Bokeo

Located in the heart of the Golden Triangle, Bokeo is located on the border with the Chiang Rai province in Thailand and also borders Myanmar, and is less than 100 km from China. Although Bokeo is the smallest province in Laos, it has a large number of interesting minority groups (approximately 30 ethnic groups). The province is separated from Luang Nam Ta and was established in 1983. The name Bokeo translates as "gem", and the city is known as the "land of sapphires." Panning for gold and gem mining is the main activity here.

Huoi Xai, the capital of the Bokeo province, is located on the banks of the Mekong River. Like most small towns in Laos, several temples built in earlier centuries and surrounding villages seem to be the only attractions. However, the true economic strength of Bokeo is tourism. The holiday amidst a network of hunts and shelters built on top of trees in the dry deciduous forests of the primary monsoon, is decisively attractive. An ideal place where you can watch the rare inhabitants of the forest from above. Besides exciting attractions and exciting events, Houay Xai is also known as a gateway to explore the rest of Laos, a famous stopping place for most arrivals before boarding a boat and heading southeast to Pak Beng and Luang Prabang. A trip north along the winding and bumpy roads of Boke will lead to Luang Namta and beyond.

For centuries, Bokeo has remained an important stop for Chinese merchants traveling by boat between China and Thailand. Currently, the only communication between Boke and Chiang Rai is via ferry and speed boat. However, the bridge between Laos and Thailand is scheduled to open in 2012.