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Mekong river

Pictures by QT Luong

The Mekong river between Luang Prabang and Huay Xay has a character very different from the one better known in its Vietnamese delta. Here it is still narrow with rapids, and traverses luxuriant mountainous landscapes. On the way, you see small villages and hamlets which can be reached only by the river, where tourists are seen so little that they are still and object of curiosity. On the slow boat, which takes two to three days, you share the ride at the rhythm of the river with colorful local people. The fast boat is not for those easily scared. It skirts the rapids at more than 50mph, making the trip in less than half a day.

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