Wat Phabad is one of Pakse's accessible temple stops, set close enough to the centre to visit without turning it into a full excursion. The compound is associated with a Buddha footprint, and like many Lao temples it is as much a living religious space as a sightseeing object.
Come with modest expectations and you will enjoy it more. The interest lies in the quiet courtyards, gilded details, monks moving through daily routines, and the way the temple breaks up Pakse's practical role as a transport hub for the Bolaven Plateau and Wat Phu.