Nong Khai Aquarium
A walk-through tunnel and tanks full of Mekong fish, aimed squarely at kids and curious grown-ups.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00
- Vet Elephant Sanctuaries
- Only visit sanctuaries that prohibit riding, use no chains or bullhooks, and let elephants roam freely. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai set the standard. If a place offers painting shows or circus tricks, walk away.
Tours that include Nong Khai Aquarium
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Nong Khai Aquarium.
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Day toursUdon Thani day tours
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See pricesWhy go, and how to do it well
The reason to come here is the Mekong itself. Rather than the usual imported reef fish, the tanks are stocked with species from the river system running past Nong Khai, which makes the visit feel like it belongs where it is. The walk-through tunnel is the bit children remember, with fish passing overhead and at eye level while you stand underneath.
It's a modest place, not a day out in its own right, and I'd budget a couple of hours rather than half a day. Families with young kids get the most from it, along with anyone who's spent time looking at the Mekong from a promenade and wondered what actually lives in all that brown water. The displays lean educational, so it also works well on a hot afternoon when you want a roof over your head and something for the children to do. If you have no interest in fish, skip it and spend the time on the riverfront instead.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026 · How we check places
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Nong Khai Aquarium, round out your day in Udon Thani with contrasting stops nearby.
112, Tambon Nong Kom Ko, Amphoe Mueang Nong Khai, Chang Wat Nong Khai 43000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore activities & tours nearby
All within 4.5 km away of Nong Khai Aquarium.
CivetLand
A wildlife and nature attraction in Nong Khai where visitors can encounter civet cats and local fauna.
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Nong Khai Aquarium: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nong Khai Aquarium worth visiting?
Nong Khai Aquarium holds a 4.3★ rating from 2,061 Google reviews — a strong rating for activities & tours in Udon Thani.
What are the opening hours of Nong Khai Aquarium?
Nong Khai Aquarium is typically open 09:00-17:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Nong Khai Aquarium?
The best months to visit Udon Thani are December – February (Red Lotus Sea blooms Dec–Feb), with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January (lotus season weekends) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (peak heat).
Where is Nong Khai Aquarium located?
Nong Khai Aquarium is at 112, Tambon Nong Kom Ko, Amphoe Mueang Nong Khai, Chang Wat Nong Khai 43000, Thailand, in Udon Thani. Getting around Udon Thani: Songthaews on numbered city routes (฿10–15); Grab and metered taxis in the city.
Also popular in Udon Thani
Central Udon
Air-conditioned refuge in the middle of Udon Thani, with a supermarket, a cinema and a few hours of comfort.
Wat Pho Chai Phra Aram Luang
A working Nong Khai temple built around a gold Buddha that locals genuinely come to pray to, not photograph.
Tha Sadet Market
A covered riverside strip of stalls where the Mekong view does as much work as the shopping.
Daeng Namnuang Nong Khai
Come for the naem nuang, the DIY pork-and-herb rolls that built this riverside institution's name.
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