Tucked away in the heart of Southeast Asia, Northeast Laos rewards intrepid travellers with its raw beauty and intriguing history.
‘Once you venture away from renowned Luang Prabang, there are many off-the-beaten places I adore in the northeast and towards the Vietnam border,’ Andrea Vinsonneau, EXO Laos GM explains.
The region is ripe for exploring with countless charming villages, such as Nong Khiaw, and opportunities for spotting Laos’ exotic wildlife at Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area. The country’s tumultuous history can be explored in the Viengxay and Sam Neau areas, and the rugged landscapes are prime for trekking and other outdoor adventures.
Each destination in this unspoiled region offers a different perspective on the beauty and resilience of Laos. EXO Laos encourages guests to consider adding 4-5 days to their holiday to explore this diverse region.
Read on to learn more about this area and EXO’s recommendations.
Nong Khiaw is surrounded by unspoiled natural landscapes, with limestone cliffs and dense jungle dotted with small villages, best explored on foot and by boat.
Nong Khiaw
The closest place to Luang Prabang to get a taste of the Northeast is Nong Khiaw. This charming small town is located on the banks of the Nam Ou River and retains the laidback, timeless feeling of rural Laos. It is surrounded by unspoiled natural landscapes, with limestone cliffs and dense jungle dotted with small villages, that are best explored on foot and by boat.
The journey from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw, or vice versa, is one of the most rewarding in Laos. Although it can be completed by car in around 2.5 hours, EXO suggests a combination of road and river.
Heading north, a boat trip of 2-3 hours takes guests along a scenic stretch of the Nam Ou River, including a stop at the famed Pak Ou Caves, The journey continues by car for another two hours to Nong Khiaw, passing through verdant landscapes and tiny hamlets.
‘The Nam Et Phou Louey NPA offers the chance of spotting wildlife in their natural habitat and is actively working with the local community to preserve their flora and fauna.’
Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area
The Nam Et-Phou Louey NPA is one of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular, and underrated, natural areas. Visitors have a wonderful opportunity to see an array of exotic flora and fauna, many species of which are increasingly rare in Laos.
Andrea remarks, ‘Nam Et-Phou Louey NPA offers the chance of spotting wildlife in their natural habitat and is actively working with the local community to preserve their flora and fauna. I spotted a leopard cat there once!’
EXO recommends combining daytime visits with a night safari on the Nam Nern River. Led by local rangers, guests will spot wildlife, get an introduction into rice cultivation and traditional herbal medicine and learn about important conservation initiatives. At night, floating down the river with the engines off, there is the opportunity to see Sambar Deer, Otters, Barking Deer, various species of Civets, Slow Loris, owls and more
‘To escape bombings, more than 23,000 people once lived in these caves. They were carved out and connected as a city with offices, homes, a school, a hospital and even an entertainment hall’.
Viengxay & Sam Neua
Tucked into the far northeast lies the Viengxay district. This sparsely populated area of rugged landscapes is only two-hours from the Vietnam border.
Due to its location, Viengxay was subjected to relentless bombing during the Vietnam-American war. Guests can learn more about this infamous period of history by visiting Viengxay’s caves and its ‘hidden city’. ‘To escape the bombings, more than 23,000 people once lived in these caves. They were carved out and connected as a city with offices, homes, a school, a hospital and even an entertainment hall,’ Andrea explains. An informative audio tour includes interviews with survivors who resided in the caves during the war.
EXO suggests staying in the town of Sam Neua, which has a handful of hotels and shops as well as a vibrant morning market, which features handmade textiles from the Houaphanh province.
EXO recommends overland travel which provides the opportunity to view spectacular scenery along the journey.
Planning a visit:
Weather: Due to its rugged terrain and limited road access, it is best to visit Northeast Laos during the dry season from mid-October through April. The climate is moderate in the tail ends of the dry season, with daily highs up to 33°C and lows around 20°C. However, the winter season from December to February, can see temperatures in the mountains and rural areas drop as low as 10°C in the evening.
Getting there: Although Sam Nuea has an airport, the flights to the northeast are limited. EXO recommends travelling overland which provides the opportunity to view spectacular scenery along the journey. Guests can travel across the Vietnam border at Nam Soi, then continue a further two hours to Viengxay. Alternatively, from Luang Prabang, guests can travel up to Nong Khiaw by boat and road in a beautiful half-day journey.
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