Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Observations about Vientiane, Laos

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Observations about Vientiane, Laos

Laos has a population of about 5 million people. This is the same as Singapore but the land area is large. It is located between Thailand and Vietnam and does not have a coastline. The Mekong river passes through part of Laos.

The capital is Vientiane. I like this small city. Most of the buildings are 5 stories or lower. The roads are not congested. Traffic moves slowly. The pace of life is slow. there are a few nice restaurants providing various types of Lao, European and Asian food in the city center, where my hotel is located.

It is nice to see some families with their young children playing in the park at the Fountain, which is in the center of Vientiane.

I like this type of life. It is much better than crowded cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Jakarta.

Laos is a communist country. But life goes on peacefully and there is no sense of fear or lack of freedom.

10 comments:

ym said...: i am afraid that may change due to the booming economic expansion...; October 08, 2009 8:58 AM
Anonymous said...: The more you travel, the more apparent the untruth of how Singapore is the "best" country in South East Asia.; October 08, 2009 8:58 AM
Anonymous said...: TKL,

Any nice photos to share?; October 08, 2009 9:14 AM
Anonymous said...: Climate change may lead to water and food shortages in countries such as Singapore. Lao, on the other hand, with its size and rich natural resources, they are likely to withstand any negative impact, if any.
Singapore migration policy seems ignoring this x-factor (i.e. our climate has changed, the earth is sick and the sea level is rising... ), and we shall witness its adverse impact in he near future. Bearing in mind that we did see war refugees in the past, and we may see 'climate refugees' in the near future, should corrective measures not taken to save our earth.; October 08, 2009 9:54 AM
Tranquility said...: Yes, a slower pace of living.
That is not available in Singapore.

Well, we cant have 5 million people with cars and shopping malls spread all over a 600sq km island.. and yet have a slower pace.

I too appreciate a slower pace of living. But the people with the mandate will disallow it.

Enjoy the tranquility Mr Tan.
( I wish i could have tea and a short discourse on our younger days with you, while overlooking the Mekong)

Ah!... the joys of a pastime long gone.. the art of conversation.; October 08, 2009 11:06 AM
Anonymous said...: at your age, you probably want something more serene, relax, abundance in natural and open surrounding, rustic old charm and friendly and respectful neighbors plus, a wonderful cool climate to go with it etc

singapore, too youth centered,fast pace, demanding, keeps changing,keeps staying ahead and ultra cosmopolitan, is just not suited for MOST elderly persons or retirees.

there are a lot of lonely and unfulfilled people out there despite being surrounded by friends and families.; October 08, 2009 2:42 PM
Anonymous said...: I share your thinking Mr. Tan. I like the kind of unhurried lifestyle of such places. It soothes the soul.

I visited Myanmar a few months back and I like it, whatever they may say about its rulers. The country may be poor, but the people are proud, hardworking, hardy and honest. That's the truth.

Whilst some may think Singapore is the best place to live in, it really depends on the criteria they looking at and what they are looking for.

For you and me, I think not many share our ideals.; October 08, 2009 3:13 PM
Steven said...: You have to stay a lot longer to see what laos is really all about. I worked there for quite a while as our company had a JV with an organisation there. After a while, boring like anything as nothing happens and on weekends, many expats would run over to Thailand via the Friendship bridge. Great patience reqd with local workers/management and everything is "wait and see' or "it doesn't matter"

Plus, 'facilitation fee" reqd for most things to happen esp if you are in business.; October 08, 2009 7:10 PM
Anonymous said...: In a country like Laos, you pay a 'facilitation fee' and you get things done.

In Singapore, we pay taxes to fund huge civil service salaries. When you appproach our well fed civil servants with a problem, you find that they either tai-chi you to look for someone else or find 1000 reasons to justfy saying "no" to you.; October 09, 2009 10:19 AM
Raymond T said...: Do not confuse corruption with efficiency! :); October 10, 2009 6:27 AM