Northern Laos is a mountainous region and fed by the waters of the Nam Ou and the Mekong Rivers. Traveling this region is filled with stunning scenery, as well as a way to observe the lifestyles of the locals who reside on the river banks and make their livelihood fishing and foraging in the area. Northern Laos is inhabited by several ethnic minority groups such as Khamu, Hmong and Akha. Although seemingly similar, these groups still retain certain traditions, way of dress, and dialects that delineate them from each other.

Northern Laos also features some of Southeast Asia’s most famous ecotourism destination such as at the Nam Ha Protected Area in Luang Nam Tha Province.

Heading north from Luang Prabang on the Mekong River, you reach Nong Khiaw. Set amongst dozens of limestone karsts, the town is full of stunning scenery. Within walking distance of Nong Khiaw are some Hmong villages where you can learn more about this ethnic minority.

Luang Nam Tha village is the gateway to the Nam Ha Protected Area, where trekking and outdoor activities abound. The town is a quiet and peaceful place to relax before or after a trek or bike tour in the region. Surrounded by ethnic villages and ricefields, Luang Nam Tha reveals plenty of hidden charms in its tribal museum, local market, pagodas, and friendly locals. In Luang Nam Tha, Boat Landing Guesthouse is a unique eco resort set amongst the fields on a river bank. Not only is the accommodation spectacular, but the restaurant serves up the best northern Lao cuisine we have ever tasted!

Located in a fertile valley in the mountainous north, Muang Sing is a very charming town that served as a garrison during the French era. Muang Sing is very famous for its local ethnic hilltribe market. Here, the area’s various hill tribes such as Akha, Lanten, and Hmong, gather to trade and barter their various wares. Also in Muang Sing, take your time to enjoy the local architecture consisting of traditional Thai Lü, Thai Neua and Yunnanese styles as well as the informative tribal museum.

Nam Ha protected area is the most famous and well-known ecotourism destination in Laos. Covered by primitive rainforests, valleys and mountainous areas, the park has a significant level of plant and animal biodiversity. In addition, this is the home of many hilltribes such as Akha, Lanten, and Khamu and one can learn about the unique cultures of these native people.

In the far northeast of the country, near the Vietnam border lies the town of Viengxay, the headquarters of the former revolutionary Pathet Lao. The town is surrounded by limestone karsts in which there are about 102 caves and during the American bombing campaign (1964-1973) some of these caves were occupied by villagers and politicians who were seeking shelter from the raids. For the truly adventurous, traveling from Viengxay in to Vietnam is a journey of a lifetime- mountainous roads, various ethnic minorities, and stunning scenery!