Houei Xai - Luang Namtha - Luang Prabang

[DavidFL]

Houei Xai - Luang Namtha
Well they've started fixing the Houei Xai - Luang Namtha road in numerous places as sadly the road is in need of maintainence.
approximately the first 45 kms from Houei xai are pretty patchy with some nasty potholes.
Then it seems as if the middle section is not so bad & you can enjoy it.
Then the last section roughly from Vieng Phoukha to Luang Namtha is really suffering with the asphalt breaking up road subsidence.
Many corners have been dug up for repair often with no warning. And indeed the first one, wherever it is, will snap you to attention fast!
The last run into Luang Namtha from Vieng Phoukha used to be one of my favourite fast flowing undulating roads too.

 

[DavidFL]

Luang Namtha - Na Teuy
A couple of pics from the road that has broken up

None of it is difficult, but it is intermittent so that you cant enjoy the ride & get a nice rhythm going.
One minute you are on race track asphalt & next minute round a corner & the road has been dug up.

The empty Chinese trailer trucks race over this stuff making it much worse all the time.

 

[DavidFL]

Na Teuy - Oudom Xai - Pak Mong
The road is all good.
Especially the newly finished Oudom Xai -Pak Mong section = beautiful smooth surface.

Pak Mong - Pak Ou - Luang Prabang
The road at the top Pak Mong end is generally ok, bumpy but it has all been patched up.
The lower half, roughly half way between Pak Mong & Pak Ou is stil rattywith potholes & the odd patch of broken asphalt, such that riding into the sun at theend of the day, you do need to concentrate & watch the road all the time.

Pak Ou - Luang Prabang
The road is all ok, although some uneven surface in places & busy with traffic the closer you get to Luang Prabang.

 

[DavidFL]

The brilliant race track surface on the Oudom Xai- Pak Mong section