This is about a one hour drive frome Pakse (good road) where it is possible to rent a car or minibus on a daily basis. 30 kms from Pakse you make a right turn and after 6 kms you will reach the Mekong at a very wide point. A ferry will take you across the river to Champasaak which is about 8 kms from the site.

If travelling by bus an overnight stay in Champasaak is recommended. Vat Phou is the most interesting and important site in Laos because it constitutes the origins of the Khmer civilisation long before the appearance of Angkor. The ruins date back to the 9th and 12th centuries. The Khmers made it their main religious centre which, originally, was Hindu based and representations of Siva, amongst others, can still be seen today. Later, in the 16th century, it became a Buddhist site.

On the grounds is a large pond with a wide walkway leading to the palace bordered with sculptures symbolizing the Phaws of Siva. (Please try not to trample the debris as this will damage the remains of the site). To the rear of the palace is a library.

Further along are some very steep stairs which will have you gasping. On the first landing you will find a statue of the temple founder, continue to the third floor to the sanctuary where bas reliefs portray Siva, Brahma and Vishnu. Here you can relax and enjoy the fine view which consists of carved rocks representing animals.
Some 600 metres below Vat Phou are the ruins of Hong Sida, which was the palace of the goddess Sida, a Hindu sanctuary from the same period as Vat Phou.