New Unknown Soldiers' Monument unveiled

Construction has finished on the Unknown Soldiers' Monument, which has been built as part of the 2010 celebrations of the 450th anniversary of Vientiane as the capital of Laos .

Monks perform a Buddhist ceremony during the opening of the new monument. .

Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department Deputy Director, Mr Oudone Nengvannavong, said the new monument was one of 21 priority projects underway to improve Vientiane in the lead up to the anniversary and the 25th SEA Games in 2009.

The Vientiane Administration Office will be responsible for maintaining the monument, which stands 20 metres high and 36 metres wide.
 

The government spent more than 5 billion kip building the monument, which took six months to complete.

Mr Oudone said the monument was part of efforts to develop the capital city and make the area of That Luang esplanade a public gathering place for important events, ceremonies and festivals.

The previous Unknown Soldiers' Monument is located near the National Assembly and will be demolished to ease traffic congestion in the area.

The Vietnamese government has contributed to preparations for the 450th anniversary by providing more than 42 billion kip (US$5 million) towards improvements to the That Luang esplanade and the construction of Setthathirath Park in Xaysettha district.

The esplanade will be paved with asphalt at a cost of more than 22 billion kip (US$2 million) to attract visitors and locals.

The Vientiane Housing and Urban Planning Division will also expand the paved area around the base of That Luang stupa to a width of 60 metres.

The construction of Setthathirath Park near That Luang esplanade is also an important project in promoting Vientiane as an attractive natural city.

Construction of the park will commence after the 60th anniversary of the Lao People's Army on January 20.

The park will contain beds of colourful shrubs and flowers, decorative night lighting, a playground and toilet facilities, to make the area an enjoyable place for both locals and tourists to visit on summer evenings or on weekends.

A ceremony to unveil the new Unknown Soldiers' Monument was held yesterday and attended by Vientiane Mayor, Mr Sombat Yialiher, and other high-ranking officials.

By Vientiane Times



The old one