Nakhon Phanom is a scenic city on the Mekong River in northeastern Thailand facing Thakhek in Laos, connected by the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. The city is known for its Vietnamese community, its beautifully decorated temple boats during the Illuminated Boat Procession festival, and the revered That Phanom stupa 52 kilometres south — one of northeast Thailand's most important Buddhist monuments.