Phonsavan history

The history of Phonsavan is a story of rebirth and a new beginning. Unlike the ancient cities of Laos, Phonsavan is a very young city, whose history is inextricably linked to the events of the second half of the 20th century.

Foundation and New Role

The city of Phonsavan, whose name translates as "Hills of Paradise," was founded in the mid-1970s. Its emergence was a forced measure: it was built to become the new administrative centre of Xiangkhoang Province. The former capital, Xiangkhoang City (also known as Muang Khoun), was completely destroyed during the hostilities that took place in the region from the 1960s to the 1970s. Thus, Phonsavan was created from the very beginning as a modern centre for provincial administration.

Key Development Factors

The development of the city was defined by two main factors:

• Administrative Status: As the new provincial capital, Phonsavan concentrated all key government and administrative functions, which contributed to its growth and population attraction.
• Geographical Location: The city is located on the strategically important Xiangkhoang Plateau at an altitude of about 1,100 metres. But most importantly, it became the gateway to one of the most mysterious attractions in Southeast Asia — the Plain of Jars. This ancient archaeological complex, consisting of thousands of megalithic stone vessels aged around 2,000 years, quickly turned the young city into an important tourism hub.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Since its foundation, Phonsavan has become a melting pot for various ethnic groups of the region, including the Phuan, Hmong, and Tai Dam people. Its early economy was formed around civil service and agriculture. However, as interest in the Plain of Jars grew, tourism began to play an increasingly significant role. The unique heritage of the region, contrasting with the youth of the city itself, created the unique character of Phonsavan — a place where modern history is closely intertwined with ancient mysteries.

Key Dates in the History of Phonsavan

• 1964–1973 — During the hostilities in Laos, known as the "Secret War," the former capital of Xiangkhoang Province, the city of Muang Khoun, was almost completely destroyed.
• Mid-1970s — Foundation of Phonsavan ("Hills of Paradise") as the new administrative centre of the province, which became the starting point in its modern history.
• 1990s — The city and its surroundings gradually begin to open up to international tourism, attracting travellers with the mysterious Plain of Jars.
• 1994 — The non-governmental organisation Mines Advisory Group (MAG) begins its work in Xiangkhoang Province, engaging in the search and disposal of a huge amount of unexploded ordnance.
• Late 1990s – Early 2000s — Basic tourism infrastructure actively develops in Phonsavan: the first guest houses, restaurants, and travel agencies appear to service the growing flow of guests.
• July 6, 2019 — The megalithic archaeological complex of the Plain of Jars is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which officially secured its global significance and increased the tourist appeal of the region.

Key Stages of Phonsavan's Development

Having been founded in the mid-1970s, Phonsavan has gone from a temporary settlement to an important regional centre. Its development was defined by both the tragic legacy of the past and its unique cultural and economic potential.

• Foundation of the New Capital (Mid-1970s). The main impulse for the city's emergence was the complete destruction of the former provincial capital, Xiangkhoang (Muang Khoun), during military actions. Phonsavan was established "from scratch" as a new administrative centre, which was the largest urban planning project in the region at that time.
• Demining and Land Reclamation (from the 1990s). The development of the city and its surroundings would have been impossible without clearing the territories of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left after the war. The activities of international organisations, such as the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), made the land safe for living, agriculture, and infrastructure construction.
• Becoming a Tourism Centre (Late 1990s – 2000s). Phonsavan became the main starting point for travellers wishing to see the mysterious Plain of Jars. Tourism infrastructure began to form in the city: guest houses, dining establishments, and tour operators focused on serving the growing flow of tourists appeared.
• Development of Transport Accessibility. The modernisation of Xiangkhoang Airport and the improvement of road connections with major cities, such as Vientiane and Luang Prabang, significantly reduced travel time and contributed to the growth of both tourism and business activity in the region.
• Formation of an Economic Hub. Besides tourism, Phonsavan has established itself as an important trading centre for the entire province. City markets have become a place where farmers from surrounding villages sell their produce, primarily livestock and agricultural products, for which the Xiangkhoang Plateau is famous.
• Inclusion of the Plain of Jars in the UNESCO List (2019). The recognition of the megalithic monuments as a World Heritage Site became a turning point. This not only attracted increased international attention and boosted tourist numbers but also provided additional resources for preserving the unique historical landscape and further developing the region.

The architectural appearance of Phonsavan is unique and entirely dictated by its recent history. Unlike ancient cities, you will not find a succession of eras like Gothic or Renaissance here. The city was founded from scratch in the mid-1970s to replace the former provincial capital destroyed during military actions, so its urban planning is a story of rebirth and pragmatism.

Functional Architecture (1970s — Present Day)

The basis of Phonsavan's development became simple and functional buildings characteristic of post-war construction. The architectural style can be described as utilitarian modernism with a strong influence of Lao and, partly, Soviet urban planning approaches of that time. Most structures are one- or two-storey concrete and brick houses with simple geometry, the main goal of which was to quickly provide residents with housing and administrative infrastructure. The city layout is also distinguished by simplicity: life is concentrated along one main street, from which secondary streets diverge.

"Architecture" from War Artifacts

The most striking and informal feature of the urban and rural landscape in the vicinity of Phonsavan is the widespread use of war remnants. Bomb casings, shells, and other military scrap metal have been creatively reinterpreted by local residents and turned into elements of everyday life. They can be seen as:

• Supports for houses and outbuildings.
• Fences for gardens and plots.
• Decorative planters for flowers.
• Material for making spoons and other household items.

Traditional Motifs and Modern Development

Despite Phonsavan being a new city, traditional Lao motifs can be traced in its appearance. This is especially noticeable in the design of the few new Buddhist temples (Wats) built after the city's foundation, as well as in the decor of some guest houses and restaurants oriented towards tourists. For contrast, one can visit the ruins of the old capital Muang Khoun, where remnants of classic Lao temple architecture remain, for example, the That Foun stupa and Wat Phiawat temple, allowing one to better understand the historical architectural context lost by Phonsavan.

Notable Figures Associated with the Region

Since Phonsavan is a relatively young city, its history is closely intertwined with the history of the entire Xiangkhoang Province. Notable figures associated with this region represent different eras — from ancient rulers to modern researchers and key political figures of the 20th century.

Madeleine Colani (1866–1943)

Role: French archaeologist.

Significance: Madeleine Colani was a pioneer in the study of the Plain of Jars. In the 1930s, she conducted the first systematic excavations and research, proposing the theory that the megalithic structures were used for burial rituals. Her monumental work "The Megaliths of Upper Laos" remains a fundamental work for anyone studying this mysterious archaeological site.

Chao Noi (19th Century)

Role: Ruler of the Muang Phuan principality.

Significance: Chao Noi was one of the last rulers of the independent principality of Phuan, the capital of which was the city of Muang Khoun (old Xiangkhoang). His reign fell during a difficult period of struggle for influence between Siam (Thailand) and Vietnam. He led a rebellion against Siamese dominance, which was suppressed, leading to the devastation of the region and the displacement of thousands of residents. His figure symbolises pre-colonial history and the struggle for the independence of the Xiangkhoang Plateau.

Vang Pao (1929–2011)

Role: Major General of the Royal Lao Army, leader of the Hmong community.

Significance: A key figure in the Laotian Civil War, also known as the "Secret War." Commanding the "Secret Army" supported by the CIA, he led active combat operations against the Pathet Lao forces and their North Vietnamese allies in the territory of Xiangkhoang Province. His headquarters was located in Long Tieng, south of the plateau, and his actions had a huge impact on the course of the war, which led to the destruction of the old capital and the subsequent foundation of Phonsavan.

Kaysone Phomvihane (1920–1992)

Role: Leader of the Pathet Lao movement, the first Prime Minister and second President of the LPDR.

Significance: As one of the founders and leaders of the Pathet Lao, Kaysone Phomvihane played a central role in the political and military struggle that defined the fate of Laos in the second half of the 20th century. Xiangkhoang Province was one of the main arenas of confrontation, and the victory of his movement ultimately led to the creation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the foundation of Phonsavan as the new administrative centre of the region.

Dr. Julie Van Den Bergh

Role: Archaeologist.

Significance: A modern researcher who has made a significant contribution to the study and preservation of the Plain of Jars in the 21st century. Her work using the latest technologies, such as optically stimulated luminescence, has allowed for refining the age of the megaliths and continuing the work started by Madeleine Colani. The efforts of her team played an important role in the Plain of Jars being included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019.