Nam Ngum (Laotian: ນ້ຳງືມ [nâːm ŋɯ́ːm]) is a 354 km long river [1] of Laos and one of major tributaries of the Mekong. It originates from the Northern mountainous region of Xiangkhoang Province and flows south through Vientiane Province joining the Mekong at Vientiane Capital.
Nam Ngum River basin is home for about 1 million people in Laos. The current largest dam in Nam Mgum, Nam Ngum Dam or Nam Ngum 1 hydropower project, was constructed in 1970s. There are also four other hydropower projects are under construction or will be constructed in Nam Ngum River. Attractive tourism destinations in Nam Ngum include the Nam Ngum Lake with Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort and the Vang Vieng.