Udomxai is Laos‘ largest town in the north of the country, a major transit point for travelers coming in and out of Laos and not the most attractive place to stay.
In general, the buildings are made of concrete slabs which sit on the side of dusty tracks that are overflowing with buses and tuk-tuk (motorized rickshaw) full of tourists. The last couple of years have seen a massive improvement to the town, making it more appealing to stay for more than one night.
The surrounding areas of Udomxai are beautiful, which gives the bustling town a certain charm. There are tours to some of the outlying local villages as well as half decent accommodation and restaurants.
Udomxai is simple in its offerings and is like a glorified bus terminal. There are people everywhere and yet the town is rarely used for anything more than a stopover point. Slightly rugged in appearance, the mixture of dust and ticket touts are somewhat overwhelming and put visitors off staying longer than necessary.
Getting There & Away
There are three flights a week between Udomxai and Vientiane’s international airport (1 hour, 30 minutes). The most popular way to travel to the town is of course by bus as it is well known for being the hub of transportation in the north.
Things to Do
Udomxai Attractions
- Baw Nam Haw
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These hot springs are located a short drive from the town, close to the nearby village of muang la.
- Countryside tours
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Touring around the surrounding landscape for a few hours is a nice way to spend a morning or afternoon.
- Tat Yong Waterfall
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Situated not too far from udomxai, this is a pretty area worth making the trip to.
- Hmong villages
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These are a common sight just outside of udomxai and the local people are friendly and intrigued by foreign guests.