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Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic) is one of the world's poorer nations. It has suffered enormously through the centuries from regional rivalries and from outside invaders--Burmese, Siamese, Vietnamese and the Khmer. The French made it a protectorate in the late 19th century and its control lasted until 1953. After that civil conflict devastated much. Between 1964 and 1973 Laos suffered in "The Secret War", a massive US bombing campaign that was an outgrowth of the war in neighboring Vietnam. The millions of unexploded bomblets from the cluster bombs (an estimated 2 million metric tons of material were dropped) continue to maim and limit economic redevelopment. The Lao People's Revolutionary Party of the Pathet Lao established the current government in 1975.
Vientiane, with a population of around 150,000 is one of southeast Asia's more laid-back cities. (Pronounced Vieng Chan, or the Walled City of Sandalwood, the city is best known by its romanized French version as Vientiane). Absent is much of the phrenetic activity that characterizes other south and southeast Asian cities. Devoid of tall buildings and with many dirt streets, Vientiane exudes a special aura that combines Lao, Chinese, Thai, French, Soviet and American elements. The tree-lined boulevards, faded buildings from the French colonial period and sections along the Mekong River are especially charming. It is possible lesiurely to walk to most of the important sites. The numerous temples, of course, have uniquely Lao elements, but one can see Siamese and Khmer influence as well.
The city is located in a fertile plain on a broad curve on the northeastern bank of the Mekong River (which separates it from Thailand). It replaced Luang Prabang as the leading regional city in the mid-16th century, and it became the capital under the French protectorate in the late 19th century. It has continued as the capital until today.
(Text by Robert D. Fiala).
Joe Cummings, Lonely Planet: Laos. 3rd. ed., 1998.
