Pakse

BCEL Bank

Changes money, cashes traveller's cheques and does cash advances on credit cards (a bad deal). There is an ATM in front of the building that accepts most foreign cards.

Ban Keosamphanh

The most beautiful green rice fields of Pakse, a former French army camp, and is home to the oldest market of Pakse.

Big Buddha

Wat Phusalao ວັດພູສະເຫຼົ້າ

Built in 2011 adjacent to the Japanese bridge. 300 steps to the top, a great view of the river and city.

Cafe Sinouk

Cafe has free Wi-Fi for patrons and fancy frappe drinks, cakes and basic restaurant menu.

Delta Coffee

Offers Western food options such as pasta (20,000-30,000 kip), pizzas (35,000-50,000 kip), sandwiches, hamburgers (15,000-20,000 kip), and desserts baked on-site. Known also for good quality, locally sourced coffee. Prices are quite reasonable and the staff friendly.

Dornsokdee Restaurant

A Sin Daat (cook yourself Lao BBQ) restaurant that also serves Thai, Vietnamese and some Western food. A Sin Daat is intended to be shared between two or more which makes for an economical option. Their fried springrolls are among the best in Paksé.

Friendship Mall

(known locally as the Fancy Mall) along with some Japanese brands. For Western/Hollywood films, the mall mostly shows movies dubbed in Thai and subtitled in Lao so make sure you check the schedule or ask the counter.

Lan Kham Noodle House

Serves enormous bowls of noodle soup with fresh herbs and salad. Recommended for breakfast

Breakfast and lunch

Lao Development Bank

Can exchange kip to US dollars, vital if travelling onward overland to Vietnam. Across the road, directly opposite the bank is an ATM which accepts international cards such as Cirrus. There is a limit of 700,000 kip per transaction, although you can withdraw several times. Those who are heading to Cambodia, gather a few riel to tide you over for your first few hours in Cambodia from the Lao Development Bank.

Closes 15:30

Le Panorama

Pakse Hotel

The only rooftop restaurant in Pakse. On the 7th floor of Pakse Hotel, with a beautiful view over the town and the Mekong. Western, Asian and fusion dishes. Not cheap, but the view makes up for it, and probably the best pizza and Western dishes in town.

Closed · opens 4:30 pm·40,000-85,000 kip

Pho Khemkong

The left shop in a block of two popular pho restaurants in Pakse.

50,000 kip for a great noodle soup

Wat Luang

The biggest and most beautiful temple of Pakse, and home of Buddhist monk school. This is also the best place to see the monk alms giving rituals often seen in Luang Prabang.

Wat Phabad

The oldest and largest temple of Pakse, and believed to have Buddha's footprint, from which its name is derived.

Samlee's Garden

Garden restaurant, bar and guesthouse serving burgers, steaks, salads, Lao food, fusion dishes and vegetarian options, plus cocktails, wine, coffee, juices and fruit shakes. Guesthouse rooms with Mekong river views. Tours, motorbike rental, bus tickets and travel services available.

7:30–11:00 and 15:00–22:00, closed Wed evenings

Tad Sae waterfall

Tad Sae waterfall is off of Rte 13 at a fairly large T-junction with a bunch of fruit sellers lining the road. Not as large as some of the others, it nonetheless offers a beautiful place to stop and eat or hang out for a while. (If you search for Tad Sae on the Internet you will be directed to the one near Luang Prabang which is not the same.)

Champasak Historical Heritage Museum

Route 13

Mon-Fri 08:30 to 11:30, 13:30 to 16:00·10,000 kip

Dao Heuang Market

Many food stalls that are a feast to the eyes and nose.

Morning Market

Lasts most of the day.

Talat Dao Heuang

New Market