Highway No 5 from Thahua (lake Ang Nam Ngum) to Phiangleng??

Hi,

does the National Highway No 5 from Thahua (nothern shore of the lake Ang Nam Ngum that is about 100 km north of Ventiane), to Phiangleng (about 160 km east) exist? On our map it is marked as national Highway (that passes south of the highest mountain in Laos, Ph. Bia), however, on google-maps it hardly exists.
Do you know whether this highway exist, and if yes, it is open for biking and is it paved? Are there any guesthouse, homestays etc. on the way? Where?

Thanks in advance!
Kuno

Yes but you might not be allowed on it I tried to go from lakes on this road as it goes past the Ozzy? copper mining onto long Chen and you will need permit to go this way, to Ponsivon or Mt Phoubia.I was turned around at a checkpointa a few years back then tried again from Ponsivon but turned back just before reaching the bridge which was heavily guared back then. I took finally by bus a couple of years back from ponsivon to Paaxan and the road was stillunder construction as itbgets washed away in rainy season. i think the govt also wanted the Hmong in the region isolated whilst they actually killed them in the past around 2003 now general Vang po is dead things have improved, but still restrictions exist in his area.

The road is closed to all public unless you work at the Phu Bia mine. I met a consultant working at the mine a couple of years ago and he said the road is often slipping into the river and is in bad shape.

As above, Paksan to Phonsavanh is a public road and is fully open. Buses run daily.