The government has announced a seven-day grand event to celebrate the 450th anniversary of Vientiane as the capital of Laos to begin on November 15.
Chairman of the organising committee responsible for the celebrations, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad made the announcement at a recent ceremony to launch a countdown to the anniversary.
On November15 a grand meeting to officially open the celebration will be held at Chao Anouvong Stadium in Vientiane, confirmed Mr Somsavat, who is also Standing Deputy Prime Minister.
Several parades involving ministries and provincial departments from across the country will proceed into the stadium led by troupes of performing artists. Each parade column will depict the traditions and cultures of a specific region of Laos.
The event will also reflect on the achievements, growth, and development of each district, province, ministry and other organisations, he said.
Mr Somsavat will address the gathered audience before striking a gong nine times to officially launch the celebrations.
Over the following seven days, an agriculture and handicraft expo for locally-made products will be held at the National Esplanade (next to Thau Luang Stupa), while the Lao-International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre will accommodate an expo for products from overseas.
The celebrations will coincide with the annual That Luang festival.
The organising committee will lead domestic and international guests on a tour of both the festivals.
On November 16, invited guests will join government officials to visit important historic and cultural sites around Vientiane.
Seminars on various topics for government officials will take place on the third day of the celebrations.
The event will be the inaugural celebration of the city as the nation's capital and aims to provide Lao people with a chance to acknowledge the origins, traditions and growth of the city.
The organising committee hopes the event will raise the profile of Vientiane in the region and around the world, boosting tourism and attracting support, cooperation and investment from domestic and international communities to the capital.
Vientiane authorities have embarked on 21 special projects to mark the event.
Some projects are already complete, such as the paving of the National Esplanade and the 25th SEA Games stadium.
Construction of an embankment along the Mekong riverbank, as well as Chao Anouvong Park near Wat Chanh temple and Saysettha Park and the restoration of Sisaket temple are among other projects currently underway.
A project for the development of That Luang area, comprising of the expansion of the Kommalien (That Luang fence) and construction of a four-lane road linking That Laung stupa to T4 road, is in its intial stages.
The establishment of a 53-hectare market near the first Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge is also underway.
This year marks 450 years since King Sayasetthathirath moved the capital of the Lane Xang Kingdom from Luang Prabang to Vientiane in 1560.
