Fun things to do in Khoueng Xaignabouli

Unless you enter Sayabouly province from Thailand you'll have to use ferry to cross Mekong from other provinces. There is one ferry crossing in Pak Lay (to/from Vientiane province), and another - and more oftenly used in Tha Deua village to/from Luang Prabang province. It's short ride, it takes only a few minutes to cross Mekong but it may take some time to wait in line before ferry unload passengers, trucks and cars at the other side. Scenery at Tha Deua is quite beautiful and there are lots of snack and drink stalls by the road at ferry station on both sides. Shores of Mekong here provide fertile grounds during the dry season when people use them for temporary vegetable gardens. Ferry looks like an antique thing - but it works good still. Before they'll build bridge into province (and it seems they won't do it in the near future because money is never enough) this will be the only option to get you to Sayabouly by road (unless you'll be arriving from Thailand like I mentioned before).

There are lots of Hmong villages in Nam Pouy NPA. Also, there are mixed Hmong-Lao, Lao, Khmu-Lao, Tai Dam and Tai Lu villages in that low density mountainous area. Some are difficult to access and one can go there only with their own car, but the road is bad. Most still don't have electricity and have very basic medical service, markets and schools. In a daytime these are beautiful places to explore, however one must always ask permission before taking photos and roaming around with camera because these are sensitive border and military controlled areas where little foreigners are seen.

Usually Hmong houses are made of simple material which can be found locally: straw, grass, bamboo, wooden planks... those who can afford will build house of bricks and concrete as those materials are more popular and durable. Very interesting feature by traditional Hmong house is its roof which is large, made of straw or grass and will almost touch the grounds by its edge. Inside the house they burn the fire for cooking and eating - in some places in the middle of house; I don't know if every Hmong follow that pattern - in that village I saw it in few houses.