Cultural park to undergo facelift
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Rik
Feb 4, 2011, 9:02:44 PM2/4/11
to Lao Cultural Heritage Forum
Cultural park to undergo facelift
Souksakhone Vaenkeo
A local businessman has proposed a US$30 million project to redevelop
the Ethnic Cultural Park in Hadxaifong district, Vientiane, into a
modern leisure park complex, to attract more tourists to the capital
and boost the local economy.
Vientiane authorities last week gave the green light for the Inpeng
company group to conduct a feasibility study on the project before the
two sides discuss a construction agreement. The company signed a
memorandum of understanding with the Vientiane authorities last week
to start a six-month survey, as well as coming up with a project
design to submit to the authorities. Vientiane Vice Mayor Mr Somvandy
Nathavong told Vientiane Times yesterday that if the outcome of the
survey is positive, construction work could start later this year for
completion by 2014.
Mr Somvandy said the new park could feature a range of facilities
including a 200 room five-star hotel, an amusement park, sports
centre, shopping centre, models of ethnic houses and a large car park.
“These days not many visitors come to the park but we believe that
with more facilities and activities, including cultural performances,
we can boost numbers and attract more tourists to the capital,” he
said. “The company wants a 50-year concession, and we agree in
principle to approve their proposal, but we have yet to make an
agreement as everything will depend on the outcome of the survey.”
The existing 10-hectare park opened in 1994, the year of the opening
of the first Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, linking Vientiane with Nong
Khai province, Thailand. At that time the park was under the
management of the Lao National Tourism Administration, but in 2006
management was transferred to the Vientiane authorities. The park is
close to the Friendship Bridge and about 14km outside the city centre.
Its location is considered to have strong potential for redevelopment
as a new tourist attraction.
The existing park features cultural exhibits such as the houses of
various Lao ethnic groups, animals, including monkeys, and dinosaur
statues. But the number of animals there is in decline and some
attractions have degraded, causing a drop in visitor numbers. Director
of the Vientiane Department of Information and Culture Ms Vangpheng
Keolakhone said about 1,000 to 2,000 people visit the park each year,
but the entrance fees are not sufficient to fund improvements. “I have
visited cultural parks in other countries and they offered many
activities of interest to visitors.” “But we don’t have much to offer
here due to financial constraints, plus the attractions are
deteriorating. Even though a private company may develop the park,
some exhibits, including the temple and ethnic houses, will still be
under our supervision,” she added.
Vientiane Times, Friday 4 February 2011
Souksakhone Vaenkeo
A local businessman has proposed a US$30 million project to redevelop
the Ethnic Cultural Park in Hadxaifong district, Vientiane, into a
modern leisure park complex, to attract more tourists to the capital
and boost the local economy.
Vientiane authorities last week gave the green light for the Inpeng
company group to conduct a feasibility study on the project before the
two sides discuss a construction agreement. The company signed a
memorandum of understanding with the Vientiane authorities last week
to start a six-month survey, as well as coming up with a project
design to submit to the authorities. Vientiane Vice Mayor Mr Somvandy
Nathavong told Vientiane Times yesterday that if the outcome of the
survey is positive, construction work could start later this year for
completion by 2014.
Mr Somvandy said the new park could feature a range of facilities
including a 200 room five-star hotel, an amusement park, sports
centre, shopping centre, models of ethnic houses and a large car park.
“These days not many visitors come to the park but we believe that
with more facilities and activities, including cultural performances,
we can boost numbers and attract more tourists to the capital,” he
said. “The company wants a 50-year concession, and we agree in
principle to approve their proposal, but we have yet to make an
agreement as everything will depend on the outcome of the survey.”
The existing 10-hectare park opened in 1994, the year of the opening
of the first Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, linking Vientiane with Nong
Khai province, Thailand. At that time the park was under the
management of the Lao National Tourism Administration, but in 2006
management was transferred to the Vientiane authorities. The park is
close to the Friendship Bridge and about 14km outside the city centre.
Its location is considered to have strong potential for redevelopment
as a new tourist attraction.
The existing park features cultural exhibits such as the houses of
various Lao ethnic groups, animals, including monkeys, and dinosaur
statues. But the number of animals there is in decline and some
attractions have degraded, causing a drop in visitor numbers. Director
of the Vientiane Department of Information and Culture Ms Vangpheng
Keolakhone said about 1,000 to 2,000 people visit the park each year,
but the entrance fees are not sufficient to fund improvements. “I have
visited cultural parks in other countries and they offered many
activities of interest to visitors.” “But we don’t have much to offer
here due to financial constraints, plus the attractions are
deteriorating. Even though a private company may develop the park,
some exhibits, including the temple and ethnic houses, will still be
under our supervision,” she added.
Vientiane Times, Friday 4 February 2011
marion ravenscroft
Feb 5, 2011, 12:54:34 AM2/5/11
to lao...@googlegroups.com
Just a decent swimming pool would be a good start !!!
|
|
Rik
Feb 5, 2011, 1:02:10 AM2/5/11
to Lao Cultural Heritage Forum
Well yes, that would be nice. But it is a dangerous combination: an
ethnic park and a 200 room five-star hotel, an amusement park, sports
centre and a shopping centre. Staff at these facilities can dress up
in ethnic clothes and tourists can have their photos taken dressed up
as ethnic minorities... worrying
One positive thing I noticed in the VT is that the Brunei Embassy is
restoring the French colonial buildings to house thje embassy in town
(opposite MIC).
Rik
On Feb 5, 12:54 pm, marion ravenscroft
>
ethnic park and a 200 room five-star hotel, an amusement park, sports
centre and a shopping centre. Staff at these facilities can dress up
in ethnic clothes and tourists can have their photos taken dressed up
as ethnic minorities... worrying
One positive thing I noticed in the VT is that the Brunei Embassy is
restoring the French colonial buildings to house thje embassy in town
(opposite MIC).
Rik
On Feb 5, 12:54 pm, marion ravenscroft
<marion_ravenscr...@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
> Just a decent swimming pool would be a good start !!!
> M
>
> --- On Sat, 5/2/11, Rik <rikpo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Just a decent swimming pool would be a good start !!!
> M
>
>
marion ravenscroft
Feb 5, 2011, 1:15:41 AM2/5/11
to lao...@googlegroups.com
What a combination !! Indeed, they didn't mention a casino but...........???
The world bank has the rest of this old block which is full of archaeology (Kobiki road Project).............So Richard Taylor is putting me in touch with them as regards archaeo survey before they build................it's world bank so that sounds like a positive outcome I think
cheers
Rik, marion |
|
Rik Ponne
Feb 5, 2011, 1:28:16 AM2/5/11
to marion ravenscroft, lao...@googlegroups.com
It’s also World Bank policy, I believe: http://crmjournal.cr.nps.gov/04_article_sub.cfm?issue=Volume%207%20Number%201%20Winter%202010&page=3&seq=1
David Lempert
Sep 19, 2014, 5:17:11 AM9/19/14
to lao...@googlegroups.com, marion ravenscroft, Rik Ponne
Dear Marion and Rik,
I think it is important that we honor our colleague, Grant Evans and hope that someone who knows him well would offer a eulogy for our listserve.
His family has placed an announcement in the Vientiane Times yesterday and today inviting members of the community to his funeral ceremony at That Foun tomorrow (Saturday) and at a family "tak bat" ceremony at his home on Tuesday. I have never been to his house and have only met with him in town. If one of you has a map or directions to his home, perhaps you could send it or post it, as well as suggest what might be appropriate to bring for the family and how to show respect at these ceremonies.
Best,
David
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