Nong Khai is a quiet town that services the border between Thailand and Vientiane, Laos. It’s big enough to have most conveniences and we’ve used it as a hub to relax on two occasions.

 

There is a “Big C” shopping center south of the town center and if you get a chance to stay here, it’s a nice place to walk around. The “Sala Kaew Ku Sculpture Park” built by the Laos-born Luang Pu Boun Leua Sourirat is a fun place to visit, and the Mekong River makes for a nice backdrop.

 

We wouldn’t mind living here but worry that it might be “too quiet.”

What We Learned

 

- Khaing Khong Guesthouse is a super clean, fantastic bargain and the owners/cleaners are really nice. Also, the Wi-Fi (free in the rooms!) is blazing fast.

 

- Use the Friendship Bus when going from Thailand to Laos. You need your Laos Visa before you buy the tickets though. On the way back from Laos, you need nothing.

 

- Check out the night food stalls for super-cheap chicken wings.

 

- There is a large open-air restaurant by the night stalls that does solid business all day. There is a reason why.

 

- Don’t bother trying to find any of the pizza shops in the Lonely Planet or the ones that are advertised in town. They are closed.

 

- Be prepared to see some really scuzzy-looking western men paroling the few bars down by the Mekong.