Pakse and Champassak: guide to Southern Laos

Southern Laos is still relatively little visited compared to the north, making it an extraordinary region to discover. Pakse, the provincial capital of Champasak, is the ideal gateway to explore the south’s treasures: the Vat Phou temple, the Bolovens Plateau, and the Mekong’s 4,000 Islands.

Pakse: the capital of Southern Laos

Pakse is a pleasant, laid-back town at the confluence of the Mekong and the Sedone River. Less touristy than Luang Prabang, it retains an authentic charm with its French colonial architecture, lively markets, and Mekong riverside promenade. It is an excellent base for exploring all of Southern Laos.

Things to see in Pakse

• Dao Heuang Market: the largest market in Southern Laos, picturesque and lively in the morning
• The town’s temples and pagodas, including Wat Luang
• The Champasak Provincial Museum: fine collections on Khmer and Lao history
• The Mekong riverside promenade at sunset

Champassak and the Vat Phou temple

45 kilometers south of Pakse, the small town of Champassak is dominated by the splendid Khmer complex of Vat Phou, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. Built between the 10th and 13th centuries on a mountainside, this temple predates and may have inspired the builders of Angkor. The ceremonial avenue lined with lingas and nandins, the sacred pools, and the panoramic view over the Mekong plain from the main sanctuary make it a site of rare beauty and serenity.

Tip: arrive early in the morning to avoid the heat and enjoy the site before the crowds. The Vat Phou Festival, celebrated in February at the full moon of the third lunar month, is one of Laos’ most important cultural events.

The Bolovens Plateau: coffee and waterfalls

East of Pakse, the Bolovens Plateau rises to 1,000–1,300 meters in altitude, offering a cool climate and landscapes of coffee, tea, and spice plantations. It is Laos’ main coffee-growing region — Bolovens coffee is recognized as one of the best in Asia. The plateau is also dotted with spectacular waterfalls:

• Tad Fane: a 120-meter double waterfall in a forested gorge — among the most beautiful in Laos
• Tad Yuang: easily accessible from the main road
• Tad Lo: a riverside bungalow village with several tiers of waterfalls

How to get to Pakse

From Vientiane, daily domestic flights serve Pakse Airport (1h15). There are also connections from Luang Prabang and from Bangkok, Siem Reap, and Ho Chi Minh City — convenient for ending a Laos–Cambodia itinerary in the south.

Tours in Southern Laos with Asia Safari

Asia Safari has been organizing specialized tours in Southern Laos since 2002. Our flagship tour “Southern Laos Highlights” combines Pakse, Vat Phou, the Bolovens Plateau, and the 4,000 Islands for a complete immersion in this wonderfully authentic Southern Laos. Contact our team in Vientiane for a tailor-made itinerary.

Want to explore Southern Laos? Asia Safari offers Champassak and 4,000 Islands tours and tailor-made Laos–Cambodia combinations. Contact our local team.