Khoueng Houaphan Things to Do

  fruit orchards
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  • fruit orchards
      fruit orchards
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  • the lovely gardens
      the lovely gardens
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  • Souphanuvongs memorial site
      Souphanuvongs memorial site
    by picek
  • pool
      pool
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  •   Things to Do
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

around Viengxay

by picek

Through literature on Lao recent history you'll learn why Viengxay takes crucial place in the communist state, and some things are also explained here and another you'll learn if you visit or through conversation.Apart all that historic infromation, it's good to know that Viengxay is now very pleasant, safe place to go and maybe spend overnite. It's very quiet - true, the restaurants and guesthouses are few but basic, but as you'll walk around there are neat gardens to see and fine views over the village and a landscape - huge lime stone rocks dot the settlement and make for the idillyc canvas. Amazing combination - that's all I can say. It seems like rock (mountain) and houses are cohabiting together well and rocks provide great shelter - thus no wonder it has been chosen as a seat of Pather Lao those days of that terrible, insane and completely unnecessary was ( called 'secret war', ah...

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Souphanuvong memorial site

by picek

Souphanuvong was one of key members of Pathet Lao and first Lao PDR president, also called Red prince due his royal blood (in the hierarchy of royal family he had inferior position from those of his other cusins and half-brothers).His site in Viengxay is below the mountain and has shady, pleasant garden with trees and shrubs in front of the house and cave - a garden was designed by himself - and also a kidney shaped pool. He was civil engineer, married to Vietnamese woman, political activist whom she had great influence upon him and there are some very interesting stories linked to that. As a young man he was educated in France and later worked in Vietnam - where he got inspired by Ho Chi Minh (and revolution) and he had became one of the leading anti-colonial figures of Lao modern state. But because of his royal backgorund they didn't allow him to gain more power so he had to satisfy...

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Kaysone memorial site

by picek

Kaysone was leading revolutionary figure, most important Lao communist (you can see his photo on the wall in almost any office, even in some guesthouses around the country) - hence you'll be first taken to his site in the begining of Cave tour.During the war he was visited in Viengxay by foreign colleagues, one of them was Fidel Castro who admired Lao anti-colonial resistance.His cave is one of the brightests and airy comparing to others in Viengxay which are dark, damp and unpleasantly claustrophobic. Has several rooms here, also meeting rooms where the politburo planned and dicussed on further actions. There are also Kaysone's personal things on display - not much interesting, though (his bed and books, etc...).First picutre: corridor in Kaysone caveSecond picture: Kaysones bedThird picture: mechanism in separated room from which they delivered fresh air during bombing campaignsFourt...

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villagers cave and Siphandon

by picek

Siphandon was another important figure in Lao history and president of Lao PDR. His cave is few minutes walk from Souphanuvongs cave and has very pleasant setting in front of the large rock - nice garden and light shadow. You will be taken to his HQ and then you'll continue from the inside the cave to the villagers living quarters - large, dark place with claustrophobic feel and suffocating air. This one has no nearby access to the outside and at those days they didn't have electricity yet so they had to use candles. But now the guide will turn electric light for you: inside there are few different sections - smaller and bigger parts with high ceiling, a corridor which leads you to outside and to connect to other vital parts of the system. The villagers cave looked more natural with karstic features. Yet, how can we imagine living there for decade, shoulder to shoulder with your fellow...

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Guided tour of the caves

by picek

When you come to Viengxay for reason of seeing caves you'll need first to go to the Kaysone Phomvihane Memorial Tour Cave office. There are small green signs from the pick up station/market that will point you to its direction. It's a small village and you shouldn't have troubles finding it as it's only few min walk from the market. Locals are helpful and can help with directions. At office you register yourself and will be provided with guide.There are guided tours twice daily: first one at around 9 am and second tour at 1 pm approx. It takes about 2 hrs to see Kaysone cave, Souphanuvong cave, Siphandon Cave and villagers cave which are in a few locations scattered around Viengxay. In caves is a bit colder than outside so you may want to wear light jacket there. The caves have been well cleared off and provided with concrete stairways and corridors so it's easier to walk inside. You...

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Fun things to do in Khoueng Houaphan
 
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