About Bokeo ( Houei Xai )

Bokeo  the smallest province in the country, Located along the three-border intersection of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. This is the Lao side of the 'Golden Triangle'.  The province has 34 ethnic groups, the second most ethnically diverse province in Laos.  It has five districts: Houixay, Ton Pheung, Muang, Pha Oudom, with 36 townships, more than 450 villages and a total population of 61,000 consisting of many ethnic groups, each with own lifestyles and customs.

Ban Houei Xai ( or Huay Xay ) is the border town with Thailand, the city is busy and prosperous.

The most lucrative occupation in Bokeo is gold panning and digging for precious stones, where you can see at Ban Nam Khok (The Lu village), 6 km from the town and Ban Houi Sala (The Hmong village), it's around 18 km far from the town of Houixay.

Getting there
Buses run between Huay Xai, Luang Prabang, Udomxai and Luang Namtha. Lao Aviation flies to and from Luang Prabang, Udomxai, Luang Namtha and Vientiane. Lao Aviation's domestic timetable.
Slow boats travel between Luang Prabang and Huay Xai via Pakbeng.   Taking a slow boat is an adventure for seasoned travellers only.  Speed boats run on the same routes but will take just a few hours - you will pay accordingly.   The journey is fast and furious and not for the faint of heart.
From Thailand:
Huay Xai is reached by ferry from Chiang Khong in Thailand.   This border entry point does not currently issue visas on entry.  Unless you are travelling with a pre arranged tour, a visa in advance will be required. Chiang Rai airport in Thailand is served regularly by Thai Airways International.  Chaing Rai airport is an hour or so away from Chiang Khong.

Golden Triangle

Located about 80 km to the North-west of Houeixay. Visitors can see the beautiful panorama of the border areas of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

Forespace
Forespace is a new National Tourism Authority Bokeo province and French private investment venture.   This ecotourism project, in the Nam Kan pretected area will be a major international attraction for visitors and will provice one of the longest, most interesting forest canopy walks in the world.  There are ten walkways planned along with bungalows and an information centre.
Located in the center of Huay Xay is Chomkao Manilat temple. The view from the the temple hill over Houy Xay city,the Mekong river and surrounding mountains is a definite reward for making it up the many steps.
At Ban Namkeung Kout, Ban Namkeung Mai and Ban Done Deng, it's 26 km far from the center of Houixay town to the north where you can visit the traditional Lu village, who came originally from Muang Sing, Luang Namtha. The villages can be reached by boat trip, upstream from Houixay.