I arrived in Vientiane by plane from Bangkok, and the Lao script on the entry form looks very similar to the Thai script. Although I can't understand a single word, I can still feel a little difference in the body shape of the two characters. Lao's characters look thinner than Thai and seem to be simplified, a bit like the feeling between traditional and simplified characters. .
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
The name of Laos is actually very interesting. Its English name is Laos, this country is called Laos on the mainland, and Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia are called Laos. Laos and Laos are the names for this country in ancient Chinese books, and you can use either. During the period of the Republic of China, it was biased to use Laos. After 1949, the translation of this country was mixed. The media often appeared in the media at the same time as Laos, Laos, and Laos. Later they were unified into Laos, so there was a difference from overseas Chinese. Happening.
The same goes for the name of the capital of Laos. The capital of Laos is called Vientiane in English, the mainland is called Vientiane, and Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia are called Vientiane. Its earliest Latin name is Vieng Chan. According to the Cantonese translation of this pronunciation, "Vientiane" is indeed closer and has a good meaning. But in terms of Vientiane's pronunciation, Vientiane is also very close.
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
After arriving in Vientiane, I learned that the country's economic situation is relatively backward and many infrastructure constructions require foreign assistance. For example, the international airport in Vientiane was built by the Japanese. The train station in Vientiane was built by Thailand, and there is only Vientiane in the country, not in other cities. Vientiane is located by the Mekong River, the southernmost point of Laos. On the other side of the river is Nong Khai, Thailand, so the railway is from Vientiane to Nong Khai, Thailand.
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
The most famous landmark in Vientiane is this triumphal arch. This building was built in the 1950s to commemorate the independence of Laos from the French rule, and a building similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was also built, which is very interesting.
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
There are no wide avenues in Vientiane, and the entire city seems to have fewer than four main roads, probably just a tic tac toe.
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
The country in Laos history has always been in the historic city of Luang Prabang, and Vientiane is only a small southern city. In the 14th century, the Lancang Kingdom moved its capital to the safer Vientiane in order to resist the Burmese invasion. It was then that Vientiane began to become the capital of Laos until today.
There are many tourists in Vientiane, and more than half of the tourists are from South Korea. Although Vientiane's economic development is backward, there are many historical sites and Buddhist temples everywhere. Laos is also a country of Southern Buddhism, just like Myanmar and Thailand. In Vientiane City, temples are everywhere.
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
The night may be the busiest time in Vientiane. All kinds of night markets are displayed, mainly selling stalls and eating stalls.
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
One thing that surprised me is that the prices in Laos are not in line with the economy here. The money in Laos is called kip, which is about 1200-1300 kip equal to 1 RMB. Daily items in the supermarket, such as cola, are slightly more expensive than in China, but the most outrageous thing in Laos is the price of oil. Oil prices in other Southeast Asian countries are relatively cheap (except Singapore). For example, the price of gasoline in Vietnam and Myanmar is about five yuan, while that of Malaysia and Thailand with relatively developed economies is about six yuan, while Laos is more than eight yuan, close to Nine yuan, this is where I am most surprised. I asked the natives of Laos, it is said that it was caused by the monopoly control of oil.
Photo taken with Vientiane, the capital of Laos: The economy may not be rich enough, but full of pious beliefs
The feeling that the city of Vientiane gives me is that although the economy is relatively backward, there are many Buddhist temples here and people are full of faith. Many videos have been taken in Gopro, but they cannot be shared in the article. An employee of the Youth Hostel is a native of Laos. He told me that although Laos is relatively backward in material, people here will not do bad things because everyone believes in Buddha.
Laos is a country of Southern Buddhism. More than 90% of its citizens believe in Buddhism. Although their lives may not be rich enough, they can feel the power of faith for them. This feeling is more obvious in Luang Prabang. As a tourist, I believe that one day this place will be completely reborn.