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Sam Neua, Houaphan Province - Strolling in Sam Neua, Houaphan Province
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Sam Neua, Houaphan Province, Laos http://www.hotsia.com > Strolling in Sam Neua, Houaphan Province. At an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level, the Sam River flows through the town, making Sam Neua a place with pleasant weather all year round. I traveled to Sam Neua in mid-May; the weather was not hot, and at night it was so cold that I needed a quilt. The Sam Neua I arrived at today is a new town relocated from Vieng Xai just a few years ago, so not many people live here yet.
Most of the people in Sam Neua are lowland Lao, followed by Hmong. The rest are Black Tai and Red Tai, but not many. Sam Neua has two internet shops; one next to the school is open from morning to evening, and another newly opened near Kaew Hak Muang operates from evening until 9 PM. Sam Neua has a Lao Development Bank with the town's first ATM, which was being installed when I arrived. Sam Neua is a small town.
You can walk around the entire town quickly. If you want to go somewhere, just ask the Lao locals; they are very willing to help. Or you can walk to the Lao tourism office opposite the bank, where staff will assist you and provide free brochures (08:00-12:00 and 13:30-16:00). I took a tuk-tuk from the bus station to Sam Neua. The rice fields in the town center are a symbol of Sam Neua, specially created for the town that was once home to a Lao leader during the fight against America: Kaew Hak Muang or Kaew Lak Muang.
Officially opened on May 17, 2008 (I have photos of the opening ceremony below). The Kaew Hak Muang design features four pillars supporting a glass orb on top. Around Kaew Hak Muang are wall sculptures depicting soldiers during the fight against America. There is also a fountain and underwater lights, but when I visited, they were off—I don't know if they were broken. This area is a central hangout for youths to meet and relax at night.
The highlight of Sam Neua recommended by Lonely Planet is the riverside Sam Market, which is the charm of Sam Neua. I strongly agree; I rank this market number one. Among all the fresh markets I've visited across Laos, Sam Neua's market impressed me the most. In the next story, I will take you to explore the market and enjoy local food. Don't miss it; it's truly amazing. Now that you know about Sam Neua, Houaphan Province, let's continue my journey. I got off the bus coming from Xieng Khouang.
Arriving in the lower town, Sam Neua looks peaceful and narrow, unlike my imagination that expected more houses and shops. Nevertheless, Sam Neua is the center of the whole area, with schools, markets, men's barber shops, and Wat Pho Sai temple about two kilometers from the market. Locals grill fish simply by the roadside. The main road of Sam Neua leads to Kaew Hak Muang. There are several guesthouses and a few small hotels four or five stories high.
If you travel to Sam Neua, you don't need to book accommodation in advance as it's easy to find. Some places have WIFI internet. I stayed in a simple room costing a bit over 200 baht per night, with a fan and shared bathroom, no internet. I was the only guest in the hotel. After settling in, I explored Sam Neua and took photos to share with friends. There are two rice shops near Kaew Hak Muang, one owned by an Indian and the other by a Lao.
I haven't had the chance to try the Indian shop, but the Lao shop serves very delicious food, especially garlic fried pork, which is well-seasoned and fragrant. Sam Neua doesn't have many people walking around like Phongsaly. I understand that people here all know each other by name. Another thing I liked is the rice fields almost in the town center; it looks so cool and is rare for a major town to have rice fields in the middle of town like this. I even walked on the dike and chased ducks for fun.
I recalled my life as a farmer since birth before many twists changed my path. Fortunately, I had web skills, which led me to create this travel website Hotsia.com. I like Sam Neua and believe if you visit, you will like it too... Mr.Hotsia recommends hotels in Sam Neua for convenient travel. Initially, I took a tuk-tuk to find accommodation in town; it's not far, and if you have time, you can walk down. Lao children in Sam Neua were photographed while I walked the market.
I might be one of the few Thais who have traveled here. The Sam River flows through Sam Neua naturally without dams upstream. Students in Sam Neua walk home during lunch break. The rice fields with new seedlings before planting in adjacent plots make the town look cool. Today is the opening day of Kaew Hak Muang. I took a photo copied from a pho shop next to the school. Kaew Hak Muang or Kaew Lak Muang today. Most Lao restaurants cook fried pork better than other dishes.
You can try ordering to see for yourself. Sculptures and fountains at Kaew Lak Muang, Kaew Hak Muang in Sam Neua, Houaphan Province. I have to sleep under a mosquito net like this, reminding me of childhood. It's very crowded here; you can hardly get me off the bed. On the right is Lao liquor. Now I am traveling in Sam Neua. Follow my journey all the way to Hanoi. Tuk-tuk clip from the bus station to Sam Neua town. Rice field clip in the middle of Sam Neua town. Kaew Hak Muang clip, Sam Neua, Houaphan Province. The Lao music soundtrack is beautiful.
Does the Sam Neua dog look like a Thai dog? Lao vendor selling meatballs. Sam River in Sam Neua, Houaphan Province. Kaew Hak Muang or Kaew Lak Muang. Rice fields in the town center. Newly opened hotel in Sam Neua. Internet service in Sam Neua, 1 hour Ah )) Lo Halo, a Lao mobile company. M-Phone, another company. Crispy fried pork ribs, a delicious Lao dish. A large lighter made in China sold in Laos. Sculpture work at Kaew Hak Muang. This photo must be remembered as it shows the first ATM in Sam Neua. Lottery ticket shop in Sam Neua.
Students in Sam Neua walking home wearing traditional skirts, a charm of Laos. Washing clothes and using water from the Sam River. Mr.Hotsia's trip to Houaphan Province, Sam Neua. Eating water scorpion at Sam Neua market. Route Phonsavan - Nam Noen - Sam Neua. Strolling in Sam Neua, Houaphan Province. Playing scratch lottery at Vieng Xai market. Tham Than Nu Hak cave, Phum Savan. Tham Than Khaisone cave, Vieng Xai. Tham Than Kam Tai, Siphandone. Passing Nam Soi checkpoint / Na Meow to Hanoi. Tham Than President Suphanouvong.
