Vang Vieng Research Articles

COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 transitions: case study on the Lao PDR

PurposeThe purpose of this review paper is to investigate the consequences of tourism development and economic growth within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, focusing specifically on Lao PDR post-pandemic. The adverse effect of COVID-19 on tourism and economic sectors has been pervasive across the ASEAN region, with varying degrees of impact. Some of these difficulties are set to continue, though there are positive signs of recovery and of the resilience of the tourism industry. Utilising case material from Lao PDR in Southeast Asia – an area frequently neglected in tourism studies – the paper sheds light on the post-pandemic landscape to address existing gaps in the current literature.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach was taken in this review paper, utilising secondary data such as media reports, official reports from Tourism Laos and international governing bodies like United Nations and the World Bank to form a viewpoint discussion in the Lao PDR post-pandemic condition.FindingsThis paper reveals that contrary to a long period of recovery post-pandemic, there has been a degree of continuity from the pre-pandemic period. Considerable numbers of backpackers have returned to Vang Vieng, along with Vientiane and Luang Prabang. While the pre-pandemic emphasis on mass tourism persists, there is also an increased focus on regional and domestic markets. Laos, with its strategic location and cross-border connections, aims to take advantage of this shift.Originality/valueThe paper highlights a detailed exploration of the Lao tourism industry post-pandemic. It goes beyond the initial expectations in literature of a complete transformation post-pandemic, highlighting the continuity in visitor sources and traditional tourist attractions. It emphasises the Lao PDR strategic position for market reorientation, providing insight into the nation’s adaptive strategies and a nuanced perspective on the evolving landscape of Lao tourism.

Streamflow Simulation for Nam Xong River Basin in Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province

Nam Xong River is one of the tributaries of Nam Lik River, which is considered an important river that creates natural tourism value for the people in Vang Vieng District. Nam Xong Dam was another dam built to generate electricity and divert water to Nam Ngum 1 reservoir to increase hydropower generation capacity. Recently, Nam Xong River Basin (NXRB) has been affected by flooding almost every year due to changes in the amount and pattern of rainfall which is highly variable. Another issue is aggravated by the problem of ungauged basins where the number of hydrological and meteorological stations are limited and unequally distributed over the basins. This obstructs the reliability of streamflow prediction and water resources management. This study therefore aims to address the problems of ungauged basins by performing tasks that serve a main objective: application of HEC-HMS for simulating the streamflow for NXRB. The hydrological and meteorological data used in this study are daily streamflow 2 stations and rainfall 4 stations located in and around the basin. The simulation period is considered based on random flood events from 2005 to 2021. Out of these, 5 events (2005-2015) are selected for model calibration and another event of 2021 are considered for model validation. The results found that the HEC-HMS model can estimate the flow rate in accordance with the observed data, especially during the low flow period. Throughout the considered period, the average flow and total flow volume showed a downward trend. For the result of estimating the maximum flow from the model, the streamflow is lower than the observed data, and the time to peak from the model comes about 1 day later than the observed one in 2014, probably due to the distribution of rainfall in the study area with high variability. Therefore, the HEC-HMS model could be used to simulate daily streamflow in limited data areas. This study could provide recommendations for hydrological modeling for other basins that have similar characteristics to the NXRB.

Schubartamon serenum new genus and species, a troglobitic crab from Laos, new records of Erebusa calobates Yeo & Ng, 1999 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Potamidae), and insights on the potamid genera of Indochina

Abstract A new genus and species of troglobitic potamid crab, Schubartamon serenum gen. nov., sp. nov., is described based on an adult female from Vientiane province, Central Laos, found in Vang Vieng karst in the cave Tham Nang Oua (also called Tham Nang Hua). The new genus can be clearly distinguished morphologically from Erebusa, another troglobitic genus known from the single species E. calobates, also from Central Laos, in the Khammouan karst, and for which we now have additional material collected by two French expeditions in several caves scattered around this province, enabling the species to be better documented. The immense karst of Khammouan is not very fragmented, so that the dispersal of species can be quite possible, which explains why E. calobates can be found there dispersed across distant caves. Schubartamon serenum gen. nov., sp. nov. has been collected much further north, in the Vang Vieng karst, Vientiane province, more than 400 km north of Thakhek, the capital of Khammouan. The two species share similar troglobitic adaptations, but the morphological differences between them are significant at a generic level. In particular, compared to those of E. calobates, the differently shaped vulvae of S. serenum gen. nov., sp. nov. alone represent an excellent character for generic distinction. A review of the potamid genera of Indochina is also presented.

<p><strong><em>Didymoplexiella laosensis</em> (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae), a new holomycotrophic orchid from Lao PDR</strong></p>

Didymoplexiella laosensis is described as a new species from the limestone mountains of Vang Vieng District in central Laos. A detailed description, colour plate, line drawings and conservation assessment are provided, together with morphological comparisons with three allied species in tropical Asia, namely, D. ornata, D. siamensis and D. trichechus. With the leasing of its limestone habitat to a mining company for cement production, the threat to D. laosensis is already evident.

Thai Tourists Choice of Accommodation based on Marketing Behaviors in Vang Vieng Town, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

The objectives of this study are to determine 1) the opinions of Thai tourists on the choice of accommodation 2) the effect of Thai tourists’ staying decisions on the selection of accommodation based on marketing behavior in Vang Vieng Town, Vientiane Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The study employs a questionnaire as the tool to collect data from 430 Thai tourists who travel to Vang Vieng. The sampling method is convenience sampling with quota. The analysis employs Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and ADANCO 2.1 software estimation. The results revealed that five paths were affected by the decisions of Thai tourists based on marketing, which directly affected 3 routes and indirectly affected 2 paths. The path from the Marketing Mix à Marketing Behavior is the path that was most affected by the decision of Thai tourists to choose based on the marketing mix factors. Therefore, the decision to choose accommodation, according to the marketing mix factors, have a direct positive relation with the behaviors of Thai tourists and affect accommodation selection decisions. In addition, entrepreneurs should determine suitable marketing strategies, especially human resource development.

Два новых вида рода бегония (Begonia L., Begoniaceae) из центрального Лаоса

Begonia comprises at least 1850 species, most of which are local endemics. The greatest genus diversity is observed in tropical zone of America and Asia with particular rich area in Indochinese Peninsula. Meanwhile, the inventory of the genus in this region remains far from acceptable completing. Until recently, only 20 species were documented in Laos. Two more species are described here. Both are local endemics found in small sporadic limestone formations in central Laos. The first species, B. quadripetiolata (expectedly sect. Platycentrum) is endemic of Vientiane province (Vang Vieng district). In morphology of staminate flowers, it allies to B. subhowii described from southeastern Yunnan. From B. subhowii and related B. howii, new species differs in larger leaves, entire leaf margin, leaf petiole quadrate in cross section and very small, caducous inflorescence bracts. Leaf petiole quadrate in cross section, is unique character in the genus. The second species, B. tatianae (sect. Diploclinium) named after its discoverer and grower – Mrs. Tatiana Maisak, allies to B. cladotricha, B. gesneriifolia and B. hinnamnoensis originated from limestone formations associated with Hin Nam No Nature Protected Area (central Laos and Vietnam). From allied species, our plant differs in miniature habit, glabrous leaves above dark green, with large diffuse white spot (with small white crystalloid bodies), few stamens, pistillate flowers normally having 4 tepals and ovary bearing wings of distinctly unequal size. Both described species represent characteristic native element of aboriginal limestone flora of lowland karstic formations in central part of Laos.

Amorphophallus ravenii, a New Species of Amorphophallus (Araceae) from Laos

Amorphophallus ravenii V. D. Nguyen & Hett., a new species of Araceae, is described from material collected in Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province, Laos. This species is similar to A. khammouanensis A. Galloway and A. croatii Hett. & A. Galloway, but differs by having an appendix about half the length of the male zone, stigmas about 1.5 times as broad, unwinged rachises of the decompound leaf blade, and a subglobose tuber.

Tourists’ novelty-seeking motivation in nature-based tourism destinations : The case of Vang Vieng city in Laos

The purpose of this research is to discover the novelty-seeking motivations that contribute to visitors’ willingness to experience nature-based...

Thismia nigricoronata, a new species of Burmanniaceae (Thismieae, Dioscoreales) from Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, Laos, and a key to subgeneric classification

Thismia nigricoronata is described as a new species in family Burmanniaceae. Both morphological and phylogenetic analyses indicate that this new Lao endemic is allied to T. taiwanensis in section Glaziocharis, and it can be differentiated on the basis of its longer vestigial stem leaves, reflexed free outer perianth lobes and ornamented, vibrantly coloured outer surface of the perianth tube. The infrageneric taxonomy of Thismia is reviewed, the genera Geomitra and Scaphiophora are officially reduced to sectional status in Thismia, and all species are enumerated in systematic order. A key to all currently accepted subgenera, sections and subsections is presented to facilitate further examination of their phylogenetic integrity in light of apparent conflict between the traditional morphology-based system and the emerging DNA-based classification.

Orchid Flora of Laos: findings from a survey of limestone karst vegetation in Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, Laos

A major project to study the phytodiversity of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot was initiated by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Hong Kong, in 2011, with the aim of surveying primary forest fragments and identifying conservation priorities within this expansive but highly threatened ecoregion. The Vang Vieng area of Vientiane Province, northern Laos, was chosen as a focus for a pilot expedition, since it features an extensive karst landscape that has barely been explored. Together with officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Lao PDR, surveys of three sites were conducted in April 2012, at the end of the dry northeast monsoon season. A total of 283 herbarium specimens were collected. These collections comprised nearly 180 specimens from the family Orchidaceae, of which approximately 136 were unique taxa. At least one of these is a species new to science and a further nine represent new distributional records for Laos. A list of the species encountered during the study is presented and the significance of the findings is discussed. Major threats to the natural environment in northern Laos are highlighted.

Description of two new species of the genus Devadatta from northern Vietnam and central Laos (Odonata: Devadattidae).

Two new species of the genus Devadatta Kirby, 1890, D. kompieri sp. nov. from northern Vietnam (holotype: male, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai Province) and D. yokoii sp. nov. from central Laos (holotype: male, Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province) are described. These new species are allied to D. ducatrix Lieftinck, 1969, but are distinguished by specific characteristics of their wings and anal appendages. The other Indochinese species are also briefly discussed.

Leptospirosis: A Japanese Traveler Returned from Laos

A 28-year-old male backpacker was admitted due to fever (38.4°C). He had returned from Laos (a 6-day trip) 10 days before admission. In Vang Vieng, he enjoyed “river tubing” (rafting on a tire inner tube). His spleen was palpable and his bulbar conjunctivae were congested (Pictures 1, 2). Laboratory tests revealed a total bilirubin level of 1.7 mg/ dL, a serum creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL, proteinuria and hematuria. We suspected that he was suffering from leptospirosis and initiated treatment with penicillin G at a dose of 1.5 million U administered intravenously every six hours. On the 3rd day, the patient was afebrile, and was therefore discharged with a 3-day course of oral azithromycin (500 mg once a day). Microscopic agglutination tests with paired serum showed elevation of the antibody titers (Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Poi: <1:10 to 1:80, L. interrogans serovar Kremastos: 1:20 to 1:160). Leptospirosis is endemic in Southeast Asian countries (1). Clinicians should pay attention to conjunctival suffusion and a history of exposure to fresh water in febrile travelers.

Hoya vangviengiensis(Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), a new species from limestone formations of Vang Vieng, Lao PDR

Summary Lao PDR is virtually botanically unexplored. Among recent collections from the limestone mountains in Vang Vieng, a new Hoya species has been identified. The new species, Hoya vangviengiensis Rodda & Simonsson is similar to Hoya carnosa (L.f) R.Br. since both species have acute outer corona lobes and present clear sap; however, the new species can be easily distinguished by the different growth habit, the prominent leaf venation, the number of flowers and colour of the corona.

Heteropoda species from limestone caves in Laos (Araneae: Sparassidae: Heteropodinae)

Two new Heteropoda species from Laos are described, Heteropoda steineri sp. nov. (male, female) from the Xe Bangfai cave system in Khammouan Province, and Heteropoda aemulans sp. nov. (male, female) from caves close to Vang Vieng in Vientiane Province. Two further species, Heteropoda maxima Jäger, 2001 from Khammouan Province and Heteropoda simplex Jäger and Ono, 2000 from northern Laos and Japan, are recorded. Heteropoda simplex is recorded for the first time from Laos, the female is described for the first time. Main morphological differences between species are recognised from copulatory organs and colouration. Intraspecific variation is illustrated for all species.

Spiders from Laos: New species and new records (Arachnida: Araneae).

Spiders from Laos collected on expeditions from 2003 to 2008 are investigated. Currently, 89 spider species are recorded from Laos. Records of 51 species are included in the present paper. Four species are described for the first time: Argiope dang sp. n. (male, female) from Vang Vieng, Pseudopoda wang sp. n. (male, female) from Nam Khan valley, Olios muang sp. n. (male) from Ban Thathot, and Thelcticopis folia sp. n. (female) from Nam Khan valley. Sixteen species are recorded from Laos for the first time: Acusilas malaccensis Murphy & Murphy 1983, Agelena limbata Thorell 1897, Anepsion maritatum (O. Pickard-Cambridge 1877, Arachnura melanura Simon 1867, Araneus ellipticus (Tikader & Bal 1981), Argiope pulchella Thorell 1881, Eriovixia pseudocentrodes (Bosenberg & Strand 1906), Hersilia flagellifera Baehr & Baehr 1993, Menemerus bivittatus (Dufour 1831), Myrmarachne turriformis Badcock 1918, Oxyopes birmanicus Thorell 1887, Portia assamensis Wanless 1978, Tetragnatha ceylonica O. Pickard-Cambridge 1869, Tetragnatha lauta Yaginuma 1959, Tylorida striata (Thorell 1877), Tylorida ventralis (Thorell 1877). New observations on the biology of Eurychoera banna Zhang, Zhu & Song 2004 are documented. E. quadrimaculata Thorell 1897 is firstly recorded from Brunei. The following species are transferred from the genus Zygiella (Araneidae) to the genus Guizygiella (Tetragnathidae): Guizygiella indica (Tikader & Bal 1980) comb. nov., Guizygiella shivui (Patel & Reddy 1990) comb. nov. Illustrations are given for Argiope pulchella, A. ?versicolor, Eriovixia pseudocentrodes, Laoponia saetosa Platnick & Jagerger 2008, Orsinome vethi (Hasselt 1882), Oxyopes birmanicus, Tylorida ventralis, mostly showing intraspecific variation. A map of Laotian collecting localities is given. Orsinome vethi is recorded for Flores the first time, the record represents the eastern most distribution of this species.

ラオス・ヴァンヴィエンにおけるバックパッカー・エリアの空間構成とその特性

This paper explores socio-spatial changes in a backpacker area in Vang Vieng, Laos. In this rural town, homogenous built environment forms a tourist area where the "indigenous characteristics of underdeveloped rural town" remain and are prominent. The paucity of tourist development is one of the special attractions of the town for international backpackers. However, local people are pursuing vigorously further evolution of the town as a tourist place, and therefore, transformation in the socio-spatial structures of the area has been proceeding at a remarkable pace. In that sense, locality of rural town which has attracted foreign tourists is very fragile.

Molecular markers for chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Thailand and Laos.

Chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is well documented in Thailand. Laos, however, continues to use chloroquine (CQ) as the first-line therapy for the treatment of P. falciparum malaria. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence, in these two areas, of the cg2, pfmdr1 and pfcrt allelic types that have previously been associated with CQ resistance. Isolates of P. falciparum were collected from participants in ongoing treatment studies conducted in Thailand (near the Thai-Cambodian border) and in Laos (Vang Vieng district). The pfmdr1 and pfcrt alleles were characterized by PCR-RFLP and mutations in cg2 were characterized by PCR and single-stranded-conformation-polymorphism (SSCP) electrophoresis. Eight (32%) of the 25 Laotian isolates but only one (4%) of the 25 Thai isolates were found to contain the pfmdr1 mutation N86Y (P = 0.02). In contrast, the cg2 polymorphisms previously associated with CQ resistance were present in only 10 of the isolates from Laos but 24 of those from Thailand (40% v. 96%; P < 0.001). All the samples from both countries contained the pfcrt K76T mutant allele reported to confer resistance to CQ. The results may indicate that drug pressure for the maintenance of the pfmdr1 and cg2 alleles varies in intensity in the Thai and Laotian study areas, probably reflecting differences in the national malaria-treatment policies of Thailand and Laos.

Molecular markers for chloroquine-resistantPlasmodium falciparummalaria in Thailand and Laos

Chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is well documented in Thailand. Laos, however, continues to use chloroquine (CQ) as the first-line therapy for the treatment of P. falciparum malaria. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence, in these two areas, of the cg2, pfmdrl and pfcrt allelic types that have previously been associated with CQ_resistance. Isolates of P. falciparum were collected from participants in ongoing treatment studies conducted in Thailand (near the Thai-Cambodian border) and in Laos (Vang Vieng district). The pfmdrl and pfcrt alleles were characterized by PCR-RFLP and mutations in cg2 were characterized by PCR and single-stranded-conformation-polymorphism (SSCP) electrophoresis. Eight (32%) of the 25 Laotian isolates but only one (4%) of the 25 Thai isolates were found to contain the pfmdr1 mutation N86Y (P = 0.02). In contrast, the cg2 polymorphisms previously associated with CQ resistance were present in only 10 of the isolates from Laos but 24 of those from Thailand (40% v. 96%; P < 0.001). All the samples from both countries contained the pfcrt K76T mutant allele reported to confer resistance to CQ. The results may indicate that drug pressure for the maintenance of the pfmdrl and cg2 alleles varies in intensity in the Thai and Laotian study areas, probably reflecting differences in the national malaria-treatment policies of Thailand and Laos.