Pick-ups to Xiangkok (2hr) and Louang Namtha (2hr) wait in the station in front of the market and leave when full. Most vehicles depart in the morning but it's still possible to find one leaving at around 2pm.

You can exchange cash and travellers' cheques at a hole-in-the-wall branch of the Lane Xang Bank (Mon-Sat 8.30am-4pm) in the concrete building next to the market. The post office is west of the main road, on the street running parallel to the stream. Traditional Lao massage (10,000K per hour) and herbal sauna (5000K) can be found on the main road, about 100m south of the market. A colourful map of the hilltribe villages in the area is available from the little bookstore situated on the main road, a few metres north of the stream.