Laos Journals

Hidden Valley

Best of IgoUgo

A travel journal to Laos by SeenThat

The Valley Photo - Phouluang Guesthouse, Laos, Asia

Quote: Xam Nua is located in the far northeast of Laos, near the borders with Vietnam and China, and unlike the rest of the country on the eastern side of the Annamite Mountains, thus offering a quite different environment, in some aspects closer to Vietnam than to Laos.

20 Photos

Within a Hidden Valley: Xam Nua

Attraction

Quote:

LocationXam Nua is in the far northeast of Laos, near the borders with Vietnam and China. Unlike the rest of Laos, it is on the eastern side of the Annamite Mountains, thus offering a quite different geographical environment, which in some aspects is closer to Vietnam than to Laos....Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 1, 2008

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Phonsavan: Jars and Pines

Attraction

Quote:

Why Phonsavan?There is no much sense in asking yourself: "Why should I visit Phonsavan?" after having reached northern Laos. It is obviously nearby, later you may regret missing the visit if skipping it, it is located on the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the Plain of Jars is next to it. Isn't that enough?What is Phonsavan?Phonsavan is the young capital of the Xieng Khouang Province; the original one - named after the province - was destroyed ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 1, 2008

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Another Unnecessary War

Story/Tip

Quote:

Traveling in modern South East Asia can be confusing without having at least a basic understanding of the parties and forces that shaped the area in the last century. Laos was home to one of the most complex realities.ColonyThe Lao kingdom was divided into three principalities in the eighteenth century; in 1828, Vientiane - the cent...Read More

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Phouluang Guesthouse

Hotel

Quote:

LocationXam Nua offers several basic accommodation options. Among them is the Phouluang Guesthouse, just along the main axial road of the town, conveniently located one block from the bus terminal.Shop Houses in South East AsiaIn Bangkok they are hard to spot, but in small South East Asian towns, shop-houses abound. Often these are French colonial structures of two or three stories owned by a single family. The entrance is dedicated to a shop while the family uses the rest of the space as living quarters. In big enough structures, simple guesthous...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 3, 2008

Phouluang Guesthouse
along the main road, after the terminal
Xam Nua, Laos

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Yiensingchien Restaurant

Restaurant

Quote:

Eating Out in Rural LaosLaos features very few cities; the only ones deserving the title are Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Savannakhet and even those are tiny. Beyond them, the only towns in the country are the provincial capitals; below these are small villages that often lack even a market. This is a crucial point for the assi...Read More