Houayxay
Houayxay (Lao: ຫ້ວຍຊາຍ, pronounced [hȕa̯j sáːj]) (also Huoeisay, Houei Sai or Huay Xai), is a district in Bokeo Province, Laos, on the border with Thailand. Ban Houayxay is the administrative centre of the district.
Houayxay
ເມືອງຫ້ວຍຊາຍ | |
|---|---|
District & municipality | |
| Houayxay District | |
Ban Houayxay from the Mekong River | |
Houayxay Location in Laos | |
| Coordinates: 20°15′47″N 100°26′1″E | |
| Country | Laos |
| Admin. division | Bokeo Province |
| Elevation | 398 m (1,306 ft) |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 70,200 |
| • Religions | Buddhism |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Climate | Aw |
The town lies on the Mekong River opposite Chiang Khong in Thailand. The Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge at Ban Houayxay, which opened in December 2013 and replaced ferry service across the river, is now the northernmost road border crossing between the two countries. Asian Highway 3, which runs through Ban Houayxay, extends north to Yunnan Province of China and south to Chiang Rai Province of Thailand.
Houayxay has a domestic airport (HOE) with regular flights to Vientiane and Luang Prabang (depending on the season).
The town is the starting point for many boats (speed and slow boats, freighters, luxury cruisers for tourists and others) on the Mekong River to Pakbeng, Luang Prabang and other destinations.
Houayxay is also home to the Gibbon Experience, another highlight for tourists. It is a series of ziplines and treehouses providing a unique overnight experience.
Fort Carnot, an ancient French fort in ruins, sits on a hill overlooking the town and the Mekong River.
- Town centre
- Stairs to the hill of the temple
- Vat Chom Khao Manilat
- Border crossing to Thailand