Fah Thai Magazine Sep/Oct 2017

HAPPENINGS
LAOS / VIETNAM
KHAMMOUANE / LUANG PRABANG / HO CHI MINH
Located on Ngo Duc Ke Street with its gorgeous view of majestic and
heritage buildings, The Workshop takes coffee very seriously for enthusiasts
and it’s a good spot to park yourself with a laptop or your shopping bags after
a trip to Ben Thanh market. With exposed bricks and a picturesque walkup and
high ceiling, the coffee shop is located in a heritage building. Take a seat around
wood tables by the windows and white-washed walls and enjoy the aroma of
coffee as you watch the world go by.
The Workshop roasts its own coffee with thanks to Vietnam for its share of
the finest Arabica beans. facebook.com/the.workshop.coffee, +84 28 3824 6801
Photos Phoowadon Duangmee
SPOTLIGHT
A River Runs Through It
FRENCH CONNECTION
The French introduced Vietnam to coffee in the 19th Century and
originally tea drinkers, the Vietnamese people took to the other
caffeine immediately. Fastforward to the 21st century in Ho Chi Minh
City and its specialty coffee culture. “The Workshop”, the trendy and
industrial-styled coffee place is one of the best places in Ho Chi Minh
City to have a good cup of joe and hearty breakfast.
This trip to central Laos will surely be epic
because in the remote Hin Nam No national
protected area, Xe Bang Fai River Cave is
one of the largest active river cave passages
in the world. With thanks to the National
Geographic expedition in 2008, what’s known
is that the river, which originates from the
Annamites, travels seven kilometres through
the mountainous chambers. Yet this is only
scratching the surface, no pun intended. The
stunning caverns are filled with hanging
stalagmites, subterranean gardens, fossil passages
and foot-long cave pearls made from minerals.
On their 10-day exploration in 2008, photographer
Dave Bunnell spent as many as 17 hours per day
paddling a kayak through Xe Bang Fai. His photos
reveal a stunning paradise that city-dwellers will
gladly leave their apartments to explore. Xe Bang Fai
River Cave is a must-visit on a Lao itinerary as the
river cavern is an ideal destination for river kayaking
amidst gigantic stone chambers.
greendiscoverylaos.com
GOODWILL RUNNING
Go to Luang Prabang with a pair of running
shoes and sign up for the Luang Prabang
Half Marathon – a goodwill run at the
UNESCO World Heritage Site along the
Mekong River. Organised by the Lao Friends
Hospital for Children, the charity race will
take place on a Sunday.
For different fitness levels, the race
offers the 7km, 14km and half marathon
(21.098km). The start and finish line will be
in front of the National Museum, which was
once a royal palace.
Tucked away in the mountainous
valley of Northern Laos and sitting at the
confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers,
Luang Prabang is an idyllic place to run along
some of the finest Buddhist temples and to
admire colonial-styled buildings.
Last year’s run raised USD 53,543,
helping save Lao children and funds from
this year’s LPB Half Marathon will provide
free medical care for them. October 22,
luangprabanghalfmarathon.com
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