Luang Prabang: The Jewel of Laos

• Helloສະບາຍດີ
  [sa bai dee]
• Goodbyeດີດີ
  [dee dee]
• Yesຮີ
  [hi]
• Noບໍ່
  [bo]
• Please/You're welcomeກະລຸນາ
  [ka lai na]
• Thank youຂອບໃຈ
  [kop jai]
• Excuse me/Sorryຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ
  [ka pha chao]
• How are you?ວ່າຈັກເດີນມາ?
  [wa jak deen ma?]
• Fine. And you?ດີດີ. ແລ້ວເຈົ້າເດີນໄດ້ບໍ?
  [dee dee. lai jao deen dai bo?]
• Do you speak English?ເຈ້ເວົ້າพูดພາສາອັງກິ່ງໄດ້ບໍ?
  [jao wai pud pha sa ang kung dai bo?]
• I don't understandຂ້ອຍບໍ່ເຂົ້າ
  [koi bo khao]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseຂ້ອຍຢາງໄທລາຍບຫຼບໍ່?
  [koi yak tai lai blab bo?]
• I don't eat meatຂ້ອຍບໍ່ກິນຊີ
  [koi bo kin si]
• Cheers!ສະບາຍດີ
  [sa bai dee]
• I would like to pay, pleaseຂ້ອຍຢາງຈ່າຍເດີນໄດ້ບໍ
  [koi yak jai deen dai bo]

• Help!ຊ່ວຍ
  [sue]
• Go away!ຈົວເພນ
  [jao phen]
• Call the Police!ໂທດສາຍພະແນກ
  [tho sa yai pha neak]
• Call a doctor!ໂທເພື່ອພະຍາຍ
  [tho puay pha nyai]
• I'm lostຂ້ອຍອົດເຖິງ
  [koi ot teung]
• I'm illຂ້ອຍຮັກ
  [koi hak]

• I'd like to buy...ຂ້ອຍຢາງຊື່...
  [koi yak su...]
• I'm just lookingຂ້ອຍເບິ່ງເຂົ້າໄດ້
  [koi bing khao dai]
• How much is it?ກີບ່ອນນີ້ເດີນໄດ້ບໍ?
  [kip on ni deen dai bo?]
• That's too expensiveນີ້ຜິດແຈນໄດ້ແມ່
  [ni pid chan dai mae]
• Can you lower the price?ເຈົ້ານອນດີແລກລາຄາແຂງໃຈໄດ້ບໍ?
  [jao non dee lek la kha kheng jai dai bo?]

• What time is it?ເວລາແມ່ນຫຼາຍ?
  [wela ma nai?]
• It's one o'clockເວລາສາມາດ
  [wela samat]
• Half past (10)ຕືນກ່ອນ
  [tun korn]
• Morningຕອນກ່ອນ
  [ton korn]
• Afternoonສວຍ
  [suai]
• Eveningກາງຄ່າວ
  [kang kwa wa]
• Yesterdayມື້ວາ
  [me wa]
• Todayມື້ນີ້
  [me ni]
• Tomorrowມື້ອື່ນ
  [me un]
• 1ໜານ
  [nan]
• 2ເອັດ
  [et]
• 3ສາມ
  [sam]
• 4ສີ່
  [si]
• 5ຫ້າ
  [ha]
• 6ຫົວ
  [hu]
• 7ແປວ
  [paet]
• 8ເຈັດ
  [jet]
• 9ເກົາ
  [kao]
• 10ສາຢັນ
  [sa yan]

• Where's a/the...?ມັງກ່ອນມື້
  [mong korn me]
• What's the address?ທ່ານມີອີສະລາສ໌ບລີ່ງເພື່ອທີ່?
  [than mi isa lao bong puay teu?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?ເຈ້ເວົ້ານໍ້ານວ່າງໃຈໄດ້ບໍ?
  [jao non na wang jai dai bo?]
• When's the next (bus)?ເວລານັ້ນທ່ານຍັງ?
  [wela nan than yang?]
• A ticket (to ....)ຟາຍຄ່າບໍ?
  [fai kwa bo?]

Luang Prabang, originally known as Muang Sua, was established in the 8th century by the Khun Lo dynasty. It became an important center due to its strategic location at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.

In 1353, Fa Ngum founded the Lan Xang Kingdom, with Luang Prabang as its capital. The kingdom, known as the 'Land of a Million Elephants,' marked the beginning of a golden era, blending Theravada Buddhism with local traditions.

Theravada Buddhism was introduced to Luang Prabang in the 14th century, profoundly influencing its culture. The city is home to numerous monasteries and temples, including the famous Wat Xieng Thong, showcasing intricate Laotian artistry.

In 1560, King Setthathirath moved the capital of Lan Xang from Luang Prabang to Vientiane to better defend against Burmese invasions. Despite this, Luang Prabang remained a vital religious and cultural center.

In the late 19th century, Luang Prabang became a French protectorate. The city saw significant architectural changes, blending traditional Lao styles with French colonial designs, a fusion still visible today.

During World War II, Luang Prabang was briefly occupied by Japanese forces in 1945. After the war, it became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Laos in 1949, marking the beginning of the end for colonial rule.

The Lao Civil War (1959-1975) deeply affected Luang Prabang. Although the city itself saw limited combat, it was a strategic location for both royalist and communist forces. The war concluded with the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

In 1995, Luang Prabang was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This recognition helped preserve its unique architecture, natural beauty, and cultural heritage, making it a major tourist destination.

Luang Prabang is accessible by several means. The Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) is the primary gateway, with flights from major Southeast Asian cities like Bangkok, Hanoi, and Kuala Lumpur. You can also take a bus from Vientiane, the capital of Laos, which takes approximately 10-12 hours. For a more scenic route, consider taking a slow boat along the Mekong River from Huay Xai, which takes about two days with an overnight stop in Pakbeng.

In Luang Prabang, getting around is relatively easy. Tuk-tuks and taxis are the most common forms of transportation and are generally affordable. Bicycle and motorbike rentals are also popular and provide a convenient way to explore the city at your own pace. For short distances, walking is a great option as many attractions are within close proximity to each other. The city also offers riverboat services for trips along the Mekong River.

The official currency in Laos is the Lao Kip (LAK). While some high-end hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, cash is generally preferred, especially in smaller establishments and markets. ATMs are widely available in Luang Prabang, but it's advisable to carry some cash with you. US Dollars and Thai Baht are also accepted in some places, but it's best to have local currency for most transactions.

Luang Prabang is generally considered a safe destination for tourists. However, like any travel destination, it's important to take standard precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in poorly lit areas and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places like markets. Petty theft, such as pickpocketing, can occur, so remain vigilant. Areas around the night market and the Mekong riverside can get crowded, so be extra cautious.

In case of an emergency, dial 1191 for police assistance and 1195 for medical emergencies. The main hospital in Luang Prabang is the Provincial Hospital, but for serious medical conditions, it might be necessary to travel to Vientiane or even Bangkok. Pharmacies are available for minor health issues. It's highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting temples. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always remove your shoes and cover your shoulders and knees when entering temples. Public Transport: Do be respectful and courteous. Don't haggle aggressively with tuk-tuk drivers. Greetings: Do greet people with a 'nop,' a slight bow with your hands pressed together. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes and be open to different flavors. Don't touch food with your left hand as it is considered unclean.

To experience Luang Prabang like a local, visit the morning market where vendors sell fresh produce and traditional Lao foods. Engage with locals, who are often friendly and eager to share their culture. Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the alms-giving ceremony at dawn, where monks collect offerings from residents and tourists alike. For a unique experience, take a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit the Pak Ou Caves, which are filled with thousands of Buddha statues.