(THE LAND OF SAPPHIRES )

General information

Located: In the northwestern of Laos.
Total area: 5,196 square kilometers.
Population: 135.000
5 Districts: Houixay, Tonpheung, Meung, Phaodom and Paktha.
Capital : Houixay.

Located within to the infamous " Goden Triangle " (the three-bordered intersection of Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand ) and at the " Economic Quadrangle " where Laos , Thailand , Myanmar , and China meet. In Bokeo there are 36 townships, more than 400 villages and a total population of 135.000. The province is home to a large number of ethnic minorities, each with their own lifestyle and customs.

The named " BoKeo " means the pits of sapphire or called " Keo-Praseuth " because it is a rich mining center for gold and sapphire. Commercial mining for precious stones and gold is a special feature of the province. In particular, you can visit Ban Nam Khok (The Lue village), 6 kilometers from the town and Ban Houi Sala (The Hmong village). Which is around 18 kilometers from Bokeo town.

If you travel approximately 26 kilometers north from the center of Houixay District to Ban Namkeung Kow, Ban NamKeung Mai and Ban Done Dang it is possible to visit traditional Lue villages. The residents migrated from the Muong Sing District in LuangnamTha province. The villages can be reached by taking a boat trip upstream from province. Spectacular Mountain scenery, river travel and multi-ethnic groups make Bokeo a fascinating province to visit.

Places to visit

• Houixay city.
• Villages of the Minority ethnics.