"Authentic Laos" Xam Nua by aemilys

Xam Nua Travel Guide: 15 reviews and 20 photos

Here is where I fell in love with Laos

Sam Neua or Xam Neua or as VT would have it Xam Nua is fairly off the beaten path. Most tourists (or travellers if you prefer) are just passing through on their way to or from Viet Nam.

I liked this place because it was so non touristy. No begging, everyone gives the correct change back and they all seemed to just be busy living their lives. As such it is rather a challenge to find souvenirs but you may get lucky and meet the weaving ladies who sell beautiful things for much less than you'll pay in Luang Prabang...Sam Neua is known for its weaving and for that reason alone it's well worth the trip.

What's with Authentic anyway

Weaving detail

Sam Neua was like a breakthrough place for me. I just got so depressed doing the floating market tour out of Bangkok and being obliged to go to the gemstone store and look at stuff I didn't want and couldn't afford....what was the point of coming halfway around the world to be herded around like a sheep? I started to think I'd spent all this money and all this time planning and I was just going to be disapponted on my great Asia adventure.

So thank God I came here. No gemstone shops! No tour operators! Just a real town with people in it (I know that sounds dumb but it's the truth). Doesn't hurt that the landscape is gorgeous as well.

I love Sam Neua

The absolute best noodle soup ever

This place is just going to stay in my heart forever. Perhaps someday I will get back (I hope so). If not, well that is just destiny and in any case, I'll never forget.

Thank you Sam Neua.

And especially thank you for having a bank that could give me a cash advance on my VISA card cuz I was so worried on the flight in with only 25 USD in my pocket...

Pros and Cons

Pros:Very few tourists and so untouched and authentic
Cons:The usual authentic power outages etc
In a nutshell:A wonderful place

Last visit to Xam Nua: Aug 2006
Intro Updated Sep 2, 2006
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Reviews (11)

English menu Restaurants (2)

Really nice and just across the street from the Boun Hom guesthouse. The English menu is no problem, they will give it... more travel advice

Pathet Lao caves Off The Beaten Path (1)

From Sam Neua you can easily get a songtheaw to Vieng Xai. This is a marvellous place.The Pathet Lao hid out here and... more travel advice

The menu in English and everything is good too - Xam Nua

English menu and cold beer Restaurants (2)

Just wonderful, the food is good, the portions are more than enough, service is efficient, and the beer is cold...so... more travel advice

The market by the river Shopping (2)

The market by the river is wonderful and you can get all kinds of food and various things. Part of the market is in a... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Guesthouse
Transportation (2)
See All The airport
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Comments (14)

hindu1936 Jun 2, 2009 at 2:16 AM Report Abuse

Your page brings back some memories. We will be in Laos this winter. Nice to see that they have recovered. good tips, nice photos and smiling writing. thanks, j
picek Apr 30, 2009 at 5:43 AM Report Abuse

Hi... this place has become one of my favourite Lao destinations, too. I hope one day I can see it again.
calcaf38 Dec 22, 2008 at 5:23 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful page, Aemilys. Thank you for sharing.
magor65 Dec 28, 2007 at 6:50 AM Report Abuse

Going there by plane sounds a bit scary to me, but I'm sure Xam Nua is worth a visit. Thanks for useful tips.
SLLiew Sep 18, 2007 at 7:58 PM Report Abuse

Nice page of Xam Nua. Laap and cold beer for lunch! Must try that one day. Cheers, SL :)
Sininen Jul 12, 2007 at 10:21 PM Report Abuse

I will be in Laos in September and will definitely go to Sam Neua too. It looks just like my kind of place! Thanks for the excellent tips!
Purpleshade Jun 30, 2007 at 10:16 PM Report Abuse

Sounds like a lovely peaceful place! I like peaceful for holidays. Lesley
davequ Jun 15, 2007 at 2:49 PM Report Abuse

Pretty cool, pretty neat (ar ar) Thanks for sharing
aussiejen Jun 10, 2007 at 4:40 AM Report Abuse

Love the scarf :) And the food too!
BeatChick Nov 26, 2006 at 3:54 PM Report Abuse

Wow, your fried rice with the egg on top looks delish, Emily! And a room for just $5USD - can't get over that. Looks like the only real expense is the flight over. What beautiful silk pieces. Great pics, too - excellent page!