Vientiane Monks and Charities

Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Luang Prabang around 8:00am. You will first travel outside of Vientiane to Wat Sok Pa Luang. This is still described by many as ‘the forest temple’, although as Vientiane expands it feels like an oasis within the suburbs, rather than being out on a limb. On the way to the temple you will stop at a local market to buy some snacks and fruits to give as offerings to the monks. Monks of all ages live and study here and as part of your visit, an appointment will be made for you to sit down with one or two of them for an informal discussion on the subject of Buddhism and the life of a monk, including plenty of time for you to ask questions. You then have time to explore the grounds. Next,  you will travel out of the city to Mai Savanh and explore the traditional textiles of the Lao people. This shop specializes in high quality silk products and involves several families in the process, from the northern province of Luang Nam Tha and the southern provinces of Attapeu and Sekong.

(Note: Mai Savanh is closed on Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday.) Another stop will be made at the Lao Disabled Women Development Centre. This center aims to bring knowledge and skills to disabled women so that they can become self-sufficient, productive members of the community. Efforts are focused on helping people with disabilities gain independence and self-confidence. A visit to the center provides you with the opportunity to talk to these women and to observe their skill at creating handicrafts such as hand-made paper.

Return to the city and visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances in the area and the efforts underway to clear them. End of services.