Much of the activity in Vientiane has always centred along the Mekong riverside. Most evenings, people gather to play badmitten, stroll the riverbank, have a sundowner or even buy and sell papayas, bananas or other goods.
Vientiane; Laos; Lao; Laotians; Laotian; Lao PDR; Chedi and Cart; street vendor; streetscape
Description
Until recently, most of the roads in Vientiane were unpaved. You'd hardly know, even today, that it is a capital city, as it slowly shuffles along like this vendor with his cart in central Vientiane. But there lies its charm....
Tuk Tuk at Sunset - An auto rickshaw or three wheelers (tuk-tuk or auto rickshaw) is one of the chief modes of transport across many parts of Southeast Asia as a vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional rickshaw or velotaxi, a small three-wheeled cart. Auto rickshaws are popular in many Asian countries such as Laos.
Banging the temple drums - Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism and is at the very basis of Lao culture. Buddhism in Laos is often closely tied to animist beliefs and belief in ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas.
Vientiane Morning Market is a large collection of indoor and outdoor stalls selling a wide array of goods. The first floor sells mostly textiles, electronics, and watches; while the second floor has clothing, gold, and jewelery. Surrounding the market building are portable noodle shops and the usual array of freelance vendors.
Chanting Ceremony - Often performed for weddings and other auspicious occasions as a part of the Buddhist tradition in Laos. Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism and is at the basis of Lao culture. Buddhism in Laos is often closely tied to animist beliefs and belief in ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas.
Vientiane; Laos; Lao; Laotians; Laotian; Lao PDR; Wat Si Saket; wat sisaket; Buddha figure; Buddha head; Buddhas
Description
Wat Si Saket was built in 1818 on the orders of King Anouvong; it is said to be the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. It was built in the Siamese style of Buddhist architecture, with a surrounding terrace and an ornate five tiered roof, rather than in the Lao style, keeping it safe from the armies of Siam which attacked Vientiane in 1827. Although the temple was spared as its design was Bangkok style, the French restored the temple in 1924 and again in 1930. Wat Si Saket features a cloister wall with more than 2000 ceramic and silver Buddha images.
Although Vientiane is not known for its temples and hundreds of monks wandering around, like Luang Prabang, it still has its share of strolling monks, coming and going from school, chanting ceremonies and early morning alms visits.
Vientiane; Laos; lao; Laotians; Laotian; lao PDR; Patuxai Arch; patuxai; arch of triumph; Vientiane arch; street scene; Vientiane street scene; streetscape
Description
Patuxai Arch - Patuxai literally Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph, formerly the Anosavari Monument, is a landmark in the center of Vientiane. It is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. Although bearing a general resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, it is typically Laotian decorated with many kinnari figures and, if anything, has a rather anti-French meaning.
luang prabang; Laos; Lao; Laotian; Lao PDR; Buddhist monks; monks; Laotian monks; Lao monks; temple bells; gong; ringing the bells; temple bell ringing; drumstick; novice; novice monk; young monk; Wat Siphoutthabat
Description
Novice Banging the Temple Bell at Wat Siphoutthabat - Buddhism is the primary religion of Laos. The Buddhism practiced in Laos is of the Theravada tradition. Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism and is at the basis of Lao culture. Buddhism in Laos is often closely tied to animist beliefs and belief in ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas
Temple School at Wat Siphoutthabat - Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism and is at the basis of the culture. Buddhism in Laos is often closely tied to animist beliefs and ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas
Laos; Asia; southeast Asia; Asian travel; travel; Laos travel; overland travel; Asian life; Buddhism; Buddhist temple; Vientiane; place of interest; Lao history; robes; orange robes; monks robes; Lao culture; Lao tradition; monk; Buddhist monk; Lao monk; young Buddhist monk close-up; paint splattered monk; smiling monk; calm monk; Buddha; Wat Chan temple; temple life; Asian person; young Asian man; Lao man; young Lao man;
Five ten and twenty euro notes and one and two euro coins Close, up, horizontal, currency, money, finance, paper, financial, transcation, cash, change, watermark, security, protection, device, bill, bank, banknote, currencies, blue, EU, European, Union, EEC, ECU, world, Trade, economy, business, macro, payment, buy, sell, monetary, earn, spend
French Colonial Architecture in Luang Prabang - In order to make the French colonists feel more at home and at the same time to reflect its vision of imperial grandeur, the French colonial government set about systematically rebuilding Lao cities according to European specifications.
