IgoUgo

Huay Xai Journals

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Best of IgoUgo

An October 2006 trip to Huay Xai by SeenThat

Burmese Boats Photo - Chiang Saen, Thailand More Photos
Quote: Next to the Mekong River and in front of Chiang Kong, Huay Xai features a fascinating mix between Thai and Lao cultures and offers an irresistible trip to the far north of Laos and the Chinese border.
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Downtown Huay Xai Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Rubies and Emeralds "

Boat to Thailand Photo - Huay Xai, Laos
Quote:
Huay Xai, the capital of the Bokeo province, is a special spot in Laos because it is closer to Thailand’s Chiang Khong than to any other Laotian town. If ignoring the slight difference between the Lao and Thai languages, it is difficult to tell in which country the town is because of its distinctive Thai appearance. Maybe that’s due to the difficulty of reaching ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 21, 2009

Laos or Thailand? Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Chiang Khong's Gate Photo - Thailand, Asia
Quote:
Carrying a heavy backpack and getting wet by the muddy waters of the Mekong River while crossing the national boundaries between Chiang Khong in Thailand to Huay Xai in Laos is easy to forget that this place has an exciting and complex history. The change of money, languages and even alphabets after crossing the river hide the fact that until the 19th century these both cultures where almost inseparable. Even now, a large part of Thailand – known as Isaan – sp...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 21, 2009

Luang Nam Tha, Muang Sing Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Market Photo - Luang Nam Tha, Laos
Quote:
If entering Laos from Huay Xai and wishing to explore the north, then reaching Luang Nam Tha and Muang Sing is inevitable. The overland trip to them is the most adventurous, though it is also possible to travel by boat.Boat OptionThe simplest trip is taking a boat to Xieng Kok (3 hours) and then a bus to Muang Sing (2 hours). The last is north of Luang Nam Tha, on the border with China. The cross is closed to foreigners, but the town is an attraction due to the hill tribes inhabiting it. From there are trucks to Luang Nam Tha (2 hours).I do not recommend the boats due to their overcharging foreigners. When locals pay 125 baht (large sums are sometimes q...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 21, 2009

Travelling Southwards to Luang Prabang Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Monks Photo - Luang Prabang, Laos
Quote:
If entering Laos from Huay Xai, there are two options for reaching Luang Prabang and the Central areas of Laos. The first one is travelling to Luang Nam Tha – exploring the area there – and from there advancing eastwards to Udom Xai and then heading south by road to Luang Prabang. If desiring to skip the other parts of Northern Laos, then it is possible to travel by boat to Luang Prabang. This entry explores the last option.Pakbeng or Luang Prabang?The boat...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 21, 2009

Crossing between Thailand and Laos Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Is This a Boundary?"

Burmese Boats Photo - Chiang Saen, Thailand
Quote:
The northernmost border cross between Thailand and Laos open for tourists is the one connecting Chiang Khong in Thailand with Huay Xai in Laos. It is also possible to cross from Ban Sop Ruak to Don Sao – north of this crossing – but Don Sao is a dead-end location, it is not possible to advance further within Laos from this island.Chiang Khong and Huay Xai face each other across the Mekong River. The trip between them is done with the help of boats, though a bridge is in plans....Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 21, 2009

About the Writer

SeenThat

SeenThat
Tel Aviv, Israel

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