Kaolao Cave Soon To Reopen After New Facilities Built

Source: Vientiane Times

Kaolao cave in Nam-Eng village, Viengphoukha district, Luang Namtha province, will reopen at the end of this year after being closed for five months so that visitor amenities can be built.

Head of the Luang Namtha provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Mr Sivilay Pankeo, told Vientiane Times on Monday the decision was made to close the popular cave because the facilities there were inadequate.

In the meantime walkways and lighting are being installed inside the cave, and an information centre, restaurant, souvenir shop and art exhibition room will also be built.

The developments are being carried out by a foreign company and will be in service after the rainy season.

The work is taking place in several phases. To begin with, walkways and electricity will be installed inside the cave, after which provincial authorities will open the cave at the end of this year, Mr Sivilay said.
The cave is about 12km from the main town in Viengphoukha district, and has good road access.

Luang Namtha province is especially popular with visitors in the winter months, when most people visit villages inhabited by ethnic groups and explore the colourful temples in Sing district. Tourists can buy silk, paper and other handicrafts made by the Akha, Yao and Hmong peoples.

There is also a wide variety of local foods to enjoy, such as khaoxoy (noodle soup with soybean sauce, tomatoes, minced pork and onion).

Also popular are the adventure activities of trekking and kayaking in the Nam Ha National Protected Area, where birds and reptile species inhabit the surrounding forests.

Luang Namtha is about 620km from Vientiane and is full of fascinating sights, including  stunning landscapes and quaint corners.

Tourists will not be disappointed and are guaranteed a memorable stay.

The province has 10 hotels, 95 guesthouses and resorts, 178 restaurants and nine entertainment venues. It also boasts 55 officially designated nature-based attractions, 47 places of cultural interest and seven historical sites, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

More than 300,000 people visited the province in the first six months of this year, while more than 755,530 tourists came to Luang Namtha last year, according to the provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department.