About Us
Anakha Meaning
Anakha name is inspired by “anicca” which is a pali word (composed of two words: “nicca” and privative “a”. “nicca” is the idea of continuously continuity. anicca, means the lack of continuity, lack of permanence. Anicca is a universal law that applies to all phenomena of the universe, in all of our experiences with no exception.
All phenomena that appeared will disappear. Everything is passing.
Anakha is inspired by this Buddhist thought to present ephemeral creations produced in limited quantities.
Founder Story
Anakha’s founder, Veronique Cottereau-Pravin, began to have glimpses of the dream as early as 1994. That year she left her native France for Vietnam, bringing with her years of experience as an international business attorney. Not a novice to the luxury goods business, Véronique traded her career as an international business lawyer for the design world when she opened her first boutique west of Paris in 2001, in the trendy village of Le Vésinet : “Côté Îndochîne”
She sourced treasures from Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar as well as designing custom pieces she had produced or sourced in Laos and Vietnam. She continued to feel the pull of Southeast Asia and returned to Hanoi 8 years later to establish Anakha. While in Luang Prabang, she discovered « The Blue House » and knew she had found her location.
Anakha proudly houses the Friends Visitor Centre, representing the Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC). Located in Luang Prabang, LFHC is the only free children’s hospital in Laos, providing vital treatment to 40,000 children each year. The hospital features a state-of-the-art neonatal unit and is home to the country’s only free ICU, supported by a dedicated team of over 200 staff members. LFHC has established itself as a beacon of healthcare excellence in Laos.
100% of the profits from purchases made at Anakha are donated directly to LFHC, ensuring that every contribution helps sustain and enhance the vital services offered to the children of Laos.
Anakha « The Blue House » is located in the heart of the charming historic Luang Prabang peninsula and listed as World Heritage of Unesco (N°36/4). It appears at the inventory number # 292 in VAT SENE quarter (Click Here)
On the Main street, Anakha is short walking distance of the most renowned temples.
The Anakha Mansion story & pictures were given to Véronique by Mr David YUN – Builder’s son – in October 2012 after the emotional visit of the Builder’s daughters to the House mid-2012.
The house was built in Luang Prabang in late 1920’s by Mr Maohui YUN, who was born in 1897 in Hainan, southernmost province of province of China. After living in Hanoi, Vietnam, he went to Lao after the First World War in early 1920’s. Inspired by the colonial style that he observed in Hanoi, he built this French style house in Luang Prabang in late 1920’s. By the time he married Mademoiselle Tiouyoc HOANG in 1937.
At that time, the construction of the house was already completed. Their children, eight out of ten, including Mr David YUN (his son) were born in the house. Mr Maohui YUN was among the first Chinese to settle down in Luang Prabang. A flux of people from Hainan, young or old, followed his steps later. The house had a deep-rooted significance for those who later immigrated to the Royal Capital. They stayed at the house until they found places to live and to eat. The house served de facto as a warm asylum for those who were for the first time away from their homeland. As a little kid, Mr David YUN still remembered there were several dining tables set up during mealtime with at least 30 to 40 people eating all together.
The owner was quite generous to his compatriots from China. People living in the house never paid anything back to him, who considered himself as the big brother of the great Hainanese family. This was the main reason he was so respectable in the Chinese community.
When there were more and more Chinese moving to the city, the need for educating youngsters became indispensable; Mr YUN then found the first Chinese school of Luang Prabang in 1948.
The house, also called « The Blue House » because of its blue facade painted around 2004, is large and elegant with an area of approximately 360 M2.
Anakha Boutique is around 120 M2 and is located on the ground floor when the 1st floor is a private colonial Residence with 2 ensuites/ Verandah/ lounge with same surface huge verandahs and terraces. A large private storage and living areas opening on frangipani complete the beautiful building.
The house has been fully renovated in 2011 and 2016, keeping the atmosphere and legend of the past time (Rose wood parquet, cornices, old floor tilings under Varangue & Verandah).
The soul of its builders and respect for its restoration give the place a unique and authentic character and a secret atmosphere.
Mataora