The airport is a window for a city to communicate with the outside world. The grand buildings and frequent voyages represent the city's economic development and internationalization. When a country's capital airport even needs foreign assistance to build, you can imagine the country of Laos and Vientiane's city in ruins.

Even if the scope is narrowed to the entire Southeast Asia, Laos's presence still seems a bit humble. The pressure from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar from the east, west, south and north makes this land have no say on the international stage. Pure landlocked countries and mountainous landforms will inevitably cause traffic congestion and economic difficulties. The only Mekong River that runs through the country is not enough to nourish this land.

Even if the country tries to develop its economy by revitalizing the tourism industry, tourists from all over the world are easily attracted by the surrounding Thailand and Cambodia. The only thing Laos has taken advantage of is Luang Prabang, a small city with world historical heritage. This ancient city that has existed for thousands of years is not only a national business card, but also an existence beyond the country.

When you come to the capital, Vientiane, your first stop is the Arc de Triomphe?

patuxai literally means the gate of victory. In fact, when you walk in, you will find that in addition to being smaller, the building scale, the shape and details on the wall have a strong Southeast Asian style. The statues on the arch are derived from Buddhist culture, and the five pagodas on the top of the building also have the characteristics of a typical Lao Buddhist temple. The five pagodas are given a considerate, affable, flexible, honest and trustworthy Buddhist worldview.

The appearance looks like a square building of concrete, and the reliefs on the dome and inner walls are magnificent. However, it is estimated that the construction maintenance work is relatively hasty. The originally magnificent carvings have already appeared a little mottled, and the entire building seems to be covered with dust from time, making it look dark and colorless.

I found that many tourists tried their best to take photos that were different from this memorial building, trying to show the unique Arc de Triomphe in their eyes. The popular photo spot is naturally in front of the fountain, so many local photographers gathered there to help you take photos. Of course, such services are paid.

Passing by a morning market is not a market that only opens in the morning, but a comprehensive grocery market. It is not a large area, and is filled with various small shops. From household appliances to tourist souvenirs, everything is available, not only meeting the living needs of local people, but also attracting many tourists to purchase goods.

After a walk, I found that most of the products come from China, especially household appliances and small items. The Chinese brand is almost the mainstream here. In fact, on the streets of Vientiane, you can see a large number of vivo, oppo, and huawei signs. It can be seen that this country relies very much on us in terms of commercial needs.

There are no clear signs here. Fortunately, shops selling similar goods are often together, and naturally form areas. It is easy to find shops selling local specialty goods. For example, traditional clothing, refrigerator stickers, steamed rice cages, snacks, etc., and a large number of mahogany crafts and ivory are sold in an area. It seems that the local government is not only economically backward, but also has not made much effort in protecting animals.

There are very few customers, and many shop owners are bored playing with their mobile phones or watching TV series. After a closer look, the TV is actually a TV channel broadcasting program? It turns out that in addition to worshiping Buddha devoutly, the people here are busy with their livelihoods, the trivial life of firewood, rice, oil and salt. The golden pagodas are the light of the faith of this country, and this is the stage for the people to live.

The sun is hot during the day, making people just want to stay in the cafe and blow the air conditioner. At night, the Riverside Park becomes the amusement park for the entire city. At around 4 or 5 pm, many people set up sheds, put on goods, and prepare for the day to open. By 6 o'clock, vehicles are prohibited from entering along the entire Mekong River, becoming a pedestrian street. On one side of the road is a lively night market, and on the other side is a children's playground and music restaurant.

I have seen the colorful colors of the Thai night market and am disappointed with the so-called night market here. However, the two-kilometer night market sells nothing more than copycat goods, snacks and cheap clothing. As tourists, I can't even find unique travel souvenirs. It seems that the night market here is mainly aimed at locals.

When night fell, the square next to the night market and in the park became a paradise for fitness enthusiasts. The explosive music resounded throughout the square, and the coaches on the stage twisted their bodies hard and explained each movement. Nearly a hundred citizens in the audience danced with the coach, and even many Western tourists joined in. This was probably the most special aerobic exercise in the world.

Obviously, such outdoor group sports are much better than domestic square dance. They are also fitness behaviors, aerobic exercises may be more scientific, and the exercise venue is in the already noisy place and does not disturb the public. In addition, this outdoor group sports have also become one of the characteristics of the local night market, and are even more attractive than the night market itself.

Many night runners appeared on the road, and professional equipment could be seen as running enthusiasts. They shuttled through the crowd and disappeared into the opposite night ahead. Groups of young people gathered under the street lights, playing and joking, or waiting quietly for others. The night market became a paradise for love, and the earthy amusement park lights illuminated the highway. Although it was not beautiful, it was romantic.

Come to the restaurant, which is known as the state banquet level. As a high-end restaurant with Lao cuisine, the typical Southeast Asian style and European style blend to present a retro visual experience. The waiter in uniform dress welcomes the customers in the store with an elegant attitude. Several high-end cars with national flags parked at the restaurant door.

As a high-level restaurant, the price per capita of RMB 150 is quite preferable, but the taste of Lao cuisine is probably not acceptable to everyone. Some dishes are close to the flavors of northern Thailand. Diners who are addicted to sweet and sour tastes and rich spice flavors should have higher ratings on the dishes here.

The restaurant performs traditional music and dance performances on time at 7 o'clock every night. Three people perform, and the two-person dance show can only be said to be fun to play traditional songs such as Oriental Red with traditional instruments.

I took a taxi and prepared to go back to the hotel and chatted with the driver to find out that the night market is far from the most lively place?

The 34-station, about 5km away from the city, is the most popular trendy holy place at present. This is a large food stall modified from container splicing. There is also a live band singing the most popular music at the entrance. At night, fashionable young people from the whole city come one after another, taking a sip of beer and jumping into several positions. The large food stall is under the explosive music and seems to have turned into an electronic music nightclub.

It is not a big area, and nearly a hundred restaurants are packed with densely packed, from island cuisine to fried chicken beer, all the food you think of is here. Many beer ladies linger between the various tables and sell local beer of different flavors, and the consumption is very cheap, y.

They are all young people in their 20s. Like young people all over the world, they wear fashionable clothes, exquisite makeup, and use full-screen mobile phones. The young people here seem to be more free and unrestrained, dancing at any time and anywhere, dancing among strange people. A glass of wine can be drunk from this table to that table, accompanied by laughter and joy resounding throughout the night.
Chapter completed!