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53-528: The Tai Nyaw believe that they are descendants of people originally from the northernmost part of Laos and Tonkin or immigrants during Tai migrations. Whatever the case may be, their dialect most closely resembles the Lao dialects from the regions east of Luang Prabang . Legend has it descendants are from the old king of Laos , who migrated after the overthrow and was forced to leave and spread out to neighboring countries for refuge. The Nyaw believed their ancestors are

106-493: A tropical savanna climate ( Köppen Aw ) with distinct wet and dry seasons . Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the onset of the wet season which in Vientiane lasts about seven months. Vientiane tends to be very hot and humid throughout the course of the year, though temperatures in the city tend to be somewhat cooler during the dry season than the wet season. The lowest recorded temperature

159-440: A 'walled city' whereas chan ( ຈັນ , previously ຈັນທນ໌ ) derives from Sanskrit candana ( चन्दन , /t͡ɕand̪ana/ ), 'sandalwood' and can be translated as the 'walled city of sandalwood'. Some Laotians mistakenly believe it refers to the 'walled city of the moon' as chan can also represent 'moon', although this was previously distinguished in writing as " ຈັນທຣ໌ ". Other romanisations include "Viangchan" and "Wiangchan". By

212-744: A mythical bird woman. Energetic visitors can climb to the top of the monument for a panoramic view of the city. Buddha Park was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat and contains a collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, scattered amongst gardens and trees. The park is 28 kilometres (17 mi) south of Vientiane at the edge of the Mekong River . Vientiane is home to one of the three bowling alleys in Laos (the other two are in Luang Prabang and Pakse ). Other sites include: The National University of Laos , one of three universities in

265-650: A national symbol of Laos and an icon of Buddhism in Laos . Other significant Buddhist temples can be found there as well, such as Haw Phra Kaew , which formerly housed the Emerald Buddha . "Vientiane" is the French spelling derived from the Lao Viangchan /wíaŋ tɕàn/ . The name was previously written " ວຽງຈັນທນ໌ " (in Thai, เวียงจันทน์) but now usually written " ວຽງຈັນ ". In Lao, viang ( ວຽງ ) refers to

318-482: A nationalist group declared Laos once more independent, with Luang Prabang as its capital but on 7 April 1945 two battalions of Japanese troops occupied the city. The Japanese attempted to force Sisavang Vong (the King of Luang Prabang) to declare Laotian independence but on 8 April he instead simply declared an end to Laos' status as a French protectorate. The King then secretly sent Prince Kindavong to represent Laos to

371-450: Is also an important transportation link. At Chiang Khong it is possible to hire a barge to cross the river. A trip from Huay Xai , across from Thailand, downstream to Luang Prabang takes two days by slow boat, typically with a stop at Pakbeng . Beginning December 2021, Luang Prabang is served by the high speed Vientiane–Boten railway . The railway parallels Route 13, and serve as Laos' first major north–south railway line, from Boten at

424-681: The Allied forces and Sisavang Vatthana as representative to the Japanese. Following Japan's surrender to the Allies, Free French forces were sent to reoccupy Laos and entered Luang Prabang on 25 August, at which time the King assured the French that Laos remained a French colonial protectorate. In September the Chinese Nationalist forces arrived to receive the surrender of the remaining Japanese forces but also quickly set about buying up

477-721: The China–Laos railway or Laos–China railway ) is a 414 kilometres (257 mi) 1,435 mm ( 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ) standard gauge electrified railway in Laos , running between the capital Vientiane and the town of Boten on the border with China . The line was officially opened on 3 December 2021. Vientiane is served by Wattay International Airport with international connections to other Asian destinations such as Singapore , Hong Kong , Malaysia , Thailand , South Korea , Japan and China . Lao Airlines has regular flights to several domestic destinations in

530-515: The French colonial influences during the 19th and 20th centuries. The centre of the city consists of four main roads and is located on a peninsula at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong River . Luang Prabang is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every morning, hundreds of monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms . One of

583-597: The Kingdom of Laos , until the Pathet Lao takeover in 1975. The city is part of Luang Prabang District of Luang Prabang Province and is the capital and administrative centre of the province. It lies approximately 300 km (190 mi) north of the capital Vientiane . Currently, the population of the city as a whole is roughly 56,000 inhabitants with the UNESCO protected site being inhabited by around 24,000. By

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636-652: The Laotian Civil War of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, a secret American airbase was located at Luang Prabang and it was the scene of fighting. Luang Prabang remained the royal capital until 1975, when the Pathet Lao communist forces seized power with North Vietnamese support and dissolved the monarchy. Luang Prabang was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 for the recognition of its well-preserved architectural, religious and cultural heritage. Luang Prabang has both natural and historical sites. Among

689-539: The Royal Lao Government and the Pathet Lao , Vientiane became unstable. In August 1960, Kong Le seized the capital and insisted that Souvanna Phouma become prime minister. In mid-December, Phoumi Nosavan then seized the capital, overthrew the Phouma Government, and installed Boun Oum as prime minister. In mid-1975, Pathet Lao troops moved towards the city and Americans began evacuating

742-469: The Wat Xieng Thong temple are among the best known historical sites. The town, particularly the main street, is dotted with many smaller wats such as Wat Hosian Voravihane . Every morning at sunrise, monks walk in a procession through the streets accepting alms offered by local residents, an event popular with tourists. Mountain biking is quite common, with people often biking around the town or to

795-544: The head of state of the Kingdom of Laos . The town was the scene of many events during and in the aftermath of World War II and it was occupied by several foreign countries during the war ( Vichy France , Thailand , Imperial Japan , Free France , and Nationalist China ). Initially the Vichy French controlled the city but lost it to Thai forces following the Franco-Thai War of 1940–1941. On 9 March 1945,

848-679: The 6th century in the Chao Phraya River Valley, Mon peoples had coalesced to create the Dvaravati kingdoms . In the north, Haripunjaya ( Lamphun ) emerged as a rival power to the Dvaravati . By the 8th century the Mon had pushed north to create city states, in Fa Daet (modern Kalasin , northeastern Thailand), Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) near modern Tha Khek , Laos, Muang Sua (Luang Prabang), and Chantaburi ( Vientiane ). In

901-440: The 6th century in the Chao Phraya River Valley, Mon peoples had coalesced to create the Dvaravati kingdoms . In the north, Haripunjaya ( Lamphun ) emerged as a rival power to the Dvaravati . By the 8th century the Mon had pushed north to create city states, in Fa Daet (modern Kalasin , northeastern Thailand), Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) near modern Tha Khek , Laos, Muang Sua ( Luang Prabang ), and Chantaburi (Vientiane). In

954-483: The 8th century CE, Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) was the strongest of these early city states, and controlled trade throughout the middle Mekong region. The city states were loosely bound politically, but were culturally similar and introduced Therevada Buddhism from Sri Lankan missionaries throughout the region. The great Laotian epic, the Phra Lak Phra Lam , claims that Prince Thattaradtha founded

1007-448: The 8th century CE, Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) was the strongest of these early city states, and controlled trade throughout the middle Mekong region. The city states were loosely bound politically, but were culturally similar and introduced Therevada Buddhism from Sri Lankan missionaries throughout the region. Xieng Dong Xieng Thong experienced a brief period of Khmer suzerainty under Jayavarman VII from 1185 to 1191. By 1180

1060-506: The Chinese border in the north to Vientiane in the south. The complete journey takes less than three hours by train instead of three days by road. There is a French international school in the city, École francophone de Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang features a tropical wet and dry climate ( Aw ) under the Köppen climate classification . While the city is generally very warm throughout

1113-600: The Duke; the Duke led an army chased the invaders as far as Vũ Ôn? (unattested), and then returned with captives. This name may have traced it origin to Wèndān , a supposedly kingdom located in the Khorat Plateau , mentioned by a ninth-century Chinese writer described a trade route which started at Hanoi and crossed the western mountains to Wèndān. In 1354, when Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang , Vientiane became an important administrative city, even though it

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1166-421: The Lao might well have lost control over their own country. During World War II , Vientiane fell with little resistance and was occupied by Japanese forces, under the command of Sako Masanori . On 9 March 1945, French paratroopers arrived and reoccupied the city on 24 April 1945. The city became the national capital of the newly independent Lao state in 1953. As the Laotian Civil War broke out between

1219-687: The Laotian opium crop. In April and May 1946, the French attempted to recapture Laos by using paratroops to retake Vientiane and Luang Prabang and drive Phetsarath and the Lao Issara ministers out of Laos and into Thailand and Vietnam. During the First Indochina War , the Viet Minh and Pathet Lao forces attempted to capture the city several times in 1953 and 1954, but were stopped before they could reach it by French forces. During

1272-501: The Luang Prabang's famous Jeow Bong . Luang Prabang is served by Luang Prabang International Airport with non-stop flights to adjoining countries. Luang Prabang is served by Route 13 , which connects to Vang Vieng and Vientiane to the south, and to Boten in the north. The road is paved, though the surface is in poor condition at places. Since 2014, a new road connects Kasi (close to Vang Vieng) to Luang Prabang, allowing

1325-743: The Nyaw people is the tutelary spirit of the village, known in the dialect as ผู้เจ้า [pʰuː tɕaw] . In Thailand this language group is increasingly becoming integrated into the mainstream Isan language. This is due in large part to a campaign by the Thai government to modernize all Thai people, as well as due to outside influences of television, internet and local radio broadcasts. Most younger members of this northeastern tribal group in Thailand prefer to be called Thai rather than by their traditional tribal group name. Believed to be Nyaw indigenous headhunters who sought other tribes for bounty and sport, It

1378-733: The Sipsong Panna had regained their independence from the Khmers , however, and in 1238 an internal uprising in the Khmer outpost of Sukhothai expelled the Khmer overlords. Xieng Dong Xieng Thong in 1353 became the capital of the Lan Xang kingdom. In 1359 the Khmer king from Angkor gave the Phra Bang to his son-in-law, the first Lang Xang monarch Fa Ngum (1353–1373); to provide Buddhist legitimacy both to Fa Ngum's rule and by extension to

1431-773: The Vietnamese were encouraged to migrate to Laos, which resulted in 53% of the population of Vientiane being Vietnamese in the year 1943. As late as 1945, the French drew up an ambitious plan to move massive Vietnamese population to three key areas (i.e. the Vientiane Plain, the Savannakhet region , and the Bolaven Plateau ), which was only interrupted by the Japanese invasion of Indochina. If this plan had been implemented, according to Martin Stuart-Fox ,

1484-433: The capital today. In 1707, Lan Xang fell apart because of a dynastic struggle and Luang Prabang became the capital of the independent Kingdom of Luang Phrabang . When France annexed Laos, the French recognised Luang Prabang as the royal residence of Laos. Eventually, the ruler of Luang Prabang became synonymous with the figurehead of Laos. When Laos achieved independence, the king of Luang Prabang, Sisavang Vong , became

1537-507: The capital. On 23 August 1975, a contingent of 50 Pathet Lao women symbolically liberated the city. On 2 December 1975, the communist party of the Pathet Lao took over Vientiane, defeated the Kingdom of Laos , and renamed the country the Lao People's Democratic Republic, which ended the Laotian Civil War . The next day, an Insurgency in Laos began in the jungle, with the Pathet Lao fighting factions of Hmong and royalists. Vientiane

1590-399: The city when he left the legendary Lao kingdom of Muong Inthapatha Maha Nakhone because he was denied the throne in favor of his younger brother. Thattaradtha founded a city called Maha Thani Si Phan Phao on the western banks of the Mekong River ; this city was said to have later become today's Udon Thani , Thailand . One day, a seven-headed Naga told Thattaradtha to start a new city on

1643-422: The city's major landmarks is Mount Phou Si ; a large steep hill which despite the constrained scale of the city, is 150 metres (490 ft) high; a steep staircase leads to Wat Chom Si shrine and an overlook of the city and the rivers. The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. It had also been known by the ancient name of Xieng Thong . It was the royal capital and seat of government of

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1696-427: The country (including several flights daily to Luang Prabang , plus a few flights weekly to other local destinations). In Thailand, Udon Thani International Airport , one of Wattay's main connections, is less than 90 km distant. The "Centre Medical de l'Ambassade de France" is available to the foreign community in Laos. The Mahosot Hospital is an important local hospital in treating and researching diseases and

1749-402: The country, is in Vientiane. International schools include: Vientiane is the driving force behind economic change in Laos. In recent years, the city has experienced rapid economic growth from foreign investment. In 2011, the stock exchange opened with two listed company stocks, with the cooperation of South Korea . There are regular bus services connecting Vientiane Bus Station with

1802-664: The east bank of the river opposite Maha Thani Si Phan Phao . The prince called this city Chanthabuly Si Sattanakhanahud ; which was said to be the predecessor of modern Vientiane. Contrary to the Phra Lak Phra Lam , most historians believe Vientiane was an early Mon settlement, which later came under the domination of the Khmer Empire . In the 11th and 12th centuries, the time when the Lao and Thai people are believed to have entered Southeast Asia from Southern China ,

1855-468: The few remaining Mon and Khmer in the area moved or assimilated into the Lao civilization, which would soon overtake the area. The earliest reference of the name Vientiane can be seen on a Vietnamese inscription of Duke Đỗ Anh Vũ , dated 1159 during the Khmer-Viet conflict. The inscription says that in 1135, Văn Đan (Vientiane), a vassal of Zhenla ( Khmer Empire ), invaded Nghe An, but was repelled by

1908-490: The five urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture , the city is located on the banks of the Mekong , right at the border with Thailand . Vientiane was the administrative capital during French rule and, due to economic growth in recent times, is now the economic center of Laos. The city had a population of 840,000 as of the 2023 Census . Vientiane is the home of the most significant national monuments such as Pha That Luang ,

1961-570: The king's personal guards and extended family. The Nyaw language is very similar to the Lao language , which is referred to as the Isan language in Thailand. It is most similar to the Phuthai language also spoken within the same regions. Most Nyaw are often also fluent in Thai and Lao . The Tai Nyaw practise Theravada Buddhism , but have also maintained their original animist religion. Important to

2014-577: The natural tourism sites are the Kuang Si Falls , Tat Sae Waterfalls , and Pak Ou Caves . Elephant riding is offered at some sites. Phou Si , in the center of the town, has broad views of the town and river systems, and is a popular place to watch the sun setting over the Mekong River. At the end of the main street of Luang Prabang is a night market where stalls sell shirts, bracelets, and other souvenirs. The Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and

2067-521: The pre-1975 Lao spelling ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ (ຣ = silent r ) as Luang Prabang , literally meaning " Royal Buddha Image ", is a city in north central Laos , consisting of 58 adjacent villages, of which 33 comprise the UNESCO Town of Luang Prabang World Heritage Site . It was listed in 1995 for unique and remarkably well preserved architectural, religious and cultural heritage, a blend of the rural and urban developments over several centuries, including

2120-498: The rest of the country. In Vientiane, regular bus services around the city are provided by Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise. These buses were set up and run with the help of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Daily non-stop bus services run between Vientiane and Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen in Thailand. The First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge , built in the 1990s, crosses

2173-741: The river 18 kilometres downstream of the city of Nong Khai in Thailand, and is the major crossing between the two countries. The official name of the bridge was changed in 2007 by the addition of "First", after the Second Friendship Bridge linking Mukdahan in Thailand with Savannakhet in Laos was opened early in 2007. A metre gauge railway link over the first bridge was formally inaugurated on 5 March 2009, previously ending at Thanaleng Railway Station , in Dongphosy village ( Vientiane Prefecture ), 20 km east of Vientiane. As of November 2010, Lao officials plan to convert

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2226-468: The sovereignty of Laos and was used to spread Theravada Buddhism in the new kingdom. The capital name was changed to Luangphabang, where it was kept, named after the Buddha image. Luang Prabang was briefly occupied by the Vietnamese forces during Emperor Lê Thánh Tông 's 1478–1480 expedition against Lan Xang and Lanna . The capital was moved in 1560 by King Setthathirath I to Vientiane , which remains

2279-849: The station into a cargo rail terminal for freight trains , allowing cargo to be transported from Bangkok into Laos more cheaply than via road. The rail link has since been extended 7.5km further into the city, to terminate at Vientiane (Khamsavath) railway station , a bigger and newer station closer to the city, with connections to the Central Bus Terminal and the Laos China Railway Station. The first passenger train arrived from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok on 20 July 2024. The new station has immigration facilities, offices, shops and more platforms. The Boten–Vientiane railway (sometimes referred to as

2332-491: The trip to be made in about 3 hours (compared to 5 hours via Route 13). Several daily buses run from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, taking 11–13 hours. The road from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang is poorly maintained, remote, unlit, unmarked and dangerous for the unfamiliar, particularly in the rainy season. Buses regularly travel the route for 14–16 hours. If coming from Vietnam, sleeper buses can be caught from Hanoi to either Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng . The Mekong River itself

2385-605: The waterfalls for the day. Down the Mekong River, a 15-minute boat ride from the city centre, Ban Chan (the pottery village ) is another notable place. Luang Prabang received 'Best City' in the Wanderlust Travel Awards 2015. Luang Prabang has a rich artistic and culinary history and the city's cooks were hired by the king. Typical local dishes include: Or lam (O-lam, the favourite dish of Luang Prabang locals), Luang Prabang sausage, mokpa (steamed fish), and Kaipen made from Mekong River moss (served fried) with

2438-400: The year, it is noticeably cooler during December and January. Luang Prabang also experiences wet and dry seasons, with the wet season from April until October, and the dry season during the remaining five months. The city receives approximately 1,450 millimetres (57 in) of precipitation annually. Vientiane Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos . Comprising

2491-508: Was 2.4 °C or 36.3 °F in January 1924, and the highest was 42.6 °C or 108.7 °F in April 2024. The capital attracts many tourists to its many temples and Buddhist monuments. A popular attraction for foreign visitors is Pha That Luang , an important national cultural monument of Laos and one of its best known stupas . It was originally built in 1566 by King Setthathirath and

2544-499: Was an honor to retrieve the heads of rival tribes as a trophy. Many traditional families still kept the severed skulls as charms and for use in black magic known as "Kong Dee". After the integration of Lao , Thai and Cambodian mainstream society the head hunts were deemed unacceptable. Luang Prabang Luang Phabang , ( Lao : ຫລວງພະບາງ / ຫຼວງພະບາງ ) or Louangphabang (pronounced [lǔaŋ pʰāʔ.bàːŋ] ), commonly transliterated into Western languages from

2597-490: Was burned to the ground and was looted of nearly all Laotian artifacts, including Buddha statues and people. Vientiane was in great disrepair, depopulated and disappearing into the forest when the French arrived. It eventually passed to French rule in 1893. It became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos in 1899. During the French colonial period, the city was rebuilt and various Buddhist temples such as Pha That Luang , Haw Phra Kaew were repaired. During French rule,

2650-482: Was not made the capital. King Setthathirath officially established it as the capital of Lan Xang in 1563, to avoid Burmese invasion. When Lan Xang fell apart in 1707, it became an independent Kingdom of Vientiane . In 1779, it was conquered by the Siamese general Phraya Chakri and made a vassal of Siam . When King Anouvong raised an unsuccessful rebellion, it was obliterated by Siamese armies in 1827. The city

2703-522: Was pregnant at the time, leapt to her death as a sacrifice, just as the pillar was being lowered into the hole. In front of the temple stands a statue of King Sisavang Vong . The memorial monument, Patuxai , built between 1957 and 1968, is perhaps the most prominent landmark in the city. While the Arc de Triomphe in Paris inspired the architecture, the design incorporates typical Lao motifs including Kinnari,

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2756-436: Was restored in 1953. The golden stupa is 45 metres (148 ft) tall and is believed to contain a relic of the Buddha. Another site that is also popular amongst tourists is Wat Si Muang . The temple was built on the ruins of a Khmer Hindu shrine, the remains of which can be seen behind the ordination hall. It was built in 1563 and is believed to be guarded by the spirit of a local girl, Nang Si. Legend tells that Nang Si, who

2809-550: Was the host of the 2009 Southeast Asian Games . Eighteen competitions were dropped from the previous games held in Thailand, due to Laos' landlocked borders and the lack of adequate facilities in Vientiane. Vientiane is on a bend of the Mekong River, at which point it forms the border with Thailand . The city government administers the five urban districts of the Vientiane Prefecture . Vientiane features

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