Huay Xai

Huay Xai is also transcribed as Ban Houayxay, Huoeisay, Houei Sai, which is the capital of Bokeo province in the west of Laos on the border with Thailand. The town lies on the bank of the Mekong river that opposite Chiang Khong in Thailand. 

The Lao immigration office is located 10 km from the south of town where tourists can go to issue 30-day visas-on-arrival. A passport-sized photo is necessary and this can be obtained in Chiang Khong of Thailand. 

There are many places to go in the town. Let’s have a visit to the local market. The locals often call as the Morning Market. The best time to visit the market is early morning. It is located in the suburb of Ban Muangkeo. To get there, you have to follow the main road along the bank of the Mekong river. Along the way to the market, you can visit the ruins dating back from the 20th century, on top of the hills in the center of the town is Fort Carnot which is the ruins of the French colonial era. Let’s go there to have a good view around the town. 

There is the office of The Gibbon Experience on the main road in the town. This is where a forest conservation project raises its funds by taking guests into the Bokeo nature reserve. Visiting Daauw village, it is located at the center of the city next to the temple. Coming here, you can join in the campfire with local people and have traditional foods at evening. If you want to have a unique experience, don’t forget to participate in the typical tourist trek.