A journey of discovery on the Mekong through Laos | DW Documentary

With its rich biological diversity, the region around the Mekong River is a jewel of Asia. The river is also known as "the mother of waters.” It’s a transport route, water supply and food source for millions of people.
The film sets out in a journey to the former royal city of Luang Prabang in Laos. It’s regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in southeast Asia and to this day, religion determines everyday life: Every morning, hundreds of monks walk through the city’s ancient center to collect their alms.
In the isolated villages, some of which are only accessible by boat, most Laotians live off the land. There are huge rice paddies on the fertile banks on the Mekong; rice is the Laotians’ main staple, eaten three times a day here. The river also provides some welcome dietary variation in the form of fish.
Locals - and the odd tourist boat - also use the Mekong as a main transit route; even today, the quickest way to reach the country’s larger cities is still by river. At some point, several hundred kilometers downstream, we reach the capital Vientiane, the economic heart of Laos and a trading center for the famous Laotian woven textiles, exported from here all over the world.
#documentary #dwdocumentary #laos #mekong
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[@tynhong8751]

I’m Thai-Vietnamese, i was born in a town close to border of Vientiane. I had lived with a Laotian nanny for almost 10 years. I can’t even describe how grateful I am to be raised by her and I’m so thankful for that she taught me many things and I’m able to speak pretty fluent Laotian. When I was 15 my parents decided to send me to study abroad. Meanwhile my nanny had gone back to Laos. Years later, we can’t get a hold of her anymore because my father was the only person that knew her family but he passed away. We totally lost of contact and I haven’t heard from her ever since. I do really miss her and I hope that I will have an opportunity to see her again someday. my best and kindest nanny. 🧡

[@jurgentreue1200]

Did you nanny call herself Laotian or just Lao?

[@greybeard716]

​@@jurgentreue1200he calls her nanny aemthao pathimuaai

[@STORMY0O]

💙🕊️

[@Kaienhere]

We need more documentaries about the region of southeast Asia

[@basithpatla8602]

Exactly

[@NowinLao]

Check out "Now in Lao" 😉

[@Soundboy817]

And Africa

[@kwakunsafoah8519]

​@@basithpatla86023⁵

[@Kingofthehill84]

They failed to mentioned one very important thing about Laos as the ancestral homeland of the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Taiwanese aboriginal, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Malaysian, Indonesian, and Filipinos people confirmed by centuries of exploration, studied, research and modern day DNA test results from major labs around the World. Lao formerly known as AI Lao people also spelled Liao people the largest ethnic groups of people in the World originated from Altaic mountain, Mongolia they been living in China since the Neolithic time by 12th century during the Mongolia empire large numbers of Lao people migrated to modern day Laos, Thailand, northeast India, Burma, etc. Lao Sze Sichuan, Nanping Lao, Lao Yunnan, Lao Shanghai, Lao Beijing, Mulao, Gelao, Gelong, Hlai, Dong, Sui, Bouyei, Zhuang, Rau, Dai, Tai, Thai, Kra-Dai, Tai-Kadai, Taishanese, Hakka, Tanka, Yue, Baiyue, Yayoi/Japanese, are Lao descendants. China, Hainan Island, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Japan, northeast India, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesian, Singapore and Philippines are founded by Lao descendants.

[@wuokmayangjanguan1591]

Selisack, the fisherman, is such a positive person.

[@critical_thinker06]

Laos and it's culture is beautiful.

[@CJ_FetzOfficial]

More of this DW. I'm a history instructor and I've been following your great channel for 2 years now. Your channel never fail to show us the variety of political, social, economic, religious beliefs of every nation.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks a lot for watching and for your positive feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to comment and are glad you like our content!

[@jurgentreue1200]

I lived in Laos 2007-2015, my wife 2003-2015, but had been going the Laos yearly since 2003. It's a drop dead beautiful country with wonderful people. Some of the friendliest, hospitable people I've ever met.

[@eksbocks9438]

It's beautiful. I wish the rest of the world could be like this.

[@leehyunsong7001]

You mean poverty?

[@user-ob6kw2ct1p]

Bombed by the United States and left behind a bomb that could explode at any time?

[@moe4561]

​@@user-ob6kw2ct1p invaded by Chinese multiple times🤷‍♂️ almost like today isn't the past. At least the western world isn't treating Laos like a colony anymore where China is

[@user-ob6kw2ct1p]

不，他们依然幻想殖民中国@@moe4561

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

Actually, the Turkish outside of Istanbul are very kind and go out of their way to help me during my travel in July 2019

[@somileisan3960]

Fishermen giggle seeing small fish on the fishing nets is so adorable. Bless his heart.

[@nature2601]

It's an inspiring documentary about nature and humanity. 🙂💚🙏

[@remhk6672]

Lao people have gentle nature just like khmer people. Theyre awesome.🙏

[@RMEfootball]

Background songs🥺❤️ DW understood the assignment 😅

[@otisotis5869]

I loved this river trip; In October 2008, I took an overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (north) and then a long bus ride to the eastern Thailand, to border town Chiang Khong; it was from there that I cross into Loas then took a river boat on the Mekong from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang (with an overnight stay in Pak Beng) it is so memorable... the river, the people, the food, the smell of the Mekong.... unforgettable. I understand that now many Tourists flock to take this river boat trip and that Pak Beng has grown with hotels, motels, restaurants and ATMs (!!!!!). This was bound to happen, it is a serene place when I visited and pray it still is. Luang Prabang, the Royal seat of Laos, was a marvel and I'm sure travel development has made its way there.

[@Phosphoenol_pyruvate_CK]

Who else is being mesmerised by the Loatian tropical rainforest and is having ideas?

[@NowinLao]

I had an idea like that... and never left 👋

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

I have been to Angkor Watt Cambodia in September 2018. It's very similar. Once you started traveling, you get inspired by the new culture. I just got back from Peru, Machu Pichu++ few hours ago. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was charmed by the local people while exploring the mountains,lakes etc

[@manflynil9751]

Wonderful to watch this excellent documentary on Laos and it's gentle people. Ive spent a bit of time in Laos and will definitely be heading back thete soon.

[@dn6127]

Laos is really beautiful. And the people are wonderful!

[@SorminaESar]

Mekong river is so length and beauty. The water is so clean and good for agriculture and fishery. Mekong river's belong of Vietnam. Vietnam export rice to Indonesia. Vietnam rice is so good and beauty. Long time ago, Indonesia had exported to Vietnam, it called IR 46. Thanks DW Documentary have been sharing it.🙏

[@nguyentuanvu5034]

den tang, it's very impressive that a Laotian farmer can speak english well

[@El.Duder-ino]

Mesmerizing docu teaching how humble people with respect to nature and natural habitat can make life beautiful even with little money, being called "poor". It's completely opposite what these people r, all they need or lack r more services and engineering advancements which would make their lives a bit easier and less of struggle. Excellent docu as always DW - u should seriously to consider ALL of these documents available for download ESPECIALLY those no longer available on KZbin or your sites (even for a small subscription fee).

[@user-rh2tq1xe1i]

The laotion tour guide on the rice farm speaks english very well and his accent did not confuse anyone

[@senthil2230]

This is the first time I heard about this beautiful long river, the Mekong. Like the river, the people of Loas are so beautiful. Thank you, DW, for this special documentary. Looking forward to visiting Loas!

[@bounna1557]

It's Laos, not loas

[@peterreston6478]

I have been to Laos several times. Luang Prabang is the most beautiful town I have ever visited. The Red Cross is the best place to get a massage and great banh mi are sold from stalls in the main street. I bought a beautiful silk scarf from the shop featured in the video. It is a cherished possession. The Chinese have built a railway and they are building more dams, one close to LP. Go soon before it's too late.

[@tbagginsx]

Thanks for your insight! What do you envisage happening that makes it too late?

[@williamstropicalfarm5082]

Chinese development. Thai and Vietnamese too. So sad, but we all know how the story goes. Rich get rich and poor go starving whilst in the name of development. Before the people had very little bit were happy and content.

[@tbagginsx]

@@williamstropicalfarm5082 That is very sad. Are locals currently being displaced due to these continued foreign developments? And will that really prevent tourists from visiting the area into the future?

[@mtha7796]

@@williamstropicalfarm5082 You don't want them to be developed and rely on neighbors' media and hospitals forever?

[@jurgentreue1200]

@@tbagginsx ,, many Lao have been displaced due to the building of dams. The majority of Lao live in river valleys, where the growing of rice is easier. Developers come in and flood these river valleys when the dams are built. People are forced to move on. Villages then find themselves under water, villages with many generations of family history. It's not the villagers who gain from the building of dams. Sad.

[@xavclee]

I was born in Laos but left when I was 6. I just recently went back with my wife and kids. Laos is such an untouched and beautiful country especially in the northern regions.

[@worldview2888]

BEAUTIFUL

[@sleggy]

“The wise do not hurry and those who hurry are seldom wise” something that I badly needed to hear. Thank you!

[@jurgentreue1200]

The full name for Laos is the Lao People's Democratic Republic, of just Lao PDR. Everyone knows that stands for 'Lao Please Don't Rush'.

[@brendasays2324]

Just beautiful.. my father family are refugees from Laos. I want to send my parents back to Laos and retire out there. 2025 is the year we plan to visit. I hope I can find some land out there for them to enjoy. Thank you for sharing. The one thing I admire the most about the our people is the way we live. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@samsanyang9252]

Laos 👏❤ Dw Documentary at it again

[@RippieFarmer]

25:47 I absolutely love the woodwork in this boat!

[@borinvlogs]

absolutely beautiful place. i love the nature. imagine seeing all this view in the morning when you are having a cup of coffee.

[@leevikiviranta9071]

beautiful country and people, been there 3 times and going again!

[@sycp.6556]

Working as rice farmers, we locally call the hardship in Lao language as "Lung Su Far, Na Su Din" or Back faces Sky, Face faces Soil. Really appreciate how DW presents our traditional way of living.

[@roberthertel5565]

I really enjoyed watching this and looking forward to visiting Laos - hopefully in the near future. Thanks for sharing this documentary video :)

[@Hm-ky3nu]

The first village with the women weaving is Sop Chen village, I was there last month

[@anitagubalane7510]

Laos is such a beautiful country. People are very nice and welcoming. ❤️

[@arbaz79]

Beautiful documentary with beautiful music & natural landscapes ❤.

[@lim8581]

The Mekong River region is truly a treasure of Asia, known as 'the mother of waters.' It sustains life for millions, serving as a vital transport route, water source, and food provider. The journey to Luang Prabang showcases the beauty of Southeast Asia, where daily life is intertwined with religion. From monks' alms collection to isolated riverside villages, the Mekong's fertile banks and abundant fish enrich Laotian diets. It's heartwarming to see the river as a lifeline for both locals and tourists, connecting them to cities like Vientiane and supporting the trade of exquisite Laotian textiles worldwide.

[@brianjennings7644]

beautiful.

[@balonh1052]

If have a chance , i hope you may discover some special destinations in Vietnam, and create a special video ❤

[@bambamyong]

Great documentary 🙏🏽❤🇱🇦

[@bankwardana7111]

Excellent documentary. Glad to find this video, as I will visit Laos in early November. Nice work DW❤

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback!

[@tbagginsx]

Have a wonderful trip! And please let us know how it goes. I would really like to hear about your experience in Laos.

[@nocomment6768]

Every human in this planet must work at least 1 day in a rice field. I worked 1 hour and my perspective completely changed after that. Definitely recommended.

[@Rosco-P.Coldchain]

I was lucky enough to spend 2 tours of this beautiful country over 30 years ago and I have thought of how beautiful the place is ever since..I hope to return to visit one day 🔜 ❤ ❤

[@seablock1]

What is the name of the company that does the river cruise? This would be a very interesting voyage.

[@oldsteamguy]

It's nice to have a location documentary again.

[@ambition112]

0:10: 🌊 The Mekong River is the longest river in Southeast Asia, flowing through multiple countries and supporting rich biodiversity. 6:32: 🌃 Luang Prabang, the most beautiful city in Asia, comes alive in the evening with its night market offering a variety of food. 12:43: 👥 A Buddhist monastery in Laos provides education and support for children and adults seeking peace and learning opportunities. 18:16: 🍚 The video shows the process of rice harvesting and preparation in Laos, including the labor-intensive tasks involved. 26:14: 🛳 A captain in Laos navigates the changing river conditions and experiences difficulties due to low water levels and dangerous sand banks. 31:39: 🏠 A woman in Laos produces and sells fermented liquid to make a living, but struggles to make enough profit to support her family and help others in need. 37:19: 🌍 Foreign Chinese ginger is grown in Southeast Asia and the Tan family sells most of their harvest to China. Recap by Tammy AI

[@hajeno46]

What a wonderful documentary . We just ( in september ) did a 9 days tour with a cruise ship up the river from Vientiane to Huay xai t , the border of northern Thailand. An unforgettable journey meeting a lot of friendly people and learning a lot about the laotion culture , life-style ,food and religion. And the town of Luang Prabang is really a gem.

[@sadiththejangunawardana6733]

Fine documentary that shows Laos social, economical, political and religious background.

[@tayloreverard2039]

Every time I see these documentaries touch on fishing I can't help but feel like the whole sleepwalking into oblivion thing is viscerally real. The immense value of rivers was the birth of civilization - but very few big rivers seem to support abundance anymore. I can't help but think this river damage is the most widespread to spill over into the rest of the natural world. If we can't get our traditional pull from these gargantuan rivers, how could any other megafauna be expected to survive. In Canada we largely ignore the damage that's been done, but every so often you hear indigenous stories about the times when the rivers were literally overflowing with fish, and now we worry if any will come at all. I can accept economic development at a natural loss, but not when it completely decimates a natural environment. We only deal in extremes it seems.

[@Walkology78611.]

You’re one of the quality vlogging channels worth following.

[@AB-pr2ed]

A wonderful country to take a rest from our western rush of living. And laotian people are so friendly peoplle ❤ Thank you. Will come back for sure 😊

[@rakhichakma8114]

So amazing & beautiful village 😍😍😍

[@barrylane1055]

Excellent!!!! Thank You once again DW!!!!! I am a big fan of yours!!! Some of my friends is off to Laos and I sent him the link for the presentation. I feel like I will be able to share their experience!!!

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching! We're glad you like our content. :)

[@preciousjames]

Wonderful ❤

[@c_cma1971]

I hope to visit there one day, before the "civilised" and greedy world will touch them too. Greetings from Bucharest (Romania)!!

[@KhmerMinnesnowta]

People who live in the countryside are more laidback along the mighty Mekong River. I used to run my boat up the river to trade with the locals who lives by the river way back in the 60s before the war was erupted. Most of my family members died during the Pol Pot Khmer Rouge era from 1975 to 1979. Peace to everyone there from Khmer in Cambodia!

[@ShafiqulIslam-zu6wc]

My favourite place thanks a lots for DW.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

A wonderful and thrilled watching documentary shared by respectful ( DW) documentary channel...document about Mekong longest river which started from Tibet and passing through China 🇨🇳, Myanmar 🇲🇲 and Louis...documentary focused of Louisiana traditions ,rice agriculture and tourists existing there. Thank you for sharing

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching. :)

[@JackLe1127]

And here I am thinking Louisiana is a US state

[@laointer55]

Louisiana had a big Laotian community too.

[@kimballamram552]

@@laointer55 Providence, Rhode Island has both a Lao and Hmong community

[@NowinLao]

If you'd like to see more on Laos... 👋

[@williamstropicalfarm5082]

Recommend

[@basithpatla8602]

17:44 we here in Kerala, India also cultivating paddy in the same manner as laosian do. Due to shortage of men power now a days we turned to machines which eases our work

[@cawmseejiseeyou7746]

It is amazing to see Mekong river again.

[@drissaudia1323]

I’ve seen many documentaries on the Mekong and how and who lives from it and on it. It’s always fascinating as it’s a river through Asia that connects people and cultures, and is always evolving. DW, thank you for making a great documentary on different people that live in Laos and along the Mekong, always informative and full of interesting lives, cultures and perspectives. I love to learn about people and other cultures, and how others live in this big international world of ours. 🙏♥️♥️♥️💖💖💖💞💞💞❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@paulocarreiro5855]

I really liked this one!

[@balonh1052]

Such an interesting video, How Laos living along the river earn for living is really peaceful 🎉

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback!

[@scottmiller6270]

The video of the beginning of sunrise looked like a painting or something. Amazing

[@mrgrip2010]

Laos people are fantastic. I met some amazing people. great documentary. Thank you.

[@ramthianthomson601]

Thanks 😊

[@ridgoro]

seriously DW, I don't have time to watch all your amazing documentaries. please take a break!

[@dilkhanofficial2046]

Amazing Views

[@prashantprashant1476]

Wow. So awesome.

[@user-mw3sb7dp3n]

I love country Laos 😍

[@sukhpreetsinghmankoo]

They don't have dark circles around their eyes like every person living in the city.

[@pheromone714]

Cuz normally they sleep early

[@drissaudia1323]

11:13 I love this ritual. So peaceful. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@bensonabuan5865]

beautiful very calm and lovely documentary

[@bushmansa518]

The music should be Native to the regions to feel more authentic? Still a lovely doc

[@arindamkesh4762]

The last line from the Laotian proverb aptly sums up the documentary and the country.

[@samsayasane1934]

Love your vedio. Beautiful. Camera works ,well edited. ❤❤❤

[@IMatthew26]

Loving it! Laos has entered my bucket list :)

[@yegovincent]

A beautiful country & a beautiful people. I'd love to visit some day.

[@asiandraven5240]

Fun fact: When the Mekong river reach to the southern part of Vietnam, the river itself divided into 9 different paths to the sea and the people there in Vietnam call it "Sông Cửu Long" Which mean 9 Dragons river and it does look like 9 little 🐉 lol

[@kitronmar2949]

Great documentary, thank you!

[@singhi89]

wow, it's enjoyable.

[@kimballamram552]

Thanks for an excellent documentary on Laos as it showcases the true spirit of the people along the river

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

No wonder i missed this episode, i was hiking at Rainbow Mountain in Peru the day this was originally posted. I visited Cambodia in September 2019, Lao is on my bucket list 😊

[@DocRNA]

Wonderful documentary on Meikong river. Thank You DW.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Be sure to check out our channel for more content.

[@kingsleyasare6519]

nature is very delicate and interconnected, the earlier humans get this basic understanding the better for us all

[@funforlifeenjoylife7651]

😢😢😢 Many of my Mong people died crossing that Mekong river!!!!!

[@swapnillondhe8517]

I like this Documentry & DW channel is very good 👍- & the ❤ Best' informer Best story Good Narration Best voice Good Direction Best scene all is 👍 Team work ❤

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching!

[@DailyHadith26]

Very nice documented ❤❤

[@ABIRATATANCHANGYA-fb6oq]

Thank you for informations about the livelihood of simple people of Laos.

[@beelstyle]

My homeland, I wish to visit one day.

[@guruchoykokkee]

Most importantly, u need to have enough hospital beds and air mattresses. It was a terrific waiting for availability of hospital bed and air mattresses that never came experience in April and May this year for my elderly mum. 😢

[@Bannok999]

Good documentary ..cheers from Thailand

[@chrisperkins7331]

I have lived in Lao for the last 17 years. It has its problems as many have stated. However the most important aspect of life (community cohesion) is found here in abundance that few other nations can match.

[@jurgentreue1200]

I lived in Laos 2007-2015, my wife 2003-2015. We used to live in a suburban part of Vientiane, about five kilometres from the city centre. We were the only falang, probably within 500 metres from our home, and the only falang in our street. Everyone was super friendly and engaging.

[@nilanjanachatterjee9023]

Excellent video 😊

[@bedeya-dn1qo]

Amazing ❤❤

[@thetruthspeaksvolumesq4351]

Amazing documentary ❤❤

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and for your constructive feedback! :-)

[@user-mh7qk1ei7b]

Beautyful river mekong

[@greg5466]

i think i just fell in love with the people of Laos.

[@nahteo]

Laos and the Lao people are wonderful! I've traveled deep into the countryside of Lao, there's a surprising amount of Chinese owned banana plantations with toxic runoff into the watersheds

[@williamstropicalfarm5082]

And the rest... it's a shame. Visit now before it's gone

[@modulaoblongata2050]

Chinese like to create harm anywhere they exist

[@kakumee]

I think the rice tourist thing is very cool!

[@skscorporation9534]

All over the world DW is great news channel. ❤❤❤