2025 Bokeo Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

The Gibbon Experience at Bokeo National Park is a popular destination for visitors to Huay Xai. You may reserve tickets for the experience in Huay Xai, but you'll have to travel nearly four hours to one of the park's periphery settlements. From there, you'll need to travel into Bokeo National Park, where you may stay in beautiful treehouses that perch high in the woods at a height of 40 meters, rather than a hotel. #nationalpark#themeparks#naturalwonders#summervacation#hikingtrails#hotelstay#urbanexplorer

#holidayvacation This little market in Bokeo Laos, named Donsao is just a chill place to visit. You don’t have to get and apply for a Visa to be able to visit here besides you just need to ride a long tail boat from Chiang Rai to cross and voila your in Laos already! Isn’t it fun? #decembertravel#unforgettableexperiences#scenicspotguide#springholiday#newyearstrip#instagramworthydestinations#holidayvacation

We had the chance to cross over from Thailand into Laos via boat, boarding at the ท่าเรือเอ็นจอย ริเวอร์ (Enjoy River Pier). It was a short but memorable ride across the legendary Mekong River—gentle ripples under the boat, views of lush greenery on both banks, and the feeling that we were truly crossing into another world. Our boat brought us to Donxao Island (ສວນວັດທະນະທຳບໍ່ແກ້ວ), a small spot on the Laos side that’s part market, part cultural curiosity. We didn’t wander far—mostly loitered around the pier for about an hour—but even that short time was eye-opening. The place felt raw and rustic. The shops were wooden stalls with zinc roofs, looking like they were assembled with whatever materials were at hand. The merchandise was… unexpected, to say the least. There were jars of snake wine, strange herbal liquors, and preserved animals in bottles. It was fascinating but also unsettling—a true culture shock. It became immediately clear that we were in a far less developed environment. The infrastructure was rudimentary. Facilities were basic, and cleanliness standards weren’t exactly high. Still, this made the experience feel raw and real—like stepping decades back in time. Though we didn’t venture far inland, the brief taste of Laos left a lasting impression. It was more of a glimpse than a full visit—but one that highlighted just how much things can change with just one river crossing. #summervacay #LaosAdventure #MekongRiver #BorderCrossing #ThailandToLaos #CulturalExperience #DonxaoIsland #TravelUnfiltered #laos #laostrip

#springitinerary Hey wanderlusters! 🌅 Just rolled into Houayxay (Huay Xai), the sleepy riverside gateway to Laos’ wild north—where slow boats, jungle treks, and golden temples collide with border-town charm. This isn’t a destination; it’s an adventure launchpad. Here’s how I spent 48 hours soaking up the Mekong magic before heading deeper into Laos! 🛶 The Slow Boat Moment That Felt Like a Movie Watching the sunset over the Mekong from the deck of a rickety wooden slow boat, Beerlao in hand, as fishermen cast their nets—pure bliss. (Pro tip: Book the 2-day boat to Luang Prabang—it’s an experience, not just transport!) 🐒 The Jungle Wake-Up Call I’ll Never Forget At the Gibbon Experience, I:
✅ Slept in a treehouse 40m above the forest floor
✅ Ziplined over canopy so thick it blocked the sun
✅ Woke up to gibbons howling at dawn (nature’s alarm clock)
Almost dropped my phone trying to film it—worth it. 🍜 The Noodle Soup That Hit Different Houayxay’s khao soi (not the Thai kind!) is a rich, porky, turmeric-laced miracle at a stall near the ferry pier. The auntie cooking it laughed as I added all the chilies. “Farang like spicy now!” 🔥 ⏳ My Border-Town Itinerary Day 1 – Arrival & Riverside Feels • 3:00 PM: Crossed from Chiang Khong (Thailand) ($2 ferry, 5 mins!) • 4:30 PM: Checked into Daauw Homestay (Mekong-view hammocks) • 6:00 PM: Mekong sunset drinks at BAP Guesthouse • 8:00 PM: Night market feast (try the sai oua sausage!) Day 2 – Adventure Day • 7:00 AM: Wat Thadsuvanna Phakham (gold Buddha + morning chants) • 9:00 AM: Slow boat prep (buy snacks + a cushion for your butt!) • 12:00 PM: Lunch at Khemkhong Viewpoint (panoramic Mekong noodles) • 3:00 PM: Zip over to Thailand for one last iced coffee (why not?) Day 3 – Onward! • 7:00 AM: Depart on slow boat (or head to Gibbon Experience) • OR • 9:00 AM: Bus to Luang Namtha (jungle adventures await) 💡 Houayxay Hacks • Border crossing: Get your Lao visa in advance (or pay $40 on arrival) • Slow boat seats: Arrive early to snag the good spots (back = engine noise!) • Cash only: ATMs exist but charge fees • Pack layers: Mekong mornings are misty and cool Houayxay isn’t the star—it’s the curtain-raiser to northern Laos’ epic adventures. Who’s ready to slow boat into the unknown? 🚤 #SlowBoatVibes #GibbonGoals #BorderTownMagic P.S. That perfect moment? Eating grilled river fish on the Mekong banks as fireflies flickered over the water. No filter needed. ✨

📍Address: Dok Ngiew Kham Hotel 💞Reason for recommendation: Not as scary as you think 🏖️Environment/Facilities: Very good

#timetotravel Getting There - Golden tangle Village, Ton Pheuang District, Bokeo Province, Laos. Attractions - Buddhist temples, architectural, Beautiful wall painting, Historical of Buddhism. Tips: Respect the culture by take of the shoes all time to entrance to the inside the temples. Opening hours: 6:30 am to 5:00 pm. #historicculture #budhiststemples #goldentangle

I had the opportunity to visit Bokeo Province, Huay Xai City, passing through the border checkpoint in Chiang Khong District. Today, I walked around the evening market of my Lao brothers and sisters. It made me think back to the past when our country had not yet developed roads and people were kind to each other and relied on each other. If you have the opportunity, go visit Laos. It's beautiful, my friend, it's beautiful.

The deep green tropical forest canopy, the fun house on a tree, monkey bridges, and suspension bridge are all highlights of a visit to Bokeo Nature Reserve. The goal of the Bokeo Nature Reserve, which was formed in 2004, was to protect 123.000 hectares of primary rainforest. This forest is a haven for rare biodiversity, with tigers, bears, elephants, chimps, buffalo, and a plethora of birds and insects. When you get at Bokeo, you will find yourself in a wide, majestic land with fascinating little buildings perched on treetops. Visitors to Bokeo will be able to feel the swing moving cables to the tree houses or the unsteadiness of monkey bridges. The major attraction is the untouched natural beauty of Bokeo, which has drawn a large number of tourists. #tripinspired#travelguide#hiking#loveflowers#nationalpark#naturalwonders#summervacation#hikingtrails#urbanexplorer