Vientiane riverside getting a facelift!

[BangkokButcher]

During my recent visa run, I noticed a ton of building works going on along the riverside in Central Vientiane.

Made a few enquiries and it sounds like the Koreans are funding a 'promenade' project for them similar to what they have in Nong Khai. I think it's a great idea, as the riverside there has always been a bit of an eyesore imho.

A few pics below of the work that's being done.

[Astana]

I hope that there not banking on having a river to promenade along since the levels have plunged in recent times due to a few small blockages upstream.

Nice pics though! Cheers. =D> =D>

[FrazeeDK]

I was just up in Vientiane last week.. My Lao friends tell me that this Korean financed project is not just a "Promenade" along the Mekong riverfront in downtown Vientiane but actually a 14KM long "river road" that will start downriver from Vientiane and connect back up with RTE13 past the airport.. If done well and landscaped nicely, in a few years it could look great. If in usual Lao fashion it's done hapharzadly, it will make the riverfront look deplorable..

[BobHelm]

I only stayed for the day a week or so ago, but I was there as well. Sounds like we could have had a 'Friends of Udonmap meeting" if we had coordinated it!!
It should be a large improvement as I always felt that the Thai side of the river tried to maximise its attraction while the Laos side - it was just there & stopped tables being placed any further out.
It was also the first time that I had been along the new prom at NK.
I was greatly impressed with that, but not so impressed that the restaurants along it have decided to adopt the old Udon Soi Falang practice of almost, if not quite, "hello hansom man, you want eat"?? to entice people into their places.
Discretion, & a good Falang Menu as well as Thai, would probably increase trade far more than the Indian tailor approach to business..

[merchant seaman]

Last trip to Loas I was told a mysterios fire destroyed the old nippa huts along the river. What's going in not sure but high priced for sure. Next to the culture center old chineese resturant being replaced by Pizza Company and Swensons. So much for communism.

[arjay]

I also understand that the new promenade on the Nong Khai side is going to be extended down as far as the Friendship bridge.

[old-timer]

I was in laos the other day and had a little bit of ghai yang (not sure if I got that right, BBQ chicken) and som tum that not only sets your mouth on fire but also the back door the next morning, covered in dust because of the work going on there. Come about 6pm the building site becomes dozens of busy restraunts. Nothing better than a beer laos, dusty chicken and and a view of a building site whilst getting romantic with a "well fit bird".

OT........

[Tony Croweater]

I've been told by my Lao friends to expect riverside apartments to be built right on the bank of the Mekong shown in the pics. Effectively a once lovely spot is to be obliterated for the sake of the wealthy.

[Frans]

So far i see the pic, could be a nice relaxing place