຖານສາມາດເບງລາຍລະອຽດທgເວບໄຊ

ຈາກແຂວງຫວງພະບາງ > ໂດຍລດເມ/ລດສວນຕວ: ລດເມອອກສອງຖຽວຕມຈາກສະຖານລດເມຫວງພະບາງ (8:00ເຊາ ແລະ 14:00ໂມງ)ໃຊເວລາປະມານ 4 ຊວໂມງເຖງແຂວງໄຊຍະບລ. ການເດນທາງດວຍລດສວນຕວຈະໄວກວາເລກນອຍ.

P +856-30-518 0095 W www.sayaboulytourism.com 15

The Sayabouly Provincial Tourism Department is host-ing the 6th annual Lao Elephant Festival from 17-19 February in Sayabouly Town to celebrate the age-old relationship between humans and this incredible animal. Originally established and supervised by the non-profit organisation, ElefantAsia, and once rotated among districts, the 2013 venue choice makes it three years in a row for Sayabouly.

No less than 60 elephants will be competing for the prestigious title of “Elephant of the Year”. Expect to see colourful processions, elephant bathing, mahout dem-onstrations, elephant baci ceremonies, and traditional Monk blessings, along with live performances by Lao and foreign artists, night markets, fun fairs, and more.

The popular Lao Elephant Festival has been attract-ing close to 100,000 visitors since it first took place in 2008, and it welcomes elephant lovers of all ages to the friendly, joyful, and rural setting for this celebra-tion of cultural tradition.

The festival also presents an occasion to raise aware-ness on the plight of the Asian elephant in Laos, and on how action needs to be taken now to stop this beautiful species from becoming extinct. Known as “The Land of the Elephants”, Sayabouly is home to 75% of Laos’ 500-plus domesticated pachyderm popula-tion, and between 100-150 wild elephants.

inside Laos making track elephant festival

16

inside Laos making track elephant festival

Getting there...From Vientiane

BY BUS/MINIVAN >Catch a day bus (departing 08:00) or night bus (departing 16:00) from the new Southern Bus Terminal for LAK110 000.

BY CAR > Travel time is faster by car, about eight hours, as the road has been consid-erably improved over the past few years. Two kilometres past Wattay Airport, you will reach a junction. Rather than take Route 13 North to Luang Prabang, con-tinue straight on the road along the Me-kong River which leads to Paklay, and then head north on Route 4 to Sayabouly Town.

From Luang Prabang

BUS/CAR: Two busses depart every day from the Luang Prabang bus station (departing 08:00 and 14:00) for the four-hour ride to Sayabouly. The trip is slightly faster by car.

Where to stay...Santiphap GuesthouseBan Simoungkoun, Muang SayaboulyT: 074 211184

Meky GuesthouseBan Simoungkhoun, Muang SayaboulyT: 074 213105

Nokinsi GuesthouseBan Simeuang, Sayabouly ProvinceT: 074 211017

Sayananh GuesthouseBan Simeuang, Sayabouly ProvinceT : 074 211116

Loungthong ResortBan Thana, Muang SayaboulyT: 020 55979999

ແນະນຳທພກເຊາ

P +856-30-518 0095 W www.sayaboulytourism.com

INSIDE LAOS

18


INSIDE LAOS

19

I first tapped into Bolikhamxay in 1999, and have re-turned to explore what I once considered my personal province at least 10 times since. No one I knew had ever stopped there on the way to Thakhek and points south. Most who had visited Phou Khao Khouay National Pro-tected Area (NPA) were astonished to learn that it was not mostly in Vientiane Province, but ra-ther the tip of Bolikhamxay’s green iceberg.

Then, Douglas Hainsworth from the New zealand CBT-SED project (Community-based Tourism-Social & Economic De-velopment) pushed me back a step. He said the new 100-km paved Route 1D between Phonsavanh and Pakxan was almost done. I didn’t know it had begun. He added that the Kiwi pro-ject was assisting Bolikhamxay in developing its tourist attrac-tions. It was time to share.

BREAKFAST IN LAK XAO In early 2012, the Bolikhamxay Provincial Tourism Depart-ment (PTD) invited me to explore its new sites and facilities. We met in the province’s easternmost Khamkeut District center, Lak Xao Town, as I was following “The Loop” circling much of Khammouane Province and sharing Route 8 with Bo-likhamxay.

The PTD got the ball rolling by convincing a Vietnamese din-ner restaurant to open for breakfast. Greeting us at the door stood eight giant glass jars, brimming with lao khao rice al-cohol soaking a choice of eggs, tubers, herbs, and what ap-peared to be starfish.

Four shot glasses met my simple query: egg for my bones, the starfish from Vietnam for strength, a tuber for back pain, and the herb mix…I forgot, though I remember chasing the lot with a hot glass of Lao coffee carrying a good centimeter coating of cream at the bottom. The meal, basically dinner dishes, included fried frogs. I love this place.

DISCOVERY NO. 1: FOUND BUDDHASAfter visiting hot springs 14km east on Route 8, we returned to Lak Xao and headed north on a bumpy road to the Nam Yeung Dam. After about 5 km, we reached Sop Kham Village and a house holding a birthday baci ceremony. An older man greeted us with the key to one of Bolikhamxay’s latest discov-eries…39 Buddha statuettes found under a Nam Yeung River rock in January 2012 by a man named Sai.

The gatekeeper opened a small wooden shed in the corner of the yard. Inside stood a wooden cabinet he unlocked with a second key. And there they were, standing on shelves covered with an elegant white cloth. After admiring the find and giv-ing time to the PTD team for praying, the doors closed, and I saw Lao newspaper clippings with pictures of the find on the wall. I asked if any foreign tourists had seen these yet. “No,” he said, only locals have come.

inside Laos nature travel Bolikhamxay rediscovered

ຂາພະເຈາໄປບລຄຳໄຊຄງທຳອດໃນປ1999 ແລະ ກເຄຍກບໄປ ແຂວງດງກາວອກຢາງນອຍ10ຄງນບແຕນນມາ. ທກຄນທຂາພະ ເຈາຮຈກຍາມເດນທາງໄປທອງທຽວທາແຂກ ແລະ ແຂວງພາກໃຕບເຄຍຢດທອງທຽວຊມແຂວງນຈກຄນ. ນກທອງທຽວສວນໃຫຍທ ເຄຍໄປປາສະຫງວນແຫງຊາດພເຂາຄວາຍກປະຫາດໃຈທຮບຮ ວາເຂດດງກາວບໄດຂນສະເພາະແຕກບແຂວງວຽງຈນແຕບາງ ສວນແມນຂນກບແຂວງບລຄຳໄຊ.

ຫງຈາກນນຂາພະເຈາກໄດຮບຮຈາກ ທານ ດກຣສ ເຮນສຟອດ ຈາກໂຄງການພດທະນາເສດຖະກດ-ສງຄມດວຍການທອງທຽວ ໃນຊມຊນ ຂອງນວຊແລນ ໃຫຮວາເສນທາງປຢາງຈາກປາກຊນ ຫາ ໂພນສະຫວນແຂວງຊຽງຂວາງເກອບສຳເລດແລວ ແລະ ໂຄງ ການຂອງນວຊແລນກຊວຍແຂວງບລຄຳໄຊໃນການພດທະນາ ແຫງທອງທຽວ ແລະ ລາວກຊກຊວນໃຫຂາພະເຈາເດນທາງກບໄປສຳຫວດແຫງທອງທຽວໃນແຂວງນອກ. ຂາພະເຈາຄດວາ ເຖງເວລາ ແລວທທກທານຕອງຢາກຮກຽວກບບອນທພວກເຮາໄດໄປພບພ:

ອາຫານເຊາທຫກຊາວຫກຊາວເປນຈດສນກາງຂອງເມອງຄຳເກດທາງພາກຕາເວນ ອອກຂອງແຂວງບລຄຳໄຊ ເນອງຈາກວາເປນເມອງຊາຍແດນ ຂາ ພະເຈາຖກເຊນໃຫລອງຮບປະທານອາຫານເຊາທຮານຫວຽດນາມເຊງຂາພະເຈາຮສກວາເປນອາຫານຄຳຫາຍກວາເພາະ ມອາຫານຫາຍຢາງລວມທງເຫາຂາວ ທເສບໄດເປນອາຫານເຊາ.

ຈດທ1: ການຄນພບພຣະພດທະຮບພາຍຫງການທຽວຊມບນຳຮອນທຕງຢທາງພາກຕາເວນອອກ ຂອງຖະໜນເລກ 8 ຫາງຈາກຕວເມອງ14Km, ພວກເຮາກເດນ ທາງກບໄປຫກຊາວ ແລະ ກອອກເດນທາງໄປບານນຳເຢງ ເຊງ ເປນຈດທມການຄນພບພຣະພດທະຮບຈຳນວນ 39 ອງ ຢກອງໂງນຫນໃນແມນຳເຢງໃນເດອນມງກອນປ 2012 ໂດຍທານ ໄສ.

ພຣະພດທະຮບທຖກຄນພບດງກາວຖກເກບໄວພາຍໃນບານ ແລະ ກບເຄຍມນກທອງທຽວຕາງປະເທດເຄຍໄປທຽວຊມ ມພຽງຄນຈຳ

ນວນໜອຍດຽວເທານນທໄດຮ ເຊງເຮດໃຫຂາພະເຈາແປກໃຈ.

20

INSIDE LAOS

22

DISCOVERY NO. 2: BOMBSHELL FISHING BOATSWe continued along the rough dirt road following the Nam Yeung, as it wound between steep mountaintops. The river ended at a noodle shop overlooking an impromptu landing for canoes and longboats used for fishing in the dam’s reser-voir. A few boat captains sat in a shelter drinking lao khao.

“Here we go again,” I winced while gazing at boats made from bombshells. Some were ferrying folks from the surrounding steep hills, which were once mountain peaks above a flooded valley. Even dirt roads disappeared into the lake.

This lao khao’s herb was supposed to cure all my ills, and I thought, “What a good reason to drink.” Then it was time to paddle onto the calm lake sprouting treetops and small hilltop islands. The glass-like surface cried for water skiers, or at least some bomb-shell-fishing tours. “We don’t get tourists yet,” said the captain. “The people here just sell their fish for rice.”

DISCOVERY NO. 3: ENDLESS RAPIDSAfter breakfast the next morning, we rumbled along a dirt road for 15 minutes in Phou Khao Khouay, or PKK as some lo-cals prefer, until we reached the next target, Yang Kheua Vil-lage and the Yong Rapids, where the Nz project is developing a new homestay, trek, and boat ride.

A small dog appeared as we piled into a tractor cart, and he followed us on the shakiest 7-km ride of my life to the Nam Lok. Rock-slab mattresses covered the wide river bed, and the dry season water level allowed us to easily traverse the flow as it calmly dropped from stone step to stone step. We inspected the symmetrical craters housing tiny fish in some of the slabs and washed our faces in the endless rapids.

The troops finally reached a broad set of falls and natural pool, but logistics prevented us from continuing by boat. So, we returned, dog in tow, but our crew wasn’t leaving without leaves. I learned over lunch that the medicinal foliage aided the liver, kidneys, bladder, and everything else, a sober val-ue-added feature to this new experience less than two hours from Vientiane.


ຈດທ2: ເຮອຫາປາທເຮດຈາກສງເສດເຫອຈາກລກລະເບດໃນສະໄໝສງຄາມພວກເຮາສບຕເດນທາງໃນຖະໜນດນແດງຕາມແຄມແມນຳ ເຢງເຊງແລນຜາກາງພເຂາສງຊນ ແລະ ພວກເຮາກເດນທາງ ມາເຖງໜາເຂອນເຊງມເຮອຫາງຍາວທໃຊຫາປາຈອດຢຈຳນວນ ຫາຍ, ໃນນນຂາພະເຈາກສງເກດເຫນວາມເຮອຈຳນວນໜງເຮດດວຍສງເສດເຫອຈາກລກລະເບດສະໄໜສງຄາມ. ບາງລຳກພວມ ຕາງຄນມາຈາກດອນໃກຄຽງເຊງເມອກອນເຄຍເປນຈອມພ ແຕພມ ເຂອນນຳກຖວມເຮດໃຫຈອມພກາຍເປນເກາະດອນ ແລະ ຫນທາງ ກຫາຍໄປໃນອາງນຳ.

ສະຖານທດງກາວເໝາະສຳລບການກດຈະກຳກລາທາງນຳ ຫ ຂ ເຮອເຮດດວຍສງເສດເຫອຈາກລກລະເບດສະໄໝສງຄາມທຽວຊມທວທດປາຍຕນໄມ ແລະ ເກາະດອນຈອມພ. ຄນຂບເຮອຜໜງບອກ ໃຫຮວາສະຖານທແຫງນບມນກທອງທຽວມແຕປະຊາຊນອາໄສການຫາປາຂາຍເພອຊເຂາກນ.

ຈດທ3: ລອງແກງທບມບອນສນສດໃນມຕມາພາຍຫງຮບປະທານອາຫານເຊາ ພວກເຮາກເດນທາງ ຕາມເສນທາງດນແດງ15ນາທໃນເຂດພເຂາຄວາຍ ຫ “PKK” ຕາມແບບທຊາວບານມກເອນກນ ຈນເຖງເປາໝາຍຂອງພວກເຮາຢບານຢາງຂວແລະ ແກງຍງ, ເຊງເປນບອນທໂຄງການຂອງນວຊ ແລນໄດພດທະນາໃຫປະຊາຊນບລການເຮອນເປນບອນນອນ ແຮມ, ການຍາງປາ ແລະ ຂເຮອລອງແກງ. ພຽງແຕຂລດໄຖນາອກ 7km ກຈະໄປເຖງນຳລອກເຊງເປນຈດຂເຮອລອງແກງທບມຈດສນສດ.

INSIDE LAOS

23


DISCOVERY NO. 4: MORE FOUND BUDDHASAlso during lunch, I learned about another recent discovery, and a short drive north on Route 13 to Ban Thoua unveiled it. On 9 March 2012, exactly three weeks before our visit, Mr Mai was looking for a fishing hole along the Hua Pa Fa River. He claims a crow landed near a riverside cave, and at that spot, he noticed a small Buddha image protruding from under a stone slab.

Mr Mai returned to his village, and told six friends, who helped him move the rocky lid. Bingo! More than 30 old Buddha images, including three made of gold. They brought them to Mr Siengsy, who oversees Vat Thoua Beng in Ban Thoua, so locals can make merit to this religious windfall.

And there stood the Buddhas on elaborately decorated shelving in the temple’s corner. Mr Siengsy said he thinks the discovery is important for the village as it brought happiness, and could bestow good luck. Then he read my fortune; I would be rich like a king. I figured if Lao experiences like this counted as money, I already was.

ຈດທ4:ການຄນພບພຣະພດທະຮບອກຈດໜງໃນແຂວງນອກຈາກສະຖານທຕາງໆທກາວມານນ ຂາພະເຈາຍງ ໄດຮບຂາວວາຫວາງບດນມານມການຄນພບພຣະພດ ທະຮບຈຳນວນຫາຍກວາ 30 ອງເຊງບາງອງເຮດດວຍຄຳ ໃນເຂດຫວຍປາຝາ ທຕງຢແຄມທາງເລກ13. ໃນປະຈບນ ພຣະພດທະຮບຈຳນວນດງກາວຖກປະດດສະຖານໄວໃນວດບານທວຍ ແລະ ຊາວບານກກາວກນວາການຄນພບ ດງກາວຈະນຳແຕໂຊກລາບມາສໝບານຂອງເຂາເຈາ.

interview pilot

26

inside Laos accomodation Apsara hotels

Picture a pair of elegant boutique hotels decked out in modern Lao-style décor, and that straddle the Nam Khan River in the peaceful part of Luang Prabang Town,

yet close to UNESCO World Heritage attractions. You’re looking at a canvas painted with The Apsara and The Apsara Rive Droite.

The Apsara, among Luang Prabang’s first upscale boutique hotels, places guests in a renovated rice warehouse on the Nam Khan bank and within walking or cycling distance of most heritage sites. Described by the Washington Post as “an inch be-yond decadence”, The Apsara features traditional Lao atmosphere with all the comforts and quality service expected by discerning guests.

The two-storey hotel oozes with a distinct Lao style and character through its high ceilings, silk fabrics, and traditional furniture. Contemporary simplicity reigns, with elegant touches and attention to the finest details adding to its distinct charm from the lobby and restaurant to the rooms.

All accommodation present balconies facing the river, and opening their doors floods the space with natural light. The large upstairs superior rooms of-fer soothing beds on wooden floors. The equally sizeable downstairs superior rooms feature double beds and daybeds, as well as spacious bathrooms with deep tubs. The slightly smaller standard rooms hold similar creature comforts, with some deliver-ing large rain showers.

The Apsara’s restaurant has earned a reputation as one of the city’s best. The menu tantalizes palates with innovative fusion dishes, Lao cuisine, international selections, and delightful desserts, accompanied by an impressive wine list. Just outside, the river terrace presents a relaxing evening spot with spectacular views, perfect for an afternoon or pre-dinner drink.

Directly across the Nam Khan and nestled in nature, The Ap-sara Rive Droite offers nine large, airy rooms, all with their own verandas or terraces overlooking the river and swimming pool with views of Luang Prabang’s temples and mountains. Interiors feature wooden floors, king-size double beds with a choice of pillows, and oversize bathrooms.

The hotel offers a casual restaurant and bar, though many guests prefer the fine dining offered at The Apsara. For the cross-river transfer, whether for meals or touring the town, the Apsarian Queen, a handmade boat built by a resident Brit-ish craftsman, is on call all day until late at night.

For those seeking a lodging experience that exceeds expecta-tions, Apsara’s peaceful pair presents a perfect choice.

Apsara: A Peaceful Pair

INSIDE LAOS

27

inside Laos accomodation Apsara hotels

The Apsara Hotel: T +856.71.254.670 W www.theapsara.com

ໂຮງແຮມອບສະຣາໄປຫລວງພຣະບາງຫລາຍຄງ ແຕກຍງມຫລາຍຢາງແປກໃຈ.

ຫລວງພຣະບາງຍງມມນສະເໜຫລາຍຢາງທຄນລາວເຮາເອງຄວນຫາໂອກາດໄປສຳພດດວຍໂຕເອງ. ແນນອນການໄປທຽວຫລວງພຣະ ບາງໃຫປະທບໃຈແມນຕອງໄດໃຊຈາຍແດຈກໝອຍ, ແຕມນກເປນການກມຄາເມອເຮາໄປທຽວປະເທດຂອງເຮາເອງ, ເງນຕາກຈະໄຫລວຽນບໄປໃສໄກ.

ໂຮງແຮມອບສະຣາ ທຂາພະເຈາຂແນະນຳ ໃຫໄປສຳພດແມນຖກອອກແບບທໄດຮບແຮງບນດານໃຈ ຈາກວດທະນະທຳລາວ ແລະການບລການແບບສດຍອດຂອງຄວາມສະດວກສະບາຍທນສະໄໝໃນເວລາດຽວກນ. ພາຍໃນໂຮງແຮມຖກຕກແຕງແບບລຽບງາຍແຕມລະດບ, ເຂາເຖງລາຍລະອຽດເປນຕນມ ພນໄມ, ເຄອງໄໝ ແລະ ເພນເຈໄມແບບດງເດມ. ຫອງນອນຖກຕກແຕງຢາງມລດນຍມທມປະຕເຊອມຕ ຫາລະບຽງປນໜາໄປທາງແມນຳຄານເຊງທານສາມາດຜອນຄາຍຢາງເປນສວນໂຕໂດຍການແນມເບງວຖຊວດຂອງຄນທອງຖນ.ຢອກຝງ ໜງຂອງແມນຳໂຮງແຮມອບສະຣາຝງຂວາກມຫອງນອນທມວວແມນຳພອມທງເດນກວາງຂວາງໄວເພອສະໜອງບລການທານໂດຍ ທານສາມາດເດນທາງມາຕວເມອງໄດດວຍເຮອຂອງໂຮງແຮມ.

ການຄດສນເມນອາຫານລາວແບບມສະໄຕ ແລະ ສາງສນມ

ໄວເພອບລການທານ. ຍອນມການບລການທເປນເລດ,

ການພກຜອນຂອງທານໃນ ໂຮງແຮມອບສະຣາຈະເຕມ

ໄປດວຍຄວາມສກ.

28

inside Laos shopping Ock Pop Tok

ock Pop tok: Where East Meets West in style

Walk into a fascinating world where Lao textiles come alive at Ock Pop Tok’s Living Crafts Centre (LCC). Set in lush tropical gar-dens on the banks of the Mekong just 2 km south of Luang Pra-bang Town, LCC is turning culture into cash, while presenting the perfect place to learn more about Laos’ distinct textile art.

Established in 2000 by a local weaver and UK photographer, Ock Pop Tok means “East meets West”. It maintains a vision of empowering women through their traditional skills, allow-ing them to successfully promote the beauty of Lao textiles across the globe. This vision becomes reality at LCC.

The centre treats visitors to free guided tours, during which you will meet weavers and artisans from various ethnic groups, and watch the process from spinning and dyeing threads to women working looms. Even silkworms are part of the show. LCC also offers a wide range of half-to-three-day weaving and dyeing classes, all of which deliver an unforgettable cultural experience, and have received rave reviews.

Nestled in LCC’s gardens, the Ock Pop Tok Villa’s four cosy rooms with balconies, all with Mekong River views, are decor-ated with the textiles from different ethnic groups. Guests can immerse themselves in culturally themed accommodation decked out in traditional designs in the Hmong, Katu, Tai, or Northern Hill Tribes rooms. The villa and restaurant make a perfect base for relaxing in nature, watching weavers, or tak-ing a class to learn the art.

Along with LCC, Ock Pop Tok operates a pair of shops in Lu-ang Prabang Town, which feature scarves, bags, home-decor, clothing, and artwork in contemporary and traditional de-signs. Each handmade product uses traditional skills passed down through the generations, and all make excellent sou-venirs and gifts.

W www.ockpoptok.com

INSIDE LAOS

29

inside Laos shopping Ock Pop Tok

ເມອທານຍາງຊມໂລກທເຕມໄປດວຍຄວາມໜາຫງໄຫ, ທານຈະ ພບກບຜະລດຕະພນແຜນແພລາວທມສສນຢຮານອອກພບຕກ ຂອງສນຫດຖະກຳແຫງຊວດ, ເຊງຕງຢໃນສວນປາໄມເຂດຮອນ ເທງແຄມຝງແມນຳຂອງທເມອງຫວງພະບາງ ຊງຕງບໄກ ພຽງແຕ 2 ກໂລແມດ. ທສນຫດຖະກຳນສງພວກເຮາສນໃຈກຄການໄດຫນ ປຽນວດທະນະທຳທອງຖນໃຫກາຍມາເປນເສດຖະກດ ທດຳເນນ ໄດດ ແລະ ຄວນສງເສມ, ຖວາທຕງສນກມບນຍາກາດດ ແຄມແມນຳ, ເປນບອນຮຽນຮ ສງເສມ ການສາງສລະປະແຜນແພທມເອກະລກສະເພາະຂອງລາວໃຫໄດດຂນກວາເກາ.

ຮານອອກພບຕກ ເປດຂນມາ ສບກວາປແລວໂດຍນກຕຳແຜນແພຄນທອງຖນ ແລະ ຊາງຖາຍຮບຊາວອງກດໂດຍມວໄສທດໃນການຍກສງບດບາດຄວາມສາມາດຂອງເພດຍງຜານການສະແດງອອກດານທກສະຮດຄອງວດທະນະທຳຂອງລາວເຮາ ເປນບອນນຳສະ ເໜຄວາມງາມແບບປານດຂອງແຜນແພລາວອອກສສາຍຕາຊາວ ໂລກໄດຢາງສມບນແບບ.

ອອກພບຕກ: ຫນປຽນວດທະນະທຳໃຫກາຍເປນເສດຖະກດ

ໃນສນຫດຖະກຳ, ທານສາມາດພບປະກບນາຍຊາງຕຳແຜນແພ ແລະ ຫດຖະກຳຈາກຊນເຜາຕາງໆແລະ ຊມຂະບວນການຜະລດ ນບແຕການປນຝາຍຈນເຖງການຍອມສ ລວມເຖງການລຽງມອນ ເພອສາວໄໝກສາມາດຊມໄດໂດຍມຄນແນະນຳອະທບາຍໂດຍບ ຕອງເສຍຄາໃຊຈາຍ ຊງນບມຫາໄດຍາກ. ແຕຜທສນໃຈໃນການ ຮຽນຕຳແຜນ ແລະ ຍອມສຜາ ກສາມາດເຮດໄດ. ນອກນນເພນຍງ ມຫອງພກທຖກອອກແບບຕາມຮບຊງເຮອນຂອງຊນເຜາທອງຖນ ຕາງໆ ໄວໃຫຜທຕອງການມາພກເຊາ ເພອສຳຜດກນອາຍຂອງທຳ ມະຊາດ ແລະ ຊວດນກຕຳແຜນແພ ເພອຕມເຕມການພກຜອນ ຂອງທານໃຫສມບນແບບທສດ.

ນອກຈາກສນຫດຖະກຳແລວ, ເພນກມຮານຂາຍເຄອງທຕງຢໃຈ ກາງເມອງຫລວງພະບາງ ເພອໃຫທານສາມາດຈບຈາຍຊອກຫາຊ ເຄອງຫດຖະກຳທເຮດດວຍມປະເພດຕາງໆເພອເປນຂອງຂວນ ຂອງທລະນກທມຄນຄາ ເພາະເປນຂອງພາຍໃນເຮາເອງ.

W www.ockpoptok.com

9t16j[jvoouh DDDDD mujgIqkrq[daoWill Be There.....Where We Meet

Lao Convenience Store

32

outside destination Hanoi Vietnam museumOUTSIDE DESTINATION

Hanoi stopoverແວະຮາໂນຍ

33

Hanoi has grown into a major international travel hub over the past decades, and though Vietnam’s “River City” overflows with cultural and historical sites, many tourists simply spend the night before they move on. However, a brief stopover offers first-time and frequent visitors a taste of the town they can experience in less than one day.

A handful of Hanoi’s 600-plus temples and pagodas stand as reminders of the original, eleventh-century capital, and two of the city’s premiere cultural monuments date from this time. The Temple of Literature opened in 1076 as a Confucian university to educate the royal family, and in the 1450s, it began accepting outside scholars. Visitors can view each graduate’s name engraved on stelae in the temple’s main square.

The One Pillar Pagoda, also from this era, rises from a small garden pond. Next door, the colonial-style Presidential Palace, built in 1901, once served as the home of French Indochina’s Governor General.

In sharp contrast, Ho Chi Minh’s simple stilt house, built after Vietnam gained independence in 1954, stands behind the palace. The humble abode holds a ground-level meeting area equipped with a desk, telephones, and table used by Ho, while the up-stairs study and bedroom remain as he left them.

When “Uncle Ho” died in 1969, his body was taken to the Soviet Union and embalmed, while the Vietnamese built a mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square. They completed the grey structure in 1975, perhaps the most popular attraction in Hanoi, and brought the hero there to lie in state until this day.

A Hanoi stopover also presents the chance to take in the famed Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. A small group plays music with two singers explaining the story, while colourful animal, dragon, and human marionettes act out age-old folk stories on a pond serving as centre stage.

Another stopover option places tourists in electric trams to discover the Old Quarter’s narrow streets that twist around Hoan Kiem Lake, the “soul of Hanoi”. On these bustling lanes, shoppers can find silk clothes, gems, wood carvings, ceramics, and just about anything else, including a good meal.

Repeat visitors may want to use their brief stopover to take in experiences they’ve always wanted to try, but never took the time. Below are three key items on stopover checklists covering culture, dining, and a night’s stay.

outside destination Hanoi Vietnam museum

34

Vietnam Museum of EthnologyVietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic minorities de-fine the country’s culture, but visiting them all is impossible. Or, is it? The modern, two-storey Vietnam Museum of Ethnology leads visitors to 54 displays exhibiting some 700 carefully selected artefacts and 280 pho-tographs from its vast collection that best reflect each group.

Culture hounds will find categorised dis-plays – clothing, jewellery, agricultural tools, fishing instruments, weapons, household utensils, and musical instruments – with items like knives, baskets, garments, flutes, pipes, and mats. Interpretive panels explain the customs, traditions, and lifestyles of the various groups in the rather small, but well-designed contemporary museum.

Shaded paths and a meandering stream, crossed by small bridges, zigzag through the outdoor exhibition, which presents an Ede longhouse, Tay stilt house; Yao house that is half on stilts and half on earth; a Hmong house with a pomu wood roof; the Viet house; and the Giarai tomb.

The museum is located in the Cau Giay Dis-trict, about 20 minutes by taxi from the city centre, and is open daily (except Mondays and Vietnam New Year) from 08:30 to 17:30.

OUTSIDE DESTINATION

F Daily Flight Vientiane - Hanoi - Vientiane Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Luang Pravang Read more on page 58

W www.vme.org.vn

35

F ທານສາມາດເດນທາງດວຍຖຽວບນຊງອອກທກວນຈາກ ວຽງຈນ - ຮາໂນຍ - ວຽງຈນ ຫລວງພະບາງ - ຮາໂນຍ - ຫລວງພະບາງ

ຢຽມຊມພພທະພນເຜາຖໄດວາເປນພພທະພນທນສະໄໝທດສດໃນ ຫວຽດນາມ ເປນສະຖານທໆຕອງໄດໄປທຽວຊມສຳລບນກທອງທຽວທເດນທາງໄປຮາໂນຍ, ໂດຍ ການນຳສະເໜລງເລກກຽວກບວດທະນະທຳ ແລະ ວຖຊວດປະຈຳວນຂອງ 54ເຜາທໄດຮບ ການຮບຮອງໃນຫວຽດນາມ. ພພທະພນແຫງນນອກຈາກໃຊເປນສນກາງຄນ ຄວາແລວຍງເກບຮວບຮວມວດຖຈຳນວນຫາຍ ກວາ25,000ອນຈາກປະຊາຊນບນດາເຜາທວ ຫວຽດນາມ. ສງທຖກວາງສະແດງລວມມເຄອງ ນງຫມເຜາທເຕມໄປດວຍຄວາມປານດແລະ ສສນສວຍງາມ, ການອອກແບບ ແຜນແພຕຳດວຍມ, ເຄອງດນຕ, ອປະກອນ ຫາປາ, ເຄອງມເຮດວຽກແລະເຄອງໃຊອນໆ. ນອກນພພທະພນຍງປະສບຜນສຳເລດໃນການ ສາງຄວາມບນເທງປະຈຳວນໂດຍການຈດພທ ກຳທາງສາສະໜາ ແລະຈຳລອງເທດສະການ ຕາງໆຂອງແຕລະເຜາໃນຫວຽດນາມ. ຢນອກ ພພດຕະພນຍງເປນບອນວາງສະແດງຊງເຮອນ ຂອງແຕລະເຜາເຊນ: ເຜາໄຕ, ເຜາຍາວ ແລະ ເຜາມງອກດວຍ.

36

outside destination Hanoi Sofitel Legend Metropole

sofitel Legend Metropole Lying in the heart of Hanoi, near Hoan Kiem Lake and the famous Opera House, the Sofitel Legend Metropole’s 364 rooms and suites present the ultimate in luxury for an unforgettable stopover sleep in this French colonial icon.

The exclusive Sofitel Legend Metropole, built in 1901, has earned the reputation as a timeless classic and one of the world’s top hotels. French classical architecture in-spired The Metropole Wing, while the ho-tel renovated the Opera Wing in 2007, with a neo-classical design.

Filled with a rich history, the legendary hotel prides itself in a century-long tradi-tion of welcoming ambassadors, famous wri-ters, heads of state such as Bill Clinton, and entertainers including Jane Fonda and Angelina Jolie. Imagine spending the night in the Graham Green or Charlie Chaplin suite.

OUTSIDE DESTINATION


37

ໂຊຟແທວ ລເຈນ ເມໂທຣໂປນໂຮງແຮມໂຊຟແທວ ລເຈນ ເມໂທຣໂປນຕງຢຈດສນກາງນະຄອນຫວງຮາໂນຍໃກກບ ໜອງຮວນກຽມ ແລະ ໂຮງລະຄອນທສວຍງາມ ເປນສະຖານທພກເຊາທເຕມໄປດວຍຄວາມຫຫາສງສດເຊງຈະເຮດໃຫປະສບການຂອງທານໃນນະຄອນຫວງແຫງສະຫດສະວດມ ລກສະນະພເສດ ແລະ ຝງໃຈ.

ໂຮງແຮມນ ຖໄດວາເປນເອກະລກທາງປະຫວດສາດຫາຍທສດຂອງຫວຽດນາມແມນໂຮງ ແຮມລະດບ5ດາວສາງຂນໃນປ1901ຕາມແບບສະໄໝເມອງຂນຝຣງ. ສະຖານທດງກາວ ແມນມປະຫວດຄວາມເປນມາທຫາກຫາຍແລະມມນເຊອອນຍາວນານໃນການຕອນຮບ ແຂກບານແຂກເມອງລະດບສງນບແຕນກການທດ, ນກຂຽນ, ຫວໜາລດຖະບານ ແລະ ບກຄນສຳຄນໃນວງການບນເທງເຊນ: ເຈນ ຟອນດາ, ບວ ຄລນຕນ, ແອນເຈລນາ ໂຈອ. ຫອງນອນແລະຫອງສດ364ຫອງໄດຮບການບລະນະໃນປ2007ໂດຍໄດຮບແຮງບນດານ ໃຈຈາກສະຖາປານກສະໄໜດງເດມຂອງຝຣງ ເຊງມການອອກແບບປະສມປະສານກບ ຄວາມທນສະໄໜໄດຢາງລງຕວ.

ນອກຈາກນຍງມຮານອາຫານເອຣບແລະຫວຽດນາມທມຊສຽງຈຳນວນຫວງຫາຍຕງຢໃກ ຄຽງ ພອມກນນໂຮງແຮມຍງມຮານກາເຟແຄມທາງຍາງຕາມແບບຊາວປາຣເພອໃຫທານສາມາດນງຊມວຖຊວດໄປຄຽງຄກບການດມກາເຟສດ.

ຖໄດວາໂຮງແຮມດງກາວເປນມນສະເນໃນໃຈກາງນະຄອນຫວງຮາໂນຍ ໂດຍການປະສມ ປະສານການບລການທເປນຕຳນານຂອງຊາວຫວຽດນາມ ແລະ ຝຣງ.

outside destination Hanoi Sofitel Legend Metropole

Of course the hotel’s dining options, quality Vietnamese service, and ex-quisite cuisine exceed expectations. Angelina’s, Hanoi’s most avant garde Italian restaurant, presents an ex-cellent menu of European fare. The Spice Garden delivers delicious Viet-namese delicacies, while the Sofitel Metropole’s Parisian sidewalk café, La Terrasse, allows guests to sit and watch the city stroll by while en-joying a steaming cup of fresh cof-fee. Topping off this oasis of charm, guests will find three bars, a pool, gym, and the lavish Le Spa du Metro-pole.

Stopover accommodation doesn’t get any better than this. For more information, visit:www.sofitel.com

F ທານສາມາດເດນທາງດວຍຖຽວບນຊງອອກທກວນຈາກ ວຽງຈນ - ຮາໂນຍ - ວຽງຈນ ຫລວງພະບາງ - ຮາໂນຍ - ຫລວງພະບາງ ອານເພມຫນາ 58

38

OUTSIDE DESTINATIONoutside destination Hanoi Nha Hang Ngon

Nha Hang Ngon Restaurant

Whether you have plenty of experience dining on Vietnamese food or simply want to try local dishes, Nha Hang Ngon Restaurant has something for everyone.

The colonial-style restaurant is quite airy, with wide rooms, which are needed, as the eatery is loaded with locals and tourists in a chaotic atmosphere filled with bantering patrons and shouting waiters backed by a cacophony of clanging pots and pans. Nha Hang Ngon presents a one-stop restaurant for various types of Vietnamese street food from every region, and cooks around the perimeter prepare the dish-es, which are hustled straight to your table. The most popular selections are Banh Cuon (rice flour pancakes with mushrooms and minced pork), Muc Xien Nuong (fresh grilled squid skewers), Bun Bo Thit Nuong (grilled pork on bun bon nam bo), and Salat Xoai Xang Hai San (seafood and green mango salad).

With its well-priced dishes, spacious colonial villa setting, and extensive menu, Nha Hang Ngon is a Hanoi treat not to be missed.

Location: 26 Tran Hung Dao, Hoàn Kiếm

Tel: 043 9336133


39

ລດຊາດຕາມແບບສະບບຫວຽດນາມສຳລບຜທບມປະສບການຫຊຽວຊານດານອາຫານຫວຽດນາມ, ນແມນການ ສະເໜສະຖານທດເລດທຄວນທດລອງ. ຮານອາຫານຫຍາ ຮງ ງອນຕງຢໃນ ສງປກສາງຍກສງຫາຍລະດບຕາມແບບເມອງຂນທສວຍງາມແລະເຮດໃຫຮ ສກອມອນເມອທານເຂາໄປຄງທຳອດເນອງຈາກວາມຫອງກວາງ, ສະນຳ ແລະ ການຕກແຕງທກມກນຢາງລງຕວ.

ຮານດງກາວເຕມໄປດວຍລກຄາຊາວທອງຖນແລະນກທອງທຽວ, ບນຍາກາດບລເວນນຄກຄກ: ສະຫບໄປດວຍສຽງຫວ, ສຽງລມກນ, ສຽງຮອງຂອງພະນກງານເສບປະສມປະສານກບສຽງເຄາະຂອງພຄວແມຄວແຕງກນ. ແນວຄວາມຄດຂອງຮານອາຫານ ຫຍາ ຮງ ງອນແມນການບລການອາຫານຫວຽດນາມຈາກທກພາກຂອງປະເທດທມ ຄວາມຫາກຫາຍ. ອາຫານຖກປງແຕງຈາກທກມມຂອງຮານ.

ທດລອງຊມຫາຍເທາທທານເຮດໄດໂດຍສະເພາະແມນລາຍການອາຫານອນລຊຂອງຮານ. ເນອງຈາກວາລາຄາຍອມເຍາ, ທຕງໃນ ເຮອນວນລາສະໄໝເມອງຂນທມອາກາດປອດໂປງແລະສວຍງາມແລະແນວຄວາມຄດທເປນເລດ ການເດນທາງໄປໄຊງອນຂອງທານ ຈະບສມບນຖາວາທານບໄດກນອາຫານໃນສະຖານທແຫງນ.

outside destination Hanoi Nha Hang Ngon

Don Chan Palace Hotel & Convention, Unit 6 Piawat Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856-21) 244 288 Fax: (856-21) 244 111-2 Email: [email protected]

Meet Pilot VANTHONG SOULIVONGResponsibility and Duty: Key for Lao Airlines Pilots

43

ກບຕນແຫວນທອງ ສລວງຄວາມຮບຜດຊອບ ແລະ ໜາທ ຄຫວໃຈຫກຂອງການເປນກບຕນ, ອາຊບທລກຜຊາຍຫລາຍຄນຝນຢາກເປນ.

INTERVIEW interview pilot

CAPTAIN VANTHONG SOULIVONG

ກບຕນ ແຫວນທອງ ສລວງ

44

interview pilotINTERVIEW

Champa Holidays magazine sought the opportuni-ty to interview Lao Airlines most experienced pilot, Vanthong Soulivong, and discovered this was no easy task. A pilot’s hectic schedule places him in the air most of the day, plus Pilot Vanthong is a family man, which made us more enthusiastic to get to in-timately know him.

Pilot Vanthong, born on 28 November 1968 in Xieng Khouang Province’s Peak District, has been married for more than 10 years. For a flyer, who as logged close to 18,000 hours, he is a very successful family man and enjoys a very happy life, and when we met him, we found an easy-going, charming person on the verge of timid. Over the past 20 years, he has safely flown thou-sands of Lao Airlines’ passengers to their destina-tions. His eyes reflect pride, a high level of calm, and dedication to his job. What better reason to get in-side Lao Airlines’ No. 1 pilot.

Experience Leads to Excellence Pilot Vanthong started his piloting career in Rus-sia, where he studied the flying trade, before head-ing to China. Here, he entered a M60 pilot training course and went on to become an instructor pilot in the Philippines. He spent another two years in China for training to pilot Y7 aircraft with a capacity of 50 seats. In 1999, Lao Airlines sent him to France to train in flying ATR 72-500 and 72-200 aircraft, which made up the bulk of Laos’ fleet. As the airline stretched its wings to regional jets, Pilot Vanthong again travelled to France to learn how to fly an Air-bus.

45

interview pilot

ມນທມງານພວກເຮາໄດມໂອກາດນດສຳພາດກບຕນເຮອບນມໜງ ຂອງສາຍການບນລາວ. ຫລາຍຄນບອກເຮາວາການຈະໄດນດພບ ເພນນແມນຍາກຫາຍ ເພາະວຽກກບຕນແມນວຽກທໜກໃນປະເທດ ລາວ . ດງນນບລຊາທຈະໄປຮຈກກບເພນແບບໃກຊດ.

ກບຕນ ແຫວນທອງ ສລວງ, ເກດເມອວນທ 28 ພະຈກ 1968 ເກດທເມອງແປກ ແຂວງຊຽງຂວາງ ເພນ ແລະ ພນລະຍາໄດໃຊ ຊວດຄນຳກນສບກວາປແລວ. ບໜາເຊອວາຊວດຂອງການ ເປນກບຕນ ແລະ ຫວໜາຄອບຄວຈະເຮດໃຫເພນມຄວາມສກ ປານນ ຕາມທນງລມກນກບເພນໄປໄລຍະນງ, ເພນເປນຄນທຮຽບງາຍບຕອງມພທຮນຕອງຫຍງຫາຍເປນຄນກນເອງ, ອາດເບງຂອາຍແດຈກໜອຍ ແຕກເປນສະເໜອນນງຂອງເພນ.

ເກອບ 20 ກວາປທໄດນງຫວເຮອບນ ເພອພາແຂກຜໂດຍສານ ເດນທາງຢາງປອດໄພຂອງສາຍການບນລາວ. ຄວາມພາກພມໃຈ ແລະ ຄວາມເປນປຕແມນສະແດງອອກໃຫພວກເຮາເຫນ ຈາກ ແວວຕາ ແລະ ຄວາມເອາໃຈໃສກບການເຮດວຽກຂອງເພນມນ ເຮດໃຫພວກເຮາຢາກຮແທໆວາກອນເພນຈະໄດເປນມໜງໃນ ການຂບເຮອບນນນແມນເພນຜານຫຍງມາແດ?

6 ປທລດເຊຍ, 4 ປທຈນ ແລະ ອກ 2 ປທຝຣງການໄປຮຽນທລດເຊຍເປນສາກທຳອດທເພນໄດສກສາກຽວກບ ການຂບເຮອບນຊງໄດສກສາຢາງໜກ ແລະ ສອງປທປະເທດຈນ ໄດຮຽນຂບເຮອບນ Y12 ຫງຈາກນນກໄດມາເຮດວຽກໃຫສາຍ ການບນລາວໄລຍະນງຈງໄດມໂອກາດໄປຮຽນຂບເຮອບນ Y7 ເປນເຮອບນ 50 ບອນນງ ອກສອງປທປະເທດຈນ ແລະ ໃນ ປ 1999 ທປະເທດຝຣງ ກໄດໄປຮຽນຂບເຮອບນອາເຕແອ ເຮອບນ 70 ບອນນງ ຊງມ 2 ລນຄ: ລນ 72-500 ແລະ 72-200 ຈນຮອດ ທາຍປ 2011 ແມນໄດໄປຮຽນຂບເຮອບນແອບສ ທປະເທດຝຣງ ອກຄງ ແລະ ກອນໜານນເພນກຍງໄດມໂອກາດໄປຮຽນຂບເຮອ ບນ MA 60 ທປະເທດຈນ ແລະ ເປນນກບນທດສອບ ແລະ ໄດ ເປນອາຈານສອນ ການຂບ (Instructor Pilot) ເຮອບນທປະເທດ ຟລປນ.

ແອບສຄງທຳອດໃນການປອຍເປນນກບນແມນມຄວາມຮສກທເໜອບນ ຍາຍ ເປນຄວາມຮສກທປະທບໃຈ ແລະ ເປນປະສບການທໜາ ຈດຈຳ, ກບຕນແຫວນທອງຍງກາວຂອບໃຈຕອາຈານຜມອບ ຄວາມໄວເນອເຊອໃຈໃຫເພນໃນການໂບຍບນທວທອງຟາ. ເຮອ ບນແອບສ ເປນເຮອບນອາຍພນທມຄວາມໄວ ແລະ ບນຊາດວຍ ລະບບຄອມພວເຕ ສາມາດລງຈອດໄດດວຍລະບບອດຕະໂນມດ ຢາງນມນວນ ແລະ ສາມາດບນຈຜໂດຍສານໄດຫາຍ 155ບອນນງ ຄວາມແຕກຕາງໃນການຂບເຮອບນແຕລະລຳເຮດໃຫເພນທອນ ໂຮມເອາປະສບຢາງຫວງຫາຍ ດງນນ ເມອທກຄງທມການປະກາດ ວາ “ຍນດຕອນຮບສຖຽວບນ QV...ໂດຍກບຕນແຫວນທອງ...ໂດຍເຮອບນແອບສ 320 ຈາກວຽງຈນ..” ພວກເຮາຈະໄດຍນສຽງຊບຊບຈາກຜໂດຍສານເລອຍໆວາ ອນໃຈ ແລະ ໜນໃຈ ແລວ ດວຍການລງທນມນວນຂອງເພນ.

Flying the Airbus 320“The first time being allowed in the cockpit as the main pilot of an A320 is beyond words; it was certainly a moment of pride and an un-forgettable experience,” said Pilot Vanthong, who thanked all his in-structors for giving him knowledge and their trust to solo in a major aircraft.

The 155-seat Airbus A320 is among the most modern and compre-hensive aircraft produced by the France-based constructer, and in-corporates computer controlled systems that offer an automatic, comfortable landing. Pilot Vanthong’s experience in piloting various aircrafts during his career with Lao Airlines and his training abroad adds confidence among passengers passenger, who fly in an A320 floun by Pilot.

Pilot Vanthong concludes by saying his most satisfying moments as a pilot are flying on full moon nights, when fog appears as animals and other creatures. “It’s almost like being in heaven or in a sweet dream,” he said. And for those considering a career as a pilot or any job path, Pilot Vanthong suggests they give their full love to their jobs and then they will be able to do it well.

47

interview pilotINTERVIEW

ຖາຈະກາວເຖງຄວາມປະທບໃຈອກອນນງກ ຄງຈະເປນການເດນທາງໃນຍາມກາງຄນໃນ ພາບທເດອນເຕມດວງສອງແສງແວວວາວ ເຮດໃຫເຫນລາຍລະອຽດຂອງຂເຝອ ແລະ ດວງເດອນທມຮບລກສະນະຄມຫຍງຢທນນ ເຮດໃຫຂາພະເຈາສະເໝເໝອນຢໃນສະຫວນ ຫ ເວາອກຢາງນງກຄຢໃນຄວາມຝນນນເອງ.

ນອກນນກບຕນແຫວນທອງ ຍງໄດໃຫຄຳເຫນ ຕຜທສນໃຈໃນວຽກຂອງການເປນກບຕນ ຫ ວຽກອນໃດກຕາມທທານກຳລງເຮດຢ “ທານ ຕອງມຄວາມມກໃນຫນາວຽກນນກອນ ມນຈງຈະເຮດໃຫເຮາສາມາດຝກຝນຫຫອມຕນເອງ, ຮກໃນອາຊບນນ ແລະ ຈະເຮດມນໄດດ” ອກຄຳຖາມນງທຫາຍຄນຢາກຮນນກຄຊວໂມງບນຂອງກບຕນ ແຫວນທອງ ແມນເທາໃດແລວ, ຕອບແບບອມຍມວາ 17,799 ຊວໂມງແລວ.

50

news & events VientianaleNEWS & EVENTS

ການສຳມະນາກຽວກບການສາງຮບເງາ, ການແຂງຂນ ຮບເງາສນ ແມນເນອໃນຂອງວຽງຈນນານໃນປນຢ ພາຍໃຕຫວຂຂອງງານແມນ “ຄວາມຝນ” ແລະ ການສາຍຮບເງາສາກນກາງແຈງທຫລາຍຄນໃຫຄວາມສນໃຈເພາະມນເປນບອນດຽວທວດແທກເຖງຄວາມຈະເລນຂອງວງການຮບເງາ.

ແນນອນຄນຄດທຈະສາງຮບເງາລຖາໂອກາດນມາເປນປ ແລະ ຜທມກເບງຮບເງາກບຄວນພາດ ໂອກາດນ ວຽງຈນນານຄງທ 3 ຈະໄດຈດຂນເປນເວລາຫາວນ ແຕວນທ 26 ກມພາ ຫາ ວນທ 2 ມນາ 2013 ເຊງມະຫະກຳຄງນປະກອບມຫາຍກດຈະກຳທທານ ສາມາດມສວນຮວມໄດໂດຍບມຄາໃຊຈາຍຫຍງທງໝດ ໂດຍມຈດປະສງຈະສາຍຮບເງາອນເປນຜນງານຂອງຜຜະລດຄນລາວ ແລະ ຕາງປະເທດເທງຈຍກ.

ຖໄດວາເປນໂອກາດອນດທຫລາຍຄນຈະໄດເບງຮບເງາຂອງປະ ເທດລາວແລວຍງຈະມການສາຍຮບເງາສາກນທເຄຍຖກສາຍໃນ ງານມະຫະກຳຮບເງາສາກນທເມອງຄານ.

ພາຍຫງທໄດຮບການຕອບຮບເປນຢາງດໃນມະຫະກຳຄງທ 1 ແລະ 2, ທມງານມະຫະກຳວຽງຈນນານຂເຊນບນດານກສາງຮບເງາໃນລາວເຂາຮວມແຂງຂນການສາງຮບເງາສນພາຍໃຕຫວຂ “ຄວາມຝນ” ເຊງຮບເງາທສງເຂາແຂງຂນອາດເປນສາລະຄະດ, ນະວະນຍາຍ ແລະ ອນໆ. ສຳລບການມອບລາງວນແມນຜຊມຈະ ເປນຜຕດສນໃຈວາຮບເງາເລອງໃດທເຂາເຈາມກທສດ.

ຮບເງາທໄດຮບລາງວນໃນການແຂງຂນສອງຄງທຜານມາແມນໄດຖກນຳໄປສາຍຕໃນມະຫະກຳຮບເງາທເອຣບ ແລະ ມະຫະກຳຮບເງາສາກນແຫງຕາງໆ ເຊງສງດງກາວໄດເຮດໃຫມະຫະກຳຮບເງາສາກນວຽງຈນນານເປນເວທໃນການສາງ ແລະ ຍກ ສງທກສະຂອງນກສາງຮບເງາລາວ.

ນອກຈາກການສາຍຮບເງາ ແລະ ແຂງຂນຮບເງາສນແລວ ບນດາທານທສນໃຈຍງສາມາດເຂາຮວມສຳມະນາເທກນກໃນການສາງໜງປະເພດຕາງໆໂດຍນກສາງໜງທມສສຽງຈາກຕາງປະເທດ ໃນໄລຍະສອງວນໂດຍບມຄາໃຊຈາຍຫຍງທງໝດ.

ມະຫະກຳຮບເງາສາກນ ວຽງຈນນານ ຄງທ 3

W www.vientianale.org FB www.facebook.com/Vientianale

51

news & events Vientianale

Free cinema workshops, short-film competition, local and inter-national film screenings in an open-air cinema setting... Laos is ready for the 3rd Vientianale!

“Dreams” in the Air for third Vientiane Film Festival Good news for film lovers. The Vientiane Film Festival is on again in 2013, with five full days of outdoor cinema fun from 26 February to 2 March. The free event, aims to bring together the work of both Lao and foreign filmmakers based in Laos onto the big screen.

This cinematic celebration offers a rare opportunity for a diverse audience of film-lovers to en-joy a wide range of movies, from locally-produced Lao films to international-awarded films…

Following the overwhelming success of the festival’s two previous editions in May of 2009 and 2011, “Vientianale” will again invite both well-established and upcoming local filmmakers to participate in a short-film competition based on the theme, “Dreams”.

The competition is free and open to anyone residing in Laos. The Organizing Committee noted the jump in the number of entries from 2009 and 2011, along with higher quality and greater variety of submitted short films. It is seeking more creativity for this year. Films have ranged from documentaries to fiction to stop-motion animated films. During the Awards Ceremony, the audience can vote for their favourite film.

A few films among past short-film competitors – under the themes “Yesterday, Today, Tomor-row” and “Happy Laos” – have been selected and screened at European and other interna-tional film festivals, making the Vientiane International Film Festival a platform for creation and skill-building for Lao filmmakers.

Take Singaporean filmmaker K.m LO, whose workshop at the second Vientianale thrilled young cinema enthusiasts. He went on to participate in Lao New Wave Company’s “At the Horizon”, the first thriller ever made in the country. This year’s festival will offer two pre-event workshops, the results of which will be screened at the closing ceremony. Interested filmmak-ers may want to join one of these free sessions to learn about special effects used in horror movies and “junk animation”.

The Swiss Development Corporation is also providing valuable support at the 3rd Vientianale by offering the opportunity for the three competition winners along with three selected film-makers, including women, to produce 12 short films in Laos’ provinces under the theme, “Women in leadership roles”.

The Vientianale festival has been held since 2009 with the strong support of Mr Bounchao Phichit, Director of the Cinema Department at the Ministry of Information and Culture.

The Vientianale Organizing Committee wishes to thank the Embassies of Germany, France, the USA, and Switzerland, as well as the Franco-Lao Bank (BFL) for their continued support for the event, and is happy to welcome new donors: the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) and Swiss Embassy in Bangkok, the Japanese Embassy and Lobster Films.

52

news & event Lao AirlinesNEWS & EVENT

Champa Holidays Famtrip toDanang

,j;os]kp9exkrkmq;fkoa'

ໃນຕນເດອນມງກອນທຜານມາໄດມການເປດ ບນເສນທາງໃໝ ຈາກວຽງຈນ - ສະຫວນ ນະເຂດ - ປາກເຊ ຫາ ນະຄອນດານງສສ ຫວຽດນາມ. ທອງ ທຽວຈຳປາໂຮລເດກໄດຖເປດໂອກາດຈດໂປແກມ ທວ 3 ມ ໂດຍໄດພາກນພາທຽວແບບຈໃຈ.ທງໄດ ໄປທຽວຊມເມອງມລະດກໂລກທມສສຽງ ເມອງ ເຫວ, ໄປທຽວຊມພເຂາ ທະເລມອກໂດຍຂກະ ເຊາລອຍຟາທຊນ ແລະ ຍາວທສດໃນໂລກ ແລະ ຫລນນຳທະເລຍາງແລະຫລນຫາດຊາຍທສວຍ ງາມ ແລະ ຍງໄດໄປທຽວຊມຫພພທະພນຈາມສະ ໄໝສດຕະວດທຫາ. ຊງທານຜໃດຍງບທນມໂອ ກາດໄປທຽວແບບນແລວ ທານກສາມາດຫາເວ ລາເດນທາງໄປໄດເຊນກນ. ຊງສາຍການບນລາວ ກໄດເປດບນສາມຄງຕອາທດ (ວນຄານ, ພະຫດ ແລະ ອາທດ) ຊງຈະມສອງຖຽວ 12:55 ແລະ 15:55 ສາມາດອານຕທຫນາ 58 ຂອງຕາຕະລາງການບນ.

Champa Holidays held a three-day famtrip to Danang, Vietnam, from 8-10 Janu-ary to launch Lao Airlines’ new Savannakhet- Danang route. Participants first visited Hoi An to experience the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, Cantonese congregation, and Silk Street, along with ancient town’s temple’s and Chinese pagoda’s. The second day focussed on Bana Hill and a cable car ride offering unrivalled views, with old French villas, an old suspension bridge, and Nui Chua Mountain Peak (1,287 metre) en route. The trip then moved to the Vong Nguyet Villa’s wine cellar and Linh Ung Pagoda. The tour ended at the Cham Museum and its display of around 300 sculptures, some made of terra cotta, dating to the 5th and 15th centuries, before the group relaxed at My Khe Beach.

53

news & event Lao Airlines

ການບນລາວໄດໃຫສຳພາດແກສສາກນໃນກອງປະຊມທອງທຽວອາຊຽນ 2013

ຮອງອຳນວຍການໃຫຍທານ ແສງປະເສດ ມາຕຈນ ໄດໃຫສຳພາດແກສຳນກຂາວ ທລະກດທອງທຽວອາຊ-ປາສຝກ (Bsiness TravellerAsia-Pacific) ໃນກອງປະຊມທອງທຽວອາຊຽນທໄດຈດຂນທນະຄອນ ຫລວງວຽງຈນໃນວນທ 24 ມງກອນວາ: ສາຍການບນລາວມຄວາມພມໃຈທ ມໂອກາດເປນສວນຮວມ ຜຊແລະ ຜຂາຍໃນການຈດງານຄງນ.ປະຈບນພວກເຮາໄດຈດສາຍການບນ ບນໄປຫລາຍປະເທດ ຊງໄດນຳໃຊຍນ ATR 72-500s, ATR 72-600s ແລະ ແອບສ A320 ທສາມາດບນຈຜໂດຍສານ 155 ບອນນງ ຈຳນວນສາມລຳ ແລະ ລຳທ 4ຈຳຖກ ມອບສງໃນເດອນ ມນາທຈະໄດມາຮອດນ, ຊງຖຽວບນທໄດຮບຄວາມ ນຍມ ແມນ ກງເທບ, ຂນມງ ແລະ ຮາໂນຍ. ນອກນນເພນຍງໄດກາວ ວາໃນແຜນອານາຄດພວກເຮາກຳລງເບງຄວາມ ເປນໄປໄດໃນການເປດຖຽວບນໄປປະເທດພະມາອກດວຍ. ນອກນນທານຍງໄດກາວຕມອກວາ: ໃນປ2014-2015 ທໃກຈະມາຮອດນແມນພວກ ເຮາຍງຈະໄດຮບເຮອບນ ATR 72-600s ເຂາມາຮບໃຊຕມອກສອງລຳ, ການວາງແຜນສງຊເຮອບນ A321 ເຊງມກຳນດການດຳເນນໃນປ 2015 ແລະ ໃນປ 2020 ກຍງຄາດວາຈະ ເປດບນຍາວໄປຫລາຍປະເທດ ເຊນ: ອນເດຍ ແລະເຂດຕາເວນອອກກາງ ແລະ ຖຽວບນໄປຝຣງສາມ ຄງຕອາທດ.

Lao Airlines Outlines Future at ATFLao Airlines Vice President Sengpraseuth Mathouchanh outlined the future of the national carrier during a videotaped interview with Asia Travel Tips at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Vientiane on 24 January. Mr Mathouchanh said the airline was proud to participate at ATF as it gave them the opportunity to become better known among the buyers and sellers.

He noted the carrier’s fleet now stands at 14, including ATR 72-500s, ATR 72-600s and three Airbus A320s, with a fourth due in March. He said Lao Airlines is looking into Myanmar flights, adding that the three busiest routes are between Vientiane and Bangkok, Kunming, and Hanoi.

Mr Mathouchanh added that two ATR 72-600s will be delivered in 2014-2015. Also on order are an A321 scheduled to enter operation in 2015, and a long-range A330 by 2020, which is ex-pected to fly to India and the Middle East. Three weekly flights to France are also in the pipeline.

54

Vang Vieng

Ban Sabai BungalowsJust a few minutes from the centre of Vang Vieng, these charming bungalows are perfectly set on the banks of the Nam Song River. They also come with great views of the spectacular limestone peaks that surround the area.

A Sisavang Street, Ban Viengkeo, Vang Vieng W www.inthira.com

Riverside Boutique ResortThe Riverside Boutique Resort consists of thirty four luxury rooms and suites surrounded by tropical gar-dens and centred around a swimming pool.

A Ban Viengkeo, VangViengW www.riversidevangvieng.com

Nam Lik Eco-villageFor nature lovers and those looking to embrace the great outdoors, the Nam Lik Eco-Village is a dream come true. The resort is designed to work in harmo-ny with nature, as well as various community devel-opment projects in nearby Ban That Wang Monh.

A Nam Lik River Bank, Ban That, VangVieng

Dream Time Eco RetreatLocated about 30 kilometres up the Me-kong from Vientiane near Ban Hom, Dream Time Eco Retreat is off the tourist trail but easy to access. Set in a forest with rock for-mations on a seasonal freshwater stream that flows into the Mekong, this eco retreat offers simple wooden lodges in nature.

A W www.dreamtime-laos.com

Lao Orchid HotelSituated close to the Mekong River in front of Vat Chanh, Vientiane’s well-known Lao Orchid Hotel provides perfect accommo-dation for businesspeople and travellers.

A Chao Anou Roadd, Vat Chanh, VTEW www.lao-orchid.com

The BelleRive Boutique HotelThe BelleRive Boutique Hotel offers luxury accommodation and tranquillity for up-scale, independent travellers in the histori-cal centre of the peninsula, and close to Vat Nong and Vat Sensai temples.

A 99 Baan PhonhueangW www.thebellerive.com

KiridaraSet on a hillside surrounded by teak for-ests, this 24-room boutique hotel offers panoramic views of Mount Phou Si, with easy access to Luang Prabang Town and its international airport.

A 22/13 North Road, Ban NaviengkhamW kiridara.com

Lotus Villa LaosIdeally located one block from the Me-kong River, and a two-minute walk to the UNESCO World heritage-listed temples Vat Nong and Vat Xieng Thong as well as many good eateries, Lotus Villa Laos offers clean rooms in a traditional French-Lao style house.

A Ban Phoneheuang, Unit 3, Kounxoa RdW www.lotusvillalaos.com

Nong Khiaw Riverside, Muang NgoyLarge comfortable wooden bungalows on stilts offer breathtaking river views and a warm welcome from Danish owner Eskil and his friendly team. The homemade food is excellent. The best place to stay in Nong Khiaw.

A Ban Sop Houn, Muang NgoyW www.nongkiau.com

Vientiane

Luang PrabangMore favourite accommodation choices, visit: www.champamag.com

ACCOMMODATION ADVISOR

Where to stay

Vientiane Garden HotelThis newly renovated hotel offers 40 spacious rooms with panoramic garden and swimming pool views in the heart of Vientiane’s shopping and dining area. The Vientiane Garden Hotel’s guestrooms deliver cosmopolitan elegance and comfort to suit the needs of leisure and adven-ture travellers, and perfect for businesspeople, families, and couples.

A Sihome Road, VTEW vientianegardenhotel.com

Beau Rivage Mekong HotelIdeally situated on the Mekong Riverfront in downtown Vientiane, the popular Beau Rivage’s modern design offers guests new, attractive, modern accommodation and great value.

A Fa Ngum Road, Ban Seetarn NeuaW www.hbrm.com

A great little retreat in Champassak ProvinceKingfisher Ecolodge.

55

XiengkhouangAuberge PhouphadengA delightful hilltop resort in beautiful country-side close to Phonsavan, Auberge Phouphadend makes an ideal base for exploring the famous Plain of Jars. Fifteen comfortable wooden bunga-lows have been built in-amongst a forest of pine and fern trees.

A Xieng Khouang City Center, Xieng Khouang

OudomxaiCharming Lao HotelClose to the centre of town, the Charming Lao Hotel is ideal for anyone visiting Oudomxai for business or pleasure. All rooms are equipped with modern facilities. Best choice in town.

A Vanghai Village, Xay District, OudomxayW www.charminglaohotel.com

Luang Namtha The Boat Landing, Ban KoneThis premier eco-lodge is a great jump off point for those looking to explore the Nam Ha Protect-ed Area. All the bungalows have been built using local materials and in a local style, while guaran-teeing a comfortable stay. A great choice.

A Ban Kone, Luang NamthaW www.theboatlanding.com

SavannakhetDaoSavanh Resort Rooms offer unique views of the Sedone River, as it flows into the Mekong. Close to a market and Wat Luang, Pakse’s most celebrated Buddhist Pa-goda, it’s also a great place to experience local life. Rooms are clean and comfortable.

A Ban Thahea, Kaisone Phomvihan, SavannakhetW www.daosavanhhtl.com

ChampasakInthira Hotel, ChampasakThese 2 stunningly restored Colonial era Trading Houses on the ‘right side of the river’ are not only the closest Hotels to the Ancient Temple Wat Pho, but are also the most contemporary and stylishly designed hotels in the Locality.

A Ban Vat Amard, Champasak DistrictW www.inthira.com

Little Eden Guesthouse, DondetThe Little Eden Guesthouse is located on the north-western tip of Don Det in the Mekong’s 4,000 Islands (Siphandon). The property offers great views, and presents an ideal location to take pleasure in fantastic sunsets while enjoying a meal and drink at the riverside restaurant.

A Sunset Side, Don DetW littleedenguesthouse-dondet.com

Arawan Riverside Hotel, PakseThe only all in one 5 stars hotel in Pakse, Champa-sak Province, LAO PDR. The hotel located along the Mekong River and in the central city of Pakse

A Salakiew srteet, PakseW www.arawanhotelpakse.com

12 Khouvieng Rd, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDRPhone: +856 21 26 4097. Fax: +856 21 26 3064

Email : [email protected]

www.facebook.com/Riversidevangvieng | www.riversidevangvieng.com

Ban Viengkeo, Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, Lao PDRPhone: +856 (0)23 511 726-8. Fax: +856 (0)23 511 729Email: [email protected]

...The spirit of traditional Lao hospitality... on the bank of the Nam Song River

Experience the wealth of our cultural heritage

...Elegance and timeless comfort... in the heart of Vientiane

Experience the beauty of historical Laos

One way : 765,000 LAK

Tel: (856 21) 212 051-54 www.laoairlines.com

Round-trip : 1,474,000 LAK

One way : 1,047,000 LAK


One way :

1,610,000 LAKRound-trip :

3,140,000 LAK

1,047,000

DANANG

3,140,000 LAK

GUANGZHOU

LAK

LAK LAK

VIENTIANE

One way :

Tel: (856 21) 212 051-54

Round-trip :

BANGKOK

One way : 765,000 LAK

Tel: (856 21) 212 051-54 www.laoairlines.com


One way : 1,047,000 LAK


One way :

1,610,000 LAKRound-trip :

3,140,000 LAK

1,047,000

DANANG

3,140,000 LAK

GUANGZHOU

LAK

LAK LAK

VIENTIANE

One way :

Tel: (856 21) 212 051-54

Round-trip :

BANGKOK

Vien

tiane

Luan

g P

raba

ng

Sav

anna

khet

Pak

seB

angk

ok

Sin

gapo

re

Kua

la L

umpu

r

Jaka

rta

Bal

i

Chi

angm

ai

Yang

on

Vara

nasi

Jing

hongK

unm

ing

Gua

ngzh

ou

Man

ila

Seo

ul Bus

an Fuku

okaK

ansa

i-Osa

ka

Nar

ita-T

okyo

Han

oi

Dan

ang

Ho

Chi

min

h

Sie

mre

ap

Phn

ompe

nh

Vien

tiane

Luan

g P

raba

ng

Xie

ngkh

ouan

g

Oud

omxa

y

Luan

gnam

tha

Hou

eisa

y

Sav

anna

khet

Pak

se

Laos

Dom

estic

rout

e

Rou

te M

ap

Flig

hts

oper

ate

by

Futu

re ro

ute

Lao

Airl

ines

Cod

e sh

are

fligh

tsw

ww

.laoa

irlin

es.c

om

Vientiane Capital of Lao PDR

For more information please contact Champa holidays tour or Lao Airlines officesTel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile: 22413161, 22224884Email: [email protected], [email protected], www.champaholidays.com

L A O S

VientianeVientiane is Southeast Asia’s most laid-back capital. This city boasts outstanding French colonial ar-chitecture and low level buildings spread throughout the city, exuding its rich cultural heritage and relaxed atmosphere. Life in this pleasant capital is slow-paced. We explore this small, peaceful capital at a leisurely pace, visiting some of the finest and most important historical sites in Laos.

How to get to Vientiane on Lao Airlines?From Bangkok, there are two daily flights. There are daily flights from Hanoi / Kunming / Siem Reap. From Ho Chi Minh, three flights a week (Tue, Thu & Sat).

Vientiane Free & Easy Stay-3 days

Code: CPH71

Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package to Vientiane Capital, which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights ac-commodation at a hotel of your choice with breakfast, round trip airport transfer and a half day tour.

Vientiane Stop-Over-3 days

Code: CPH72

Vientiane Stop-Over tour includes a round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, transporta-tion in private car, hotel accommodation in a twin shared room with breakfast, Eng-lish speaking guide, admission fee to indi-cated sights, Government tax and service charge and tour program are below:

Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane (B)Opon arrival in Vientiane, you will be met and transferred to a centrally located ho-tel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinat-ing capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. After a short rest, we begin visiting the major sights of the capital, including Vat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Bud-dha statues, and the former royal temple of Vat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha.

Enroute to Lao’s national icon, the pre-cious and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

We’ll end the day by the Mekong riverside for a relaxing stroll and admire the sunset. Overnight in Vientiane (B)

Day 2: Vientiane – Nam Ngum Lake After breakfast, we head out of the city to make our way to Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir created by the damming of the Nam Ngum River. On the way to Nam Ngum Lake, we’ll stop at Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt extraction plant and a village that distills the local Lao whiskey. On arrival at Nam Ngum Lake, we embark on a long tail boat to visit fishing villages in the various islets. We take a short walk to explore the lifestyle of the local fisher-men. After that we’ll have lunch. On the return drive to Vientiane, [if time permits], perhaps you might want to experience gambling at the Lao casino located in the valley where you can also enjoy a beauti-ful view of the lake. We return to Vientiane by late evening. Overnight in Vientiane (B)

Day 3: Vientiane-DepartureAfter breakfast, we visit the Morning Mar-ket which has a range of Lao made prod-ucts, from silk, handicrafts, silver jewelry, clothing, etc. (if time permits). The tour ends after you’re transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

For more information please contact Champa holidays tour or Lao Airlines officesTel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile: 22413161, 22224884Email: [email protected], [email protected], www.champaholidays.com

Pakse City (Champasak)Pakse Stop-Over-3 Days

Code: Champa 3.2

Day1: Arrival-Pakse to Don KhoneOn arrival at Pakse, drive out towards Khong Island. On the way we make a short detour to visit Pha Suam Vaterfall and to explore the Lao Teung ethnic minority villages. We continue our journey by mo-torboat to Don Khong, the largest island in the southern part of the Mekong river region known as the 4,000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight in Don Khong. (L/D)

Day 2: Khong Island to Done Khone to Pakse Following breakfast, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside, and embark on a longtail boat tour of the Don Khone area, which takes you to visit the remains of the French colonial period and Liphi Vaterfall or “the Corridor of the Devil”. We return to the mainland at the fishing vil-lage of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest Vater-fall by volume in South east Asia; this is an impressive attraction near the Lao-Cam-bodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making it one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. Afterwards we drive back to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse. (B/L/D)

Day 3: Pakse- Departure after breakfast, at your leisure or shopping, then transfer to airport. (B)

Package includes:- Roundtrip on Lao Airlines air ticket- Two nights accommodation in hotel in a twin sharing room; daily breakfast- Transportation in private car- English speaking guide- Admission fee to indicated sights

Pakse Free & Easy Stay-3 Days

Code : Champa 3.1

Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package in Pakse, the southern city of Laos. You can make a connection flight on Lao Airlines flight from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Luang Prabang and Vientiane.

Day 1: Meet at Pakse airport and transfer to hotel for check-in and relaxation.Day 2: Enjoy breakfast at hotel and free time or you may contact hotel counter for city tour yourself.

Day 3: After breakfast, free time and transfer to airport for check in and fly back to your next destination.

Package includes:- Roundtrip Lao Airlines air ticket- Two nights accommodation at hotel - Daily breakfast- Round trip airport transfer

Pakse Splendid

We explore the beautiful region of Pakse, located in the southern part of Laos, also home to the famous Ancient Khmer ruins of Vat Phou from the 5th Century and the awe-inspiring Khone Phapheng Vaterfall, the biggest in Southeast Asia! The surrounding forests teem with flourishing vegetation and you will be greeted by the friendly locals as we visit a few villages. You will take a trip to the Bolaven Plateau, which will provide you with a refreshing break from the heat and allow you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea and other crops.

On Pakse on Lao Airlines flights from Vien-tiane, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh. Direct flights are avail-able from Ho Chi Minh to Pakse as follows: Tue, Thu, Sat – Depart at 11:45 and arrive at 13:45. Pakse to Ho Chi Minh: Tue, Thu, Sat–Depart at 09:15 and arrive at 10:45.

Luang Prabang World Heritage City

For more information please contact Champa Holidays Tour or Lao Airlines officesTel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile: 22413161, 22224884Email: [email protected], [email protected], www.champaholidays.com

Luang Prabang has a beautiful and tranquil dream-like setting with a fusion of foreign influences and splendid land-scape and scenery, making this an idyllic, unspoiled and charming destination for visitors. It is no wonder this amaz-ing city has been declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO. The ancient city was the former capital of Laos, with a reign of more than 63 kings over 600 years. Luang Prabang is known as the ‘Thousand Pagoda City’ and there are countless intriguing architectural highlights in this sleepy and once royal capital.

How to get to Luang Prabang?Lao Airlines has direct flights from Bangkok, Chiangmai and Hanoi daily; three times a week from Siem Reap; three flights daily from Vientiane.

Luang Prabang Free & Easy Stay-3 Days

Code: CPH11

Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package in the World Heritage City of Laos which in-cludes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodations in a hotel room of your choice with daily breakfast, round trip airport transfer and half day city tour.

Luang Prabang Stop-Over-3 Days

Code: CPH12

Luang Prabang Stop-Over tour includes a round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, trans-portation in private car, accommodation in a twin shared room with breakfast, English speaking guide, admission fee to indicated sights, and government taxes and service charges. The tour program is as follows:

Day 1: Arrival-Luang Prabang Arrival at Luang Prabang airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Af-ter a short rest, we will visit the impressive stupa of Vat Visoun and the shrine of Vat Aham and Vat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by hilltribe groups and lo-cal people from the surrounding area of Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Pra-bang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang-Pak Ou CaveOn this day, we enjoy a short-guided tour to see the city’s oldest temples of Vat Sene and the magnificent Vat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, rep-resenting classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil coun-

tryside as well as time to explore the mys-terious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lac-quered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we’ll take a short drive to another small village, Ban Phanom, which is fa-mous for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day3: Luang Prabang-DepartureVisit the National Museum (closed Tues-days) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artifacts reflecting the rich-ness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last reign. There will also be time to look around the Central Market. After visiting these sights in the morning, there may be free time (depending on your flight) to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

Luang Prabang World Heritage City

For more information please contact Champa Holidays Tour or Lao Airlines officesTel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile: 22413161, 22224884Email: [email protected], [email protected], www.champaholidays.com

Luang Prabang Wonder-4 Days

Code: CPH13

Enjoy Luang Prabang Wonder – 4 days and 3 nights which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, transportation in private car and accommodation in a twin shared room with daily breakfast, English speaking guide, admission fees to indicat-ed sights, government taxes and service charges. The tour program is as follows:

Day 1: Arrival-Luang PrabangUpon arrival, you will be met and trans-ferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in Southeast Asia’. During your time here, we’ll visit the impressive stupa of Vat Visoun and the shrines of Vat Aham and Vat Mai. We then climb up to the top of mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people from the surrounding areas of Luang Pra-bang. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 2: Luang Prabang-Pak Ou CaveEnjoy a short-guided tour to see the city’s oldest temple of Vat Sene and the magnif-icent Vat Xiengthong with its roofs sweep-ing low to the ground, representing classi-cal Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as time to explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village known for its hand weaving. Overnight inLuang Prabang. (B)

Day 3:Luang Prabang-Khouangsi VaterfallAn optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (of-ten in the form of sticky rice) from faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual. From there, you will visit the morning Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and this day you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou, Lao Oum Village and Ban Thapene, which are Khmu vil-lages. This then takes us to the beautiful Khouangsi Vaterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.

On the return trip to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we continue to Ban Xang-khong, a village well known for its silk weavings and for its Saa (jute) Papermak-ing. We return to the city by late evening to admire the sunset at Vat Siphoutha-bath. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 4: Luang Prabang-DepartureVisit the National Museum (closed Tues-days) at the former Royal Palace. It dis-plays a collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last reign. There will also be time for us to look around the Central Market. After visiting these sights in the morn-ing, there may be free time (depending on your flight) to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

Ho Chi Minh City - VietnamFormerly known as Saigon

How to get to Ho Chi Minh City? You may take Lao Airlines flight from Vientiane or Pakse to Hochiminh on Tue, Thu & Sat.

Ho Chi Minh Free & Easy Stay-3 days

Code: CPH61

Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package in the historical Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, two nights accommodation in a three star hotel with daily breakfast, round trip airport transfer and a half-day tour in Ho Chi Minh city.

Ho Chi Minh-Mekong Delta-3 Days

Code: CPH62

The Ho Chi Minh Mekong Delta 3 days and 2 nights package includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights ac-commodation in a twin sharing room, daily breakfast and one lunch at the ho-tel, transportation in private car, entrance fees to tourist sites and a one-day tour of the Mekong Delta including tour guide as follows:

Day 1: Meet on arrival at Tan San Airport and transfer to hotel for check-in and then free time or shopping.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh (Meals: B/L)

After breakfast, depart at 8:00 am, driv-ing to the Mekong Delta, nicknamed the large rice basket of Vietnam. This day in-cludes visiting Vinh Trang pagoda, cruis-ing on the Mekong river to an island for

sightseeing and observing the daily activ-ities of local people, taking a paddle boat along the small canal, visiting a bee farm, orchards, enjoying tea, honey, seasonal fruits, sweets, amateur traditional music performances, touring a coconut candy mill and then lunch on the island. On the way back, stop for shopping.

Day 3: Depart Ho Chi Minh (B)

After breakfast at hotel , free time or shop-ping and transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight.

Ho Chi Minh Vung Tau 3 Days

Code: CPH63

Ho Chi Minh Vung Tau 3 days and 2 nights includes round trip air ticket on Lao Air-lines, 2 nights accommodation in a twin sharing room, full meals, transportation in private car, entrance fees to tourist sites, tour guide and tour program as fol-lows:

Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh – CITY TOUR (L,D)

Arrive Ho Chi Minh by QV515 at 10:45. Welcome by friendly guide then transfer to hotel. Buffet lunch provided by hotel.

PM: City tour – visit local neighborhoods and landmarks such as China Town, Thien Hau Pagoda, Remnant War Museum, Re-unification Hall (Formerly Presidential Pal-

ace), Opera House, City Hall, stop at the Main Post Office & Notre Dame Cathedral for pictures. On the way back to the hotel, stop at a lacquer ware factory for shop-ping. Back to hotel and enjoy a set dinner at Sapphire Hotel.

Day 2:HCMC – VUNG TAU – HCMC (L, D)

Depart in the morning for Vung Tau, a fa-mous tourist spot. Free for swimming and sea bathing at Mariana Club. Set lunch at the local seafood restaurant. Visit memo-rial statue of Saint George (30 m high) on Small Mountain - the highest Saint statue in VietNam; visit Niet Ban Tinh Xa, the most beautiful pagoda in Vung Tau on a hillside facing the sea. On the way back to HCMC, stop at Long Thanh to buy fruits of the season. Arrival HCMC, enjoy a set din-ner on a Saigon floating restaurant. Trans-fer back to hotel for leisure time.

Day 3: HO CHI MINH – VIENTIANE

Free time until transfer to airport for a flight at 11:45 am. End of service.

Amazing Angkor, Siem Reap - CambodiaHow to get to Angkor Vat? You may take Lao Airlines flight from Vientiane or Pakse with daily service or depart from Luang Prabang on Mon, Thu & Sat.

Angkor Vat Free & Easy Stay-3 Days, 2 Nights

Code: CPH41Enjoy the Free & Easy Stay package in Siem Reap city which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accom-modation in a three/four star hotel with daily breakfast and round trip airport transfer.

Amazing Angkor VatFull Package - 3 Days, 2 Nights

Code: CPH42 Visit the Amazing Angkor city on a 3 days and 2 nights package with Champa Holi-days which includes roundtrip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommoda-tion in a twin sharing hotel room, meals, transportation (car, van or bus), entrance fees to tourist sites, English/Thai speaking guide and tour program as follows:

Day 1: Arrive – Siem Reap (L/D) Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to hotel for check-in and visit the National Museum then have lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Vat Thmei Artisan Angkor, Old Market, then have dinner at Koulen II Restaurant with Apsara Dance show. After dinner, visit the Night Market, then back to hotel.

Day 2: Angkor Thom (B/L/D )After breakfast at hotel, visit South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon temples, Bapuon, Phimenakas, Terrace of Elephant and Leper King. In the afternoon, visit Ta Prum temple, Takeo, Angkor Vat temple and Vatch the sunset over Bakheng Hill, din-ner and back to hotel.

Day 3: Siem Reap – Pakse/Vientiane (B) Breakfast at hotel, visit old market and transfer to Siem Reap International Air-port to fly back.

Angkor Vat - Phnom Penh -SihanoukvilleFull Package - 6 Days, 5 Nights

Code: CPH42Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap (L/D) Arrive at Siem Reap International airport and transfer to hotel for check-in. Lunch at Sophea Angkor Pich Restaurant then visit South Gate of AngkorThom , Terrace of Elephant, Angkor Vat and Vatch the sunset over Bakheng Hill, dinner at Kolen II Restaurant.

Day 2: Tonle Sap Lake – Phnom Penh (B/L/D)At 7:30 am guide and van pick up to visit the Tonle Sap Lake, and have an early lunch at Kolen II restaurant. At 12:00 noon depart by van to Phnom Penh and check-in to a three star hotel and have dinner at the Tonle Basac restaurant.

Day 3: City tour Phnom Penh – Siha-noukville (B/L/D)At 8:00 am guide and van pick up to visit the Royal Palace, museum, the killing fields, and have lunch at Tonle Basac res-taurant and at 1:00 pm depart by van to Sihanoukville and check-in to Hotel Gold-en Sand, then have dinner at the Beach Restaurant.

Day 4: SihanoukvilleAt 8:00 am guide and van will pick up to Ream Beach. Lunch at Beach Restaurant and in the afternoon visit the Ochheuteal beach, then have dinner at a beach res-taurant.

Day 5: Sihanoukville – Siem Reap (B/L/D)At 8:00 am visit Sihanoukville Market and lunch at Tonle Basac Restaurant, and drive back to Siem Reap, check-in to hotel and have dinner at Sophea Angkor Pich Res-taurant.

Day 6: Siem Reap – Pakse/ VTE (B) Breakfast at hotel, visit old market and transfer to Siem Reap International Air-port to your next destination.

Jinghong-ChinaVisit Jinghong , Xishuang Banna

Located in the south of Yunnan Province, Jinghong is the political, economic and cultural center of Xishuang Banna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, which is a supernatural oasis in southwest China, while Jinghong is a bright pearl in the oasis.

Attractions in Xishuang BannaKnown for its tropical flowers, plants, and garden, attractions in Xishuang Banna include the Meng Tropical Botanical Gar-den, tropical rain forest valley, Mengle great Buddhist monastery, Mengle cultur-al park, Manting park, Dai ethnic garden, wild elephant ravine, south medicinal plants garden, the virgin forest park and Mengjinglai village and more.

How to get to Jinghong?Travel with Lao Airlines direct flight from Luang Prabang on Friday and Sunday or on a connecting flight from Vientiane.

Jinghong Free & Easy Stay-3 Days, 2 Nights

Code: CPH51

Enjoy and relax with the Free & Easy Stay package in Jinghong Xishuang Banna which includes round trip air ticket on Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodation in a four star hotel with daily breakfast and airport transfer.

Jinghong Stop-Over-3 Days, 2 Nights

Code: CPH52

Spend your holidays with the Jinghong Stop-Over – 3 days, 2 nights which in-cludes roundtrip air ticket of Lao Airlines,

2 nights accommodation in a three star hotel with a twin sharing room, full meals (Chinese food), transportation (car, van or bus), entrance fees to tourist sites, Lao/English speaking guide and tour program as follows:

Day 1: Take Lao Airlines flight QV818 to Jinghong , guide will meet you at the airport, go straight to visit Bage Temple (Head Temple in Xishuangbanna), then transfer to hotel check-in and dinner. Overnight at Jinghong.

Day 2: After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Virgin Forest Park, lunch, then to Ganlan-ba and sightseeing in the local bazaar and the villages of Dai people and visit the Dai Garden, take part in the Vater splashing, and have dinner during a singing and dancing show. Overnight at Jinghong.

Day 3: Breakfast & check-out from ho-tel, tour the Flower Garden. After lunch, transfer to the airport to fly back to Luang Prabang or Vientiane.





ກບຕນແຫວນທອງ ສລວງ

ASEAN Hightlights



Hanoi Stopover Captain Vanthong Soulivong

w w w . L a o a i r L i n e s . c o m | w w w . c h a m p a h o L i d a y s . c o m | w w w . c h a m p a m a g . c o m

issue 15 FeBruary - march

Lao airLines in-FLight magazine

VoL 03 issu

e 15 ch

am

pa h

oLid

ays tou

rs an

d g

uid

e in La

os

ww

w.

ch

am

pa

ma

g.

co

m

champa holidays #15

Documents