Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area, Protected area in Vientiane region, Laos.

Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area covers 1,920 km² of mountains rising from 200 to 1,761 m, with sandstone cliffs, river gorges and three large rivers that feed the Mekong. Its uplands are flat sandstone shelves with almost no soil, and the park spans Xaisomboun, Vientiane Province, Vientiane Prefecture and Bolikhamsai.

Phou Khao Khouay was established on 29 October 1993 as the Phou Khao Khouay National Biodiversity Conservation Area, also called the National Protected Area. In 2021 it was redesignated a national park. It spans 1,920 km² across Xaisomboun Province, Vientiane Prefecture, Vientiane Province and Bolikhamsai Province.

The Hmong, Khmu, and Yao people inhabit villages surrounding the protected area and maintain their traditional practices. You can experience their craftsmanship and daily customs when visiting these communities.

The best way to reach the area is by taking bus 19 from Vientiane toward Ban Somsamai, located about 40 kilometers northeast of the capital. You should expect hilly terrain and bring proper footwear plus plenty of water.

Green peafowl, once generally considered extinct in Laos, have been reported near Ban Nakhay and Ban Nakhan Thoung. Conservation management has increased the population of this species in the park.