Nong Khai is essentially a border town with the typical traffic associated with such locations. Tourism consists mainly of short stopovers by people traveling to and from Laos. The main thoroughfare is mainly populated by hardware stores, banks and gold shops. A large, busy Indo-china market thrives in the city center along the riverside. Visitors are catered for by a wide selection of hostelries from budget guest houses to international hotels and thriving evening entertainment.
Nong Khai is connected to Laos via the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which permits direct traffic to Vientiane via road and rail (in the latter case, via Thanaleng Railway Station)
