Muang Xay
|
Muang Xay ເມືອງໄຊ Udomxai |
|
|---|---|
| City | |
 |
|
 Muang Xay
|
|
| Coordinates: 20°42′N 101°49′E / 20.700°N 101.817°ECoordinates: 20°42′N 101°49′E / 20.700°N 101.817°E | |
| Country |
 Laos
|
| Admin. division | Oudomxai Province |
| Population | |
| • Religions | Buddhism |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) |
| Website | http://www.oudomxay.info |
Muang Xay (Lao: ເມືອງໄຊ), also referred to as Oudomxai, is the capital city of Oudomxai Province, Laos. It is at around 20°42′N 101°59′E / 20.700°N 101.983°E. The town is served by the Oudomsay Airport.
Legend has it that in the year 1323, the inhabitants of the village Ban Luang Cheng in "Takka Sila" town were in the forest to cut bamboo. While they were making some fishing utensils out of it, they saw a monk coming from the forest walking towards them. He had gone to the forest long before to meditate. The monk asked the villagers what they were doing and they replied that they were making a fishing basket. They offered him food. Because of that experience, the villagers changed the town's name from "Takka Sila" to "Muang Xay", as the monk's name was Paxay.
In 1987, Muang Xay became the capital of Oudomxay Province instead of Ban Nahin.
Oudomxay is connected to Luang Prabang by National Road 1.
The town has got an airport (IATA: ODY, ICAO: VLOS), from where Lao Airlines flies to Vientiane three times a week. The airport is about a 10-minute walk from town center.
The residents of the town are mainly Lao Loum, but the presence of the ethnic group Khmu, 60% of the province's population, has an important impact on the town.
In the past, many ethnic Khmu moved from Khmu villages to Muang Xay and now live and work there, as in the town they see better opportunities to earn money.
Hmong, 15% of the provincial population, have an influence on the town. Typical Hmong products like colorful textiles are sold inside the market building.
...
Wikipedia