Located on the banks of the Nam Ou River, Muang Khua is a peaceful town in between Nong Kiaow and Phongsali. It is a good base for exploring the surrounding area and particularly popular with people who are making their way to the Chinese border.
It is rarely a destination on its own, as most people travel up the river passing through each town on their way and while there is not much to do in the town itself, the outskirts is home to pristine forests and beautiful natural enclaves. One of its main attractions to seasoned travelers is the fact that more often than not, you will be one of the only foreigners in the town.
A popular pastime in the area is jungle trekking. Hiking through the undergrowth is the best way to take full advantage of the natural sites and the untamed mountains, which were once part of the Ho Ch Minh Trail and are now home to serene hill tribe villages. It is only by trekking through the mountains that you will find a side to Muang Khua that you may not have realized existed.
Getting There & Away
The quickest way to reach Muang Khua from Luang Prabang is to take a bus to Udomxai (5 or 6 hours), from where another bus leaves three times a day to Muang Khua (2 hours, 30 minutes). Other options include taking a boat from any of the towns on the river or driving yourself. The nearest international airport is at Luang Prabang.
Memot attractions
- Ho Chi Minh Trail: located across the bamboo suspension bridge over the river, this area of the Ho Chi Minh Trail is steeped in history. A number of bombs were dropped here during the Vietnam War, destroying everything that lay in their way. It is possible to see remnants of a village which once stood here.