Routes out
0
Destinations
0
ICAO
VLSN
Elevation
3281 ft
The gateway in a glance
The Essence of Sam Neua Airport
NEU
Location
HO · Laos
Position
20.418°, 104.067° · 3281 ft elev.
Visa & Entry
e-Visa, Visa on Arrival
AI Travel Editor
A closer look
Living guide content for Sam Neua Airport — read or listen in 46+ languages.
Language
TravelerPulse profile
Remote gateway serving the mountainous Huaphanh Province of Laos.
Location
Sam Neua, Laos
Sam Neua Airport (IATA: NEU, ICAO: VLSN) is a small domestic airport located near Sam Neua (also spelled Xam Neua), the capital of Huaphanh Province in northeastern Laos. The airport sits in a rugged, mountainous region close to the Vietnamese border and serves as the primary air link for an area that is otherwise difficult to access by road.
The airport handles limited scheduled domestic traffic, primarily connecting Sam Neua to Vientiane. Its remote location and challenging terrain make air travel an important option for residents and visitors to the region, which is known for its historical significance during the Indochina wars, including the nearby Vieng Xai cave complex.
Facilities at Sam Neua Airport are basic, reflecting the low passenger volumes typical of a provincial Lao domestic airport. Operations are subject to weather and demand, and flight schedules can be infrequent.
Terminals
The airport has a single small terminal building suited for low-volume domestic passenger operations.
Getting to & from
Taxis and tuk-tuks provide ground transport between the airport and Sam Neua town center, located a few kilometers away.
Airlines here
Lao Airlines operates scheduled domestic services connecting Sam Neua to Vientiane.
Notable facts
- ›Located in Huaphanh Province in northeastern Laos, near the Vietnamese border.
- ›Serves as the main air access point to the historically significant Vieng Xai cave complex.
- ›The surrounding mountainous terrain makes road travel to Sam Neua lengthy and challenging.
- ›Flight schedules are limited and can be subject to weather-related disruptions.
- ›The region was a major Pathet Lao stronghold during the Indochina wars.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Airlines serving this airport
No scheduled airline data available.
Routes
No route data available.
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Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via NEU? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Laos from official government sources.
Latest news
Flightradar24· 4/22/2016
Sam Neua (NEU) (VLSN) arrivals, departures, routes and reviews
Read at Flightradar24
Flightradar24· 2/27/2016
Dien Bien Phu (DIN) (VVDB) arrivals, departures, routes and reviews
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en.qdnd.vn· 1/20/2019
Solid relationship between Vietnam and Laos
Read at en.qdnd.vn
