Vientiane Blog | Going To The Capital Of Laos

Patterns of Weather in Vientiane

December 28, 2013 By // by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

The weather in Vientiane is practically the same as the rest of the provinces in Laos, which show tropical climates. There is a slight tendency of higher temperatures and less rainfall than in the northern regions of Laos, however.

Much like the rest of the country, Vientiane experiences three distinct seasons: the cool season, the hot season and the rainy season. Weather is fairly predictable in these diverse seasons except for the occasional discrepancies. Most of the time, seasons are consistent enough for a visitor to be able to easily plan a trip to Vientiane. …

Dangers and Health in Vientiane

December 28, 2013 By // by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Although Vientiane does not pose risks of any contagious diseases, health in Vientiane is generally below standard compared to developed countries. The facilities in the city are a far cry from those found in the West or even those medical facilities found in the nearby county of Thailand. Health then becomes a primary concern when in Vientiane.

Unfortunately, not many restaurants follow standard health codes in Vientiane. For one, no actual health codes exist in the city and if there are any, they are not properly enforced. Visitors should then be wary in choosing dining places. Street stalls that sell barbecued meats are generally safe to eat as long as the meat or fish have been thoroughly cooked. What visitors should watch out for are food items that have not been cooked or items that are especially susceptible to bad preparation, such as sauces and the famous papaya salad. Although deemed a must-try in Laos, the papaya salad is served raw, which is not a good meal to munch on for visitors. Unless you’re dining in one of the more classy restaurants, it is best to stick to cooked dishes. …

Victory of the Patuxai

December 28, 2013 By // by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Patuxai is not only one of the more popular tourist attractions in Vientiane but it is also a great landmark of the capital city. Travelers of Vientiane can’t help but notice the remarkable monument found in the city center. Having a closer look is irresistible for most Vientiane travelers.

Patuxai is translated to the Victory Monument but is also known by several other names. The striking monument is also called the Old Monument, the Ancient Monument, and the Anusawali Kao. Reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, this Lao Gate of Triumph was built in 1962 with financial assistance from the Unites States. The cement that was supposed to be used to construct a new airport ended up being used by this monument. The monument has a good mixture of French and Lao architectural influences. There are also Buddhist details that adorn the monument and are visible from up close. It was originally built to commemorate the Lao soldiers who died during battle serving their country before the revolutionary wars. …

Lao People’s Army History Museum – Giving Back to the Army That Gave It All

December 28, 2013 By // by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

The Lao People’s Army started in year 1949 from the different ethnic groups of the country. The army headed an opposing war against the invasion of the French from 1945 until 1954. They then carried on by facing the American Imperialists from 1954 to 1975. To commemorate the army, the Lao People’s Army History Museum was established in 1976 and is located near the Ministry of Defense compound in Ban Nonesangthor.

Lao Peoples Army History Museum in Vientiane

For a period of over six decades and with the support of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the Lao People’s Army led the country as they defeated many enemies of the nation, liberated people from slavery, helped regain power and independence for the Laotian people, established a new regime and officially proclaimed the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 1975. …

Snaps of the Lao National Museum

December 28, 2013 By // by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Although the Lao National Museum may not be filled with plenty of significant artifacts to make up a national museum, the museum still makes up for it with its often interesting exhibits. The museum was formerly known as the Lao Revolutionary Museum and is housed in an old colonial structure that was built in 1925.

Despite being limited in displays, the museum features a wide range of varied exhibits such as dinosaur bones found in the country, a sandstone sculpture of Shiva (the famous Hindu God), machine guns, and old photos of guerillas that fought American troops before the communists ruled in 1975. …

A Hero’s Tribute at the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum and Memorial

December 28, 2013 By // by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

The Kaysone Phomvihane Museum is an imposing edifice to commemorate Laos’s great revolutionary leader and previous President, Kaysone Phomvihane. The museum is administered by the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party or LPRP. The museum, which was erected in December of 2000, is even located in front of the committee’s compounds.

Kaysone Phomvihane Museum in Vientiane – Laos

Kaysone was born in Savannakhet in 1920. He then became an active revolutionary while he was studying in Hanoi during the 1940s. He was a significant instrument during the setting up of the LPRP in the northern Laos region of Samnuea in 1955. In the years that followed, he led a great communist force against the Americans. Upon achieving victory, he then served as the Prime Minster of the newly founded Laos in year 1972 to 1991 up until he was appointed President. Sadly, he died the following year after his first year of presidency. …