25th SEA Games, Laos

The newest market in Vientiane , Vangthong Night Plaza or the 450 Year Vientiane Market, officially opened yesterday to welcome guests and locals to the 25th SEA Games and mark the 450th anniversary of Vientiane as the capital of Laos .

The market is located on a site of about 18,000 square metres in Thongkhankham village of Chanthabouly district, Vientiane . The area contains six two-storey buildings offering various kinds of local products and food, as well as a small garden and parking spaces.

The market's Managing Director, Mr Khamphay Somsana, said the market cost 25 billion kip to build and was targeted at visitors to Laos during the SEA Games in December and the city's anniversary celebrations in 2010.

“Shops at the market will offer organic products, souvenirs, jewellery, local handicrafts, clothes, bags and make-up. There will also be stalls selling various local and international foods. During special events we will organise daily cultural shows to promote Lao culture,” he said.

Mr Khamphay said the market will also display and sell products made by different ethnic groups across the country.

The market also includes a nice garden where people can rest after shopping. There is enough space for people to exercise or gather to chat with friends.

Vientiane Vice Mayor Bounchanh Sinthavong congratulated local investors on setting up a market for local and foreign people that was clean, secure and convenient.

“It's a good model for other businesses to follow in fulfilling the city's objectives of cleanliness, green spaces, lighting and security. This market will also assist with the socio-economic development of the country,” Mr Bounchanh said.

He urged the investors to continue to improve the market ahead of upcoming important events.

Construction of the Vangthong Night Plaza began in February 2008 in readiness for the SEA Games.

Mr Khamphay said the investors are pleased the market is ready in time for the games so visitors can have an enjoyable shopping experience.

Mr Bounchanh said the market will be a popular site with visitors to Vientiane , particularly during the SEA Games.



By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

Health officials in Laos will inspect food outlets and certify those which have safe food during the 2009 South East Asian (SEA) Games.

The move is designed to inspire consumer confidence in local food during the games, according to Dr Alongkone Phengsavanh from the University of Health Sciences ' Department of Postgraduate Studies and Research.

Dr Alongkone, who is also head of the Lao National Olympic Doping Control Committee, and a member of the Asia Doping Control Committee, said officials would inspect food hygiene and the quality of drinking water in food shops.

“We will flag those food shops which have food that is up to standard, as well as organic food shops, so customers can be confident eating there,” he said. He said SEA Games athletes would also be told which places were safe to eat at.

Certification will be issued by the Food and Drug Department under the Ministry of Public Health, the Food and Drug Analysis Centre and the Vientiane Public Health Department with assistance from technical staff from the World Health Organisation.

Indonesia and Malaysia have requested halal food and Dr Alongkone assured them Laos would be able to provide this.

The health and well-being of visiting athletes and officials will be a high priority for SEA Games organisers.

Vientiane 's three main hospitals Mahosot, Setthathirath and Mittaphab will be capable of treating the athletes, and medical staff will be sent to each sporting event with ambulances.

In Vientiane about 100 doctors, 150 nurses and 70 cleaners and cleaning inspectors will be assigned to these duties.

Medical staff, security of ficials and fire safety officials will undergo training to ensure they are prepared for any unexpected emergencies.

In addition to monitoring the health of athletes, a number of doctors will be tasked with making sure the SEA Games remain drug free.

About 70 staff members will be responsible for testing urine for prohibited substances.

Outside of the capital, events are also planned in Luang Prabang and Champassak provinces. Thirty doctors and nurses and 20 cleaning inspectors will be assigned to each province.

Dr Alongkone will pay special attention to ensuring Lao athletes do not accidentally consume medicines containing banned substances and medical staff will be trained on this issue.

“ Although this work is new and challenging, there is nothing to be worried about because we are well prepared and I personally gained experience at the Asian Games in Doha , Qatar , and the Athens Olympics. I have also worked on previous SEA Games and I will gain even more experience at the 2008 Olympics in China ,” he said.

He said members of the team that will conduct doping testing in Laos learnt their skills in China , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand and the Philippines . China will send technical staff to help during the games.

The officials will also develop campaigns on issues of disease prevention and environmental protection.

These plans were approved at the 25 th SEA Games Council Meeting held last week in Vientiane.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
Vientianetimes