Hi you, I'm grateful to have you supporting me even if it's just by watching :D
Festival and 2ed part of this is still on its way.

You can watch videos early by signing up to:
https://www.youknowthailand.com/

For comprehensive travel information, including transportation options and hotel bookings, visit the following link: It's your ultimate resource for planning amazing adventures in Southeast Asia.
🤗😌
https://www.youknowthailand.com/

Le Luxe Boutique Hotel 💁‍♂️🏨
Booking.com:
https://booking.tp.st/yGp6YwdF
Agoda :
https://agoda.tp.st/XhP5xmaw

Laos 🇱🇦 CROWN PLAZA 🏨 Vientiane video is here:
   • Laos 🇱🇦 CROWN PLAZA 🏨 Vientiane  

Thanks for checking out my content! If you want to show some support, you can buy me a pint through the link below. Cheers! :D 🙋‍♂️🍻☕️
https://linktr.ee/YouknowwhereHughgo



Welcome to the land of a million elephants.🐘

This is our first impression of visiting the city of Vientiane, known as Vien Chan to locals. The weather was incredible while we were here.

In this episode, I go through the history of King Fa Ngum, and the beginnings of the country of Lan Sang in the 14th century.

I go through the streets admiring the French colonial buildings and temples, The mixture of buildings is incredible.

We go from Wattay International Airport to the Crown Plaza and into the town of Vientiene, near the Mekong River.

The hotel we show in this episode is a gorgeous one called Le Luxe Boutique Hotel. I admire the combination of French and Laotian architecture in this very cosy hotel. We enjoyed breakfast here, which was boiled rice called Khao Tom. We go explore Wat Si Saket, which dates to 1818.

I explain the background of missionaries coming to Laos to spread Buddhism, and then King Fa Ngum made it the state religion. You see monks walking the streets of Vientiane regularly. It's a big part of the culture here.

We then meet up with friends at the Aaron Hotel, which has great views of the Mekong River as well as the city.

We then go to Haw Phra Kaew, a gorgeous temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha. I go into the history of the Emerald Buddha and how Laos, Siam, and the Lanna Kingdom would fight over the Emerald Buddha. Ultimately, the city of Vientiane was sacked and plundered by King Taksin and then King Rama. The emerald Buddha was rehoused in Bangkok after this event. The kingdoms of Laos and the Lanna Kingdom had to become vassals of Siam.

Vientiane has a difficult history, but the people are extremely resilient and, in general, very welcoming and friendly.

We also see the temple Wat Ong Teu.

We ate at a restaurant that's well-known in the area called Kop Chai Deu, where we eat a lot of Laotian food, like:

Sticky Rice (Khao Niao)

Larb (Laap)

Lao Sausage

Papaya Salad (Tam Mak Hoong):

Khao Poon Noodles: Lao Steamed Fish

Lao Chicken Noodle

Soup Jaew: A versatile dipping sauce

Ping Gai: Laotian grilled chicken

Laos Spring Rolls Insect Protein: Yes, you read that right! Creepy-crawly delicacies like crickets and ants we enjoyed eating here—well,  others did, not me so much.

Laos Desserts: Sweet sticky rice in bamboo tubes

Finally, we went to Buddha Park just as it was raining cats and dogs! We really got caught up in all. The Buddha statues were great in the park there. The highlight was a building that depicted hell and heaven. That was fun to explore. Then we rushed out of Buddha Park just as they were shutting the doors before finishing the day with a few Beer Lao at Kop Chai Deu.

Laos, officially known as the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a fascinating country with a rich history and cultural heritage. Nestled in the heart of the Indochinese peninsula, Laos is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Its landscape is characterized by rugged mountains, lush forests, and the mighty Mekong River, which runs through the country and is a lifeline for many of its citizens. Vientiane, the capital, is known for its laid-back atmosphere and French colonial architecture, reflecting the country's history as part of the French Indochina. The Laotian people are known for their hospitality and the country's cuisine, which is both vibrant and flavorful, offering a unique blend of Lao, Thai, Vietnamese, and French influences. Despite its small size, Laos has a diverse population, comprising various ethnic groups, each with its own distinct traditions and languages. The nation's official language is Lao, and Buddhism is the predominant religion, deeply influencing the culture and daily life of the people. Laos has a complex history, from its time as part of the kingdom of Lan Xang to its period under French rule and its current governance as a socialist republic. It's a country that has managed to preserve its traditional way of life while slowly opening up to the modern world.