Phonsavan: The Mystical Plains of Laos

• Helloສະບາຍດີ
  [sa bai di]
• Goodbyeລາກ່ອນ
  [lak orn]
• Yesຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ
  [ka pha chao]
• Noບໍ່
  [bo]
• Please/You're welcomeກະລຸນາ
  [ka lum na]
• Thank youຂອບໃຈ
  [kop jai]
• Excuse me/Sorryຂ້າພະແຈ
  [ka pha chae]
• How are you?ໂຊກດີບໍ?
  [sok di bo]
• Fine. And you?ດອກບໍ. ແລະເຈົ້າ?
  [dok bo. lae chao]
• Do you speak English?ເຈ້ໃຫ້ຟ້າຍພາສາອັງກິດ?
  [jai dai faa ny pha sa ang kit]
• I don't understandຂໍ້ອະນຸດ
  [kon anut]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseຂ້າພະຊາດເບິ່ງການອາຫານກາບມີອາຫານ
  [ka pha sa dap bung kan ahan kap mi ahan]
• I don't eat meatຂ້າພະບໍ່ແກ້ມຊີວ
  [ka pha bo kaem siw]
• Cheers!ຕີລະນີ!
  [ti lai ni]
• I would like to pay, pleaseຂ້າພະຈ່າຍເພື້ອມ່ວນ
  [ka pha chai phue mon]

• Help!ຊ່ວຍງາມ!
  [suang nam]
• Go away!ໄວຈະຫຼາຍ!
  [wai sa lai]
• Call the Police!ຂ້າພະແລ່ນໃຊ້ບີບອາຊີໃນ!
  [ka pha len sai bi a si nai]
• Call a doctor!ຂ້າພະແລ່ນໃຊ້ພະຍາຊາວາ!
  [ka pha len sai pa nyasa wa]
• I'm lostຂ້າພະຊົ່ວຮູ້
  [ka pha su hu]
• I'm illຂ້າພະບົດອາມາດ
  [ka pha bot amad]

• I'd like to buy...ຂ້າພະຊື່ຫ້າມາ...
  [ka pha su ham ma...]
• I'm just lookingຂ້າພະກິດສຳລັບ
  [ka pha kit sam lap]
• How much is it?ຄ່າເຈົ້າແມ່ນງ່ວງ?
  [ka nyae mon ngong]
• That's too expensiveເກີນເປັນຂຶ້ນຈີມ
  [kan pen khuen chim]
• Can you lower the price?ຄ່າເຈົ້າແມ່ນຂື້ນໄຈໃນ?
  [ka nyae mon khun nai]

• What time is it?ເວລາແມ່ນແມ່ນ?
  [welaa mon mon]
• It's one o'clockແມ່ນເທືອນ
  [mon thun]
• Half past (10)ທ່ານເທືອນ (10)
  [than thun (sip)]
• Morningກາງເດືອນ
  [kang deun]
• Afternoonຄັນເດືອນ
  [kan deun]
• Eveningກາງປາກ
  [kang pak]
• Yesterdayວັນວິດີເດືອນ
  [wan wit deun]
• Todayມື້ນີ້
  [me ni]
• Tomorrowແມ່ນທີ່
  [mon thi]
• 1ໜຶ່ງ
  [neung]
• 2ສອງ
  [song]
• 3ສາມ
  [sam]
• 4ສີ່
  [si]
• 5ຫ້າ
  [ha]
• 6ຫ້າກ
  [hak]
• 7ແປດ
  [ped]
• 8ແປດຫ້າ
  [ped ha]
• 9ແປດສາມ
  [ped sam]
• 10ສາມ
  [sip]

• Where's a/the...?ຢູ່ຫລາຍ...?
  [yu lai...?]
• What's the address?ທ່ານມີສາຍງ່ວງ?
  [than mi sa nyong?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?ເຈ້າໄດ້ເປີ້ນໃນຜົນງານເຂົ້າໄວ?
  [jai dai pen nai pon ngan khao wai?]
• When's the next (bus)?ມື້ເດີມຈາກການນີ້?
  [me deu mon jak kan ni?]
• A ticket (to ....)ໜ້າຈ້າມ (ເກາະ ....)
  [na cham (kae ...)]

Phonsavan, meaning 'Hills of Paradise,' is a relatively new city established in the late 1970s. It was developed to replace the ancient town of Muang Khoun as the provincial capital of Xiangkhouang Province after extensive damage during the Second Indochina War. The city was meticulously planned with wide streets and modern infrastructure.

One of the most enigmatic and significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, the Plain of Jars is located near Phonsavan. It consists of thousands of stone jars scattered across the Xiangkhouang Plateau. These megalithic jars, dating back to the Iron Age (500 BCE to 500 CE), are believed to have been used for funerary purposes, although their exact origin and use remain a mystery.

During the 1960s and early 1970s, Phonsavan and the surrounding Xiangkhouang Province were heavily bombed by the United States as part of the Secret War in Laos. The area became one of the most heavily bombed regions in the world. This devastating period left behind a legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO) that still affects the region today.

Muang Khoun, the ancient capital of Xiangkhouang Province, lies about 30 kilometers southeast of Phonsavan. It was a thriving cultural and political center before being largely destroyed during the Second Indochina War. The remnants of its former glory, including the That Foun stupa and Wat Phia Wat temple, offer a glimpse into its historical significance.

Phonsavan is home to a significant Hmong population, an ethnic group with a rich cultural heritage. The Hmong people have their own language, traditions, and festivals. Their history in the region is marked by resilience and adaptation, especially in the face of the challenges posed by the Secret War and subsequent socio-economic changes.

Following the end of the Second Indochina War, Phonsavan underwent significant reconstruction efforts. The Lao government, with international assistance, focused on rebuilding infrastructure, clearing UXO, and promoting economic development. Today, Phonsavan is a growing city with a mix of traditional Lao culture and modern influences.

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) is an international NGO that has been active in Phonsavan and the Xiangkhouang Province since the early 1990s. MAG's work involves clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) left from the Secret War, making the land safe for agriculture and habitation, and providing education on UXO risks to local communities.

Phonsavan is located in the Xiangkhoang Province of Laos. The nearest international airport is Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. From Vientiane, you can take a domestic flight to Phonsavan's Xieng Khouang Airport, which takes about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can travel by bus or minivan from Vientiane to Phonsavan, which takes approximately 8-10 hours by road. There are also bus services from Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng to Phonsavan.

Phonsavan is a relatively small town and many attractions are within walking distance. For longer trips, tuk-tuks and local taxis are available and affordable. Motorcycle rentals are also popular among tourists for exploring the surrounding areas. Public buses are limited, so renting a vehicle or using local transport services is recommended for convenience.

The official currency in Laos is the Lao Kip (LAK). While some hotels and restaurants in Phonsavan may accept credit cards, it is advisable to carry cash, especially when visiting smaller establishments and rural areas. ATMs are available in Phonsavan, but it is wise to withdraw sufficient cash in major cities like Vientiane or Luang Prabang before traveling. US Dollars and Thai Baht are also accepted in some places.

Phonsavan is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, it is advisable to take standard precautions 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 always stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Be cautious around the Plain of Jars and other historical sites, as there are still unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in some areas.

In case of emergency, dial 1191 for immediate assistance. The local police station and medical facilities are available in Phonsavan. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are pharmacies in the town where you can purchase over-the-counter medications. The local hospital provides basic medical services, but for serious conditions, evacuation to Vientiane or another major city may be necessary.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting temples and 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' gesture (hands pressed together in a prayer-like fashion). Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Phonsavan 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 town's history and culture. Don't miss visiting the Plain of Jars, a megalithic archaeological landscape, and explore the nearby villages to learn about traditional Lao life. For a unique experience, visit the UXO Information Centre to understand the history and impact of unexploded ordnances in the region.