The history of Luang Namtha Province is traced to inhabitants who lived here about 6,000 years ago, evidenced by archaeological finds of stone implements discovered from the Nam Jook River Valley in Vieng Phoukha. The Xieng Khaeng Chronicles also mention existence of Xieng Khaeng town in the early 15th century, on the shores of the Mekong River. As its prosperity increased it became a vassal of the Lanna Kingdom of Northern Thailand until the early 16th century. However, from the mid-16th until the early 19th century it came under the control of Burma. In the first half of the 19th century, it was under Siamese rule and was involved in many battles. In 1885, Chao Fa Silinor, supported by 1,000 Tai-Lue people took control of Muang Sing, attracted by its large agricultural lands.[1]

However, in 1890, the Tai Yuan resurrected Nam Tha Valley for a short period of two years, and thus Muang Houa Tha came to be reestablished. It was during this period that Vat Luang Korn, one of Luang Namtha’s biggest temples, was built in 1892. In 1894, the French, British and Siamese colonists, decided that this province will be administered by the French. The border was also redrawn with the Mekong River serving as the northern border (along its northern reaches of Muang Sing to Chiang Saen) between French colony of Indochina và British colony of Burma. This was followed by migration of Tai-Dam from Sip Song Chou Tai from north western Viet Nam who settled in the newly created Tong Jai Village, on the east bank of the Nam Tha River. Concurrently other ethnic groups such as Tai-Dam, Tai-Neua, Tai-Kao, Akha, Lanten, Yao and Lahu from Sipsongpanna in Burma and northwest Vietnam also migrated to the province.[1] 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.[2]

After France withdrew from Indochina in the late 1950s, Houa Thas were in conflict with the US supported Royal Lao Army against Pathet Lao forces, and from 6 May 1962 the area was under the Pathet Lao control. At this time the province was given its present name. However, the territory between Houei Xay and Vieng Phoukha, known as Houa Khong Province, was with Royalists forces until the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was established in 1975. From 1975 to 1983 Houa Khong and Luang Namtha were a single province and subsequently divided into Luang Namtha and Bokeo provinces.[1]

The capital of the province, Luang Nam Tha 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 a grid pattern of layout and is surrounded by green paddy fields and is a hub of economic activity.[3]