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The capital of one of the most remote provinces in Laos, Xam Neua (also Sam Neua) sees very few western tourists and while the city itself has little to offer, the surrounding area is beautiful and includes the wonderful little town of Vieng Xay. Located in the far northeastern corner of Laos, getting here requires a very long bus ride over a windy road that climbs steadily into the mountains. It’s a spectacular ride, but due to the time and effort required, the only western visitors who make the trip are generally on their way to or from nearby Vietnam.

Best time to visit

The wet season runs from April or May to October and the best time to visit is directly after it ends, as the rice fields will be a lush green. The rest of the dry season from November to March and the hot season from March to April/May are fine too, but the farther removed from October, the browner the fields get.

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

Month Avg. High (°C) Avg. Mean (°C) Avg. Low (°C)
Jan 25.6 18.6 11.2
Feb 28.9 21.2 11.8
Mar 30.7 23.6 14.6
Apr 31.9 26.2 18.7
May 31.8 27.1 20.8
Jun 30.4 26.8 22.4
Jul 29.3 26.1 22.3
Aug 29.8 26 21.9
Sep 30 25.9 21.3
Oct 29.1 24.4 18.8
Nov 27 21.4 15.4
Dec 25.1 19.1 12.7

Samneua's current weather and 7-day forecast

SAMNUA WEATHER

Visit the Markets

There is very little to do in Sam Neua itself, but travellers are recommended to visit the main market and the food market because they are completely authentic (not touristy at all)! The main market is right in the centre, and the food market is slightly further up the river. The food market is the most interesting of the two as it is heavily influenced by China and Vietnam, with frog, fish, squid and rat meat all for sale.

Hire a Motorcycle

There is a tourist information centre in Sam Neua, near the roundabout, and they can give you advice and maps. The landscape is well worth exploring as it is so beautifully green and dotted with rural villages.

To hire a moped, ask at the Dan Nao Meuang Xam restaurant near the hotel strip. It costs more than you would normally pay elsewhere, (100,000 Kip for moped hire) as there is very little competition. However, if you don’t want to get on a songthaew and can ride competently, it is a good way to explore the local area. 

The Vieng Xai Caves 

Click here to get more information about Vieng Xai Caves

Hintang Archaeological Park

The standing stones can be found in the Hintang Archaeological Park outside of Sam Neua, but this is located along a rough road that can only be reached by moped or songthaew. The stones are thought to be around 1500 years old and they’re about 3 metres tall. Alongside them, you can find spherical rocks that used to be used for funerary purposes.
 

Sam Neua has one street in the centre which has pretty much all the hotels on it, and they’re fairly similar. Sometimes you can pick and choose depending on the rooms and prices available. Most hotel owners do not speak English so be prepared to use hand gestures or a translation app! If you want to stay in Vieng Xai then try and find out which accommodation options are open before you go as a lot closes outside of peak season.

Best Budget-Friendly Accommodation in Sam Neua:

Chittavanh Hotel is pretty basic but clean with coffee and tea making facilities. The WiFi isn’t great but the rooms are spacious.

Phasouk Guesthouse is clean with a terrace to sit on, as well as good WiFi and hot water. A room costs around 70,000 Kip. 

Kheamxam Guesthouse is clean, with free tea and coffee facilities, hot water and a good fan. It is cheap but it doesn’t have WiFi.

There aren’t many places to eat and drink in Sam Neua, here are some of our suggestions:

Dan Nao Meuang Xam Restaurant: for Laotian food (and scooter hire).

Yuni Coffee: has great coffee and offers a western-style breakfast. They also speak English there if you ever need a taxi to the bus station.

Many Coffee: on Main Street is a great place for drinks or snacks.

Get in

Buses from Nong Khiaw cost 130,000 Kip and take 10-11 hours. You could come all the way from Luang Prabang, but I don’t recommend it, as the trip would take over 15 hours and you’ll pass through Nong Khiaw anyway. You could also spend a night in Vieng Thong to break up the trip even more.

Coming from Phonsavan, your bus will cost 100,000 Kip and take around 8 hours.

The bus station is just outside town, a few kilometers from the guesthouses. It’s all downhill and you could easily walk it, but tuk tuks should only cost a few thousand kip.

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

Get around 

The town is small and you can walk most of it, but tuk tuks shouldn’t cost more than a few thousand kip if you want to rest your legs.

Contact us to get more information

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