Tourism authorities in Laos’ Oudomxay province are preparing facilities for visitors as the government plans to reopen the country to visitors next year.

Provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department deputy head Bounkuam Mitmeuangxay told Vientiane Times that if the government opens up the country, Oudomxay authorities will continue with tourism developments agreed to in recent years but which had to be put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, authorities will improve services and standards at hotels and guesthouses and take steps to regulate the price of goods.

They also plan to create new activities at visitor attractions in Oudomxay, because the province is a popular tourist destination and is likely to be become even more so when the Laos-China railway comes into operation, Bounkuam said.

There are plans for 11 tourism development projects in Xay district and local officials aim to ensure the district is able to accommodate at least 1.2 million visitors.

The 11 projects including setting up homestays, building restaurants, and developing other tourism products in villages near Tham Chom-Ong cave, which is one of the province’s top attractions.

Authorities also plan to build a park and night market where local products will be on sale, and to build visitor facilities at waterfalls and hot springs.

However, tourism is currently on hold while the Covid-19 outbreak has the country in its grip. For now, the government is only permitting people who have been double vaccinated to visit tourist sites, while the standard rules on Covid control must be followed.

Oudomxay is one of the most attractive provinces in Laos, located in the country’s upper north. It is a place where tourists can experience untouched nature and culture. Some people say it has the friendliest people and is the most peaceful place in the region.

The province is home to the magnificent Nam Kat waterfall while the Singkham Buddha temple is one of the most striking in the area and Tad Talae waterfall is especially impressive after heavy rains.

Oudomxay is also renowned for its tasty food such as “sop pak”, or vegetables cooked with sesame, ginger and chilli, and “som seen sai mai phai”, which is fermented pork mixed with chilli and garlic and packed into bamboo tubes.

Local ethnic groups are adept at making products from cotton and good bargains are available for discerning buyers.

Oudomxay is located 583km from Vientiane and is accessible via all-weather roads, by air, and in the near future by the Laos-China railway.

VIENTIANE TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK