Originally Posted by
RustyC
Isaan can really be delightful, but I think you need at least a trip or two under your belt to start to appreciate it. Otherwise it may seem a bit boring. Phi Mai and Phanom Rung are good for Angkor-era ruins, there's that candle festival for the Buddhist Lent in Ubon, and Udon Thani has the lotus lake in winter. But some of the best experiences are "found" ones with food, Isaan music at live venues, or things like that. Nakhon Phanom was even peaceful enough that I could ride a bike around, take the 5 p.m. cruise to nowhere on the Mekong for B50, and get a wide-eyed look or two from a kid who'd never seen a farang before.
Definitely one of the few quality areas that has yet to ruined by tourism but absolutely correct that its not for a first time visitor. excepting the main cities (Udon, Ubon, Korat, Khon Kaen.... but they can be boring too). Some language skill helps immensely with Issan too, especially for food.