Tourist hotspots gear up for Lao New Year visitors

Vientiane province has always been popular with visitors and now provincial authorities are preparing special activities over Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) to ensure that everyone who visits has a truly memorable time.
The province’s Vangvieng and Meuangfeuang districts are the main attractions as there is plenty to do and the scenery is spectacular, so these are the places to head to for a relaxing holiday. This year the official Lao New Year holiday runs from April 14-16.

Head of Meuangfeuang district’s Information, Culture and Tourism office, Mr Khamlek Thipphavong, told Vientiane Times yesterday that authorities are making Don Kang beach by the Nam Lik River the focus of attention.
They are setting up a concert stage on the beach and organising kayaking and rafting on the river, which will be a welcome respite from the heat.
Visitors can also eat tasty local food at huts that have been built by the river.
The beach will be open all day and visitors need only pay 5,000 kip each to cross the wooden bridge to access the various activities. Don Kang beach is 5km from the main town in Meuangfeuang district and can be accessed by road.
Meanwhile, Vangvieng district is also gearing up for an influx visitors over the holiday.
Head of the district’s Information, Culture and Tourism office, Mr Bounmy Phommavongsa, said they are making improvements to tourist sites and at some sites authorities will provide toys for children to play with.
Visitors to Vangvieng can watch the Miss Lao New Year (Nang Sangkhan) contest from April 12-13 April followed by the Miss Lao New Year procession on April 14.
Authorities have instructed businesses not to raise the prices of their products and services. This especially applies to hotels and guesthouses and anyone found breaking the rules will be fined.
Visitors who think that businesses have hiked the price of goods or accommodation can report the matter to the village office or call the Vangvieng district Information, Culture and Tourism office on 023 511707.
During Visit Laos Year 2018 more than 300,000 people visited Vangvieng district, with most coming from South Korea and China. This was a huge increase over 2017, when just over 187,000 visitors were recorded, according to the Information, Culture and Tourism office.
Vangvieng is about 150km from Vientiane by road. It offers a raft of adventure activities and magnificent scenery. Its limestone outcrops harbour the Jang and Poukham caves, and clear streams and rivers form blue lagoons and the Kaeng Nyui waterfall.
The Nam Xong river which passes through the centre of the district enables visitors to enjoy kayaking, tubing and speed-boating, and there are also zip-lines.

By Siladda Souliyong
(Latest Update April 11, 2019)