Historie znad Mekongu - Vu Images

Laos, Vientiane, 2009 Symbol of a capital stretching along the river. Vientiane, stretching along the river, was built on the river plains, one of the only areas in Laos where the topography was suitable to accommodate a large population. Vientiane is the capital of one of the three ancient kingdoms united to form modern Laos, but it remains nevertheless a city of modest size: 720,000 inhabitants. The monument- That Luang- is an emblematic symbol of the city and the country, built in 1566 by King Setthathirath, when he moved his capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. He named it Loka Chunlamani, "the world's egret". The stupa covers a former structure, which contains a mysterious Buddha relic. It also symbolizes the cosmic mountain marking the center of the world. Laos, Vientiane, 2009 Emblcme d'une capitale etendue le long du fleuve. B?tie dans une plaine propice r un peuplement d'importance, Vientiane s'etire le long du fleuve. Capitale d'un des trois anciens royaumes reunis dans le Laos moderne, Vientiane demeure une ville de dimension modeste, peuplee de 720 000 habitants. Symbole emblematique de la ville et du pays, le monument-reliquaire du That Luang a ete edifie en 1566 par le roi Setthathirat lorsqu'il depla?a sa capitale de Luang Prabang r Vientiane. Il lui a donne le nom de Loka Chulamani, ??Aigrette du monde??. Ce that recouvre un edifice anterieur, contenant une relique mysterieuse du Bouddha. Il symbolise egalement la montagne cosmique marquant le centre du monde. Lam Duc Hien / Agence VU