Vientiane is the Capitale Laos. Its population is estimated at approximately 716  000 inhabitants (2004). It is located on the edges of the Mekong, which marks the border with the Thailand, opposite the inhabitant of Thailand city of Nong Khai.

The city was set up in prefecture with statute of province at the time of the division in 1989 and 1994 of the old province of Vientiane in three entities, the news Province of Vientiane in the North-West, the special Zone of Xaysomboun in North and the wide territory of the town of Vientiane itself.

History

The king Setthathirath transferred the capital to it from the Lan Xang in 1560, but had to give up it in front of a Burmese invasion, which does not succeed in néammoins not being maintained there. When Lan Xang crumbled in 1707, Vientiane became the center of an independent kingdom.

Plundered once again by the Burmeses in 1764, it was conquered in 1779 by the general Phraya Chakri who made of it a dependence of the Siam.

When the king Anouvong encouraged a rebellion, it was shaven by the armies of Siam in 1827.

It then passed under French influence starting from 1893. It then became the capital of the Protectorat French of Laos in 1899.

Civil monuments

Patouxai

Monument with the memory of the victims of the war to the Laos, Patouxai is located on the avenue Lan Xang, popularly called the Fields-Élysées of Vientiane.

This monument was built in 1958. It is the object of an anecdote cocasse since it was finished in 1962 with cement given by the Americans for the construction of the airport from where its nickname of vertical track, it is a wink also in France since one cannot not there not see a similarity with the Triumphal arch of Paris.

The name of Patouxai was given to him by the government after the revolution of 1975 following a restoration which gave him the aspect that one can see today.

Patouxai can be daily visited 6:00 with 18:00 at the cost of 2000 kips. It offers the most beautiful point of view on the town of Vientiane.

Talat Sao

The Marché the Morning (in opposition to the Marché the evening , which is in another district) is located opposite the Post office, with the crossroads of the avenues Lan Xang and Khu Vien (the road of the French ). It is a very popular building, built by the Vietnam, and who resembles a large bazaar on two floors, with double roof with sides (out of concrete). About all there is found: textiles (traditional or modern), jewels (money), material of do-it-yourself, television, telephony, data processing, paper mill, etc

The building is in bad state and not air-conditioned. It is currently in the course of transformation by a company of Singapore (fine of work planned for 2009). New construction is of international style.

Religious monuments

Pha That Luang (Large Stupa)

National monument representing the Buddhist faith and the sovereignty of Laos, it is most important of the country.

King Setthathirat made build Pha That Luang which one can see today during the transfer of the capital of Luang Prabang to Vientiane to the 16th century. He was restored in 1900 by the French, but this restoration being very discussed, a new restoration was undertaken in 1931 on the basis of draft of the explorer Louis Delaporte going back to 1867. Pha That Luang would contain a relic of Bouddha although it is not confirmed.

Vat Simuong

Vat Simuong is the most venerated sanctuaries of Vientiane. It is built with the site of a door of the old rampart of the city and contains a lât (which would undoubtedly be a terminal of origin khmère). A legend preserves the memory of the ritual sacrifice having allowed the foundation of the door.

Vat Sisakhet

Vat Sisakhet (Setthathirat avenue) was built in 1818. It was the only pagoda saved by the Siamese ones at the time of the bag of Vientiane of 1827. It has a small library of Burmese style. This Vat has a legend: There are approximately 10.000 Buddhas in this temple. One of them would be magic and be able exaucer the wishes…

Vat Phra Kèo

Rebuilt out of concrete by France, Vat Phra Kèo is today a museum presenting Buddhist objects especially.

Tat Prejudice

The black Stûpa is a small monument of the center of Vientiane.

Other monuments

Each district has its pagoda. Some are not stripped of architectural interest.

• Vat In Peng
• Vat Mixed
• Vat Ong Theu
• Vat Phia Vat: it contains the greatest Buddha of the city

The development of the architectural heritage of Vientiane was the object of several cooperation programs carried out by France or the Asian development bank. One will be able to consult on this subject the guide of the buildings and monuments " architectural walks with Vientiane" available near the Municipality (authors: Cost Pierre/Kéo Vinnarath, VUISP Project ADB).

Be-X-old: Віенцьян Simple: Vientiane

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