The history of Luang Namtha province is traced to inhabitants who lived there about 6,000 years ago, evidenced by archaeological finds of stone implements discovered from the Nam Jook River Valley in Vieng Phoukha.

In 1885, Chao Fa Silinor, supported by 1,000 Tai Lue people took control of Muang Sing, attracted by its agricultural lands.

[2] During French colonial rule, the provincial capital of Luang Namtha was the heart of the Sipsongpana civilization, which later moved to Yunnan province in southern China.

The territory between Houei Xay and Vieng Phoukha, known as Houa Khong province, was royalist-controlled until the Lao People's Democratic Republic was established in 1975.

[2] The capital of the province, Luang Namtha, had to be shifted in 1976 to a higher ground, by about 7 km, as the original city was not only prone to floods, but was also substantially destroyed during the Second Indochina War.

The city has grid pattern layout and is surrounded by green paddy fields and is a hub of economic activity.

The Phou mountain range runs along the Chinese-Lao border, consisting of mainly dry evergreen forest.

It has developed as a sustainable cultural and eco-tourism destination with the help of neighbouring countries, and several organizations including the European Union, UNESCO and the Lao National Tourism Administration.

The eco-tourism activities involve trekking, river rafting, camping, kayaking, bird watching and mountain bike tours.

Vegetation zones in its plains are between 540–1,000 metres (1,770–3,280 ft) elevation, consisting of bamboo, secondary evergreen forest and scrub (introduced by humans).

Crested finchbill (Spizixos canifrons), white-bellied redstart (Hodgsonius phaenicuroides), and white-necked laughingthrush (Garrulax strepitans) are unknown in any other Lao IBA.

Confirmed fauna include Assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis) and the ungulate gaur (Bos gaurus).

[13] The ethnic groups reported were the Khamu, Akha (Eko), Hmong, Yao (Ioumien) and Lanetene.

[citation needed] Other industries are agriculture, wood processing, lignite and copper mining, handicraft production, transportation and tourism.

Food items such as rice, corn, casava, peanuts, cardamom, rattan, bamboo, jewel orchids, eaglewood, and ginger are used for internal consumption and sale.

The monastery, painted in hues reminiscent of the Caribbean, has a museum, but because its items are of high local value, it is closed to visitors for fear of theft.

The Buddhas, however, are golden, and typically have large long earlobes, commonly seen in Xishuangbanna, China, and the Shan State of Burma.