Dinner Cruise on Mekong

Picture by Nava Mekong

Have a dinner on the river? What's usual in Bangkok or Chiang Mai has been launched now in Luang Prabang. Villa Maly Hotel now offers Nava Mekong: Everyday at 5.30 pm a boat goes downstream, stays nearby a village for dinner with traditional Lao food and dance and returns around 9 pm. The dancers perform interpretations of the royal ballet, rural life and folk tales.

The oldest human fossils found?

Ancient human fossils - around 11,000 years old - have been found in Luang Prabang province according to luangprabangtoday.com. Dr. Joyce C White, a Senior Research Scientist at University of Pennsylvania USA), held a press confernce.
The Middle Mekong Archaeological Project (MMAP) has found five ancient human fossils in Vangtaleo Cave (Ban Phadeng Neung, Luang Prabang district). The discovery was the oldest human fossils ever found on the earth, said Dr. White accordsing to luangprabangtoday.com. The MMAP is a survey conducted along three rivers: Nam Khan, Nam Seuang and Nam Ou in Luang Prabang.



Read an article about MMAP in Science Daily.

Bibliophiles in Luang Prabang

See the locations on Luang Prabang Google Map



@ My Library: A place for young people, where they study languages, learn new skills (typing, using software, recording their own music), check out books and can lend out digital cameras. And in 2007 the first spech contest was hold here. An article from Vientiane Times about it is published by momobooks notes. Travels with Denise has more background about the libraries in Luang Prabang.



@ My Library, picture by Travels with Denise

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

See the location on Luang Prabang Google Map


The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre was founded by Tara Gujadhur and Thongkhoun Soutthivilay, now the Co-Directors. The goal of the two women was to promote understanding, appreciation, and preservation of Laos’ ethnic cultures. With Tara’s experience in anthropology and tourism, and Khoun’s experience in exhibit design and artefact preservation, they established a private museum. The centre opened in july 2007. The exhibitions feature ethnic clothing, household objects, religious artefacts and tools. The Museum Shop sells books, photos and handicrafts directly from ethnic communities. The Patio Cafe, run by L’Elephant Restaurant, serves food and drinks with a view of That Chomsi. Guided tours and seminars are available. The exhibition features the following Ethnic groups:
• Akha: The Diversity of an Ethnic Group
• Hmong: New Years Celebrations
• Mien Yao: Embroidery Techniques & Motifs
• Tai Lue: Cotton Clouds to Cloth
• Mun Yao: Taoist Religious Ceremonies
• Tai Dam: Handmade Bedding Materials
• Khmu: Baskets and Back Strap Looms
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am – 6pm.