Huay Xai Tourism (2024) - Laos > Top Places, Travel Guide

Q: What is the best way to reach Huay xai?

From Thailand: Cross over the friendship bridge four which spans over the mighty Mekong connecting Houay Xai with Chiang Khong on the Thailand side. To cross the bridge, you need to take a bus which costs 20 Thai Baht per person. On Arrival visa for Laos can be easily obtained at the border by paying appropriate fees. There are daily bus services from Chiang Rai, Thailand, which costs 220 Thai Baht per person and takes about 2.5 hours for the journey.From Vientiane and Luang Prabang: You can fly in from Vientiane and Luang Prabang to Houay Xai which runs three times a week. There are also buses available from Vientiane and Luang Prabang which takes about 6 to 8 hours and takes about 20 to 30 USD per person.From Luang Namtha: One of the nearest towns to Huay Xai is Luang Namtha. A bus from Luang Namtha drops you at the Keo Champa bus station in Houay Xai. The journey takes around 4 hours. As the bus station is about 5 km outside the town, it costs 10,000 LAK by tuk-tuk to reach any part of the city.Read More

Huay Xai Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 2-3 Days

Best Time: October to February Read More

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Also Refered As:

Ban Houayxay

"Hiking, mountains, local culture "

Huay Xai Tourism

Huay Xai, also known as Ban Houayxay, is the capital of the Bokeo province in Laos. Huay Xai lies on the border of Thailand by the side of the great Mekong river. It is mainly a stopover city for tourists travelling between Laos and Thailand by land.

There is nothing much to do in the town for tourists in terms of attractions, but it is worth spending a day or two to admire the laidback life by the Mekong river and enjoy the green, lush Laotian countryside.

Things to do in Huay Xai

1. Huay Xai Main Market

The main market in the river town of Huay Xai is located behind Fort Carnot on the banks of the Mekong River in Bokeo province of Northern Laos.

Wat Thadsuvanna Phakham is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Huay Xai in Laos. Situated along the banks of the Mekong River, it is a colourful temple known for eight gilded Buddhas covered in g (Read More)old leaf depicting various meditation postures. It is one of the worth visiting places if you are in Huay Xai for its views of the Mekong and the colourful Buddha carvings.

Wat Chom khao Manilat is a large Buddhist temple located in the city of Huay Xai, the capital of Bokeo province in Laos. The temple is situated on a small hill and is known for its brilliant architec (Read More)ture, paintings and splendid views of the town from the top. It is one of the recommended attractions for tourists visiting Huay Xai.

Project Kajsiab is a grassroots initiative community centre located on the banks of the Mekong River in the town of Huay Xai in Laos. It runs several projects at the centre called Daauw, aimed at prom (Read More)oting responsible tourism, education, healthcare and women empowerment among Hmong and other communities living in the region. Tourists visiting Huay Xai should visit Daauw to take part in their exciting workshops and to get to know the community.

Daauw is a community centre located on the banks of the Mekong River in the town of Huay Xai in Laos. It is a grassroots initiative run by Project Kajsiab, which runs several projects at the centre ai (Read More)med at promoting responsible tourism to support the local ethnic communities. Tourists visiting Huay Xai should visit Daauw to take part in their exciting workshops, handicraft shops, and to understand the community.

Mekong Smile Cruise is a boat tour company offering slow boat tours between various towns on the Mekong River in Laos. It is a popular attraction among tourists who want to experience a cruise on the (Read More)Mekong and use as a mode of transport from one town to another. It is a unique and recommended experience for tourists visiting Laos.

Places to Visit

Morning Market: Visit the morning market where locals gather to sell and buy for their daily needs. The market is located in the suburb of Ban Muang Keo. It is best to visit the market in the early morning when it is less crowded. To get there, you can hire a motorbike and drive on the main road towards south just parallel to the Mekong.

Fort Carnot: Located on a hill right in the middle of the town is the Fort Carnot. The fort which is a legacy of French colonial-era now lies in ruins.

Tip: For a magnificent sweeping view of the city climb up on one of the towers. You can combine the visit with the Muang Keo market which lies on the foothill of the hill. The place is particularly suitable for spectacular sunrise and sunset views.

Visit Daauw Village: Located right in the centre of the city is the Daauw Village. Daauw Village makes for a perfect visit for those looking to understand the Lao culture and want to get a slice of everyday Lao life. In the evenings, you can sit around the campfire lit by the locals and enjoy the traditional foods. If you want to contribute, try teaching English during the afternoon session to the local community. Furthermore, you can also participate in workshops conducted by locals.

Things to Do

Visit the sauna: The Sauna is run by the Red Cross and employs the local people. The ticket price is quite low and is undoubtedly an excellent way to spend a relaxing day. The sauna also includes massage service, and you can try one of the herbal teas.

Sunset over the Mekong: There's nothing like seeing a sunset over the mighty Mekong river. Take a bite of delicious local food in one of the many restaurants along the river and enjoy the golden rays of the setting Sun. There are private and group boat tours that last for about 1 to 2 hours and cost around 50 to 80 USD per person, which can be directly booked with the boat operators.

Itinerary

Day 1: Visit Daauw Village and in the evening, book a sunset tour in the Mekong. End the day by having a relaxing dinner by one of the riverside restaurants.

Day 2: Visit the morning market and then after breakfast, head to Fort Carnot. Book a sauna tour later and finish off your Huay Xai trip on a relaxing note.

Tips

The accommodation options in the town are limited, and hence it's suggested to book your rooms in advance, especially if you are travelling during the peak season.
Beware of the typical tourist scams, avoid tourist touts or anyone who looks suspicious. The most prevalent fraud in the town are hassle-free visa providers.
At the border crossing, do not hand over your documents to anyone who is just trying to help you.
Do not forget to pack mosquito repellents, good hiking shoes, sunscreen, umbrella, sunglasses and essential medicine before you go on a hike.
Always follow the signs and stay on the trail, no matter how adventurous it may sound to go off the path.

Best Time to Visit Huay Xai

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How to Reach Huay Xai

How to Reach Overview

From Thailand: Cross over the friendship bridge four which spans over the mighty Mekong connecting Houay Xai with Chiang Khong on the Thailand side. To cross the bridge, you need to take a bus which costs 20 Thai Baht per person. On Arrival visa for Laos can be easily obtained at the border by paying appropriate fees.

There are daily bus services from Chiang Rai, Thailand, which costs 220 Thai Baht per person and takes about 2.5 hours for the journey.

From Vientiane and Luang Prabang: You can fly in from Vientiane and Luang Prabang to Houay Xai which runs three times a week. There are also buses available from Vientiane and Luang Prabang which takes about 6 to 8 hours and takes about 20 to 30 USD per person.

From Luang Namtha: One of the nearest towns to Huay Xai is Luang Namtha. A bus from Luang Namtha drops you at the Keo Champa bus station in Houay Xai. The journey takes around 4 hours. As the bus station is about 5 km outside the town, it costs 10,000 LAK by tuk-tuk to reach any part of the city.

Local transport in Huay Xai

Since most of the sites to see are concentrated right in the centre of the town, the best way to get around is on foot. If you want to explore further, you can easily rent a bike from your hostel or a nearby rental shop. You can pay for the motorcycle by the hour or by the day.

To get even further you can tuk-tuk which is present everywhere. It will cost you around 10,000 LAK to get to the morning market.

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Huay Xai - Situated on the Banks of Mekong River

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FAQs on Huay Xai

What is famous about Huay xai?

If you are tired of visiting crowded temples and want to get away from tourists, Huay Xai provides an opportunity to explore the slower, calmer side of Laos. The city offers an authentic local experience allowing you to get a glimpse of the local life up close. The hike in the mountains allows you a perfect chance to relax and cool off.

What is not so good about Huay xai?

Houay Xai is not one of the destinations with attractions to see, so if you are looking for things to do, it might not be the place for you. It's remote location also means that the city is not feasible to visit if you are short on time.

Who should visit Huay xai?

Huay Xai is ideal for all kinds of traveLlers, including solo, couples, people travelLing with kids and elderly. If you like the countryside and relaxing amidst nature, you'll love Huay Xai.

What is the best time to visit Huay xai?

The best time to visit Huay Xai is from November to January when the temperate dips to cooler levels and humidity is manageable. It is not recommended to visit in the wet season from May to September as it can rain heavily stopping you from enjoying the outdoors.
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What is the best way to reach Huay xai?

What are the places near Huay xai?

The top places near to Huay xai are Luang prabang which is 179 km from Huay xai, Vientiane which is located 339 km from Huay xai, Chiang mai which is located 223 km from Huay xai, Phonsavan which is located 299 km from Huay xai, Luang namtha which is located 325 km from Huay xai

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Huay Xai Travel Essentials