Some of the most amazing adventure destinations center around the great rivers of the world. Whether its rafting the Rio Grande, kayaking the Congo, or simply taking a leisurely cruise down the Nile, we seem to have a fascination with these waterways that have played an important role in human development. One of those rivers is the Mekong, which stretches for more than 2700 miles as it meanders through Laos, Thailand, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. In Laos, the Mekong is known as the "MotherRiver" and it plays an important role in that countrys culture and lore. Travel writer Kate Quill discovered this for herself recently when she made her own Mekong journey, sharing the details with us in this article from the London Times. Kate spent a week on the river back in October, and describes a tropical landscape filled with dense jungles and rocky peaks. On her journey up the Mekong, Quill stopped at a remote village that gave her a sense of what life is like for those that … [Read more...] about Exploring the Mekong River – from Laos to Vietnam
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Vietnam’s mountainous provincial bay a “must see”
Lai Chau province and Bai Tu Long Bay in Vietnam have been listed among the top five "must see" places in Southeast Asia, as voted for by a UK travel company's customers. Gecko Travel, which offers adventure tours, holidays and vacations to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, has named Vietnam's northern mountain province of Lai Chau as the most favorite destination in Southeast Asia. Bai Tu Long Bay … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s mountainous provincial bay a “must see”
80 writers from Laos, Cambodia, India and Thailand visit Quang Nam province
(CPV) – On September 11th, in the central city of Hoi An, the Quang Nam provincial People's Committee had a meeting with 80 writers from Laos, Cambodia, India, Thailand and Vietnam who visited the province on the occasion of the 4th Mekong River Literature Conference held in Da Nang city. … [Read more...] about 80 writers from Laos, Cambodia, India and Thailand visit Quang Nam province
Water crisis looms as Thai upstream plan may cut supply to Cambodia, Vietnam
A man inspects a paddy field in An Giang Province in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. Photo: Cong Han Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, which has already endured years of water shortages due to upstream dams in China and Laos, now faces yet another threat as Thailand is planning major irrigation projects to retain more water for itself. In a recent move, Thailand’s National Water Resources Committee has approved in principle two projects to divert water from the Mekong River for agricultural purposes to overcome a water shortfall, Thai media reported. Suphot Tovichakchaikul, chief of the Department of Water Resources, said that water from the Moei, a Salween tributary bordering Myanmar, could possibly be diverted into the Bhumibol dam in the western province of Tak while water from the Mekong River could be piped to other major dams in the northeastern region. The government would spend 64 billion baht (US$1.8 billion) on the two projects, Bangkok Post quoted the official as saying. The … [Read more...] about Water crisis looms as Thai upstream plan may cut supply to Cambodia, Vietnam
Mekong hydropower dams: Laos considering, Vietnam needs “quick reactions”
VietNamNet Bridge - Laos promises to consult with experts and consider the construction of hydropower dams on Mekong River is the good news for Vietnam. However, scientists say Vietnam needs to act promptly to take full advantage of its opportunities. Dung believes that what needs to be done immediately is to provide reports on the possible impacts of the hydropower dams on the Mekong's lower course. The reports, with convincing arguments and figures, need to be provided to Laos as soon as possible, so that the country can fully consider the pros and cons of its proposed hydropower plant project. Quick, quicker The second summit of the International Mekong River Commission has ended with a satisfactory outcome. Vietnam suggested setting up a research team, with the presence of representatives of Laos and Cambodia, which would be charged with analyzing the possible impacts of the hydropower plants on Mekong. Vietnam, at the summit, proposed that Laos waits for Vietnam's … [Read more...] about Mekong hydropower dams: Laos considering, Vietnam needs “quick reactions”