phongsaly tourist information

• Travel deals
• Best selling tours
• Honeymoon Tours
• Cruise Tours
• Adventure Tours
• Student Tours
• Classic Tours
• Cycling Tours
• Heritage Tours
• Trekking Tours
• Tours from 1 – 3 days
• Tours from 4 – 6 days
• Tours from 7 – 9 days
• Tours from 10 – 12 days
• Tours from 13 – 20 days
• Indochina Package Tours
• Things to do
• What to see
• Destinations

Farthest north in Laos is Phongsaly, which shares borders with Yunnan (China) and Dien Bien (Vietnam). Most of Phongsaly Province lies at a high altitude. Its capital, Phongsaly town, is the highest city in Laos PDR at 1.400 m above sea level. Up there the climate is pleasant and refreshing covering the endless mountains down to the canyon of the Nam Ou River, biggest tributary of the Mekong. The population is made up of officially 28 different ethnic groups, of which the majority being Khmu, Phounoy, different Akha, Tai Lue and Hor, each with their own culture, traditions, costumes, and languages. The forests contain an abundance of animal, bird, insect and plant life, and there are certainly many undiscovered species, new to science. Several trekking tours have been established by the Provincial Tourism Office Phongsaly.

Most visitors of Phongsaly Province get a feeling of “no longer being in Laos, not yet having reached China”. History tells fascinating stories, though much of it still lies in darkness. Between China and Laos the territory of north-western Phongsaly and southern Yunnan once was the independent Tai Lue kingdom of Sipsongpanna. In 1895 the French colonialists drew new boundaries along the watersheds of the Nam Ou river, claiming Sipsongpanna’s eastern part to Phongsaly incorporating it into French Indochina. Its bigger part went into Yunnan Province, China.

Unless many other cities in Laos, Phongsaly Town has not been destroyed in the American war. It features a remaining old quarter with Yunnanese wooden architecture now rare to find in Yunnan itself. Most of the people living here belong to the Hor ethnic group, speaking Chinese. Until the 1970s there has been a Chinese consulate in Phongsaly Town, now the “Phou Fa Hotel”. In the “Museum of Ethnic Groups in Phongsaly Province” you can admire the various local cloths, artifacts and handicrafts. The town itself is surrounded by rolling hills and is built into the side of Phou Fa Mountain (1,625m). The 45 minute hike up to its stupa on top offers spectacular views of the town from above and the mountains in the far distance.

Although a bit off the main tourist circuit, visitors can spend plenty of time in Phongsaly Province trekking to remote villages around the provincial, Boun Neua, Muang Khua at the Nam Ou River and in Boun Tai District’s “Nam Lan Conservation Area”. In the northern most district of the country, Gnot Ou, visit  Wat Luang , a magnificent Tai Lue style Buddhist monastery dating back to 1445 AD. In the future “Phou Den Din National Protected Area” along the border with Vietnam will be opened for boat trips. Wild animals like monkeys, elephants and tigers still claim it their territory!

The province offers a delicious variety of Lao and Yunnanese cuisine that consists of wild forest ingredients such as fragrant herbs, bamboo and rattan shoots. After dinner try a shot of the local  Lao Lao , smooth, strong and tinted green! During the final stage of the distillation process this rice whisky is running over fresh picked raspberry leaves absorbing the green color.

Chinese-style green tea of Phongsaly receives worldwide recognition for its highest quality and superb taste. Tea leaves are picked by Phounoy minority women from up to 400 year old tea trees, standing 6m high with a stem up to 30cm in diameter. These precious tea leaves are compressed in bamboo cylinders and sold in cigar-shaped tubes. In this wild tea grove fertilizers and chemicals have never been used. Drinking a daily cup keeps the body in good health, reduces fat and preserves a clear mind.

HIGHLIGHTS IN PHONGSALY

Phou Den Din NBCA

The large and very remote Phou Den Din NBCA is accessible most easily by small boat up the Nam Ou river. The trip only for most adventurous: You must be well prepared, and take food, light camping equipement and a guide which can be arranged from Phongsaly Town. You are in the remotest part of Southeast Asia in the most undisturbed areas of forest.

The Nam Lan Conservation Area (NLCA)

Covers 22,000 ha of mostly densely forested, very steep terrain, at between 600 metres and 1,850 metres elevation. Picturesque villages, mostly growing lowland irrigated paddy flank part of the northern and eastern boundaries of the area. Ecotourism lodges are being set up in five of these villages. The attractive little town of Boun Tai is a good base for visiting the NLCA.

Good Base for Trekking

Easy trekking along the ridge lines to the Northeast and Southeast, or more vigourous treks along the Jurassic escarpment (about 30km to the west of Phongsaly on the Boun Neua road), or along the foot of the escarpment (km 37, take off to the south through forest and paddy fields on the new Nam Boun Kao trail).

Ou River, situated between Phongsaly downstream to Pak Ou in Luang Prabang, has wonderful scenery  on both sides of the river. Nong khiaw is also a beautiful stopover along the way good for camping on the sandy beach of the river.

Laos Tourist

# 081, Samsenthai Road, Vientiane, Laos Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.laostourist.com

Traveler forum

Laos Destinations

• Vientian Capital
• Luang Prabang
• Luang Namtha
• Xieng Khouang
• Savannakhet
• Bolikhamxay
• Laos Car rental
• Laos flights
• Laos things to do
• Laos things to see
• Laos Customized Tours

Package deals

Spicy Laos Package 7 days

Laos Legend package tour 7 days

Vientiane to Konglor Cave tour 7 days

Laos Overview tour 6 days

Laos Images Package 6 days

Vietnam visa, laos tourism.

Laos Tourism provides tourist information for travelers to Laos. Here you find information about events, activities, weather, restaurants and hotels in Laos. There is also information about travel tips to Laos. Laos Tourist offers promotion package tours to Laos. We are one of the Top-10 Inbound Tour Operators, with reliable and high quality services in travel industry in Laos.

• Laos travel deals
• Laos best selling tours
• Laos Travel guide
• Laos transportation

About Laos Tourist

• Testimonials
• Terms and Conditions
• Laos photo gallery

Phongsaly Province, Laos

Phongsaly is one of the provinces,  located farthest north of Laos, which shares borders with China and Vietnam. Most of Phongsaly is at high altitudes, and the capital is located 1,400 m above sea level. The forests of Phongsaly are the most remote and well-preserved in northern Laos and the scenery includes spectacular limestone mountains and the Nam Ou river ( the biggest tributary of the Mekong ).  The population is made up of about 22 different ethnicities, which are Phounoi, Tai Lu, Khmu, Akha, Haw, Yao, Oma, Poulee, Mouchee, Laoloum, Pala, Lolopho, Hmong, Cherpia, Laoseng, Laobith, Hayi, Tai Neua, Erpa…

The capital of Phongsaly province is Phongsaly town,   which has a complicated history. Having served as a Chinese, French, and Vietnamese outpost. The town is surrounded by rolling hills and it is built into the side of Phoufa Mountain.

The town buildings have interesting architectural features, and the Museum of the tribe is an excellent way to visit in the afternoon, and admire various ethnic minority artifacts and handicrafts.

Explore Ethnic Diversity in Phongsaly

Laos PDR in brief The first Lao kingdom, Lan Xang was founded in the 14th century by King Fa Ngum after he conquered and unified the lands north of and including Luang Prabang, Xiengkhuang, and Korat plateau stretching into what is today Thailand. Luang Prabang remained the capital of Lan Xang until King Setthathirath moved the Kingdom’s administrative seat to Vientiane in 1560. Therefore the capital moved to Vientiane. Luang Prabang remained the country’s spiritual and religious center. The country’s first contact with Western emissaries occurred in the mid-15th century during the reign of Surigna Vongsa. After the death of Surigna Vongsa in 1694 Lan Xang broke up into three separate Kingdoms: Vientiane, Champasak, and Luang Prabang. Part of French Indochina during the 19th – early 20th colonial period Laos achieved complete independence in 1975 with the founding of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Today Laos is comprised of 18 provinces. It is the least populated country in Southeast Asia, with nearly 7,000,000 inhabitants in 2023 or 25 people per km2. In comparison, Vietnam has a population density of 250 people per km2 and Thailand 120.

Traveler Information Climate Laos generally enjoys a mild tropical climate, but it can get quite chilly in the cool season. Temperatures range from 10 – 40 degrees Celsius in the Mekong Valley and may dip below zero in the mountains and on the Xieng Khouang and Bolaven Plateaus. There are three distinct seasons cool from November – February; hot from March – May and the rainy season which lasts from June – October.

Geography The main geographic features in Laos are forested mountains, the Xieng Khouang and Bolaven plateaus, and the Mekong River valley. Of the country’s 236,800 km2 about 70% is covered with mountains. The highest peak is Phou Bias reaching just over 2,800 meters.

Money The official currency of the Lao PDR is the Lao Kip. Major traveler’s checks can be cashed at banks. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and a limited number of upscale shopping establishments.

How to get to Laos

By Air Visitors arrive through Vientiane Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang Airport, Pakse Airport by Lao Aviation, Vietnam Airline, Southern China Airline, and Thai Airway International. And Regular flights to Bangkok, Hochiminh City, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Chiang Mai & Kunming.

Wattay International Airport which is connected by daily flight to all parts of Laos to Luang Prabang, Pakse, Savannakhet & Xiengkhouang by ATR 72, Y7 & Y12

By Road The most important road is Route No 13 linking Pak Mong in the north to Kong in the south through Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Savannakhet, and Champasack with 18.153 km of national roads with 2,500 km from China to Cambodia. Two more important roads No1 and No8 linked between Thailand and China by road, and No 9 linked between Thailand and Vietnam. Domestic bus services (Air-conditioned and regular) reach all corners of Lao PDR every day.

Vientiane’ Northern/Southern/ all corners of Vientiane Municipality. Bus Terminal at Morning Market (856-21) 215587 -Vientiane’ Northern at Evening Market (Ban Nongduang).

By Land Entrance to Lao PDR through border checkpoints, which are open daily from 8:30 am to 17: 00 pm as below:

1. China Via south of China, Muangla to Boten checkpoint in Luang Namtha Province.

2. Thailand Via Nongkhai to Vientiane by Friendship Bridge (Shuttle bus) Via Chiang Khong (Thailand) to Houeixay by crossing the Mekhong River (Boat or Ferryboat). Via Mukdahan (Thailand) to Savannakhet  (Boat or Ferry boat) Via Chongmek to Pakse in Champasack Province (Cross/Boat/Ferry boat, bridge & Shuttle bus.)

3. Vietnam Via Vinh (Vietnam) to Lak Xao km20, Kham Keuth District, Borikhamxay Province (Bus/Truck) Via Lao-Bao to Savannakhet by road No9. Via Tay chang ( Laos-Vietnam)  by road at Mouangmai district, Phongsaly  province

• Uncategorized
• About Phongsaly
• Luang Namtha
• Luangprabang
• Sample Page
• Xiengkhouang

• Tour packages
• Places to visit
• Tips & guide

Check out all the must-see places and things to do & see

The combination of fun and educational activities

Unique experience combined with top-notch services

Easy excursions combined with unique experience making the long-lasting romantic memories

Reveal off-the-beatentrack routes, least explored destinations, and unknown tribe groups

Explore the least visited destinations and unknown experience on foot

Explore every corners of the destination on two wheels

Easy excursion combined with week-long beach break

The combination of some must-see experience and the cruise tour along the mighty rivers

• Laos travel

Phongsaly Travel

• Xayaboury & ECC
• Luang Prabang
• Luang Namtha
• Thakhek & surrounds
• Paksan & surrounds
• Savannakhet
• Pakse & surrounds
• Champasak & surrounds
• 4000 Islands
• Bolaven Plateau
• Nam Et - Phou Louey NPA
• Phou Khaokhuay
• Thakhek Loop
• Nam Ngum Reservoir

Phongsali (Phongsali also Pongsali) is a city in the far North of Laos, the capital of the eponymous province (Phongsali on the map). The province borders China and Vietnam. The population of slightly more than 15 thousand people, and this is one of the largest cities in this part of the country.

Phongsali – popular with tourists and travelers the place, but the town itself is of little interest to tourists. Go here in order to make the trekking a trekking in the ethnic mountain village, a predominantly ethnic Akha (Akha), natives of Burma and have Tibetan origin. There is also Khmu (Khmu), Yao (Yao), Hmong (Hmong), tai ly (Tai Lue), Lolo (Lolo). All in all, the province has 15 ethnic groups and 40 subgroups. But the city itself Pongsali almost entirely inhabited by Chinese immigrants from the Yunnan province.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Phongsaly is from November to April , this time is considered to be the dry season. Not to mention, from March to April, the temperature can reach to its highest rate: about 30°C. Due to the mountainous topography and fresh rural atmosphere, the weather in Phongsali is manageable around the year. Even in its hottest point, the weather can be really eased.

Start from May to October, the rain will take place throughout the region. July to September would rain the most. Hence, you should bring along an umbrella but you better avoid this season, the path up the mountains will be more difficult and the rains may interfere with your outside activities.

Check the below table for the general idea of Phongsaly weather throughout the year.

Phongsaly’s current weather and 7-day forecast

You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.

Let's explore in the list below:

Climb Mount Phou Fa

Whoever went to Phongsali, they would never forget the astounding charming site of its symbol: mount Phou Fa. What a wonderful place to take bunch of spectacular photos when sunrise and sunset from the peak of the mountain.

Besides, you can also catch a view of mystery villages and stupas that hide behind the densely mist. Not from the top of mount Phou Fa that you can enjoy, the 4000 stair steps journey is also a memorable experience as well. Those are what tourists urging for.

Explore the Ancient Temples

Not only archeologist that are totally attracted by the time - honored temple of Phongsali but even normal travelers as well. There are many stupas, temples that were established for hundred years and still in rather good condition. In particular, one of the worth visiting temples would be Way Ou-Tai, which is in Ban Ou - Tai village and believed to be over 500 years old. It had reversed its building structure and was made by mud and brick.

Other than that, you can visit the Wat Luang Ou - Neua stupas, which is near Gnot - Ou district. The remarkable Buddhist monastery Tai Lue style is said to be built in 1445. The Phou Xay on the hill is also gorgeous, it costs 400 stair steps to be in the place.

Trekking in Interested

Phongsali is a famous destination for trekking. It provides fresh air and a lovely country view. First, you will roll yourself in the plain town, then you take the dusty track, it will take you to most remote and outskirts of the province, where you can observe people doing agriculture on small yard of paddy field, locals live in lovely leaf cottages, kids running and playing in the cool river.

You also have the opportunity to meet the villages of ethnic tribes, such as the Tai, Phou Noy, Akha, Lue, Ho. Each tribe owns a unique cultural aspects, costumes, traditional handicrafts and their custom.

Learn about Ethnic Culture at the Local Museum

In the central town, the museum of ethnic stirs tourist curiosity up. A ticket for encountering diverse ethnic culture is a low price to pay. The museum riches in ethnic culture, costumes, languages, local landmarks. Some tribe’s culture is displayed are mostly from Khmu, Tai Lue, Akha, Hor. In each tribe, they provide different styles of handicrafts, textile, artifacts, but they have a thing in common, which is the beauty. Hours of interestingness are ready to take.

Gather Tea Leaf

People know most about the city is its high quality of green tea produced. It is pretty far from the city center, there’s a small village called Ban Komean, where owns the over 400 - year old tea plantation. Pay a visit to this rural area, you definitely lost in romantic, authentic tea jungles and beautiful rural life.

Thing is going to turn from best to excellent when you join the locals harvesting tea leaf. Moreover, they also allow you to take part in the complicated tea making progress, from gathering tea leaves to drying, roasting stages by hands. After making green tea, you are able to taste Phongsali special.  

Phongsali Hotel (412042) 

Dishes $1-3. Phongsali offers the largest menu, mostly Chinese food plus a few Lao dishes.

Phoufa Hotel (412057) 

Dishes $0.90- The hotel serves surprisingly good central Lao food, a relief from standard Chinese-influenced Phongsali fare and its obsession with pork fat.

There are several noodle shops on the main street through town towards the market; bowls of foe are among the cheapest in the country. Chinese beer is cheap all over town, while Beerlao is relatively expensive. The local lao-lao is tinted green with herbs and is quite a smooth tipple. Good Chinese- style tea is also available.

Phongsali has three places to stay now. 

Dorm beds US$1.15, rooms with cold-water bath US$3.40, with hot-water bath US$4.50- 5.65. The Chinese-built Phongsali, in a centrally located four-storey building, is said to be the highest structure' in the province. The hotel offers 28 plain rooms, most with three beds and good mattresses. The staff speak Lao, Phu Noi and Chinese.

Laksun Hotel 

Rooms US$1.70. Opposite the Phongsali Hotel, the rustic Laksun is a two-storey, metal-roofed wooden structure with a few basic rooms with mosquito nets. There's a cosy restaurant downstairs.

Rooms US$5.65. The wooden Phoufa, on the hill of the same name (Phu Fa), was a walled- in Chinese consulate and military base in the 1960s. Secret tunnels crisscrossing the hill can still be seen. Recently upgraded, the Phoufa is now the best place to stay and eat in Phongsali. The hotel commands a good view of the area from the pleasant terrace, complete with a beer garden. Down- stairs is an attractive restaurant with an open fireplace (see the following Places to Eat section) Hat Sa Hat Sa, a stopover for visitors heading for Phongsali via boat, has a guest-house with multi-bed rooms for US$0.90 per person.

Phongsali’s airport is actually in Boun Neua, some 42 km west of Phonsali town, and is officially known as Bounneau Airport (Airport code: PCQ). As of 2018, there is flight service with Lao Skyway on select days to/from Vientiane, departing at 11:00. The price is around 900,000 kip one-way. 

The situation with Lao Skyway and the flight does change—flights are cancelled when there’s fog, which is common—so do check on the current situation before making plans.

Check Lao Skywa y to get more information

There are two bus stations in Phongsali—the “ main bus station ” and the “ Hat Sa bus station ”.

The main bus station is located three kilometres to the west of Phongsali town by the main road. When arriving to that station, a shared tuk-tuk/minivan transfer into town costs 10,000 kip per person.

Departing Phongsali, the bus schedule sometimes changes with the season and demand, so it is best to verify the details the day before—please take the following as a guideline only. Arrive at the bus station and buy a ticket an hour before the scheduled departure time.

Boun Neua: departs at 06:00. Costs 15,000 kip.

Boun Tai: departs at 07:15. Costs 35,000 kip.

Luang Nam Tha: take bus to Udomxai. You will not make it in time to connect, a one night layover in Udomxai is required.

Luang Prabang: departs at 08:00, 14:00. Costs 130,000 kip and takes 15 hours.

Muang Khua / Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam: departs at 07:00. Costs 60,000 kip.

Ou Neua: departs at 08:00. Costs 60,000 kip.

Udomxai: departs at 08:00, 14:00. Costs 80,000 kip and takes 8-9 hours.

Vientiane: departs at 08:30, 14:00. Costs 250,000 kip.

The Hat Sa bus station , is to the east of town, about a kilometre from the centre. There is one departure a day at 08:00 (costs 15,000 kip and takes 1 hour) to Hat Sa village, arriving in time to catch the boat down the Nam Ou river to Muang Khua.

The road to Phongsali from Udomxai was notoriously one of the worst road journeys in Laos. It used to be a rough, nauseating ride in a Frankenstein bus, a big lumbering monster that looked welded together from scrap metal. However, the road conditions have greatly improved in recent years and as of 2018, most of the route was decently paved by Lao standards.

When roads are paved, they also tend to use better buses. While there’s no guarantee, the route is now done with a coach bus with air-con and loud speakers to blast Lao pop music. At least the repetitive beat drowns out the sound of retching—all the fresh asphalt in the world won’t change the fact that locals can’t handle the sinuous mountain roads and switchbacks at all. Plastic bags are handed out at the start.

We recommend you check the latest bus schedule and price via rome2rio.com

Due to damming on the Nam Ou river, the journey from Hat Sat to Muang Khua, Muang Ngoi or Nong Kiaow is a two-day affair involving both public boat and land transport around the dams with an overnight pit stop in Muang Khua. Take the bus to Hat Sa or Muang Khua to get on the Nam Ou.

Contact us for full details on the journey.

Getting around

In terms of distances, Phongsali is easy to manage on foot though the town is situated on the slopes of Mount Phou Fa, so there’s a fair amount of climbing up or down hills to see sights like the market, old Chinese quarter and viewpoint.

Tuk tuks, sawng taews (Pickup trucks with benches), and boats are available in district centres, and offer an easy way to travel around the province. You can also rent bicycles for about $1-2 per day. Motorbikes are available for hire in Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, and Oudomxay.

Tour operators offer transportation and itineraries to popular attractions and activities, with guides adding greater insight into the province’s historical, cultural and natural sites.

Due to its great ethnic diversity, several distinct new years celebrations take place in Phongsali. While Pi Mai Lao (Lao new year) is the biggest festival, it is also celebrated all over the country and can be enjoyed elsewhere like in Luang Prabang or Vientiane.

More unique to Phongsali is Boun Greu, or Khmu new year. Held in January, every village in the area celebrates on a separate day, giving you the chance to attend the festivities numerous times should you so wish. In Phongsali town itself this festival is only held once every three years, with the next event scheduled for 2021.

There is also Kin Jieng, or Hor New Year, when Phongsali town erupts in a dazzling cacophony of fireworks. Held after the year’s harvest, Kin Jieng is a time for locals to thank the spirit of the land and wish for a plentiful harvest in the coming year.

What to see & do

What & where to eat, where to stay, getting there & around, festivals and events.

TOUR PACKAGES INCLUDING "Phongsaly"

The ancient capital of Lane Xang Kingdom

We believe you have the right to arm yourselves with as much information as possible before making any decision. Check below our recommended plans regarding the theme you prefer or what you can do based on the time frame you have

Either are you wondering about best time to visit, visa policy, or how to get the cheapest flight, we have your back! WHAT MORE?  Choose the country you plan to visit, then search for your nationality below to see our special travel tips & advice for your country.  CONTACT US  if you cannot find yours.

• Australian Travelers
• US Travelers
• UK Travelers
• Canadian Travelers
• German Travelers
• French Travelers
• Czech Republic Travelers
• Danish Travelers
• Finnish Travelers
• Irish Travelers
• Israeli Travelers
• New Zealander Travelers
• Norwegian Travelers
• Polish Travelers
• Portuguese Travelers
• Spanish Travelers
• Swedish Travelers
• Swiss Travelers
• Belgian Travelers
• Italian Travelers
• Dutch Travelers
• Austrian Travelers
• Indian Travelers
• Singaporean Travelers
• Malaysian Travelers

Taking a cruise on the fascinating Mekong River offers a unique and memorable travel experience. The Mekong River, one of the longest rivers in Asia, flows through several countries, including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Each destination along the river offers its own distinct cultural, historical, and natural attractions. In this article, we will go over what you can expect when cruising the Mekong River. 

Despite being open to tourism for the past two decades, Laos remains a destination brimming with hidden treasures and unexplored gems, awaiting the arrival of curious adventurers.

Among these remarkable places is the Xe Champhone Loop, an enchanting location that captures the essence of Laos.

In early September 2022, we had the privilege of embarking on an Educational Tour organized by the esteemed Tetraktys Organization. Our objective was to delve into the wonders of this loop and promote its allure to international tourists.

During our expedition, we were awe-struck by the captivating sights and valuable insights we gained. The area boasts an abundance of captivating natural landscapes, rich traditional culture, and warm-hearted hosts.

We have compiled comprehensive information about this captivating region below.

Stay connected to discover more about this hidden gem!

The romance of train travel is alive and well in Laos. The recently-completed high-speed railway that stretches from Vientiane, through Laos, and into southern China is operating ‘full steam’ ahead. 

Luang Prabang will celebrate the boat racing festival (Boun Souang Heua) in Namkhan River during Buddhist Lent Period, on August 26th, 2022.

A notice issued by Luang Prabang provincial office says that Luang Prabang will arrange Boun Hor Khaopadapdin, an annual festival held to feed spirits with home-made parcels of food, and the boat racing activities along Namkhan River. 

The province intends to promote the traditional festival and practices in hopes of attracting more domestic and foreign tourists, generating revenue for locals.

Traditional racing boats are made of a single tree and can accommodate up to fifty rowers.

The boats are considered sacred, are cleaned, and are given offerings which are believed to bring victory to the team.

In the downtown heart of Luang Prabang, there will also be gatherings and markets.

The festival will be held on August 26th, 2022, the same day with Boun Khao Padapdine.

Covid-19 put a stop to traditional customs and festivals for almost three years, but now that the measurements have been relaxed, tourist destinations in Laos expect to recommence festivities and offer hope for travelers.

How long to spend in Laos may seem like a ridiculous question to address, but if you have plenty of time and aren’t sure how much to dedicate, this blog will definitely help you out. 

How long can you stay in Laos? 

Well, as long as you like! From 7 days to a month, there are various ways you can travel across Laos and uncover its secrets. Advising an ideal trip length for Laos is a bit of a complex challenge, as it depends on several factors such as the places you wish to visit, the activities you plan to join, or if you want to combine Laos with its neighbor countries. 

Stay tuned! We are going to sort all these things out including the step-by-step guide to create the best itinerary in Laos.

The Rocket Festival (Boun Bang Fai) is a merit-making ceremony traditionally practiced by ethnic Lao people near the beginning of the wet season in numerous villages and municipalities, in the regions of Northeastern Thailand and Laos. Celebrations typically include preliminary music and dance performances, competitive processions of floats, dancers and musicians on the second day, and culminating on the third day in competitive firings of home-made rockets. Local participants and sponsors use the occasion to enhance their social prestige, as is customary in traditional Buddhist folk festivals throughout Southeast Asia.

The festival in Thailand also includes special programs and specific local patterns like Bung Fai (Parade dance) and a Beautiful Bung Fai float such as Yasothon the third weekend of May, and continues Suwannaphum District, Roi Et on the first weekend of June, Phanom Phrai District Roi Et during the full moon of the seventh month in Lunar year's calendar each year. The Bung Fai festival is not only found in Isan or Northeasthern Thailand and North Thailand and Laos, but also in Amphoe Sukhirin, Narathiwat.

• About 1 week
• About 2 weeks
• About 3 weeks
• About 4 weeks
• Family Vacation
• Wellness & Leisure
• Trek & Hike
• Cycling & Biking
• Honeymoon Vacation
• Luxury Holiday

• VIEW ALL TOURS

Choose the country you plan to visit, then search for your nationality below to see our special travel tips & advice for your country. CONTACT US if you cannot find yours.

• Rockland Building, No. 6, Alley 102 - Khuat Duy Tien, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi 120415, Vietnam
• +84 868 38 25 38
• [email protected]

• Luang Prabang
• Luang Namtha
• Xieng Khouang
• Bolikhamxay
• Vientiane Capital
• Savannakhet
• Vientiane Province
• Water Activities
• Treks & CBT
• Combination Tours
• Easy Aventures
• Extreme Adventures
• Green Season Fun
• Mountain Biking
• Mekong Adventures
• Buddhist Temples & Shrines
• Heritage Sites
• Village Visits & Homestays
• Arts And Culture
• Handicrafts
• Waterfalls & Rapids
• River & Lake Activities
• The Mighty Mekong
• Staying Ashore
• Ports & Landings
• Life on the Mekong
• Upper Mekong
• Central Mekong
• Lower Mekong
• Getting Around Laos
• Visa Procedures
• From Southeast Asia
• From North Asia
• From Overseas
• From Yunnan, China
• From Myanmar
• From Cambodia
• From Vietnam
• From Thailand
• Sleep & Eat
• Find A Tour
• News/Events

Travel Guide to Phongsaly

Phongsaly, Laos’ northernmost province, pokes into China and northern Vietnam, and remains one of the least visited provinces in the country. Small pockets of little known ethnic groups live in remote mountain villages that were once part of neighbouring nations.

There are several ways to get to and around the province, and accommodation can be found in all the districts. And, with so many treks and excursions in its jungles, the most difficult choice in visiting Phongsaly is where to go.

Lao Skyways offers four flights a week from Vientiane to Phongsaly Province (Boun Neua District Airport). The province can also be reached by bus from Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Oudomxay, as well as Vietnam. Boat service on the Nam Ou River is available from Nong Khiaw.

You can get around the province by tuk tuk , s awng taew (Pickup trucks with benches), and boats, which are available in district centres. You can also rent bicycles for about $1-2 per day. Motorbikes are available for hire in Phongsaly Town, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, and Oudomxay. Tour operators offer transportation and itineraries to popular attractions and activities, with local guides adding greater insight into the province’s historical, cultural, and natural sites.

Phongsaly Province offers 8 hotels and some 50 guesthouses, and establishments are available in all the district centres. Hotels generally range in price from $25-100. Modern facilities are available depending on the price. Most guesthouses run between $5-15. Homestays and village lodges are a mainstay for the province’s treks and excursions.

Phongsaly offers more than 65 restaurants and other dining options throughout the province. The largest selection is in Phongsaly Town. Most eateries serve Lao and Yunnan cuisine, which often uses forest ingredients such as fragrant herbs, bamboo, and rattan shoots. The wild honey is fruity and its taste varies depending on where it was harvested. The rare Mak Ku forest nuts can be found at markets in winter. The province’s specialty is tom pa (fish soup), which originated in China, and is often served with noodles, potatoes, vegetables, and mushrooms.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

 © 2024 We Are Lao. All Rights Reserved. bui by  BrunoVincent.net

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

• roughguides.com
• Travel guide
• Itineraries
• Local Experts
• Travel Advice
• Accommodation

Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert

Book securely with money-back guarantee

Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support

Perched just below the peak of Phou Fa (“Sky Mountain”), PHONGSALI looks and feels every bit the capital of Laos’s northernmost province. The altitude gained becomes apparent once the sun drops below the horizon and the chill sets in; on clear nights, as soon as the lights go out, the view of the heavens is unparalleled. The crisp air seems to amplify the stellar glow and the Milky Way is splashed across the sky like a giant, luminescent cloud. Despite being a large town, it lacks any real tourist infrastructure, and wandering around you will most likely find yourself the object of curious (but not bad-natured) stares. Though at first you may wonder where you’ve ended up, soon enough the lack of other tourists, cool mountain air and stunning surrounding countryside will work their charm on you. With the trekking scene still fairly low-key here, the town is a great place to do an overnight trip to the province’s fascinating hill-tribe villages.

A wide slice of terrain wedged between China’s Yunnan and Vietnam’s Lai Chau provinces, Phongsali province would surely be a part of China today were it not for the covetous nineteenth-century French. During the Second Indochina War, Phongsali came under heavy Chinese influence, a fact evident in the fortress-like former Chinese consulate, now the Phou Fa Hotel. It was during this time also that much of the province was stripped of its hardwood forests, compensation for China’s support for the Pathet Lao. The town’s inhabitants are made up of the Theravada Buddhist, Tibeto-Burman-speaking Phu Noi people and the Chinese Haw, descendants of Yunnanese traders who annually drove caravans of pack-ponies south into old Siam.

On a slope directly behind the Phongsaly Hotel is the town’s old quarter. A wander through these friendly but medieval-looking lanes is like stepping back in time. Interspersed among the squat houses of mud bricks and rough-hewn planks are a few architectural standouts, including one distinctly Chinese building with a beautifully carved wooden facade that looks like it belongs on the backstreets of old Kunming. The quarter’s three main streets run parallel for a stretch and then converge at a large basketball court, from which leads Phongsali’s main commercial thoroughfare, a tidy street of low shophouses, some with roofs constructed of oil drums hammered flat and laid out like shingles. Situated on the opposite bank of the town’s green bathing pond is Wat Kaeo, the local monastery.

Anyone interested in seeing what Phongsali’s ethnic groups dressed like before the influx of cheap Western-style clothing from China should pay a visit to the Museum of Tribes on the main road. Unfortunately, the rather small display of costumes and traditional wooden utensils isn’t done any favours by its lack of English explanations.

The nearby market is fairly small, considering this is a provincial capital, but as usual is a good bet for a cheap bowl of noodles. It’s worth making the stiff but not unpleasant walk up the forested hillside of Phou Fa hill, the top of which offers excellent views over the town and surrounding countryside on a clear day.

The main attraction of a visit to Phongsali is the opportunity to trek in this beautiful region. At the time of writing, the only treks available were offered by the tourist office, which clearly outlines where your money will go. Tours range from one- to multi-day treks, taking in local hill-tribe villages, with prices ranging according to the size of the group.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Laos, created by local experts

22 days  / from 4799 USD

The Ultimate Southeast Asia Grand Tour

Explore the highlights of four countries in a bit over 3 weeks: Halong Bay & the Mekong Delta in Vietnam combined with the cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Proceed to Cambodia with Angkor Wat before watching the monks in Luang Prabang/Laos. Your trip ends in Thailand with elephants and Bangkok.

6 days  / from 1550 USD

Historical Laos

One of Southeast Asia’s lesser-known countries, Laos is definitely off the beaten track, but it has retained its culture, charm and traditional village life, wild jungle and stunning countryside. Come here for tradition and mystery and a unique adventure.

21 days  / from 4545 USD

Impressions of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

Start and end your trip in Ho Chi Minh City and visit highlights such as the Mekong Delta, Phnom Penh with the Killing Fields, Angkor Wat, the historic city of Luang Prabang in Laos before heading back to Vietnam - Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hoi An await.

Tailor-made trips for   Laos

The Rough Guides to Laos and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Find even more inspiration here

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 26.04.2021

Ready to travel and discover Laos?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

• Where to stay
• Travel advice

• A trip Beyond Indochina

• Products search

No products in the cart.

• Laos Classic Tours
• Laos Family Tours
• Laos Cycling & Adventure Tours
• Luang Prabang Tours & Day Trips
• Vientiane Tours & Day Trips
• Laos River Cruises
• Customized Tours
• Multi-Country Asia Tours
• Vietnam Tours
• Cambodia Tours
• Myanmar Tours
• Luang Prabang
• Laos Travel Guide

Tips & Articles

The pristine beauty of phongsaly.

During Laos tour , travellers wake up at a house on the mountain, watch the sunrise, enjoy trekking and admire the beauty of sunset behind the mountain chains, you can find all of these alluring views in Phongsaly. Phongsaly is the highest city in Laos, it may be not as significant as others, but it will satisfy you like nature heals every soul.

Geological location of Phongsaly

Things to do and see in Phongsaly

Cuisine in Phongsaly

Highlights in Phongsaly

Phou den din nbca.

Phou Den Din National Biological Conservation Area is a large and remote area, where contains wild animal and has no presence of the human. The only way to access this area is to go by small boat from Nam Ou River. The trip is only for truly adventurous people, you must prepare everything carefully, bring food, light camping, equipment to protect yourself and a local guide as you are in the most undisturbed areas of the forest.

The Nam Lan Conservation Area

It contains 22.000ha densely forest with at the steep terrain, picturesque villages with paddy flank at the northern and eastern boundaries of the area. Some ecotourism lodges are being built in these villages and it will become an interesting destination to explore soon.

Trekking in Phongsaly

Several trekking tours have been organized by the Provincial Tourism Office Phongsaly. With the mountainous terrain and a diverse ecosystem, this place will energize any trekkers. You can take easy trekking along the ridge lines to the Northeast and Southeast or challenge trekking along the Jurassic escarpment.

Ou River is one of the tributaries of the Mekong River in northern Laos with 236 miles long, flows through the gorges and mountain valleys before joining the Mekong. Travelers drop by here and enjoy its fantastic scenery.

Username or email address  *

Password  *

Remember me Log in

Lost your password?

• Luang Namtha
• Local Market
• Accommodation

Phoufa view point

Phou Fa mountain (Sky mountain) is a sacred area for worship from people in Phongsaly. Phou Fa is located northeast of Phongsaly district. At 1640 meters above sea level, it is the highest mountain in the vicinity of this area. The mountain covers ​​about 200 hectares, covered with jungle, evergreen all the year, be a home of variety of wildlife, valuable non-timber forest products, and many useful medicinal plants that the people in the city used to use as medicine. The Phu Fa Hill dominates Phongsaly town. The 45 min hiking up to the top offers spectacular views of the town and the mountains in far distance.

There are two ways to arrive Phou Fa such as walking and driving vehicle up to moutain. During the haft way, it has have a picnic area and also have a small shop to relax and buy something for eating and drinking. On the top you will see overview of the Phongsaly city and praying to Buddha image and stupa.

Samakyxai Village

Samakyxai village is far away from Phongsaly 36 km,  Akha Pixo tribe, 86 houses, population 504, women still wear their traditional cloths. If you you would like to discover Akha culture without walking in long time ? We reccommend to take bus or private Tuk Tuk for 30mn, and 1 hour walking. Then you will find yourself in another world. After a short break in the village, Akha Pixo women will lead you to the field and show how to collect vegetables for lunch.  After come back in the village, you will cook together with them. This chance will provide you to discover an Akha’s house and kitchen. After lunch, a 5mn walk brings you to the ritual swing in the spirit forest, a specificity of Akha Ethnic. You will then find yourself on the trail leading you back to the road.

400 years old tea plants

The famous 400-year-old tea plantation is located about 15 kilometres away at Komaen Village (Phounoy Ethnic Village) which according to some tea experts has some of the oldest tea trees in the world. The large root system of the old trees extends deep into the mineral-rich soil and gives ‘Phongsaly Tea’ its specific aroma and taste. The oldest trees stand 6 m high with a stem up to 30 cm in diameter. There are regularly cut and kept to a reasonable size by Phunoy people, climbing to pick the precious leaves. They then process and sell this rare tea in cigar-shaped tubes.

Komaen Village makes an ideal 1-day excursion, the relatively flat road passing through more recent tea plantations and offering a stunning view on Phongsaly and surrounding mountains. In the village a newly built tea-tasting shop also serves some food and sells the 400-year-old tea. (It is recommended to ask at the Tourism Office whether it is necessary to order food in advance). Have a look to the temple and its characteristic Buddha statue with big ears.

Luang Namtha Tourism Division Phonsay Village, Luang Namtha District Tel/WhatsApp below: +856 20 5519 7666 +856 20 57032099 +85620 2913 8883 [email protected] www.luangnamthatourism.org

Laos General Information How to Get in Laos Laos History

DO’S & DON’TS The definitive on how to be respectful within Lao culture.

Official Websites

www.tourismlaos.org www.ecotourismlaos.org www.tourismluangprabang.org www.oudomxaytourism.blogpost.com www.xiengkhouangtourism.com www.bolikhamxaytourism.com www.tourismkhammouane.org www.southern-laos.com

5 Incredible Things to Do in Phongsaly Province, Laos

Not many people travel to the North of Laos. In fact, during my six days in Phongsaly Province, I probably only saw three other Westerners.

This does not mean that Northern Laos or Phongsaly is a bad place to travel. Actually, quite the opposite in my opinion. I saw some of the most beautiful untouched natural beauty and met some genuinely wholehearted people.

While that’s the case, I don’t recommend Phongsaly for everyone. The infrastructure for tourism is pretty much nonexistent. You must essentially figure things out on your own since most Laotians don’t speak English in these remote villages.

But if you are up for the challenge, a trip to Phongsaly is unbelievably rewarding!

Here are five incredibly rewarding things to do and see in Phongsaly Province.

1. Explore the Mountain Town of Phôngsali

Situated near the top of Mount Phu Fa at an elevation of 1,430 meters amongst the clouds, the mountain town of Phongsali is a must during your Northern Laos travels. As the capital of Phongsaly Province, Phongsali inhabits around 6,000 Laotians.

Some things to do in Phongsali include:

• Hike to the top of Mount Phu Fa (AKA Phou Fa)
• Explore the Yunnan-style wooden buildings in the old quarter
• Eat cheap food and drink Beerlao at one of the many restaurants around the pond

Additionally, the Phongsaly Market is something you must experience. This indoor market was one of the cleanest, most-organized Asian markets I’ve been to.

2. See a 400 Year Old Tea Tree

While Ban Komen Kao does exist on Google Maps , there seems to be no roads going in or out. This just goes to show you how remote this Laotian village really is.

In reality, Ban Komen Kao is just across the valley from Phongsali; however, it’ll take you a good 45 minutes to navigate your way through the windy dirt roads on a motorbike.

You’ll know you have arrived to the edge of the village when you see the green stage-like area that says “400 Year Old Tea Garden” in yellow paint.

After taking some obligatory pictures on the stage, stop into the blue building across street. Here you will informally learn about how tea leaves are dried and roasted after they are picked from the trees.

Again, there is no tour or tickets to buy. The people working in Ban Komen Kao are genuinely proud of the work they do and extremely happy to show it off to you. Best of all, they’ll let you taste some of the freshest tea you’ll ever have for free.

Next you’ll want to stroll through the tea gardens to witness the hill tribes harvesting tea leaves. You’ll spot everyone from young children to old women climbing barefoot up the branches of the tea trees.

3. Get Lost on a Motorbike

One of the most vividly distinct memories I have from traveling in Laos are the endless rice fields. My travel partner and I spent two days motorbiking through northern Laos. During this time, I couldn’t begin to tell you how many rice fields we drove by.

Similar to a lot of places in Southeast Asia, you don’t rent from a rental company, but rather borrow someone’s personal motorbike for cash. We actually rented our motorbike from the son of the owner of Sone Laos Coffee Shop who worked at the Phongsaly hotel a few doors down.

A few related recommendations : Sone’s Coffee Shop for breakfast ($5/person) and Viphaphone Hotel for lodging ($10/night)

Once you acquire a motorbike, the best thing to do is just get out there and drive. The sights you’ll see are incredible, and the places you’ll stumble upon will amaze you.

4. Visit the Northern Most Point in Laos

I’ll be honest. There isn’t much to see at the northern most point in Laos. The only point of interest is the Lantouy International Checkpoint to China. While this is cool to see, it’s a heck of a drive to get there from Phongsali.

We ambitiously must’ve thought we were superhuman and tried to make the trip here from Phongsali and back in one day. DON’T DO THIS.

Although we made the trip from Phongsali to the Laos/China border and back in two days, I still don’t recommend this.

Your best best is to take your time and drive to Yot Ou the first day. Spend the night here and then continue to the Laos/China border the next day. Finally, spend a second night in Yot Ou before venturing back to Phongsali the next day.

5. Soak Up the Untouched Natural Beauty of Yot Ou

One last memory of Phongsaly that will remain vividly engrained in my memory forever is the view of Yot Ou valley from above. You won’t miss this stunning mountainside view of the valley below as you approach Yot Ou from the south.

There are many spots along the road where you can pull off, sit back, and enjoy the epic view.

What I liked the most about the view was the fact that very few people have seen it before. First of all, not many people travel to Laos in genreal. Additionally, most of those who do visit Laos stick to the hotspots like Vientiane and Luang Prabang. There’s something truly special about having scenery like this to yourself.

While in retrospect they’re quite different, we joked that the view of Yot Ou was similar to that of the picture on the Hidden Valley ranch bottle.

While you’re traveling in this part of Laos, you should definitely check out Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoy just south of Phongsaly.

If you have any specific questions about Phongsaly travel or northern Laos in general, let me know in the comments below.

After years of backpacking the world solo, Tony is an expert when it comes to budget travel. Discover why Tony quit his job to travel on the cheap, and follow him on YouTube for all the latest.

1 thought on “5 Incredible Things to Do in Phongsaly Province, Laos”

Do you remember if anyone was offering any sort of trecking activities when you were there?

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• Phongsaly Province Tourism
• Phongsaly Province Hotels
• Phongsaly Province Bed and Breakfast
• Flights to Phongsaly Province
• Phongsaly Province Restaurants
• Things to Do in Phongsaly Province
• Phongsaly Province Travel Forum
• Phongsaly Province Map
• All Phongsaly Province Hotels
• Phongsaly Province Hotel Deals
• Phongsaly Province
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Tips for a trek in Phongsali - Phongsaly Province Forum

• Asia    
• Laos    
• Phongsaly Province    

Tips for a trek in Phongsali

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Laos forums
• Phongsaly Province forum

in January I will be in Laos for a lonely journey! I would ask you some good places for making trekking. For what I read, I think I wanna go in Phongsaly province. Can I ask you if you know someone who make a guide for a trekking in the jungle? I don't want agency or something else but I prefer a local person who guide me in the lost places, with lost village....do you know something about this? Thanks a lot

18 replies to this topic

Salve, c'è andato a Phonsaly ? Qualche commento sul trekking in zona ? Grazie!

I just returned from a week up there- it is a very cool area! Too muddy at the time for trekking for me, I had to cover the area by 4WD. Weather is good now though, so maybe good for trekking.

The local people all work for the agencies, and only local people with a LICENSE can officially guide you. When you arrive in Phongsali, contact Amazing Lao Travel, they have a lot of different treks on offer.

Here is the website http://www.explorephongsalylaos.com/

Thanks, I was there end December. Not freezing, but a fleece was useful. We went for a two days trek with the tourist office, south of Phongsaly (nòt bad) and then a three days trek north, from Hat Sa, which was superb, with Amazing Lao. Should I go there again, I would take a five day trek with Amazing Lao.

Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum posting guidelines with regards to family-friendly language and/or subject matter.

A rape is a horrible crime and I hope those responsible will be punished. However on aspects like hygiene and toilets your story is surprising. All guide and guidebooks and certainly The handouts at The tourist Office in Phongsaly describe very clearly the situation in the rural Areas. Food may BE simple but is not disgusting, I was there end december, enjoyed dry, beautiful wheather. And abusing of alcool, whether travelling alone or not, is never such a clever idea.

I really really hope that.

I didn´t get those information in the tourist-information in Phongsaly about not having a toilet and no running water. I think you should not send tourist in such unhygienic and dirty place. What´s the point of not having a toilett in a villige where tourist are send? Some Food was ok, but for Breakfast a had Offal of animals, not very good. You are right in the point of drinking alkohol, this was i big big mistake, but i never thought about that this could happen to me in a villige full of spirit and a guide who should protect me. I paid him a lot of money for that.

The point is that really bad things happens to me and I really hope that this will not happen again

I got back from Laos a little under a month ago, after spending a month working in remote villages as a health care worker, and I find your claims to be extraordinary. Im not going to touch on the rape aspect, as that is a police matter, but I will refute your claims about there been no toilets, no hygiene and ppl walking around with feaces everywhere, and women walking around with there breast out..

To start with, pretty much every house has a toilet, just not a western toilet you would be used to, but a squat toilet, and the Lao ppl are a very proud nation so I dont believe for a second they would be just opening their bowels anywhere they like.

As for women walking around with no clothes on, I also find very hard to believe, unless they were breast feeding as again, Lao is very modest in terms of covering up, and would find it extremely hard to believe they would go against there culture and walk around naked.

To be honest, I think you have used a lot of hyperbole in your post, and I find it extremely hard to belive a word you have said (like I mentioned though, im not talking about the alleged Rape, as thats for you and tge authorities to discuss).

I am very very sorry to hear of your situation, being touched by a man without your permission anytime or anywhere is never excuseable. Ever!

But some things you just have to know about the culture-

1. Nobody can predict the rain. I was just in Phongsali for a week and we had 5 days of rain. So what? I hired a guy with a 4WD to take me around to the villages. I had a great time in spite of the rain. I was also in Sayabouli and we had rain, and after that I was in Luang Prabang and we had rain.

2. I have been to numerous remote villages around Southeast Asia and all villages have toilets. Flush toilets no, but simple squat toilets yes. Many people use the bush when out foraging for food, so on occasion you will see human or animal feces here and there.

3. There are tribes in Phongsali where women do not cover their chests, I don't see the problem here. If this offends you, go elsewhere. I have seen people eating dog and slaughtering cows and pigs, this may offend some people but it is their way of life.

4. I found the rural food excellent. Sticky rice, freshly-steamed vegetables, birds, buffalo skin, all of it I loved. If you have dietary requirements or are vegetarian etc you need to explain this to your trekking guide BEFORE you head out.

5. Trekking in rural areas is a lot like camping. No hot running water, no showers, no flush toilets. This makes me all the more grateful for what I have when I return home. But for many people around the world, this is a way of life. If foreign tourists are uncomfortable wiht this, they can choose to stay in a comfortable hotel in the town and just go for daytrips to see the villages nearby. Many people choose to do this, so they don't need to get out of their comfort zone.

I will pass on your report to the people I know in tourism in Phongsali to make sure this kind of treatment that you experienced never happens again.

I am having local people in Phongsali look into that situation. I have sent you a private message, please read it.

• Muang Khua to Nong Khiaw then Luang Prabang Jan 12, 2024
• Muang Khua to Luang Prabang Mar 28, 2023
• Trekking 14 Feb - 18 Feb 2020 Jan 06, 2020
• Phongsali- Amazing Trekking Options and Hilltribes Nov 26, 2018
• Muang Khua to Pak Nga Jan 29, 2018
• Trekking, Phongsali or Luang Namtha Nov 28, 2017
• Muang Khua to Luang Namtha Mar 24, 2017
• Tips for a trek in Phongsali Jan 27, 2017
• Car and driver? Jan 25, 2017
• I got raped in Akha Eupa Village. Don´t go to Phongsaly!!! Jan 24, 2017
• Muang Khua to Hanoi Jan 03, 2017
• Muang Khua to Hanoi Dec 30, 2016
• Phongsaly to Sapa Oct 13, 2016
• Muang Khua to Phongsali Sep 23, 2016

Phongsaly Province Hotels and Places to Stay

Khammouane, Phongsaly Provinces Prepare for Visit Laos Year 2024

Tourism departments in Khammouane and Phongsaly provinces in central and north of Laos are gearing up for the upcoming Visit Laos Year 2024, with a focus on promoting their unique natural and cultural attractions.

The head of Khammouane Province’s information, culture, and tourism department, Xaysomboun Souvandala, announced that the province has 13 activities planned to promote tourism in six districts,  KPL reported.

Xaysomboun revealed that the province has mobilized funds, collected photos from tourist sites, created online advertisements, and prepared skills training courses for hospitality service staff throughout the province. The central authority has also worked closely with staff at international checkpoints such as the Third Mekong Friendship Bridge and Naphao to ensure effective cross-border mechanisms for tourists. 

The tourism authorities have also inspected all hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants to ensure that they meet the required standards for welcoming a high number of visitors, he explained.

Khammouane Province currently counts 209 tourist sites, 145 of which are natural sites, while the others are cultural and historical. However, only 87 of the 209 venues are open to the public.

Phongsaly, the northernmost province, or the “land of green tea and morning mists”, is also preparing to welcome more than 128,000 tourists next year, foreseeing to generate more than LAK 345 billion in revenue.

Somtouy Phommavongxay, head of the province’s information, culture, and tourism department in Phongsaly,  said  that provincial authorities will organize an ethnic food and tea festival. The province, on the border with China and Vietnam, is renowned for producing organically grown green tea, which has received worldwide recognition for its high quality and superb taste. The tea leaves are picked from trees that are up to 400 years old.

“Provincial authorities are preparing visitor facilities and improving infrastructure and standards at places of accommodation and restaurants in preparation for an influx of tourists next year,” Somtouy told the  Phongsaly News Outlet.

Phongsaly is also known for its trekking tours to remote mountainous villages. The highest mountain in the province, Pha That Phou Far is one of the most popular tourist attractions.

According to  Tourism Laos , Phongsaly is home to 28 ethnic groups, including the Khmu, Phounoy, Akha, Tai Lue, and Hor. Each group has its own unique culture, traditions, dress style, and language.

While local authorities are reading their provinces for a new influx of tourists, Vientiane Capital is also  expediting preparations  to welcome more foreign visitors during Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship and Visit Laos Year 2024.

Laos is almost ready for  Visit Laos Year 2024,  a nationwide campaign to promote tourism and attract more visitors to the country. The goal is to draw at least 4.6 million foreign and Lao tourists, generating revenue of USD 712 million.

The promotion campaign will officially launch in late November.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/10/11/khammouane-phongsaly-provinces-prepare-for-visit-laos-year-2024/

Leave a Reply

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also be interested in:

• Trade & Media Resources
• Southern Laos – charming by nature
• Ecotourism Laos
• Visit SE Asia

Tourism Marketing Department Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism Lane Xang Avenue Hatsadi Village Chanthabouly District Vientiane Capital

Tel/Fax: +856-21-212248 Website: www.tourismlaos.org

• Travel deals
• Best selling tours
• Vientiane Tours
• Luang Prabang Tours
• Honeymoon Tours
• Cruise Tours
• Adventure Tours
• Student Tours
• Classic Tours
• Cycling Tours
• Heritage Tours
• Trekking Tours
• Tours from 1 – 3 days
• Tours from 4 – 6 days
• Tours from 7 – 9 days
• Tours from 10 – 12 days
• Tours from 13 – 20 days
• Indochina Package Tours
• Things to do
• What to see
• Destinations

Farthest north in Laos is Phongsaly, which shares borders with Yunnan (China) and Dien Bien (Vietnam). Most of Phongsaly Province lies at a high altitude. Its capital, Phongsaly town, is the highest city in Laos PDR at 1.400 m above sea level. Up there the climate is pleasant and refreshing covering the endless mountains down to the canyon of the Nam Ou River, biggest tributary of the Mekong. The population is made up of officially 28 different ethnic groups, of which the majority being Khmu, Phounoy, different Akha, Tai Lue and Hor, each with their own culture, traditions, costumes, and languages. The forests contain an abundance of animal, bird, insect and plant life, and there are certainly many undiscovered species, new to science. Several trekking tours have been established by the Provincial Tourism Office Phongsaly.

Most visitors of Phongsaly Province get a feeling of “no longer being in Laos, not yet having reached China”. History tells fascinating stories, though much of it still lies in darkness. Between China and Laos the territory of north-western Phongsaly and southern Yunnan once was the independent Tai Lue kingdom of Sipsongpanna. In 1895 the French colonialists drew new boundaries along the watersheds of the Nam Ou river, claiming Sipsongpanna’s eastern part to Phongsaly incorporating it into French Indochina. Its bigger part went into Yunnan Province, China.

Unless many other cities in Laos, Phongsaly Town has not been destroyed in the American war. It features a remaining old quarter with Yunnanese wooden architecture now rare to find in Yunnan itself. Most of the people living here belong to the Hor ethnic group, speaking Chinese. Until the 1970s there has been a Chinese consulate in Phongsaly Town, now the “Phou Fa Hotel”. In the “Museum of Ethnic Groups in Phongsaly Province” you can admire the various local cloths, artifacts and handicrafts. The town itself is surrounded by rolling hills and is built into the side of Phou Fa Mountain (1,625m). The 45 minute hike up to its stupa on top offers spectacular views of the town from above and the mountains in the far distance.

Although a bit off the main tourist circuit, visitors can spend plenty of time in Phongsaly Province trekking to remote villages around the provincial, Boun Neua, Muang Khua at the Nam Ou River and in Boun Tai District’s “Nam Lan Conservation Area”. In the northern most district of the country, Gnot Ou, visit  Wat Luang , a magnificent Tai Lue style Buddhist monastery dating back to 1445 AD. In the future “Phou Den Din National Protected Area” along the border with Vietnam will be opened for boat trips. Wild animals like monkeys, elephants and tigers still claim it their territory!

The province offers a delicious variety of Lao and Yunnanese cuisine that consists of wild forest ingredients such as fragrant herbs, bamboo and rattan shoots. After dinner try a shot of the local  Lao Lao , smooth, strong and tinted green! During the final stage of the distillation process this rice whisky is running over fresh picked raspberry leaves absorbing the green color.

Chinese-style green tea of Phongsaly receives worldwide recognition for its highest quality and superb taste. Tea leaves are picked by Phounoy minority women from up to 400 year old tea trees, standing 6m high with a stem up to 30cm in diameter. These precious tea leaves are compressed in bamboo cylinders and sold in cigar-shaped tubes. In this wild tea grove fertilizers and chemicals have never been used. Drinking a daily cup keeps the body in good health, reduces fat and preserves a clear mind.

HIGHLIGHTS IN PHONGSALY

Phou Den Din NBCA

The large and very remote Phou Den Din NBCA is accessible most easily by small boat up the Nam Ou river. The trip only for most adventurous: You must be well prepared, and take food, light camping equipement and a guide which can be arranged from Phongsaly Town. You are in the remotest part of Southeast Asia in the most undisturbed areas of forest.

The Nam Lan Conservation Area (NLCA)

Covers 22,000 ha of mostly densely forested, very steep terrain, at between 600 metres and 1,850 metres elevation. Picturesque villages, mostly growing lowland irrigated paddy flank part of the northern and eastern boundaries of the area. Ecotourism lodges are being set up in five of these villages. The attractive little town of Boun Tai is a good base for visiting the NLCA.

Good Base for Trekking

Easy trekking along the ridge lines to the Northeast and Southeast, or more vigourous treks along the Jurassic escarpment (about 30km to the west of Phongsaly on the Boun Neua road), or along the foot of the escarpment (km 37, take off to the south through forest and paddy fields on the new Nam Boun Kao trail).

Ou River, situated between Phongsaly downstream to Pak Ou in Luang Prabang, has wonderful scenery  on both sides of the river. Nong khiaw is also a beautiful stopover along the way good for camping on the sandy beach of the river.

Laos Tourist

# 081, Samsenthai Road, Vientiane, Laos Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.laostourist.com

Recommended on Tripadvisor

Laos Destinations

• Vientian Capital
• Luang Prabang
• Luang Namtha
• Xieng Khouang
• Savannakhet
• Bolikhamxay
• Laos Car rental
• Laos flights
• Laos things to do
• Laos things to see
• Laos Customized Tours

Package deals

Huay xai to luang prabang tour by boat 2 days, laos holiday with gibbon experience 8 days, daily joined tours in luang prabang city, daily joined tours in vientiane, kuangsi and luang prabang city tour 1 day, vietnam visa.

Laos Tourist provides tourist information for travelers to Laos. Here you find information about events, activities, weather, restaurants and hotels in Laos. There is also information about travel tips to Laos. Laos Tourist offers promotion package tours to Laos. We are one of the Top-10 Inbound Tour Operators, with reliable and high quality services in travel industry in Laos.

• Laos travel deals
• Laos best selling tours
• Laos Travel guide
• Laos transportation

About Laos Tourist

• Testimonials
• Terms and Conditions
• Laos photo gallery

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Travel.State.Gov Newsroom

U.S. Passports News

International Travel News

U.S. Visas News

Intercountry Adoption News and Notices

Share this page:

Update on Change to U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for nonimmigrant travel

Worldwide Visa Operations: Update

Employment-Based Fourth Preference (EB-4) Announcement

Suspension of Visa Services in Sudan

Diversity Visa 2024 Update

Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases to Take Effect June 17, 2023

India EB-3 Retrogression

Expiration of Covid-Era Visa Application Fee Receipts

Digital Visa Authorization (DVA) Proof of Concept

Final Rule Governing Public Charge Grounds of Visa Ineligibility

Visa Waiver Travel for Israeli Citizens

Important Update on Waivers of the Interview Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Department of State to Process Domestic Visa Renewals in Limited Pilot Program

Visa Information for Nationals of Haiti

Department of State/AILA Liaison Committee Meeting March 20, 2024

The Department of State has suspended visa services in Haiti

The information below outlines options Haitian nationals seeking U.S. visas may consider.

Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas are for foreign nationals who intend to live and/or work permanently in the United States.  In most cases, a relative or employer sponsors the individual by filing a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  Further information on immigrant visas can be found here:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate.html .

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has suspended routine immigrant visa appointments until further notice. Immigrant visa applicants who can travel to another U.S. embassy or consulate that processes immigrant visas and remain in that country for the duration of their visa processing should consider requesting the transfer of their case from U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince using the instructions below:

If the case is at U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince :   Applicants may contact a new U.S. embassy or consulate in writing to request the transfer of their immigrant visa case.  Applicants can find the contact information for Immigrant Visa Units at U.S. embassies and consulates at https://usembassy.gov/ .  The applicant should provide evidence, if possible, of their presence in the country to which they would like their case to be transferred, or documentation of their ability to enter and remain in that country for the duration of the immigrant visa process.

If the Case is Pending at the National Visa Center (NVC):   Applicants may contact NVC at https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry to request a transfer to another immigrant visa processing post.  Applicants should be prepared to provide evidence of the ability to enter and remain in the requested country for the duration of the process.

Applicants may also request NVC expedite their case at the new consular section by emailing [email protected] and providing the specific reason for their expedite request.  Please be aware expedited case processing does not apply to family preference visa categories where a case is not current.

The Department of State continues to communicate with U.S. adoptive families in the intercountry adoption process and adoption service providers regarding recent developments in Haiti, and we are assessing the situation as it unfolds.  The Department is responding to individual inquiries from Adoption Service Providers and prospective adoptive parents. 

We are working as quickly as possible to identify options for continued case processing and assisted departure for Haitian children in the intercountry adoption process, while meeting U.S. laws, regulations, and our Hague  Convention obligations as well as minimizing the risk of Haitian children coming to the United States with no clear path to legal status .

We are also working with Haiti’s child welfare authority, the Institut du Bien-Être Social et de Recherches (IBESR), to assist Haitian adoptive children in obtaining exit permissions, while we work on solutions at other stages of the intercountry adoption process. 

Prospective adoptive parents should remain in regular contact with their adoption service providers in the United States.

U.S. citizens who have adopted Haitian children through the domestic Haitian process (rather than an intercountry adoption) and have an appointment date from USCIS for an N-600K interview may apply for a B-1/B-2 visa for the child to attend the interview and naturalize.  This is appropriate only for children who do not intend to reside in the United States.  See Nonimmigrant Visas  below.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Most nonimmigrant visa categories require the applicant to demonstrate intent to leave the United States after a temporary stay .

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has suspended routine nonimmigrant visa appointments until further notice.  T he U.S. Embassy in Port au Prince can only accept expedited nonimmigrant visa appointments for life-or-death medical emergencies (with proof of travel plans) or to facilitate travel for a child with a confirmed USCIS appointment for a naturalization interview based on a Form N-600K .  Applicants can submit a request for an expedited NIV appointment by following the instructions provided at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ht/en/nonimmigrant-visa .

Nonimmigrant visa applicants may apply at any embassy or consulate where they are physically present and where appointments are available.  A full list of embassies and consulates is available here: https://www.usembassy.gov/ .  Appointment wait times are available at U.S. Visas (state.gov) .  Once an interview appointment is made, applicants can request an expedited appointment but must describe the unique circumstances that justify such a request.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Prince Harry says travel industry must do more for local communities

• Medium Text

Get weekly news and analysis on the U.S. elections and how it matters to the world with the newsletter On the Campaign Trail. Sign up here.

Reporting by Michael Holden Editing by Ros Russell

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Sustainability Chevron

Dutch privacy watchdog recommends government organisations stop using Facebook

The Dutch privacy watchdog AP on Friday said it was recommending that government organizations should stop using Facebook as long as it is unclear what happens with personal data of users of the government's Facebook pages.

Teamsters local unions in three states filed unfair labor practice charges against PepsiCo with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, the union said on Friday.

• Share full article

Advertisement

How to Fly Your Kid Solo, Free of Stress

By Alexander Nazaryan

For many parents and guardians, putting a child on a flight alone may seem terrifying. Belligerent passengers, delays, turbulence: All loom large in a caregiver’s imagination.

Life sometimes leaves no other option. Hudson Crites , 17, of Marshall, Va., was 10 when he started flying unaccompanied to visit his father in Kansas and later Georgia, said his mother, Chelsea Tippett. But the extra attention from airline staff made Hudson “feel special,” Ms. Tippett recalls. Other than a single tarmac delay, he has had no problems.

On rare occasions, children have had troubling experiences. In December, Spirit Airlines accidentally flew a 6-year-old to Orlando, Fla., instead of the intended destination of Fort Myers. Spirit apologized, fired the gate agent responsible and offered reimbursement to the boy’s grandmother for her travel to Orlando. But while the boy was unharmed, his grandmother expressed worry that he had been kidnapped .

If you decide to fly your child unaccompanied, you’ll discover that each airline has its own procedures, fees and routes open to children. While some may find the process complicated, flying alone may be exciting for your child, instilling some independence. Here’s what you need to know.

Before you book, know the process

Regardless of the airline or route, flying an unaccompanied minor differs from an adult or a family catching a flight. Airlines require a trusted pre-authorized adult to be at the departure and arrival gates, and will ask you at booking to provide contact information for those adults. They will also need to present identification at the terminals.

The journey begins at the originating airport’s airline ticket counter. There, airline staff will check your identification and check in the child, perhaps handing them a lanyard or wristband to wear. The agents will provide you with a pass to get through security with your child. You will accompany them to the gate, where you will hand them off to a gate agent. You must stay at the gate until the plane takes off.

In the air, the flight crew will keep watch — but will not babysit, or sit with, your child. If the flight has a connection, a crew member will walk your child off the plane and a gate agent will take him or her to the next gate.

At the arrival airport, the child will be handed off by staff to the authorized guardian or parent who should have already checked in at the ticket counter with proper identification, gone through security with their gate pass and be waiting at the gate.

To learn more about this process, read the Department of Transportation’s online guide, “When Kids Fly Alone,” followed by the website of your selected carrier.

Choosing an airline and paying an extra fee

Before purchasing a ticket, experts advise you to consider an airline’s on-time performance. “Solid on-time performance is hard-earned, and signals a carrier that has tight control of its operation,” said the Ask the Pilot author, Patrick Smith. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has those numbers.

Booking procedures vary. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines require you to call. United Airlines allows bookings online. JetBlue Airways does online bookings, too, but asks for three printed copies of its forms upon arrival at the airport.

International flights may call for a notarized consent letter describing where the child is traveling, with whom they’ll stay and how long they’ll be there.

On top of the ticket fare, flying an unaccompanied minor can be pricey.

Southwest Airlines charges $100 one way for each child, regardless of distance. Alaska Airlines charges $50 per child if the flight is nonstop; a connection adds $25. On Delta, one $150 fee will cover up to four children, and American’s $150 covers all siblings, with no cap on number. United charges $150 for one child, or two children flying together.

Restrictions: There are plenty

U.S. carriers allow children to fly as unaccompanied minors once they turn 5 and before they turn 18. But regardless of your child’s age, make sure he or she is ready by discussing the trip details and your expectations of their behavior. No policy can replace your judgment.

The low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air don’t allow unaccompanied minors, Other airlines have restrictions that, in the broadest terms, differentiate between young children and teenagers. American and Delta restrict children under 8 from routes requiring connections. Both airlines allow children between 8 and 14 to take some connecting flights.

On American, no unaccompanied minor is allowed to take an overnight flight requiring a connection, or a flight that includes a connection on its final leg that also happens to be the last such flight that day (“unless it’s the only flight,” the company adds). Minors are not allowed on code-share flights.

United and Delta have similar rules. Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit don’t allow unaccompanied minors on connecting flights.

JetBlue prohibits minors from flying to Europe, and limits the number of unaccompanied minors in one party to three. Spirit does not allow children on flights to Central or South America. Southwest doesn’t allow children on any international flights. American, United and Delta let minors fly abroad, but restrictions on connections, code-shares and overnights limit options.

American and Delta allow children to opt out of flying as unaccompanied minors once they turn 15 — that is, the child can fly without the assistance of airline personnel. JetBlue ends unaccompanied minor service at 14, while Alaska has an opt-out option at 13. Southwest boasts the lowest opt-out age: 12.

However, you should be able to accompany your child to the gate even if they’re not flying unaccompanied. American requires that you do so for teens between the ages of 15 and 17, even if they’ve opted out.

What to pack

Have a plan to head off your child’s hunger, boredom and thirst. If they are older, make sure they have emergency money and a charged phone.

When her two daughters, then 9 and 11, flew to Denver, Joey Conover of Charlottesville, Va., had a long list for their carry-ons.

“Pack a backpack with iPad, headphones, lightweight book to read, a pad of paper and colored pencils (markers might smear), a small travel game, water bottle (bring empty and fill in airport), snacks, some kind of surprise fidget or animals to play with, hoodie, and a lovey,” she wrote in an email.

“Write your name and phone number on the inside of their arm in Sharpie and put a parent’s business card in a luggage tag on both suitcase and backpack,” Ms. Conover said. (A sheet of paper with all their identification, and their guardian’s contact information, also works. Simply stick in an easy-to-access pocket.)

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .