My Laos Archive

This archive is derived from the years I spent in northern Laos – 1969-75, followed by photos taken during subsequent visits. The early photos capture the way Laos used to be, reflecting the charm – as well as the hardships – of those difficult years in the country’s history during the years of war and major upheaval.

Guide to Archive

SECTION 1 Vientiane 1969-1970

Lao children Vientiane 1969

Children pose outside the Buddhist temple, contented and curious, without toys and modern amusements.

Planting rice, Vientiane 1969

Lao women working hard to transfer rice seedlings to the paddy fields. Lao people prefer glutinous rice to any other variety.

Samlor Driver Vientiane 1969

A friendly samlor (3-wheeled cycle taxi) driver poses for a photo in the street

Boys At Mekong River, Vientiane 1969

A small market by the river where coconuts can be seen piled for market

Lao National Radio Vientiane 1969

My VSO posting was to work at Lao National Radio in Vientiane 1969-70. Note our two project Land Rovers – one a lorry – parked outside.

Radio station Vientiane 1969

This sign says in Lao that it is the National Radio of the Royal Kingdom of Laos. After 1975 under the communist government this sign was modified.

Aerial view Vientiane 1969

Lao National Radio adjacent to the National Stadium in the centre of Vientiane

Steel fresco on wall of La National Radio in Vientiane

Fresco Vientiane 1969

Decorative fresco on wall of Lao National Radio denotes the artistic culture that abounds.

Aviation lights atop LNR Vientiane 1969

View from the roof also shows crowds at sports event in national stadium next door.

LNR technicians in class Vientiane 1969

An evening class of the Lao technicians we taught at Lao Radio. Some of them went on to study in the UK.

Chris with technicians at transmitter site

LNR transmitter site technicians Vientiane 1969

Chris and other technicians working together at the foot of one of the antenna arrays

Control Room at LNR Vientiane 1969

At the technical centre of the Lao National Radio studios in Vientiane, Frank monitors link to Pakse and Luang Prabang stations

Fishing in Mekong, Vientiane 1969

The Mekong River is in flood and this woman takes the opportunity to fish in Lao style. Lao people love their fish, the small ones being dried and made into ‘pa dek’ a spicy fish paste to eat with their sticky rice.

Levees being rapidly set up on Mekong banks

Building levees Vientiane 1969

In August 1969 the Mekong was threatening to flood Vientiane as it was rising at an alarming rapid rate. Levees were built in haste.

Mekong vendor, Vientiane 1969

This vendor has a stall on the banks of the dried-up Mekong, selling tasty chicken roasted on her portable spit, together with fish sauce.

Siesta Time Vientiane 1969

The 3-wheeled pedal cycles (samlors) used to provide a vital taxi service in most towns, but it was hard work for the cyclists. It was therefore a welcome rest for them at midday.

Flooded Wattay airport Vientiane 1969

The International Airport is closed due to severe flooding as the Mekong spills its banks

Floods in Vientiane 1969

Lao people taking flooding in their stride and for this cafe it is business as usual, but watch the plank!

Women paddling boat in Vientiane street 1969

Lao people were quite unfazed by the floods and were quite adept with boats

Mekong Floods Imminent Vientiane 1969

In August 1969 the Mekong rose at an alarming rate and attracted much attention. Flood mark indicated 13m level

British Army Beaver in Pakse 1969

Known as the British embassy plane we used this often on trips to LNR radio stations in Luang Prabang and Pakse

Beaver cockpit before takeoff Vientiane 1969

This six-seater plane served us well on frequent trips. It was flown by British Army pilots based in Singapore

A New Zealand Air Force Bristol Freighter at Vientiane airport

Bristol Freighter Vientiane 1969

This NZAF transport plane at Wattay Airport on a training flight was diverted to transport a 2-ton generator set to Luang Prabang for the Lao National Radio station.

T28 loaded with rockets Vientiane 1969

T28 trainer planes flown by Hmong pilots were in constant missions

Pouring water at Lao New Year Vientiane 1969

Pouring water down the back of guests at Lao New Year celebrations, happily at the hottest time of year!

Ave Lane Xang and Monument Vientiane 1969

Traffic on the broad Ave Lane Xang was sparse in 1969 but the Monument has changed little, looking splendid in the morning sun.

Typical Lao Meal Vientiane 1969

Bean sprouts, sticky rice and green vegetables together with spicey soup, followed by bananas or other fruit

Typical Lao house in Vientiane suburbs 1969

Lao people traditionally lived in bamboo houses built on stilts to avoid being flooded. Animals lived underneath and fed off the scraps of food.

Vietnamese boat crew Vientiane 1969

This South Vietnam boat crew prepare for their race in this annual event

Boat Races on the Mekong Vientiane 1969

A very popular attraction in October were the annual Mekong boat races

Vietnamese Boat Racers Vientiane 1969

Various groups entered their boat for this popular annual contest. Our Lao-English club boat sank but we walked to the finish.

Mekong River in Dry Season Vientiane 1969

An enormous sandbank in the Mekong outside Vientiane appeared every dry season

Rocket on Truck Vientiane 1969

These massive 10m rockets, built by the monks, are paraded around town before being taken to launch site

Rocket Launched on river bed Vientiane 1969

The annual Boun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival) is held every May and is intended to bring the rain.

Rocket Smoke from launch pad Vientiane 1969

Four rockets are placed on launch pad together after being duly prepared. About 60% launch successfully. Some take minutes after ignition before suddenly lifting off across the Mekong.

Rocket Festival children watching Vientiane 1972

Crowds thronged along the river bank to watch the spectacle, including many children

Ox cart in Vientiane 1969

Ox carts were frequently seen in the streets of Vientiane in 1969, their giant wheels coping well with potholes.

That Luang Monks collecting 1969

Inside the stupa complex monks with bowls collect alms from the waiting women

Hmong Chief Vientiane 1969

Panya Touby Lyfoung was considered head of the Hmong in Laos and served in Lao government until 1975 when he was exiled.

Aerial view of Monument Vientiane 1969

View of the Monument at the top of Ave Lane Xang depicts its position opposite the Laos National Assembly (r). The Annusaveri as it was known locally was rumoured to have been built of foreign aid cement.

In the late months of 1969, Sam Neua produced a striking range of political texts that together reveal the full rhetorical spectrum of the revolutionary camp: from the Laotian Patriotic Front’s sharp denunciation of Souvanna Phouma’s appearance at the United Nations, portraying the Vientiane administration as an illegitimate creation of U.S. influence, to the Laotian Patriotic Neutralist Forces’ solemn message of condolence following the death of Ho Chi Minh. It finally gave a more expansive ideological tribute that framed Ho Chi Minh’s life as a model of revolutionary virtue, internationalism, and unity. Read together, these documents show how accusation, mourning, and doctrinal instruction coexisted in Sam Neua’s political messaging during a pivotal moment in the region’s history.

Below is teletype printout received at Lao National Radio in late 1969:

Lao Communist statement on death of Ho Chi Minh Sam Neua 1969

Lao Radio monitored Khao San Pathet Lao – the news division of the Lao Communist movement based in Sam Neua.

Ho Chi Minh’s Example Praised Sam Neua 1969

A second teletype message from KPL praising the example set by recently deceased Ho Chi Minh of North Vietnam

KPL Critique of Souvanna Phouma Sam Neua 1969

The first page of a long tirade of criticism directed toward the Royal Lao Government following PM’s visit to UN General Assembly