Luang Prabang crowned World's Top City

(KPL) A representative of the Lao Embassy in France representing Luang Prabang province of Laos on Feb 3 received the Top City award at the World Travel Award ceremony held in London by the UK-based tourist magazine Wanderlust.

Wanderlust decided to award Top City title to Luang Prabang of Laos based on the votes by its readers.

The UK magazine ranked Hoi An in Vietnam the first runner-up and Tokyo of Japan the second runner-up of the Top City category.

Luang Prabang has won the award five times over the last five years. Its first winning was recorded in 2006, the second and third ones in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

In 2009, Luang Prabang was absent from the title and ranked seventh when Antigua in Guatemala grabbed the prize. The fourth time of winning the prize for the first UNESCO World Heritage of Laos was announced in May last year.

Situated in northern Laos, Luang Prabang is the former royal capital of the Kingdom of Lane Xang (one million elephants), blessed with traditional way of life, rich heritage of architecture and culture.