Sam Neua - For Those Who Think Crossing Into/From Vietnam Overland Is A Good Idea
A First-Timer's Foolish Adventures in Sam Neua, Laos When my friends heard I was planning a trip to Sam Neua (sometimes spelled Xam Neau), their first question was invariably, "Where?" followed quickly by "Why?" Fair questions. This remote town in northeastern Laos isn't exactly plastered across travel magazines, but as I discovered, that's precisely what makes it wonderful. Why Sam Neua? Because Maps Have Edges Too I chose Sam Neua for the same reason people climb mountains: because it's there. Located in Houaphanh Province near the Vietnam border, it's about as off-the-beaten-path as you can get without accidentally wandering into someone's living room. My decision-making process involved closing my eyes and pointing at a map of Laos. When I opened them, my finger was hovering over Sam Neua, and who am I to argue with fate? Getting There: An Exercise in Patience and Flexibility From Vientiane The most common route is a 12-hour bus journ...