Vientiane is the capital of Laos since 1971, also the biggest city of the country. It is located in central plain of Laos. Unlike other vibrant capital cities in Asia, Vientiane is quieter with pleasant traffic and peaceful boulevards. Visiting Vientiane, you will find the serenity of a Buddhist country and the colonial influences in architectures, bakeries, arts and drinks. Getting around Vientiane, you can spot some of French style mansions mainly used as governmental buildings, streets with tree-lines and local people moving around without rushes. Stopping at a local café and order a French cake or hanging out in Chao Anouvong Park, you will definitely feel the Vientiane ambience.
People often wonder whether Vientiane is worth visiting. If your travel plan can include a few nights in Laos, other outstanding destinations like Luang Prabang heritage town should be in priority. When traveling and exploring are your interests, Vientiane is a unique city and highly suggested.
To see the best of Vientiane and get to know the city, it takes around 2 full days. There are bunches of things to discover in Vientiane. Don’t worry if you have more than 2 nights in Vientiane, our below sightseeing suggestions will help.
When to visit Vientiane
Laos is a tropical country, then Laos capital – Vientiane features the tropical climate with dry season from Nov to Mar and rainy season from April to Oct.
The rainy season with high rainfall and temperature ranging from 26 °C to 29 °C (79 F – 84 F). The hottest month is April and the rainiest month is August.
Dry season in Vientiane shows a very low rainfall and cool temperature from 16 °C to 22°C (62 F – 71 F). Dec and Jan are the coolest months and with the least rainfall.
The better period to visit Vientiane is the dry season with moderate weather, low rainfall and not so humid air. The best months to see Laos capital are March and October when the season are transitioning with nice and sunny weather.
How to get to Vientiane
Vientiane is a stunning place in middle Laos where is able to receive the arrivals from other parts of the countries as well as South-East Asia cities.
Vientiane Wattay International Airport is only 5.5 km (3.5 miles) from Vientiane center. Travelers can fly directly from Bangkok, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Hanoi, etc. to Vientiane. Domestically, you can also fly from Vientiane to the main places to visit in Laos like Luang Prabang, Pakse in southern Laos and Xieng Khouang with Plain of Jars.
Visitors can also enter Vientiane by land drive. There are minivan and buses, night buses from others provinces of Laos to Vientiane. It takes 3-4 hours to drive from Vang Vieng to Vientiane, 6-7 hours to drive from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, 9-10 hours to drive from Xieng Khoang to Vientiane and 11-12 hours to drive from Pakse to Vientiane.
Refer here the Laos trip with visiting of Vientiane.
Things to do in Vientiane
Pha That Luang
Appearing on the country’s seal, Pha That Luang which means Great Stupa in Laos language is one of the must-to-see places in Vientiane. Locating in city center, Pha That Luang from afar is outstanding with the dome-shape golden stupa. This temple plays a crucial religious role by housing the Buddha’s breast bone relic. Pha That Luang is chosen as location to celebrate the most significant events and festivals in Laos.
Erected in 1566, the Siamese invasion destroyed Pha That Luang because it was a Khmer temple. The restoration was then conducted in 1930s. Pha That Luang these days, has become an important and popular visiting place in Vientiane.
Wat Sisaket
Wat Sisaket is the oldest temple in Vientiane which survived from the Siamese invasion early 19th century. While most of temples and construction were ransacked, this Buddhist Temple’s construction which is alike to temples in Thailand saved it.
Wat Sisaket home around 6,000 Buddha statues in different shapes and ages. It’s a serene place in Vientiane to meander through.
Patuxay
Patuxay is a nice monument locating over a spacious park where is often gathered with locals every afternoon. Patuxay, means the Gate of Triumph, is the resemblance of the French Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Its construction in 1968 aimed to commemorate the sacrifices fighting for independence from the French. Tourists can buy ticket and get to the top of Patuxay for the view of surrounding area.
Wat Ho Phra Keo
Used to be a Buddhist temple, Wat Ho Phra Keo was erected in 1560s when the King Setthathirath moved capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. It was the home of Emerald Buddha which lately taken and moved to Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.
These days, it became a museum of Buddhist relics. You will find the display of stone and bronze Buddha statues over the corridors and indoor. The wooden Wat Ho Phra Keo setting over nice gardens is a lovely place to learn more of Buddhism figures and details in Laos.
Buddha Park
Buddha Park in Vientiane is an interesting place to meander through. This outdoor exhibition displays over 200 statues of both Hindu and Buddhist figures that made the park named Xieng Khuan or Spirit City. The park was created in 1958 by Bounleua Soulilat who had integrated both religions. People said he also made another similar one in Thailand lately.
There are vivid concrete statues of both Buddha, Deities, Human and Demon which is being like going between heaven and hell. You will find overwhelmed by the huge reclining buddha up to 40m high (130 feet), a head with 4 arms, the Hindu Indra on three head elephant and a giant pumpkin with stairs to climb up and take an overview from above.
The Buddha park is around 26km (16 miles) from Vientiane center. Available transportations to reach Buddha park include private van, tuk tuk, scooter or local buses which take around 40 – 45 minutes.
Vientiane Night Market
Vientiane night Market situates next to Mekong River where locals do exercises, meet up, relaxing and so on. Vientiane night market is a large area with bunches of stalls selling all stuffs from clothes, street food, drinks, souvenirs, hats, shoes, electrical equipment’s, mobile’s decorations and so on. All things are mainly sold for locals at very good prices.
The night market or Chinese market opens till around 9:30pm. Before stroll around the night market, you also consider chilling out at the nearby Mekong River bank for the stunning sunset and people watch. As it’s in walking distance from downtown, you can walk from Vientiane night market to the more vibrant streets and check out the Vientiane nightlife.
Visit COPE Center
Lesser people know that Laos was severely affected by Vietnam War. When the American bombarded Laos’s neighbor, its arms and legs are damaged too. The UXO clusters of ordnance have caused thousands of kills and injures for Laos people since the war termination.
COPE is the center supporting people with mobility disabilities. The small Visitor Centre of COPE shows details of things happened and their current works to help improve the lives of the victims. It’s free of charge to visit the center. Tourists can give some donate at the café or gift shop.
Laos Textile Museum
Laos Textile Museum, 4km (2.5 miles) from Vientiane Center, is a lovely place introducing the textile history in Laos through years. You will learn of Laos traditional craft and processes of dying, weaving, natural coloring and so on. This wooden house museum is an individual own and their knowledgeable staffs will guide visitors with good English. The entrance for the museum is 30,000kip and open from 9am – 4pm every day except Sun.
Rue Setthathirath
Looking for a place to dine, drink and chill in Vientiane? You can stop by the Rue Setthathirath, a famous street in the downtown where displaying the French influences. There are bakeshops, restaurants, cafes and bars in Rue Setthathirath for your interests.
Vientiane extensive sightseeing
Tourists normally just spend one night in this city to see the highlights of Vientiane. These sightseeing suggestions of Discover Laos will work for those travelers spend more than 2 nights in Vientiane.
Phou Khao Khouay National Park
Phou Khao Khouay National Park is around 40km (25 miles) from Vientiane displaying the evergreen forest, waterfalls, sandstone cliffs and three rivers leading to Mekong River.
Visiting the park, you will experience the cruise on river, embark on trekking routes, visit the waterfalls Tad Xay and Pha Xay with chances to swim. The jungle trekking takes on average 5 hours. During the exploration, you might spot beautiful wildlife, orchids, etc. in the jungle.
There are villages of minority ethnic groups with rustic accommodation for those wish to stay overnight and get to discover the jungle thoroughly.
Nam Ngum Reservoir
Nam Ngum Reservoir is very close to the Phou Khao Khouay National Park; and is around 90km (56 miles) from Vientiane. Covering 370 sq km, Nam Ngum Reservoir is the largest lake and named the “Sea of Laos”. It’s also an untouristed place to visit of Laos. The cruise of around 1.5 hour over the emerald water lake show you the pristine nature of mountain and lakes. You also learn more of the indigenous fishery life.
The trip to Nam Ngum Reservoir from Vientiane also offers extra visits to the Ban Keun traditional salt extraction site, local Dong Mark Khai vibrant local market and some of H’mong ethnic villages.
Active travelers can get arranged with kayaking on Nam Ngum reservoir and take amazing cycling experiences.
If you have any any other opinions of interesting things to do in Vientiane, feel free to comment and share with us.
My trip with 14 days for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; then I got 3 nights in Laos with Luang Prabang only. Save Vientiane for my next trip 😉