Nong Khiaw travel guide

Boat

Boat services have become irregular following road improvements, although you may find a service to Muang Noi Neua, 1 hr, 20,000 kip, from the boat landing. These boats won’t run unless there are enough passengers. Likewise, boats to Luang Prabang only run if there are enough people, so you might find yourself waiting a couple of days. Some vessels also head upriver to Muang Khua, 5 hrs, 100,000 kip. The river trips from Nong Khiaw are spectacular. It is possible to charter boats to both of these destinations.

Bus/truck

Buses en route from surrounding destinations stop in Nong Khiaw briefly. As they usually arrive from Vientiane or Luang Prabang, the timetables are unreliable. Basic timetables are offered but buses can be early or late, so check details on the day. It is often a matter of waiting at the bus station and catching the bus on its way. Waiting in a restaurant on the main road usually suffices but you will need to flag down the bus. Regular connections to Luang Prabang, 0830 and 1100, 3-4 hrs, 32,000 kip. Also several departures daily to Nam Bak, 30 mins, 10,000 kip and on to Udomxai 1130, 4 hrs, 31,000 kip. Alternatively, there are more regular songthaews to Pak Mong, 1 hr, 20,000 kip, where there is a small noodle shop-cum-bus station on the west side of the bridge, and from there travel on to Udomxai/Vientiane.

Travelling east on Route 1, there are buses to Vieng Thong, 2 hrs, 25,000 kip, and a village 10 km from Nam Nouan, where you can change and head south on Route 6 to Phonsavanh and the Plain of Jars. There are direct buses north to Xam Neua and the village near Nam Nouan, which can be caught from the toll gate on the Ban Saphoun side of the river when it comes through from Vientiane at around 2000- 2200, 100,000 kip; it’s usually quite crowded. If you miss a bus to/from Nong Khiaw you can always head to Pak Mong which is a junction town sitting at the crossroads to Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw and Udomxai. Aim to get here earlier in the day to catch through traffic otherwise you may have to stay overnight. (If you do, try the Pak Mong Guesthouse Restaurant, T020-5795860, or any of the other 6 places in town.).

Internet

Sunset Guesthouse and Riverside Guesthouse, 300 kip per min.