Laos Receives World Heritage Certificate for Plain of Jars
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee presented Laos with a certificate recognizing the World Heritage List designation of the Plain of Jars on Monday.
The Plain of Jars, situated on a plateau in Xieng Khuang Province, is named for the more than 2,100 tubular megalithic stone jars that are thought to have been used in the Iron Age for funeral practices.
Prof. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara, with a special envoy of the Lao government, was presented with the award at the Forum of Ministers of Culture during the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference held at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, France.
“We highly appreciate the role of UNESCO in fostering cultural diversity so that we can conserve and develop our own diverse and unique national culture and learn closely and constructively from each other,” said Prof. Dr. Bonsengkham Vondara when speaking at the certificate ceremony.
“In addition, our government is making a great effort to our heritage through tourism. By maintaining and opening up our cultural and historical sites, our aim is to grow and encourage cultural tourism, natural eco-tourism, and historical tourism.”
The Plain of Jars, formally called the Megalithic Jar Sites, was officially inscribed on the World Heritage List at a World Heritage Committee meeting held in Baku, Azerbaijan on July 10 this year, after submission in 2018.
Prof. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara receives the Plain of Jars World Heritage Certificate in Paris, France.
The Plain of Jars is the third World Heritage Site in Laos. Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos’s Lanexang Kingdom, was declared a World Heritage City in 1995, followed in 2001 by the site of Vat Phou in Champasack.
Xieng Khuang is situated 435 km north of Vientiane and is accessible by road or by air.
~Laotian Times~
SureStay Hotel opens in the Heart of Vientiane, Laos
Best Western Hotels & Resorts continues to introduce its innovative SureStay Hotel Group to exciting new destinations across Asia with the opening of a new property at the heart of Vientiane in Laos.
Opening its doors on November 19, 2019, SureStay Hotel by Best Western Vientiane is located in the center of the Lao capital, a short stroll from the banks of the Mekong River and the city’s lively Walking Street. Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport is just a 15-minute drive away.
The launch of this hotel will introduce international service standards to the premium economy hotel sector in Vientiane. Designed with a blend of classical Lao art deco and French colonial styles, SureStay Hotel by Best Western Vientiane will comprise 68 rooms and suites, all featuring sleep-inducing beds, refreshing bathrooms, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Each day starts with breakfast at the onsite restaurant, while the Sure Spa and top floor fitness center offer a variety of ways to unwind during the day. The biz corner in the lobby is perfect for guests who need to stay connected – including corporate travelers. Then, as the sun sets, the Tipsy Elephant Rooftop Bar promises cool drinks and stunning views over the mighty Mekong.
“We could not wish for a better way to introduce SureStay Hotel Group to Laos. With its prime downtown location in the country’s capital city, surrounded by key tourist sites, SureStay Hotel by Best Western Vientiane puts guests in the heart of the action. This desirable location is complemented by elegant décor and amenities for business and leisure travelers. We look forward to introducing a new era of accommodation to Vientiane,” said Olivier Berrivin, Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.
Vientiane is a captivating destination that blends the grace and charm of Indochina with European influences. Visitors can discover a series of enticing attractions, including Patuxai Arch, which resembles the Arc de Triomphe, the spectacular golden stupa of Pha That Luang, and Wat Si Saket, which houses more than 2,000 Buddhist statues. Alternatively, Walking Street and the riverside Night Market are great places to stroll, shop for souvenirs or simply soak up the enchanting ambiance, which feels much more relaxed than many other Asian capitals.
Laos is becoming increasingly popular among international travelers; according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism, 2.2 million people visited the country in the first six months of this year, up 5% year-on-year.
SureStay Hotel by Best Western Vientiane will become the fourth operational SureStay® hotel in Asia, following SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Sukhumvit 2 in Bangkok, Thailand; SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Shin-Osaka in Japan; and SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western AC LUXE Angeles City in the Philippines. SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Cebu City is also scheduled to open its doors in March 2020.
Launched in October 2016, SureStay Hotel Group is already celebrating more than 260 properties globally, making it one of the fastest-growing brands in the hotel industry today. No matter which SureStay hotel travelers choose, they will enjoy consistent levels of quality, comfort, cleanliness and service guarantee, all at an affordable price.
Best Western will now seek further opportunities to introduce this forward-thinking brand to even more locations across Asia and worldwide.
~Laotian Times~
Laos, Thailand To Build Another Friendship Bridge
Laos and Thailand are considering the construction of one more friendship bridge to connect the two countries in a move that would link Vientiane Province and Loei.
The governor of Vientiane Province, Mr. Khamphan Sithidampha told reporters on August 16 that Vientiane provincial authorities had proposed the project to the government for its consideration.
“We are conducting a study on the location of the bridge, to decide whether it should be in Sanakham or Meun district,” Mr. Khamphan, as quoted by Vientiane Times.
It is unclear when the construction of the bridge would begin.
The first friendship bridge to connect the two nations was built in 1994, with help from the Australian government.
Since then, the two governments have constructed a total of four Lao-Thai bridges across the Mekong River and have signed an agreement to build another bridge linking Borikhamxay province with the Thai province of Bueng Kan.
Mr. Khamphan said the construction of the bridge and the upgrade of border crossings between Vientiane province and Loei Province would provide a significant boost for domestic and foreign investment.
Laos and Thailand have beefed up their efforts to improve connectivity between two nations in recent years.
The first freight train service to and from Laos was launched in early August, which will carry cargo from a container yard at Thanaleng Railway Station in Vientiane, Laos, to as far as the Laem Chaban seaport in Thailand.
Trains to and from Vientiane used to be only able to carry passengers only across the 3.5km track, while freight was carried across the border to Nong Khai by truck.
Meanwhile, Thailand is preparing to launch the country’s first bullet train that will run between Bangkok and Beijing, China, with Laos as one of the intermediate stations.
In particular, the first route, a Thai-Sino project linking Bangkok and Nong Khai in the far Northeast, is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed by 2023.
In July, Laos and Thailand also signed an agreement to extend road and rail connections between the two countries worth more than THB 3 billion (USD 98.2 million).
Under the agreement, the two countries plan to improve the R11 road linking the Phudu border checkpoint in Uttaradit province in Northern Thailand with the Lao capital, Vientiane. The two-lane road will be paved with asphalt and will cost about THB 1.8 billion (USD 59 million).
~Laotian Times~
Nine Border Checkpoints to Discontinue Visa On Arrival Services
According to a notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, nine of Laos’s border checkpoints will discontinue providing visa on arrival services to tourists.
The notice orders the closure of visa on arrival units at nine border checkpoints:
– Pang Hok (Phongsaly Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Soy (Huaphanh Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Kan (Xieng Khouang Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Ngeun (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand
– Nam Heuang (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand
– Nam Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam
– Na Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam
– Savannakhet International Airport
– Phou Keua (Attapeu Province) bordering Vietnam
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with coordinating the closure of the visa units and is to ensure that no disruptions are caused at border checkpoints.
Laos launched an e-visa service earlier this year, but so far this is only available for use at three checkpoints; Wattay International Airport, The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, and Luang Prabang International Airport.
~Laotian Times~
Laos to Offer Free Wi-Fi at Landmarks in Vientiane
Laos has launched a project to offer free Wi-Fi at landmarks in its capital Vientiane in a move to cater to not only the general public but also foreign visitors.
The project, supported by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT,) will enable visitors to use the internet at frequently visited locations such as Wattay International Airport, Namphou Fountain, and Hor Phrakeo, said Deputy Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Bounsaleumxay Khennavong, as quoted by Vientiane Times.
APT was founded in 1979 on the joint initiative of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia, and the Pacific and the International Telecommunication Union.
APT serves as an organization for information and communications technology (ICT) in the region. Laos became a member in 1989.
The free wi-fi project is a part of Laos’s efforts to be in line with the current digital trend and a desire to promote wider access to information.
In Laos, cell phones account for 94 percent of the entire phone network and the mobile internet network reaches 78 percent of all villages, while Internet users make up nearly 40 percent of the population, Mr Bounsaleumxay said.
In particular, the country sees strong growth in social media use, especially Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and WeChat. Among online social media users, 28-38 percent are young people aged 16-24, he added.
Wi-Fi (sometimes) at the 4,000 islands
Laos attracted more than 4.1 million foreign tourists last year, an 8.2 percent increase from the previous year. Tourism generated revenue of more than USD 755 million in 2018.
Meanwhile, it is expected that at least 4.5 million people will visit Laos this year, generating revenue of more than USD 700 million.
~Laotian Times~
