Location
HOW TO GET TO LAOS
You can either reach Laos by plane, or by road.
By plane
Visitors arrive through Vientiane Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang Airport and Pakse Airport by Lao Aviation, Vietnam Airline, The Southern China Airline, Thai airway International. There are regular flights to Bangkok, Hochiminh City, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Chiang Mai and Kunming.
Regarding internal flights, Wattay International Airport is connected by daily flights to all parts of Laos to Luang Prabang, Pakse, Savannakhet and Xiengkhouang.
By road
The most important road is route N. 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 2500 km from China to Cambodia.
Two more important roads: N. 1 and N. 8 provide a link between Thailand and China by, and road N.9 provide a link between Thailand and Vietnam. Domestic bus services (Air-conditioned and regular) reaching in to all corners of Lao PDR every day.
Information about borders
Entrance to Lao PDR through borders check points, which are open daily from 8:30am to 5:00pm, is possible:
From China:
– Via south of China, Muangla to Boten check point in Luang Namtha Province by bus or train.
From Thailand:
– Via Nongkhai to Vientiane by friendship Bridge (Shuttle bus)
– Via Chiang khong (Thailand) to Houeixay by crossing 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 and Shuttle bus)
From 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
ABOUT MUANG XAY (OUDOMXAY PROVINCE)
Oudomxay (or Moung Xai) is one province of Laos, located in the northwest of the country. The province capital is Muang Xai. The topography of Oudomxay is mountainous, between 300-1,800 metres (980-5,910 ft) above sea level. The three main rivers of province are MeKhong, Nam Park, Nam Beng and Nam Kor. The combination of mountains and rivers makes this region the perfect place for hiking and trekking.
The population is divided into approximately 14 different ethnic groups. The exact numbers are not known, but according to the province administration, the following estimations can be assumed:
– Khmu (among them Khmu Lu, Khmu Khong, Khmu Am, Khmu Bit) 60-80%
– Lao Loum 25%
– Hmong (among them Hmong Khao, Hmong Dam und Hmong Lai) 15%
– minor ethnic groups living in the province include Akha, Phouthai (Thai Dam and Thai Khao), Phou Noy (Phou Xang, Phou Kongsat, Phou Nhot), Lao Houy (also Lenten), Phouan, Ly, Yang, Ikho and Ho.
Each group has its own languages, cultural heritage and lifestyles.
HOW TO GET TO MUANG XAY
Muang Xay is provided with facilities for tourists, such as guesthouses, and tourist sites. You can get to Oudom Xay or Muang Xay by bus, train, plane and boat.
By plane
Lao Skyway offers flights from Vientiane every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 12:00 (1 hour long flight to Muang Xay). Lao Airlines has daily flights departing from Vientiane at 11:40 for a 50-minute flight.
By boat
Mekong riverboats leave from Luang Prabang 2 times a day in the direction of Houay Xay. Stop at Pakbeng, and from there, buses leave twice a day for Muang Xay in the morning for the 3-hour drive.
By bus
| Depart from | Km | Departure time |
|---|---|---|
|
Boten, Chinese Border |
82 km |
9:10 |
|
Luang Namtha |
115 km |
08:30 / 12:00 / 14:00 |
|
Luang Prabang |
194 km |
09:30 / 12:30 / 15:00 |
|
Nong Kiew |
114 km |
08:00 |
|
Phongsaly |
236 km |
08:30 |
|
Vientiane |
583 km |
06:45 / 13:45
VIP 1: 16:00
VIP 2: 17:00 |
|
Houay Xay |
102 km |
09:00 |
|
Houay Xay |
310 km |
09:00 / 12:00 |
By train
– Vientiane – VangVieng (C82) 07:30-08:25
– Vientiane – VangVieng (C84) 15:05-16:11
– Vientiane – LuangPrabang (C82) 07:30-09:23
– Vientiane – LuangPrabang (C84) 15:05-17:10
– Vientiane – Oudomxay (C82) 07:30-10:17
– Vientiane – NaTeuy (C82) 07:30-10:47
– Vientiane – Boten (C82) 07:30-11:02
Note: Schedules are subject to change. Please check before planning your departure.
