Huay Xay Travel

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Huay Xai is from November to January when the temperate dips to cooler levels and humidity is manageable. It is not recommended to visit in the wet season from May to September as it can rain heavily stopping you from enjoying the outdoors. 

Check the below table for the general idea of Huay Xai weather throughout the year.

Huay Xay monthly weather guide

Huay Xai Weather in January

An excellent season to visit Huay Xai, the average temperature falls around 21°C. The weather is great for outdoors, the air being moderately humid. This is most likely one of the best times to visit Huay Xai and also a tourist high season. The average precipitation recorded around this time is 91.32 mm.

Huay Xai Weather in February

With average humidity of 63%, temperatures sway between 10°C to 34°C. Now this may cause a little discomfort, but we are sure not complaining! This weather is perfect to go sightseeing around the city of Huay Xai. This time period sees an average precipitation of 6 mm.

Huay Xai Weather in March-May

If you love sunny weather that isn't too cold to hinder your travel and not hot enough to make you sweat as you explore the gorgeous spots of Huay Xai, then this is the right time for you! The temperature swings between 13°C and 40°C and the average temperature is 28°C. The average precipitation recorded around this time is 16.07 mm.

Huay Xai Weather in June-July

The highest temperature recorded is 36°C which would make you want to run to the nearest café to down a glass of chilled drink, but the moderate humidity of 81% makes it also a good time to visit Huay Xai. However, be aware that it can rain heavily stopping you from enjoying the outdoors. This time period sees an average precipitation of 229.42 mm.

Huay Xai Weather in August

The temperature lies within the range of 21°C and 34°C, the average being 26°C. Although the weather is humid, it is not hot enough to make you not like it outdoors! However, be aware that it can rain heavily stopping you from enjoying the outdoors. The average precipitation recorded around this time is 221.35 mm.

Huay Xai Weather in September-December

The time has been observed as the peak season to visit Huay Xai and rightly so. The temperatures range between 13°C and 35°C and the humidity that has been observed to be a usual of 80% marking the perfect climate to head out and check out the best things to do in Huay Xai. Expect an average precipitation of 55.54 mm.

Huay Xai's current weather and 7-day forecast

HUAY XAI WEATHER

Have you ever visited a new place and felt ‘wow’ about it? For many visitors, it happens at Huay Xai.

Huay Xai may not be as popular as other cities in Laos, but don’t let that fool you. Huay Xai is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.

Gibbon Experience 

To enjoy a great time in the close vicinity of nature, you can plan a trip to the Gibbon Experience Office. You would get to experience an ideal blend of natural elements such as lush greenery, rattling cascade, and enriched plantation. At this conservation area, you would find the world’s largest tree house where you can mark your stay also. You will be thrilled to travel through the dense greenery through a zip line. As a nature lover, you would be surprised to see the conservation of ancient trees here. Both children and adults in your team will be delighted to spot many animals and birds at this serene location.

Click here to get more information about Gibbon Experience

Morning Market

Visit the morning market where locals gather to sell and buy for their daily needs. The market is located in the suburb of Ban Muang Keo. It is best to visit the market in the early morning when it is less crowded. To get there, you can hire a motorbike and drive on the main road towards south just parallel to the Mekong.

Fort Carnot

Located on a hill right in the middle of the town is the Fort Carnot. The fort which is a legacy of French colonial-era now lies in ruins.

Tip: For a magnificent sweeping view of the city climb up on one of the towers. You can combine the visit with the Muang Keo market which lies on the foothill of the hill. The place is particularly suitable for spectacular sunrise and sunset views.

Visit Daauw Village

Located right in the centre of the city is the Daauw Village. Daauw Village makes for a perfect visit for those looking to understand the Lao culture and want to get a slice of everyday Lao life. In the evenings, you can sit around the campfire lit by the locals and enjoy the traditional foods. If you want to contribute, try teaching English during the afternoon session to the local community. Furthermore, you can also participate in workshops conducted by locals.

Visit the sauna

The Sauna is run by the Red Cross and employs the local people. The ticket price is quite low and is undoubtedly an excellent way to spend a relaxing day. The sauna also includes massage service, and you can try one of the herbal teas.

Sunset over the Mekong

There's nothing like seeing a sunset over the mighty Mekong river. Take a bite of delicious local food in one of the many restaurants along the river and enjoy the golden rays of the setting Sun. There are private and group boat tours that last for about 1 to 2 hours and cost around 50 to 80 USD per person, which can be directly booked with the boat operators.

Huay Xai has a good range of accommodation from cheap guesthouses through to quite comfortable midrange small hotels. Some of them have Thai mobile numbers so calling ahead from Thailand is an option. The cheapies fill up fast. A few of the guesthouses overlook the Mekong River -- recommended!

Sabaydee Guesthouse

Along with Kaupjai Guesthouse, Sabaydee Guesthouse ranks as the best clean and simple budget accommodation in Huay Xai. 

Close to the centre of town, the multi-storey concrete building has rooms with hard beds with fuzzy blankets, TV and a small bedside table or desk. The hot water bathrooms are spacious by Lao standards. A good budget choice.

Address: Ban huayxay , Ban Houayxay, 01000 Ban Houayxay, Laos
Room rates: Under US$10

Kaupjai Guesthouse

This guesthouse feels fresh and new compared to many in town and will suit even the fussiest budget traveller.
Each room comes with a fairly comfortable bed with newish sheets, bright clean floors, TV, sparkling bathrooms and seemingly regular maintenance such that nothing appears to be broken or falling apart. The free WiFi is accessible in all of the rooms.

Address: Saykhong Roed ,Houey say District ,Bokeo Province S55/2, 15365 Ban Houayxay, Laos
Room rates: US$10 to 20

Phonevicith Guesthouse

Set right on the Mekong next to the slow boat dock, Phonevicith’s more expensive, newer rooms have terrific views across the river to Thailand and boast sparkling floors, new beds with reasonable quality linen, cable TV, WiFi and a few bits of furniture.

Address: Ban khonekeo , Ban Houayxay, 01000 Ban Houayxay, Laos 
Room rates: US$10 to 20

Riverside Houaysay Hotel

This is the best hotel in Huay Xai and it’s priced accordingly. The large multi-storey hotel caters to large tour groups and travellers not willing to go cheap and because of that, it’s often full in high season. The rooms come in two styles – those with views and those without. This place is sometimes confused with Phonevicith Guesthouse at the slow boat pier, as it also goes by the name Houayxai Riverside.

Address: 168 Centre Road Ban Houay Xay Neua, Huay Xai Laos
Room rates: US$20 to 50

The M Bokeo Hotel

The luxurious M Bokeo Hotel is located in Huayxai, Bokeo, 10 minutes from the town. A free pick-up and shuttle service to town is available. Guests can benefit from free access to WiFi and private parking.
Each air-conditioned room is fitted with a balcony with mountain view. Rooms come with cable TV, a minibar and coffee and tea facilities. The en-suite bathroom has a bath or shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Additional amenities include a mosquito net, a dressing room and a seating area.

Address: Bokeo Dream City, Ban Viengmai, Huayxai, Bokeo, Bokeo 01000, Laos
Room rates: From US$55

Huay Xai is very unlikely to ever make it on to anyone's culinary map, but there are some decent places if you like Lao food. 

The Riverside Huay Restaurant 

The restaurant has a varied menu of Lao and Thai food that you can enjoy along with the Mekong view. 

Location: off Saykong Rd
Main courses 14,000 kip
Opening hours: Daily 8am-10pm

The Nut Pop

The restaurant is sited on a pleasant leafy deck. The Lao food here is fiery, traditional, and delicious. 

Location: Saykong Rd
Main courses 10,000 kip
Opening hours: Daily 11am-10pm

The Muang Neua 

The restaurant offers interpretations of Western fare as well as Lao.

Location:Saykong Rd
Main courses 14,000 kip
Opening hours: Daily 8am-10pm

How to reach Huay Xai

From Thailand

Cross over the friendship bridge four which spans over the mighty Mekong connecting Houay Xai with Chiang Khong on the Thailand side. To cross the bridge, you need to take a bus which costs 20 Thai Baht per person. On Arrival visa for Laos can be easily obtained at the border by paying appropriate fees. 

There are daily bus services from Chiang Rai, Thailand, which costs 220 Thai Baht per person and takes about 2.5 hours for the journey.

From Vientiane and Luang Prabang

You can fly in from Vientiane and Luang Prabang to Houay Xai which runs three times a week.

Contact us for the latest flight schedule and price. Or you can check via some online platform such as SkyScanner.com or Kayak.com

Here you can find some tips to book the cheapest flight

There are also buses available from Vientiane and Luang Prabang which takes about 6 to 8 hours and takes about 20 to 30 USD per person.

We recommend you check the latest bus schedule and price via rome2rio.com

You can also go by boat from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay. There are a number of different boats you can take, such as a slow cruise, which takes about two days to get to Huay Xay via Pak Beng. If you want a quick trip to Huay Xay, you can also travel by speedboat.

From Luang Namtha

One of the nearest towns to Huay Xai is Luang Namtha. A bus from Luang Namtha drops you at the Keo Champa bus station in Houay Xai. The journey takes around 4 hours. As the bus station is about 5 km outside the town, it costs 10,000 LAK by tuk-tuk to reach any part of the city.

Local transport in Huay Xai

Since most of the sites to see are concentrated right in the centre of the town, the best way to get around is on foot. If you want to explore further, you can easily rent a bike from your hostel or a nearby rental shop. You can pay for the motorcycle by the hour or by the day.

To get even further you can tuk-tuk which is present everywhere. It will cost you around 10,000 LAK to get to the morning market.