Luang Namtha has become a popular destination for foreign visitors over the past 10 years with its mix of historical, cultural and natural attractions in the north of the country, but local officials became concerned in recent years when tourist numbers plateaued.
New Zealand government supported about US$500,000 to improve infrastructures of Luang Nam Tha province to attract more tourists.
The improvements are now progressing and include the development of access roads, traffic signs, parking areas, street upgrades, cultural ethnic group houses, the Luang Namtha stupa surrounds, a centre to display the products of ethnic groups, an accommodation centre and other facilities.

Image source: Wikipedia

Luang Namtha is located in the north of Laos, covering an area of 145,289 square kilometres. It borders on China’s Yunnan province to the north, Oudomxay province to the east and southeast, Bokeo province to the southwest, and Shan State in Myanmar to the northwest.
The province contains the Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area and is one of the main sugarcane and rubber producing areas of Laos. There are about 20 temples in Muang Sing district, including Vat Sing Jai and Vat Namkeo. The anthropological Luang Namtha Museum is located in Luang Namtha district, the provincial capital.
Althought the Luang Nam Tha Tourism Department was set up 20 years ago, officials have tried their best to improve facilities and services so that visitors can sample the areas’s natural beauty, along with the lifestyles, culture and traditions of ethnic groups.