September 21, 2016

Students Rescue School Bus

Usually the school bus (or in this case, a little truck) carries the students to school.  But sometimes the bus needs a hand too...

Photo Credit:  Savanbanna via Facebook

September 18, 2016

Lao Fashion Week 2016 - The Models

Lao Fashion Week 2016 wrapped on September 16, 2016.  While the eyes are on the creative fashion designs, people often ask about the models.  Well here they are both the girls and the guys...


September 16, 2016

More Fun Photos of UYD2016

MyVientiane has also posted photos of the recent 4th Urban Youth Dance 2016 (UYD2016) event.  Looks like it was a fun time had by all!
Photo Credits:  MyVientiane

4th Urban Youth Dance 2016

Photo Credits:  Urban Youth Dance

The 4th Urban Youth Dance 2016 (UYD2016) event finished up last week.  It was held on September 9-10 at the National Cultural Hall in Vientiane.  Organized and led by the Fanglao Dance Company and supported by several sponsors including the Japan Foundation Asia Center, the event continues to grow every year.  Here are photos from the event.

Can Laos Create a Startup Economy?

Alongside the ASEAN summit, a different group descended on Laos:  angel investors.
By Ai Vuong, The Diplomat Magazine, September 12, 2016

Last week, the usually sleepy capital of Vientiane was awoken amidst the commotion and hustle bustle of the 29th ASEAN Summit. Within four days, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic had hosted a flurry of official meetings, negotiations, and historic agreements, such as President Barack Obama’s pledge of $90 million to remove unexploded ordnance.

September 14, 2016

Impact of China's Rise on the Mekong Region

Title:  Impact of China's Rise on the Mekong Region
Edited By:  Yos Santasombat
Publisher, Year:  Palgrave Macmillan, 2015
Cost:  USD$80

The timing of this book could not have been more on point.  With Chinese economic influence spreading the world over and as some critics describe as "takeovers" of other countries through money and investment, this book attempts to analyze from varying national perspectives of what has occurred in certain Asian countries. The entire book is an amazing and worthwhile read. Overall this is highly recommended reading as it's a very timely publication for any reader on Southeast Asian economic politics. It is insightful and eye opening (and unfortunately the book is a bit expensive).

However there are two chapters that relate to Laos, as noted below.

September 13, 2016

US President dances in the traditional Lao dance - the lamvong

 
US President dances in the traditional Lao dance - the lamvong, 
during a luncheon event held in his honor during his recent visit to Laos.
Video Credit: US Embassy Vientiane via Facebook, September 9, 2016

President Obama Reflects on His Historic Visit in Laos

Video Credit:  The White House, September 9, 2016

Lao Fashion Week 2016

Lao Fashion Week 2016 poster banner

A Reclining Buddha Inside a Mountain Cave

After climbing up Pu Kum (Golden Mountain), a modest entrance to the tum (cave) will appear.  Here you'll find the reclining Buddha.
 ຖ້ຳພູຄຳ ວັງວຽງ ລາວ Tum Pu Kum, Vangvieng, Laos

September 12, 2016

Old Lao Textiles Collector ຜ້າໄໝບູຮານ

LaoStarTV's show Pun Leuang Muang Lao (ພັນເລື່ອງເມືອງລາວ) profiles a Lao textiles producer and collector who in particular collects old ones and focuses on ancient styles.  Video is in Lao language, part 1 of 3 shown below.

Video Credit:  LaoStarTV, October 14, 2015

The weaver who helped resurrect an endangered Lao artform

By: Mike Cerre, PBS.org, September 7, 2016

September 10, 2016

China to strengthen ties with Laos

By:  Xinhua News via ShanghaiDaily.com, September 10, 2016

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called for the promotion of a comprehensive strategic partnership with Laos by maintaining close high-level contacts, strengthening dialogue and coordination and promoting practical cooperation in various fields.

Li was speaking at meeting with Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith yesterday following the East Asia leaders’ meetings in Laos capital Vientiane.

ASEAN summit ends in Laos

By:  Rian Maelzer, CCTV, September 8, 2016

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said the country was “ready and willing to steer and guide the association”.

In a meeting of “ASEAN Plus Three”, ASEAN members Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam also met with leaders from China Japan and South Korea.

ASEAN leaders and their Dialogue Partners attend the 11th East Asia Summit on the last day of the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and other related summits at the National Convention Center Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Vientiane, Laos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marque)

September 09, 2016

Obama meets Laotian president in first US presidential visit

By:  Kathleen Hennessey and Josh Lederman, Associated Press, September 5, 2016

VIENTIANE, Laos — Barack Obama on Monday became the first sitting U.S. president to step foot in the isolated Southeast Asian nation of Laos, opening a three-day visit meant to rebuild trust and close a dark chapter in the shared history between the two countries.

U.S. President Barack Obama walks down the steps from Air Force One upon his arrival at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos, Monday, Sep 5, 2016. Photo Credit:  Gemunu Amarasinghe/Associated Press.

Laos Struggles Between China, Vietnam

By:  Trung Nguyen, VOANews.com, September 6, 2016

U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Laos Monday for a three-day visit to the Southeast Asian country.

His visit shows how far Laos has stepped out of the shadows of its larger, influential neighbors, China and Vietnam.

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) is welcomed by Laos President Bounnhang Vorachith at the Presidential Palace in Vientiane, Laos, September 6, 2016.  Photo Credit:  Reuters.

September 01, 2016

Chinese premier to visit Laos, attend East Asia Summit

By:  Xinhua News, August 30, 2016

BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will visit Laos and attend the 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane next week at the invitation of his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Hua Chunying said Li will also attend the 19th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting, a summit marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN, and the 19th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting from Sept. 6 to 9.

As Obama heads to Laos, signs of a tilt away from China

By:  Marius Zaharia, Reuters, August 27, 2016

The secretive communist government of Laos, a country with a population of less than 7 million, rarely causes a ripple on the diplomatic circuit. And yet its sleepy capital will spring to life next week when global leaders arrive for an Asian summit.

Barack Obama will be among them, making the last push of his presidency to 'rebalance' Washington's foreign policy toward Asia, a strategy widely seen as a response to China's economic and military muscle-flexing across the region.


Laos' Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith (L) and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi hold a news conference after a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, August 3, 2016.  Photo Credit:  Reuters

South East Asia - Floods in Vietnam and Laos Leave at Least 6 Dead

By:  Richard Davies, FloodList, Updated August 22, 2016

AHA Centre report that heavy rains from 11 to 12 August in Laos caused floods affecting 4,977 people in 22 villages in Xayabuly (Sainyabuli) and Louangphabang. Flooding was also reported in Oudomxay, where AHA say that assessments are ongoing.