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Laos >
Vientiane |
VIENTIANE
 In 1562, King Setthathirat made Vientiane (in Lao language Vieng Chan) the
capital of the kingdom of Lane Xang. The two most important Wats of Vientiane, Wat That
Luang and Wat Phra Kaeo date back to that time. In 1827 Vientiane had been conquered and
sacked by a Siamese army. For decades the town lay in ruins, until the French, at the
beginning of their colonial reign rebuilt it. However, Vientiane today does not feature
French-influenced architecture to the same extent as Phnom Penh and Saigon. Instead there
is a strong Thai influence. With barely half a Million inhabitants Vientiane is the
smallest capital in Southeast Asia (except for Bandar Seri Begawan of Brunei).
Vang
Xang
The
ruins of this Mon temple, are by the road from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, some 66
kilometres from Vientiane. Vang Xang was built in the 11th century when Buddhist Mon and
Hindu Khmer ruled Southeast Asia. Five Buddha statues remain. Allegedly, they stood on a
former elephant cemetery.
Nam Ngu Dam
The
dam and its turbines, about 90 kilometres from Vientiane, direction Luang Prabang,
generate electricity for much of the country. The area is very picturesque. Hundreds of
islets are scattered all over the lake. In some places enormous tree trunks jut out of the
water. Boat tours on the lake are a favourite pastime.
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