The That Luang festival and trade fair will be held in two separate places - as was the case last year - in That Luang square from November 20 to 24, and at Lao-ITECC from November 17 to 25, to reduce traffic congestion.
Vice president of the festival organising committee, Mr Bounpone Sisoulath, said at a press conference yesterday that holding the fair in two different places was because of limited space at That Luang, which made it difficult to accommodate the growing numbers of visitors to the event.
He said the committee wanted That Luang to remain a place for religious and cultural ceremonies, to give visitors the opportunity to explore Lao culture; the official festival will be held at the square from November 20-24.
He said it was unclear whether this set-up would continue in future years, and that the capital would consider using other sites if they became available.
Although Vientiane residents complained last year about having to organise the fair in two different places, many accepted that the festival was also a money-making opportunity.
President of the festival organising committee and Deputy Mayor of Vientiane , Mr Somvandy Nathavong, said the capital would try to ensure order and security for the festival, while maintaining the traditional aspects of the event.
The usual wax castle procession, the candle procession, the tikhy match (a game similar to hockey), taak baath (food offerings) and other religious ceremonies will still take place.
There will be 250 booths at That Luang square and 750 booths at the Lao-ITECC to display products from 900 exhibitors, including companies and international organisations in Laos .
Spaces at the trade fair at both sites are now open for booking; a 4x6m plot at That Luang square will cost from 1.92 to 2.4 million kip to rent, while a 3x3m plot at Lao-ITECC will cost from 2.55 to 4.23 million kip.
The committee has requested that the prices of all goods on display be in kip.
Last year, 60 percent of products on sale were produced in Laos , with most of them coming from farms and factories, or made by hand. The remaining merchandise was from China , Vietnam and Thailand .
That Luang square will be used to exhibit and sell handicrafts and agricultural products from the provinces, while industrial goods will be sold at Lao-ITECC.
The authorities have also pre-determined the cost of parking during the festival to prevent traders from taking advantage of visitors.
Motorbike parking will be 5,000 kip, while tuk-tuks, jumbos, cars and pick-up trucks will have to pay 15,000 kip.
The That Luang festival is an event during which people from all parts of Laos gather to strengthen their relationship and community spirit.
By Somsack Pongkhao (Latest Update November 6, 2007)
Good news. Personnaly, i think that religion and trade have nothing to do togather. I think it's better to have 2 different places for the two "faces" of this very important event.... especialy if the original place have become two small.
By the way, That Luang and ITECC are not far form each other.. so it's still comfortable for visitors
I'm happy to see also that the fair for car parking is 3 time more expensive for big cars than motorbikes. For sure a car is comfortable, but it also need lot of place (not convenient in a big city : this causes trafic jam, accidents, and difficulties for parking) and use lot of gaz (not convenient for environment, energy independency of Laos and personal finance of owner). I strongly believe that everything should be done to favourise the development of motorbikes and limit the growth of cars in Vientiane... it's normal that car owners pay much more than motorbikes riders, because a car need much bigger and more expensive infrastructure. So, maybe it should not be 3 times, but 5 !
For people who have the chance to be in Vientiane for the next weeks, have a good ThatLuang festival!
