Lao textiles - a way of life

Source:  Phaeng Mai Gallery

A wonderfully detailed look at sericulture (silk industry), textile and fabric weaving in Laos.  This handicraft company has been around for a while now in Laos.  They have a store, gallery, and school located in Vientiane.  Definitely worth a visit if you're in visiting.

The top 5 from the Young Lao Fashion Designers Project - Lao Fashion Week 2024

Source:  Z Fashion TV (Laos). Event date: October 4, 2024

Shared via Youtube on The Influencer channel

Travel blogger eats Hmong hill tribe food in Laos

Source:  Mark Wiens

This video is from 2021 but this marked his second visit to Laos.  We shared one of his videos from 2018 when he first visited.  However, in this visit he explores Hmong food.  Have a look!

Birdsong: The dying whistled language of the Hmong people in northern Laos

Source:  The Guardian

Ministry of Silk's runway show at Lao Fashion Week 2024

Source: Z Fashion TV (Laos), October 2, 2024

Shared on Youtube via The Influencer channel

Khang's runway show at Lao Fashion Week 2024

Source: Z Fashion TV (Laos), October 2, 2024

Shared on Youtube via The Influencer channel

How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle

Source:  Bloomberg

Bloomberg takes a close look into China's Zhao Wei and the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ).

Laos - The not so secret war

Source:  CBS, 1970

Video shared on Youtube at Nuclear Vault channel

This is quite the throwback Thursday video - this one from 1970 when CBS News did a special on "The not so secret war" happening in Laos at the time.  Old footage includes interesting short interviews from some key players.

The bombing of Laos - who was truly responsible?

Source:  Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC)

In this TAEC Talk, Dr. Ryan Wolfson-Ford discusses how historical writers often report that the bombing of Laos during the Secret War and Vietnam War was exclusively all because of America's desire to contain the spread of communism during the Vietnam War.  Indeed, that was one reason.  But as Dr. Wolfson-Ford shares, there was more to it.

Recap of the Vientiane Performing Arts Festival 2024

Source:  Vientiane Performing Arts Festival

The performing arts in Laos continues to grow.  And this festival is a strong indication of that.  Here's a recap of this event back from February 16-17, 2024.  The performances ranged from traditional Lao dancing to modern dance, puppetry to magic.  Have a look! 

Lao Traditional Dancing Competition in Vientiane

Source:  Suab Hmong Broadcoasting

Traditional dancing is alive and thriving in Laos.  Watch this competition and the different dance troupes who competed on April 6, 2024 in Vientiane.  The combination of great dancing, music, creativity, and performance reveals is just wonderful!

A journey through Lao textiles

Source:  Women's Business - School of Textile Arts and A Fire Dog Production

Watch this video to get a great overview of textiles in Laos.  This mini-documentary was released back in 2019.   It follows the story of an Australian woman named Trish who, with the help of donors, opens a textile teaching school in Muang Nan, Luang Prabang province.