Northern Laos

Northern Laos is a mountainous region of Laos. It shares borders with Thailand, Myanmar, China and Vietnam. The region encompasses the provinces of Phongsali, Oudomxai, Luang Namtha, Bokeo and Sainyabuli.

Photo: Wikimedia, CC0.

Essential Destinations

Top destinations include Luang Prabang and Muang Xay.

Luang Prabang

Photo: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.5.

Luang Prabang, historically known as Xieng Thong, and alternatively spelled Luang Phabang or Louangphabang, is the capital of Luang Prabang Province in north-central Laos.

Muang Xay

Photo: Luisah, Public domain.

Muang Xay is the capital of the multi-ethnic Oudomxay Province, in the Nam Ko River Basin and surrounded by scenic mountains. It's the largest city in Northern Laos and, if you're traveling by land, you'll probably end up here at some point.

Luang Namtha

Photo: Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Luang Namtha is the largest city in Luang Nam Tha Province, Northern Laos. It lies on the banks of the Nam Tha River, and the meaning of the name is "The area around the Tha River ".

Destinations to Discover

Explore places such as Sayabouly and Huay Xai.

Sayabouly

Photo: Masae, Public domain.

Sainyabuli, is the capital of Sainyabuli Province, Laos. It lies on Route 4 which along with Route 13 connects it to Luang Prabang, roughly 80 kilometres northeast by road and to the Thai border across the Luang Prabang Range in the southwest. Sainyabuli Airport lies southwest of the town.

Huay Xai

Photo: Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Huay Xai is the capital of the Laos province of Bokeo. It lies on the banks of the Mekong River, which forms the border to Thailand. For most tourists it is seen as a transport stop-over, which is a pity.

Phongsali

Photo: Wikimedia, Public domain.

Phongsali is one of the larger towns in Northern Laos. As with much of Laos tourism and other infrastructure is being developed at a rapid pace and information in guidebooks is quickly out of date.

Nong Khiaw

Photo: HylgeriaK, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Nong Khiaw is a rustic little town on the bank of the Ou River in Laos. It is squeezed in between some of the most fantastic limestone mountains to be found north of Vang Vieng.

Muang Ngoi Neua

Photo: Bitswonders, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Muang Ngoi Neua is a small riverside village in Northern Laos wedged in between karst mountains at the confluence of the Nam Ngoi and the Nam Ou rivers.

Pakbeng

Photo: Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Pakbeng is a small village in Oudomxay Province, Northern Laos. The two-day boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang has to stop for the night, and a number of guesthouses have been set up to cater to passing tourists.

Muang Sing

Photo: Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Muang Sing is a small town in Northern Laos, about 60 km northwest of Luang Namtha. It sits at the far northwestern part of Laos, bordering Myanmar and China's Yunnan Province.