Playing Scratch Lottery with Locals in Viengchai

Playing Scratch Lottery with Locals in Viengchai

Hello, I'm mr.hotsia. Today, I will take you to a small town full of history and tranquility called Viengchai in Houaphan Province, Laos. This town might not be well-known or frequently visited due to its remote and hard-to-reach location. But for me, it has a unique charm that can't be found anywhere else.

Viengchai is not only a small town surrounded by limestone mountains and lush green rice fields, but it was also a refuge for Lao leaders during the war with America. The caves where the leaders stayed were not just temporary shelters but long-term homes for decades. These stories give Viengchai a distinctive and fascinating character. Although I will share more about the leader's caves in the next article, today I will take you for a walk around Viengchai first.

Viengchai is a secluded town with a small lake in the center, surrounded by towering limestone mountains. The fresh green rice fields stretch out in the middle. The overall atmosphere makes visitors feel an indescribable peace and relaxation. I traveled here during the summer, which many might expect to be scorching hot, but the weather was comfortably cool, so much so that schoolchildren wore jackets to school in the morning.

The population of Viengchai is less than thirty thousand. Most young people go to study or work in bigger cities like Vientiane, making this town very quiet. There is a morning and evening market sharing the same space next to the town's bus station. I noticed that the motorcycle shops here are quite large, bigger than I expected for such a small town.

Next to the market, there are two or three small restaurants and a hair-washing salon for locals. Accommodations in Viengchai are scattered throughout the town. The place where I stayed tonight is by the lake, combining a restaurant and lodging. Interestingly, there is no internet service here, and electricity is on 24 hours, but during heavy rain, the power sometimes goes out.

Viengchai is a border town that doesn't see many tourists. As a Thai visitor who had the chance to come here, I was warmly welcomed by the locals. The children here are adorable and shy when I filmed videos to share with friends on the website.hotsia.comAs you can see, the market in this town may not be as lively as in Sam Neua, but the atmosphere is full of friendliness and simplicity of the people.

Cool Atmosphere with Scratch Lottery Activities in Viengchai

What impressed me the most when visiting Viengchai was the evening when locals come to the market to meet and chat happily. I saw a very interesting activity: playing scratch lottery, which is very popular in Laos. The villagers gathered excitedly to try their luck. I couldn't resist joining them to buy some scratch lottery tickets. Although I lost, the experience of sharing the excitement with the locals was very rewarding.

Playing scratch lottery here is not just ordinary entertainment; it is a social activity that allows locals to meet during their free time after work. The sight of people laughing loudly and chatting casually made me feel that Viengchai is lively even in this small town.

Travel and Accommodation in Viengchai

I traveled to Viengchai by a local minibus from Sam Neua, a town just 40 minutes away. My original plan was to visit the leader's caves and return the same day, but seeing that there are many caves and the last minibus leaves at 1 PM, I decided to stay overnight in Viengchai and return to Sam Neua the next day.

If you are interested in traveling independently to Viengchai, I have a small tip to share. If you want to eat well and have a chance to join activities with locals, try buying pork or chicken to cook with the restaurants in town. Sometimes long journeys prevent us from eating enough, and this way, you get your favorite dishes and truly experience local life.

For myself, I ordered half a kilogram of fried pork to eat alone, along with an omelet and Lao coffee in the morning. I can say I was very full and had a very memorable experience.

Connecting to Nearby Towns and Other Attractions

For those interested in traveling to nearby towns like Sam Neua, which I have written about in an article,Walking Around Sam Neua Town, Houaphan Provinceor want detailed travel information from Sam Neua to Viengchai inSam Neua Bus Station, Houaphan Provinceyou can read more there.

Additionally, for those interested in the Lao leader's caves in this area, I will provide an in-depth tour in the next article, includingThan Nuhak Cave, PhoumsavanandThan Kaisone Cave, Phromvihanewhich are full of history and fascinating stories.

Summary of the Viengchai Experience

Viengchai, although a small and quiet town, is full of charm and interest, including historical stories, local lifestyles, and fun activities like playing scratch lottery at the market in the evening. I, mr.hotsia, feel very lucky to have experienced this atmosphere firsthand.

If you like to travel off the beaten path and want to see the sincerity of locals, Viengchai is a destination not to be missed. And if you visit Houaphan Province in Laos, don't forget to stop by the beauty of Sam Neua town and try local dishes like Mok Kantor atSam Neua Markettoo.

See you again in the next article where I will take you exploring the leader's caves in Viengchai.
May 2010
mr.hotsia