khong river fish (Pakse Mekong Fish)

Pakse Mekong Fish: The Magnificence of the Lower Mekong River

Hello, I'm mr.hotsia. Today, I will take you on a special experience that few have shared, which is “Pakse Mekong Fish” or fish from the Mekong River in the Pakse area, Champasak Province, Laos. Here, I had the chance to board a boat and experience the riverside lifestyle of the locals and see large fish species unique to the Mekong River.

Before talking about the fish and local lifestyle, I must say that Pakse is not just an ordinary transit town but the capital of Champasak Province, familiar to many travelers.Wat Phu TempleOr even a stopover before visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wat Phu Temple, which is not far away. Traveling to Pakse from Ubon Ratchathani is convenient with direct buses running from Pakse Bus Station.Pakse Bus Station, UbonThis makes Pakse an important connection point for travelers wanting to truly experience southern Laos.

Exploring Mekong Fish by Boat with mr.hotsia

That day, I started from Pakse’s Main Market 14, a market abundant with fresh produce from the Mekong River, especially Mekong fish of various sizes for sale. I saw a fish called 'mouse-faced fish' by locals, which really looks like a mouse’s face, plump and fresh. So, I asked the boat owner to take me on the Mekong River to see live fish swimming in their natural habitat.

The small boat sailed from Pakse’s shore to a spot where locals regularly fish. The first sensation was the cool breeze from the Mekong River and the scent of mud mixed with water vapor, making me feel like I had traveled back in time. The locals told me that these large Mekong fish are treasures of the river, becoming rarer each day due to changes in the Mekong and increased fishing.

The Mekong fish I saw included many species. Some were as large as my arm. The big ones are called “Pla Buk” by locals, or sometimes giant catfish with large, smooth bodies that glide gracefully through the Mekong waters. Seeing these fish in the wild made me excited and appreciative of the Mekong River’s richness in aquatic life.

Riverside Lifestyle and Food

After the boat trip to see the fish, I returned to shore and walked around Market 14 again to find local food. I found small stalls selling traditional Lao dishes like grilled chicken, Lao papaya salad, and sticky rice, which are distinctive southern Lao foods. Most locals here still use fresh ingredients from the Mekong River, such as Mekong fish and river shrimp, prepared with great care.

I tried the Lao papaya salad, which was flavorful but not too spicy, paired with hot sticky rice and crispy fried Mekong fish. The freshness of the fish combined with the tangy and spicy salad made that meal one of the most memorable dishes of my southern Laos trip.

Connecting to Tourism in Champasak

For those planning to visit southern Laos, I recommend stopping by Pakse first. Besides the fresh market and interesting riverside lifestyle, you can continue your journey toPaksongfamous for coffee and beautiful waterfalls, or take a boat ride along the Mekong River to enjoy nature and local life firsthand. For history and culture lovers, I suggest visitingWat Phu TempleorWat Phu Champasakwhich are beautiful and historically significant sites.

I, mr.hotsia, encourage everyone to stroll through Market 14 and take a boat to see the Mekong fish yourself. You will realize that southern Laos offers not only stunning nature but also impressive lifestyles and cultures hidden in every corner of the Mekong River.

You can watch the video I recorded on this trip here.khong river fish (Pakse Mekong Fish)Really big fish! See the real atmosphere I described.