Cycling to see the way of life in the old town

Luang Prabang is the perfect destination for tourists who enjoy cycling and just hop on a bicycle to explore the lifestyle in the old town, complete with its traditions and culture.

A view of Luang Prabang city. (File photo)

A few weeks ago, the Department of Tourism Marketing of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and the Vietnam Consulate General in Luang Prabang organised a cycling event that drew hundreds of people. The event was organised to celebrate the Laos-Vietnam solidarity and friendship year 2022 and to promote culture and tourism in Luang Prabang.
Cyclists gathered at the front of the local night market in the early morning for a five-kilometer bike ride. The procession of cyclists headed to the fountain roundabout and turned left to Sithan primary.
They then took the second left and passed the Dara Market crossroad and Aphay village, before turning at the T-junction to Visoun village. Next, they turned left at the old bridge T-junction, crossed the bridge and took another left to Phamluang temple.
They continued cycling to Xangkhong village and finally stopped at the local market to buy locals products, handicrafts, souvenirs, textiles and Saa Paper. When travelling in Laos, a city such as Luang Prabang with a nice atmosphere for cycling is the perfect getaway for those who like using bicycles to wander around the town and along rivers.
This is the perfect spot for leisure cyclists because Luang Prabang’s old town has narrow alleys, markets with great local products and very friendly people.
Luang Prabang also has temple complexes that are perfect to visit during a bike ride while showing respect to the local culture.
The Director of Luang Prabang province’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Dr Soudaphone Khomthavong, told the media that this cycling activity was different from other activities organised by authorities in the past. Earlier, cycling activities were mainly aimed at encouraging tourists to protect the environment and to reduce pollution.
“This time was different, as the cyclists were required to wear traditional and national clothes of Laos and Vietnamese in order to promote culture and to create more interest for tourists to visit Luang Prabang,” she said.
 While relatively small, the World Heritage-listed city of Luang Prabang, nestled between the Mekong and Khan rivers, has rapidly become very popular among domestic and foreign tourists.

Bicycle procession promotes traditions and culture. --Photo provided to Vientiane Times

Most parts of this famous city, home to the Xiengthong temple, are located along the Mekong river.
Sometimes it seems like a small place when there are large numbers of visitors.
The people of Luang Prabang are keen to preserve their traditions and customs, such as the morning almsgiving ceremony for which monks parade through the streets.
Temples are frequented by local residents and visitors for prayers, merit-making and the chanting of scriptures by monks and novices.
Popular events in Luang Prabang include the lively Lao New Year celebrations, the boat racing festival, festivals to mark the start and end of Buddhist Lent, and the lighted boat festival.
With the Covid-19 pandemic on the wane around the world, domestic and foreign tourists are slowly coming back to Laos, especially to get a taste of the traditions and culture of Luang Prabang province.
In July and during the Buddhist Lent week, more than 11,000 foreign tourists visited Luang Prabang. Most took the Laos-China Railway to get to Luang Prabang.
The cycling activity organised in early October and was the first event during the week-long celebrations of the end of Buddhist Lent. Provincial tour operators are expecting more than 10,000 visitors during the festival season.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update October 20, 2022)