Vientiane
A little city.
With big city vibes
Being both the largest city in the country and of course the capital, Vientiane is a go to destination if you want to experience “Lao city life”. With a population of roughly 900,000. Vientiane offers the hustle and bustle yet toned down and relaxed atmosphere that Laos is known for. Tourism in general has been picking up the past few years as people discover that Laos is not just a place to skip over while traversing Southeast Asia. Vientiane has played a key role as it is typically the starting point of most travelers. Here you can find an array of shops, boutiques, restaurants and monuments. Being small by international city standards you will be surprised to see the diverse culture throughout the city. The city offers something for every traveler. From a night out at local bars to relaxing sunset dinners along the Mekong. You’d be hard-pressed to not enjoy yourself!
Things to do:
From my personal experience here are few places and activities that I recommend checking out. There are plenty of things to do in the city. Food, drink, shopping, sightseeing and more! Often one of best things you can do is to simply wander. Vientiane has many small off the beaten path cafes, sights and food stalls.
Pha That Luang ("Great Stupa")
As the largest and most visible monument in Vientiane it’s hard to miss. It is the hallmark and symbol of Vientiane. With its gold exterior and sky-high peak Pha That Luang is a sight to behold. Considered to be one of the best architectural examples of Buddhism around the world. In the surrounding complex you have the lovely gardens and several smaller temples to wander through. The detail and sheer size of the buildings will have you in awe. There are 2 portions to your visit to Pha That Luang. First there is the exterior gardens and secondly the interior of the complex. To get in, there is a small entrance fee. I won’t spoil the interior for you! 🙂 Visiting is easy as it is centrally located. Tuk-tuks will be your best bet for transportation.
Photo credit: Stefan Fussan from Cottbus, Germany
Patuxai
Patuxai or Anousavary in Vientiane is a well-known monument of the city. Also known as the Arc de triomphe of Vientiane. Which resembles the Arc de Triopmhe in Paris, France. The monument is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle to gain independence from France. Built from 1957 – 1968 with materials indirectly procured from the United states. A monument in all sense of the word it stands tall against the surrounding road way buzz of Lane Xang Avenue. Visitors can spend a nice day or evening strolling through the fountains and gardens. In the evening the structure is lit up and is definitely worth seeing. The exterior gardens are open to the public at all times. Getting there is simple as it is about a 10-minute walk from the city center. Other options include tuk-tuk and taxi.
Night Market
As the name implies this is a market set up at night along the NamKhong river(Mekong River). Here you will find a multitude of red tents selling everything from paintings to shoes. If you are looking for souvenirs than this is the go to place in Vientiane. Although aimed towards tourists the locals also like to spend an evening wandering through the stalls. It can get very crowded and busy at times so choose a time and be patient with people. Haggling is an accepted policy and you can usually get 10-15% off just by asking. Keep in mind that this is how some of the vendors make a living and be respectful. Located along Quai Fa Ngum and opening from 18:00 until 22:00 every evening it is definitely a nice way to spend an evening in the city.
Buddha Park
Buddha Park also known as Xieng Khuan is an outdoor park dappled with over 200 statues of varying sizes. The statues depict both Buddhist and Hindu characters. The artist used these statues to meld his interpretation of the closely linked religions. Wandering around the park you would imagine the statues to be ancient with deep history behind them but they are far from that.
Created in 1958 using concrete and wire frame is what you’re looking at. Still that doesn’t take away from the fact that these statues are beautifully crafted and no doubt were difficult to produce. Just 25 mins or so outside of Vientiane by car or the other options include tuk-tuk, renting a scooter and city bus. It is a common route as it is on the same road that leads to the Lao-Thai border. I recommend going during the day. It may be hot and humid but there is plenty of shade about, oh and ice cream! Spend your time wandering and taking in the detail. You can actually climb up to the top of the pumpkin like structure – Enter through mouth.
NamKhong Boardwalk
The boardwalk along the NamKhong river has seen a lot of change in recent years. Rebuilding after flooding has been a main theme. Although recently it has experienced an influx of life with the building of a lower portion that includes food stalls, markets and local attractions. Here you will also find large concerts during the new year celebration. Being a main hub of the city you can find all sorts of value here. Open all day and all night minus the market stalls its quite common to see locals and tourists alike simply spending a nice evening walking about. Here you can get an amazing sunset view while sitting along the terraced steps. Truly a moment to be present and take in the scene.
Where to stay
The accommodations in Vientiane can range from hostels, hotels, homestays and luxury hotels. Here are a few places with excellent reviews.
Key Points
Although the city life may not be for everyone. There is a certain charm to Vientiane. Spending a couple days getting into the heart and vibe of the city will reward you with great experiences.