Vieng Xai cave is the largest cave formation, located in Hua Phan Province, Northern Laos, near the Vietnamese border. Hidden among the spectacular range of limestone mountains is a complex network of caves. Tourists are allowed to conquer 7 out of 500 caves in the system, find the fascinating things about the cave during the war, and admire the majestic and picturesque scenery of Vieng Xai. The area around Vieng Xai is beautiful, dotted with limestone peaks, paddies field, and scattered among mountains and rivers. Very few people living around here so it feels like you are truly immersed yourself in the pristine nature and the historic time.

Vieng Xai cave is a historical witness during the wartime from 1964-1975 that the United States of America waged on Laos. The cave was completed successfully its mission as a huge bomb-shelter, protect Laotian from the pain of the dramatic war. The Pathet Laos established the cave to an amazing complex network with full facilities from bedrooms, offices, school, bakery, hospital, market to government bureaucracies. It looks like a whole mini-city and it is truly impressive. More than 20.000 people lived here while two million tons of bombs were dropped on Laos. The heavier the aerial onslaught dropped, the more steadfast the cave is as a hero save his small beloved country.

The cave has been maintained well so a number of important relics are still there. The structure is similar to Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam but in a much bigger dimension. Take a tour and see how sophisticated the Laotian made all the rooms inside the cave. Vieng Xai caves were shrouded until it was opened to the world in 2007. A peaceful Vieng Xai now is far stepped out from the dark days.

Editor: Qing Cheng