Huay Xai

Huay Xai (ຫ້ວຍຊາຍ) lies on the Lao bank of the Mekong River opposite the Thai town of Chiang Khong and serves as the northern gateway to Laos for many travelers. The provincial capital is best known as the starting point for the two-day slow boat journey to Luang Prabang, one of Southeast Asia's most memorable river trips. Landmarks include hilltop Wat Chom Khao Manilat and the ruins of the French colonial Fort Carnot, both offering sweeping views over the Mekong. Beyond the town, the forests of the Bokeo Nature Reserve are home to the renowned Gibbon Experience, where treehouses connected by long ziplines provide one of Laos' most distinctive ecotourism adventures. Although many visitors stay only one night before continuing their journey, Huay Xai is well worth exploring as a gateway to northern Laos, its river landscapes, and its rich natural heritage.