The Enigmatic Wilderness of Attapeu Province

• Helloສະບາຍດີ
  [sa baai di]
• Goodbyeຜິດຕູກ
  [pid tuk]
• Yesດີ
  [di]
• Noບໍ່
  [bo]
• Please/You're welcomeຟື້ຂາວ
  [fe khao]
• Thank youຂອບໃຈ
  [khop chai]
• Excuse me/Sorryຂໍດີຂອບໃຈ
  [kho dai khop chai]
• How are you?ໂດຍການທ່ຽວລາວ?
  [do nakan thiao lao?]
• Fine. And you?ໂດຍນ້ຳ ແລະ ທ່ຽວ?
  [do nam le thiao?]
• Do you speak English?ເຈົ້າເວ້າພາສາອັງກິດ?
  [jao wa phasa angkit?]
• I don't understandຂໍດີບໍ່ເຂົ້າ
  [kho dai bo khao]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງເບີ່ງເມນູນ, ກະລຸນ
  [koi tong beng meng men nu, ka lun]
• I don't eat meatຂ້ອຍບໍ່ເອົາຂາວ
  [koi bo ao khao]
• Cheers!ສະບາຍດີ
  [sa baai di]
• I would like to pay, pleaseຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງຈ່າຍ, ກະລຸນ
  [koi tong chai, ka lun]

• Help!ຊ່ວຍຄືນ
  [sui khun]
• Go away!ຍ້ອງຂື້ນ
  [nyong kuen]
• Call the Police!ໂທດອາການພິມພາ
  [tho akhan phimpha]
• Call a doctor!ໂທດທ່ຽວໝໍ
  [tho thiao mo]
• I'm lostຂ້ອຍອື່ນ
  [koi un]
• I'm illຂ້ອຍຄົນເປັນ
  [koi khun pen]

• I'd like to buy...ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງຊື້...
  [koi tong su...]
• I'm just lookingຂ້ອຍເບິ່ງດິນ
  [koi beng din]
• How much is it?ເຄືອຂ້ອຍເຈົ້າ?
  [keu koi jao?]
• That's too expensiveນີ້ຖ້ວນຂອນເຫຼືອ
  [ni tua nong huer]
• Can you lower the price?ໜ້າທີ່ເຈົ້າຕົກເຈົ້າໄດ້ບ່ອນທໍ່?
  [na thi jao tok jao dai bon to?]

• What time is it?ເວລາແລ້ວ?
  [welaa leo?]
• It's one o'clockແລ້ວແທັດ
  [leo thad]
• Half past (10)ສິບ
  [sip]
• Morningເຊົ້າ
  [sao]
• Afternoonບ່ອງປະເທດ
  [bong pathet]
• Eveningເຈັດ
  [chad]
• Yesterdayວັນວື້ນ
  [wan wun]
• Todayມື້ນີ້
  [me ni]
• Tomorrowມື້ອື້ນ
  [me un]
• 1ໜຶ້ນ
  [neun]
• 2ສອງ
  [song]
• 3ສາມ
  [sam]
• 4ສີ
  [si]
• 5ຫ້ອງ
  [haong]
• 6ຫົກ
  [hok]
• 7ແປດ
  [paet]
• 8ແຈ້ງ
  [jing]
• 9ເກົ້າ
  [kao]
• 10ສິບ
  [sip]

• Where's a/the...?ຢູ່ຫຍັງ...?
  [yuu nyang...?]
• What's the address?ທີ່ຢູ່ຫຍັງ?
  [thi yuu nyang?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?ເຈົ້າສະແດງຂ້ອຍດ້ວຍຂີ່?
  [jao sa dang koi duay ki?]
• When's the next (bus)?ກ່ອນວັນນັ້ນ...
  [kong wan nan...]
• A ticket (to ....)ຈໍານວນ...
  [cham nuan...]

Attapeu Province, located in southeastern Laos, has a rich history of early human settlement. Archaeological findings indicate that the area was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic period. Stone tools and pottery fragments discovered along the rivers and in the caves suggest a thriving prehistoric community.

During the early centuries CE, the Champa Kingdom, a powerful maritime empire, exerted influence over parts of what is now Attapeu Province. The Champa were known for their advanced architectural, artistic, and maritime skills. The remnants of Champa culture, including temple ruins and stone inscriptions, can still be found in the province.

In the 14th century, Attapeu became part of the Lan Xang Kingdom, one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Founded by King Fa Ngum, Lan Xang, which means 'Land of a Million Elephants,' brought a period of prosperity and cultural development. Attapeu was an important region within this kingdom, contributing to its wealth and diversity.

In the late 19th century, Attapeu, along with the rest of Laos, came under French colonial rule as part of French Indochina. The French influence brought new infrastructure, including roads and administrative buildings, some of which still stand today. This period also saw the introduction of rubber plantations and other economic changes.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Attapeu Province was significantly impacted by the Vietnam War, known locally as the Secret War. The region was a stronghold of the Pathet Lao, the communist political movement in Laos. The Ho Chi Minh Trail, a vital supply route for North Vietnamese forces, passed through Attapeu, making it a target for heavy bombing campaigns. Evidence of this tumultuous period can still be seen in the form of bomb craters and unexploded ordnance.

After the end of the Vietnam War and the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975, Attapeu began a slow process of reconstruction. Efforts have been made to revive traditional Laotian culture and heritage, including the preservation of local crafts, music, and dance. Today, the province is a vibrant blend of ancient traditions and modern developments.

Attapeu is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups, including the Lao, Alak, Katu, and Ta-Oi peoples. Each group has its own unique cultural practices, languages, and traditions. Festivals, traditional clothing, and indigenous crafts play a significant role in the cultural identity of the province. Visitors can experience this rich tapestry of cultures through local markets, village tours, and cultural performances.

The natural beauty of Attapeu is a significant part of its cultural heritage. The province is known for its lush forests, waterfalls, and wildlife. Ecotourism initiatives have been developed to promote sustainable travel and conservation. Key attractions include the Xe Pian National Protected Area, Tad Sae Waterfall, and the scenic Bolaven Plateau. These natural sites offer a glimpse into the province's ecological richness and its importance to local communities.

Attapeu Province is located in the southeastern part of Laos. The nearest international airports are in Pakse and Vientiane. From Pakse, you can take a domestic flight to Attapeu Airport, which has limited flights. Alternatively, you can travel by bus or hire a private car from Pakse to Attapeu, a journey that takes approximately 4-6 hours. From Vientiane, you can take an overnight bus to Attapeu, which takes around 12-14 hours.

In Attapeu Province, local transportation options include tuk-tuks, motorbike taxis, and songthaews (shared pickup trucks). Renting a motorbike or bicycle is also a popular and convenient way to explore the area at your own pace. For longer distances, you can hire a private car or take a local bus, although schedules can be irregular.

The official currency in Laos is the Lao Kip (LAK). While some hotels and larger establishments in Attapeu may accept credit cards, it's advisable to carry cash, especially when visiting smaller shops, markets, and rural areas. ATMs are available in Attapeu town, but it's a good idea to withdraw sufficient cash before traveling to more remote areas.

Attapeu Province is generally safe for tourists. However, standard precautions should be taken, such as avoiding walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded places. There are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, but it's always best to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

In case of emergency, dial 1191 for medical emergencies and 1192 for police assistance. Attapeu has a local hospital and several clinics for medical emergencies. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are pharmacies in town where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always remove your shoes and cover your shoulders when entering temples. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a slight bow and the traditional 'nop' (palms together at chest level). Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Attapeu Province like a local, visit the local markets where you can buy fresh produce and traditional Lao goods. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about the area's history and culture. Don't miss visiting the scenic waterfalls, such as Tad Saepha and Tad Phok, and exploring the Bolaven Plateau with its coffee plantations and ethnic villages. For a unique experience, join a guided trekking tour to discover the natural beauty and biodiversity of the region.