I am confused over those Friendship Bridges.

a) Are there both available ?

I read about shopping and cheap cds. How is it compared to the shopping scene in Tachileik(across Mai Sai, another Friendship Bridge ?). Tachileik is paradise for shopping imported dvds, how is it in HK & NP ?

c) What are the "not-to-missed" food, places to see & things to do in these 2 towns ? I know only the Sculpture Park in Nong Khai, what about any other places or things to see beside the Mekong River ?

Thanks in advance.

Both are available but you need a Lao visa on entry (approx. 1600 baht) to get into Laos.

You could add Mugdahan to the list. There are casinos in Savanakhet.

Not sure about the shopping being much cheaper than here. But they do have duty free shopping which means cheaper imported booze and cigs.

Both are available but you need a Lao visa on entry (approx. 1600 baht) to get into Laos.

You could add Mugdahan to the list. There are casinos in Savanakhet.

Not sure about the shopping being much cheaper than here. But they do have duty free shopping which means cheaper imported booze and cigs.

'But visa is 500thb cheaper if you pay using $35.

Mukdahan will be too far away for the op to travel given his time constraint.

Thanks,

US $35 to enter a small place is a rip-off. I will stick to Tachileik which charge only US $10. Don't think these Lao-sy places can have more shopping than Tachileik.

Thanks,

US $35 to enter a small place is a rip-off. I will stick to Tachileik which charge only US $10. Don't think these Lao-sy places can have more shopping than Tachileik.

$35 is better than 1,600 THB. A wise decision if you know Burma (Myanmah - Pama) crossings so well, I suggest you go there. Also, if you know so much, why come to NE Isaan if you do NOT get "ripped off" in places you know ?.

No answer required --- do yer own thing and good luck .................. there will be no more info from this member

Thanks,

US $35 to enter a small place is a rip-off. I will stick to Tachileik which charge only US $10. Don't think these Lao-sy places can have more shopping than Tachileik.

$35 is better than 1,600 THB. A wise decision if you know Burma (Myanmah - Pama) crossings so well, I suggest you go there. Also, if you know so much, why come to NE Isaan if you do NOT get "ripped off" in places you know ?.

No answer required --- do yer own thing and good luck .................. there will be no more info from this member

Are you mentally ill ?

I can only comment on Nong Khai / Vientiane.

Nong Khai has no real individual stand out features but has a pleasing and tranquil

atmosphere with plenty of shops,restaurants and bars scattered on or close to the

(relatively) newly landscaped river front which is most impressive.There are a smattering

of backpacking farangs,mainly French, but not enough to be off putting.

The real gem is Vientiane 20 kms from the Laos end of the Friendship Bridge. A decent amount

of old French Architecture survives and there are the Embassy buildings and boulevards.

Laos silk is a major selling point

as the Thai women seem hold this in high regard (not that I'd have the foggiest). Both at

the bridgeside duty free area and throughout Vientiane itself in the wine caves there is a very

respectable selection of French wines. Mustn't forget the freshly baked french loaves and

baguettes available at the bakeries and eateries. Nor,.if you like a beer, can you miss the Beer Lao

which is definitely superior to it's Thai counterparts. As with Nong Khai the place is peaceful

and slow paced. The people are friendly,polite and perhaps a little shy which adds to their charm.

A few years back I did the Mae Sai / Tachileik equivalent. Mae Sai was so notable as to be non existent

in my memory and Tachileik I found to be extremely rough and ready. Lots of rushing about.Upon arriving

on the Burmese side of the border myself and those with me were plagued by touts enquiring if we wanted

any drugs and / or porn.

Cheap yes.Functional yes.Pleasurable no.

If you had it in mind to try Nong Khai / Vientiane option - which I would recommend - then $35

isn't really that expensive a price to pay. It's certainly not significantly out of line with the fees you'd

be charged for Cambodia or Vietnam. Burmese fees are an exception.Obviously if you stayed for

a good few days -which if hypothetically you were to travel the distance from say Chiang Mai area you

presumably would do - then you'll get more value for your fee and indeed a better experience of what these

towns have to offer.

I can only comment on Nong Khai / Vientiane.

. As with Nong Khai the place is peaceful

and slow paced. The people are friendly,polite and perhaps a little shy which adds to their charm.

Which is exactly why we chose to live there. One of my favourite places is the Talet Kon Chine (market) sitting by the Mekong, eating BBQ fish and watching the water traffic between Laos and Thailand.