🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The first thing first-timers often miss is that Ubon isn't a city you can see on foot from one spot. The in-town sights — Wat Thung Si Mueang, the National Museum and the restaurants — sit close enough to walk between, but the real draws like Pha Taem, Sam Phan Bok and Khong Chiam are 80–120 km out of town, so you'll mostly be driving or renting a car. Planning around that ahead of time helps a lot.
When to visit Ubon
You can visit Ubon year-round, but each season has its own feel. Pick based on what you want to see rather than whatever flight deal pops up.
- November–February (cool season) — the best window for first-timers. The weather is pleasant and cool, good for walking around town and driving out to Khong Chiam, with clear skies that make the sunrise easy to see.
- July (Candle Festival) — the province's biggest event, with a parade of carved wax floats around Thung Si Mueang. It gets very crowded, rooms sell out fast, and you'll need to book several months ahead.
- March–May (hot season) — this is when Sam Phan Bok is fully out of the water, so you can clearly see the oddly shaped rock basins. But the midday heat is brutal, so stick to early mornings and evenings.
- June–October (rainy season) — everything turns lush green and waterfalls like Saeng Chan run full, but Sam Phan Bok may be underwater, and the road into Pha Chana Dai is sometimes closed per park announcements. Always check before you go.
Book the activities in your Ubon Ratchathani trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Getting to Ubon and around town
Flying is fastest — there are several direct Bangkok–Ubon flights a day, about an hour in the air, and the airport is right in the city. It's only a few minutes from the airport to the Thung Si Mueang area. If you're not in a hurry, the northeastern rail line also runs to Ubon station (technically on the Warin Chamrap side, across the bridge from town) and takes roughly 8–11 hours.
- Rent a car and drive yourself — the best option if you're heading to Pha Taem and Khong Chiam. Rentals are available at the airport, starting around 800–1,200 THB a day depending on the model and season.
- Rent a motorbike — fine if you're only exploring in town, about 250–350 THB a day. Not recommended for the long ride out to the border, though, since it's far and some stretches are isolated.
- Songthaew / taxi — available in town, but they rarely take you out to the other districts. You can sometimes get a Grab, but there are fewer cars than in bigger cities.
- Hire a car with a driver — good if you'd rather not drive. Local operators offer Khong Chiam–Pha Taem day-trip packages starting around 1,500–2,500 THB per car per day.
Tip for first-timers
If you've only got 2–3 days and want to see both the city and the border, renting a car and driving yourself is the most worthwhile, because Pha Chana Dai means arriving by 4–5 a.m. to catch the sunrise, and there's no public transport running at that hour.
What to eat in Ubon
What sets Ubon apart from other Isan cities is the Vietnamese food. Vietnamese families settled here decades ago, so kuay jub yuan (Vietnamese rice-noodle soup), moo yor (pork sausage) and nem nueang (grilled pork rolls) have become local staples. Here are the places Ubon locals actually eat at, and that are open right now.
Indojeen
A long-running Vietnamese restaurant that's been part of Ubon for over 50 years and holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The all-pork nem nueang, kuay jub yuan, pho with moo yor and Vietnamese steamed cups are all consistently good — a solid pick for your first meal in town.
Kuay Jub Pratueang
Original-recipe Vietnamese rice-noodle soup that's been around over 30 years. Rich broth, springy noodles, and a standout pan-fried egg set served with moo-yor-stuffed pâté bread, fragrant with black pepper.
Ubon Ocha
A breakfast spot in the city center that's packed with locals every morning. Pan eggs, mixed kuay jub, minced-pork congee, and a loaded Vietnamese kuay jub with chicken feet, blood and moo yor — all for under 100 THB a head.
Baan Dang
A Vietnamese spot on Phrom Rat Rd, known for its big nem nueang set and a house-recipe kuay jub with moo yor — chewy noodles, well-balanced flavor. Comfortable seating, great for a group.
Mintra
A long-standing Vietnamese restaurant of over 30 years, open from morning to afternoon. Standouts are the kuay jub yuan, pork-topped steamed cups and nem nueang — the same hand that keeps regulars coming back.
Kuay Jub Je Nueang
Old-style Vietnamese rice-noodle soup with fresh house-made noodles. The standout is the pork-rib and moo-yor bowl — the jumbo size is filling and there's usually a queue.
Talad Yai (Municipal Fresh Market)
Want all the local specialties in one place? Head to Talad Yai in the city center for a famous moo yor stall, khao jee (grilled sticky rice), Vietnamese khanom bueang and souvenirs to take home.
Old-town cafes
Ubon has a wave of newer cafes scattered around Thung Si Mueang and the old town — a good stop for a coffee out of the afternoon sun before your next outing.
Sights you shouldn't miss
It splits neatly into two zones: the in-town sights you can explore on your own, and the Khong Chiam border zone you'll need to drive out to. Take your time figuring out which spots match what you want to see.
Wat Thung Si Mueang
The city's signature temple, known for its beautiful teak scripture hall set in the middle of a pond — one of the most intact water-bound scripture halls in Isan. It's in town and easy to walk to.
In townThung Si Mueang Park
A public park in the city center and the venue for the Candle Festival. Nice for an evening stroll, with restaurants and cafes all around.
Out of townWat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao (the Glowing Temple)
A hilltop temple whose wall depicts a glowing green wishing tree after dark — a photo spot people come specifically to see. It's in Sirindhorn district, a drive out of the city.
BorderPha Taem National Park
A cliff above the Mekong with prehistoric rock paintings thousands of years old and sweeping river views — the highlight of the border zone.
BorderPha Chana Dai
The spot where you see the sunrise before anywhere else in Thailand, within the Pha Taem area. You have to get there before dawn. It recently reopened to visitors seasonally, so check the announcements before you go.
BorderSam Phan Bok
Rock rapids in the middle of the Mekong eroded into more than three thousand basins, clearly exposed in the dry season — people call it Thailand's Grand Canyon.
3-day, 2-night Ubon plan
This plan is built for first-timers with a car. It starts in town on day one while you recover from the journey, then takes on the Khong Chiam border on day two, and closes with a sunrise on the last morning. Adjust the timing to fit your flights.
Explore the city, taste Vietnamese
Take on the Khong Chiam–Pha Taem border
The first sunrise in Thailand
Straight talk
If you've only got 2 days, drop Pha Chana Dai first — it means a pre-dawn wake-up and a long drive. Save it for a future trip when you can stay overnight on the Khong Chiam side, which is far more worthwhile, and spend the days you have fully on the city and Pha Taem.
Things to know before you go
- Build in drive time — it's about 1.5–2 hours from town to Khong Chiam. Don't cram too many stops into one day and end up rushing.
- Check the park announcements before Pha Chana Dai — this spot opens in windows depending on the season and safety. Check the national park department's notices before you set out.
- Carry cash — many local eateries and markets take mostly cash. ATMs in town are plentiful enough, but they're scarce out at the border.
- Rooms during the Candle Festival fill fast — if you're coming in July, book several months ahead, and expect room rates to run higher than usual.
See well-located hotels in Ubon with easy access to everything
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