Houay Xai

Houay Xai (also Huay xai, Houei Sai, etc) is the capital of the Laos province of Bokeo. It lies on the banks of the Mekong River, which forms the border to Thailand.

Houay Xai Halal Travel Guide

Huay Xai - Huay Xai (Laos) as seen from Chiang Khong (Thailand)

For most Muslim visitors it is seen as a transport stop-over, which is a pity. While there is not much to see in this small town, it's a good place to adapt to Lao life: sit on the banks of the Mekong, have a Lao Coffee and watch the river flow past, or even better, see the hoards of tourists float past.

Travel to Houay Xai

Border Crossing Thailand/Laos

New Friendship Bridge 4 | Since December 2013, crossing the border is done via this bridge. Be aware that while the border is open from 06:00 to 22:00 and the buses only operate from 08:00 to 18:00 which could leave you stranded. The shuttle bus across the bridge (20B/pax, 25B in weekend and after 4pm) only drives when a reasonable number of passengers arrive, so you might experience up to an hour to wait after (Thai) emigration to cross the bridge.

The (Thai) border control is located 9 kilometers south of Chiang Khong, tuk-tuk also available. As May 2022, it costs 60 Baht for a tuk-tuk from Chiang Khong bus station / center to the thai border. A cheaper option is to take the red local bus from Chiang Khong bus station can and ask the driver to drop you 5km before the town for 10 Baht, at the junction between the primary street and the road to the (Thai) border. From there, you can get a tuk tuk or walk to the border (40-60 Baht, 3-4km approx).
You must take a shuttle bus to cross the bridge from the (Thai) border control to the Lao border control and vice versa. If you are travelling by bicycle please note it is not allowed to cycle (or walk) over the friendship bridge. You also have to take the bus, transporting your bike on the bus costs 100B per bike. The price is fixed, but it might be feasible that you only pay for the transport of your bicycle without having to pay extra for your own ticket- (so it will be 100 B instead of 125B per person + bicycle). The bicycle will be transported inside the bus.
The Laos immigration office efficiently issues (when not busy eating) 30-day visas-on-arrival (around USD45 or 1,500 Baht, depending on nationality. The cost in Euros tends to be the same as the U.S. dollar cost, as the Lao authorities ignore differences in exchange rate). A passport-sized photo is needed and this can be obtained in Chiang Khong before crossing the river or, earlier, near the bus station in Chiang Rai. If you arrive without a passport photo and the official will use a scan of your passport photo for 40 Baht. If you arrive on a weekend or after 16:00 on a weekday there is an extra 52,000 kip or USD1 fee for the visa on arrival, even if none of this is the case you will still likely be asked for the extra dollar/40B. Its often feasible to avoid this fee by arguing with the officials or just walking out fast once you get your stamp.
Official songthaews from Lao border control to the Huay Xai bus station/downtown are 15 000 K per person. No more have to bargain with tuktuk. Once you get your stamp and walk away, you’ll see a window where you are able to buy bus tickets for bus station, downtown, and many nacional and internacional destinations (like the border with China). (Updated December 2023)

By car

You can drive from Vientiane on the haunted road. If you want to see how "haunted" it is, drive at night. There will be no buildings or lights, and sometimes with the tall trees on the side (scary when you drive at night). The new "Friendship IV Bridge" opened in 2014 and now you can drive by vehicle from Thailand. The bridge is located around 20 kilometers south from Houay Xai.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Houay Xai

Houay Xai's tiny airport has service three times a week to/from Vientiane on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Until November 2010 there was one flight a week to Luang Prabang on Saturdays, but none in the other direction. There is talk that this flight will resume.

Travel on a Bus in Houay Xai

There are two bus stations around Huay Xai.

Keo Champa Bus Station (commonly called Bokeo Station) - located around 5 kilometers south of central Huay Xay is the traditional long distance bus terminal.

Phet Aloune Bus Station located around even further south of central Huay Xay. International Buses (PLS Company) to China & Thailand leave and arrive at this station.

- Upon arriving in Huay Xai, you may be approached by agents asking about your next destination. If you answer Luang Prabang, you will be pressured to reserve a ticket on a VIP bus, because the bus is invariably "sold out". You will be charged around 210,000-260,000 kip, which includes transport to the bus station. Upon arriving at the bus station, you will be handed a ticket with the actual price, 152,000 kip, staring back at you as a stinging reminder of your gullibility. At the bus station you can get a ticket all the way to Vientiane for 252,000 kip, which should give some indication of how much of a rip-off the agents in town are trying to pull on you.

- If you're going to be in Huay Xai for at least a day, simply take a tuk-tuk to the bus station for 52,000 kip and buy your ticket for the day you plan to leave. The extra money you spend on tuk-tuks is more than offset by the 100,000-150,000 you'll save on your bus ticket.

From Luang Namtha

The 09:30 bus arrives at the Bokeo bus station at around 14:30. The fare is 60'000 kip (August 2022). Tuk-tuks charge 10-25 000 kip to the border or guesthouse of your choice in town.

From Chiang Rai

There are four daily buses from Chiang Rai directly into Phet Aloune Station, which wait at the border crossing. Price is 220 Baht. PLS Company buses depart at 10:00 & 16:30 every day from Bus Station 2 in Chiang Rai. It goes over the Mekong bridge and thru immigration at both sides into Laos at Bokeo. A cheaper option is the cross the border by yourself : red local buses travel every hours between Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong (60 Baht - May 2022). If you attempt to cross directly the border to Huay Xai, you can ask the driver to drop you 5km before the town for 10 Baht, at the junction between the primary street and the road to the (Thai) border. From there, you can get a tuk tuk or walk to the border (40-60 Baht, 3-4km approx).

By ferry

Ferries crossed between Chiang Khong, Thailand and Houay Xai until 2014, when the new "Friendship Bridge IV" between Thailand and Laos was opened. The ferry service is apparently still working but only for (Thai) and Lao.

By slow boat

Slow Boat Pier - The slow boat is mainly used to leave Houay Xai as the journey moving upstream is usually just too long for most people. The boat ride from Luang Prabang is divided into two days via Pakbeng and done by different boat drivers. It is advise to stop overnight in Pakbeng. The slow boat from Pakbeng arrives in Huay Xai at around 17h30 which leaves just about enough time to cross the border to Chiang Khong. You can stay overnight in Huay Xai to avoid a stressful border crossing.
See Go Next, below, for details on the journey to Luang Prabang.

By speedboat

The speedboat landing is some 5 kilometers south of town.

Get Around

You can walk the main street. For longer distances take a bike taxi. A one-way fare to the Chinese morning market should cost 52,000 kip.

What to see in Houay Xai

Fort Carnot - On top of the hill, dominating the Mekong and the French colonial-era Fort Carnot perioid has undergone some conservation work, but ist still quite dilapidated. One of the towers can be climbed, providing a good view of the Mekong (in June 2018 the tower was not accessable due to much scrub). Though not spectacular at all, it's a good way to start one's travel in Laos and remember that the nation has been a favourite playground of Western powers for decades.

See the view from the temple tower at the top of the hill on the main street, near the border crossing.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Houay Xai

The Gibbon Experience - A forest conservation project that raises funds by taking guests into the Bokeo Nature Reserve, home to the Laotian black crested gibbon. Once thought extinct, it is now known that up to 400 individuals live in this forest. The Reserve is mostly primary monsoon dry deciduous forest, but also contains some lowland slash-and-burn agriculture. The Gibbon Experience is the only way to visit the Reserve. Every other day there is a truck covering the 3.5 hours to the last village, where you start your hike to the project. Accommodation is provided in terrific tree houses in giant trees over 40 m high. To access the houses, you glide on a cable from a surrounding hilltop. There is an extensive cable network set up to explore the canopy, providing breathtaking views of the scenery. Due to its increasing popularity prices have recently increased. You can book at their office in Huay Xai or by emailing them.
[[Golden Triangle (Thailand)|Golden Triangle]] Special Economic Zone - The provincial economy is now dominated by the [[Golden Triangle (Thailand)|Golden Triangle]] Special Economic Zone (GT SEZ). In 2007 and the Chinese-owned Kings Romans Group entered into a 99-year lease for 10,000 hectares on the banks of the Mekong. The company was granted 3,000 of these hectares as a duty-free zone, now the SEZ is only a two-hour journey by road from China, and hotels catering to a Chinese clientele were built.

Morning Market - In the suburb of Ban Muangkeo. To get there, follow the primary street South along the Mekong. After passing a hill and there is a turn-off to the left, which you should follow until you reach the place. Pay a visit to the market. The best time to visit is early morning.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Houay Xai

The most important thing to buy is something to eat & drink for the slow-boat journey to Luang Prabang, although nowadays food and fruit drinks are available on most boats. Food is not great, but acceptable.

Money: There's a small bank office offering change for cash and travellers' cheques next to the immigration office. It has no commission and good rates, better than in the town. Most hotels and restaurants in town deal in Baht, kip, and US dollars at decent rates. There are ATMs on the primary street straight up the hill from the immigration office with a maximum withdrawal per transaction of 1,000,000 kip. It is better to get Baht from Thailand and exchange them here because of the higher limits in Thailand. The official money exchange counter within the border building complex on the Laos side of the bridge has very good exchange rates (less than 2% added to Baht rate and less than 1% added to Euro rate compared to the exchange rates published by an Austrian bank, as of May 2023)

Halal Food & Restaurants

Halal food is very limited. Buy (Thai) halal Snacks from the bigger supermarkets.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Houay Xai

Houay Xai - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Houay Xai, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Houay Xai. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Houay Xai and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Houay Xai. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Houay Xai. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Houay Xai: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Houay Xai.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Houay Xai: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Houay Xai, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Houay Xai.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Houay Xai, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Houay Xai, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Houay Xai and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Houay Xai, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Houay Xai, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Houay Xai without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Houay Xai is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Houay Xai.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Houay Xai is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Houay Xai, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Houay Xai Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Houay Xai

eHalal Group Houay Xai is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Houay Xai. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Houay Xai.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Houay Xai ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

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If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Houay Xai, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

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Stay Safe

At the Houay Xai border crossing a tourist agent offers to help fill out visa forms and make arrangements for the slow boat and hotel in Pak Beng. However, he overcharges (asking 1,100 Baht for the boat only) and does not really make the reservations he promises. Although you are paying premium prices at this "Customs" office for a room in Pak Beng and the rooms may have no windows and/or no water. There are many guest houses in Pak Beng. Carry your own gear from the wharf and check out the rooms (and the water) before you commit.

Telecommunications in Houay Xai

=Internet and ☎

There are now numerous "high-speed" Internet cafés in town. The going rate is 22,000 kip for 20 minutes.

If you have a (Thai) SIM card and have activated some of their Internet packages you can use this service. The signals of all (Thai) GSM networks reach across the Mekong and the local residents often use a (Thai) number phone number in preference to a Lao one. There are many offerings of the Lao telecoms for data SIMs as well. Lao Telecom (M phone) has one offer for 1GB costing 50,000 kip that has to be used within a month.

News & References Houay Xai

Travel Next

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Houay Xai

Long boat ferry across the river to Chiang Khong in Thailand is 52,000 kip. The boat guys are among the most pleasant transport providers in Laos. Be nice to them so it continues.
A two day (slow) boat ride to Luang Prabang. Arrive early to avoid being stuck in the engine room for the 8 hour ride. The official fare is announced at Immigration as being 70,000 kip but what you pay will depend on where you book:

in Chiang Khong: 850 Baht incl. transport to the ferry pier, ferry to Houay Xay, and transport to the slow boat pier
near the ferry pier in Houay Xay: 800 Baht
at the slow boat pier: 760 Baht (depending on your bargaining skills)

In January 2023, at the slow boat pier, Houay Xay-Pakbeng-Luang Prabang is 215,000 kip which is a bargain for one of the most scenic trips in the world. There is no need to book ahead a 2-day ticket all the way to Luang Prabang in Huay Xay. You are better off just buying a ticket to Pakbeng (110,00 kips) and buy the next ticket to Luang Prabang when you get on the boat in Pakbeng (105,000 kips). See the Pakbeng page for more information on the slowboats.

Speedboat to Luang Prabang. There seems to be a reluctance to take foreigners on the speedboat. You sit there watching as speedboat after speedboat leaves without you on them. The phrases "come back tomorrow" and "just wait, wait", is repeated a lot. If you are in a hurry an extra payment may encourage an earlier departure. This is definitely not a means of transport to be relied on. It is a good idea to work out with your fellow boat passengers to remove the seat dividers in the fast boat which allow you more space to move around as long as you don't mind a bit of contact. It will be better than being jammed in one place for the whole trip. Keep in mind, recently the speed boats have been pulling a scam where you are dropped off 10 kilometers outside of Luang Prabang at a small bamboo dock. Refuse to get off here and force them to take you two minutes further down river to the Luang Prabang boat dock. If you are forced to get off before Luang Prabang the tuk-tuk driver may demand up to USD15 per person. The cost should not be more than USD8 for everyone in your party, but keep in mind the tuk-tuk is your only option into town.
Mekong Cruises offers a 2-day slow boat cruise to and from Luang Prabang with overnight lodging at Luang Say Lodge and a French and English speaking guide on board. The boat leaves Houay Xai from Oct to April on Mon, Thu, Friday and Sun, in May and Sept on Monday and Fri. There is no service in June. The boat leaves Houei Sai pier at 9.30am. A stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong and observe minorities. The journey to Pakbeng takes 7 to 8 hours, arriving in Pakbeng before sunset. On the secnd day the boat leaves at 08:00. A short stop is made to visit a hilltribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao production. After lunch the boat stops at Pak Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you visit the Tam Thing Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. The boat arrives at Luang Prabang between 16:00 and 17:00. The upstream journey leaves Luang Prabang from Oct to April on Tue, Wednesday and Sat, in May and September on Wednesday and Sat. There is no service in June. The boat leaves Luang Prabang at 07:00 and arrives Houay Xai on the second day at 17:00, so that you can proceed to Chiang Ray on the same day. The cruise price is US$ 530 from Nov to Apr, US$ 450 in Jul, Aug and Oct, US$ 425 in May and Sept (2023).
A special boat ride for Luang Namtha is also available for around 1,500,000 kip /6,000 Baht for the whole charter and can carry between 6-10 people (the boat carries fewer people at the end of the dry season, when the river is low).

By road

Buses to Luang Namtha leave in the morning at 09:00 and 12:30. The bus costs 60,000 kip if you get your ticket at the bus station. From BAP guest house for around 95,000 kip/350 Baht you can get a ticket which includes a 10 min tuk-tuk ride from the guest house. The journey is 198 kilometers and now takes 5-6 hours with one stop for lunch on the way. The road is now completely sealed (except for big sections in the middle which have been churned up by the trucks, this adds time to any journey). However, unexpected obstacles may still occur.

A VIP bus leaves at 17:00, for 90,000 kip from ticket agents in town, including tuk-tuk ride to the bus station. The ticket price is 60,000 kip at the bus station. It arrives in Luang Namtha around 21:30 (including nearly an hour delayed start, so could be quicker).

There is a direct bus to Jinghong in China at 08:00, 150,000 kip at the bus station.
Bus to Muang Xay leaves at 08:30, 85,000 kip for the distance of 330 km.
Luang Prabang buses leave at 14:00 (162,000 kip) and 17:00 (145,000 kip since its a VIP bus); distance of 505 km. There's a local bus to Luang Prabang, USD14, 12-15 hours. The bus station is 7 kilometers from the town. However, if you buy the ticket at the bus station rather than through your hotel or agent then the price is 152,000 kip (around USD12). You are told the journey is 10 hours but can be 15 hours or more, so be prepared. Buses leave at 09:00, 14:00.

On the way to Luang Prabang, make a stop over at Hongsa in Sayaboury Province for an elephant ride. Elephant Adventures have 2-5 day elephant trekking on retrained logging elephants. These treks are supported by ElefantAsia NGO, focused on elephant veterinary care, educational and environmental awareness, and economic viability for mahouts.

Vientiane one bus at 11:30, 272,000 kip to cover the 900 km.