Bolikhamsai province
Bolikhamsai is the first province to the south of Vientiane. The provincial capital of Paksan is a sleepy transportation hub, mostly just used as an over-nighter or as a point of entry as Paksan is now an international crossing to Thailand.
The province has some spectacular natural scenery, with a boat trip up the Nam Kading River being a highlight along with the breath-taking scenery along Route 8 to the border crossing with Vietnam at Nam Phoa, 34 km east of Lak Xao.
Most travellers don't give the province more than a passing thought as they zoom south to Pakse and beyond, but if you have the time, have a poke around as this is an interesting and relatively unexplored part of Laos.
