November to February (cool and dry season)
$30-80 USD
Lao
Laotian Kip (LAK); Thai Baht and USD widely accepted
Overview
About Vientiane
Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos, situated on a bend of the Mekong River along the border with Thailand. With a population of around 800,000 in the greater urban area, it is the smallest national capital in Southeast Asia, and this modest scale is central to its appeal. The city moves at a relaxed pace that sets it apart from the more frenetic capitals of neighbouring countries, and first-time visitors are often struck by how unhurried and green it feels.
Vientiane's history as a capital dates to the 16th century, when it served as the seat of the Lan Xang kingdom. The city was sacked and largely destroyed by Siamese forces in 1779 and again in 1828, and many of the temples visible today were rebuilt or restored during the French colonial period and after independence. The French legacy is visible in the broad tree-lined boulevards, pastel-coloured colonial shophouses, and the Arc de Triomphe-inspired Patuxai monument built in the 1960s.
The most revered national monument is Pha That Luang, a golden Buddhist stupa believed to date from the 3rd century BCE in its earliest form, though the current structure is a 16th-century construction. The stupa is the symbol of Laos and appears on the national flag and currency. Wat Sisaket, the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, houses thousands of miniature Buddha images in niched walls and is considered the most important temple in the city.
The Mekong riverfront is the social heartbeat of the city, particularly at dusk when locals and visitors gather along the promenade to watch the sunset over Thailand across the water. A string of open-air restaurants, night market stalls, and bars line the riverfront, and the atmosphere is convivial and low-key.
Vientiane is well connected by air to regional hubs including Bangkok, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as by road and a new railway line to Kunming in China. The city serves as the most practical entry and exit point for travellers exploring Laos, and its modest size means all main attractions are easily accessible on foot or by tuk-tuk.
Accommodation
Where to Stay in Vientiane
Experiences
Things to Do in Vientiane
Pha That Luang Golden Stupa
The most sacred national monument in Laos, Pha That Luang is a large golden Buddhist stupa believed to enshrine a sacred relic of the Buddha. The current structure dates from 1566, rebuilt from earlier versions, and is surrounded by a cloister of smaller stupas. The stupa appears on Laotian currency, the national flag, and state seal.
Wat Sisaket Temple
Built in 1818, Wat Sisaket is the oldest temple in Vientiane that survived the 1828 Siamese destruction of the city. The temple's extraordinary cloister walls contain over 6,000 miniature Buddha figures arranged in niches, and the main sim (ordination hall) houses an impressive collection of larger Buddha statues in various materials and styles.
Patuxai Victory Monument
Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe-inspired monument was completed in 1969 to commemorate those who died in the struggle for independence from France. Visitors can climb to the upper observation platform for panoramic views over the Lan Xang Avenue boulevard and the surrounding city. Intricate Laotian mythology is depicted in the decorative friezes.
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
Located 25 kilometres southeast of the city centre on the banks of the Mekong, Xieng Khuan is an unusual sculpture park created in 1958 by the mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat. The park contains over 200 Hindu and Buddhist concrete sculptures, including a reclining Buddha over 40 metres long and a towering pumpkin-shaped structure with viewing levels inside.
Mekong Riverside Sunset Walk
Each evening, the Mekong riverfront promenade along Fa Ngum Road comes alive as locals and visitors gather to watch the sun set over the Thai bank of the river. Food stalls, night market vendors, and open-air restaurants set up along the waterfront, and the atmosphere is one of the most relaxed and authentic in any Southeast Asian capital.
COPE Visitor Centre
The COPE Visitor Centre tells the compelling and sobering story of the aftermath of the Second Indochina War, during which Laos became the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. Exhibits document the UXO (unexploded ordnance) crisis, the work of clearance teams, and the prosthetic limb service supported by COPE. A visit provides essential context for understanding modern Laos.
Wat Phra Kaew National Museum
Formerly the royal temple that housed the famous Emerald Buddha (now in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew), this temple has been converted into a museum of religious art housing an important collection of Laotian Buddha statues and artefacts. The ornate carved wooden interior and peaceful courtyard garden make it one of Vientiane's most rewarding temple visits.
Lao National Museum
Housed in a former French colonial residence, the Lao National Museum provides chronological coverage of Laotian history from prehistoric times through the colonial era and the resistance movement. Exhibits include historical artefacts, photographs, and military relics. While the curation is sometimes dated, the content provides valuable historical context.
Practical Info
Vientiane Travel Tips
Airport
VTE
Timezone
UTC+7
Currency
Laotian Kip (LAK); Thai Baht and USD widely accepted
Population
800,000
Information
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