Currently there is little tourism in Vieng Phoukha. Community-based eco tourism tours and treks began to be developed in October 2003 in Vieng Phoukha, with support of the Provincial Goverment and the European Union.
In Vieng Phoukha, the main objectives of developing Community-based tourism are to generate income for local people, to create awareness and support for protecting natural ad cultural resources, and to offer visitors the opportunity to experience genuine Lao culture.

Village participation
All villages that we visit have invited us to come. Before and after all tours and treks, we speak with the villagers about how they feel about having tourists and how they think it can be improved. So far, we have not had any problems with having foreign guests in the villages. We hope to keep it this way.

Guides
All treks and tours are run by the local guide service. Fifteen local people, representing mainly the Khmu ethnic group, started trainig and studying English in September 2003 with support of the EU-MPDLC project. The guides have a very deep understanding of the forest, plants, animals and local cultures. As your guides they will show you medicinal and edible plants, animal tracks, birds, explain about treditional agricultural practices, introduce you to the villages that you visit and ensure that your experience is rewarding while not negatively impacting local cultures. However, please understand that the guides are local people who have only studied English for a few years and thus require your patience and help.

A note about prices
We try to keep prices affordable for travellers while always ensuring reasonable benefits for local people. Without a village guide, without having a local meal in a village or without paying a small district forest conservation fee, surely prices would be lower, but then so would the quality of your experience.

What's available
We currently have five treks. Two one day tours that take you to unique sights in the environs of Vieng Phouka and three overnight treks to ethnc minority villages, where simple traditional lodges were especially bult to accomodate visitors.

Getting there and getting away
Vieng Phoukha lies on the National Route Nr. 3, which is the major transportation link between Boten, bordering with China , and Huay Xai, bordering with Thailand . There are daily bus services between Vieng Phoukha and Huay Xai and to Luang Namtha.

Accommodation and Food
Vieng Phoukha has several small guesthouses offering basic accommodation. All are within easy walking distance from the bus stop – rooms range from 20.000 to 50.000 Kip, depending on whether the room has an attached bathroom. There are a few restaurants in town, though to eat anything other than noodle soup you may be advised to order in advance – similarly your guesthouse may be able to arrange food if you let them know.

Paying for your trek
All treks must be paid for in advance and in cash unless you are booking from elsewhere. Treks can be paid for in Lao kip, US dollars or Thai Bath. As all local payments have to mad in kip, however, it would be much appreciated if you could pay in kip. Please be aware that there is nowhere to change money officially in Vieng Phoukha, and even unofficially you will find it difficult to change anything other than bath or yuan.

Contacts
With tourist numbers still low, there is no need to book your trek ahead, unless you want to arrange a special package. Getting in touch can sometimes be a bit difficult, but you can always contact the Eco-Guide Service offices in Luang Namtha and in Muang Sing to get in touch with Vieng Phoukhas office.
For more detailed information, please either call the office in Vieng Phoukha or send an e-mail to the Provincial Tourism Department in Luang Namtha: ecoguide@laotel.com, though you may not get an immediate reply as internet access is somewhat erratic and people need to get in touch with the Vieng Phoukha office.