Oudomxay - Oudomxay

The province Oudomxay(ອຸ ດົມ ໄຊ) is in the northwest of Laos.

Regions

Administratively, the province is divided into seven districts Muang Xay(ເມືອງ ໄຊ), La(ເມືອງ ຫຼາ), Namo(ນາ ໝໍ້), Nga(ເມືອງ ງາ), Beng(ແບ່ງ), Houn(ຮຸນ) and Pakbeng(ປາກ ແບ່ງ)

places

• The provincial capital Muang Xay With around 20,000 inhabitants, it is the largest city in Oudomxay and the most important transport hub in Northern Laos. Travelers, market women, Chinese businessmen and adventurers meet here.
• The river traffic junction Pak Beng is a popular stopover on the journey from Huay Xay (Bokeo) to Luang Prabang and offers beautiful Mekong scenery and a well-developed tourist infrastructure.
• In the almost idyllic Muang La Many a traveler has got stuck longer than he had planned. Besides a luxurious resort there are only a few guest houses; therefor hot springs and traditional salt production can be discovered. In the local temple an important sanctuary - a pilgrimage destination for believers from all over northern Laos - can be admired: the "Singkham Buddha" from Muang La, which was previously hidden from attackers in the "Singkham Buddha Cave" for years. The Buddha is assigned special powers that are said to have an effect on the fertility of women, for example.
• Ban Chom Ong - a very beautifully situated, very traditional Khmu village with around 300 inhabitants, 45 km from Oudomxay. Nearby is the largest cave in Northern Laos, the gigantic cave system "Chom Ong".

Other goals

background

The province of Oudomxay has only been open to tourism for a few years and offers a unique opportunity to experience the original culture, traditions and nature of Northern Laos individually. Especially in the field of ecotourism, there are many possibilities, for example with treks in ethnic villages.

The influence of the Khmu ethnic group, 60-80% represented, on the province is great. The Khmu settled Oudomxay before the year 700. They see themselves as the original inhabitants of Northern Laos and as the "guardians of the land".

The topography of Oudomxay is strongly characterized by mountains and hills. Heights vary between 300 and 1800 meters above sea level.

language

The official language is Lao, which is spoken in cities like Muang Xay and Lao Loum villages. Often, residents of ethnic villages are more or less certain of speaking Lao, provided that a village has access to a school and a road connection. In addition to Lao there is a large number of languages ​​of the various minorities, including (estimated values ​​according to the provincial administration):

• Khmu (including Khmu Lu, Khmu Khong, Khmu Am, Khmu Bit) 60–80%
• Lao Loum 25 %
• Hmong (including Hmong Khao, Hmong Dam and Hmong lai) 15%

As well as Akha, Phouthai, Phounoi, Lao Houy (also "Lenten"), Phouan, Ly, Ikho, Ho and Yang.

getting there

The provincial capital, Muang Xay, is connected to Luang Prabang via National Road 1. To the south there is a road to the port of Pak Beng on the Mekong, north to Phongsali, east to Luang Prabang and west to Luang Namtha. Buses run several times a day from Luang Prabang or Luang Namtha to Muang Xay.

The city also has a domestic airport (IATA: ODY, ICAO: VLOS) served by Lao Airlines. There are flights to and from Vientiane three times a week. The airport is a five-minute drive from the city center.

Slowboats depart from Huay Xay or Luang Prabang to Pak Beng, an idyllic place on the Mekong, about 3 hours from Muang Xay.

mobility

Tourist Attractions

• The "Chom Ong Cave", 45 kilometers from Muang Xay, is the largest known cave in Northern Laos. It has a length of more than 16 kilometers, ceiling heights averaging 30 meters, a river running through the cave^[1] and is used by different speleology-Magazines as "unique" ("exeptional")^[2] and as the "most important discovery and main attraction"^[1] referred to in Northern Laos.

The cave can be reached from the Khmu village "Ban Chom Ong". The traditional village, which nestles in a fertile valley with wet rice fields, has simple accommodation and food options, even if almost no English is spoken. Authentic scenes of unspoiled village life can then be observed from the balcony of the simple "guesthouse" at sunset. Tours in the village and cave can be booked at the tourist office in the center of Muang Xay. Traveling on your own - for example with a rented moped - is theoretically possible, even if the very poor road conditions and language barriers make it very difficult.

• The Nam Kad Waterfall falls 23 kilometers from Muang Xay, surrounded by large stones and a dreamlike intertwined primary forest, which has become rare in this form even in northern Laos. The waterfall, which has not yet been developed for tourists, is accessible in the dry season by moped, bicycle or car. Even on the dust road there, you will be spoiled with rice field panoramas and scenes of Laotian life. The last 2 km are covered on foot through the jungle. In the rainy season, access to "Nam Kad" is more difficult as there are around 6 river crossings that can be difficult depending on the water level and the vehicle. The construction of "fords" is planned.

activities

The tourist office in Oudomxay has been offering guided trekking tours for several years^[3], a cooking class and a traditional paper making workshop.^[4] There are now two travel agencies in Oudomxay, one of which offers guided bike tours through Laos.

kitchen

Typical northern Laotian specialties include "Mok", meat stewed in banana leaves or fish with eggs and fresh herbs. A good selection of Northern Lao dishes is available, for example, in "Souphailin's Restaurant" in Muang Xay.

nightlife

In the provincial capital Muang Xay there are a few establishments to which the term "evening life" would perhaps better fit, since in Oudomxay - as in all of Laos - the lights usually come on before 12 o'clock. Nevertheless, this early departure in Oudomxay is a real experience, as in contrast to many other places in Laos, only locals are out and about in the pubs.

• In the vicinity of the airport there are some restaurants with loud music, in which a lot of beer is consumed - such as the "Freedom" restaurant (No. 71 on the city map)

• In the "Phonemali" (pronounced: Ponnmali) there are dark seating areas and even a dance floor, on which strange formation dances are sometimes performed during Thai pop at a later hour. Every day of the week you can find a few people here from 9 to 12. Definitely an experience!

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climate

In Oudomxay there is generally a more moderate monsoon climate, i.e. lower humidity and slightly lower temperatures than in southern regions of Southeast Asia. It therefore offers pleasant conditions for trips and treks.

Seasons:

• October - January: cool dry season
• February - March: warm dry season
• April - September: Cold rainy season

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