Slow life in Luang Prabang – an ASEAN clean tourist city
WVR - During the days in Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos, which is honored for the second time continuously as the standard clean tourist city of ASEAN, I felt that life was going by slowly.
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| In Laos, community life is focused on Buddhism, with the main rhythm of life being the footsteps of Buddhists. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
"If you have not been to Luang Prabang, you have not been to Laos" - that saying of the Lao people is like a sincere invitation for travelers to come to the ancient capital of the country of Million Elephants, a place namely as a world cultural heritage, a peaceful and interesting destination for people who love to travel as well.
The ancient capital at the river confluence
Luang Prabang is 300km north of Vientiane (Laos) capital, located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. This place used to be the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lan Xang from 1354. In the local language, Luang means village, Prabang means Buddha with golden body.
Luang Prabang was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1995. This place converges many constructions with unique architecture imbued with Buddhist culture, such as the famous temple Wat Xiengthong, ancient palaces, temples, etc. The constructions bearing the typical Laotian imprint are located on the Mekong and Namkhan rivers with the majestic Kuangsi waterfall. Though it is a destination that attracts foreign tourists, it has never been overwhelmed by the wave of tourists in crowded shops and noisy bars.
After 5 days of traveling in Vangvieng, Vientiane, we moved to Luang Prabang. After 6 hours of rocking on the bus, we were in the ancient capital where it was already dark. On the way to the homestay booked through the Internet, I noticed the beautiful Southern French architectural beauty of Indochina-era villas and typical traditional Lao-style wooden houses on the main street.
Luang Prabang, like Vangvieng town and Vientiane's capital, is a small and peaceful city. Despite being crowded with tourists, it is still not as busy a city as Vientiane and also not like the youthful and bustling town of Vangvieng. This place is for those who are looking for relaxing in a peaceful corner.
Our homestay was less than 1km away from the center. However, it took about 20 minutes for the taxi driver to find the address. The homestay owner was a young Vietnamese man who had lived in Laos for three years. The room was spacious, clean, made entirely of wood. It was located right next to the famous temple, Wat Xiengthong. In front of the homestay was a fence of green trees, neatly trimmed.
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| Foreign tourists welcome New Year in Laos. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong) |
Welcoming the New Year in the Land of Buddha
After arranging our belongings, we quickly made our way to the night market - where the countdown was held to welcome the new year. The night market is located right on the main road and only about 1km from our accommodation.
Luang Phrabang night market is filled up with silver souvenirs, traditional wares, etc. The vendors constantly greet friendly "Sabadii". The stalls, close together in the street and only for pedestrians, mainly sell products such as Lao silk, sarongs, colorful clothes, and handicrafts made of various materials (stone, silver...). At first glance, the stalls are almost the same, but if you look closely, there are slight differences in carving or patterns.
We wandered from stall to stall with the main purpose of enjoying the atmosphere as well as observing the sellers and buyers of the night market on the last day of the year. Finally, we decided to buy some products from Lao silk.
All the typical dishes of Laos are concentrated in the food market. In addition, there are also many other retail stalls around. Lao dishes were relatively spicy and a bit difficult to eat for us.
As the streets lighted up and were crowded with people, especially when the moment of transition from the old to the new year was coming, more and more tourists moved to the central area to welcome the holy spirit of a new year, with the hope of luck and success in all aspects.
When the clock striked 00:00, new year greetings in Lao language (sabaidipihaim), English (happy new year), Vietnamese (chúc mừng năm mới) and many other languages mingling with the sound of firecrackers, resounded throughout the neighborhood.
Foreign tourists and Lao people began the Lam Vong dance together in the bustling music. Hugs, kisses and wishes for a successful new year were given to each other.
I suddenly felt a little homesick at the time of New Year's Eve every year. Despite being very sleepy, I definitely did not go to sleep but dozed off waiting to watch the fireworks play on TV.
At that moment, on the altar, my mother placed an offering tray, and the incense smoke was intoxicating. Everyone in the family chose to wear their best clothes. Right on New Year's Eve, my mother lit three incense sticks and whispered prayers… At the same time, the firecrackers on TV also started to explode. I received lucky money from my parents with best wishes, then followed my parents to the temple and went to my grandparents and aunts to celebrate the new year.
Later, when I grow up and get away from home, I just look forward to Tet, when the whole family gathers, goes to the temple and relatives to deliver New Year wishes. I just realized that at the sacred moments of the New Year, walking through the door of the temple, standing in front of the Buddha, our soul became peaceful, shaked off all everyday hatred and delusion.
Just like the moment of New Year's transition, in a land where Buddhism is the focus of the community, like Luang Prabang, I suddenly felt light-hearted. The hardships, sadness, and anger of the past year all disappeared, only happy memories were rushing back.
The place of impressive temples
Luang Prabang is the place to mark the ancient relics, palaces, pagodas despite going through time and war. The ancient capital of Laos has nearly 40 ancient temples, most of which were built in the 14th century and many magnificent palaces of the feudal dynasties were established about 1,200 years ago.
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| A monk after his alms round returns to Wat Xiengthong. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
In Laos, community life is focused on Buddhism, with the main rhythm of life being the footsteps of Buddhists. All the big and small streets in the city are shimmering with golden light. Under the sunlight, the brilliant yellow color of the pagoda roofs and the color of the monks' robes blend together.
We booked the homestay right next to the famous ancient temple, Wat Xiengthong, with its image printed on a 2,000 Lao Kip banknote. Wat Xiengthong temple was built in the typical architectural style of Laos with the curved roof falling close to the ground, surrounded by small shrines with the same architecture, forming a beautiful landscape. Here is also the place to keep the famous reclining Buddha statue, once placed in the Paris museum and then brought to the temple of Luang Prabang in 1964.
Perhaps that's why it is said that, like Muslims, everyone must try to reach Mecca once in their life, but for Lao people, going to Xieng Thong temple once in their life is such a sacred thing.
In addition to Wat XiengThong, there are many ancient works and other golden pieces from the past that are always treasured and present in the lives of every Laotian and leave their own impressions on visitors.
Last afternoon in Luang Prabang, before boarding the plane back home, I rented a bicycle, ran around the city, found my heart at peace and seemed to fall in love with this place.
Stopping by the river, watching the flow of people getting on and off the boats while the fiery sunset was gradually disappearing, the days in the ancient capital seemed a part of the life I once dreamed of.
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