Sisavangvong - The Heart of Luang Prabang

Sisavangvong road

Sisavangvong, the heart of Luang Prabang... One of a kind place that reserves some space in my mind and call me for returning.

Sisavangvong is the name of an outcasted King of Luang Prabang. He fled the country when people toppled him down in 1945. He is a life-time supporter of French colonial in Laos until 1945. However according to the history script. in 1946 French ruler install him once again to become a king, even for the entire kingdom of Laos. This reign ended when communist took over the country in 1974, as the red wind blew from the neighboring Vietnam.

French-styled shop house

Nowadays, Sisavangvong is represented as a name of the main road in Luang Prabang. Some 500m long boulevard decorated with French-colonial style architecture which now functioned as shop houses and restaurants. In the North, it joins the Sakkarine road and Chao Fa Ngum road in the South.

Sisavangvong, the heart of Luang Prabang. Tourist will pack this road during dinner time, after their spending the whole day trekking or cruising the Great River Mekong. French pastries, Asian food or European alike are available here, all along the restaurants with terrace facing the quiet street.

One of the pavilions at Royal Palace, now a National Museum

Every 6 until 9PM, there's a night market at the North side of the street, right in front of the Royal Palace which now become a museum, after King Sisavangvong left the country. Souvenirs, t-shirts and foods, even books and herbs are here for sale.

I never know, but this place is one of a kind. I always miss to return. In fact, Sisavangvong is just a street with its French-touch old 2-storeyed buildings. Not many people come visiting, not many things to see, not many activities to do either. But I insist that I will return.

Maybe because of its history... maybe because of the people I met. Great people, the New Yorker, the Aussie Family and the Emily's.

Sisavangvong, the Heart of Luang Prabang.


Travel Fact :

How to get there : flight from Hanoi (Vietnam Airliner, Lao Airlines)
US$180/one way - 1.45 hours.
flight from Bangkok (Bangkok Air, Siem Reap Airlines)
US$215/one way - 2.30 hours.
flight from Siem Reap - Cambodia (Siem Reap Air, Khmer Air)
US$115/one way - 1.0 hour.
Hotel : US$30/night
Currency : US$ and Laotian Kip (1US$ = 8,000 kip)