Laos China Railway - Check Out First Class | Now in Lao

Our return trip on the Laos China railway high speed train and not everything runs as smoothly as we anticipated.
Laos China Railway - Check Out First Class | Now in Lao
I go in search of first class also and show you the difference in seat quality. Remember, this is only the first few days of operation and not all services are available.
Everyday life in Laos, we live in Vientiane, Now in Lao with Lao wife, Neenee Lao life living in Laos capturing the Lao lifestyle, daily life in Lao, where to go in Laos, travel destinations, Laos tourism, customs, Lao development and how people live in Laos in their travel Laos videos and travel vlogs. Now to Lao, Vlogging Laos S.E.Asia !!
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My name is Todd and i am an Australian currently living in Laos with my wife, Neenee.
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Music:

[@DannyChean]

It's quite natural to have problems as long as they are addressed with accumulated experiences. Laos went from having no rail of any time, not even steam engine ones, to now having one of the most advanced rail systems in SEA. It's the kind of things that you need to allow time for both the country and people to get used to.

[@blackknight4996]

Well said.... very balanced view.

[@CarstenHazz]

Wait they don't had any rail? THAT'S HUGE STEP

[@zhaoyuzhang2751]

@@CarstenHazz 4 kilometers railway in the entire country.

[@sammylee9402]

@@CarstenHazz they have only 4KMs rail to connect from Thailand to their border technically. and now they are the first country in South east Asia has bullet train!

[@lukerabin5079]

I’m interested to see how long they hold onto their 25% of the system.

[@jeffreysoo8779]

Give them another 3 years after the pandemic, you will see shops, restaurants and even hotels next to Luang Prabang station. It is still a learning stage for Laos as this is something new. They have done well so far.

[@sunnyraining7346]

fair enough.

[@level1selamat155]

Yes... government must not approve any business that may involve flesh trade especially involving young underage

[@jasonlucas2328]

I went to Laos and loved the food and people there. How can Laos pay back the loan? Can I tell my bank to allow me to delay for a year to pay the mortgage?

[@zongchangsong5477]

For first-class seats, the small table is folded and stored in the armrest. You didn't find it.

[@LootGoblin4118]

Yes, sometimes you have to watch what others do, rather than break an arm off trying to get it to work... ;)

[@robrak3569]

There you’re Todd… you have learned a few good tips …. Don’t criticise anyone before you’ve done your work 😅😃😂

[@terry1708]

As a Chinese living in North America, I hope all the developing countries can develop faster and at least help their people get out of poverty. They need infrastructure,such as road, train, airport, sea port and good governance than anything else.

[@robrak3569]

They also need support and assistance from rich countries not…… exploitation nor sanctions

[@zes3813]

wrrrr

[@natalievue6440]

I think other countries have given Laos financial support to its. economy and to help its. people but the funds. are not being used for its purpose, which. is sad.

[@tsakiree]

American can't even solve the one million homeless in the country if you don't believe me come to LA

[@robrak3569]

@@natalievue6440 Do you honestly think that all you need is relying on the help from others to develop your economy? Stop being delusional! Show me anyone that gets rich from others handouts?

[@JoyCTBD]

Laos will open the country in early 2022. We invite foreigners or foreigners to visit Laos to enjoy the fresh air, nature and many other tourist attractions for you to visit.

[@JoyCTBD]

The Lao-China train will be more convenient for tourists to travel

[@JoyCTBD]

Laos welcomes all of you to visit Laos 🙏🙏🙏🥰🥰🥰

[@JoyCTBD]

Phar Hak will ask you to travel in Laos and have fun 🤗🤗🤗

[@robinjohanson1326]

The problem may seem to be just a difference in living habits.In fact, the history of Chinese people drinking hot water is not so long.In ancient China, boiling hot water was mainly used to make tea, and there was very little for drinking hot water. The reason is very simple，in ancient times fuel was very valuable, people use it for cooking, bathing and heating.Chinese people drink hot water is a matter of recent history, here we have to talk about the "patriotic health" campaign during the Korean War,The U.S. military launched inhumane germ warfare in North Korea and northeast China,The campaign was launched to avoid the spread of the epidemic, and one of the important initiatives is to drink boiled water instead of raw water.High temperature boiling water, the bacteria are almost killed, Since then it has become the habit of the Chinese to drink boiled hot water(or after it's cooled down)rather than raw water.

[@blowindzhang6795]

You got it. I guess even 90%+ Chinese don't know this history like you. You really have a deep knowledge about China

[@Liron-z7l]

​@@blowindzhang6795 了解！朝鲜战争打了3年美国对我们中国投了很多的细菌跟病毒导弹！可惜当年我们的导弹还不能覆盖全美国！

[@dea01ify]

Thank Robin you for the detailed explanation. I thought it might of been for a health and safety reason.

[@peterc66]

That doesn't explain how Taiwanese also drink hot water. I don't find this explanation accurate but I also need to do more research.

[@longhei6323]

@@peterc66 哈哈哈，这都需要较真吗？中国人从小就被教育把水烧开了后不会有感染的风险，中国的饮茶历史就是喝开水的历史。

[@jkyoung1109]

Hi Todd, very glad that your video showed blue house in the corner where you made a left turn (2:13) round about that used to be my home in the '70s. It give me chill to see that blue house still standing today. Love your video and song. Someday I too will visit Laos and perhaps come to eat at Nene and your restaurant. Keep up the great video. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@NowinLao]

I love hearing comments like yours. Thank you

[@albertwesker3165]

Thank you for your video. From your video, I can feel the Laos people are very happy and exciting about this railway. I am also very happy that this railway indeed make their life more convenient and bring new opportunity of development.

[@alextan6551]

It's good that dispenser only serve hot water for making tea n baby milk.. For cold water you can buy bottled mineral water

[@loganberi2816]

In China, railway stations and trains have hot water dispensers. Most Chinese carry hot water flasks with tea leaves and top up them with hot water at these facilities during their travel. Cold water, I suppose you have to buy in bottles from a vending machine or a shop. Looks like these hot water dispensers are meant for Chinese travellers.

[@陈俊-l6x]

吃泡面

[@xuebinfeng8451]

I am Chinese and I really cannot tolerate those hot water machines. It is just weird to serve 100C water.

[@QWERTY-gv2fn]

@@xuebinfeng8451 我喝凉水会拉肚子，凉开水也会，25岁以前我可以喝凉水，但是现在不行了。

[@kakalee3464]

100° water is to make sure the security and clean of the water without any backterias

[@zl7491]

First time for Laos to run a passenger rail system. Be patient and give them some time. I think they are working on the online platform for buying tickets.

[@eckligt]

Todd, I have a little anecdote from my flight back home to Europe from China some years ago. There was a group of middle-aged Chinese ladies sitting across the aisle from me. The drinks cart came around shortly after take-off. The Lufthansa cabin attendant tried to indicate that orange juice was orange juice and that apple juice was apple juice, by holding the juice carton up and enunciating its content very clearly. Of course the Chinese ladies didn't understand anything. In the end, the cabin attendant just gave them water. But I peeked over when they first tasted the water, and I could see the ladies whincing at the first sip of this water -- it was cold. A bit later, a Chinese-speaking cabin attendant came from another part of the A380, and they managed to negotiate that they could be allowed hot water from the galley, and fill up their thermos flasks (that I guess they would have been full of green tea until they reached the security check at the airport). They seemed content the rest of the trip. So yes, in China they drink hot water.

[@dougm3037]

That was my first thought with the hot water as well...Tea. Mind you you'd think thery could provide some cold water as well.

[@中国杨]

lol yes every Chinese have been told from a very young age that hot water can cure any ailment … there’s some interesting history with this unique habit of chinese…. and i can see why hot water is only written in Chinese at the station, no English or Lao

[@刘云飞-m7i]

@@中国杨 Why do Chinese people drink hot water? The earliest source is the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. The U.S. military used biological and chemical weapons, including bacteria and pests, on the border between China and North Korea. So Chairman Mao Zedong called on the people of the whole country to promote sanitation and encourage drinking boiled water to avoid bacterial infection. This is where the vast majority of Chinese people drink boiled water. Before the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Chinese people had drunk cold water for thousands of years. It was only because of U.S. imperialism that they had to drink boiled water, and it remains a daily habit today.

[@rider660r]

@@刘云飞-m7i LMAO you need to get off the Commie BS Propaganda Train.... Biological and chemical weapons....LMAO

[@NowinLao]

@蔡English it looks like the rest of the world is poor then 😐

[@lohremohamad3405]

In most cases, in train station in China, you can have only hot drinking water from tap. cold water from the tap normally is not for direct drinking. cold drinking water is sold as bottle water .

[@iuok6679]

我不懂英文，我用中文回答你，中国人在古代经过一场全国性的霍乱病，解决问题就是烧开水杀菌，在全国推广，所以一直保持习惯到现在。

[@lchfantasykungfu8619]

早期火车站的冷水是不能喝的，现在火车站的冷水啥可以喝的。 只是我们的观点啥，等热水冷掉再喝

[@lgya999]

现在的自来水是可以喝的，只是中国人已经习惯了，冷水是不卫生有细菌的观念。 我曾经尝试过喝中国的自来水，并没有拉肚子。

[@oneviwatara9384]

Why don't they used water filter to getting rid of bacteria from tap water?

[@kakalee3464]

@@oneviwatara9384 because filter cannot get rid of micro-biology level. eg, backteria, virus. boiled water will be more security

[@azzamatic4190]

Yes it's more common to drink hot water than cold water in China even if it's a hot day as it's believed to be beneficial to your health. Those hot water dispensers are also used for cooking instant cup noodles.

[@yinlongliu2968]

Why do Chinese people drink hot water? The earliest source is the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. The U.S. military used biological and chemical weapons, including bacteria and pests, on the border between China and North Korea. So Chairman Mao Zedong called on the people of the whole country to promote sanitation and encourage drinking boiled water to avoid bacterial infection. This is where the vast majority of Chinese people drink boiled water. Before the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Chinese people had drunk cold water for thousands of years. It was only because of U.S. imperialism that they had to drink boiled water, and it remains a daily habit today.

[@xuebinfeng8451]

@@yinlongliu2968 But still, 100C is too much. They should just leave the water somewhere cooler and wait for it to cool down to lower than 80C

[@ericeverson5956]

Excellent idea & video. Thanks Todd.

[@cyrilpeterlee1]

World class railway , having teething problems , love the music you played. Thanks Todd.

[@StevenX-v1r]

I will visit Laos by taking these wonderful trains after the pandemic. I bet it will be very crowded then

[@johnyule8746]

Thanks for showing us mate.very interesting great music

[@lohremohamad3405]

Train stations in Laos provide inteval service like selling tickets because the Laos' staff need to be trained during the "rest" time.

[@2055615158g]

Appreciate. ประทับใจหลายๆ ที่ได้ รีวิว บันยากาด ของทำมะชาด บ้านเมืองลาว โดยสะเพาะ ขะบวนรถไฟ ความไวสูง ลาว-จีน. ขอบใจแทน ชาว สปปลาว เด้อ

[@pondlt9999]

it's semi high speed not high speed train.

[@zozomo2911]

The small folding table for the first-class seat is under the armrest cover. Open it and you will find it

[@colinfirth2012]

he tried and almost open it, but still, he missed it. If you look at others with malice, you can't find anything good.

[@lovinenglanduk]

Even Laos has a high speed rail now! Hope we UK will have some soon. It takes four and half hour travelling from London to Plymouth, so slow.

[@donhuang9855]

Yep, it will take some times before quality services in Laos's HSR becomes up-tp-speed with most modern HSR stations in China and other nations with MRT services. Some foreign entities like McDonald, KFC, 7-11, etc will eventually become a norm in Lao's HSR stations and information on ticketing and other related facilities on Lao's HSR services becomes common knowledge in hotels, service apartments, and tourist-related service industires in Laos. Perhaps, Laos need to hire foreign professional HSR or MRT management to operate in order to better provide modern quality services, generate more revenues through advertisement sign boards, food / drink kioks, drinking dispensing machines, business service centres, etc.

[@stevenlee3422]

The servis in China is outstanding,they have a security in the train,the problem Is in Laos,Laos need to learn more about security and services in the train

[@donhuang9855]

The problem is Lao's HSR needs to generate a certain critical mass in order to be able to generate revenues to provide for more quality services. It will take another year or so, due to the pandemic situation, before tourists from China, Asean nations and tourists outside of SEA arrives by the millions to make Lao's HSR a viable and sustainable operation.

[@robinpark3521]

The music and street photos are so good.

[@obiwan5781]

Very good point about toilets being accessible outside of the station. Sure build some if future I hope lol

[@WisdomTree2024]

always awesome todd :) nice seeing ya guys as always. ty, cheers

[@cashmerecat9269]

Same analogy..if you go to a newly opened restaurant, you'll experience the hiccup service and awkward of the staff. But after a few weeks, they'll run smoother, too.

[@LootGoblin4118]

awesome song during the tuk tuk trip, very apt... fitted the setting...

[@alextan6551]

😁 the video pic is very nice n clear..

[@JC-lx1gm]

Providing hot water is deliberate. You can get cold water easily, bring one or buy one, but it is not so easy to find hot water when you have special needs, conside you want to make baby milk, instant coffee, noodle and so on.

[@NowinLao]

We did bring one. There was nowhere to buy more or fill up. Please keep up 😏

[@zozomo2911]

the C81 train Luang Prabang Arrive at 13:18, depart at 13:24，15:12 arrive in Vientiane. C83 train Luang Prabang depart at 18:16，20:20 arrive in Vientiane. At the ticket office on the right side of the station, you can see the ticket information on the LED screen inside through the glass. The exit LED screen on the left of the station displays train arrival information

[@SoloNomadicSenior]

Did anyone ride the C81 13:24 Luang Prabang train yet? Or Is the C81 train in service yet? Thanks ...

[@zozomo2911]

@@SoloNomadicSenior Each train runs normally, but the C81 train from Luang Prabang Station is one stop to Vientiane Station. Passengers going to Vang Vieng and Phonhong cannot buy tickets for train C81

[@SoloNomadicSenior]

@@zozomo2911 Thanks, very helpful. Where to find these very helpful info

[@zozomo2911]

@@SoloNomadicSenior Facebook of Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd.

[@gracedara8183]

@@zozomo2911 That makes sense. Good information. Thank you.

[@FrancesAnneFong]

Hope they have good maintainance like japan. Always good as new everytime you travel.

[@whatsaname4347]

Great video. The woes of public transport. I got stuck at Chang Mai bus terminal on a public holiday with limited buses, cancelled services and ticketing problems. But being a public holiday NO beer. But at least the water was cold.

[@alanOHALAN]

15:55 It actually says in Chinese that you can switch modes, and increase or decrease the water temperature. So it should provide colder water.

[@michaelkotarski429]

Very impressive new attractive station and train. This is helpful, informative and educational video. I want to visit this place. . As a foreigner I need to. know these things so I can plan to bring water, sort out the toilet and maybe keep the Tuk Tuk driver on standby until I am sure I can get inside. I will still visit but it is just normal and truthful to alert me so I can prepare for these circumstances. The author of the video did an excellent job in balancing needs of the East and West. Thank You. So beautiful the new clean station and train.

[@somphonthammavong9862]

Big thanks for your video, it is useful and informative for people who plan to use this service as well as the Laos China railway. Hope Lao China railway people see your video and improve the service facilities being as at least SEA's standard not Laos standard.

[@lechen5540]

Thanks for your video. Good to know those issues and problems. It's a typical Chinese-standard service, and hopefully will be improved soon.

[@michaelakers3264]

What a great adventure. You’re breaking new ground in unknown territory like you do in all your excellent vids. Thanks for the hard work. Great vid .

[@daddybob6096]

Very good vid and narration Todd, including a subtle bit of humour regarding the missing comfort rooms, LOL. Awesome building i thought. Bob. (Across the ditch).

[@cryptohodler1295]

Yes, water dispensers at the train stations in China only had hot water, and you can buy cold water bottles from the convenience stored. Teething problems for Lao stations, they need to build facilities around it.

[@MrShou-nw7yv]

hot water is to be used for instant noodles or tea sth. like that.

[@johnroberts7404]

I expect there will be many food vendors and stores at the stations very quickly. Lao people never complain publicly but they will certainly want access to food and water on the go.

[@赵选卜]

错了，中国车站的饮水机分别提供冷水和热水，你甚至可以调配出任何温度高于20度的水。

[@CocoNut2018]

Yes. Chinese folks drink hot water. It's very popular in trains and hotels. They consider drinking cold water is bad for you. They believe in the cold/heat body balance. Warm water doesn't shock your internals. I lived in China for 6 months in a university dorm and I was provided a thermos to fill hot water in the lobby.

[@ftd7435]

Give them time. The railway is less than a year old to date ( today is 16 July 2022 ). Laozi said over 2,000 years ago, "The Journey Of A Thousand Miles Starts With One Step". They've taken the first step, next come "fine tunings".

[@huping7706]

尴尬了，照搬中国的经验到老挝🤣在中国几乎都是网络APP上买好票，提前一小时从家里出发 赶到火车站，不用在火车站等很久 ，而且中国国内火车站是全天候开放的 ，所以火车站外是没厕所的。 但是也有特殊情况 就是春节期间 很多农民工移动的时候 在火车站外会有流动厕所

[@shawnmo3887]

我想因为老挝目前每天的班车太少，间隔几个小时，所以平时车站选择关闭，如果一直开放就要开着灯，通风系统，不知道还有没有空调，总之都是挺大的浪费。这个肯定是中国设计师一开始没料到的，所以不会在车站外设计厕所。不过这个要改正也不难，就看政府愿不愿意出钱给每个车站增加厕所。 关于热开水的事也是管理方面考虑不周，这种要改也不难，就是更换机器即可。 提前售票这种事情也不难，即使当地没有发达的app购票系统，以前我们没有网络购票时代，车票都是可以分销给市内的代理商的。

[@huping7706]

@@shawnmo3887 直接把12306增加老挝的车站上去就行了 ，就是支付是个问题，总不能让老挝人直接用支付宝吧

[@rachel.please3929]

In Chinese stations people were filling up their tea bottles with the hot water. They are everywhere!

[@blueli6351]

Yes Chinese drink hot water... Some bring tea leaf with themself all the time as well... After a year, things petty much the same it seems... I am doing research for my trip to Laos. Thanks for your video. Really help a lot

[@seekingtruth1315]

Public transportation system and shelter for rain & sun in square, the restroom outside the exit gate, online ticket system, parking lots management system should be the next things to do.

[@shawnmo3887]

I guess they close the station is probably for saving the energy, coz the train schedule usually for hours, if the lights and ventilation system on will be huge waste of energy. In China, the station always open, they don't need to build toilets outside of the building, I think the building designers didn't expect that would be different from China.

[@barebarekun161]

Laos doing amazingly well for a country that never have commercial rail transport before to have a medium to high speed trains linking with China in one fell swoop. A bit unfair that you expect them to get it right whereas the countries that have trains for decades still don't get things right the first time in their newly opened route.

[@ericeverson5956]

212 F, that is the temperature that water boils. Todd, you were supposed to bring dry Chinese noodles in a cup:) Loved the video................Mr. Google:)

[@ylw]

16:00 I believe you can adjust the temperature with the up/down arrows?

[@richwen8769]

in China we serve both hot water (for tea and instant noodle) and cold water for drink , and vender machines for food and bottled or tin Canned drinks

[@SidSaynamgeuim]

@ 20:18 - I thought the service staffs already finished training school and ready to be employed before opening on the 3rd of this month!

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Todd, another well narrated vlog with a beautiful musical score and quite the tuk tuk ride. 👍👍👍; Anything new is going to have clitches. As they say s___t happens. Be well my friend. 👍👍👍 Jim and Harriet . Richmond, Va.

[@booknary]

It seems that the railway line is still under construction XD. There should be vending machines, shops and so on. Hope you will meet them in the future. Hot water is quite normal in China, there is hot water in stations, schools and hospitals. A few decades ago, China had mass health publicity and activities. At that time, drinking hot water became one of the contents of publicity. Until now, it has become a common sense.

[@yinlongliu2968]

Why do Chinese people drink hot water? The earliest source is the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. The U.S. military used biological and chemical weapons, including bacteria and pests, on the border between China and North Korea. So Chairman Mao Zedong called on the people of the whole country to promote sanitation and encourage drinking boiled water to avoid bacterial infection. This is where the vast majority of Chinese people drink boiled water. Before the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Chinese people had drunk cold water for thousands of years. It was only because of U.S. imperialism that they had to drink boiled water, and it remains a daily habit today.

[@yzhang2019]

Nice background music！ it makes the trip look easier.

[@qinzhenx]

If you look back to history of China's city expanding speed, you will know 10-15 km from old town to new planned downtown is nothing. Less than 10 years, those trains stations will absorb massive population from nearby area and two town centres will be merged with new roads and housing. Consider Lao is basically un-developed, it could be quicker.

[@boluomi99]

卖土地吧在火车站与城市之间，未来二十年这会是一大笔财富。

[@olezemin6658]

just tell me who does not want a fast and clean train like this? It really improve the life of the citizen connected.

[@gj8550]

Is it just me or do you also find the man in this video arrogant and condescending, despite his crocodile tears after thoughts comments at the beginning suggesting that the sub par services were due to its newness. Throughout the video, he was bitching about the train schedule not being posted online, train station not open, lack of out door toilet, no vending machine, no dining car and above all no cold drinking water. Not once did he complement on the positive aspects such as cleanliness, the speed, the quietness or smoothness of the ride.

[@NowinLao]

This is my second video on the train. Maybe you should watch my first video before opening your mouth and looking like a fool. So yeah.. it is just you.

[@gj8550]

@@NowinLao Maybe you should have mentioned that in your video. Joke’s on you.

[@NowinLao]

@@gj8550 I did mention it. Even gave you the link to click on and watch. Time to brush up on your comprehension skills buddy 😏

[@frednerk2127]

It's great the Laos can afford a rail system like that. Here in Australia, 3rd world country, most long haul rail travel is prohibitly expensive.

[@KOP-KK5]

Hello Uncle, welcome to come in Laos

[@chopsticksmaster6543]

Yes it's very common for the Chinese to drink hot water. It's part of Chinese medicine never to drink cold because it contracts your organs etc. so they don't function as well. It's very common in China at the train stations and on the trains they serve hot water. It's to make their tea or instant soup or just to drink alone. I remember when they first served me a cup of hot water in China in a school office. I told them to put some tea in it.

[@johneverett6751]

Love the music Todd..good work mate..👍👍🦘🦘🦘🦘

[@NowinLao]

Cheers Jack 👍

[@ericeverson5956]

They could have used construction portable toilets. Cheap & light. Take away later?

[@billsimpson2392]

Thanks Todd. A great little "get away option". 👍

[@zd8159]

Eventually, the railway will run through Southeast Asia to Singapore. Laos will gain great economic benefits from it.

[@KavanOBrien]

The stations are nice thou ,most new projects have teething issues, song comes to mind as always = ( Ticket to ride = The Beatles ).

[@Zerpentsa6598]

It's most unusual for a large railway station which does not allow the public entry unless they have tickets. One can only surmise it's because they do not yet have enough staff, covid concerns, or they have security concerns. I expect they will soon change so that the station will be open to the general public.

[@shulanzhou2746]

It is fun to ride on new trains. Others might have already commented on the water situation. Water supply in majority part of the world is not up to snuff. Boiling it will ensure that people don't get sick from drinking cold water from the tap. Hot water also allows people to make instant noodles and make tea. On trains in China, hot water is already supplied. Cold water is not potable in most cases. You typically have to buy bottled cold water. Yes, they should allow people to use bathroom, even without a train ticket.

[@kofeesala23]

100-degree water is safe to drink (after cooling down) since it is, technically speaking, sterile. Also, the hot water could be used for preparing instant noodles, which is a popular convenience food in that part of the world. Most differently, Chinese people do not drink cold tap water at all.

[@billyvrbanjac5381]

My father is on his death bed and this song so makes me want to cry....But Thank You

[@douglasrussell5098]

They are just like the rest of us. Drink cold water! Stations look great! Hopefully they learn on the go!

[@lukerabin5079]

I love Luang Prabang. So much history, so much to see.

[@oneviwatara9384]

Luang Prabang will be renamed to sacred land in coming years from now.

[@jamburger6269]

In China, you have both "cold" and hot water in train station. There is hot water on train but I'm not about the cold one because I have never search for it...

[@中国杨]

hot water is probably more commonly provided in China than cold water…

[@yu-jd5jg]

This is the 1st HSR in Laos and the whole of ASEAN for that matter. Allow the locals to learn and get used to its operation over time. No need to be that critical at this stage. Foreigners must also learn to respect appreciate and be grateful to be allowed to stay in this country

[@nancylee7435]

Agree with your point here..

[@donhuang9855]

Not a good excuse as building the USD 6 billion Laos HSR demands a corresponding quality service facilities to match it's modern status. Hire foreign professional MTR or HSR managements with proven experiences to operate Laos' HSR to speed up the learning curves for the locals, and perhaps may even generate more revenues with advertisments, privatise food/drink kiosks, foreign fast food outlets, etc. Feed backs such as providing out-door toilet facilties / seats, should also be taken from passengers for reviews of their existing loop holes in services quality.

[@yu-jd5jg]

@@donhuang9855 I must remind you this is Laos and not in a Western country

[@donhuang9855]

@@yu-jd5jg It does not take much monies or experiences or time to copy what is already proven formulae in other countries like Thailand and Malaysia. Hiring foreign expertise, say from Thailand, to manage LAO's HSR is the best way to short circuit the "learning curves'. Generating more revenues from advertisement signboards within /outside the LAO HSR stations, coin dispensing drinking / fast food machines, pay to use toilet facilities (outside) the HSR stations, private drink / food kiosks, fast food restaurants like KFC, Mcdonalds, 7-11, etc are all revenue generating profits that no management worth their salts would miss to provide. Like most other countries in ASEAN does withn their latest modern infrastructures, market LAO's HSR stations as a tourist attraction for the LAO's people as well.

[@yu-jd5jg]

@@donhuang9855 Just respect them they have their own way of doing things more suitable for them. And time is on their side

[@natalievue6440]

Some necessary things are definitely a disappointment such as no drinking fountain, public toilets at the stations, and anti-bacterial handwash especially. during this pandemic. Thank you for the heads up. from your video here. It was helpful to. know and prepare ahead if we are visiting in the future. Then there is no. food tray in first class? Well, we just got jipped for paying. first class for nothing.

[@jorgenrh7598]

Nice. But I will not rush in to make the trips I am planning until everything runs as supposed. No need to put myself into a bad mood before a trip that must be enjoyable.😇😇🤔🤔😊😊😊

[@lawrencechua1012]

"I'd be dirty too after realizing there's no chip machines here." lol ❤️

[@mikekok]

It can only get better! After all it's their 1st fast train station.

[@lifeinzed7360]

yes in china they drink hot water. it's also considered healthier.

[@陈昱良-v3p]

We Chinese do experience such speed all the time on train, and the train, whose speed is lower than 160 is quite rare. Plus we Chinese like drinking hot water, that why even laotian train station serve only hot water. you know, most of passengers are laos and Chinese.

[@wallywombat164]

All good, especially the music.

[@billyvrbanjac5381]

Love That song...My Lady ...

[@johnroberts7404]

Great vid. Was expecting a Kylie or Little Eva Locomotion song though. Maybe next time?

[@NowinLao]

Don't tempt me mate 😝

[@selectivitism]

Chinese built things can be magnificent, but they lack the attention to details to provide good user experience. In this aspect a lot of things can be learnt from developed countries such as US and Japan

[@kongwong5255]

Learn from the New York metro?

[@kind03cn]

16:10 hahaha, Chinese likes to drink hot / warm water (40-60 degree Celsius) instead of icy cold water. But recently most water machines in China can serve both hot, warm, and cold water. I guess Lao-China railway company bought some old model of the drinking machine to save money.

[@nickhubbard3671]

Yes - interesting! Try again in a month's time. (bring nibbles and beer and ice as backup.) sok dii der!

[@zozomo2911]

I hope you can see the toilets outside the station when you go to the train station again in a month without going into the station

[@NowinLao]

Sure, we'll be back 👌 We know what to bring now 😉

[@sayaandyangsaya2756]

Cool~

[@Helghast73]

Once they cotton on that the train station will be a hive of activity I expect shops and restaurants will open up all around it. Maybe they could open part of the station that has the toilet facilities 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@rkmrbig]

Chinese pretty much don't drink cold water, it's all about the warm water. You should see the look on most of the waiters face when my wife ask for hot water in U.S. restaurants.Most all Chinese households have hot water dispensers. I thought Laos would be the same. Guess not. Take Care

[@chrisperkins7331]

There is a water dispenser that is common in most Lao homes which dispenses hot or cold water. The 20 liter water containers cost $0.40, delivered to your door. No one drinks water from there tap. It seems the most sensible drinking water system I have ever seen from my many years of world travel.

[@yearbattery]

1. Q: Why there is no cool drinking water in the train station? A: It’s a water boiler, in China, it is for pouring the hot water into a thermos cup (bottle) to make tea, also to make hot instant noodle. Because the equipment is from China, so it’s not fit for the hot locations. 2. Q: Why there is no food table in 1st class seat? A: It’s in your left hand side, you almost got it when you were try to flip the cover open by using your right hand, but you need to try it in your left hand side, flip the cover open, and lift the folded food table out.

[@NowinLao]

Thank you 😁👍

[@tianlingchen5523]

As long as Americans are willing to pay enough money and pay in kind, such as soybeans, natural gas or gold, some industrial products, or renminbi, instead of using dollars that lack credit, our Chinese companies can build a more advanced and beautiful America. And the infrastructure that absolutely meets the needs of Americans

[@johncarr5238]

Although people can't see it but the world is changing for the better for humanity. Times of enslavement will be no more. The people of these lands have been raped of their mineral wealth for centuries. People of Lao and less off countries will eventually get their god given rights back and live life as its supposed to be in unity as one. A New world will is being evolved. Stay strong.

[@leebruce2148]

Wow the music and song is so Relaxing just want to for get wants Happening all over the world your Wife is so lovely tod .

[@antonydean8063]

Lee,, its a Cat Stevens song but not the Cat singing, i would love to hear all Cat Stevens songs with Todd famous vid trips....😁😁

[@NowinLao]

So would I Anthony.. but then I'd be working for nothing 😔

[@jingwang211]

The song is very nice to hear in the video，please tell me name of the song if there is anybody who knows it。thanks。

[@portline3]

Good constructive points of view Todd and I agree with almost all you say, I do just wonder if the station at LP is locked for part of the day because of Covid restrictions and in normal times the interior of the station would be accessible for at least most of the day, Never thought I would see you and Neenee eating Beef Jerky on a train in Vangers........wonders will never crase!! 😊😊👍👍

[@ednutsify]

Well, that train is better than anything in his country -& it made him so small, he can't help himself finding faults which were not faults actually, like the outside toilet which he was too lazy to look search & the seat food tray (he was so ignorant he didnt know because he isn't used to riding planes in first class- the food tray is folded into the armrest just like in first-class airplane seats hahaha)

[@makolotomachi4624]

every thing new for us , must be use alot of time to control it , will stable and better soon 😷

[@alabamarebel9480]

Thank U for the vdo, in Thailand, hope to visit Laos again soon.

[@onoonos3737]

Of course, there will be problems. You can always find problems if you looking for them. Question is whether the problem is systematic or structural, permanent or just short term.

[@chrisperkins7331]

Hi Guys well that was an interesting journey. The comparison between the train and station experience compared to how the rest of Lao is massive. The pandemic has exacerbated the experience of looking like a different planet, but it all looks so out of place. I have just read that you will now need the booster jab to do that journey, which means even fewer will likely bother to go on the train.

[@NowinLao]

Interesting. Where did you read that Chris? I haven't heard anything about it. It will change things a lot, considering we need to pay for vaccinations now.

[@chrisperkins7331]

@@NowinLao Just sent F/B message, from Lao expat group.

[@benleno]

@@NowinLao I just got a booster and didn't have to pay.

[@NowinLao]

@@benleno where at Ben?

[@benleno]

@@NowinLao mittaphab hospital