Vieng Xai Caves

Vieng Xai ranks 4th in the list of the most beautiful caves in Laos. It is a large cave network that housed over 20,000 people during the Vietnam War, when the United States attacked much of Laos. The facility was a true underground metropolis, with Communist army barracks, a hospital, shops, and other amenities. You can take a trip through these caves to get a sense of what it must have been like to live there. There are guided tours and an excellent audio commentary available to give you an understanding of this tragic period in Laotian history.

A number of significant remains have been preserved, and the caves have been well-maintained, with intentions to gradually open more to visitors. The caves and modest rooms where people like Prince Souvannaphoum and Kaysone (the founding father of modern Laos) lived during these years are now open to the public. After the bombing stopped, the majority of prominent leaders erected houses in front of the caves, which may be walked around. The tour provides an intriguing look into the war years and aids in understanding how Loas grew afterward, as most of the significant figures in recent history lived there during the conflict. The surrounding landscape is breathtaking, and travelling along the calm mountain roads is a real pleasure. It is possible to visit the caves en-route to the land border with Vietnam.

Location: Hua Phan Province