Ban Houayxay

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Ban Houayxay
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image_caption = The boats moored outsided Ban Houayxay on the Mekong river. Chiang Khong can be seen on the opposite side.


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pushpin_label_position =bottom
pushpin_map_caption =Location in Laos
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = LAO
subdivision_type1 = Admin. division
subdivision_name1 = Bokeo Province
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population_blank2_title =Religions
population_blank2 =Buddhism
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latd=20|latm=17 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=100 |longm=25 |longs= |longEW=E
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Ban Houayxay (Lao: ຫ້ວຍຊາຍ), also known as Huay Xai, Houei Sai etc is the capital of the Lao province of Bokèo on the border with Thailand.

The town lies on the Mekong river opposite Chiang Khong in Thailand being the northernmost border crossing between the two countries. The two are only connected via ferries. Houayxay is also the endpoint of national road no. 3 (under construction) which will connect China via the border at Boten in Yunnan province and Luang Namtha with Thailand. A bridge to Thailand is scheduled for 2012.

Houayxay has a domestic airport with regular flights to Vientiane (capital of Laos) and Luang Prabang (depending on the season). Probably the most popular means of transport are boats (speed and slow boats, freighters, luxury cruisers for tourists and others) running down the Mekong to Pakbeng, Luang Prabang and other destinations.

"Fort Carnot", an ancient French fort in ruins, is situated on a hill overlooking the town and the Mekong river.

The main excursion in Houayxay is the gibbon experience.

References