Views over Mukdahan

A modern, bustling mid-size town on the Mekong, across the river from Savannakhet and near the 2nd Thai Laos Friendship Bridge, Muk isn't a particular pretty town.

It won't win international plaudits for it's tourist attractions, and no one visits to stroll a picturesque old town (there isn't one, near as I could tell). In fact, most of the visitors appear to be Laos coming over for commerce and shopping.

But there are a couple of low-key sites to keep you busy for a day. And the mixed population (Isaan and Lao, plus plenty of Vietnamese-Thai people), means the food scene is pretty good.

And after a couple of weeks in southern Laos, staying at not-always great accommodation, the town was a nice chance to treat myself to a few days of a comfortable plush bed at an affordable, upmarket hotel.

View over midtown Mukdahan from my hotel room (I was on the 4th or 5th floor of the Ploy Palace - I can't remember exactly which floor)

Outside one of the riverside temples

Spend a few hours wandering the riverfront area, enjoying the bustling Indochine market, and the riverside temples. Then stuff yourself silly at one of the many excellent restaurants and cafes.

Get in my belly! At Ku Fat Vietnam Food

End your afternoon at Phu Manorom, a hillside park a few miles south of the centre. There you'll find tonnes of locals visiting the enormous (and as yet unfinished) seated Buddha, a gigantic naga sculpture, restaurants and picnickers, families and teenagers (most of whom seem bemused to see  Westerner). Grab a cold drink and enjoy the view back over Muk, the Mekong, and Laos.

You can cycle or walk (if you don't mind a long walk) to the hill from downtown, which goes through some quite pleasant countryside for the last part of the journey. You can also take a tuktuk, but be prepared to haggle and ensure you have correct change (the one I encountered asked me at the end of the ride for ten times what we'd agreed before I got on board).