Muang Khua travel guide

Muang Khua is nestled into the banks of the Nam Ou, close to the mouth of the Nam Phak, in the south of Phongsali Province. Hardly a destination in itself, it’s usually just a stopover between Nong Khiaw and Phongsali. It only has electricity from 1900 to 2200 nightly. The Akha, Khmu and Tai Dam are the main hilltribes in the area. The nearest villages are 20 km out of town and you will need a guide if you want to visit them. Trekking around Muang Khua is fantastic and still a very authentic experience, as this region remains largely unexplored by backpackers. The friendly villages are very welcoming to foreigners, as they don’t see as many here as in somewhere like Muang Sing. For these reasons, it is very important to tread lightly and adopt the most culturally sensitive principles: don’t hand out sweets and always ask before taking a photograph. Treks usually run for one to three days and involve a homestay at a villager’s house (usually the Village Chief).