Houaphanh Province
| Houaphanh Province |
| Location of Houaphanh Province in Laos |
| Country |
Laos |
| Established |
|
| Capital |
Xam Neua |
| Area |
| • Total |
16,500 km2 (6,370.7 sq mi) |
| Population (2004) |
| • Total |
322,200 |
| • Density |
19.5/km2 (50.6/sq mi) |
| Time zone |
UTC+07 |
| ISO 3166 code |
LA-XI |
Houaphanh province (Laotian: ແຂວງ ຫົວພັນ [kʰwɛ̌ːŋ hwǎː pʰán]) is a province of eastern Laos. The province is the home to the Viengxay caves, an extensive network of caves used by the Pathet Lao, and the Hintang Archeological Park, one of the most important pre-historic sites in northern Laos, dotted with standing megaliths. Houaphanh is one of the poorest areas of Laos, but home to spectacular scenery and fine textile traditions.
History
The province was home of the Bon Man kingdom since 14th century. Following a Vietnamese invasion in 1478, it became Tran Ninh province of Dai Viet kingdom with the capital at Sam Chau (present-day Sam Nuea). It remained a Vietnamese outpost territory until the 19th century when ownership was switched to Laos during the French Colonial period.
Administrative divisions
The province is made up of the following districts:
- Huameuang District (7-05) ຫົວເມືອງ
- Muang Et District (7-08) ເມືອງແອດ
- Sop Bao District (7-07) ສົບເບົາ
- Viengthong District (7-03) ວຽງທອງ
- Viengxay District (7-04) ວຽງໄຊ
- Xamneua District (7-01) ຊຳເໜືອ
- Xamtay District (7-06) ຊຳໃຕ້
- Xiengkhor District (7-02)ຊຽງຄໍ້