New Year's Trip To Hua Phan Province

For Lao New Year's I traveled to Vieng Xay, Hua Phan Province in the north east of Laos. It took me three days to arrive to my final destination, but I was determined to see the Vieng Xay Caves.

From 1964 to 1973 the Vieng Xay caves were the headquarters for the Pathet Lao Revolutionary Party during the American bombing. During the day people lived in the caves and in the darkness of night they worked in their fields and gathered food from the forest. As part of the tour of the caves an excellent audio recording is provided that includes historical reports, personal stories and sound effects.

The largest cave served as an entertainment hall and provided a place for celebrating special occasions and viewing movies from Vietnam, Russia and Cuba.

This colourful clothing is the special attire worn during Lao New Year. This is the season to wear the brightest and most colourful clothing possible.

While in Sam Neua, the capital of Hua Phan Province I enjoyed a delicious bowl of noodle soup.

Can you guess what are in these bamboo baskets at the market?

Piles and piles of bamboo could be found in the markets in Hua Phan, as it is the season for bamboo.

While staying at a guest house in Sam Neua, Hua Phan Province I was invited to join the owners for a Lao New Year Baci celebration. These women joined in the festivities. The woman in the orange shirt is a weaver and wove her skirt.

This is the bus that did its best to transport its passengers on the mountainous road from Sam Neua, Hua Phan Province to Phonsavanh, Xieng Khouang Province; however, about 30 kilometres from the final destination it decided it just couldn't go any further. The final 30 kilomentres were traveled standing in the back of a flat bed truck, along with the other 20 passengers.

I flew from Phonsavanh, Xieng Khouang on a 30 minute flight back to Vientiane, rather than taking another 8-10 hour bus ride.