Vientiane floats new plans for Nam Ngum tourism activities

Vientiane has plans to develop new tourism services on the Nam Ngum River in Xaythany district, aiming to attract more visitors.

Director of the Information, Culture and Tourism office in Xaythany district, Mr Boualy Keomanyvanh, told Vientiane Times yesterday the capital’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department and the district had surveyed sites in 23 villages along the Nam Ngum riverbank to collect information and plan activities to promote nature-based

tourism and the local lifestyle.

The 23 villages include Tha Ngon, Hai, Vernthaen, Thasavang, Thasommor, Latkhuay, Nasala, Thadokkham and others.
Authorities also plan to build three boat docks to allow visitors to travel by boat to organic vegetable farms, the Phaithamkor Conservation Park located near Hai village, a forest named Dong Done Kam in Vernthaen village, and areas of natural beauty in the district. Various feasibility studies by investment companies are being considered to select the best proposals for tourism services along the river.
The banks of the Nam Ngum are home to several ethnic groups and a National Protected Area of 32 hectares.
Visitors can revel in the fresh air and beautiful natural surrounds and get in touch with the local people and their lifestyle, which includes fishing and farming.
Besides natural beauty, Vientiane has many places of cultural and historical interest including the That Luang Grand Stupa which is an enduring symbol of Laos and an icon of Buddhism.
Hor Pha Keo, Vat Simeuang and Vat Sisaket temples are steeped in history as well as being architecturally fascinating. The town centre also has the famed Patouxay monument that rises majestically, challenging the energetic to climb to the top for a panoramic view.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, more than 3.8 million people visited Laos last year to enjoy these sights.