Best Time to Visit
November to February (cool and dry, 15-28°C); March-May is scorching (35-40°C)
Language
Lao (official); French among older generation; English growing in tourism
Currency
Lao Kip (LAK); Thai Baht and US Dollar widely accepted
Time Zone
ICT (UTC+7)
Airport
Wattay International Airport (VTE)
Population
~950,000 (metro area)
Climate
Tropical savanna, avg 22-35°C; monsoon rains May-October
Safety Rating
Generally Safe (Level 1); petty theft and UXO in rural areas outside the city
Known For
That Luang stupa, French-Lao fusion cuisine, Mekong riverside culture, Buddhist temples, relaxed pace
Laos's most important national monument — a gold-covered Buddhist stupa dating to the 3rd century, rebuilt in the 16th century. Entry: 10,000 LAK. Open 8AM-12PM and 1-4PM. The November That Luang Festival draws thousands of monks and pilgrims. Best photographed in late afternoon golden light. Allow 1 hour.
Vientiane's answer to the Arc de Triomphe — built with American-funded concrete intended for an airport runway. Climb the 7 stories for panoramic city views (3,000 LAK entry). The surrounding park and fountain are a pleasant gathering spot. Free to view from outside. 10 minutes walk from That Luang.
A surreal sculpture garden 25 km southeast of the city with over 200 Hindu and Buddhist statues, including a 40-meter reclining Buddha. Built in 1958 by a mystic shaman-priest. Entry: 15,000 LAK. Climb inside the giant pumpkin-shaped structure for views. Reach by bus #14 from Talat Sao bus station (8,000 LAK, 1 hour).
The riverside promenade along Fa Ngum Road is Vientiane's social hub at dusk. Locals gather for exercise, food stalls set up, and the sunset over Thailand across the river is spectacular. Beer Lao costs 10,000-15,000 LAK at riverside bars. The night food market near Chao Anouvong Park offers grilled meats and papaya salad from 15,000 LAK.
A delicious legacy of French colonialism — Vientiane has excellent baguettes, croissants, and pastries. Le Banneton and JoMa Bakery Cafe serve proper French baked goods with Lao coffee (15,000-30,000 LAK). Khao jee pate (baguette sandwich with pate, vegetables, and chili sauce) from street vendors costs just 10,000-15,000 LAK.
Along the Mekong riverfront near Chao Anouvong Park, this nightly market (6PM-10PM) sells Lao textiles, handicrafts, and street food. Lao silk scarves from 50,000 LAK, handwoven sinh skirts from 100,000 LAK. Less pushy than Thai or Vietnamese markets — vendors rarely pressure you. Best on weekends when the market expands.
Vientiane's oldest surviving temple (1818) with 6,840 Buddha images lining the cloister walls — a hidden gem often overlooked for That Luang. Entry: 10,000 LAK. Open 8AM-12PM and 1-4PM. The serene courtyard is perfect for quiet reflection. Combined ticket with neighboring Haw Phra Kaew museum available. Allow 45 minutes.
Arrive at Wattay International Airport (VTE). Settle into this surprisingly small and charming capital.
Visa on arrival at VTE(30 minutes)
$30-42 depending on nationality. Bring 1 passport photo and USD cash. Or e-visa at laoevisa.gov.la ($50)
Tuk-tuk to guesthouse(15 minutes)
20,000-40,000 LAK to center. Budget guesthouses from 80,000 LAK/night in the riverside area
Late lunch at JoMa Bakery Cafe(1 hour)
French-Lao bakery chain. Croissants, baguette sandwiches, and excellent Lao coffee. 15,000-30,000 LAK
Mekong Riverfront sunset(1.5 hours)
Fa Ngum Road promenade. Locals gather for exercise, food stalls set up. Beer Lao 10,000-15,000 LAK at riverside bars. The sunset over Thailand across the river is spectacular
Vientiane's spiritual and historical landmarks — from ancient stupas to victory arches.
Pha That Luang(1 hour)
10,000 LAK. Laos's most sacred monument — gold-covered stupa dating to 3rd century. Best in late afternoon golden light
Patuxai (Victory Gate)(45 minutes)
3,000 LAK to climb 7 stories for city views. Built with American-funded concrete meant for a runway. Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe
Wat Si Saket(45 minutes)
10,000 LAK. Vientiane's oldest surviving temple (1818). 6,840 Buddha images lining the cloister walls. Serene courtyard
Haw Phra Kaew(30 minutes)
Combined ticket with Wat Si Saket available. Former royal temple, now a museum of Buddhist sculpture. The original Emerald Buddha was here before Thailand took it
Lunch at Kualao Restaurant(1 hour)
Upscale Lao cuisine in a traditional building. Laap, tam mak houng (papaya salad), sticky rice. 50,000-100,000 LAK
Night Market dinner(1.5 hours)
Mekong riverfront near Chao Anouvong Park. Nightly 6PM-10PM. Grilled meats, papaya salad from 15,000 LAK. Lao textiles and handicrafts
Morning at the surreal sculpture garden, afternoon exploring Vientiane's French legacy.
Bus to Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)(1 hour)
Bus #14 from Talat Sao station (8,000 LAK). 25 km southeast. Or tuk-tuk round trip ~100,000 LAK with waiting
Buddha Park exploration(1.5 hours)
15,000 LAK. 200+ Hindu and Buddhist statues including 40m reclining Buddha. Climb inside the pumpkin-shaped structure for views. Built by a mystic shaman-priest in 1958
Return to center for French bakery lunch(1.5 hours)
Le Banneton — proper French baguettes and pastries in Vientiane. Khao jee pate (baguette with pate) 15,000 LAK
French colonial quarter walk(1.5 hours)
Stroll along Rue Setthathirath and surrounding streets — French shuttered buildings, boulangeries, and the Presidential Palace (exterior only). Vientiane feels more French than Vietnamese cities
Sunset at Chao Anouvong Park(1 hour)
Riverside park with statue of King Chao Anouvong facing Thailand. Perfect sunset spot
Morning market immersion, afternoon Lao cooking class.
Talat Sao (Morning Market)(1.5 hours)
Vientiane's main market — actually open all day. Textiles, electronics, gold, and a great food court upstairs. Lao silk scarves from 50,000 LAK
Organic farmers market (Saturday only)(1 hour)
If it's Saturday — near That Luang. Small but excellent market with organic produce, herbal products, and Lao coffee
Lao cooking class(3 hours)
Tamarind Restaurant or Thongbay Guesthouse classes. 200,000-350,000 LAK. Learn laap, sticky rice, and Lao-style spring rolls. Market visit included
Evening along the Mekong(1 hour)
Beer Lao and grilled chicken at a riverside bar. The pace here is genuinely slower than any other Southeast Asian capital
Choose: the adventure town of Vang Vieng (3-4 hours north) or the closer Nam Ngum lake.
Option A: Van to Vang Vieng(3 hours)
Minivan from Northern Bus Station (60,000-80,000 LAK one-way). Or take the new Laos-China Railway (2 hours, 84,000 LAK)
Vang Vieng: Blue Lagoon swimming(2 hours)
20,000 LAK entry. Crystal-clear spring-fed pool in karst limestone setting. Multiple lagoons — Blue Lagoon 1 is most popular, 3 is quietest
OR Option B: Nam Ngum Reservoir day trip(Full day)
90 km north. Large reservoir formed by a hydroelectric dam. Boat trips, floating restaurants, and swimming. Less touristy, more local
Rest morning, then cycle through Vientiane's quiet neighborhoods.
Rent a bicycle(15 minutes)
20,000-30,000 LAK/day from guesthouses
Cycle to COPE Visitor Centre(1 hour)
Free (donations welcome). Exhibition on UXO (unexploded ordnance) — Laos is the most bombed country per capita in history. Eye-opening and important
Cycle along the Mekong(1.5 hours)
Follow the river road east past local neighborhoods, temples, and fish farms
Farewell dinner at Makphet Restaurant(1.5 hours)
Social enterprise training street youth. Modern Lao cuisine. 40,000-80,000 LAK. One of Vientiane's best restaurants
Final morning. Last baguette and airport transfer.
Breakfast khao jee pate from a street vendor(20 minutes)
Baguette sandwich 10,000-15,000 LAK. Vientiane's most delicious French colonial legacy
Last-minute textile shopping(45 minutes)
Lao silk and cotton at Talat Sao or boutiques on Rue Nokeokoummane. Hand-woven sinh skirts from 100,000 LAK
Transfer to Wattay Airport(15 minutes)
Tuk-tuk 40,000-50,000 LAK. Allow 2 hours before flights
30-day tourist visa on arrival at Wattay Airport for $30-42 USD depending on nationality (US: $35, UK: $35, Australia: $35). Bring 1 passport photo and USD cash. E-visa also available at laoevisa.gov.la ($50 including processing fee). ASEAN nationals and some countries get visa-free entry for 14-30 days.
The city center is compact — most sights are within a 3 km radius. Rent a bicycle for 20,000-30,000 LAK/day from guesthouses. Tuk-tuks within the center cost 20,000-40,000 LAK. For Buddha Park and further sites, use the public bus or negotiate a tuk-tuk (~100,000 LAK round trip to Buddha Park with waiting time).
Budget travelers can manage on $20-30/day. Guesthouses from 80,000-150,000 LAK/night (~$4-8), street meals 15,000-30,000 LAK ($0.75-1.50), Beer Lao 10,000 LAK ($0.50). Mid-range restaurants serve excellent French-Lao fusion for 50,000-100,000 LAK. The Kualao Restaurant offers upscale Lao cuisine at fraction of Western prices.
Lao Kip, Thai Baht, and US Dollars are all used. You'll get the best rate paying in Kip. Exchange at banks or BCEL booths (not money changers near tourist sites). ATMs dispense Kip with a 20,000 LAK ($1) fee per withdrawal. Tip: BCEL ATMs have the highest withdrawal limits (2,000,000 LAK).
If you witness the daily dawn alms-giving procession (6-7AM), observe from a respectful distance. Do not block monks' paths for photos. If you wish to offer food, buy sticky rice and snacks from local vendors (not tourist kits). Women should never touch monks or hand items directly — place offerings in the bowl.
The Mekong current near Vientiane is dangerously strong, especially during monsoon. Locals drown every year. The river also has poor water quality near the city. Enjoy the views from the bank. For swimming, head to the public pool near the National Stadium or the Nam Ngum Reservoir day trip (90 km north).
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