Mukdahan is a bustling riverside city that sits along the Mekong in Thailand and is mostly frequented by travelers coming across the Laotian border from Savannakhet.
This is exactly how I came to visit the town and the province that shares its name. While many just drop by for a night, or beeline it to the bus station to catch an overnight bus, I ended up staying a little while to see what it had to offer.
And I’m really glad I did!
There’s a lot of charm in Mukdahan, especially along the riverfront where a lively market, peaceful temples, and laid-back vibes somehow all collide. Add in one of the tallest Buddha sculptures in the country and mouthwatering food, and it makes for a wonderful trip.
In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite things to do in Mukdahan. This includes restaurant and cafe recommendations, nearby day trips, tips on where to stay, and what markets are worth visiting. In the end, I hope it’ll make you want to stick around for a few days, too.
Here is my guide to Mukdahan, Thailand.
Stroll Through The Indochina Market
Mukdahan’s busiest, and probably most iconic, site is the bustling Indochina Market.
At its core, this is a produce market with vendors selling everything from souvenirs to daily clothing to fruits and vegetables. The household items and mass-produced goods feel endless here, and that probably has something to do with it being on the border.
I imagine that for most Laotians crossing the bridge for the weekend, they do so to pick up something from the Indochina Market. But it has also become pretty popular for travelers, even though it isn’t the busiest of places.
And it’s not hard to see why, because the atmosphere is still lively and the sellers aren’t really intrusive. It’s also located directly next to the Mekong River, with many of the shops set up underneath rows of colorful colonial buildings and wonderful views at either end, including from the Rau Rak Mukdahan Pavilion.
I didn’t end up getting anything during my visit, but I enjoyed strolling through the market anyway. Plus, it runs along the same street as some temples that are worth visiting.
Opening Hours | Every day from early morning to around 5 pm.
Grab Some Street Food At The Mukdahan Night Market
Whenever you’re in a big city in Thailand, you can guarantee that a night market is going on somewhere. In Mukdahan, there are a couple, but the main one runs along the street with the City Pillar Shrine (San Lak Mueang).
On maps, it’s the Everything Shop 20 Mukdahan Night Market, though I don’t think that is the official name. Nonetheless, it has everything you can want from a traditional Thai market. This includes an abundance of food vendors, some clothing sellers, and the occasional handicraft stall.
I came here every night around dinner time to grab some street food to take back to my hotel and wasn’t disappointed with anything I tried. There are all the typical Thai staples like pad thai, pad krapao, and several curries, but my favorite thing here was the grilled meats. More specifically, the sausages, which I always had as a snack while walking around.
Maybe it’s because Mukdahan doesn’t get as many foreign visitors as elsewhere in Thailand, but everyone was super friendly. Surprisingly, most knew a little English, too.
Although it was only packed on one night during my stay, I think a nearby city fair had a bit to do with it.
More Markets Around Mukdahan
The two markets I just mentioned are, in my mind, the must-visit ones in Mukdahan. They offer the most from a traveler’s perspective, but that doesn’t mean the city doesn’t have a few other more local-oriented ones worth seeing.
Here is a little overview of some others that I visited:
Maruay MR Market Mukdahan | This is a newer market that looks the part, with wooden food stalls that surround a courtyard of shared benches in the main area. Live music often plays here, and it has a more social atmosphere than the others. I’m not sure if that’s the case the whole week, or just on the weekends, though.
Mukdahan Municipal Fresh Market 1 | This is a fresh market that sits between the bus station and Mukdahan City Municipal Golden Jubilee Commemoration Public Park. It covers a few blocks, with a lot of industrial shops throughout, but the main produce part is underneath a large silver, open-air overhang. It’s busy with people buying meats, vegetables, and fruits in the morning but generally stays open until the early evening. I stopped by to have a look one morning as I was heading to the bus station.
Pornpetch Food Market | This is a pretty fantastic fresh produce market south of the city towards the hilltop Buddha. It has two large overhangs, the first of which has fresh seafood, meats, and produce. There are also vendors selling takeaway foods that are on par with the night market and are great if you’re on a budget. The other overhang has clothes and home goods, but was pretty desolate during my visit.
Trek Up To Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom
One of the top things to do in Mukdahan, and the main reason I wanted to stick around, was to head up to Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom.
This temple is best known for its massive sitting Buddha that’s perched atop a hill overlooking the city. It can be seen from all around, and reminds me of a rising full moon, as it looks like it’s right in front of you from the main highway even though it’s a few kilometers away.
For most, the seated Buddha will be the highlight of a visit.
It’s among the biggest statues I’ve seen and is quite humbling to look up at. The 360-degree viewing platform below it also offers some of the best panoramas of the Mekong in Mukdahan, along with sights of Laos and the rugged national park to the south.
The property has a bit more to offer too, with several shrines and temples throughout, a giant Naga statue that fiercely faces the river, and a cafe with equally impressive views from its patio.
It’s a bit out of the way, so you’ll need to hire a taxi or tuk-tuk unless you want to walk for more than an hour. Of course, if you have your own vehicle, you’ll have no problem either.
Getting To The Top | There is a parking lot below Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom that has shuttle taxis that will take you to the top. When I was here, there were half a dozen school buses with kids waiting in the shuttle line, so I opted to walk to the top. The “taxis” are free, but donations are appreciated and well deserved.
The hike is all uphill and takes about 20 minutes. If the weather isn’t too hot, it’s not bad, but otherwise it won’t be a fun walk.
Explore The City’s Riverfront Wats
While I consider Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom, with its hilltop Buddha and impressive views, one of my favorite temples in Thailand, there are still many more to see around Mukdahan.
Most are situated along the riverfront near the Indochina Market, so they are easy to combine with a trip there. There are dozens more around the province, too, but I’ll cover those later in the article.
For now, I’ll share the handful that are within a few minutes’ walk of each other along Mukdahan City’s stretch of the Mekong River. Here they are from north to south:
Wat Si Mongkol Nua | The renovated temple has probably the best views of the bunch, as its property runs up to the edge of the water. The grounds are very peaceful, and its white tower is very photogenic from across the bridge.
Wat Sri Mongkol Tai | A historic 18th-century temple that was originally built by villagers before becoming a royal temple. The tai in its name means south, which was given to it after another wat of the same name was built to the north of the river. With it being so historic and sitting at the beginning of the Indochina Market, it’s seen as Mukdahan’s most iconic temple. Keep an eye out for the beautiful golden-red interior, intricately designed gate, and larger-than-life Sacred Tree out front.
Wat Yot Kaeo Siwichai | This wat appears in the midst of the Indochina Market and has a dazzling green exterior that almost sparkles in the sun. I recommend coming here close to sunset as the lighting makes it a magical place. There’s a large golden Buddha in the sitting position that is encased in a glass hallway.
Wat Si Sumang Wanaram | A classic Isaan-style temple that is a little rundown, but has some neat Naga sculptures along the steps to one of the buildings. There are also steps down to the embankment of the Mekong right in front of it.
Wat Sri Bunruang | The smaller, peaceful temple won’t wow you. But it’s not a bad last stop, plus the lovely Truck Cup Street Coffee is just in front of it along the riverbank.
Check Out Mukdahan’s Street Art
After seeing some absolutely amazing street art across the border in Savannakhet’s Old Town, I was happy to find out Mukdahan has a bit of its own.
I’m not one hundred percent certain, but I believe the neighborhood art scene started flourishing after a Muk Street Art Festival not too long ago.
The most I could find is a Muk Street Art page on Instagram, which shares some of the ongoing projects around town.
While pieces are scattered around the city if you look hard enough, the majority of installations sit in a few-block radius near the waterfront.
This area goes from the north near Wat Si Mongkol Nua down to just south of Good Mook Cafe and the couple of blocks surrounding them. You’ll have to wander around a bit, because not much is displayed on maps, but they are obvious when you find them.
Most of the ones I photographed came from this part of town. Although if you’re walking from the bus station, you can see some outside Wonsook Cafe.
Most creations around Mukdahan are done as large murals showcasing Thai, Lao, and even Vietnamese culture. There are some quirky modern ones to go along with artistic sculptures that showcase the city.
Thailand in general seems to be a blossoming destination for these kinds of murals. I’m a huge fan of hunting out street art in cities around the globe, and these didn’t disappoint.
Explore Mukdahan’s Food Scene
If you’ve read any of my other Thailand guides, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of Thai cuisine. Every city has a specialty or restaurant worth visiting, and Mukdahan is no different.
You can expect a healthy dose of traditional dishes, along with a bit of Laotian influence throughout the city. This shouldn’t surprise you, since Mukdahan borders Laos. What might catch you off guard, though, is the noticeable amount of Vietnamese-style dishes.
I’m a sucker for some Vietnamese food, so it was nice to see. Of course, you could easily get by on the street food from Mukdahan’s markets that I’ve already mentioned, but there are several restaurants that are worthwhile, too.
Anyway, here are some recommended restaurants:
Aor-am | An unassuming restaurant close to the Indochina Market that serves some spectacular Vietnamese food. The go-to orders here are the sticky rice, spring rolls, and steamed rice rolls. They do all of them really well, with the added bonus of a super nice owner.
Khao Piak Sen | Or ข้าวเปียกเส้น ก๋วยจั๊บญวน เจ๊สุนเจ้าเก่า (maps), is another lovely restaurant who’s most popular dish is a Vietnamese-style noodle soup filled with chewy rice noodles and delicious broth. They also do a great curry puff and decent breakfast porridge, among other dishes.
Good Mook* Café & Restaurant | The most iconic foreign-friendly place in town. The atmosphere is nice, the decor is super inviting, and they have some decent coffee and pastries. They’re also known for their vast lunch and dinner menu, which includes both Thai and Western dishes, which are very nice but definitely on the pricier side of things.
Baan Puen Boat Noodle Shop | Or ร้านก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือบ้านเพื่อน (maps), is one of the best noodle soups I’ve had in Thailand. It’s a bit out of the way, but worth the stopover if you’re going to Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom. The restaurant has a simple, open-air dining area and serves boat noodles, with a fragrant, tasty bowl of mixed noodles as the specialty. There are heaps of fresh vegetables you can add, and the owner is both friendly and helpful!
MORE RESTAURANT OPTIONS
- Nong Ju’s Porridge Shop | For a solid bowl of breakfast porridge.
- Let’s Meet at the Mekong River Restaurant | For a nice riverfront meal.
- Zaab Rim Khong | For fresh, tasty Thai food by the river.
Relax At A Cafe
Most of you will either be getting ready to start or just finishing up your Laos adventure. In that case, you’ll probably want to relax a bit, and the cafes in Mukdahan are a great place for that.
Thailand takes its coffee pretty seriously, so it’s hard to find downright bad coffee at any dedicated coffee shop. But I’ll share a few choices around Mukdahan that I think are worth the visit.
Sanitphan Slow Brew | This is a really cool place that has a retro design and is located in a sort of renovated warehouse space. They have a pretty unique menu that does refreshing mixed coffee drinks really well. Some examples are the Morning Moon (coffee + peach), Killer (coffee + pomegranate + quince), and Everytime (cold brew + watermelon + lemon). They have a selection of roasted beans to choose from, and it’s the definition of a slow bar.
Good Mook* Café & Restaurant | While I didn’t mind the food here, the coffee was the standout in my opinion. I mentioned Good Mook above, and wanted to reiterate how lovely the atmosphere is. It has an inviting atmosphere and is also one of the better places to grab a drink in the evening.
Truck Cup Street Coffee | A nice little cafe that’s located inside a van by the riverfront. They do a nice cup of coffee, several other drinks, and have pop-up seats with a view. If you want to enjoy the tranquility of the Mekong River, this is a great spot to do it.
Addie Coffee and Bagel | An underrated little coffee shop that sits at the bottom of the hill on the main highway by Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom. They do really nice drinks, especially the iced coffees and teas, plus the staff is quite friendly. They also have bagels, which is a super rare find for Southeast Asia. It’s definitely worth the stopover on the way to see the giant Buddha.
Head Up Ho Kaeo Mukdahan: City Observation Tower
Ho Kaeo Mukdahan, which translates to the Glass Tower of Mukdahan, is an observation tower that stands around 65 meters (215 feet) tall and unsurprisingly has some of the best views in the city.
Also referred to as the Mukdahan Golden Jubilee Tower, it’s much more than what its name makes it out to be. Don’t get me wrong, for most, the viewing deck is the main attraction, but it’s also a museum of sorts with several local exhibitions showcasing Mukdahan.
The tower is split into 4 main floors that you can visit.
The first two are dedicated to the city and the ethnic minority tribes from the region. You’ll find some interesting historical artifacts, traditional clothing displayed on mannequins, and a bit more information throughout.
Floors 3 through 5 are just the middle of the tower, so the next stop is the 6th. This is where the flying saucer-shaped 360-degree viewing platform is located. There are some pretty spectacular views of the city, including the hilltop Buddha and Laos across the river. The last floor houses a small Buddha statue for worship and an accompanying shrine.
Opening Hours | 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Entrance Fee | 30 THB (for Thai residents) and 50 THB (possibly 100 THB now) for foreigners.
Day Trips Around Mukdahan
While there are plenty of things to do within the city of Mukdahan, the province as a whole has much more to discover. It will take having your own vehicle to do so, but if you have a motorbike or car, then you’ll have some lesser-visited nature spots to see on day trips.
Here are some of the places worth stopping by if you have the time:
Kaeng Kabao | A scenic riverfront park at the northern edge of Mukdahan Province. It’s quite popular with Thais and has an impressive Naga sculpture and some nice restaurants for pork lovers nearby. There’s also a part of land that is sometimes submerged under the Mekong that you can wander around when the water level permits it.
Temples Along the Mekong River | There are several temples along the main road that runs beside the Mekong River. If you’re up for a relaxing drive, I think it’s worth doing some temple hopping to some of these. To the north, Wat Phra Si Maha Pho, Wat Amphawan, Wat Mano Phirom, and Wat Pho Sai are all worth seeing. To the south, Wat Pho Sri and Wat Thung Wao both have scenic views.
It’s not a temple, but there’s also a catholic temple and shrine dedicated to the martyrs called Our Lady of the Martyrs of Thailand Shrine. It’s just south of Kaeng Kabao.
Phu Pha Thoep National Park | This is the national park that spans most of the countryside south of Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom. It’s best known for a series of hiking trails that pass by some uniquely beautiful rock formations. You can get a glimpse of this from the viewing platform underneath the giant Buddha sculpture. Phu Pha Yon National Park in the north and Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park in the south are also nice nature escapes within the province.
Take A Trip Across The Border
For most of you, Savannakhet is either your next stop or was your previous stop. But for anyone just visiting Mukdahan, I think it’s worth spending a couple of days across the border in the Laotian city.
You’ll have to pay a fee for the visa on arrival, so I only suggest the border crossing if you have a couple of days to spare. Anyways, Savannakhet is a chilled-out and retro-feeling city that ended up being one of my favorite places in Laos.
This is what you could cover on a weekend trip across the bridge:
- Relax with a cup of coffee at some of the coolest cafes in Southeast Asia.
- Explore the street art around the historic old town and stop off at the Laochaleun Cineplex for a movie or just some old-school movie vibes.
- Grab a bite of traditional Laotian cuisine at one of the city’s restaurants or head to the Savannakhet New Night Market for street food.
- Walk the riverfront to the mighty Naga statue before heading to one of the city’s wats.
- Learn some recent history at Savannakhet Museum or go back in time at the Dinosaur Museum.
- Go architecture hunting for some of the Old Town’s iconic colonial buildings, including St. Teresa’s Catholic Church.
Getting There | The Savannakhet – Mukdahan bus leaves from the Mukdahan Bus Station almost hourly, every day from around 6 am to 7 pm. The whole journey takes around an hour total, including the border crossing. The bus goes over the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge and costs 50 THB.
GETTING AROUND MUKDAHAN
For the most part, you can get around Mukdahan on foot. This includes most of the main highlights around the city and just about every market. I even walked to the observation tower and Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom, but to be honest, they are both a bit out of the way.
For these, I suggest grabbing a tuk-tuk or taxi, which you can either wave down, order from your accommodation, or find at the waterfront near the Sacred Tree. I saw a few songthaews around too, but I’m unsure of the typical routes they take. They’re the cheapest option, but I recommend asking your hotel for help if you want to take them.
There isn’t a train station in Mukdahan, which means all your intercity and cross-border transportation will go through the bus station.
Mukdahan Bus Station (maps) | This is a sometimes chaotic, but mostly typical bus station for a larger city in Thailand. You’ll come here for all buses to other cities within the country, plus the Laos Friendship Bridge bus. Most of the common routes go around Isaan, but the overnight bus to Bangkok is common, too. English is very limited here, so I recommend having a translator app on hand.
I ended up having to come back to change a mishap in my Korat ticket because of the language barrier, but everything worked out in the end. The staff is super friendly, surprisingly patient, and there is always another passenger who knows a little English that can help if needed. It will do you wonders if you know the exact bus you’re looking to take beforehand, though.
WHERE TO STAY IN MUKDAHAN
Most travelers making their way through Mukdahan are doing so before or after a border crossing into Laos. And since this crossing is more popular for business than it is for backpackers, you have a more traditional hotel scene.
It’s also not the most popular one, so your options are limited. You’re essentially choosing between family-run hotels and larger hotels, with no real hostel options and very few traditional guesthouses.
Here are some of my recommendations:
SC Residence Hotel Mukdahan | A simple, budget-friendly place that has that old-school Thai feel. It’s quiet, has friendly staff (with limited English), and is within walking distance of most things. I stayed here for a few nights, and I wouldn’t have any issues coming back.
HOP INN Mukdahan | Another budget-conscious chain hotel that is found in most Thai cities. It’s nothing special, but you can expect clean, basic rooms at a good price.
Riverfront Hotel Mukdahan | A nice mid-range hotel that’s next to the riverfront. The Indochina Market runs along the same street, and it’s just a short walk from the night market.
Hotel Mook | A nice mid-range hotel with several room types that range from simple doubles to suites. It has all the features of a large hotel, is family-friendly, and has a great price-to-quality ratio.
Mukda Sawan Resort | The small holiday home is centrally located and is best for those who don’t want the hotel experience. There’s access to a pool, a cute garden, and friendly owners.
Hotel de Ladda | The closest thing you’ll get to a luxury experience in Mukdahan. It’s a large hotel with all the accompanying modern amenities and facilities you’d expect at one. The property sits directly next to the river and has wonderful views at a higher-end, but reasonable price.
For more Mukdahan hotels, check here.
