Vientiane Off The Beaten Path

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This looked like a very simple process. It works and I doubt if it has changed since the 1950's when the French left Laos.

There was no smell from the process and I would not expect any harmful chemicals are used in the process. For a small country like Laos, maybe there is no need to modernise the process. Everyone has a job, they look healthy, well clothed and happy.

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My wife and I decided to take a half day private guided tour to districts outside the Vientiane City area. The tour was to include a local village, however it did not work out exactly how we expected.

After driving through the countryside for 30 minutes we arrived at a salt processing factory. Nothing modern, a traditional salt farm using pools the size of a rice paddies, but instead of rice the paddies contained salty water. The sun evaporated the water leaving salt crystals which were harvested by the locals.

The factory looked very run down, as though there had been no capital expenditure for decades, most likely not since the French were driven out of Laos.

We were left to amble around by ourselves for 45 minutes. After the initial shock we sort of enjoyed our self tour. it looked as though the workers lived in a village nearby and had a responsibility for individual "salt paddies".

The local workers were very friendly and did not mind us observing their activity. They were very willing to pose for photos.

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Bhudda Park is an excellent place to visit and no trip to Ventiane is camplete without it. The highlight of a visit to the city. The park is located about 10 miles northeast of the city in a rural area. A Tuk Tuk costs $6 or so round trip. It is a really nice park with some neat statues.

This morning market is quite far from the city centre. If you have time and start walking there early (takes about half an hour if you don't get too lost), it is an interesting place to visit. You can purchase fresh produce like meats and vegetables to sundry and household goods like bottled sauces,noodles,rice, shampoo and the likes. You will also find that this indoor market is quite big with other stalls selling casual clothes to tailored clothes-you can find tailors there.

Some stalls start closing by 10am better to get there early and you can get in the thick of the action!

You can easily find food to eat as well. Tuk tuk drivers are very likely to know where this market is. If in a hurry take it one way and then take a walk back and enjoy local life around you plus continue your sight seeing to other venues not yet covered.

When it comes to pricing, just reach for the calculator which many vendors have anywhere in Lao should they not be able to speak in English. Not happy with price?type in your price.

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The Wat That Foun temple and the surrounding garden are located between Lane Xang Avenue and Nong Bon Road. The garden is a nice place for a walk - and instead of just following Lane Xang Avenue to/from the Patuxai monument, you could consider strolling through the garden instead.

When you are walking towards Patuxai turn right at Dong Palan Road – or turn left at Sidamdouan Road when walking away from Pauxai.

Sorry, I don’t have any information about the Wat That Foun temple itself…

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If you are gungho enough to drag yourself out of bed at 6+ am, I recommend that you do so and watch monks collecting alms from the people. I was a bit surprised to see people kneeling on the ground as they waited for the monks to arrive. This simple gesture enlightened me to the tremendous respect they have for monks.

Don't be in a hurry to go off after watching the monks receiving the alms, for there's more to come! After the entire row of monks has collected their alms, they would chant Buddhist mantra while the donors clasped their hands and bowed thoughtfully in prayer. It was an interesting spiritual experience to behold.

The Presidential Palace was originally built to house the French colonial governor. After independence King Sisavang Vong and his son Sisavang Vatthana used it as a residence when visiting Vientiane. Since 1975 the house has been used for hosting guests of the Lao government and for ceremonial government occations. The Presidential Cabinet meets in a smaller building just NW of the main compound. Neither building is open to the public.

The Presidential Palace is located between Thanon Fa Ngum and Thanon Setthathiat on the east side of the city centre.

Part of the charm of Laos is its French colonial past. You will not only find fresh baked baguettes and homemade pate but you will also stroll along palm clad streets dotted with beautiful if somewhat decaying colonial architecture. These are in contrast though somehow meshing harmoniously with the sweeping roofs of the traditional temples of Vientiane.