Luangnamtha is a northern province bordering on China and Myanmar and its selection is based upon a series of environment, social, cultural, historical and development factors which make the site an excellent location to evaluate the potential for sustainable cultural and ecotourism in an around a protected area. With a population of about 115,000, Luang Namtha is a home to at least forty different ethnic minority groups, including Hmong, Akha, Mien, Shan and Yunnanese. The forests are dense, and cover near 99% of the protected area. Wild cattle (gauar and banteng), Asian wild dogs, tigers, clouded leopard, bears and gibbons also having in the forests and there is still a large bird population. The province also consists of the lowland Lao, Tai Lue, Thai Neua and Thai Dam who live in village just outside the protected area and the historic town of Muang Sing.



Muang Sing originally formed part of group of principalities loosely linked under the leadership of political entity called the Sipsongpanna whose political seat centered in southern Yunnan province, China. Now, it’s become a most interested destination of tourists from around the world. Its full of guesthouses, resorts, restaurants served a standard service in low prices. Take pick up from Luang Nam Tha at 6:00 am to Meuang Sing at 8.30 am.


Photo: New stupa in Luang Namtha

This province has a picturesque beauty with mountains, and many old temples. Although they have been destroyed during the war, there still remains one major attraction and old temple noticeably different from other classical temples. Usually tour itinerary includes an outing to Boten, the Lao-Chinese border checkpoint. South West of Luang Namtha, the still pristine forests of Nam Ha protected area with varieties of wildlife and vegetation can be found.


Photo: Casino in Boten, Luang Namtha

Luang Namtha is also a gateway to neighboring China, and the city of Boten is now a legal border crossing for international tourists. Located near the Nam Tha River, the provincial capital city of Luang Namtha is a commercial center for trade between China, Thailand. Buy a locally produced textile or basket. Visit the town’s historical museum. Get up before sunrise to experience Muang Sing’s bustling morning market, where you will meet all sorts of people, including Thai Dam, Thai Neua, Hmong, Akha, and Yunnanese, buying and selling their produces.


Photo: Tribal museum in Luang namtha

One of the best times to visit Muang Sing is in late October or mid-November, when the local people celebrate the festival of That Muang Sing, a grand stupa located just south of the city. Devoted worshippers pay their respects to the stupa with magical offerings of candles, flowers and incense. However, I want to suggest you that during this month you must take jacket with you all the time.


Photo: Tree house and gibbon experience

Getting there and Away
By air
Lao Aviation provides regular service between Vientiane and city of Luangnamtha, a trip of about one hour and ten minutes.

By road
There is regular bus service between the city of Luang Nam Tha and the transportation hub of Oudomxay, a trip of about five hours. But there is not direct bus from Vientiane to Luang Namtha.

By river
There is regular boat service on the Mekong River between Xieng Kok in Luang Nam Tha province and Xuay Xai in Bokeo Province.

Source: kpl

Eco-tourism sustainable development in Laos

(KPL) Laos has become a world well-known destination for visitors who want to experience eco-tourism, which benefits natural and cultural heritage conservation, local socio-economic development.

Everyday, Laos and international stakeholders work towards realizing this vision. We therefore invite you to visit Laos and experience yourself the splendid bio-diversity and cultural heritage that makes Lao Eco-tourism so special and unique.The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has a low population density, unspoiled diverse ethnic lifestyles and traditions, and perhaps the richest, most extensive network of ecosystems on the Indochina Peninsula.

There are over 800 species of birds and more than 100 large mammals already identified in Laos with new species being discovered every year. Some of the more charismatic species include Tigers, Clouded Leopards, Douc Languar, Gibbons, the Irrawaddy Dolphin, Hornbills, Peafowls, Ibis, Crested Argus’ and Silver Pheasants. In place to protect and conserve these irreplaceable resources is a network of 20 Lao National Protected Areas, often cited as one of the best designed Protected Area Systems in the world. In addition to the country’s vast protected forests and aquatic resources, Laos has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.



The Ancient City of Luang Prabang and the pre-Angkorian Vat Phou Temple Complex. There is also the mysterious Plain of Jars, a forthcoming World Heritage Site that has significant archaeological, historical and natural values. The Lao system of 20 National Protected Areas covers nearly 14% of the country’s land and is recognized as one of the best designed protected areas systems in the world. With large tracts of tropical monsoon forest, diverse wildlife populations, bizarre karst limestone formations and many ethnic minority groups, Laos’ protected areas have an abundance of eco-tourism attractions.

Although most Lao protected areas are remote and difficult to reach, there are many existing opportunities for eco-tourism activities such as trekking, kayaking, bird watching and camping that allow you to experience first-hand the country’s magnificent natural and cultural diversity.

Eager to position Laos as a premier eco-tourism destination, the Lao National Tourism Administration, related government agencies and the private sector are working hard to realize the ambitious vision put forth in the country’s National Eco-tourism Strategy and Action Plan. Enshrined in this plan are the following principles:

• Decrease environmental and cultural impacts.
Increase awareness of the importance of the ethnic groups and biological diversity.
• Promote responsible business practices, which cooperate closely with local authorities and people to support poverty alleviation and deliver conservation benefits.
• Provide a source of income to conserve, sustain and manage the Lao protected area network and cultural heritage sites.
• Emphasize the need for tourism zoning and management plans for sites that will be developed as eco-tourism-destinations.
• Use environmental and social base-line data, as well as long term monitoring programs, to assess and minimize negative impacts.
• Maximize the benefits for the Lao national economy especially local businesses and people living in and around the protected areas.
• Ensure that tourism does not exceed the social and economic limits as determined by researchers working in conjunction with local residents.
• Promote local styles of architecture that are developed in harmony with Lao culture and environment, that use local materials, minimize energy consumption and conserve local plants and wildlife.

Source: kpl

Laos, the jewel of Indochina, is a popular tourist destination because of its tropical climate, its spectacular beauty, and its friendly people. When you plan your next vacation, you should definitely place Laos on your short list of places to visit.

Laos - Land of Vibrant Vegetation

Laos shares its borders with China, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Mountains and plateaus cover three-quarters of the land, and its scenic beauty makes tourism in Laos an important industry. Laos boasts vast areas of untouched tropical rain forest, making it an ideal destination for travelers who love wildlife and the outdoors. Many Laos tourism attractions give tourists a chance to interact with the unique Lao landscape and its inhabitants.

Although Laos is completely landlocked, the region offers plenty of recreational water attractions, thanks to the many streams and rivers that form a network of waterways across the land. It is estimated that Lao bodies of water provide 60% of all the water that enters the Mekong River system.

Wildlife In Laos

If you visit Laos, be sure to take a Mekong River tour, where you can see all three layers of the rainforest up close and observe the diverse plants and animals that call this country home. During the dry season in April and May, water levels are low and some river excursions are impossible to operate, so tourism in Laos is most popular between November and March.

The rainforests of Laos are home to an amazing variety of animals, and one reason tourism in Laos is so popular is because Laos is one of the last places left on earth to photograph wildlife in its natural habitat. Indigenous animals like leopards, mongoose, goats, monkeys and bears may be too shy to show themselves to visitors on a river excursion, the colorful birds of Laos will happily pose for some of the best wildlife pictures you’ll ever take. If you’re using a digital camera, be sure to bring plenty of backup batteries and memory cards on your trip, and never leave your hotel room without your camera.

The Lao People

Laos has a population of about 6 million people, and the friendly people are one reason that tourism in Laos is so popular. You will find the Lao people to be very open and amiable. They place a high value on respect and courtesy for others. As long as you are respectful and courteous in return, you will find the people very pleasant indeed.

The official language of the country is Lao, although in Laos, where tourism is prevalent, many natives also speak Vietnamese, French, and English.

Source:www.tourismondemand.com