VIENTIANE: Bokeo authorities have awarded national and provincial heritage status to a former French military camp, underscoring their intention to preserve the site and publicise it as a tourist attraction.
A ceremony to announce the camp’s heritage status took place at the site in Huayxai district on Tuesday (Aug 19).
The event was attended by the Acting Governor and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Bokeo province, Brigadier General Paenkham Boutchanpheng; the Provincial National Heritage Committee; provincial and district Party and state leaders; village authorities; representatives of local government agencies; and tourism business operators.
Speaking at the event, Brigadier General Paenkham said the declaration of the site’s heritage status aimed to ensure the site was protected, preserved, and sensitively restored, while safeguarding the traditions and cultural heritage that reflect Lao national and local identity.
This would help to draw more visitors to Bokeo, he said.
He also called on local residents to take ownership in maintaining the site in its original form, ensuring that the nation’s heritage remains strong and enduring for the benefit of future generations.
An official from the provincial Culture and Tourism Department, Silat Saengdara, outlined the history of the French camp.
It was one of three French military camps built in northern Laos from 1920-1930. Originally called “Daeng Camp”, it was later renamed “Sip Camp” or “Ou Patham Camp” after liberation.
Due to its historical value, and as a tangible reminder of Laos’ struggle for national liberation and as one of the few remaining sites that retains its original condition, the Culture and Tourism Department in coordination with the Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, officially registered and recognised the camp as a National Heritage Site at the provincial level. - Vientiane Times/ANN
