Visitez Luang Prabang, et le reste du Laos

Southern-Laos.com

Benolaos — 2018-01-18T06:05:43Z

Visit the Southern-Laos.com, Official Tourism Office website of southern Laos, and Facebook space (see aside)
All tips, and an active email to answer all questions and requests.

Video from Southern-Laos

https://www.youtube.com/embed/BcgNJakryQ4

Southern Laos Promotional Video

Where does an adventure begin ? At a destination ? On holiday ? Planning at home ? The truth is every adventure begins with you. They begin with you taking that first step, heading off into the unknown and finding all their is to see. And in Southern Laos there's a wealth of places to see, people to meet and traditions to experience that far too many people miss. In fact, Southern Laos offers everything from a relaxing holiday, cruising down the Mekong river to a full-blown jungle adventure, looking for the irrawaddy dolphins or venturing up to the heights of the Bolaven Plateau. Plus, there's everything in between. Visit Pakse, the heart of Southern Laos and see the gigantic golden Buddha at Wat Phou Temple. The Swisscontact Champasak Tourism Business Promotion (CTBP) Project strengthens the competitiveness of the tourism sector in southern Laos. Whatever you're looking for, it can be found.

Distances in Laos

Benolaos — 2015-11-06T06:35:00Z

Here are some distances between the largest cities of Laos, in kilometres. To convert these distances into travel time, calculation shall take an average speed in Laos about 40km/h for buses, and 50km/h for minivans.

Routes (by road if no mention) // Distance in km

From Vientiane	km
Vientiane - Vang Xang	68
Vientiane - Vang Vieng	160
Vientiane - Nam Ngeum	120
Vientiane - Nongkhai	22
Vientiane - Luang Prabang	390, 320 by new road
Vientiane - Xieng Khouang	435
Vientiane - Luang Namtha	698
Vientiane - Oudomxay	583
Vientiane - Houei Xay	898
Vientiane - Phongsaly	815
Vientiane - Samneua	640
Vientiane - Thakek	354
Vientiane - Lak Sao	352
Vientiane - Savannakhet	470
Vientiane - Pakse	685

From Luang Prabang	km
Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng	230, 170 by new road
Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang	306
Luang Prabang - Pak Ou	30
Luang Prabang - Khuangxi	35
Luang Prabang - Pakbeng	341 by road, 130 by boat
Luang Prabang - Nongkhio	134
Luang Prabang - Houei Xay	447 by road, 280 by boat
Luang Prabang - Oudomxay	193
Luang Prabang - Luang Namtha	308
Luang Prabang - Xayabouly	119
Xayabouly - Kenthao (Namheuang)	228

From Xieng Khouang (Plain of Jars)	km
Xieng Khouang - Muang Khoune	30
Xieng Khouang - Namkhan	112
Xieng Khouang - Samneua	258

Northern Laos	km
Houei Xay - Pakbeng	462 by road, 150 by boat
Pakbeng - Oudomxay	147
Houei Xay - Thasuang	185 by boat
Thasuang - Hongsa	25
Luang Namtha - Oudomxay	115
Luang Namtha - Muang Sing	60
Muang Sing - Xiengkok	70
Luang Namtha - Boten	56
Luang Namtha - Houei Xay	200
Luang Namtha - Bountai	261
Bountai - Phongsaly	80
Oudomxay - Boten	97
Oudomxay - Muang Khouay	100
Phongsaly - Hatsa	20
Hatsa - Muang Khoua	105 by boat
Muang Khoua - Nong Khiaw	105 by boat

Southern Laos	km
Savannakhet - Pakse	215
Savannakhet - Lao Bao	250
Savannakhet - Thakek	116
Pakse - Vientiane	640
Pakse - Champassak	30
Pakse - Chong Mek	45
Pakse - Tadfane	30
Pakse - Tadlo	120
Pakse - Khong	130
Pakse - Vangtao Chongmek (border with Thailand)	45
Pakse - Veun Kham (border with Cambodia)	160
Pakse - Boy (border with Vietnam)	275
Pakse - Sekong	113
Pakse - Attapeu	198
Sekong - Attapeu	85
Khong - Veunkham	30
Champassak - Khong	100

Thailand Portion	km
Chong Mek - Ubon Ratchatani	90
Nongkhai - Udon Thani	58
Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong	113
Chiang Saen - Chiang Khong	70
Chiang Rai - Chiang Saen	61

Weather in Luang Prabang

Benolaos — 2012-07-09T10:15:34Z

Thank you to Accuweather for its local free weather service information center; so we can so propose a 5 days projection of the weather in Luang Prabang. Many options available directly on the Accuweather website, do not hesitate to click on the link below: more information available there. Here also the average parameters of the weather in Luang Prabang (Thank you to NASA).

During the rainy season

Please notice that Luang Prabang has a microclimate, probably due to the general situation of the city (surrounded by mountains) and an exceptional local circumstances (the city has grown around the Phousi mountain).

So while the entire Southeast Asian region is regularly subject to torrential rains (sometimes causing flooding somewhat crippling for travelers), Luang Prabang has a very mild weather even during the monsoon. Most often the days are radiant, when nights are rainy and refreshing.

View online : Next days weather in Luang Prabang

Map of Luang Prabang

Benolaos — 2012-06-19T03:49:02Z

Couple of maps you can find on internet and that we selected.

You can download them, they are all big format size.
To download : Click LEFT to show the image in the slideshow, click then RIGHT to save on your computer.

Maps of Laos

Benolaos — 2012-06-19T03:34:22Z

Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, lying mostly between latitudes 14° and 23°N (a small area is south of 14°), and longitudes 100° and 108°E. Its thickly forested landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains, the highest of which is Phou Bia at 2,818 metres (9,245 ft), with some plains and plateaus. The Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand, whereas the mountains of the Annamite Range form most of the eastern border with Vietnam and the Luang Prabang Range the northwestern border with the Thai highlands. There are two plateaux, the Xiangkhoang in the north and the Bolaven Plateau at the southern end. The climate is tropical and influenced by the monsoon pattern. (Source Wikipedia).

Lao has 17 provinces : Attapeu, Bokeo, Bolikhamsai, Champasak, Hua Phan, Khammouane, Luang Namtha, Luang Phrabang, Oudomxay, Phongsali, Sayabouri, Salavan, Savannakhet, Sekong, Vientiane Capital, Vientiane and Xieng Khouang (including the special zone that might become the 18th province).

Lao laws

Benolaos — 2012-06-19T02:58:43Z

Need of a legal service, investment advisor, or a visa to stay long term in Laos? Contact us: legal luangprabang-laos.com

The Lao legal system has just been made more accessible for foreign investors with the second batch of laws translated into English being handed over to the National Assembly.

The translations

The translations, carried out in a collaborative effort by the UN Development Programme and the Singaporean Government as well as legal experts from the National University of Singapore, were delivered to National Assembly at a bestowal ceremony yesterday:
Volume 1, Volume 2

Below, the documents, as download on April.2015, on the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Vientiane.

View online : Lao Laws by the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Vientiane

Rules to respect during the morning alms

Benolaos — 2012-06-19T01:06:10Z

The morning collection of the bonzes (in Lao : Tak bat) is an animated tradition for the population of Luang Prabang. It has become an important tourist attraction because of its beauty. However, when tourists don't know the customs, their clumsiness can disrupt this ceremony. We would like to draw your attention to this religious observation which has a great meaning to the inhabitants of Luang Prabang.

How to respect the Tak Bat

Observe in silence and only make offerings if, for you, they correspond to a religious step that you can take with dignity.
Buy your rice in the market, preferably early in the morning rather than with the stallholders on the path of the bonzes.
Remove your shoes to give your offerings; women must stay on their knees and ideally wear a scarf over her shoulders.
If you're not making an offering, stay at a distance, in a respectful manner. Don't hamper the procession of bonzes and the donations of the faithful.
Make sure you are decently dressed, with your shoulders, body and legs well covered, especially if you are giving any offerings.
Don't take photos of the bonzes from too near; the flashes are most disturbing both for the bonzes and the faithful.
Avoid any physical contact with the bonzes.
Never position yourself so that you are in a higher position than the bonzes (on a wall or on steps, for example) its very disrespectful : the bonzes must always be on the highest points.
Large buses are strictly forbidden in the protected area of the World Heritage, and create serious problems. Don't follow the procession by bus. You again risk being higher than the bonzes, which in Laos is a lack of respect.

Participate in the ceremony for the bonzes quest, by protecting its dignity and its beauty. The population and the authorities of Luang Prabang thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Normally, make sure you're dressed in town, but especially in the temples, making sure that you do not show your knees or shoulders, and especially anything in between.

To bow (even slightly) in front of the bonzes is recommended, and appreciated. It's a mark of respect followed by all Laotians, a tradition to which you must conform.

Women must absolutely not touch the bonzes. Men may, even though physical contact is unseemly.

The people, tribes and ethnic groups of Laos

Benolaos — 2012-06-16T09:47:23Z

With nearly 5 million inhabitants on an area half the size of France, Laos is one of the least populated countries in S.E. Asia (17 inhabitants per km2).

Laos counts about 80 ethnical groups which can be grouped into 4 families. Each group speaking its own dialect and having its own customs, traditions, religion, etc.

The Laos Thais (or Laos Loum of The Low Lands) : represent 75% of the population of Laos, and encompass 23 ethnical groups
The Laos Theung (Middle Altitude Lands) : also called proto-Chinese, include 58 different ethnical groups
The Laos Soung (live in the Mountains above 1000 meters) : especially the Hmongs (or Meos, a highly pejorative term), and the Yaos
Other Asians

This distribution can also be found in the political institutions of the country, and is shown in the ethnical distribution of the 99 deputies as follows (parliament in 2004) : 64 "Lao Loum" (Laotians of the plains) 26 "Lao Theung (Laotians of the plateaux) 9 "Lao Soung" (Laotians of the summits)

The Laos Thais or Laos Loum

The term "Thai", given to the people of Siam, the Shans Birmans and Laos, marks an alleged superiority of this ethnical group which dominated the region of Siam since the beginning of the 2° millennium. They are mainly Buddhists of a Theravada tendency (small vehicle) with shades of animism, a religion completely shared by all the inhabitants up until the XVth century.

Numerous ethnical subdivisions exist; they all have the particularity of being sedentary:

The Thais Dam (literally the "Black Thais") in the North
The Thais Khao (the "White Thais") also in the North, on the Tonkin border
The Thais Phong, around Sam Neua
The Thais Lu in the region of Muong Sin, on the Chinese border to the North West
The Yon in the Upper Mekong
The Laos Chau (also called Nu'a) in the South of Laos
The Ngai, who came from the Menan Valley
The Nio, who came from the Shans states, and are to the north of Ban Houessai
etc.

The costumes of each ethnical group varies. In the past, Laotians were tattooed from the knee to the navel, the stomach, or even the chest or arms according to their ethnical group.

Most of the villages (bans) on the plain live autonomously. Each inhabitant chooses a chief according to his competences and problems are normally solved by the villagers themselves.

The Laos Theung

They are the oldest inhabitants of Laos. They are normally despised by the other "races", sometimes called kha or moï (savage) by the Thais or the Annamites.

Like the Laos Thais, there are numerous Laos Theung ethnic groups; nearly sixty. Amongst them there are :

The Kamous, the most important group and who can be found in all the provinces of Upper-Laos.
The Bits, in the province of the Upper Mekong and to the south of Phon Saly (North-Laos)
The Lamets and the Kuenes (black and white) in the province of the Upper Mekong
The Mes living in the Upper Mekong
The Phai Hoks (or Ksing Mul) living to the west of the province of Sayaboury
The Phongs in the Muong Hua-Muong and the Muong Lan
The Sengs above Sam Neua and in the province of Louang Prabang
The Maabris, the most ancient of all the tribes of Laos
etc.

The Laos Theung are semi-sedentary, that means that they only move the situation of the village every 8 to 15 years once they've drained the earth due to their custom of cultivating on stubble burnt ground. They live on products from the forest, fishing and small local craftsmanship, cultivating rice, fruit and vegetables.

Their language is of the Môn-Khmer type and don't know how to write. They are animists and practice the cult of their ancestors and believe in spirits, the Phis. These spirits are the basis of all their rites and traditions, and still dominate the every day life of the Laos Theung who believe in witchcraft, after-life, and hell, contrary to Buddhists.

The Laos Soung

These are the “Upper” Laos, in other words, those that live in the mountains (above 1200 meters). The majority of this ethnical group arrived in Laos during the last 200 years; there are Hmongs, Akha, and Yao. Their language is similar to Chinese, to Tibetan-Burmese. They are still nomads or semi-nomads, even if the government wants to make them settle by forcing them to come down from the mountains under the pretexts of education and health.

The majority of this ethnic group is located in North Laos, especially in the area of Xieng Khouang. They are said to be good workers, tough fighters (the communists found this out, often at great cost), proud of their human values, attached to their tradition, and keeping their way of life based on freedom and honesty. They still well known to be excellent opium cultivators.

The Laos Soung are Animists, rarely Buddhists, and sometimes Christians (since the passage of French missionaries over a century ago). They have witches, shamans, and also have their own tradition, language, culture, architecture, law, etc.

Spirit and ancestor worship
Hmong people are traditionally animist, worshipping the spirits of their ancestors and the surrounding environment. Shamans (Ouanung) are called upon to communicate with the spirits, seeking their advice in moments of ill health and village adversity. It tends to be that a spirit is upset and offerings such as livestock are made at the spirit's request. Most Hmong wear amulets around the wrist or neck to ward off bad spirits. Every house has an ancestor spirit altar where food and water is placed to please them. During Hmong new year white paper is put on the columns of the house and a chicken is killed in their honour.

Festivals
The Hmong only have one festival at New Year called Nor Phe Chao. The festival falls on the first black moon in a 12 moon cycle. In a western calendar, it falls intermittently in either December or January. The festival lasts up to 7 days, bringing people together from many villages. It is during this time that couples are paired off. A game is played where girls and boys stand in rows throwing a ball to one another, much frivolity takes place and by the end of the week many future couplings have been decided.

Marriage
Traditionally, men could have more than one wife, but today monogamy is the norm. The path to marriage starts after New Year, when the boy takes the girl to stay with his family for 3 days. If all goes well the boy's family will go and talk to the girl's family, dressed in their traditional clothing to negotiate the dowry which the boy's family needs to pay. Once both sides agree a date is chosen and a party is planned.

House construction and village orientation
Hmong villages are traditionally found at high altitude, usually 1000-1500m above the sea level. The houses tend to face westward with a side door to the south. The one story house has a grass roof almost sloping to the floor. It is usual for more than one family to live in a house. The location for the house is chosen in one of two ways, either an egg is thrown to see if it breaks meaning the site is unsuitable or by a wrapped parcel containing 3 grains of rice being buried in the desired location. The next day the parcel is dug up and inspected, a perfect location is one where the 3 grains remain intact. It takes around 3 months to build a house. There are some house rules that a visitor must respect : in entering the house the owner must forewarn the house spirit saying dtua la jay. If there has been a birth in the house, a visitor must take off their hat, a leaf is put in the doorway so you know. And never touch the paper of the house spirit, found as the altar and the supporting columns.

More information on Wikipedia

Exchange Money

Benolaos — 2012-06-15T11:29:03Z

Thank you to XE.com for its application. We can so propose you this tool to change from or to Lao Kip.

The website will propose you more than 85 currencies from the most used in the world.

For a view of excange rates Kip / USD for the 2 last years, click here

Rules to observe in Laos

Benolaos — 2012-05-21T07:14:46Z

Everybody wants their country, their ways and customs, their laws and inhabitants, to be respected; Laotians too, have the right to expect tourists to have the correct attitude and behaviour towards their country.

Unfortunately, this is far from being the case.

[Extract from the booklet edited by the Lao National Tourism Authority 2004]

The rules to be respected are certainly strict, but easy to follow as they are almost identical to those in our own countries :

You say hello by joining your hands. Sometimes, between men, there are handshakes. There is no kissing whatsoever.
Women must never touch nor brush against a bonze. It is tolerated for men, but only if its unavoidable.
Feet are a very inferior part of the body, and not just because they are on the ground, and the head is the most noble. Because of this, its very badly looked upon, to shut a door with your foot, or put your feet on the table. To kick your foot (and even more so, the sole) in somebody's direction is considered very rude.
Shoes are always taken off before entering anywhere.
Because the people of Laos are always very clean, it is strongly advised to follow a faultless corporal hygiene, otherwise, you risk being very much less welcome than normal.
Try and make sure that your head is always lower than those of the bonzes and elderly people. It's a mark of respect that is very much appreciated.
Dress yourself correctly, which means that you must always wear a bottom AND a top at all times, (except possibly at the waterfalls; although, Laotians bathe themselves almost completely dressed; see the Tatsé waterfalls).
Due to their modesty, it is very impolite to kiss in public ; holding hands is tolerated, but even so, it is preferable not to do so in public.
It is embarrassing for Laotians, who are very softly spoken, to come across people who speak loudly. It is also very badly looked upon to get excited and worked up, for whatever reason. A person who loses their calm also loses face : they are considered childish, being as they are incapable of controlling themselves.

Ask permission, before taking photos. Laotians normally laugh a lot and are often honoured and proud to pose for photos.
When you bring anything to a village, make sure you give it to the village chief and not distribute the presents yourself.
Don't buy any ancient representations of Buddha or any other Buddhist relics. It is completely forbidden and is liable to a heavy fine.
Of course, you mustn't let yourself be tempted by any drugs whatsoever (this is very heavily punished), don't throw paper on the ground and always stay polite.

For more information, please refer to the Internet web-site of ecotourism in Laos

For rules of how to deal with Buddhism and the monk's requests for alms in the morning, please refer to the required article.