VIENTIANE: SHORT HOLIDAY IN THE CAPITAL

VIENTIANE: SHORT HOLIDAY IN THE CAPITAL

Vientiane, Laos’s capital, may be small by global standards, but it offers a timeless charm and modern energy. In just a few days, I explored its streets, temples, coffee shops, and restaurants, while also venturing to the outskirts to see how the city is growing. From authentic Lao cuisine to the vibrant coffee culture, Vientiane reveals both tradition and progress — a destination that leaves you wanting more.

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LAO FASHION WEEK: PARIS & LONDON RUNWAYS DAZZLE!

LAO FASHION WEEK: PARIS & LONDON RUNWAYS DAZZLE!

Lao fashion reached an exciting new milestone this month as Lao Fashion Week 2025 brought its creativity to the runways of Paris and London. Leading Lao models and visionary designers presented standout collections that blended contemporary innovation with the country’s rich textile heritage.

Both showcases drew enthusiastic European audiences, who were captivated by the elegance, color, and craftsmanship of the latest Lao designs. The collections highlighted the timeless beauty of traditional weaving while celebrating the bold direction of modern Lao fashion.

A warm congratulations to all the designers, models, and creative teams involved. Their work proudly elevated Lao artistry on two of the world’s most influential fashion stages.

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BEST OF LOVE SONGS 2025

BEST OF LOVE SONGS 2025

As we wrap up a truly wonderful year, we want to take a moment to thank you for your support and connection—both online and offline.

This year, we released many songs in both Lao and English, and we hope you’ve enjoyed listening to them. If our music has brought you joy, we’d love for you to share it with your friends.

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe, joyful, and prosperous New Year. May this holiday season bring happiness, good health, and time to enjoy what matters most.

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FRIENDS

FRIENDS

Last weekend, I had the chance to reunite with my old friends for a special occasion at the Liverpool Catholic Club. Two of my friends’ misses were celebrating their birthdays, and it was the perfect excuse for us to dine out together. It had been years since we’d all gathered like this.

Seeing familiar faces after such a long time was truly special. We enjoyed delicious food, refreshing beers, and the kind of company you can only hope for. After dinner, we spent hours catching up, sharing stories, and even setting a date for our next meeting.

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WAT BUDDHALAVARN

WAT BUDDHALAVARN

🌿 Wat Buddhalavarn Forest Monastery: A Lao-Australian Legacy in Bloom 🇱🇦🇦🇺
Just 10 minutes from Campbelltown, Wat Buddhalavarn rises from 55 acres of peaceful bushland—a sacred space built by the hands and hearts of Lao refugees who arrived in Australia after 1975. Today, it stands as a beacon of faith, culture, and resilience.
✨ The new Lao-style Simm has just been completed, house a majestic Buddha statue. This temple is more than architecture—it’s a living story of generosity, devotion, and community spirit.
🕊️ For our younger generations, this is home. A place to reconnect with heritage, celebrate Buddhist traditions, and honor the sacrifices of our elders. There’s no going back—only forward, together.
🙏 Built through decades of hard work and heartfelt contributions, Wat Buddhalavarn is a reminder: when we give, we grow. When we gather, we thrive.
📣 Come support our community. Visit, volunteer, donate, or simply share the story. Every act helps preserve our culture and strengthen our future.
📍 Learn more at laopress.com and watbuddhalavarn.org.au
#WatBuddhalavarn #LaoHeritage #BuddhismInAustralia #LaoAustralianCommunity #Campbelltown #Laopress #LaoCulture #RefugeeLegacy #SoutheastAsianDiaspora #SupportLocalTemples

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NEW PATTHASIMA AND HORIZON

NEW PATTHASIMA AND HORIZON

Wat Buddhalavarn has grown significantly over the past five decades. Starting in Cabramatta as a rented house, the community soon purchased their own property through donations.
In the late 1990s, the temple moved to Wedderburn, acquiring over 50 acres with two houses and a large shed. One house is now for monks, the other for guest monks, and the shed serves as a temporary Patthasima.
Since 2000, major improvements have occurred. The shed transformed into a beautiful temporary hall, now the temple’s central hub. Construction of a new, permanent Patthasima began with a foundation stone laid by then-Governor Gordon Samuels already completed. The temple’s front now boasts a new brick wall, enhancing its appearance.
Ongoing support through donations is crucial for Wat Buddhalavarn’s continued development and its role as a vital spiritual center.

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MELBOURNE VACATION

MELBOURNE VACATION

After years away, we return to Melbourne on a memorable road trip from Sydney, discovering a city that’s buzzing with life once again. With the help of public transport and the kindness of family, we explore both the vibrant heart of the city and its quieter outer suburbs. From lively streets filled with people enjoying cafes and shops to quiet moments of connection and reflection, our two-week stay paints a picture of a city recovering its energy post-pandemic. Despite some visible social challenges, Melbourne feels warm, welcoming, and full of charm — reminding us why we fell in love with it in the first place.

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MY ISLAND HOME: DONKHO

MY ISLAND HOME: DONKHO

I last stood on Mekong riverbank in Saphay looking over to Donkho in 2000. It might be 1980, the year that we left Donkho, my island home, my birthplace.

Back then, the river was our playground. We ran barefoot on sandbars, fished with homemade nets, and hunted grasshoppers in the dry fields or nearby islands. Donkho’s soil gave us everything: rice, sweet potatoes, beans, watermelons, herbs, vegetables any at all.

When the tide dropped, the river revealed its secrets—rocks, beaches, hidden pools—and we’d explore them like adventurers.

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