Laos – Pathet Lao Caves, Viengxay, Houaphanh province From the caves at Viengxay, between 1964 and 1973 the Pathet Laos politburo ran its government and military affairs. At the time, this cave complex was the nerve centre of the communist insurgency against the US backed Royal Lao Government. At its height, around 20,000 Pathet Lao government officials, various government departments and wider supporters lived and worked in these caves. 18 of them are now open to the public in an extremely scenic area spread out over several kilometres.
mekongresponsibletourism.org
www.mekongresponsibletourism.org The war is still having its effect on children born decades after the conflict ended. UXO –explosive ordnance that didn’t detonate when fired or dropped – contaminates the whole country and prevents people from using land. UXO might be hidden under a school playing field or a house, or in fields…. When they are disturbed, by digging or often by children picking them up and playing with them, they explode. It is estimated that UXO kills and injures one person a day, every day in Laos and that it will take another 20 years to clear them.
