Vientiane, Lao PDR
31 October 2012
- Don Chan Palace Hotel
The Don Chan Palace Hotel will be the venue of the Gala Dinner to be hosted by Lao PDR President Choummaly Sayasone and his spouse, Mrs. Keosaychay Sayasone, to the 50 Heads of State and Government that will participate at the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9) in Vientiane from 5-6 November 2012.
President Benigno S. Aquino III will be among those who will attend the gala dinner on 5 November 2012. He will also hold his Coffee Meeting with the Philippine Media in one of the hotel’s restaurant shortly after the gala dinner.
The Don Chan Palace Hotel is a leading five-star hotel situated along the new promenade of Mekong River. It is a few minutes away from Wattay International Airport and within easy reach to the embassies, main business districts, cultural sites and ancient temples.
- Mekong II Restaurant and Mekong River
The Mekong II Restaurant will be the venue of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s meeting with the Filipino community in Lao People’s Democratic Republic on his first day of visit. He is set to participate in the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9) for the first time since assuming office as Chief Executive.
The Mekong River is the 7th longest in Asia and 12th longest in the world, with its length estimated to be about 4,350 kilometers (2,703 miles). It begins from the high Tibetan Plateau running through six countries – China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. An estimated over 60 million people who live along its riverbanks depend on it for food, water and transport.
The Laotians use this river for agriculture and transportation apart from fishing, drinking and washing. They travel along the river by boat carrying goods from city to city for trade. Today, travelers on boats along the river can still see the French’s maritime navigation that was left over during the French rule.
The Mekong River is home to thousands of fish species, including those unique to the area, such as the rare giant catfish and the Irrawaddy dolphin.
In 1995, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) was created to manage the environment and promote sustainable development between four countries that shared the lower stretch of the river – Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
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