Fragrant Flowers in Laos Capital...

Yesterday in the afternoon I strolled through Vientiane and found a ad from Vientiane Orchids Farm (www.vientianeorchidees.com). The Farm is resides in a lush shaded garden in the northern suburbs of Vientiane. Bertrand Laville, the Technical Director of the Farm and the most knowledgable Orchid Guide in Phou Khao Khouay NP, showed me around and explained me:

In Vietnam there are about a 1'000 known Orchid species, while in Thailand around 900 different species of these flowers can be found; and for Laos an estimated number of 800 Orchids species growing in the country seems in relation to the size of the area as well as the many still intact National Park a reasonable amount.

Around 60% of these orchid species can be seen next to Vientiane in the nearby Phou Khao Khouay National Park. The National University of Laos together with the Vientiane Orchids Farm collects, protects, breeds and classifies these orchids. Together they have a pool of nearly 450 different Orchid species, which can be found in the whole country of Laos. The Orchids are grown on the compound of the Farm and can be visited throughout the week. Bertrand says, that they also support local communities around the Phou Khao Khoay National park in breeding orchids rather than to take them out from the park by collecting them in the nature...

Small guided tours through the farm can be arranged. Bertrand is more than happy to explain in French and English about the flowers, some medicinal plants and their use as well about the polinisation and breeding process of this Orchids. The farm can be reached by tuk tuk...

The Vientiane Orchid Farm also conducts guided field tours to the Phou Khao Khouay Park, where some stoning waterfalls, butterfly licking places and some Khmu villages can be explored and visited. The fees collected for the tours contribute to the local communities: local guides and food is used from the villages and freshly produced and eaten there...

The Orchid trek is easy and can be done by everybody. For up to 4 people Bertrand will take the Orchid Farms' own 4 x 4 Ford Ranger Pickup; for bigger groups a rented van.

A very interesting project in close proximity of downtown Vientiane...