2009/11/28

Angkor Wat - Siem Reap - Cambodia


Nearly all visitors to Cambodia come to see the ancient temples of Angkor, situated in Siem Reap. Built between the 9th and 14th centuries, they reflect a period of great creativity, and now fully deserve their position in the Seven Wonders of the World.


The Khmer empire at the time stretched far and wide, from southern Vietnam to southern China and west over to the Bay of Bengal. Angkor was the administrative center, built by the population, with the stone buildings which now remain the abodes only of the gods. The real instigator of the complex was Jayavarman II, who set himself up as the god-king; this concept was continued through the reigns of the other kings, with various kings producing one or other of the wonders that are available for your eyes today.


Angkor Wat is the highest achievement of Khmer temple architecture, and is today the "flagship" of the temples at Angkor. The temple is a huge pyramid structure. The compound at Angkor Wat covers an area of 1,500 by 1,300 m (4,920 by 4,265 ft) and is surrounded by a vast moat 180 m (590 ft) wide. Along the causeway leading to the enormous entrance gate are balustrades shaped as giant serpents, which are believed to represent emblems of cosmic fertility.


The temple consists of a towering complex of terraces and small buildings that are arranged in a series of three diminishing stories and surmounted by five towers. The roofed and unroofed structures are covered with bands of finely carved stone sculptures. The walls are covered with carved reliefs that illustrate Hindu mythology, principally scenes relating to the god Vishnu, to whom the temple was dedicated. The "mass of bas-relief carving is of the highest quality and the most beautifully executed in Angkor." All the temple mountains of Angkor were filled with three-dimensional images and every inch of the walls are covered by sculptures.


Miraculously, very little damage has been made on the Angkor region as a result of the bloody civil that has terrorized the Cambodia for over 30 years. The Khmer Rouge, an extreme-left organization has actively organized guerrilla activities against Prince Sihanouk's government.


In 1975, many Buddhist monks who lived in the Angkor temples were massacred along with the majority of the Buddhist population as a result of a "social reorganization". However, Angkor Wat suffered very little structural damage in that attack. Today, archeologists from all over the world are actively involved in the restoration process of the temples.


Angkor began to decline around 1220 after the death of Jayavarman VII, and then was sacked twice by the Thais, in 1351 and 1431. The Khmer court moved to Phnom Penh, and Angkor was left to the jungle, not rediscovered until the mid-19th century.


The Angkor temples miraculously suffered very little structural damage in the bloody civil wars in recent years, and today archeologists from all over the world are actively involved in the restoration process. However, in 1975, many Buddhist monks who lived in the Angkor temples were massacred by the Khmer Rouge, along with the majority of the Buddhist population, as a result of ‘social reorganization’. As society has recovered, the temples have become active places of worship once again: please remember this and dress appropriately on your trip.

Cheap Airfare From/To Laos Here!

2009/11/20

Top Attractions in Muang Khammouan - Laos

Muang Khammouan - Laos

1. Tham Lot Kong Lo
Tham Lot Kong Lo is a magnificent 4 km long cavernous tunnel of limestone, found in the spectacular scenery of Khammuan Province in Southern Laos.

2. Nakai-Nam Theun National Biodiversity Conservation Area
Situated on the border of Vietnam, Nakai-Nam Theun actually features a number of different habitats, from evergreen forest to cloud forests, riverine forest to an everwet forest. Covering an area 3,710 square...

3. Phoun Hin Boun National Biodiversity Conservation Area
Situated in the province of Khammouane, the Phoun Hin Boun NBCA features a range of activities from trekking to rafting, or kayaking. Cave enthusiasts will also find many caves to explore. The terrain in Phoun Hin...

4. Hin Namno National Biodiversity Conservation Area
Situated on the border of Vietnam, Hin Namno NBCA is a region where the Central Indochina Limestone meets the beginning of the Annamite Chain. The area therefore features a number of caves and limestone...
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Top Attractions in Savannakhet - Laos

1. Phou Xang Hae National Biodiversity Conservation Area
Similar to the nearby Dong Phou Vieng park, the Phou Xang Hae NBCA is a great location for trekking, and features many of similar animals including the Douc and Francois's langur, and elephants, as well as big cats,...

2. Dong Phou Vieng National Biodiversity Conservation Area
Situated in the province of Savanakhet, Dong Phou Vieng NBCA features a mix of forest types. The area is great for trekking, and features a number of animals including the Douc and Francois' langur, elephants, and an...

3. Xe Bang Nouan National Biodiversity Conservation Area
Situated between the province of Salavan and Savanakhet, Xe Bang NBCA covers an area 1,260 square kilometres in site. The area is still little known, and the region is not that easily accessible.

4. Wat Si Mongkhon Tai

2009/11/18

Cheap Flights to Laos


Cheap Flights to Laos : Tickets

Unless you're in a country bordering Laos, your first mission is to find a flight to Bang­kok. Luckily there are plenty of flights to the Thai capital, but fares fluctuate sharply. Generally, you'll pay less but it will take longer if you fly to Bangkok with a stop on the way.


For example, if you're flying from the UK you'll probably get a better deal with airlines such as Gulf Air, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Garuda or, for those on the breadline, Biman Bangladesh - all of which involve a stop in the airline's home city - than you would on a direct flight with British Airways or Thai International Airways (THAI). Once you're in Bangkok, there are trains, planes and buses heading to Laos. The only flights directly into Laos come from the following four countries

Phnom Penh
Between Phnom Penh and Vientiane, there are two flights a week with Lao Airlines (stopping in Pakse) and a daily direct flight with Vietnam Airlines.

Siem Reap
Lao Airlines flies between Siem Reap and Vientiane five times a week, stopping at Pakse (50 min­utes). From November to March there are two more flights between Siem Reap and Pakse that continue to Luang Prabang (US$135). Bangkok Airways should also be flying between Pakse and Siem Reap by the time you read this.

Kunming - CHINA
Lao Airlines shares three services a week be­tween Kunming and Vientiane with China Eastern Airlines.

Bangkok - THAILAND
THAI has one flight daily between Bangkok and Vientiane (70 minutes), while Lao Airlines has two flights in each direction; discounts are available in THAI.

DEPARTURE TAX
The international departure tax is US$15, payable in kip, baht or US dollars.

Some people save money by flying from Bangkok to Udon Thani in Thailand and then carrying on by road to Nong Khai, over the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane .
Udoi Thani is 55 km south of Nong Khai and Bang-kok-Udon tickets on Thai Air Asia.

Bangkok Airways flies daily between Bang­kok and Luang Prabang, and Lao Airlines has three flights a week.

Bangkok Airways should be flying be tween Bangkok and Pakse by the time you read this.

Chiang Mai
Lao Airlines has five flights a week between Vientiane and Chiang Mai via Luang Prabang (one hour).
Hanoi - VIETNAM
There are 10 flights a week between Vientiane and Hanoi - three on Lao Airline (one hour) and the rest on Vietnam Airlines for slightly more. Lao Airline also flies between Hanoi and Luang Praban; (one hour).

Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam Airlines flies from Ho Chi Mini City to Vientiane, three hours daily, via Phnom Penh.

Cheap Fare From/To Laos Here !

2009/11/16

Bangkok to Vientiane by train



It's easy to travel from Bangkok to Vientiane (or vice versa) by train, using the daily overnight sleeper train direct from Bangkok to Nong Khai and a special connecting local train to the new international rail terminal at Thanaleng in Laos, some 13km outside Vientiane.

The train uses the new rail link over the Friendship Bridge across the Mekong river into Laos, opened on 5 March 2009. You can then take a local bus or tuk tuk to central Vientiane. It's safe, cheap and comfortable. Alternatively, you can still travel between Bangkok & Vientiane the old way, using any of the Bangkok-Nong Khai trains, then making your own way by bus or taxi between Nong Khai & Vientiane. This section explains both options.

* Change trains at Nong Khai. Originally, through 2nd class sleeper cars operated between Bangkok & Thanaleng, but it's now reported that the Nong Khai to Thanaleng train is run as a totally separate train with 3rd class seats. You've a couple of hours to change trains in Nong Khai and buy onward tickets.
** Use local transport (bus, taxi, tuk-tuk) between Nong Khai & Vientiane
*** Use local transport (taxi, tuk-tuk) between Thanaleng & central Vientiane.

Option 1, take the train all the way between Bangkok & Laos...
The easiest option is to take the overnight train (train 69 northbound, train 70 southbound) between Bangkok & Nong Khai, and the connecting local train across the Friendship Bridge between Nong Khai & Thanaleng in Laos, just outside Vientiane. An extension of the railway to the suburbs of Vientiane is planned. How to buy tickets. The new Thanaleng station is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, so pre-arrange a taxi transfer into Vientiane if you can, perhaps by booking a hotel then asking them to arrange a taxi. If you can't, you'll no doubt find a taxi or bus into town, and Thai baht are normally readily accepted.

VISAS: 'Visas on arrival' for Laos are now issued at Thanaleng station, costing US$35 + 1- baht entry fee.

Option 2, use any train between Bangkok & Nong Khai, then bus or taxi to Vientiane...
The other way to travel from Bangkok to Vientiane (or vice versa) is to take any train from Bangkok to Nong Khai, overnight train 69 (train 70 southbound) being the best choice. Nong Khai is just a few kilometres from the Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River into Laos. You then use road transport across the Friendship Bridge into Laos like this: (1) Take a local tuk-tuk taxi from Nong Khai railway station to the Nong Khai bus station. (2) A shuttle bus runs from the bus station across the Friendship Bridge to Laos every 20 minutes throughout the day, fare about 30 baht. It stops at Thai immigration 5 mins after leaving the bus station then crosses the Friendship Bridge to arrive at Lao customs & immigration some 10 mins later (a 15-day visa on arrival available for Laos at this border point). (3) You now remove your luggage from the bus luggage hold and go through Lao customs. Take another tuk-tuk to your chosen hotel. Try this link for more information on the shuttle bus. When travelling southbound, leave central Vientiane at least 3 hours before your train leaves Nong Khai for Bangkok to allow time for border formalities and the various bus/taxi journeys.


How to buy tickets from Bangkok to Vientiane...
You can't buy through tickets from Bangkok to Thanaleng, at least not yet, you have to buy a ticket from Bangkok to Nong Khai, then buy the onward ticket from Nong Khai to Thanaleng at the station when you get to Nong Khai. You can buy your Bangkok-Nong Khai sleeper ticket at the reservations office in Bangkok or online using the new Thai Railways online booking service. The new online service can now book 2nd class air-con sleepers from Bangkok to Nong Khai on train 69, but it won't book 1st class ones or tickets for any of the other Bangkok-Nong Khai trains, at least not yet.

Or you can buy tickets through an agency such as Traveller2000. For details of all these methods see the How to Buy Tickets section on the Thailand page. You then buy your Nong Khai to Thanaleng ticket for 20 baht when you arrive at Nong Khai station. There's plenty of time to do this, as the train has a 2 hour layover in Nong Khai before the connecting train heads to Thanaleng.


Vientiane to Luang Prabang
The jewel in Laos' crown is Luang Prabang, a city of French and Buddhist colonial buildings next to a river and nestled in mountains. You can travel from Vientiane to Luang Prabang by river boat or bus, as follows:

* Vientiane - Luang Prabang by VIP bus, 10 hours, 2 morning departures, about 140,000-170,000 Kip one-way.
* Vientiane - Luang Prabang by air-con bus, 10 hours, 2 morning departures, about 120,000-130,000 Kip one-way.
* Vientiane - Luang Prabang by ordinary bus, 11 hours, 5 daily departures, about 70,000 Kip one-way.
* Vientiane - Luang Prabang by 6-seater river speedboat, 11 hours, morning departures, about $20 one-way. One seat61 correspondent has said he did not feel safe on the speedboat.
* Vientiane - Luang Prabang by cargo/passenger ferry, 4-7 days, daily morning departures, about $6 one-way.
Traveller's report:

Traveller Bob Fletcher reports: "The name of the bus has nothing to do with the actual comfort. The VIP bus is as high as a double decker with tough suspension. Try riding in the back seat for 11 hours! The Air Con bus doesn't look as nice but is definitely more comfortable. However, neither bus will have it's air con on once it clears Vientiane. All that said, travellers who take a flight to Luang Prabang really miss out on amazing breathtaking scenery.

Cheap Airfare From/To Laos Here !

2009/11/14

That Ing Hang Festival


28 November - 03 December 2009, Savannakhet Province
That Ing Hang Festival


The ritual ceremony is annually performed in the That Ing Hang, one of the most sacred stupa in Southern Laos. It said there are some Buddha born inside the stupa. In December, people organize a festival to show their respects to Buddhism and to the people who built this stupa.


Many people, including the old and young, come to the festival from South and North of Laos as well as from Thailand.
People make offerings of "Khanmarkbern", a small green tower-like offering goods made by banana leaves, and flowers to around the stupa.

People ask nuns who are around the stupa for blessing them. The nuns give blessing to people by tying cotton strings to their wrists. Local people bring forest products like honey and traditional foods for the offerings.

Cheap Airfare From/To Laos Here !

Laos Festivals & Activities


January

Bun Pha Wet is the temple festival people will exchange invitations to friends, neighbors and family to join their celebrations. This festival is a commemoration of the Jataka, the life story of Lord Buddha as Prince Vestsantara so temples considered auspicious time for ordination day. This is will be a favored time for Lao males to be ordained into the monks.

February
Marha Puha is an interest festival celebrated by buddhists in Laos / Thailand on the night of the full moon. This day is a public holiday in Thailand and Laos & go to the temple to perform merit-making activities. Celebrated most fervently in Vientiane and at the Khmer ruins of Wat Phu, near Champasak province. The festival is marked by grand parades of candle-bearing worshippers circling their local temples, merit-making, and much religious music and chanting.
Vietnamese Tet Festival & Chinese New Year Celebrated in Vientiane, Pakse and Savannakhet is the biggest event of the year. This time for friends, families and loved ones to come together, it is also a time to pay respects to deceased ancestors. Many people celebrate with a hung of meal and fireworks displays which take place in most major towns and cities. Most shops close their businesses at least one day over the holiday period.

Sikhotabong Festival is religious festival and held at Sikhottabong stupa from 5 - 8 February every year, located about 6 km south of Thakhek. it was built in the 8-10th centuries by King Nanthasene. The ruins of stupa was restored as its original design in the 1950's.
Wat Phu Festival is a interest festival of Laos, organized annually in Champasak from 5 - 8 February. Wat Phu is in Champasak. Festivities are buffaloes fighting, elephants racing, cocks fighting and performances of Lao traditional music and dance. The trade showcasing the cheap price of products from the southern province of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

March
Boun Khoun Khao or Khoun Lan (Rice Ceremony) This is a harvest festival held at Songkhon district in Savannakhet Province. Basi ceremony is performed to give thanks for the land .

April
Boun Pimai (Pimai Lao) is the most important annual festivals, especially in (Luang Prabang). It is lasting several days and starting from 13-15 April. That day water will be throwing among the people in a spirit of fun and goodwill is the main activity of this festival. In addition you will join in dancing, singing traditional song & beauty contest with the crowning of Miss Pimai.

May
Boun Bangfai (Rocket Festival) is held at the beginning of the rainy season. Bangfai is a rocket made from Large bamboo are built and decorated by monks. Different communities compete for the best decorated and the highest traveling rocket and who will design failed rockets are thrown in the mud, songs and dances. This dramatic festival lasts 2 days and also celebrated in north east Thailand.

June & July
Children's Day is 1st June is a Laos Public Holiday !
Khao Phansao beginning of the traditional 3 month during which Buddhist monks are expected to station themselves in a single monastery. Other time they are travel from the countryside, but during the rainy season they avoid to travel so as not to damage fields of rice or other crops. This months is a special time for ordination and for men to enter the monkhood for short periods before they marry.

August
Haw Khao Padap Din starting in the middle of the rainy season. Khao Padabdin festival is held in commemoration of dead ancestors. Over 2 days Buddhist devotees flock to the wats carrying silver trays of offerings for monks and deceased ancestors. Music is traditionally performed in the grounds of the wat while people make their donations.

Boat Racing Festival held in Luang Prabang from 17 - 18 Aug. This festival includes boat racing on the Nam Khane River and a trade fair in Luang Prabang. At the Khao Salak ceremony day, people visit local temples to make offering to the dead as well to share merits making.

September
Boun Ok Phansa is the end of buddhist lent and the faithful take offerings to the temple and it mean is end of the rainy season. Boat races take place on the Mekong river with crews of more men and women. Before the race small decorated rafts are set afloat on the river.

Boat Racing Festival is held in Sebangfai river on 2 Sept in every year. At the same occasion a trade fair of farming products, local handicrafts, traditional Lao music and dance performance at the same time, citizens donate the offering to the dead in to share merits.

October
Awk Phansao (Awk Watsa) similar to the Thai celebrates that call Loy Krathong, this celebrates on the day of the full moon. Monks are at last permitted to leave the temple and are presented with robes. One particularly beautiful & people gather at the nearest body of water to release dozens of small banana-leaf boats decorated with candles, incense and small flowers.

Bun Nam (Water Festival) The water festival held during kao Pansa in riverside towns such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Savannakhet, the highly competitive Bun Nam boat races (suang heua) are held during the same time as Awk Phansaa.

Boat Racing Festival held in 2 - 3 Oct in Vientiane. The water festival held during k Pansa is spectacular on the first day donations and offerings to temples around the city. In the evening candlelight processions are held around the temples and hundred of colorful flosta decorated with flower. A popular and exciting boat racing competition is held on the Mekong.

November
Boun That Luang celebrated at many temples and stupas around the country, this festival is traditionally centered and most ardently and colorfully at That Luang in Vientiane. Fairs, beauty contests, music and fireworks take place throughout the week of the full moon, and end with a candlelight procession around the temple.

That Luang Festival (Full Moon) is held in That Luang, Vientiane. Hundreds of monks assemble to receive alms and floral votive early in the morning on the first day of the festival. There is a colorful procession between Wat Si Muang & Pha That Luang. The celebration lasts a week and includes fireworks and music, culminating in a candlelit curcumabulation.

December
Hmong New Year in Oudomxay, Xieng Khouang, Luang Prabang and Vientiane Province is held between middle December - January. The Hmong New Year celebration features colorful displays of traditional costumes made from green, red and white silk and ornate silver jewelry. Music from traditional Hmong instruments such as the Hmong-style khene pipe and teun-flute.

Cheap Airfare From/To Laos Here !

2009/11/13

Songkran Festival and Happy Lao New Year History


Songkran is the traditional Lao and Thai New Year; also called the Water Splashing Festival

Pii May Lao or Lao New Year

The Lao people celebrate their New Year, Pii May (pronounced Pii-My) or Kut Songkaan according to the ancient Hindu calendar, which falls around April 13, 14, or 15 in the Gregorian calendar. The celebration is considered to be the most important and biggest traditional festival in the country. The festival coincides with the end of the dry season and the start of the monsoon season. It is seen as a day of rebirth and purification.


According to a Lao legend, the Pii May celebration started after Thao Kabinlaphrom lost his life in a bet to a man named Thammaban Khuman Thao Kabinlaphrom was not able to solve a three-part riddle. Per his request, his seven daughters (representing each day of the week) took great care not to let his severed head touch the ground or there would be great destruction throughout the world. The head was kept at Mt. Sumeru until Pii May of each year when each daughter would take turns cleansing it. Today, this story is reenacted during the Lao New Year celebration. The community chooses one female to represent Nang Sangkhan one of the seven sisters, to lead a procession or parade while showcasing a replica of Thao Kabinlaphrom on a ceremonial tray called Khan.


Pii May Lao is a three-day event. The first day is called Sangkhan Luang or the last day of the old year. This is the time when people clean their houses in preparation for the New Year. It is also a time when people clean Buddha statues with scented water at the temple. On this day, people earn merit and blessings by building mounds of sand, usually on the river banks and temple grounds, which are then decorated with small triangular flags, flowers, money and candles. This day, in 2009, falls on Monday, April 13.


The second day is called Sangkhan Nao which is the day between the old and the New Year (This day is considered neither to be part of the old year or the New Year). In some years, the Sangkhan Nao may be two or three days long. Sangkhan Nao is also known as the day of rest, which means all work is forbidden. Only fun activities should take place such as visiting relatives and friends, taking a day trip or the customary throwing of water on friends and passersby. At night time, there is usually a Lamvong or circle dancing party and everyone dresses their best to partake in the celebration. Plenty of food and drinks are available well into the night.


The third day of the Lao New Year is called Sangkhan Kheun Pii May. It is the start of the New Year and is the most joyous day of the festival. People go to the temple and make offerings to gain merit. Young people prepare scented water with flowers and visit their grandparents, parents, and elders. They rinse the elders’ hands with the water and ask for their blessings and forgiveness for any wrong-doings in the past year. At home they engage in a special family ceremony called the Sukhwan or Baci to welcome the New Year. This ceremony is performed by a ceremonial leader known as the Mophon to call the Khwan or tutelary spirits back to the body. Participants then take turns tying the blessed white strings around each other’s wrists to wish them good luck and prosperity for the New Year.

Cheap Airfare From/To Laos Here !

2009/11/10

LAOS VISA INFORMATION


VISA INFORMATION


1. Documentary requirements
* An application form filled and signed by the applicant.
* Two recent photographs with size 4 x 6 mm.
* A passport must have at least six months remaining validity.

2. Types of visas, Length of staying permission and additional documents required
Transit visa
* Maximum five days for stay (in Vientiane only).
* Proof of an entry visa and air ticket to the third country.

Tourist visa
* 30 days (non-extendable).
* Visa processing should be made through an eligible tour company which has a contract with a tour company in the Lao PDR or directly through the Lao Embassy or Consulate in many countries such as France, Russia, Sweden, USA, Poland, Germany, Cuba, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Australia and USA.

Visit visa
* One month for stay (can be extended for two additional months).
* Visa request can be processed either through a guarantor in Laos or the Lao Embassy

Business visa
* Visa authorization is arranged by sponsor in Laos and the Embassy can not process visas until it receives authorization or approval from the authorities concerned in Laos.
* One month for stay (can be extended until completion of your business term).

Multiple entry visa:
* available only from the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lao PDR.

3. Validity of Visas
* All types of visas are issued for one entry and must be used within two months of issue date.

4. Notification on immigration

The Consular Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the honour to inform foreign nationals intending to come to Lao PDR for official contacts, for visiting their relatives, tourism, commercial or other purposes that the Government of the Lao PDR has updated its regulations on entry into and exit from Lao PDR in conformity to the present conditions. In order to facilitate Lao citizens, immigrants and foreign nationals in their border crossings, there are now 13 International Immigration Check Points in Laos, where Lao citizens, immigrants and Foreign nationals with their own Passports and an appropriate visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Embassy or a Consulate General of the Lao PDR overseas are permitted to enter into and exit from Laos or to obtain a visa on their arrival as follows:

1. Wattay International Airport ( In Vientiane Capital )
2. Luang Prabang International Airport ( In Luang Prbang Province )
3. Pakse International Airport ( In Pakse Province )
4. Mittaphab Bridge Laos Nongkhai Thailand
5. Houaixay Laos Xiangkong Thailand
6. Thakhek Laos Nakhonphanome Thailand
7. Savannakhet Laos Moukdahan Thailand
8. Vangtao Laos Xongmek Thailand
9. Namphao Laos Caucheo Vietnam
10. Ban Densavanh Laos Laobao Vietnam
11. Naophao Laos Jalor Vietnam
12. Namkan Laos Namcan Vietnam
13. Boten Laos Bohan China


A. Categories of Visas:

* Diplomatic visas (A1) Diplomatic visas are issued to diplomats, consular officers, heads of the United Nations Agencies and other International Organizations, and their dependents (spouse and children) holding diplomatic passports.

* Official visas (A2) Official visas are issued to the Staff members of Diplomatic Missions, Consulates, United Nations Agencies and other International Agencies and their dependents (spouse and children) holding official passports.

* Courtesy visas (B1) Courtesy vias are issued to foreign experts and their dependents holding diplomatic, official and normal passports performing assignments under bilateral cooperation or grant assistance projects for the Government of Lao PDR.

* Business visas (B2) Business visas are issued to foreign experts and their performing assignments under projects provided by loan agreements and as provided by employment contracts or project wards, to experts and volunteers of Non-Governmental Agencies, experts in education and medical sciences generating income for an agency, staff members of Diplomatic Missions, General Consulates, the United Nations Agencies and other international organizations holding normal passports from the countries or from third countries, as well as foreign businesspersons.

* Visit visas (B3) Visit visas are issued to foreign citizens holding normal passports and intending to visit relatives working in the Lao PDR.

B. Visa Status:

* Diplomatic visas (A1) and official visas (A2) are exempted from visa fees. Multiple entry visas may be obtained for a period of one year and may be renewed each year until the assignment’s completion.

* Courtesy visas (B1) are exempted from visas fees. Multiple entry visas may be obtained for a period of six months and may be renewed every six months until the assignment’s completion.

* Business visas (B2) are subject to the payment of mandatory visa and service fees. Multiple entry visas may be obtained for a period of six (6) months and may be renewed every six (6) months until completion of assignments.

* Visit visas (B3) are subject to the payment of visa and service upon each travel in destination to the Lao PDR. B3 category visas does not entitle its holder to work or apply for multiple entry visas.

C. Visa and Identity Card Application Procedures:

* Diplomats, Consuls, Heads of International Agencies and their dependents (spouses and children) holding diplomatic or official passports and whose assignments in the Lao PDR, which performance would exceed thirty (30) days, have been approved, will be required to apply for visas from Embassies or General Consulates of the Lao PDR according to procedures provided under bilateral agreements. Upon their entry to the Lao PDR, the relevant foreign agency shall apply for identity cards and multiple entry visas from the Protocol Department and the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively.

* Foreign experts of defferent categories and volunteers, together with their dependents, holding official or normal passports whose assignments in the Lao PDR, which performance would exceed thirty (30) days, have been approved, are required to obtain visas from Embassies or General Consulates of the Lao PDR. Upon their entry, the international organization or Lao line agency concerned shall apply for identity cards and multiple entry visas from the relevant departments.

* Diplomats, staff members of Consulates and International Agencies, foreign experts and volunteers entering the Lao PDR under visit visas (B3) without going through the requisite procedures will not benefit from facilities in performing their assignments. In order to perform their assignments, they will be required to leave the territory of the Lao PDR for the purpose of obtaining the required visa categories from Embassies or General Consulates of the Lao PDR before re- entering the country.

* Diplomats, staff members of Consulates and International Agencies, foreign experts and volunteers based abroad and whose assignments, which performance would require a timeframe not exceeding thirty (30) days, have been approved, may obtain a fifteen (15) day visa upon arrival to Wattay International Airport of the Friendship Bridge in Vientiane Municipality, as well as at the Luang Prabang International Airport.

* Diplomats, consular officers, staff members of the International Agencies, foreign experts and volunteers performing assignments in the Lao PDR for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days. Such period of time may be extended twice under B3 visas.

* Diplomatic missions, General Consulates, International Agencies and non-governmental organizations to the Lao PDR will not be authorized to recruit foreign experts or volunteers who have completed their assignments under a project and seeking further employment under other projects at will without due process in line with the procedures or regulations outlined by the Lao authorities.

Notes:

* All applicants wishing to travel to the Lao PDR on the above mentioned purposes can obtain a visa in advance of your arrival.

*For more information, please contact the Lao Embassy from 8:00-12:00/13:00-16:00, Monday to Friday.

Cheap Airfare From/To Laos Here !

Airports in Laos

Airport Code in Laos

City/Airport Name

AOU / Attopeu

OUI / Ban Houei Sai

KOG / Khong Khong Is.

LXG / Luang Namtha

LPQ / Luang Prabang

UON / Muong Sai

ODY / Oudomxay

PKS / Paksane

PKZ / Pakse

NEU / Sam Neua

VNA / Saravane

ZVK / Savannakhet

ZBY / Sayaboury

SND / Seno

THK / Thakhek

UDO / Udomxay

VNG / Viengxay

VTE / Vientiane Wattay

XAY / Xayabury

XKH / Xieng Khouang

XIE / Xieng Lom

Cheap Airfare From / To Laos Here !

2009/11/08

Houeisay - Laos

Description
Bokeo province is the smallest province in the country and borders Thailand and Myanmar. This is the Lao side of the 'Golden Triangle'. The province has 34 ethnic groups, the second most ethnically diverse province in Laos.

Climate
The annual monsoon cycle gives Laos two distinct seasons: May to October is wet and November to April is dry. Southern Laos gets the most rain overall; the peaks of the Annamite Chain receive the heaviest rainfall, over 3000mmi annually.The provinces of Luang Prabang, Sainyabuli and Xieng Khuang usually receive only 1000 to 1500mm a year. Vientiane and Savannalchet get about 1500 to 2000mm, as do Phongsali, Luang Nam Tha and Bokeo.

In the Mekong River valley (from Bokeo Province to Champasak Province) the highest temperatures (up to 38ºC) occur March/April and the lowest are in December/ January (as low as 15ºC).

In the mountains of Xieng Khuang December/January nights can easily fall to OºC. In mountainous provinces of lesser elevation, temperatures may be a few degrees higher. During most of the rainy season, daytime averages are about 29ºC in the lowlands and around 25ºC in mountain valleys.

Attractions
HoueiSay (Huay Xai) is the border town with Thailand, the city is busy and prosperous.
Located in the center of HoueiSay is Chomkao Manilat temple. The view from the the temple hill over HoueiSay city, the Mekong river and surrounding mountains is a definite reward for making it up the many steps...


General Advice
show respect and use your head and eyes and common sense will guide you well in navigating Lao culture safely. When in Laos, try and do as the as the Lao do and remember; don't touch heads, don't loose your cool with people and don't flash your flesh. The rest is about manners, shoes left outside, accepting hosts' greetings and not upsetting religious feelings.

The Lao are very friendly and hospitable and a minimum effort will make your trip smooth and memorable. Respect the culture and you will earn its respect in turn. Welcome , Lao people use the 'NOP' on meeting and using it will win you instant friends if performed sincerely. How to use the 'NOP'? Raise your hands in a praying gesture. The higher you go, the more respect you show, but don't be over the top!

Foot and Head
In Buddhism and general Asian society, the head is very important to the souls and its purity, while the feet walk the earth and all that is deposited on it. Raising your feet to headheight, putting them on furniture or pointing with them is taken as a deliberate insult or sign of barbarism. Don't gesture with your feet or touch an Asian head. You would be asking for trouble. Lao is a land of calm and patience, and shattering the peace will do you no favours.

In a Lao House - Shoes are generally no-go indoors. Use your eyes and common sense to maximise your chances of social success. Keep your head and general profile low at gatherings. Particularly when passing by older people respect should be seen to be shown ! Show respect in temples and shrines, watching how locals behave in such places. Dress neatly when visiting temples and religious shrines. You should never go shirtless, or in shorts, miniskirts or hot pants. It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around a temple compound, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Visitors are welcome to relax and be peaceful in all temples. Keep your head lower than the buddahs and monks. Buddhist priests must not be touched by a woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman gives anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Don't turn your back on a buddah.

Environment
You will rarely be alone in Laos, even when you seem to be, and pollution is not well received. Bins are scarce, so use your plastic bags to return rubbish to towns or villages. And finally... Keep smiling, and you will make lots of friends!

Cheap Airfare To Laos Here !

2009/11/07

Hanoi Travel Guide



Hanoi Travel Guide

History :
Hanoi is a sacred land of Vietnam. In the 3 rd century BC, Co Loa (actually belonging to Dong Anh District) was chosen as the capital of the Au Lac Nation of Thuc An Duong Vuong (the King Thuc). Hanoi later became the core of the resistance movements against the Northern invasions. Located in the middle of the Red River Delta, the town has gradually expanded to become a very populations and rich residential center. At different periods, Hanoi had been selected as the chief city of Vietnam under the Northern domination.In the autumn of Canh Tuat lunar years (1010), Ly Thai To, the founder of the Ly Dynasty, decided to transfer the capital from Hoa Lu to Dai La, and so he rebaptized it Thang Long (Soaring Dragon). The year 1010 then became an historical date for Hanoi and for the whole country in general. For about a thousand years, the capital was called Thang Long, then changing to Dong Do, Dong Kinh, and finally to Hanoi, in 1831. This sacred piece of land thereafter continued to be the theatre of many fateful events.

Tourism
Throughout the thousand years of its eventful history, marked by destruction, wars and natural calamities, Hanoi still preserves many ancient architectural works including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Famous sites include the One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1049), the Temple of Literature (built in 1070), Hanoi Citadel, Hanoi Opera House, President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum...

Hanoi also characteristically contains 18 beautiful lakes such as Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, and Truc Bach Lake..., which are the lungs of the city, with their surrounding gardens and trees providing a vital source of energy.

Many traditional handicrafts are also practiced in Hanoi including bronze molding, silver carving, lacquer, and embroidery. Hanoi has many famous traditional professional handicraft villages such as Bat Trang pottery village, Ngu Xa bronze casting village, Yen Thai glossy silk...

Transportation
By road : Hanoi is 93km from Ninh Binh, 102km from Haiphong, 153km from Thanh Hoa, 151km from Halong, 474km from Dien Bien Phu, 658km from Hue, 763km from Danang, and 1,710km from Ho Chi Minh City.

By air: Noi Bai International Airport, over 35km from the city center, is one of the biggest airports of the country with various international and domestic routes. There are domestic flights from Hanoi to Danang, Dien Bien, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Nha Trang and international flights to many countries in over the world.

By train: Hanoi Railway Station is Vietnam's main railway station. It is the starting point of five railway lines leading to almost every province in Vietnam.

Check Airfare VTE-HAN or VV Here !

2009/11/05

Kunming travel guide




Kunming travel guide

Yunnan is the most varied of all of China's provinces, with terrains as widely divergent as tropicall rainforest and icy Tibetan highlands. It is alos the sixth largest provinces in China and the home of a third of all China's ethnic minorities, and it harbours half of all China's plant and animal species.

The jurisdiction of Kunming covers 6,200 sq.km, including four city districts and four rural counties (which supply the city with fruit and vegetables). The centre of the city is the roundabout near that prominent landmark the Kunming Department Store. The main shopping-eating-theatre district is the sector immediately south-east of this. The older back-alley maze is north and north-west of Zhengyi Department Store. Most of the recreational features are beyond this old quarter (Cuihu Park, the zoo, Yuantong Temple). The main markets are on Daguan Jie, at the western side of the town - nad this is also the direction for the best out-of-town sights.

International Flight To Kunming
Being one of the six biggest air terminals in China, Kunming has international airlines, linked with Singapore, Bangkok, Chiangmai, Yangon, Vientiane, Kuala Lumpur and Hongkong, and has forty domestic airlines as well. It also has railways reaching Hai Noi, the capital of Vietnam and cities of China and the highways radiating to all over the country.

Weather in Kunming
If fine weather is what you're looking for in a vacation, you'd be hard pressed to find a better destination than Yunnan. Known throughout the country as the City of Eternal Spring, Yunnan's capital city of Kunming enjoys some of the most temperate weather in China. With the average summer temperature peaking out at 27 degrees Celsius (80°F) and the winter's coldest temperatures around 3 Celsius (35°F), Kunming's climate makes it a popular destination for foreigners and Chinese alike - especially during February's Spring Festival when schools take a month-long break and other parts of China are covered in snow.

Yunnan's Chinese name means "South of the Clouds," which is especially apt considering the dreary weather in Sichuan, the province immediately to the north. But every now and then, the clouds decide to migrate and settle over the Spring City. Summer is the monsoon season in Yunnan, with an average of 8.8 inches (223.5 mm) of rain falling on Kunming in July alone. In contrast, a mere .4 inches (10 mm) falls in January. The rain is heaviest from June through August, with September seeing a gradual tapering off. Twice as much rain falls in the four months from June to September as in the remaining eight months put together.

So for your visit to Kunming, don't forget to bring your short-sleeved shirts and sunglasses. But if you're visiting in the summer, throw a raincoat in the pack as well. It's likely the Spring City will decide to let some April showers fall on you during your visit.

Currency, Foreign Exchange
The Kunming, Green Lake, Camillia and Golden Dragon hotels each have foreign exchange counters. The highest concentration of moneychangers is in front of the Kunming Hotel. Rates are usually among the best in China.

Travelling Within Kunming
Most of the major sights are within a 15-km radius of Kunming. Local transport to these places is awkward, crowded and time-consuming; it tends to be an out-and -back job, with few crossovers for combined touring. If you wish to take in everything, you'd be looking at something like five return trips, which would consume about three days. You can simplify this by pusshing Black Dragon Pool, Anning Hot Springs and the Golden Temple to the Background, and concentrating on the trips of high interest - the Bamboo Temple and Western Hills, both of which have decent transport connections with special express buses in the morning. Lake Dian presents some engrossing circular-tour possibilities on its own. Better yet, buy a map, hire a good bicycle and tour the area by bike.

Places To Eat
Kunming has some great food, especially in the snack line. Regional specialities are herbinfused chicken in an earthenware steampot (Qiguoji), Yunnan ham (xuanwei huotei), across-the-bridge noodles (guoqiao mixian), goat cheese (rubing) and various Muslim beef and mutton dishes. One of the best side dishes in the restaurnats is toasted goat cheese - very tasty. The chief breakfst in Kunming, as throughout most of Yunnan, is noodles (choice of rice or wheat), usually served in a meat broth and chilli sauce.

Shopping
You have to do a fair bit of digging to come up with inspiring purchases in Kunming. Yunnan specialities are jade (related to Burmese), marble (from the Dali area), batik, minority embroidery (also musical instruments and dress accessories) and spotted brass utensils. Other crafts to considers are some of the basic utilitarian items that are part of everyday Yunnanese life, eg the large bamboo waterpipes for smoking angel-haired Yunnan tobacco, local herbal medicines (Yunnan-made baiyao is a blend of over 100 herbs and is highly prized by Chinese throughout the world) and the qiguo or ceramic steampot.

Check Airfare from Vientiane to Kunming Here !

Kuang Si Falls, Laos




Kuang Si Falls : Laos


About one hour by boat or tuk-tuk from Luang Prabang, the Kuang Si Falls are a very attractive place to visit. When you arrive at the bottom of the falls, it still is organized with tables and bridges. But as soon as you get higher, there are less people and the path only consists of mud and stones. At the first level you reach you can go for a swim (don't expect an Olympic size pool though). This place is certainly attractive, quiet and with a nice view of the valley and the water coming from above.

The real adventure starts when you try to find the upper river. Another climb brings you higher on the hills, but then you can choose another path every hundred metres. Every path leads somewhere else, and sometimes you have to walk through mud or duck under trees hanging over the path. It took us some time to find the right path, because many paths actually lead away from the falls. When finally we found the right spot, we concluded that swimming on the lower level was more interesting and returned.

Kuang Si Falls Before getting back to the parking of the tuk-tuk, we could not resist the small stalls with wooden utensils and toys. Trying to be very selective we ended up taking 8 different things, most of them presents. When we headed back to Luang Prabang, we saw that those artefacts had actually been made right there. The road to the falls is interesting as are the falls themselves, passing several bridges and a dusty road.

Check Airfare to Laos Here !

Wat Xieng Thong : Luang Prabang




Wat Xieng Thong : Luang Prabang


Laos has an incredible amount of Buddhist temples all around the country. So many, for the traveller they rapidly develop from being a sight for which you walk a extra kilometre to visit, to integral parts of the towns and countryside. One temple deserves special mention here and that's Wat Xieng Thong, a temple in the capital of temples, Luang Prabang.

Sitting on a hill overlooking the Mekong river, this templecomplex actually consists of several temples and stupas. Its grounds also boast some beautiful colourful flowers. All in all this gave the place an even more peaceful atmosphere than other temples we had already seen before.

The walls of these temples are decorated both inside as well as outside, with intricate works or glassy art. Every panel of every single door or window has been colourfully painted. In one corner the dormitories of the monks can be found, as well as their garden.Their orange clothes hanging to dry in the sun. When you finally step back into the street, you have to set your mind back to normal life. Wat Xieng Thong is an island of tranquillity in a quiet city.

Check Airfare to Laos Here !

Plain of Jars : Laos




Plain of Jars : Laos

There are mysteries in this world which have existed for centuries but that have never been satisfactorily solved. The Plain of Jars in Laos is one of them. Hundreds of stone jars lie around the landscape at an estimated 50 sites, and their origin at this time has been established at around 3,000 years ago, a few hundreds of kilometres away from their current location. But their use is not yet clarified.

After the usual hassling about money and about which guide to take, we joined an Austrian couple for a tour of this area. From Phonsavan, a young guy took us directly to site number 1, and gave an extensive briefing on the background and history of the jars, as well as their fate during the Secret War in the 1960s and 1970s. The landscape all around is clearly changed by the effects of that war. Craters and treeless hills are strong testimonials.

Actually, the jars are not just scattered around in a random way, but deliberately placed in positions which make them form constellations of stars. Their use has been thought to be graves or hiding places of jewelry, among others. Theories are still in development, as is the clearance of other sites which lie in areas where bombing has been particularly heavy. And who knows how many more sites are hidden under the parts of the landscape which are still covered by their original thick green cover.

2009/11/03

Laos - General Information

Laos
The ancient kingdom of the Million Elephants, which became the People Democratic Republic of Laos in 1975, is now open to tourism. Every year about 1,000,000 travelers cross it's boundaries, which cannot be compared with the vast flow of tourists spreading throughout Thailand. So let's discover the differences and originality which make up the charm of Laos.

TRAVEL BY AIR
Travel by air is the most convenient means transportation within Laos. Laos Aviation flies daily from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Pakse and Oudomsay. Furthermore, there are several flights a week to Laung Namtha,Sayabori, Houeixay, Sam Neua, Saravane, Lakxao, Muangkhong and attapue. The latest information aboat flight schedules and routes is avaible at the Laos viation Head office in 2 Phangkham road, Vientiane,


TRAVEL BY ROAD
Laos has 18,135 km national road, 2,55km of which are paved. The most importance road is route No 13 linking, which runs north south from China to Cambodia. It links Pak Mong in north with Hlong in the south passing though major urban areas of Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Savannakhet, Champassack. Accept that, there are the road No.1 linked between Thailand and China, No.8 and No.9 lined between Thailand and Vietnam.


TRAVEL BY BOAT
The Mekong River flows though 1,865 km of Laos. Although not navigable in its entirety, it provides a natural means of transportation over long stretches. In addition many tributary rivers of the Mekong River such as the Nam ou, Nam Ngum, Se Don, and others river are used for water transportation.


Laos has 14,000 Km of road, 80% of which are not asphalted. The network, however, has been greatly improved. The North-South route: Luang Prabang-Vientiane-Pakse- Champasak is now of good quality as is the transferal road leading to the Plain. As for as the rest are concerned...well it's Paris to Dakar without TV and camels! An interpid explorers paradise Presently very few road maps are available whilst city maps are rare and uninformative.

Population
Laos is the least populated country in S.E.Asia with only 6,000,000 inhabitants. The population in the south of the country is Relatively sparse, whilst the upper regions claim 80% of the inhabitants.

Religion Buddhism
The main religion is Buddhism. The Lao practice Theravada of the "Small vehicle" which spread through Laos between the 14th and 17th centuries. The ideal situation is to reach Nirvana without going through rein Carnation. So for the Lao doing good deeds rather than bad ensures salvation. The monks are held in high esteem and treated with great respect, when entering a religious place.
Please observe the proper rules of dress. Ladies must wear a dress or at least a suitably long skirt and shoulders should be covered. For men, wearing long pants is recommended. Shoes must be removed at the temple entrance. If you have to sit down avoid pointing your feet forward. If your joints allow it, fold your legs beneath you and keep your feet towards your back.

Money
The official currency in Laos is Kip. 248 Kip for 1 Thai Baht. 8,515 Kip for 1 US$. 11,474 Kip for 1 Euro. Banknotes of 500, 1000, 2000, 10000, 20000 and 50000 are available, however, the new banknotes of 50000 Kip will fit nicely into the brand new wallet you purchased at the airport. Thai baht and US dollars are freely accepted in big towns, but less so in rural areas. So who will take your Euros? Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, as in Europe. Visa withdraw come with a charge of around 3% whilst most credit cards are accepted in high class hotels in a few shops and restaurants in Laos.

Safety
Vientiane and the rest of the country is a safe place, however a little common sense and caution should be applied. For example, do not leave unattended bags around 2 wheeled vehicles. Although minor crimes such as pick pocketing are rare, they can ruin your trip so be vigilante. When you drive a motor cycle, wear a helmet, even if it is hot.

Local Time
Laos is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Thus 12 noon in Vientiane is 1 AM in New York, 5 AM in London and 6 AM in Paris.

Working Hours
Government offices and banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 08:00-11:30 and 13:30-16:00. Shops and private businesses usually are open longer.

Check Timetable & Airfare to Laos Here !

Introducing Savannakhet

Savannakhet is the country’s most populous province and is home to about 15% of all Lao citizens. Stretching between the Mekong and Thailand in the west and the Annamite mountains and Vietnam in the east, it has in recent years become an increasingly import­ant trade corridor between these two bigger neighbours. With the luxuriously smooth tarmac of Rte 9 now complemented by a new Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, opened in December 2006, the province is gearing up for even more traffic.

The population of 826, 000 includes lowland Lao, Thai Dam, several small Mon-Khmer groups (Chali, Bru, Kaleung, Katang, Lave, Mangkong, Pako and Suay), and long-established and growing communities of Vietnamese and Chinese. Particularly in the lowland farming lands east of the Mekong, the villages of Savannakhet are among the most typically Lao in the country.

There are three NPAs wholly or partly in the province, Dong Phu Vieng to the south of Rte 9, Phu Xang Hae to the north and Xe Ban Nuan straddling the border with Salavan Province. Eastern Savannakhet is a good place to see remnants of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the primary supply route to South Vietnam for the North Vietnamese Army during the Second Indochina War. It is also a major gateway for visitors arriving from Vietnam via Lao Bao.

Pakse & Siem Reap

Pakse is synonymous with Wat Phou like Siem reap is to Angkor wat. Wat Phou was built by the founder of the first Khmer empire, Jayavarman II. It is somewhat smaller than Angkor but still a rival to that ancient empire.

Wat Phou redates Angkor by 30 years but the two centres co-existed for much of their dominant periods. South East Asia's highest waterfall, Khong Phapeng, and many interesting islands on the Mekong River can be found near to Pakse. It is the capital of Champasak Province and unspoiled place for the travellers.


Siem Reap is the nearest town to Angkor Wat. The name Siem Reap actually means the "defeat of Siam" — today’s Thailand. It is quite a small town
and you can walk around to see the city. It is reported to be safe enough to be out after dark. Siam Reap draws visitors for its world-famous monuments nearby: Angkor wat. Visiting the hundred-or-so temples and studying the forests around Siem Reap is still the main reason for being in the city. If you are fed up with seeing more temples you can still spend a couple of extra days to relax here and findqrtyp some nice things to do in the area. The huge natural reservoir, Tonle Sap, is just to the south of Siem Reap and provides relaxing boat trips.