The Nam Ou (Laotian: ນ້ຳອູ {{IPA-lo|nâːm ùː|}}, literally: "rice bowl river") is one of the most important rivers of Laos. It runs 448 km from Phongsaly Province to Luang Prabang Province[https://web.archive.org/web/20080409150525/http://www.un.int/lao/laos_in_brief.htm]. Along with the Mekong, the Nam Ou is the only natural channel suitable for large-draft boat transportation. Near its confluence with the Mekong are the Pak Ou Caves, famous for their Buddha statues. {{commons category|Nam Ou}}{{coord|20|03|N|102|13|E|display=title|region:LA_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki}}{{Laos-river-stub}} 2 : Rivers of Laos|Tributaries of the Mekong River |