Travel Guide and Transport Info for Luang Namtha, Laos by Hobo Maps -

Luang Namtha
-The travel scene in the Luang Namtha area has improved dramatically over the last few years and it is now my favorite destination in Northern Laos. The town is clean with paved streets and friendly people. Many nice biking and hiking routes are outside of town where you can still see local people in native dress busy with traditional activities. Lush rice fields fill the valley in the wet season. It's a rather prosperous area with economic benefits coming from it's big neighbor to the north as imported goods from China are cheap and plentiful and some agricultural goods exported. You still see strange old agricultural vehicles in use outside of town as well as ultra modern electric bikes quietly zipping around town. There's a full range of accommodation options at quite reasonable rates and some fine restaurants incuding a nice clean food bazaar with local ladies serving up their specialties in the evenings. Electrical and water service is excellent as are internet connections. The local government continues to make improvements with a big roadside tree planting project finished last year and now they're widening the road out to the airport, which itself is relatively new and expanded with a modern terminal and flights to Vientiane as listed in the schedule below. The town is not that large and has an unhurried and relaxed atmosphere. The area has an interesting history that blends in with that of Muang Sing 60 km to the northwest during the French colonial days as well as with Nan, Thailand in earlier times when the area was partly controlled from Bangkok. The Poum Pouk Stupa southwest of town was erected as a symbol of the dividing line between the Lanna and Lane Xiang kingdoms hundreds of years ago but it has suffered damage including a bombing attack in 1966. Even with this attack the area fortunately escaped most of the ravages of the Secret War in Laos and the IndoChina wars of national liberation after the Second World War. With over twenty ethnic groups, Luang Namtha is one of the most ethnically diverse and colorful provinces in Laos. If you go out to see the Nam Dee waterfall in Dec. to March be on the lookout for Lanten ladies making large sheets of paper in the stream about 1 km before the waterfall at grid code FK242 on this map HERE. Buying a sheet or two from the maker will help keep this fascinating tradition alive. Major agricultural products from the area are rice, rubber, corn, sugar cane & broom grass.

Getting Around
- Although Luang Namtha is on the Nam Tha River which connects to the Mekong, river travel is very limited. Most visitors arrive by road transport on Highway 3 from Huay Xai to the south or from China or Oudom Xai to the north and east. The highways around L. Namtha are in much better condition that most of the major roads in Laos and have been upgraded in recent years. There are two bus stations, a minivan bus station in central town at grid code GG208 on this map HERE and a big bus station inconveniently located about 11 km south of town at grid code KA197 on this map HERE. Recent pictures of the departure schedules are below. Local transport around town is mostly by pickup truck songtaew buses that can be chartered as they don't have regular routes. Nice quality bicycles were for rent at 10,000 kip per day in 2011 and motorbike rentals are also available. The town is small enough for walking to any place.

Nam Tha River Boat Trips
- It's possible to take a 2 day boat trip on the Nam Tha river down to the Mekong at Pak Tha but there is no regular service and it requires an overnight stay in the traditional boatmen's village of Ban Khone Kham, Nalae District. You can inquire at the Boat Landing Guest House at grid code JA200 on this map HERE to make arrangements but it usually requires you to form your own group and charter the entire boat. We were quoted a price of 6,000 baht about 3 years ago for the boat charter. The Boat Landing website has more info on their website at http://www.theboatlanding.com but it seems this website has not been updated for some time now. These trips may not be possible when the river is low in the dry season January to March.

Trekking and Exploring
- The mountainous center of Luang Namtha Province has been designated as the Nam Ha National Protected Area and strectches from the Chinese border through the middle of the province, covering over 222,400 hectares. Luang Namtha is known as the birthpace of ecotourism in Laos and has many options for exploration. The Green Discovery signboard picture below shows many of the options, some of which are only available on a seasonal basis.

BUS SCHEDULES

Oct. 26, 2011 Bus Schedule from Luang Namtha main bus station located about 11 km south of central Luang Namtha town at grid code KA197 on this map HERE

Luang Namtha to Phongsaly (200 km) departs 08:30 85,000 kip (this bus route goes thru China and is for Lao & Chinese nationals only)
Luang Namtha to Bokeo (Huay Xay) (187 km) departs 09:00 & 12:30 60,000 kip
Luang Namtha to Vientiane (700 km) departs 08:30 & 14:30 180,000 kip
Luang Namtha to Luang Prabang (340 km) departs 09:00 90,000 kip
Luang Namtha to Mengla (Muang La) China (115 km) departs 08:30 60,000 kip
Luang Namtha to Jinghong (Xieng Houang) China (185 km) departs 08:00 90,000 kip
Luang Namtha to Oudom Xay (120 km) departs 08:30, 12:00 & (17:30?) 40,000 kip

LOCAL BUS STATION SCHEDULES BELOW

the airline schedule below was still the same in Nov. 2011