Archived News about Alexandra Bounxouei in the Lao Media.

The most popular question that people will ask friends this weekend is ‘Where should we count down the New Year?’

It is a perennial stickler, so many places are preparing for the celebration of New Year 2006 that Vientiane residents are spoilt for choice.

Many entertainment venues such as restaurants, clubs and hotels have reported that they are now ready to welcome guests on December 31.

Among the many festivities on the night, government officials said on Tuesday that they will open the International Trade and Exhibition Convention Centre (ITECC) to welcome diplomatic and government officials.

“The Mayor of Vientiane will be the host of the countdown party here on Saturday night and officials will invite diplomatic and high ranking officials to join the New Year celebration 2006,” said the ITECC Manager Souliyong.

He added the ITECC activities on the night included a fashion show and lucky draws as well as singing and dancing, and on the stroke of midnight the Vientiane Mayor will give his wishes for coming year.

“The celebration will be broadcast live on Lao National Television from 10pm on December 31, so that people at home can celebrate at the same time as diplomatic and government officials,” Souliyong explained.

The ITECC will also provide 100 tables sportsmen to join in with the New Year celebrations at the centre.

“The party will include prizes for sportsmen who earned medals at the Savannakhet games recently,” he said.

The National Culture Hall has announced that it will hold The Vientiane Countdown 2006 party, bringing more than 30 Lao singers from around the country to the capital. The evening will include modern Lao song and also songs marking the anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The celebration will be broadcast live on Lao National Television throughout the country.

Other worthy events on the night include a gathering at the Lao Plaza Hotel which will hold a Memory Forever night. Billed to be a New Years Eve extravaganza, the hotel will provide a dinner with a fashion show, followed by some good old rock in the form of The Rolling Stones , The Carpenters and The Beatles .

Don Chan Palace hotel will add a drop or two of the finest French beverages known to man during a spectacular fashion show and entertain any marauding well-wishers with popular singers Alexandra Bounxouei and Ting Phaylavanh.

Many other restaurants and night clubs are expected to have lucky draws and decorations to welcome in the New Year.

Vientiane Times
By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
(Published on December 28, 2005)