Backpacking Southern Laos Khmer 5: Delicious by the Mekong, Pakse

Backpacking Southern Laos Khmer 5: Delicious by the Mekong, Pakse

Hello, I'm mr.hotsia. Today, I'll take you backpacking in southern Laos on the Khmer side, with a must-visit destination: "Pakse," the capital of Champasak Province. This place is not only known for its nature and temples but also for its amazing riverside food along the Mekong.

For those who have followed me, you know Pakse is the gateway to southern Laos and a city that perfectly blends Lao and Khmer cultures. I started this trip by taking a bus from Ubon Ratchathani, crossing the Chong Mek checkpoint (called Wang Tao checkpoint in Laos), to Pakse. It takes about 3 hours. The bus runs along the Mekong River the entire way, giving a feeling of breathing the life of two countries connected by this river. If you want details on traveling from Ubon to Pakse, I have written an article about it.Traveling from Ubon to PakseI've saved it for anyone planning ahead.

Upon arriving in Pakse, the first place I recommend for a stroll is "14th Market," a large riverside market where locals come to buy fresh goods. Here, you'll find fresh catches from the Mekong, from small to large fish, as well as shrimp, crab, and shellfish. I once saw a giant catfish at this market, so big it was astonishing. But the best for me is the local food by the market, including fragrant grilled chicken, hot sticky rice, and spicy Lao papaya salad. You can tell southern Laos takes great care with their seasonings.

I stayed in Pakse for several days to fully enjoy the local food and soak in the simple yet lively atmosphere. Pakse is also a great starting point for trips to other attractions in Champasak Province, such asWat Phu Templeor the Pak Song Waterfall, which is not far away.Exploring Pak Song, Pakse City, Champasak ProvinceI've also written about this before.

Eating sticky rice with Lao papaya salad and grilled chicken by the Mekong here has a charm unlike anywhere else because of the cool river breeze and the sound of boats passing by as background music. Especially in the evening, the riverside market has food stalls lined up, and locals gather in big groups to eat. I like to stop by small riverside shops without much fame but with bolder flavors than the bigger tables.

Regarding transportation in Pakse, I recommend renting a motorcycle or using tuk-tuks because they are very convenient for hopping around the city and suburbs. Pakse isn't very large, but good food is spread across communities and markets. For a local experience, you have to explore the markets and ask the locals.

For accommodation in Pakse, I chose a small hostel near the 14th Market. The atmosphere was friendly, and the owner kindly recommended trying sticky rice with steamed herbal fish at a nearby restaurant I frequented. It felt like gaining another friend in this town.

If anyone is interested in trying fishing trips on the Mekong near Pakse, I recommend the articleFishing Trips on the Mekong River in Champasakwhere I shared my experience of boat fishing with locals. It's another impressive side of life along the Mekong.

For those wanting a full experience in southern Laos, I suggest planning trips to Pakse along with Champasak.Exploring ChampasakEspecially if you want to see the World Heritage site Wat Phu Temple or take a boat across the Mekong to the Champasak side, which is equally fun.

In summary, Pakse is not just a transit town but a captivating destination for food lovers, market walkers, riverside chillers, and those wanting to experience authentic southern Lao life. I, mr.hotsia, guarantee that anyone who visits will want to come back.

If you like this article, don't forget to follow me, mr.hotsia, here and on my YouTube channel.Backpacking Southern Laos Khmer 5: Delicious by the Mekong, Pakseto capture the atmosphere and deeper stories beyond the article.