It is home to Chao Anouvong cave, which is part of Phou Houa Xang Village, as well as the Phou Bia peak tourist site[3] On December 13, 2013, Xaisomboun was proclaimed the 18th province of Laos by the Lao People's Democratic Republic government.

In 2021, the authorities of Xaisomboun province approved a budget estimated at approximately USA $500 million for the development of Phou Bia Mountain.

It was mainly the developments, including the construction of Ban Muong Cha airport, a training center for General Vang Pao's military, then the relocation of Sam Thong College from Sokpaluang, Fa Ngum High School, Vientiane capital of Laos, to Muang Cha in 1974.

This school, Sam Thong College, was created in 1966 in Sam Thong, Xaisomboun (former Xiengkhouang) province, then moved to Sokpaluang, to Fa Ngum High School in 1970, due to the CIA war.

But the school was short-lived in Muang Cha after its relocation from Vientiane capital, then it disappeared immediately in Mai 1975 when the LPDR government came to power in the country.