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    • Vientiane

    Vientiane travel guide

    View Laos travel guide

    Overview

    Life in Laos' modest capital flows along as languidly as the Mekong River, alongside which the city is situated. Visitors will find a sprawling series of villages rather than an interconnected urban metropolis. Laotian temples and crumbling French colonial buildings give Vientiane much of its personality. Paddy fields still dot the outlying suburbs and even penetrate the city centre, while narrow lanes, croissant-selling bakeries and noodle-soup vendors characterise the downtown area.

    Most places of interest are concentrated in a small area in the commercial district, between the bamboo-and-thatch beer gardens on the riverbank and Talaat Sao (the morning market). The area is easy to explore on foot, and tourists can also visit some fine Wats (temples), such as Wat Si Saket.

    That Luang Stupa

    That Luang Stupa is a symbol of Buddhism and Lao rule, and is the country's most important religious building. The golden temple and its spire are visible from afar, proving an unforgettable welcoming sight for travellers. King Setthathirath built the shrine in 1566 and his statue stands in front of the temple, where the setting sun enhances the beauty of its already stunning golden surface. The central stupa is deeply symbolic: resembling a curved lotus bud, its three tiers represent different aspects of Buddhism. More specifically, the base deals with hell, the middle revolves around 30 Buddhist teachings and the top tier is about heaven. Visitors should explore the area with a local guide, who can explain the site's significance. They will also need to dress modestly, covering their knees and shoulders. Women can borrow traditional Lao skirts at the entrance.

    Royal Stupa at Sunset Royal Stupa at Sunset Oliver Spalt
    Victory Gate (Patuxai)

    Modelled to mirror the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Laos' Victory Gate is definitely a sight to behold. Indeed, Laotians decided to one-up their former colonial masters by building theirs slightly higher and with four gates instead of two. Patuxai also has a number of decorative Buddhist ornamentations. As a matter of fact, the Royal Laotian Government constructed the monument with American funds and cement that were intended to build an airport, earning it the nickname, 'vertical runway'. Seven flights of stairs or a lift lead to the top, which offers great views of downtown Vientiane. The area is also home to the World Peace Gong presented to Laos by Indonesia, and a musical fountain.

    Victory Gate Victory Gate Tim Wang
    COPE Visitor Centre

    The COPE Visitor Centre can be a sobering reality-check for many tourists. Statistically, Laos is the world's most bombed country: the US military considered it unsafe for planes to land with unused ordinance so they dropped their bombs over Laos. Many are unaware of this tragic and embarrassing aspect of the Vietnam War. Laos still has a significant amount of unexploded ordnance (UXOs), particularly in rural areas along the border with Vietnam. The COPE Visitor Centre does vital work in educating the public and tourists. It also provides help for those who have lost limbs or loved ones to bombs. Anybody planning to travel off the beaten track in Laos should know how to recognise and react to UXOs.

    Address: Boulevard Khou Vieng, Vientiane, Laos
    Website: http://copelaos.org/
    Cluster bombs Cluster bombs Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    Ho Phra Kaew

    Ho Phra Kaew is one of Vientiane's oldest and most grandiose temples, with its interesting history shedding light on Laos' past relations with Thailand. More specifically, King Setthathirath built the temple in 1565 for the express purpose of housing the Emerald Buddha, which he had pilfered from Chiang Mai City in Northern Thailand. Made of gold and green jadeite, the statue was recaptured by the Siamese army in 1778 and returned to Bangkok. Even without the Emerald Buddha, Ho Phra Kaew should easily make the bucket list of anyone interested in the region. This national monument exposes visitors to Laos' varied cultural heritage, its displays including a heavily lacquered 16th-century door carved with Hindu images and a collection of stonecut figures representing Khmer deities.

    Address: Rue Setthathirath, Vientiane
    Opening time: Daily: 8am to 12pm; 1pm to 4pm.
    Monk at Ho Phra Kaew Monk at Ho Phra Kaew Tevaprapas
    Talat Sao (Morning Market)

    Vientiane's Talat Sao (Morning Market) has two decidedly different sections. Depending on their budget and the type of experience they're looking for, visitors can choose between the shopping mall and the original Morning Market. The mall has a range of shops and services over five floors, and its air-conditioning provides a much appreciated break from the country's tropical heat. Shoppers will find a food court, a cinema, a supermarket and a children's play area in the complex. The bustling market operates from early morning to mid-afternoon, and is a labyrinth of clean, tiled alleyways. Hand-woven fabrics, silver jewellery and other local handicrafts are favourite purchases. Bargaining is expected and generally good-natured, so tourists should remember to smile while trying to beat down a price.

    Talat Sao Talat Sao yeowatzup

    Phrase Book

    English Pronounciation

    Vientiane has a tropical monsoon climate with short, dry winters that last between December and January. Winter minimum temperatures rarely drop below 60°F (16°C). The warmest time of year (March to the beginning of May) sees maximum temperatures peak around 91°F (33°C) and minimum temperatures rarely drop below 68°F (20°C). The rainy season lasts from April to October, with thunderstorms being the most common form of precipitation. The city generally has very high humidity levels and muggy conditions throughout the long wet season. The best time to visit Vientiane is in its mild winters.

    Wattay International Airport
    Location: The airport is six miles (10km) from Vientiane.
    Time: Local time is GMT +7
    Transfer Between Terminals: The terminals are within easy walking distance of each other.
    Getting to the city: Taxis and tuk-tuks are available outside both terminals. Many local hotels offer free shuttle transfers for guests by prior arrangement.
    Car Rental: Avis by Asia Vehicle Rental and Sixt are represented at the airport. However, visitors are advised not to hire a car. Instead, they should book a car with a driver through their hotel or travel agent.
    Airport Taxis: Taxi counters are located near the exit of each terminal; passengers must buy a taxi coupon before leaving the airport.
    Facilities: Facilities at the airport include banks, bars, restaurants, duty-free shopping, a post office and a couple of shops.
    Parking Parking is available at the airport.

    For short distances, the tuk-tuk is Vientiane's primary mode of transport. These privately owned, three-wheeled motor vehicles carry passengers in and around the city, charging flat rates for different destinations. Taxis tend to gather at busy locations, such as markets and bus terminals.

    The Talat Sao Bus Station is Vientiane's main terminal and offers routes to neighbouring cities and Thailand. Buses can be badly maintained and lack air-conditioning, but serve as a major source of transportation for locals.

    Bicycle and scooter rentals are available from private businesses and some guesthouses. It's illegal to ride a scooter without a helmet and fines are known to be costly. Transport in rural areas may be difficult to find or unreliable, meaning tourists might simplify their plans by hiring a car for longer distances.

    Vientiane hasn't got the obvious charm of Luang Prabang and sometimes suffers by comparison. Against that, Laos' capital has more in the way of traditional tourist attractions and has put much effort into encouraging sustainable tourism. Visitors won't struggle to find interesting things to see and do, and many fall in love with the city's relaxed atmosphere and sleepy riverside scenes.

    Vientiane's many Buddhist temples are its main drawcard and are interspersed with modern and colonial architecture - as they are throughout the country. The old and grandiose Ho Phra Kaew and the famous That Luang (the golden Royal Stupa) are among the city's best. Wat Si Saket is another favourite, and is known for its thousands of Buddha images. Travellers should note that although the temples in Laos are incredible, they tend to be fairly similar. They should only stop at the best ones to avoid temple fatigue.

    A visit to Vientiane should also include shopping in the Morning Market (Talat Sao), a stroll through Victory Gate, a cooking course on the banks of the Mekong River, a craft class at the Houey Hong Vocational Training Centre for Women and an educational trip to the COPE Visitor's Centre. Regarding excursions, the weird but wonderful Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) is a good option. So too is the small, laidback town of Vang Vieng, which is surrounded by green agricultural fields, friendly Hmong and Yao villages, and mountains that hold fascinating limestone caves.

    Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park)

    The site known as Buddha Park is an otherworldly collection of Buddhist and Hindu statues scattered around a riverside meadow. Priest, myth-maker and sculptor, Luang Pu designed and built the park in 1958, fusing philosophy with mythology and iconography. Visitors will discover that the detail on many of the statues is decidedly atypical of Laos. Indeed, much of it is quite unique. Visitors are sure to enjoy climbing and exploring the structures and should look out for tourist pleasers such as the beautiful Tree of Life sculpture and a pumpkin-like statue. The latter's steps lie inside its gaping mouth and lead to a viewing platform.

    Address: Thanon Tha Deua, Vientiane, Laos
    Buddha Park Buddha Park Preetam Rai
    Si Phan Don

    The famous 4,000 Islands region of Laos unfolds at the Mekong River's tail end. Situated in the far south and lapping over into Cambodia, the area is renowned for its tranquil village life, spectacular waterfalls and unspoiled natural beauty. It's also home to the rare pink Irrawaddy Dolphin. The two most popular islands are Don Khong, which is the largest and most developed in the region, and backpacker magnet Don Det. Prices for food and accommodation are some of the cheapest in Asia. Many tourists use the area as an entry point into Cambodia, with buses frequently making the one-hour journey to the border. Action lovers can look forward to plenty of hiking, biking and swimming opportunities, while relaxation seekers can enjoy bungalows with waterside balconies. Water safaris are a great way to see the dolphins, though travellers should ask guides not to go too far.

    Don Kong Island Don Kong Island Dario Severi
    Houey Hong Vocational Training Center for Women

    The Houey Hong Vocational Training Center for Woman has been among the most popular tourist attractions in Laos. The centre provides training and education to Lao women from disadvantaged backgrounds, teaching them skills such as natural dyeing, traditional Lao weaving, tailoring and small business administration. Visitors are not just casual observers and instead partake in half-day or full-day courses of their choice, and are taught skills ranging from tie-dyeing silks to traditional Lao weaving with a loom.

    Address: Lane 22, Houey Hong Village, Chantabury District, Vientiane
    Website: www.houeyhongvientiane.com
    Houey Hong Vocational Training Center for Women Houey Hong Vocational Training Center for Women Shankar S
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    No direct flights from Heathrow to this Destination