Oudomxai Province

Location: A northern province between Luang Namtha, Phongsaly, Bokeo, Xayaboury and Luang Prabang Provinces.

Natural Protected Areas: There are no national protected areas.

Main Ethnic Groups: Hmong, Akha, Khmu and others.

Ecotourism Attractions: The countryside of Oudomxai offers a very good sample of what northern Laos has to offer, with virtually no tourists to be seen.

Sekong Province

Location: Southern Laos

Natural Protected Areas: Xe Xap National Protected Area

Ethnic Groups: Tahoy, Katang, Pako, Kado, and Suay.

Ecotourism Attractions: Few travelers have explored the rugged mountains of Sekong Province.

Phongsaly Province

Location: Northern-most part of Laos, sharing borders with China and Vietnam.

Natural Protected Areas: Phou Daen Din National Protected Area and Nam Lan Conservation Area

Main Ethnic Groups: Khmu, Tai Dam, Tai Daeng, Yao, Leu, Hor, Hmong, Akha, Yang,
Bid, and Lolo.

Highest Peak: Phou Doychy, 1,842 m

Ecotourism Attractions: Phongsaly is a very remote province that has only just begun to be explored by tourists. It has tremendous potential for trekking, with its dramatic mountainous terrain, cool weather and a very diverse population of ethnic hill tribes. Large areas of the province’s forests in Phou Den Din National Protected Area are uninhabited and are reported to have lots of wildlife.

Vientiane Capital

Location: Central Laos

Natural Protected Areas: Houay Ngang Forest Reserve & Phou Khao Khouay National
Protected Area.

Main Ethnic Groups: Lao

Ecotourism Attractions: The Houay Ngang Forest Reserve, located in Vientiane Capital, is an excellent site for bird watchers and butterfly enthusiasts. Inside the forest reserve, a nature trail can be followed for a self-guided, one-day tour of the area.

Salavan Province

Location: Southern Laos

Natural Protected Areas: Xe Pian and Dong Ampham

Main Ethnic Groups: Tahoy, Pako, Katang, Kado, Suay, Laven

Ecotourism Attractions: Local guides can be hired at resorts at Tad Lo Waterfall for day walks around the area. Visitors can also rent bicycles and ride to nearby ethnic Suay villages. Swimming is around the waterfall.

Vientiane Province

Location: Central Laos

Natural Protected Areas: Phou Phanang & Phou Khao Khouay

Main Ethnic Groups: Lao

Ecotourism Attractions: Vientiane Province, not to be confused with Vientiane Capital, has very good sites for rafting and kayaking on the Song Nam Lik and Nam Ngum Rivers. There is also ecotourism accommodation on the Nam Lik River operated by Adventure Lao.

Savannakhet Province

Location: Central Laos

Natural Protected Areas: Phou Xang Hae, Dong Nadet and Don Phou Vieng.

Main Ethnic Groups: Katang, Mangkong, Pako, Tri, Suay, Phuthai and Lao.

Ecotourism Attractions: Savannakhet offers some very interesting remote trekking opportunities near the Vietnam border.

Xayaboury Province

Location: A northwestern province sharing a border with Thailand.

Natural Protected Areas: Nam Phui National Protected Area

Ethnic Groups: Khmu, Tai Lue, Tai Dam, Htin, Phai, Kri, Akha, Malabri and Lao.

Ecotourism Attractions: Xayaboury has a very rugged landscape with forested mountains, and it is known for the production of rice, cotton, peanuts, sesame, maize and oranges. Tteak forests cover large parts of the province.