Luang Namtha Province

Luang Namtha (Lao ຫລວງນໍ້າທາ, literally "Royal Sugar Palm" or "Royal Green River") is a province of Laos located in the north of the country. From 1966 to 1976 it formed, together with Bokeo, the province of Houakhong. Luang Namtha Province covers an area of 145,289 square kilometers (56,096 sq mi). Its provincial capital is Luang Namtha. The province contains the Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area and is one of the main sugar cane and rubber producing areas of Laos with numerous plantations. There are some 20 temples in Muang Sing, including Wat Sing Jai and Wat Namkeo. The anthropological Luang Namtha Museum is located in Luang Namtha.

Demographics

The population of the province as of March 2005 census was 145,289. The ethnic groups reported are the Khamu, Akha (Eko), Hmong, Yao (Ioumien) and Lanetene. Lowland Lao people, Tai Lue, Thai Neua and Thai Dam Weside in villages just outside the Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area and close to the historic town of Muang Sing.

Economy

The province is one of the main sugar cane and rubber producing areas of Laos with numerous plantations. Viengphoukha Coal Mine Co. Ltd., which is mining for lignite, is a major operating company in the province in the mineral sector, as of 2008. Other industries are agriculture, wood processing, lignite and copper mining, handicraft production, transportation and tourism. Shifting cultivation is widely practiced as an economic necessity. Food items such as rice, corn, casava, peanuts, cardamom, rattan, bamboo, and bamboo shoots, jewel orchid, eaglewood, and ginger are used for internal consumption and sales a wide range of wildlife is also utilized for food consumption and as an economic resource.

History

The history of Luang Namtha Province is traced to inhabitants who lived here about 6,000 years ago, evidenced by archaeological finds of stone implements discovered from the Nam Jook River Valley in Vieng Phoukha. The Xieng Khaeng Chronicles also mention existence of Xieng Khaeng town in the early 15th century, on the shores of the Mekong River. As its prosperity increased it became a vassal of the Lanna Kingdom of Northern Thailand until the early 16th century. However, from the mid-16th until the early 19th century it came under the control of Burma. In the first half of the 19th century, it was under Siamese rule and was involved in many battles. In 1885, Chao Fa Silinor, supported by 1,000 Tai-Lue people took control of Muang Sing, attracted by its large agricultural lands.

However, in 1890, the Tai-Yuan resurrected Nam Tha Valley for a short period of two years, and thus Muang Houa Tha came to be reestablished. It was during this period that Vat Luang Korn, one of Luang Namtha’s biggest temples, was built in 1892. In 1894, the French, British and Siamese colonists decided that this province will be administered by the French. The border was also redrawn with the Mekong River serving as the northern border (along its northern reaches of Muang Sing to Chiang Saen) between French colony of Indochina and British colony of Burma. This was followed by migration of Tai-Dam from Sip Song Chou Tai from north western Viet Nam who settled in the newly created Tong Jai Village, on the east bank of the Nam Tha River. Concurrently other ethnic groups such as Tai-Dam, Tai-Neua, Tai-Kao, Akha, Lanten, Yao and Lahu from Sipsongpanna in Burma and northwest Vietnam also migrated to the province. During French colonial rule, the provincial capital of Luang Namtha was the heart of the Sipsongpana civilization, which later moved to Yunnan Province in southern China.

After France withdrew from Indochina in the late 1950s, Houa Thas were in conflict with the US supported Royal Lao Army against Pathet Lao forces and from 6 May 1962 the area was under the Pathet Lao control. At this time the province was given its present name. However, the territory between Houei Xay and Vieng Phoukha, known as Houa Khong Province, was with Royalists forces until the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was established in 1975. From 1975 to 1983 Houa Khong and Luang Namtha was a single province and subsequently divided into Luang Namtha and Bokeo provinces.

The capital of the province, Luang Nam Tha had to be shifted in 1976 to a higher ground, by about 7 km, as the original city was not only prone to floods, but was also substantially destroyed during the Second Indochina War. The city has a grid pattern of layout and is surrounded by green paddy fields and is a hub of economic activity.

Geography

Luang Namtha Province, one of the provinces of Laos, covers an area of 9,325 square kilometers (3,600 sq mi). The province is bordered by Yunnan, China to the north and Oudomxai Province to the east and southeast, Bokeo Province to the southwest, and Burma to the west. Notable settlements include Luang Namtha, Muang Sing, Ban Oua, Ban Lacha, Ban Tintok, Ban Ko, Pang Kalom, Ban Thang, Ban Nam Kanne, Ban Meo, Ban Pawi, Ban Sa Pouk, Ban He and Ban Tintok.

The Mekong River (Nam Khong) constitutes the northwest border of the province. Three large rivers drain westwards/southwards into the Mekong; Nam Tha, Nam Fa and Nam Long. The Phou Mountain range runs along the China/Lao border, consisting of mainly dry evergreen forest. The main roads in Luang Namtha province connect Houayxay in Bokeo with Luang Namtha town and Oudomxay with Boten. Boten is an important border crossing with China (Mohan), and provides an export route from China, via Xien Kok, loading from trucks into boats on the Mekong. Some of the best preserved monsoon forest (mixed deciduous forest) of Laos can be found in Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area. It has developed as a sustainable cultural and eco-tourism destination with the help of neighbouring countries, and several organizations including the European Union, UNESCO and the Lao National Tourism Administration. The eco-tourism activities involve trekking, river rafting, camping, kayaking, bird watching and mountain bike tours.

Protected areas

The Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA) has dense forest covering 90% of the area. May to September is the rainy months with average annual rainfall of 1,256 millimeters (49.4 in). December to February is the winter months with temperatures touching as low as 5 °C (41 °F). Heavy fog is common in morning hours with warm and sunny mid-days and the average annual temperature is 25.75 °C (78.35 °F). Vegetation zones in its plains are between 540–1,000 meters (1,770–3,280 ft) elevation, consisting of bamboo, secondary evergreen forest and scrub (introduced by humans). In the Northern Highlands zone, between elevations of 1,000–2,094 meters (3,281–6,870 ft), primary every green forest is mixed with secondary forest as well as large patches of Imperata grass. In the Southern Highlands, which range between 1,000–1,572 meters (3,281–5,157 ft) elevations, there is evergreen forest and scrub. Secondary evergreen forests and scrub are found in the Nam Kong area bordering the Chinese border, lying between elevations 600–1,556 meters (1,969–5,105 ft). 

Wildlife reported from the NBCA are wild cattle such as guar and banteng, Asian wild dogs, tigers, clouded leopard, bears, monkeys and gibbons and also montjack. The conservation area was initially established covering an area of 677 square kilometers (261 sq mi) in 1991 which was subsequently enlarged to an area 2,244 square kilometers (866 sq mi) (entirely within the province) which borders with Shiang Yong Protected Area in Yunnan Province in China. There are 33 large mammals (of which 22 are key species); including Malayan sun bear and black cheeked crested gibbons, and 288 species of birds (of which 18 are key species). It has been designated as an Asian Heritage Site. One issue of concern is of rubber cultivation in large areas.

The Nam Ha Important Bird Area (IBA), 1,845.2 square kilometers (712.4 sq mi) in size, is located within the Nam Ha NBCA. The IBA altitude varies between 250–2,094 meters (820–6,870 ft) above sea level. The topography is mountainous ridge. The habitat is dry evergreen forest, upper montane forest, and Imperata grassland. crested finchbill (Spizixos canifrons), white-bellied redstart (Hodgsonius phaenicuroides), and white-necked laughingthrush (Garrulax strepitans) are unknown in any other Lao IBA. Confirmed fauna include Assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis) and the ungulate gaur (Bos gaurus).

Landmarks

Muang Sing district is picturesque with mountains. Muang Sing was a garrison town in the past and a northern most outpost during the French colonial rule, was known as the center of the Sipsongpana civilization where the relics of old barracks and other colonial buildings could still be seen. The Sipsongpana people have shifted to Yunnan Province in the Southern China. There are many old temples of different styles, but a lot of them were destroyed during the war.

There are some 20 temples in Muang Sing. Of note is Wat Sing Jai or Wat Xieng Jai, located behind the Muangsing Guest House. The monastery, Wat Sing Jed in paint hues reminiscent of the Caribbean, has a museum, but because its items are of high local value, it is closed to visitors for fear of theft. Another major temple is the Wat Namkeo. The wihan in the town are typically multi-tiered roofed buildings typical of northern Laos, but most houses have corrugated metal roofs and wooden beams, reflecting a lack of wealth in the area. The Buddhas, however, are golden, and typically have large long earlobes, commonly seen in Xishuangbanna, China and Shan State of Burma.

Luang Namtha Museum, also known as Luang Namtha Provincial Museum, is located in the capital city of Luang Namtha. Largely an anthropological museum, it contains numerous items related to local people such as ethnic clothing, Khamu bronze drums, textiles, ceramics, tools, household utensils, hand-crafted weapons, and Buddhism-related items.

Transportation

The R3 highway has endpoints at the Boten International Checkpoint (on the border to China) and Huay Sai (opposite Thailand's Chan Kong), sometimes called the Chiang Rai - Kunming R3 highway.

By plane

The Luang Namtha airport (LXG) has a daily flight to and from Vientiane's Wattay International Airport VTE, QV601/602.

Luang Namtha Airport (IATA: LXG) has Lao Airlines flights to/from Vientiane (1 hour, full fare US$120 as of 2015). Since 2009, there are no longer any services to Huay Xai or Luang Prabang, but the airport was renovated in 2008, with a 1600m paved runway, and there are distant plans to field international flights. Shared tuk-tuks wait outside for arriving flights and will take you to anywhere in town for 10,000 kip.

By road

To/from China

From Jing Hong there is one maxi-bus (comfortable though not a coach) daily (10:40am) from the north bus station, stopping en route at the south bus station at 11:00 (choose which is closer to your hotel and buy a ticket a day before, as it usually sells out) - ¥77. Stops for lunch in Mengla, where one can change RMB to Kip (rates are negotiable and are fairly competitive, though check notes as they often pass 1,000Kip for 10,000Kip as they have similar colour). Border crossing requires carrying your baggage into Chinese Customs Hall for scanning. The same bus awaits on the other side of the hall. After ~100m further driving there is the Lao Visa on Arrival window. After Laos passport control, there are money changers (good rates for selling RMB). Arrival around 17:40 in downtown Luang NamTha. There are 2 BCEL ATMS and 1 LDB ATM in Luang NamTha.

Mengla (China) via Boten it will cost you about ¥46 for a bus to Luang Namtha. The first bus leaves Mengla north bus station at 9am and there is another one at 14:30 (June 2011). The trip takes 4-5 hours, depending mostly on the length of the border crossing.

Visa

Laos Visas are available on arrival at the border (US$32 or Kip320,000 or ¥300 for EU/Australian; $37 for UK citizens; $44 for Canadians; $33 for Germans; $37 for Greeks; free for 15 days for Japanese). Note the poor rate for payment in Kip, RMB - currently paying in USD is cheaper.

If going to China, you will must arrange your visa in advance (nearest embassy/consulate is in Vientiane, Laos or Chiang Mai, Thailand). Agents in Luang Namtha can securely send your passport to the embassy in Vientienne with a turnaround of 3 days for around US$60 - perfect if you're going trekking in the mean time. The daily bus leaves around 8 AM, costs 50,000 kip to Mengla and 90,000 kip to Jing Hong, you'll want to exchange/use up all your kip before you head off, as exchange rates at the border are variable, and Kip is useless outside Laos.

(In Chinese, especially at the bus station, Luang Namtha may be called "Nan Ta".)

To/from Vietnam

Dien Bien Phu 7:30am, 130,000 kip (Airport)

Within Laos

The bus station for destinations inside the province is located on the main road west of the main guesthouse strip (400m from the main drag). The old bus station across from the market has now been demolished to make way for a 5-star hotel, and the main bus station for destinations further afield is now inconveniently located 10km out of town. A tuk-tuk should cost about 10,000 Kip per person or 20,000 if you're alone. Attention, everybody goes to bed quite early in this town, so if you arrive late, expect to pay 50,000 kip for a ride to the center; so better take an early bus.

Buses for Huay Xai, on the Mekong River at the Thai border, leave at 9am and 12:30pm and cost 80,000 Kip from agents in town (including the tuk tuk fare to the bus station) or 60,000 kip from the bus station itself. Tickets can be bought from 7:30am, and the journey takes only four hours now, due to improved road conditions, and you can therefore make it into Thailand on the same day. If you want to be assured of a seat, tickets can be bought in town the day before at various travel agents, trekking agencies and hotels for 80,000 Kip including tuk-tuk to the bus station. Like all bus travel in Laos, tickets bought at the bus station (or by agencies affiliated with the bus station) always have priority as for seating. The tuk-tuk leaves the travel agent at 7.30am. Alternatively, you can hire a minibus and ride comfortably Luang Namtha in 3-4 hours for ~120,000 kip/person.

Trips to Luang Prabang take 8-10 hours, depending on road conditions, and cost 90,000 Kip [leaves at 9:00am], 130,000 Kip for minivan (11 seats) [leaves at around 8.30am or when everyone gets onboard] and 110,000 Kip for the (supposedly faster) VIP bus (22 seat version) [if running, at both 9:00am & 2:30pm], 150,000 Kip for the VIP night bus (from Huayxai to Luang Prabang; tickets can only be brought at 5pm the day of departure if all the seats haven’t been filled at Huayxai) which gets to the Luang Namtha bus station about 9pm.

While the 10,000 Kip fare (or 20,000 Kip at night) from the 'new' bus station to the main town centre appears non-negotiable, the fare from the town centre to the 'new'(long distance) bus station can be negotiated for multiple pax. The bus station booking office (located at the 'new' bus station) sells tickets for tomorrow's journey from this afternoon. In Laos, it is wise to pre-purchase tickets to be sure of a seat. The roads from Luang Namtha to Luang Prabang are in poor to fair shape with numerous potholes along the way after Oudomxay. The bus stops at the Oudomxay bus station for lunch (the new road is excellent all the way to Oudomxay) where the most common offering is noodle soup (unless you get something takeaway from various restaurants in Luang Namtha). Most bus drivers stop every couple of hours to check brakes, etc. And, at these times pax can also find a bush for bladder relief. The journey is not for the faint-hearted during the rainy season with the bus squeezing and weaving across roads collapsed due to the landslides. In parts, the scenery is fantastic. Like all buses in Laos, the earlier you arrive, the better choice of seat [try for at least 1 hour before] - the alternative is sitting on a plastic stool in the aisle for hours on end, or not being let on. While the Lao accept your bag on a seat as 'taken', Chinese do not! Sometimes they board Luang Prabang passengers to the bus leaving for Ventiane which leaves at 8.30am so it’s better to go early on the bus station to see which one it will be.

• Buses for Vientiane cost 180,000 kip (8:30am) and 200,000 (14:30).
• Buses for Bokeo cost 60,000 kip and leave at 9:00am and 12.30pm.
• Buses for Muang Xay (Oudomxay) cost 40,000 kip, take about four hours and leave daily at 8:30AM, 12:00AM and 2:30PM.
• Bus to Phongsali costs 85,000 kip and leaves at 8:30AM
• Bus/minivan leaves for Muang Sing from the small bus station in town, 25,000 Kip, at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30
• Minivan leaves for Nalae from the small bus station in town, 40,000 Kip, at 9:30, 12:00
• Minivan leaves for Boten from the small bus station in town, 25,000 Kip, at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30
• To Muang Long from the small bus station in town, 50,000 Kip, at 8:30
• To Vieng Phoukha from the small bus station in town, 25,000 Kip, at 9:30, 12:00

By boat

It is possible to take a boat along the river, all the way to/from Huay Xai, but there is no scheduled service and only occasional cargo ships, so odds are high that you'll have to charter. From Luang Namtha, Boat Landing Guest House/Green Discovery can try to arrange boats, at an estimated (but highly variable) price of US$170-400 for a boat that can handle 4 to perhaps 10 passengers. The trip takes two days and requires overnight stop in a village along the way (included, but take some backup food if the village dinner is not to your standard). In the dry season after November, the northern parts of the river (towards Luang Namtha) may not be navigable.

Get around

The two halves of Luang Namtha can be individually easily covered on foot, but you'll want to hop on a tuk-tuk (10000 kip/person) for going to the airport, the bus station or crossing over between the two.

You can get a good map of the city at K.N.T internet for 3,000 kip and some guesthouses and bike rental shops will have a copy of it for free for guests. The map indicates typical touring/bicycle routes in the area.

You can rent really good mountain-bikes at shops along the main road for 30,000 kip per day (until 5 pm). Two are on the main road and a third is at Zuela guesthouse down the alley next to them. Some deposit will be requested, e.g. 100,000 kip.

Small semi-auto motorbikes (eg. Honda Dream copies) are now readily available (esp. across from the night market or at Zuela Guesthouse) and should cost about 30,000-50,000 Kip per day including helmets and a free map. With a motorbike, you can travel around to visit the many villages around and in Luang Namtha and also see the scenic countryside (eg. closer to Muang Nalae, Vieng Phouka or Muang Sing).

Do

Trekking

There are several agencies offering trekking to Nam Ha Protected Area as well as the diverse hill tribes in the nearby area. At least seven trek agencies are along the main street. They all offer treks in different areas of the national park (or not in the national park for the very cheap options)- varying numbers of days, visits to different villages, waterfalls, jungle, kayaking, biking, combination of trek-kayak etc. The more people on any given trek, the lower the price . They'll each post out front if they have people signed up for a specific trek, to encourage others to join and lower the price.

You can book 3day-2night all-inclusive (transport, food, water, sleep, guide) village+jungle trekking for 500k kip, but when there is a bigger group you can bargain it down to 350k in some agencies. 2days-1night can be bargained down to 250k. When shopping around on tours and price remember YOU DO get what you pay for in terms of levels of service, accommodation, equipment, food and access to more remote and untouched villages and areas of jungle As well as your safety preparedness. The different agencies have different prices for a different level of services. Tour guide is the key to make the tours are fun, Check where the money goes - whether it is being distributed equitably to local guides, villages, etc. The other differentiating factor seems to be equipment and accommodations - some have newer equipment in better shape and accommodations - some places will offer you sleep on the leave or bamboo floor and some will provide big bamboo houses, elevated off the ground that could share with everyone in the group with all bedding provided. Also some offer sleeping pads, mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets and pillows in addition to sleeping bags, In addition Please inspect the way of service organizing and professionalism of Agency!

The mountainous and 'Dense jungle' scenery and diverse hill-tribe ethnic group in the area is a major attraction. there are plenty of thing that we can do by ourselves such as renting a bicycle and ride around the town valley to explore several minority villages nearby the town, renting a motorbike/scooter to drive through the wonderful national park for a couple of hours to Muang Sing a lot more you can explore by yourself please just check with the Tourist Information Center just behind the night market or with some informative travel agency.

You can also take a tuk-tuk or bicycle or motorbike and just go independently to some of the villages which are next to the roads and not in the jungle. A mountain-bike rental from a good shop will provide you with a not-to-scale map over villages and a nice waterfall. The surroundings are really pretty to cycle about in and there are some very interesting scenic attractions.

The quality of bicycling/motorcycling on the road from Luang Namtha to the Chinese border is excellent. The road is completely sealed with little or no traffic along the way. The route from Luang Namtha to Boten round trip is approximately 100 km long and passes through Laotian hill country and rice fields. The grades range from flat to moderate with one 2 km 10% grade stretch. Welcomes along the way are great.

With a motorbike, you can travel around to see the beautiful countryside and visit the villages in and around Luang Namtha (eg. closer to Muang Nalae, Vieng Phouka or Muang Sing). The road to Muang Sing takes about 2 hours and makes for a stunning journey through the national park, with many interesting ethnic villages to visit once you get to Muang Sing. A journey to Vieng Phouka (50km) is worth is for the limestone karst scenery and a visit to the impressive Kao Rao caves of the main road.

Then there a number of waterfalls to be seen, close by Namtha town; The Nam Dee waterfall and near Muang Sing is the Gneung Phou Ku Lom waterfall.

There are several herbal saunas in Luang Namtha, the most popular being the one next to the Panda Restaurant, down the lane from the Lao Airlines office. It's a very simple rickety shack, but easy to spot (look for the stove) and equipped with separate male/female saunas, a changing room and lockers. The tourist price is 10,000 kip, with optional massages for 30,000. The sauna on the way to Tai Dam guesthouse upgraded their prices to 15.000 and 50.000 LAK. The newest massage and sauna is down the driveway of Minority Restaurant, the standard is slightly higher than some others. See Laos Bathe for tips on herbal sauna etiquette.

Last but not least, if you liked what you saw; leave a compliment at the People's Complaint Box in front of city hall!

Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Namtha_Province