7 Interesting Things to Do in Nong Khiaw, Laos
Looking for the best things to do in Nong Khiaw?
This beautiful mountain town on the Nam Ou River is surrounded by dramatic karst peaks and has a laid-back vibe that’s perfect for both adventure seekers and slow travelers.
We spent four days here exploring the highlights and uncovering some hidden gems—and left with a deep appreciation for what makes Nong Khiaw so special.
While it’s no longer the off-the-radar secret it once was, the scenery and experiences easily make it worth a spot on your Laos itinerary.
From hiking to panoramic viewpoints and paddling along the river to relaxing in bamboo bungalows, Nong Khiaw offers the perfect mix of adventure and downtime.
Read on for our top recommendations for what to do, plus our favorite places to eat and stay!
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7 Amazing Things to Do in Nong Khiaw (From Viewpoints to River Adventures)
Climb a Nong Khiaw Viewpoint for Epic Mountain and River Views
You’ve probably seen it on Instagram – the hike up a mountainside to wake up in the clouds. This is Pha Dang viewpoint.
The hike begins in the afternoon, arriving in time for a gorgeous sunset. Camp out at the top to wake up above the clouds – an unforgettable experience!
If you’re short on time and want to guarantee your spot, you can book online here. Otherwise, it’s very easy to book with an agency once you arrive in Nong Khiaw.
There is no shortage of viewpoints in Nong Khiaw. Some other viewpoints worth checking out are:
- Som Nang Viewpoint
- Sleeping Lady Peak Viewpoint
- Phar Kewlom Viewpoint
TOP TIP: When hiking anywhere around Laos, be sure to stick to the paths or go with a guide. This is because of the Unexploded Ordnance devices (UXO) that have yet to be cleared throughout Laos. These are DANGEROUS. The rules are for your safety.
Trekking in Nong Khiaw – Choose a Local Tour
Take your pick from any number of agencies in town offering an array of packages. There’s no real need to book a tour in advance.
The agents from the numerous tour companies, guesthouses, and even some restaurants will be hanging out on the street selling the different treks and tours on offer.
You can spend the day hiking through the lush scenery surrounding Nong Khiaw and be back in time for sunset. Alternatively, head out on a multi-day trek. Some treks may even include a stay in a local ethnic minority village.
If you enjoy trekking in Laos, you may also like: A Guide to Luang Namtha: Trekking, Saunas, and More
Kayak Down the Nam Ou River – The Most Relaxing Way to Explore
Similarly to trekking, there’s plenty of places around town to choose from for kayak rental. Many people combine trekking and kayaking in one tour.
Be sure to be on the river at sunset for incredible views across the mountains.
Take a Day Trip to Muang Ngoi – A Riverside Village Only Accessible by Boat
Muang Ngoi is a village up the river from Nong Khiaw that is only accessible by boat. You can visit for the day or stick to Nong Khiaw’s naturally slow pace and stay overnight.
We recommend staying at least one night to enjoy a still evening and a misty sunrise at a guesthouse along the river.
There are a few guesthouses available to book online, but many travelers choose to find accommodation upon arrival.
There will be guesthouse owners waiting at the dock to offer their services and lead you to their accommodation.
We stayed the night at Suan Phao Guesthouse and highly recommend doing so. It’s an easy walk from the boat port to the bungalows where you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view to relax on your balcony.
We were able to book this guesthouse online.
Once in the village, we opted for a chill afternoon, only wandering around and enjoying the view from our balcony. Alternatively, there are a number of activities to try. You could:
- Try weaving at textile shop Wonder’s Hut
- Enjoy a day hike to Tad Mok waterfall
- Test yourself with a challenging climb to Pha Boom Viewpoint
The longboat journey to Muang Ngoi is a treat in itself. The ride takes around 90 minutes to get there and 45 minutes coming back.
You can buy a one way or return ticket to the village from the Nong Khiaw pier, located next to Le Muang Ngoy restaurant.
Public boats leave at 11:30am and 2pm, but please check this information at the pier in Nong Khiaw as this may change.
Reflect on History at Nong Khiaw’s Village Museum and War Caves
Ban Man Da Village Museum and Caves opened in February 2024. Whilst we were there, the community was still finishing the construction but was absolutely still worth visiting.
For us, Ban Man Da museum is a must-do in Nong Khiaw as we learnt how the area was directly impacted during the “secret” Vietnam War.
We were given a free tour of the museum and grounds during our visit and were able to ask questions directly to the curator who was more than willing to chat.
You can also visit Pha Thok Caves (about 1 km down the road) to see where villagers sheltered during the unrelenting airstrikes by American troops between 1964-1974.
It is a 3-4 km walk from town to the museum and caves. This was an enjoyable experience as it was clear while passing through nearby villages that people don’t usually walk through.
The children were very excited to come and say hello to us!
TOP TIP: The community museum was built and funded by the two neighboring villages. It felt good to know the entry fee goes back into a community so heavily impacted by war.
Best Rooftop Bar in Nong Khiaw for Sunset Drinks with a View
Now you’ve got all the action-packed fun things to do in Nong Khiaw out of the way, it’s time to relax!
There’s plenty of rooftop bars to choose from. We liked Q Bar in particular for a happy hour beer in the evening, and to watch the sunset before dinner.
Vongmany Guesthouse Restaurant is also a great sunset option, but get there early because the best seats fill up quickly. We also enjoyed the egg sandwiches here!
Unwind with a Traditional Lao Massage (and Hair Wash Ritual)
For a real local experience, go to Tapom Lao massage & Herbal steam sauna (location linked) for a pampering!
First, have a Lao massage – similar to a Thai massage but generally a little more gentle. You can expect to be stretched in ways you never thought possible.
It’s custom to wear the shorts provided for the massage and keep on whatever you’re wearing on your top half.
After the massage, we also decided to have our hair washed. The hair wash was INTENSE – in a good way!
It’s a 40 minute process with over half of that involving the ladies really scrubbing your scalp. The time also includes a blow dry so prepare to come out feeling fresh!
We paid a total of 90,000KIP ($4.20USD) each (in 2024) for both the hour-long massage and the hair wash. The best deal of our whole month in Laos!
When is the Best Time to Visit Nong Khiaw?
The weather in Nong Khiaw is generally cooler than the weather in the surrounding areas due to the mountainous terrain.
We visited in early February and found the weather to be ideal – cool mornings and evenings, but warm during the day. If you wish to hike while in Nong Khiaw, stick to visiting between December and March.
This is peak dry season and the weather is perfect for hiking.
While Nong Khiaw is still worth visiting in the rainy season, you may not be able to enjoy the outdoor activities as the mountains will be muddy and unstable, and the water levels high on the river.
TOP TIP: Try to visit Nong Khiaw before the burning season. The air quality in the North of Laos quickly deteriorates come March/April as farmers are burning their fields to prepare for next season’s crop.
How to Get to Nong Khiaw?
Your options are limited in terms of direct routes to Nong Khiaw. Direct routes include buses from either Luang Prabang from the South, or Luang Namtha if you’re coming from the North.
Lots of travelers take the slow boat from Huay Xai (on the Laos-Thailand border) to Luang Prabang. From there, you can take one more bus to enjoy a few days in Nong Khiaw.
If you would like to travel from Vang Vieng or Vientiane to Nong Khiaw, it is of course possible. You’ll just need to transfer via Luang Prabang first.
Luang Namtha to Nong Khiaw – The Long Bus Ride Explained
Prepare yourself for a bumpy journey along 6 hours of windy roads in a minivan. We won’t lie, this is not a pleasant journey. This is the route we took, but we wouldn’t change a thing.
It was well worth it to go directly to Nong Khiaw after a few days exploring Northern Laos.
We advise booking through your guesthouse or a tour company in Luang Namtha to make life easier. More often than not, doing this ensures you have a tuk tuk to the bus station included in your ticket price too.
TOP TIP: VIP buses in Laos are not to the same standards as VIP buses you may find in destinations like Thailand or Vietnam. The only real guarantee you have is that the driver won’t stop to load the bus with more people than seats. Don’t expect any luxury unless you pay for a private transfer. Find more transit tips here.
Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw – The Most Common Route
The bus ride from Luang Prabang will take around 4 hours. The bus departs from the North bus station in Luang Prabang.
This is a relatively easy bus ride by Laos standards. The roads are mostly well maintained and there are minimal mountain passes that make your stomach churn.
Nong Khiaw Bus Station – What It’s Like and What to Expect
When it’s time to leave Nong Khiaw for your next stop, the bus station is a 1-2 km walk from town.
We found arranging this transport quite stressful! We arrived at Nong Khiaw bus station an hour before the scheduled departure for Luang Prabang and the queue was already long.
You can imagine our concern about not being able to get on a bus.
Buses travel to both the North and South bus stations in Luang Prabang. The price difference is minimal and they’re both a similar distance from the center of Luang Prabang.
Therefore, don’t worry about not getting on a bus as we got the sense that they run more mini buses to both the North and South stations until all travelers are on board and Luang Prabang bound.
👉 Follow our Luang Prabang itinerary when you get there.
TOP TIP: Throughout Laos, we have found it useful to search our departure bus station on Google Maps. Check the latest reviews for up to date photos of bus timetables and procedures.
📶📞 Make sure you have an eSIM sorted before you arrive in Laos. Airalo is our favorite and they have lots of data plans for Laos. Use code JULIA1616 for $3 OFF your first eSIM purchase.
Where to Stay in Nong Khiaw – Our Accommodation Guide
Best Budget Guesthouses in Nong Khiaw
Bamboo Guesthouse – WE STAYED HERE – Very (very) basic but clean, fantastic mountain views, and located on a quiet side road for peak relaxation on a budget. You cannot book online here.
Eco Farm Stay & Hostel – OUR REC FOR NEXT TIME – Great place to book treks, one of the only hostels in Nong Khiaw, dorm rooms and tents available.
Cozy Mid-Range Stay in Nong Khiaw
Resort Maison de nongkhiaw – Tasty breakfast, a picturesque swimming pool, and a free shuttle service into town.
Luxury Accommodation in Nong Khiaw (Lao-Style Comfort)
Nongkhiaw The Float House – A unique experience floating on the river, bathrooms with a view, and exceptional staff and service.
TOP TIP: Many guesthouses aren’t available to book online nor appear on Google Maps. You shouldn’t have a problem showing up and booking somewhere on arrival.
We advise staying on the far side of town across the bridge. There’s more budget guesthouses here and many have sunset river views.
Where to Eat in Nong Khiaw – Our Favorite Local Spots
Mama Alex’s – Be sure to try the Lao sausage with a delicious eggplant dip.
Nong Khiaw Local Restaurant – Tasty noodle soup with local prices.
Chennai Restaurant – When you fancy something different, the Indian food here is a welcome change.
TOP TIP: Most restaurants only accept cash so be sure to have enough available. There’s a BCEL ATM on the far side of the Nong Khiaw bridge. During late morning or early afternoon, there will probably be a lengthy queue to withdraw cash!
Is a Visit to Nong Khiaw Worth It?
Just the sunrises and sunsets alone in this sleepy town make the journey worth it.
Take “sleepy” with a pinch of salt though, because it is much busier than we anticipated in Nong Khiaw. However this didn’t stop us from adopting the slow pace and chilled vibe so evident throughout the town.
Even though Nong Khiaw is out of the way of the main tourist trail in Laos, many people choose to make the journey anyway. In our opinion, this speaks volumes to the draw of this memorable place.
If you do nothing else besides walk across the Nong Khiaw bridge at sunset, you will still feel like your visit was worthwhile.
We recommend you do more, of course! There’s so much to see and do in Nong Khiaw. You can make the trip as action-packed or as kicked-back as you like.
It’s a small paradise with something for everyone – it’s definitely worth it!
⭐ To make the most of your time in Laos, read our list of unmissable experiences in Laos + follow along with our Northern Laos itinerary.
