Set along the lush banks of the Ou River near the Vietnam border, Muang Khua is a quiet, scenic town ideal for slow travel and deep relaxation amid rainforest-clad mountains. Its small local market offers a window into daily life and some excellent Lao dishes—most notably Khao Soi, a fragrant, mildly spiced curry broth served with soft and crispy noodles, pickled cabbage and shallots. Beyond town, superb trekking trails wind through misty jungle valleys and over forested ridges to remote hill tribe villages, where rich cultural traditions endure.