The train station in Vientiane, Laos, on National Day, December 2, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
A man reads an English-language newspaper in Vientiane, December 3, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
Passengers queue outside the ticket office at Vientiane train station, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
A lady reads an information board at Vientiane train station, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
The queue inside the ticket office at Vientiane train station, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
A man buys a train ticket at Vientiane train station, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
A woman buys tickets for herself and her sisters to visit family in Oudomxay province, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
Chinese railway staff walking outside Vientiane train station, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
The inside of Vientiane train station prior to the opening ceremony, November 23, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
A lady prepares to board the train to Luang Prabang, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
People look for their seats inside the Lane Xang EMU train to Luang Prabang, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
A young lady, with a pet rabbit in hand, travels to Luang Prabang to visit relatives, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
A man looks outside the window as the train leaves the station in Vientiane, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
A family traveling to Luang Prabang for a holiday, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
A police officer is employed to ensure the safety of each train trip.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
The view from the train en route to Luang Prabang, December 4, 2021
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
Two Venerable monks arrive at Luang Prabang train station, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
Two friends pose for a photograph at Luang Prabang train station, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
A lady waits to be picked up at the station in Vientiane, December 5, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
The exterior of Luang Prabang train station, December 4, 2021.
Credit: Nicholas Bosoni
. The country’s debt to China was estimated to be 45 percent of the country GDP in 2019. Earlier this year, unable to meet its debt obligations, the government of Laos signed a 25-year concession agreement that allows a majority Chinese state-owned company to build and manage a large part of the country’s power grid.
At the time of our arrival in Luang Prabang, the sun was setting behind the steep mountains that surround the former royal capital. Minivans were waiting at the exit of the station to take us towards the city center. As I stepped out of the train, a lady who travelled in the same carriage tapped on my shoulder. “Laos is strong, isn’t it?” she said proudly. I gave her a big smile in return and nodded.
It is not clear how Laos is going to pay off its debt to China, but for almost two hours on the EMU train it seemed that everyone, including me, had forgotten about the railway’s financial implications and felt they were witnessing a milestone of Laos’ modern history.
