Pakbeng

 Pakbeng: An introduction

The sleepy riverside town of Pakbeng lies halfway between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang and can easily be reached by travelling on the Luang Say Cruise which travels both up and down the Mekong River several times a week.

For centuries the Mekong River was the only real transport option for cargo and because of this Pakbeng developed as an overnight stop for the cargo and ferry boats. It is a spectacular route and therefore remains popular with visitors to Laos keen to experience ‘river life’.

Set in a particularly scenic spot, at the confluence of the Nam Beng and Mekong Rivers (Pak means mouth, and Beng is the name of the river), in recent years a number of guesthouses and restaurants have sprung up catering for visitors.

Electricity is relatively new to the region and can be some what erratic. It is sourced from a hydroelectric dam on the Beng River, and therefore black outs are more frequent during the dry season.

In the early morning, as you make your way down to the Luang Say Pier for your onward journey, the early opening restaurants serve an amazing Lao coffee and the streets are lined by stalls selling local sweets and pastries. Take a walk up to the morning market and marvel at the range of local produce; everything from scorpions, frogs on sticks and buffalo skin – it’s quite an experience!

For visitors with more time, there is some excellent elephant trekking to be enjoyed in the immediate region and in nearby Hongsa. Either of these options will require staying a minimum of one extra night in Pakbeng.

Pakbeng Lodge, Mekong River banks

'In the early morning, as you make your way down to the Luang Say Pier for your onward journey, the early opening restaurants serve an amazing Lao coffee and the streets are lined by stalls selling local sweets and pastries.'