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Dear Passengers,
Sabaidee and welcome aboard Lao Airlines!
As we close the year, I am honored to welcome you to this November/ December edition of Champa Meuanglao, which coincides with a truly historic moment: the 50th Anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
On December 2nd, our nation will gather in unity and pride to celebrate five decades of independence, resilience, and progress. In Vientiane, the golden spires of That Luang will once again stand as the radiant centerpiece of our national day, while festivities across the country remind us of the strength of our culture and the spirit of our people.
At Lao Airlines, we are proud to connect you to these celebrations, carrying stories and traditions across the skies. As always, our dedicated crew is here to ensure your journey is safe, comfortable, and memorable.
Thank you for choosing Lao Airlines. May this season bring you joy, discovery, and meaningful travels.
Viengxay Singkham President & CEO of Lao Airlines
With our highest respect,
Hello Readers,
Welcome to the November-December issue of Champa Meuanglao. In this issue:
Laos celebrates the Golden Jubilee of the Lao PDR, with Vientiane’s That Luang Esplanade at the heart of parades, pageantry, and reflections on 50 years of independence.
Ock Pop Tok marks 25 years of weaving culture and community in Luang Prabang, celebrating a legacy of artisan empowerment and the preservation of Lao textile traditions.
The Namkhan Resort invites guests to glamp, graze, and gaze along its riverside retreat, where luxury tents, organic gardens, and river cruises create a sanctuary just outside Luang Prabang.
Discover Wat Phayanak on Don Xing Xou Island, a hidden spiritual site near Vientiane where naga statues, shrines, and tractor tours reveal both faith and local life.
Chiang Mai shines as Thailand’s creative capital, where centuries-old temples and silverwork meet cool cafés, artisan chocolate, and bustling weekend markets.
Souphattra Serviced Apartments offer a sanctuary in Vientiane, blending spacious suites, leafy surroundings, and refined amenities for long-stay comfort.
Safe travels,
The Champa Meuanglao team
Viengxay Singkham
Managing Director
Saleum Tayarath
Deputy Managing Director of Commercial and Marketing, ICT
Sitthideth Douangsiththy
Deputy Managing Director of Ground Handling and Cargo
Phaythoun Kounsouvanh
Deputy Managing Director of Finance
Headquarters Wattay International Airport Vientiane Capital, Laos Tel: (856-21) 513243-46, Fax: (856-21) 513247 www.laoairlines.com
Follow the official Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/laoairlines to get the latest news and updates from the national carrier of Laos.
DISCLAIMER
Editor In Chief Editor
Creative Director
Contributing Writers Head Photographer
Contributing Photographer
Jason Rolan
Vilavanh Chanthavong
Phounsouk Samounty
Vilavanh Chanthavong
Valérie Olla
Mick Shippen
Vincent Vichit-Vadakan
Phoonsab Thevongsa
Loris Faedda
Phout Keolamsing
Mick Shippen
sales@rdkgroup.la mark.gandeza@rdkgroup.la (856-20) 56581416
134 Samsenthai Road, Xiengyeun Village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, Laos (856-20) 55731717 info@rdkgroup.la
Champa Meuanglao is published bi-monthly for Lao Airlines State Enterprise by RDK Group. The views and opinions expressed or implied in Champa Meuanglao do not necessarily reflect those of Lao Airlines State Enterprise or its publishing agents. All information in Champa Meuanglao is correct at time of printing. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2025 by Lao Airlines State Enterprise and RDK Group. www.champameuanglao.com
皮肤护理
天然手工皂
纯天然精油
香薰蜡烛
手工艺术品
天然手工皂
来自老挝纯手工制作的天然有机产品
天然精油大豆香薰蜡烛
Text by: Jason Rolan
by: Phoonsab Thevongsa
The morning air in Vientiane carries the scent of frangipani and anticipation. Vendors emerge from shop houses along Setthathirath Road, their metal grills already sizzling with khao jee baguettes, the French colonial legacy now thoroughly Lao. Steam curls from noodle carts as the capital stirs to life ahead of December 2nd—half a century since Laos stepped into independence, half a century of stories written in the language of survival and quiet triumph.
This is no ordinary anniversary. The golden milestone pulses through the city like the steady beat of khaen pipes, that haunting sound that speaks of mountain mists and Mekong currents, of a nation that has learned to bend without breaking.
In the pre-dawn darkness, soldiers gather in courtyards hidden behind whitewashed walls. Their boots echo on concrete as they practice formations that will soon unfold along That Luang Esplanade. But this isn't just about military precision—though the discipline is fierce, each step measured like temple prayers. This is theatre, storytelling through movement, a visual poem about sovereignty written by men and women whose grandparents knew French administrators and American bombers.
By sunrise, the real drama begins. Students of all ages gather, their fingers busy with silk sinh skirts and freshly ironed white shirts, the fabrics catch the honeyed light of morning. They are joined by dancers and representatives from all 50 recognized ethnic groups; a living constellation that mirrors the nation's 50th anniversary, feeling less like a coincidence and more like destiny.
The parade unfolds in the shadow of That Luang stupa itself, where the nation's most sacred stupa bears witness to this annual pageant of pride. The formations move between the golden monument and the National Assembly building, that seat of power where laws are debated in hushed Lao syllables. Here, in this concentrated space of spiritual and political authority, the country's story plays out in measured steps with soldiers, students, and ethnic groups moving past the very symbols that define modern Laos.
But it's when evening falls that the real magic unfolds. That Luang becomes a golden beacon against the darkening sky, its ancient spires catching the last light like cupped hands holding fire. The sacred monument has survived Siamese invasions, French colonialism, and American bombs. Tonight, it stands witness to something rarer: a nation at peace with itself.
The fireworks begin as families spread woven mats on the grass around the monument. Children
clutch tubes of khao lam, sweet sticky rice cooked in bamboo. The explosions of light reflect far away in the Mekong, that ancient highway that connects Laos to its neighbors as it makes its journey to the sea.
From 30,000 feet, Lao Airlines' aircraft trace silver paths across this tableau. The view from above reveals what ground-level celebration sometimes obscures: a landlocked nation that has learned to navigate by different stars. The mountains of Xieng Khouang, still scarred by
war but green with new growth and opportunity. The coffee plantations of the Bolaven Plateau, where French plants have become thoroughly Lao harvests. The ancient temples of Luang Prabang, where saffron-robed monks continue rituals as they have for centuries.
This is why we fly these routes, why every Lao Airlines journey carries more than passengers between destinations. We carry stories, connections, the invisible threads that bind a nation scattered across mountains and river valleys into something singular and enduring. As Laos enters its sixth decade of independence, we celebrate not just the PDR, but something more precious: the knowledge that identity isn't imposed from outside but grows from within, like lotus flowers pushing through Mekong mud to bloom in impossible beauty.
The 50th anniversary isn't just history—it's an invitation, a promise that the best stories are still being written in the hills and valleys, markets and monasteries of this remarkable nation. Come fly with us, and discover them for yourself.
Text by: Vincent Vichit-Vadakan
Photos by: The Namkhan
Heritage and historic charms will always be the main draw in Luang Prabang. What’s not to love about the old-world air of the sacred temples and photogenic houses? But if you’re a regular visitor who already knows your Wat Xieng Thong from your Mount Phousi, or if you’re just looking for a change of pace in a peaceful corner of Luang Prabang, there is a nearby resort that is exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Namkhan takes its name from Luang Prabang’s other river. Visitors to Luang Prabang always think of the mighty Mekong, but the city’s historic center is actually built on the strip of land where the Mekong meets its tributary, the Namkhan, on a sort of fluvial peninsula. In the winter, if you stand at the tip of the peninsula, you can clearly observe the difference between the waters of the two rivers at the point where they meet.
The Namkhan Resort is located a couple of bends of the Namkhan River upstream, a short fifteen-minute drive from both Luang Prabang’s airport and from town. The property offers free shuttles into the city throughout the day, with the last return to the hotel at 9:30, just as the night market is closing down. The Namkhan also rents e-scooters for the day if you prefer to tool around yourself.
That’s all on the assumption that you want to head out at all; honestly, you may not even want to leave the resort. The first thing that will keep you in is a choice of accommodations that suits your mood and your style. You can pick brand new glamping tents set on their own decks with inside and outside seating, reclining deck chairs, and riverside views. The tented “rooms” themselves have lights and airconditioning. (Private bathrooms are outside the tent.) Then there are suites and bungalows, many of which contain original art pieces, facing the river or on the hill. For a special treat, there are the plush two-story, two-bedroom villas that include spacious balconies, bathtubs with killer views, and net daybeds that hang out over the void for mid-air sunbathing. Sufferers of vertigo should refrain.
Walking around the resort is easy, but buggies are on call through the resort’s easy-to-use app that you are encouraged to download on arrival. The app also works for reaching out to staff for anything from spa bookings to room service. This is also how you reach out to staff with any questions 24 hours a day.
T he Namkhan’s open-air restaurant, Roots, is located at the top of the hill. The extensive menu offers so many options, like the Luang Prabang classic or lam, a stew that is thickened with eggplant, seasoned with sakhan pepper wood that lends the soup its mildly peppery aroma, and packed with green herbs like dill and cilantro. Other dishes are a nod to the owners’ favorite dishes. Mr. Paul’s currywurst would stand up to any Berlin Schnellimbiss (snack stall), and Madame Xisca’s gazpacho is based on a family recipe.
Roots’ very own Chef Moh is talented and versatile in whatever the cuisine, but get her to share her secrets of home-cooked Lao food like jeo (spicy relishes), lagou, a French-inspired buffalo stew, or mok, aromatic parcels steamed in banana leaves. Also, don’t miss her pillowy coconut crepes at breakfast.
I f you’re so inclined, you can even join her for a tour of the organic garden and a cooking class where you can learn classics like tam mak houng (papaya salad) or laab, the meaty salad that is often called the national dish of Laos. The class is geared to your ability, whether you’re an absolute beginner or a hands-on home chef. You can perfect your knife
skills under the watchful eye of a professional or nail the technique for tossing glutinous rice in a steaming basket.
While you’re touring the farm, you can also learn about composting, mushroom farming, and raising chickens and ducks. The Namkhan also encourages you to stroll through the organic farm on your own, with QR codes posted throughout the garden patches and greenhouses to guide you through the season’s crops, whether it’s long beans, papaya, or butterfly pea flowers. Learn about how ingredients like chili peppers, tobacco, and vinegar can be used to make natural pesticides and insect repellents. African nightcrawler worms enrich compost on the organic farm.
A nd that is the joy of staying at The Namkhan: you’re never at a loss for things to do. If you’re feeling active, go kayaking down the river or biking around the Teakwood Forest Trail. Enjoy the resort’s riverfront clearing (that they call Luang Prabang’s only “beach”) in the privacy of your own wooden hut to shield you from the sun. Play badminton, chess, or pétanque, or sign up for lessons if you want to learn. Go for qi gong in the morning or yoga at
sunset. You can even book your own open-air movie theater where you are given free rein over the hotel’s Netflix account. Order dinner and have your own private movie night. The possibilities are endless.
Y ou’ll also want to pay a visit to the Jungle Spa and its extraordinary resident and visiting wellness practitioners who offer unique treatments. Gloria, the spa manager, is meticulous in explaining the workings of singing bowls and sound healing. The treatment is so much more than an esoteric form of relaxation. Physiologically, it is supposed to improve your heart rate or blood pressure, and can even change how your body reacts on a cellular level.
Many people think that ice bath therapies are just about creating a shock for the body. Gloria gently prepares you mentally, physically, and – truth be told – philosophically for the experience that has an effect on your circulation and metabolism. She quite literally holds your hand if you need support before taking the plunge. Beyond the physical consequences, it’s a different way of seeing yourself and how you interact with your environment.
A regular program of visiting practitioners hosts targeted retreats and offers limited-edition and offmenu treatments. Maria José, a Chilean practitioner and facilitator specializing in yoga and water therapy, recently spent a month at the resort offering treatments like janzu. She leads you through the water-borne version of shiatsu, stretching and twisting you into postures weightlessly as you float in the swimming pool. It’s both a lowimpact workout and a meditative experience.
Of course, if you do want to stray from the resort, the best way to do that is on the resort’s own exclusive wooden barge, the iMekong. Imagine giving alms in a traditional tak bat ceremony at dawn before sailing down the Mekong to discover the jaw-dropping landscapes; sailing to the Ban Chan pottery village where you can admire – and purchase –locally made items or try your hand at crafting your own; or book yourself the iMekong for a memorable, hopelessly romantic sunset cruise, complete with canapés, bubbly and the one you love.
A nd that is the joy of staying at The Namkhan. Couples will be seduced by the intimacy of the place, nature lovers will embrace the river and the greenery, foodies will have treats to tempt them all day long, and families will never have a dull moment. Did you say something for everybody?
For bookings or more information, visit thenamkhan.com
Getting there:
Lao Airlines flies frequently to Luang Prabang from Vientiane, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, and Bangkok.
(Vincent Vichit-Vadakan)
Namkhan)
Namkhan Resort)
奢华露营、 美食漫尝与静心凝望 南康河畔的别样体验
文字：VincentVichit-Vadakan 图片：南康河度假村 译者：航
琅勃拉邦是令无数旅人倾心的地 方。古老的寺庙、宁静的氛围与 殖民风格建筑构成了这座城的 底色，漫步其间恍若时光穿梭。但若你已逛 遍香通寺和普西山等名胜，或是渴望在静 谧中邂逅一丝冒险趣味，那么接下来做些 什么呢？
距城区仅15分钟车程处，藏着一处世 外桃源——南康河度假村。这座河畔秘境 能可以为情侣提供浪漫假期，为家庭准备 趣味活动，也可以为独行者打造自然疗愈 空间。南康河度假村可以满足所有旅人的 需求。
世人皆知湄公河穿琅勃拉邦城而过， 却少有人留意琅勃拉邦其实坐落在两河 交汇处——湄公河与其支流南康河在此相 拥，冬季甚至能看见两色河水交融的奇景。
南康河度假村便坐落于南康河上游的 葱郁山林间，虽远离喧嚣却有全天免费接 驳车往返夜市，电动摩托车租赁服务更让 探索随心所欲。
南康河度假村的最大亮点之一 是这里有很多种住宿选择，无论是舒 适或是雅致房型，亦或是奢华房型应 有尽有。
想要野趣与舒适兼得？挑高帐篷 营地配备空调大床、室内外休憩区及 独享河景露台，户外独立卫浴洁净私 密；
钟爱坚实墙壁？河畔或山腰的套 房及木屋房型以原创艺术装饰，推窗 即享静谧风光；
想要犒赏下自己？双层别墅配备 观景浴缸、悬空网床（恐高者慎选！）， 在超大露台上尽览山河。
抵达酒店非常简单，可以选择步 行或使用度假村APP召唤接驳车。 酒店的APP还可以联系服务——无论 是预约SPA还是深夜点餐，指尖轻触 即刻得到响应。APP二十四小时有专 人回应。
山顶名为“根”的露天餐厅提供 出传统老挝美食，也有酒店老板从世 界各地搜集的特殊菜肴。
老挝特色炖菜（or lam））带着萨 罕木与莳萝的辛香，水牛lagou是一 款融合老式和法式炖技的菜肴。辣酱 （Jeo）是老挝传统的辣椒调味酱。德 式咖喱肠与西班牙家传冷汤则讲述 着主人的故乡及环球故事。
本地主厨莫非常有才华，任何菜 品在他的“魔法”铲下都变得极其美 味，椰香软煎饼更是早餐必点。
如果你是美食爱好者，也可以参 加莫大厨的烹饪课：首先，她会介绍 酒店的机菜园，带您认识蝶豆花，长 豆，木瓜等食材。接下来她会给大家 介绍如何堆制有机肥。最后还会带大 家参观蘑菇种植，甚至会和大家聊聊 如何养鸡鸭。
接下来就开始做饭啦。烹饪课对 于新手或者美食爱好者都很友好，无 论是你什么烹饪级别都可以参加。课 程包括如何制作非常有名的老挝菜 木瓜沙拉，也会教给大家制作老挝国 菜--凉拌肉末。还会告诉大家传统方 式蒸糯米饭的小技巧。
南康河度假村的活动清单永不单 调：清晨在河上划艇，午后骑行柚木 林道。度假村内还可以打羽毛球、象 棋或是老挝有名的游戏“法式滚球”。
早上可以迎着日出做做气功或 瑜伽。如果想要更休闲，可以到酒店 自己的河边沙滩，这里也是琅勃拉邦 唯一的“沙滩”。这里您可以晒晒日光 浴，享受河景。
想来一场露天电影之夜吗？南康 河度假村可为您独家打造户外影院 体验，包含晚餐并开放其Netflix账号 供您点播。
在丛林水疗中心 (Jungle Spa) ，您可以与度假村的健康专家见面， 体验罕见的恢复性理疗。水疗中心经 理格洛丽亚 (Gloria) 会指导客人使 用颂钵进行声音疗法，并进行冰浴 疗法，让身心焕然一新。玛丽亚·何塞 (Maria José) 等客座治疗师会为您 带来独特的疗程，例如“janzu”，这是 一种结合漂浮、伸展和冥想的舒缓水 疗，可帮助您深度放松和保持平衡。
若想深入探索，不妨登上度假村 精美的木质游船"iMekong号"。您可 预订不同主题航程：或是在晨光熹微 中参与传统布施仪式，或是在落日余 晖里享受佐酒小食的浪漫巡航。
河对岸的班占（Ban Chan）陶艺 村值得一访，您既可亲手体验制陶乐 趣，也能选购匠心手作。当然，静静欣 赏湄公河与层叠山峦的如画风光也 是绝佳选择。
南康河度假村远不止下榻之 所——它是一场沉浸式体验。爱侣沉 醉于静谧美景与浪漫氛围，饕客品味 地道老挝风味，自然爱好者栖身山林 水岸如归故里，亲子家庭则享有广阔 空间与丰富活动。
无论是为放松身心、探索秘境还 是学习新知而来，南康河度假村都能 让您以独特方式深度感受琅勃拉邦 的魅力。
预订及更多详情请访问: thenamkhan.com
交通指南：老挝航空提供万象、清迈、 河内及曼谷至琅勃拉邦的定期航班。
Text by: Valérie Olla
Photos by: Loris Faedda and Phout Keolamsing
Overlooking the majestic Mekong River in Luang Prabang, a vibrant hub of creativity, community, and culture hums with life. This is the Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre, and this October, it celebrates a momentous milestone: its 25th anniversary. A quartercentury ago, two women, one a Lao master weaver and the other a British photographer, wove together a dream, creating a business that would become
a beacon for artisan empowerment and cultural preservation in Laos.
O ck Pop Tok, which translates beautifully as “East Meets West” in Lao, was founded in 2000 by Veomanee “Veo” Douangdara and Joanna “Jo” Smith. Veo, with her deep understanding of traditional Lao weaving and its intricate stories, and Jo, with her experience in design
and photography, saw an opportunity not just to sell beautiful textiles, but to build a business that honored the hands that created them. Their vision was simple yet profound: to create a platform where weavers and artisans could earn a sustainable income, and where the rich traditions of Lao textiles could be preserved for future generations.
T he true heart of Ock Pop Tok lies in its powerful social and economic impact. Over the past 25 years, the social enterprise has provided employment and fair wages to hundreds of artisans, predominantly women from diverse ethnic groups across Laos. This isn't just a transactional relationship; it's a partnership. By working with Ock Pop Tok, these women have gained financial independence, allowing them to support their families, send their children to school, and become leaders in their communities. The social enterprise’s commitment to fair trade principles ensures that a significant portion of the profits returns directly to the artisans, fostering a virtuous cycle of prosperity and skill-building.
The Living Crafts Centre itself is a testament to this philosophy. It's more than a workshop; it’s an open-air museum where visitors can witness the entire journey of a textile, from the cultivation of silk and cotton to the meticulous process of natural dyeing and weaving. The air is filled with the rhythmic click-clack of looms, and the colors, from the deep blue of the indigo vats to the vibrant reds of the sappan tree, tell a story of ancient knowledge passed down through generations. Ock Pop Tok's dedication to using natural dyes and sustainable practices is a core part of its mission, ensuring that its beautiful creations are as gentle on the environment as they are on the people who make them.
As Ock Pop Tok looks back on 25 years, it can celebrate not only its success as a social enterprise but its enduring legacy as a cultural institution. It has helped preserve traditional techniques, fostered a community of talented artisans, and introduced the world to the breathtaking beauty and rich narratives of Lao textiles. The threads woven here are more than just fabric; they are a connection to history, a commitment to community, and a vibrant promise for the future. As Jo puts it, “every thread tells a story.”
When you visit Luang Prabang, Ock Pop Tok is a must-stop. You can take a class with expert artisans, which is sure to enlighten you on the work that goes into handmade textiles, or you can eat a delicious fusion of East and West cuisines at the Silk Road Kitchen. You could even stay in one of the beautifully decorated rooms at the Mekong Villa. But you must at least take their signature pink electric tuktuk from the town centre and explore what their Living Crafts Centre has to offer, and witness the magic of Lao textiles for yourself.
Twenty-five years is certainly an important birthday to celebrate, so why not be part of it?
For more information, visit ockpoptok.com.
Getting there:
Valérie Olla
Loris Faedda
ສ້າລັບຂໍ້້ມູູນເພີ່ມູຕ�່ມູສາມູາດເບິ່ງໄດ
ທີ່ ockpoptok.com
ວິທີເດີນທາງ:
ສາຍການບິນລາວໃຫ້ບໍລິການຖ້ຽວ
ທ່ອງທ່ຽວສາມາດສໍາຜັດປະສົບການ ຕະຫຼອດ ຂະບວນການຜະລິດຜ້າແພທີ່ຕໍ່ໍາດ້ວຍມື,
Text by: Jason Rolan
Photos by: Souphattra Serviced Apartments
In a quiet, leafy quarter of Vientiane, where saffron-robed monks drift past mid-century modern villas and the Mekong slides by unhurried, Souphattra Serviced Apartments offer a sanctuary that feels both rooted and refined. Here, the tempo slows, the edges soften, and life is measured not in the clamor of a hotel lobby but in the calm of a space that feels like your own.
Step inside and you find apartments shaped with a gentle elegance: wide living areas, kingsized beds, and kitchens stocked for a home-style supper. One-, two-, and three-bedroom suites stretch generously from 68 to 147 square meters, leaving plenty of room to exhale.
T he design whispers rather than shouts— polished fixtures, clean lines, a warm palette. There’s a writing desk by the window for morning notes, high-speed Wi-Fi for remote calls, and smart TVs tuned to both local dramas and international news. Each master bedroom folds into an en-suite bath, private and indulgent. Luxury here is not about ostentation; it’s about ease.
B eyond the apartments, the rhythm of daily life unfolds in spaces made for renewal. The mezzanine pool catches the afternoon light, edged with loungers where residents linger over books and iced drinks. A compact gym waits for those who need the pulse of movement; the spa, sauna, and steam rooms invite others to let go entirely.
Families find their own corner of joy in the Kids Zone—bright, safe, and buzzing with play—while adults drift to the lounge, where cigars curl into the evening and spirits are poured with care. Souphattra’s world is one where everyone finds their own pocket of belonging.
In the restaurant, Lao flavors share the menu with international favorites, and at very reasonable prices. One night might bring lemongrass-scented fish, the next a crisp Caesar salad. The space balances sophistication with familiarity, so that even the busiest resident feels tempted to pause and dine in.
B usiness, too, has a place at Souphattra. A small but well-equipped meeting room hosts up to ten people, offering smart connectivity and an atmosphere that favors clear thinking. It’s a reminder that work and leisure can live comfortably side by side.
Set in the Sisattanak district, the apartments carry a quiet prestige. Embassies of Singapore, Australia, and China stand nearby, while Watnak Temple offers a moment of stillness just a short walk away. It is a neighborhood that feels both cosmopolitan and local, worldly and intimate. For long-staying guests, this balance brings reassurance; for newcomers, it lends the comfort of being at the city’s cultural and diplomatic heart.
To call Souphattra Serviced Apartments accommodation is to undersell them. They are, instead, a way of living: private yet connected, polished yet personal. For the business traveler, there is room to spread out, to host colleagues, to work without the sterility of a corporate chain. For families, there is space to cook, to play, to let children tumble and grow. For couples or solo residents, there is the pleasure of returning each evening to a space that feels like theirs alone.
I n a capital that is quietly reinventing itself—where coffee shops hum with conversation, and new towers rise beside gilded stupas—Souphattra Serviced Apartments embody a gentle luxury. They are not about excess, but about refinement: the art of living well, without fuss, in the heart of Vientiane.
H ere, mornings begin with sunlight spilling across polished floors. Afternoons end with a swim or a steam. Evenings might bring a glass raised in the lounge or a simple meal at the table of your own suite. Souphattra Serviced Apartments invite you to find not just a place to stay, but a way to settle—a rhythm, a refuge, a home.
For bookings or more information, visit souphattra.com.
Getting there:
Lao Airlines has flights to Vientiane from many airports in Laos and throughout the region.
(Souphattra Serviced Apartments)
souphattra.com.
苏帕特拉服务式公寓
文字：Jason Rolan
图片：苏帕特拉服务式公寓
译者：航
在万象一个绿树成荫的静谧街 区，身着橘色僧袍的僧侣从中世纪 现代风格的别墅前飘然而过，湄公 河在不远处从容流淌。于此，苏帕特 拉服务式公寓提供了一处既植根本 土又精致优雅的隐逸之所。这里节 奏舒缓，氛围宁静，生活的衡量标准 不再是酒店大堂的喧嚣，而是如家 一般空间的静谧安然。
富有地方韵味的套房
步入室内，公寓以优雅柔和的设计呈 现：宽敞的起居区、超大号双人床以及齐全 的餐具厨具、可烹制家常晚餐的厨房。一 卧、两卧及三卧套房面积从68至147平方 米不等，空间宽敞，让人足以舒展身心。
设计内敛而不张扬——光洁的固定装 置、简洁的线条、温暖的色调。窗边设有书 写桌可供晨间记事，高速Wi-Fi满足远程 通话需求，智能电视可收看本地剧集与国 际新闻。每间主卧室均配有私密的独立浴 室，尽享专属与惬意。这里的奢华不在于炫 耀，而在于自在从容。
门外的悠然生活
公寓之外，日常生活的节奏在专为休 憩焕活设计的空间中徐徐展开。跃层泳池 沐浴着午后阳光，池边躺椅上，住客可悠闲 阅读，啜饮冰品。多功能健身房静候需要活 动筋骨之人；水疗中心、桑拿房和蒸汽室可 让人全然放松。
家庭宾客可在明亮安全、充满童趣的 儿童乐园找到属于自己的欢乐角落；而成 人则可移步酒廊，雪茄的烟雾伴着夜色袅 袅升起，精心调制的酒饮缓缓斟满。在苏帕 特拉公寓的天地里，每个人都能找到自己 的归属。
满足各式口味的美食
餐厅里，老挝风味与国际经典佳肴均 有提供，且价格十分合理。今夜或许是香 茅芬芳的烤鱼，明晚则可是爽口的凯撒沙 拉。空间兼具精致格调与温馨氛围，即使是 最繁忙的住客也会忍不住驻足享用一顿 美餐。
商务需求在苏帕特拉公寓同样得到满 足。一间小巧但设备齐全的会议室最多可 容纳十人，提供智能连接和利于思考的环 境。这也印证了工作与休闲完全可以舒适 并存。
卓尔不群的优越地段
公寓坐落于西萨塔纳县，享有静谧的 尊贵地段。新加坡、澳大利亚和中国大使馆 近在咫尺，步行不远即可抵达瓦纳寺，享受 片刻宁静。这是一个既具国际都会气息又 充满本地风情，既与世界接轨又温馨亲切 的社区。对于长住客人，这种平衡带来安 心；对于新访客，则意味着身处城市文化与 外交中心的便利与舒适。
若仅将苏帕特拉服务式公寓称为住 宿，实为低估。它更是一种生活方式：私密 却又联通，精致且富个性。商务旅客拥有舒 展空间，可招待同事，在非刻板的连锁酒店 氛围中高效工作。家庭宾客享有烹饪、玩 耍、让孩子自由成长的空间。对于情侣或独 行旅客，每日傍晚回到只属于自己天地的 愉悦无可替代。
在这座悄然重塑自我的首都——咖啡 馆里交谈声不绝，新建高楼与鎏金佛塔并 肩而立——苏帕特拉服务式公寓蕴藏着一 种温和的奢华。它不追求浮夸，而讲究精 致：是在万象市中心从容不迫、优雅生活的 艺术。
在这里，清晨始于阳光洒落光洁地板； 午后以畅游或桑拿作结；夜晚或许是在酒 廊举杯小酌，或是在自家套房的餐桌享用 简餐。苏帕特拉服务式公寓邀您寻得的， 不仅是一处下榻之地，更是一种安顿方 式——一种节奏，一方庇护，一个家园。
预订或了解更多信息， 请访问 souphattra.com。
抵达方式：老挝航空每日有老挝境内 及周边多地区飞往万象的航班。
Text and Photos by:
Steeped in tradition and local culture, the northern city of Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most appealing provincial capitals. With its own dialect, delicious northern cuisine, cool cafés, a vibrant arts scene, and unique Lanna architectural style, it’s a fabulous destination for a rewarding getaway.
For visitors, there’s an immediate visual appeal to Chiang Mai. The city and its surrounding villages are home to more than 300 temples, including some of the country’s most important sacred sites: the mountain top Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a place of pilgrimage for many Thais which crowns the 1,676-m (5,500ft) Suthep mountain and offers panoramic views of city below, the imposing earthquake damaged Wat Chedi Luang, and the atmospheric forest temple, Wat Umong. And then there’s the city’s popular old quarter –a web of narrow alleyways to explore, all framed by a pretty tree-lined moat and the remains of the original city wall and entrance gates.
C hiang Mai has long been known as the creative heart of the nation. Skilled artisans in the Wua Lai district have been producing exquisite silverwork for centuries. The techniques are thought to have been introduced by Burmese and Shan craftsmen during the 13th century. The crowning achievement of Wua Lai craftsmen and women is the glittering Wat Sri Suphan, an exquisite temple which includes a spectacular silver ubosot or ordination hall.
F or decades, crafts from lacquerware to woodcarving and furniture making have been practiced in outlying villages such as Ban Tawai, and the products were exported around the world. In recent years, though, the market has changed, and businesses have been forced to adapt. One of the first to benefit from the interest in traditional Thai crafts in the 1980s, NK Ban Tawai, now imports beautiful decorative arts and furniture from India and Indonesia. Current owner, Nok, who took over the business from her father, one of Baan Tawai’s original woodcarvers turned entrepreneur, says, “The change has been a necessary move to adapt and survive. Traditional craft skills, the bastion of my father’s
Fabulous furniture and textiles at NK Ban Tawai, and locally made fashions at Jing Jai Market.
generation, have been slowly dying out. However, the huge interest in new imported products shows the increasingly cosmopolitan nature of Chiang Mai.”
T hat is not to say that local creativity is on the wane, far from it. The city’s arts and craft scene today
is more vibrant than ever. In recent years, the city has acted as a magnet for young creatives. Many who moved northward to study at Chiang Mai University’s prestigious Faculty of Fine Arts and, after graduation, stayed on in the city to establish workshops, small businesses, and cafés.
L ocal expat and writer Roy Cavanagh, who has lived in the city for more than a decade, has enjoyed witnessing Chiang Mai’s evolution. “The creativity of the population seems endless. The younger generation
has tapped into the northern Thai aesthetic but skillfully reimagined it for our time. This is evident throughout the city, from the cool café culture, markets full of locally made products, and trendy boutiques with an emphasis on contemporary Chiang Mai chic.”
T he café culture that Roy highlights has boomed in recent years. Décor ranges from the distinctly retro to modern minimalism, but the brews are always local, made using coffee beans grown in the mountains that lie just beyond the city. Standout cafes include Akha Ama, Graph, Artisan, and Thor Phan, but there are dozens more to discover. A more surprising artisan product to emerge in Chiang Mai is chocolate produced from recently introduced and now locally grown cacao. There are many brands available, but one of the most successful is Siamaya, which has a small workshop in the Wua Lai district that visitors can tour to see chocolate being made. The company sells an intriguing selection of flavored chocolates, including durian, khao soi, tom yam, coconut curry, and many more.
M arkets are a great way for creatives to sell their work, and they, too, have boomed in Chiang Mai. At weekends, there’s the hugely popular Jing Jai Market, where you can spend your free time shopping for arts, crafts, and clothing, and eat local food. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, you can also head to the lovely Nong Ho Secondhand Market. Located a few kilometers from the city center, numerous vendors gather in the tree-lined area to sell a vast array of vintage and collectible items. And there’s the most recent addition to the market scene, Baan Kang Wat, a selfstyled artist community in the Suthep district. Here you can shop, eat, drink, chill, and listen to live music, or take part in creative workshops.
Coffee to go at Nong Ho Secondhand Market, and Lychee coffee from Akha Ama.
C hiang Mai is also an exciting destination for food lovers. If you are in town on a Friday, don’t miss the Yunnan Food Market from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. It’s a wonderful place to discover regional and ethnic foods, particularly those of the Haw Chinese. Nearby on Charoen Prathet Road at Khao Soi Islam, you can savor Thai Muslim favorites of khao mok gai, or biriyani rice with chicken, samosas, and of course, the city’s famous khao soi noodle soup.
Whereas the cuisine of central and northeast Thailand has found popularity throughout the country, northern food is far less common outside the region. However, it is incredibly popular with Thai and foreign visitors to Chiang Mai. Recommended restaurants for Northern food include the longstanding Krua Phech Doi Ngam, the Michelin Bib Gourmand and TV chef Charan Thipeung-owned Heun Muan Jai, and the extremely popular Tong Tem Toh in the trendy Nimmanhaemin Road area. Few people head home from the city without bags full of local delicacies such as sai oua, herb-rich pork sausage, and nam prik num, roasted chili dip. For these, go to the daily Warorot Market.
Wua Lai district is home to Wat Sri Suphan, the ‘silver temple’. Many craftsmen can be seen working in the area.
Getting there: Lao Airlines has daily flights to Chiang Mai from Luang Prabang.
Links nkbantawai.com siamayachocolate.com jingjaicentralchiangmai.com
Michelin Bib Gourmand
Links nkbantawai.com siamayachocolate.com jingjaicentralchiangmai.com
Where heritage meets hospitality
• 24-Hour Room Use – Your stay, your rhythm
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Open to all guests and visitors!
*Room rates starting from $99++
*Stay your way. Live the moment.
• Morning Delight Set – Latte, cold drink, croissants, fruit.
U Luang Prabang
Ban Vat Nong, Kounxoau Road
Luang Prabang, Laos
Tel (ໂ�): +856 71 213 368
Email (ອີເ�ວ): reserve@uluangprabang.com
Website (ເ�ັບໄ�): www.uluangprabang.com
Text And Photo by: Vilavanh Chanthavong
Translated by: Jason Rolan
Across the Mekong River lies what appears to be foreign territory, but is actually a Lao island that conceals an important spiritual site: Wat Phayanak Don Xing Xou.
This temple sits on the eastern edge of Don Xing Xou Island, just 20 minutes from Wattay International Airport, though the final stretch requires a scenic boat journey across the Mekong River.
During the river crossing, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of both riverbanks, taking in the natural beauty of the Mekong's flowing waters, lush forests, and traditional houses dotting the shoreline. Upon arrival, the boat docks at the island's edge, where visitors walk along the riverbank and up a bustling path lined with local vendors selling seasonal goods including fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and religious offerings for worship and blessing ceremonies.
For those uncertain about proper offerings, the friendly vendors are always ready to provide guidance on the most appropriate items for blessings, worship, or prayer requests. Daily, the temple welcomes visitors from all walks of life who come for sightseeing and spiritual purposes. The site has earned a reputation as a particularly powerful place for seeking blessings related to luck, prosperity, and career success.
The temple's highlights are numerous and impressive. The stunning statue of a phayanak (king of the naga water serpents) and various Buddha statues serve as the main attractions. While photographs capture their beauty, witnessing these statues in person reveals their truly enchanting and mystical presence. The Lao people's deep reverence for Buddhism is evident throughout, reflected in the intricate carvings found in temples and monasteries across the country, as well as in the devoted offerings made by worshippers.
Beyond the Buddha statues, visitors will find the Shine of Grandfather Sonexay, a complex divided into three separate shrines. According to local belief, visitors must pray at each shrine in sequence to receive their desired blessings—though this practice is ultimately a matter of personal faith, with many people participating simply for peace of mind and spiritual comfort.
T he temple also offers covered tractor tours that provide 40-minute journeys around the island, giving visitors a comprehensive glimpse into local life. These tours showcase the island community's daily activities, including traditional housing styles, fishing practices, local commerce, farming methods, and animal husbandry.
W hen the tractor tour becomes tiring, the temple grounds feature local restaurants serving authentic cuisine such as papaya salad, grilled fish, and refreshing beverages including fresh fruit juices.
T his destination offers more than spiritual enrichment—it provides valuable insights into Lao religious traditions and beliefs while immersing visitors in the authentic lifestyle of island communities. For those seeking a peaceful retreat that offers meaningful cultural and spiritual learning experiences for themselves, family, or friends, Wat Phayanak Don Xing Xou provides an ideal destination.
Getting there:
Don Xing Xou is accessible by boat from the pier near Wat Dankham, about 5km west of Wattay International Airport in Vientiane.
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