Attapeu Province

Location: Southern Laos

Natural Protected Areas: Xe Pian and Dong Ampham National Protected Areas

Ethnic Groups: Lao, Mon-Khmer speaking groups

Ecotourism Attractions: Attapeu is known for its three rivers: the Xe Kong, Xe Kaman and Xe Xou .

Travelers can take a boat along the Xe Kong River, which defines the border with Cambodia, and then up the Xe Pian River to access Xe Pian National Protected Area. The remote and little known Nong Fa Lake is the largest and possibly only crater lake in the country.

The eastern slopes of Bolaven Plateau in Attapeu are heavily forested and support various wildlife species; much of the forests are protected by provincial protected areas.

Houaphan Province

Location: A northeastern province sharing its border with Vietnam

Natural Protected Areas: Nam Et/Phou Louei & Nam Xam National Protected Areas

Main Ethnic Groups: Tai Kao, Tai Daeng, Tai Meuay, Tai Neua, Phu Noi, Hmong, and Khmu.

Ecotourism Attractions: Houaphan has abundant natural resources and a rugged landscape that led the Lao People’s Party's selection of the area as its base during the Indochina War years. The province is famous for its limestone mountains and caverns, with over one hundred caves in the area.

Bokeo Province

Location: A northwestern province famous for its location at the infamous Golden Triangle: the three-bordered intersection of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

Natural Protected Areas: Nam Kan Provincial Protected Forest.

Main Ethnic Groups: Lanten, Hmong, Lahu, Yao, Akha, and Tai Lue.

Ecotourism Attractions: Bokeo has mountains and ethnic minority villages in the
east and the Mekong River and lowland Lao populations to the west.

Khammouane Province

Location: Central Laos

Natural Protected Areas: Phou Hin Boun, Nakai Namtheun and Hin Nam No National Protected Areas

Main Ethnic Groups: Lao and Mon-Khmer speaking groups

Ecotourism Attractions: Tthree of the country’s more important protected areas, Phou Hin Poun, Nakai Namtheun and Hin Nam No cover much of the province’s land area.

Bolikhamxay Province

Location: Central Laos

Natural Protected Areas: Phou Khao Khouay & Nam Kading

Main Ethnic Groups: Lao

Ecotourism Attractions: Many of the tourist attractions in Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area are located in Bolikhamxay Province. A recently opened elephant observation tower in the park is managed by Ban Na Community, and provides one of the best wildlife experiences in Laos.

Luang Namtha Province

Location: A northern province bordering China and Myanmar

Natural Protected Areas: Nam Ha National Protected Area

Main Ethnic Groups: Akha, Sila, Hmong, Lahu, Yao, Lantaen, Khmu, Sam Tao, Lamet, Tai Dam, Tai Daeng, Tai Yuan, Tai Lue and Tai Neua.

Ecotourism Attractions: Luang Namtha Province’s two major ecotourism attractions are its ethnic diversity, with more than 20 ethnic groups, and its mountainous terrain, which is excellent for trekking and mountain biking.

Champasak Province

Location: Southern Laos

Protected Areas: Xe Pian, Phou Xieng Thong, Dong Houa Sao National Protected Area

Main Ethnic Groups: Chieng, Inthi, Kaseng, Katang, Kate, Katu, Kien Lavai, Laven, Nge,
Nyaheun, Oung, Salao, Suay, Tahang, Tahoy, and Lao.

Ecotourism Attractions: Champasak Province has a variety of ecotourism attractions
and activities.

Luang Prabang Province

Location: In the center of northern Laos.

Natural Protected Areas: Nam Et & Phou Louei National Protected Areas.

Main Ethnic Groups: Hmong, Khmu, Tai Lue, and Lao.

Ecotourism Attractions: Luang Prabang’s main attraction is the Luang Prabang UNESCO World Heritage Town, which is known for its Buddhist temples and French colonial architecture. Visiting the temples and historic sites helps support their protection and maintenance. The night market in Luang Prabang has a display of locally produced handicrafts unmatched in the region; purchasing the crafts supports local artisans and traditional production techniques. Travelers can also visit many of the villages that produce handicrafts to see how they are made and to buy them directly from the producers.