Imagine a city built for peace and tranquility. A place where you can go to heal your soul and refresh the mind. Where time slows down and people live in the moment. Nakhon Phanom is such a city. It’s a charming province in the northeastern part of Thailand, straddling the Laotian border with only the mighty Mekong river separating the two countries.

Before visiting Nakhon Phanom I didn’t know what to expect. To be honest, I did not think there would be much. It’s not a city the travel magazines or online blogs talk about. But living in Thailand all our life, we made a decision to try and visit each province at least once. So when we got invited to attend the Mekong Tourism Forum, it was a perfect opportunity.

Believe it or not, I was impressed with Nakhon Phanom. After spending a few days there, I fell in love with the city and here are 5 reasons you will too if you decide to go. Which you should but no pressure.

No, you really should!

Delicious, delicious food

Discovering new cuisines and food items is definitely one of the top reasons why people travel to new places. Nakhon Phanom does not disappoint on that front. We tried dishes we’ve never heard of before as well local twists to the ones we have tried in different parts of Thailand.

These are just some of the dishes we tried at the villages we visited. Fish is a staple in their daily cuisines as it is commonly found in the Mekong river.

One of the most refreshing and unique dishes I ever had was the Som Tum melon. Instead of papaya, this village used melons and cantaloupes to make this tangy, sweet and sour salad. It’s soft and crunchy at the same time and very delicious.

Also since Nakon Phanom is on the edge of the Mekong region, you’ll also find lots of influence from the region. Vietnamese restaurants are quite common here and if you don’t try one of them, you’re missing out. One of my best meal was at a Vietnamese restaurant. Look at this awesome spread!

Alluring Architecture

Nakhon Phanom has fascinating architectural homes and buildings. They are no high rise, but the intricacy in the designs is amazing here. Dotted along the Mekong river, you will see adorned Buddhist temples, churches, heritage homes, and shophouses, which all add to Nakhon Phanom’s beautify.

Wooden house

Just look at these architectures. While they lack in grandeur, there is subtleness and soft beauty in them. I for one have gained a lot of respect and admiration. If you are a photographer or enjoy taking photos of buildings, you won’t stop clicking.

Saint Anna Nong Saeng Church

Former Governor’s residence museum

Cultural immersion

More than anything, Nakhon Phanom is one of those places that is steeped in a unique culture. While it is Thai and Buddhist-focused, you can notice influences from Chinese, European, Vietnamese and Laos in the local food, architecture and societal norms.

Step out of town, and you can experience the true local life of farmers, blacksmiths, and fisherman. There are several villages you can visit where community-based tourism is on the rise.

You can take day trips here and learn about their daily life, assist in farming, and learn how to cook their local dishes. They even have homestays if you want to spend more time there.

Since we went on a blogger trip, the villagers greeted with warm welcome cultural performances. At first, it seems like it’s all for a show – a facade for the tourists. While that may be partially true, the smiles are genuine. The hospitality in their hearts is real.

You can contact TEATA (Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association) who will assist you in getting in touch with these villages in Nakhon Phanom.

Local nightlife

Believe it or not, there is nightlife in the city. Now, when I say nightlife, I do not mean the likes of Bangkok or one of Thailand’s party islands. The nightlife is a bit more subdued but not any less exciting. On evenings, youngsters gather at walking street and enjoy live bands while drinking beers or sharing a bottle (or two) of whiskey with their friends. The bars by the riverside are sprawling and lively by late evening. Like most places in Thailand, they close by 12 am but for those who want to continue the night, there is a place to go even in Nakhon Phanom. The one and only club in town – AEC pub, which stays open till 2 am. The club is quite impressive with a superb light & sound system, talented bands, and DJs. Again, it’s not like Bangkok clubs but it’s at least something.

People of Nakhon Phanom truly know how to enjoy life as well. It’s all about balance here.

Bike-friendly city

The city of Nakhon Phanom has one of the longest riverside bike lanes and walkways in Thailand. As I rode my bike along the Mekong river, it really felt like the lane stretched throughout the entire length of the town. It’s a wonderful city to ride a bike in and not only because of the dedicated bike lane.

On one side you have the serene Mekong and scenic Laos landscape. On the Nakhon Phanom side, gorgeous temples, European-style buildings, cute shops, markets, and even riverside restaurants, cafes or bars. It’s truly quite impressive and best we’ve seen, possibly rivaling the coastal roads of Chanthaburi.

The rest of the city is also easy to bike in. The roads are wide but traffic is not chaotic so it is quite safe. Get in one of the backroads, get lost in the maze and you can discover so much the city has to offer.

3 Tips on making the most of Nakhon Phanom

1. If you want to meet locals, there are really two ways. One is to just go and speak to them at markets, restaurants, and local bars. The other is to join the Nakhon Phanom talk of the town Facebook group. People in this group are very friendly and willing to help or maybe even meet up.
2. Rent a car to explore the city and rural villages. There’s no real public transportation and taxis can get expensive.
3. Don’t miss out on That Phanom, a very small town about an hour and a half drive from Nakhon Phanom. There are shared mini-vans between Nakhon Phanom and That Phanom for just 40 baht. The revered Phra That Phanom is located in this town.