Xieng Khuang/Muang Khun
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Muang Khun, formerly Xieng Khuang the royal capital of the Phuan Kingdom was abandoned in 1975 following decades of bombardment by the Chinese, Vietnamese and the Americans during the Vietnam War. It is slowly coming back to life but the capital was moved to Phonsavan at that time. |
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That Phuan |
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Like so many sites in the area, the history of Tham Piu Cave is open to controversy. What is certain is that in 1969 the hundreds of inhabitants, whether local Laos or Vietnamese operating a hospital in the cave, suffered a direct hit from a rocket fired from an aircraft. Whether it was a Royalist or American plane has never been confirmed. The
sign marks a bomb crater which is unequivocally attributed to an American
bomber. The red and white posts above the cave entrance mark
possible UXO. |
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