Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park
Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park is a protected area in northern Laos, covering 4,107.1 km2 (1,585.8 sq mi) in three provinces: Houaphan, Luang Prabang, and Xieng Khouang. It was designated a national park in 2019, and was previously designated a national protected area. The protected area included a 3,000 km2 (1,200 sq mi) core area where human access and wildlife harvest is prohibited and a 2,950 km2 buffer area where pre-existing villages are allocated land for subsistence living.
| Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park | |
|---|---|
| Nam Et Phouloey National Park | |
Location of the national park in Laos | |
| Location | Houaphan, Luang Prabang, and Xieng Khouang provinces, Laos |
| Coordinates | 20°N 103.3°E |
| Area | 4,107.1 km2 (1,585.8 sq mi) |
| Max. elevation | 2,257 m (7,405 ft) |
| Min. elevation | 400 m (1,300 ft) |
| Designation | National |
| Designated | 2019 |
| Named for | Nam Et River and Phou Louey (“Forever Mountain”) |
| Administrator | Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) |
| Website | www |
The park consists mainly of mountains and hills, with elevations ranging from 400 and 2257 metres. The area is the source of many rivers, including tributaries of the Mekong and the Mã. It is named after the Nam Et River and Phou Louey Mountain ('Forever Mountain').
The park has a tropical monsoon climate, and average annual rainfall ranges from 1400 to 1800 mm. There is a rainy season from May to October, and a dry season lasting the rest of the year.
Villagers living in the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park include Tai Dam, Tai Daeng, Tai Kao, Tai Puan, Tai Lue, Tai Yuan, Khmu, Hmong Kao, Hmong Lai, and Yao.
Viengthong, a small town in Houaphan Province, is the site of the park headquarters and visitor centre, where tours into the park can be organised. The town has basic accommodation and a handful of restaurants. There are many biking and walking trails, as well as hot springs.