Vientiane

Pha That Luang Temple in Vientian, Laos.

Vientiane (from French Vientiane; Laotian ວຽງຈັນ, Viangchan /ʋíəŋ tɕàn/; formerly and in disuse Alanchan in Spanish) is the capital of Laos. It is located in the Mekong valley, a river that separates it from neighboring Thailand. The city had a population of about 200,000 in 2005, reaching almost 950,000 people according to the 2020 Census. The city hosted the XXV Southeast Asian Games in December 2009, celebrating 50 years of the Southeast Asian Games..

Vientiane is in the prefecture of the same name (kampheng nakhon Vientiane). There is also the province of Vientiane, from which the prefecture was separated in 1989.

Etymology

The word "Vientiane" It is a romanization of French origin. Another transliteration is "Viangchan", or occasionally "Wiangchan".

The Pan-Hispanic Dictionary of Questions (DPD) advises the use of Vientián, a form adapted to the Spanish spelling and pronunciation, and discourages the use in Spanish of the French spelling Vientiane, an adaptation of the Laotian Vieng Chan, also used in English.

History

In 1354, when Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang, Vientiane became an important administrative city, although it was not the official capital. King Setthathirath made it the capital of Lan Xang in 1560. In 1707 Lan Xang became an independent kingdom. In 1779 it was conquered by Phraya Chakri, making it a vassal of Siam.

King Anouvong led a failed rebellion in 1827. In 1893 he became a protectorate of France. Vientiane became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos in 1899.

Vientiane was the host of the 2009 Southeast Asian Games.

Climatology

Average Vientian climate parameters
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Average temperature (°C)	28.4	30.3	33.0	34.3	33.0	31.9	31.3	30.8	30.9	30.8	29.8	28.1	31.1
Temp. medium (°C)	16.4	18.5	21.5	23.8	24.6	24.9	24.7	24.6	24.1	22.9	19.3	16.7	21.8
Rains (mm)	7.5	13.0	33.7	84.9	245.8	279.8	272.3	334.6	297.3	78.0	11.1	2.5	1660.5
Days of rain (≥ 1 mm)	1	2	4	8	15	18	20	21	17	9	2	1	118
Hours of sun	254.4	214.3	216.8	226.3	207.1	152.9	148.6	137.1	137.7	247.7	234.3	257.5	2434.7
Relative humidity (%)	70	68	66	69	78	82	82	84	83	78	72	70	75
Source No. 1: World Meteorological Organization
Source No. 2: NOAA (sol and humidity)

Art

As in the rest of Laos, in the city of Vientiane the decorative arts of bright colors applied to architecture stand out as the greatest artistic exponent. Painted carvings, sculptures adorn the particular historical buildings of the city. After the looting of 1827, it suffered abandonment until it was rediscovered by the French in 1860. Restorations began with the French protectorate. This is how the city preserves abundant representations of colonial architecture.

Within its architecture, temples, monasteries and stupas stand out, most of them from before the 16th century. All these monuments have undergone interventions over the centuries, so they do not present their original appearance. Among the tourist attractions are:

• The Stupa of That Luang
• The Vat Sri Saketel oldest temple in Vientiane, built in 1818;
• The royal oratory Vat Ho Pra Keo, today religious museum. Home to the ancient image of Buddha, Pra Bang.
• The Vat Ong Tu
• The Vat In Peng
• The Vat Xieng Khuan

Heritage

• Buda Park, 25 km south of the city.

Buda Park.

• market of Thong Kham Kham
• Haw Phra Kaew, school temple, museum and small shops.
• Laos National Museum.
• Patuxai, monumental rainbow built to commemorate independence.
• Pha That Luang, the most venerated sanctuary of Laos with its 45-metre-high Buddhist stupa;
• Talat Sao central market daily
• That Dam, great stupa.
• Vat Ong Teu Mahawihan
• the temple Vat Si Muang, with its famous stone column indicating the place, where the city of Vientián was founded.
• Vat Si Saket, Buddhist temple.
• Vat Sok Pa Luang, Buddhist temple.
• the Mekong River

Economy

Vientiane is the center of Lao's economy and the main driver of its change. In recent years, it has experienced strong growth thanks to foreign investment. In January 2011, the Lao Stock Exchange began operating. Lao Airlines' headquarters are located in the capital. Lao Air also has its headquarters headquarters here, on the premises of Wattay International Airport.

Education

The National University of Laos, one of the three universities in the country, is located in this city.

Administrative distribution

Vientiane is organized into five districts:

• Chantabuly
• Hadxaifong
• Sikhottabong
• Sisattanak
• Xaysetha

Sports

New National Stadium of Laos

Most of the Lao League teams are from Vientiane. This league was created in 1990, and in 2013, of the 12 teams that competed in it, nine were from the capital: Ezra Football Club, Friends Development Football Club, Lao Airlines Football Club, Lao-American College Football Club, Lao Army Football Club, Lane Xang Intra Football Club, Vientiane Football Club and Yothatikan Football Club. All these teams play either at the New Laos National Stadium or at the Chao Anouvong Stadium.

Twinned cities

• Paris, France.
• Bangkok, Thailand.
• Alicante, Spain.
• Chittagong, Bangladés.
• Panama, Panama.
• Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
• Bogotá, Colombia.
• Arequipa, Peru.
• Orlando, United States.
• Barcelona, Spain.
• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
• Cirebon, Indonesia.