Laos’ ‘Hidden City’ caves

The people in the region of Viengxay in northeastern Laos survived the US bombing campaigns of 1964-1973 by living in a network of large caves, each of which functioned as a hospital, bakery, school, shop, theater, government offices, etc. In an area of limestone mountains and rice paddies, some of the caves are now open to the public.

They can be visited only with a guide. English-speaking tours start at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily from the Viengxay Caves Visitor Centre, a 15-minute walk from the center of town. The tour costs LAK30,000 (near $3.50). A 90-minute audio tour ($6.50 per person) combines historical narrative with eyewitness accounts.

The “Hidden City” cave system is in Houaphanh Province, one hour from Xamneua, capital of Houaphanh. Buses depart hourly from Xamneua to arrive an hour later in Viengxay’s central market. Bus tours also are offered Saturday from Thanh Hoa, Vietnam. Visit www.visit-viengxay.com.