Impressions of the Land of a Million Elephants
Peaceful Vientiane
Within the framework of cooperation between the two Ministries of Information and Communications of Vietnam and Culture and Information of Laos, on September 27, a working delegation of the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam led by the leaders of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information paid a working visit to Laos. At 9:35 am, the delegation arrived at Vat Tay International Airport. Vientiane at the end of the rainy season, the air seemed to be more humid. Your car was waiting at the airport to take the delegation to the hotel.
Coming from Hanoi, a bustling and noisy capital, crowded with people and vehicles, after only 1 hour of flight, we came across a beautiful and peaceful Vientiane. I had heard that cars driving on the streets never honked, but now I saw it for the first time. Long lines of cars lined up at intersections waiting for their turn. No honking, no jostling, no weaving. Peace and tranquility were everywhere. Even in the markets, which are usually the most bustling and noisy places. 96% of the population in Laos is Buddhist, and that pace of life is partly influenced by Buddhism.
 |
That Luang Pagoda. |
During my 5 days in your country, I have another explanation for the peaceful rhythm thanks to the fact that life in Vientiane has not been industrialized. Another impression is that Vientiane does not have high-rise buildings. The tallest building is only 5-7 floors. Most of the houses in Vientiane do not face the road but have tree-lined courtyards that create a space separate from the street. A prominent feature is that the architecture from houses to offices, especially cultural works, all bear the mark of Buddhist architecture, which also contributes to creating a peaceful and quiet atmosphere.
Diverse communication
As a working group of press agencies, we were introduced to the Lao press by your side quite a lot about the activities of the Lao press. Currently, your country is focusing on promoting the 450th anniversary of the capital Vientiane, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Congress and the 90th birthday of President Kaysone Phomvihane. An interesting coincidence is that these days, Hanoi is also rushing to prepare for the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi.
As a country where 50% of the population is illiterate, written journalism in Laos is somewhat limited. There are 94 newspapers and magazines nationwide, of which 27 are newspapers (8 are daily newspapers) and 64 are magazines. Of these, 23 are privately owned.
Daily newspapers published in remote provinces usually arrive 3-4 days later, and are only published during the day in Vientiane and surrounding areas, with a rather modest number of about 2,500 copies per day (Lao Journalists Association Newspaper). Compared to printed newspapers, your visual and spoken newspapers are more developed. Nationwide, there are 43 radio stations, 8 central and regional stations, 27 provincial stations and 8 district stations.
 |
Visit Lao National Television. |
Lao National Radio broadcasts 77 hours a day, 90 programs, in 7 languages, including Vietnamese, English, French... covering more than 70% of the territory. In the future, the Radio is also aiming to balance its own budget. To implement that orientation, the Radio is also promoting a project to cooperate with the private sector to build regional broadcasting stations to serve the people. With the current coverage, more than 4 million out of a total of 6.7 million people in Laos can listen to the radio.
As for television, Laos has 32 broadcasting stations. Of which, the Central Television Station consists of 3 channels (1 private). Another private television station will be established soon. In addition, there are 17 provincial stations and 11 district stations that both produce programs and rebroadcast the Central Television Station.
Learning about the private sector's participation in the media sector, your side said: Private television stations mainly broadcast programs and attract advertising. The programs are closely monitored by Lao Central Television. Due to its characteristics, to compete with neighboring Thailand, Laos's press system is more diverse. The form of private press is accepted by the state alongside the press of state organizations, creating diversity in the media sector.
Land of Monuments-pagoda - tower
The capital Vientiane has only 5 roads. All of them lead to Pat-tu-xay and That Luang which is considered the symbol of Laos.
 |
Victory Square (Pat-tu-xa) |
The reliefs depict the Rama epic, and the towers are in the Lao style. Following the spiral staircase, visitors reach the 7th floor, to see the whole view of the capital Vientiane: City Hall, Pha That Luang... as the sunlight fades.
From the top of Patu-Xay, looking far away, a brilliant yellow tower appears. That is That Luang - a symbol of Laos. That Luang was built in 1566, in the shape of a wine jar, on the ruins of a 13th-century Indian temple. Legend has it that the tower is covered in gold on the outside.
The stupa was destroyed by the Thai invasion in the 19th century, then restored to its original state. According to legend, the stupa still holds a relic of the Buddha, a strand of hair, and many jewels. That Luang is the central structure of Wat That Luang, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Laos.
One of the oldest Buddhist architectures in Vientiane - Laos is Si Sa Ket Pagoda, which is said to have been built in 1818, the only pagoda not destroyed by the Siamese army, one of the oldest monasteries in Laos, an important source of ancient architecture. The pagoda has more than 6,800 paintings, Buddha statues, with hundreds of Buddha statues, which are masterpieces of ancient bronze casting art. The unique feature of the pagoda is the corridor with walls decorated with 2,000 Buddha statues made of ceramic, porcelain, silver...
These are famous relics in the capital Vientiane that tourists cannot miss once visiting. In Laos, there are more than 1,400 pagodas and towers, which are places for religious activities, but also spaces for cultural activities, places to preserve and spread the culture imbued with the identity of the Lao people. Buddhism in Laos is popular is Theravada Buddhism. Monks are respected by society. Some families send their children to the pagoda to learn both letters and Buddhist scriptures when they reach school age...
Mr. Tuan
;){kind=link}