Nong Khiaw: Excellent Riverside Retreat in Laos

Lovely mountains, a nice mountain river, good weather, great river facing guest houses, delicious local food, some internet connectivity, the basic amenities like (grocery stores, ATM, etc.) and a lot of the true relaxing Laos atmosphere…that is how I would describe the riverside retreat of Nong Khiaw.


This place tucked away in north eastern Laos is not known to many and its remoteness also ensures that it is a bit rustic. Hence, even though it is a fantastic place, a lot of tourists cannot be seen here. Those who are here indulge in activities on the river (kayaking, swimming, boat rides), do the famous 100 waterfall trek and/or simply relax here with a book and a great river view.


Since this is one of the larger countryside towns in Laos, it has all modern amenities while allowing the tourist to experience true Laos culture. If you like Laos food, you will really like this place. And the Nam Ou river is just one of the better rivers in Laos. It is such a pleasure to watch how the people of Laos live off the river.


The best part is that this place is just 3 hours away from Luang Prabang, the most popular town in Laos. And in spite of it being so close to Luang Prabang, it is a so different that you feel that you are in a different world. This is definitely one of my more favorite places in Laos. You should give this place a try when you plan your Laos holiday.