Vehicle convoy to make epic trip to celebrate Viengxay’s 50th anniversary

A lengthy convoy of vehicles will make the journey from Vientiane to Viengxay district, Huaphan province, this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Viengxay district liberation forces’ command centre.

This anniversary (November 11, 1968 to November 11, 2018) is significant because authorities will review the crucial role played by the liberation command centre and its revolutionary leadership.

Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Soun Manivong, said the vehicle caravan will be larger than previously organised events.

Those travelling to Viengxay will include ministry officials and members of the public. The journey will take place from November 28 to December 1, starting from the That Luang esplanade at 6.30 am. Before attending celebratory activities in Viengxay district, participants will visit historic sites in the area. Details of the event such as accommodation arrangements will be announced later this week, Mr Soun said.   

Numerous activities have been planned to mark the 50th anniversary of the liberation forces’ command centre, including a photo exhibition and cultural show, trade fair and sporting events. Participants will also hear a talk about the history of Viengxay district.

Huaphan is a strikingly picturesque province and has many visitor tourist attractions such as the historic Pha Thee hill.

There is also the Sa Lery waterfall, Nam Et-Phouleuy National Protected Area, Tadloun waterfall, Hiem hot springs, Tham Hang cave, Nam Meuang hot springs, and Tad Kone and Phavang waterfalls.

Visitors can also enjoy local food such as jeo pa bam (fish with chilli sauce), chicken soup, and phan seen (pork with chilli and herbs wrapped in pomelo leaves).

More than 67,800 people from Laos and other countries visited Huaphan last year, making use of the province’s 10 hotels, 58 resorts and guesthouses, 122 restaurants and three entertainment venues, according to the Tourism Development Department.

Huaphan has 152 officially designated tourist sites, of which 51 are nature-based, 35 are of cultural interest, and 66 are historical, with 54 of these sites open to the public.

Editor: John Li