Phongsaly Province, Laos

Phongsaly is one of the provinces,  located farthest north of Laos, which shares borders with China and Vietnam. Most of Phongsaly is at high altitudes, and the capital is located 1,400 m above sea level. The forests of Phongsaly are the most remote and well-preserved in northern Laos and the scenery includes spectacular limestone mountains and the Nam Ou river ( the biggest tributary of the Mekong ).  The population is made up of about 22 different ethnicities, which are Phounoi, Tai Lu, Khmu, Akha, Haw, Yao, Oma, Poulee, Mouchee, Laoloum, Pala, Lolopho, Hmong, Cherpia, Laoseng, Laobith, Hayi, Tai Neua, Erpa…

The capital of Phongsaly province is Phongsaly town,   which has a complicated history. Having served as a Chinese, French, and Vietnamese outpost. The town is surrounded by rolling hills and it is built into the side of Phoufa Mountain.

The town buildings have interesting architectural features, and the Museum of the tribe is an excellent way to visit in the afternoon, and admire various ethnic minority artifacts and handicrafts.

Explore Ethnic Diversity in Phongsaly

About Laos

Laos PDR in brief
The first Lao kingdom, Lan Xang was founded in the 14th century by King Fa Ngum after he conquered and unified the lands north of and including Luang Prabang, Xiengkhuang, and Korat plateau stretching into what is today Thailand. Luang Prabang remained the capital of Lan Xang until King Setthathirath moved the Kingdom’s administrative seat to Vientiane in 1560. Therefore the capital moved to Vientiane. Luang Prabang remained the country’s spiritual and religious center. The country’s first contact with Western emissaries occurred in the mid-15th century during the reign of Surigna Vongsa. After the death of Surigna Vongsa in 1694 Lan Xang broke up into three separate Kingdoms: Vientiane, Champasak, and Luang Prabang. Part of French Indochina during the 19th – early 20th colonial period Laos achieved complete independence in 1975 with the founding of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Today Laos is comprised of 18 provinces. It is the least populated country in Southeast Asia, with nearly 7,000,000 inhabitants in 2023 or 25 people per km2. In comparison, Vietnam has a population density of 250 people per km2 and Thailand 120.

Traveler Information
Climate
Laos generally enjoys a mild tropical climate, but it can get quite chilly in the cool season. Temperatures range from 10 – 40 degrees Celsius in the Mekong Valley and may dip below zero in the mountains and on the Xieng Khouang and Bolaven Plateaus. There are three distinct seasons cool from November – February; hot from March – May and the rainy season which lasts from June – October.

Geography
The main geographic features in Laos are forested mountains, the Xieng Khouang and Bolaven plateaus, and the Mekong River valley. Of the country’s 236,800 km2 about 70% is covered with mountains. The highest peak is Phou Bias reaching just over 2,800 meters.

Money
The official currency of the Lao PDR is the Lao Kip. Major traveler’s checks can be cashed at banks. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and a limited number of upscale shopping establishments.

How to get to Laos

By Air
Visitors arrive through Vientiane Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang Airport, Pakse Airport by Lao Aviation, Vietnam Airline, Southern China Airline, and Thai Airway International. And Regular flights to Bangkok, Hochiminh City, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Chiang Mai & Kunming.

Wattay International Airport which is connected by daily flight to all parts of Laos to Luang Prabang, Pakse, Savannakhet & Xiengkhouang by ATR 72, Y7 & Y12

By Road
The most important road is Route No 13 linking Pak Mong in the north to Kong in the south through Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Savannakhet, and Champasack with 18.153 km of national roads with 2,500 km from China to Cambodia. Two more important roads No1 and No8 linked between Thailand and China by road, and No 9 linked between Thailand and Vietnam. Domestic bus services (Air-conditioned and regular) reach all corners of Lao PDR every day.

Vientiane’ Northern/Southern/ all corners of Vientiane Municipality. Bus Terminal at Morning Market (856-21) 215587 -Vientiane’ Northern at Evening Market (Ban Nongduang).

By Land
Entrance to Lao PDR through border checkpoints, which are open daily from 8:30 am to 17: 00 pm as below:

1. China
Via south of China, Muangla to Boten checkpoint in Luang Namtha Province.

2. Thailand
Via Nongkhai to Vientiane by Friendship Bridge (Shuttle bus)
Via Chiang Khong (Thailand) to Houeixay by crossing the Mekhong River (Boat or Ferryboat).
Via Mukdahan (Thailand) to Savannakhet  (Boat or Ferry boat)
Via Chongmek to Pakse in Champasack Province
(Cross/Boat/Ferry boat, bridge & Shuttle bus.)

3. Vietnam
Via Vinh (Vietnam) to Lak Xao km20, Kham Keuth District, Borikhamxay Province (Bus/Truck)
Via Lao-Bao to Savannakhet by road No9.
Via Tay chang ( Laos-Vietnam)  by road at Mouangmai district, Phongsaly  province