Muang Ngoi Neua

Muang Ngoi Neua is a settlement situated along the Nam Ou River in northern Laos, surrounded by limestone hills and thick forests. Houses are scattered along the riverbanks, creating a linear village layout with water as the main axis.

During the Laotian Civil War, this place served as a refuge for inhabitants who sheltered in nearby caves during bombardments. The conflict left deep marks on the village, shaping its recovery and development in the decades that followed.

The community here relies on fishing and rice farming as the main ways of life, with local practices shaped by the river and seasons. You can see this daily rhythm in how people move through the village and use the water and surrounding land.

The village is accessible only by boat from Nong Khiaw downstream, with no road connections to reach it. Electricity is limited throughout the settlement, so bring a flashlight and plan activities around daylight hours.

The village once had three Buddhist temples before wartime destruction claimed most of them. Wat Okad temple was rebuilt in the 1970s and remains a visible reminder of the community's resilience.