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I've always had a very good impression of the Laotian people: genuine, gentle, and this time, I fell even more in love with the land of a million elephants because of its majestic nature, relatively untouched by humans.
Exploring Laos: Discovering Champasak's Hidden Beauty!
I've visited Laos multiple times, but this is my first time in Champasak, the capital of Southern Laos.
Just beyond the Cambodian border, we reached Khone Phapheng – the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia, spanning the two provinces of Champasak and Strung Treng in Cambodia. The rushing water, foaming white, the thundering sound of the waterfall echoing from above. On the banks are vast stretches of forest. And Champasak has many such majestic waterfalls.
The next day, we also witnessed Tad Yuang waterfall, although not as large as Khone Phapheng, the scenery was equally stunning.
Early in the morning, I hired a motorcycle taxi to explore the city. Taxis are nonexistent here. Besides motorbike rentals, the only options are motorcycle taxis and tuk-tuks. The prices are quite affordable, 30,000 kip (around 80,000 dong) for over an hour of riding, stopping intermittently for me to take photos. Along the streets of Pakse, numerous flowers bloom vividly in the sunlight, resembling golden beetles, white porcelain flowers, red porcelain flowers, and phoenix flowers… During my days in Champasak, I stayed in Pakse, which is aptly named the “river gate city” due to its positioning between the two rivers, Se Pôn and Mekong.
I visited a temple opposite the Vietnamese Community Association in Champasak. The temple boasts curved roof architecture adorned with vibrant golden decorations. The majority of Laotians follow the Buddhist faith, and when they pass away, they are often cremated, with their ashes placed in small stupas surrounding the temple.
In Pakse, high-rise buildings are rare. Pickup trucks dominate the streets, maintaining the city's “car culture” status.
I stopped by Pakse Market, a market established by Mrs. Dao Huong, a successful overseas Vietnamese entrepreneur, commonly known among locals as Dao Huong Market. The market is well-organized, offering a wide range of goods, with vendors predominantly Vietnamese.
Within the market, goods mainly originate from Thailand and Vietnam. During our conversation, Miss Be (a nickname for Buan Heuang), daughter of Mrs. Dao Huong and manager of the multimillion-dollar Dao Heuang conglomerate in Laos since 2006, mentioned plans for market renovations and upgrades. The average rent for a stall here is approximately over $100 per month. I purchased dried beef, sausages, and shredded pork as gifts.
Traveling to Laos, if you've reached Champasak, a visit to Wat Phou is a must. This temple was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.
Dating back from the 9th to the 13th century, Wat Phou stands as one of the most sacred temples of the Khmer dynasties, before the Khmer people migrated southward to build the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Wat Phu complex is divided into 3 tiers, leaning against the rising Elephant Mountain on the flat land. While the lower and peripheral ruins of the site have been ravaged by time, only the central area still retains the most distinct remnants.
Champasak holds abundant potential for tourism development. During this journey, we had breakfast in Binh Duong, Vietnam; lunch in Kracheh, Cambodia; and dinner in Pakse, Laos. Therefore, creating a 'three-country meal in one day' tour is entirely feasible. Moreover, Champasak shares borders with Thailand, offering additional enticing options for travelers.
In addition to Wat Phou, the Khone Phapheng waterfall, Siphadone – 4,000 islands on the Mekong River, Laos cuisine is also diverse, delicious, and clean.
It's truly delightful to sit by the banks of the Mekong River, savoring Laotian beer and enjoying grilled fish, steamed fish, fish salad, grilled meat, and dried beef with sticky rice.
We engaged in discussions with young entrepreneurs in Champasak about collaborating on tourism development. Although transportation infrastructure and investment in tourist spots are still limited, it's evident that Champasak's tourism industry has great potential.
I'll soon return to this place with Vietnamese travel companies whom I trust to appreciate the majestic land and its hidden beauty!
By Nguyen Tuan Quynh/Tuoi Tre
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourMarch 31, 2017
