Laos
About
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.
When to Go
Vientiane sits on a bend of the Mekong opposite Thailand, hot year-round with a cool dry, hot dry and wet season. The cool dry months from November to February are the most comfortable for temple-hopping and riverside strolls — peak season. March to May is scorching; the wet season (May to October) turns the city green and brings dramatic storms, with lower prices and fewer crowds.
Attractions
Vientiane is the sleepiest capital in Southeast Asia — a low-rise blend of gilded temples, French-colonial boulevards and Mekong sunsets, all explorable by bicycle in a day or two. It's the natural start or end of a Laos trip and a relaxed alternative to Bangkok.
The gold-covered stupa that is the national symbol of Laos, believed to contain a relic of the Buddha. A 45-metre pyramid gleaming in the sun — the country's most important religious monument. Go early or late for the best light.
Entry ~10,000 kip (~$0.60); open 8 AM–noon & 1–4 PM.
Vientiane's answer to the Arc de Triomphe — a concrete victory monument you can climb for panoramic city views. Quirkily decorated with Hindu and Buddhist mythology; the surrounding park is lovely at sunset.
Two of the city's oldest and most beautiful temples. Wat Si Saket’s cloister walls hold thousands of tiny Buddha images; Haw Phra Kaew was once the royal temple and now houses a superb museum of religious art.
A surreal riverside park of 200 religious concrete sculptures — a giant reclining Buddha, a three-storey pumpkin you can climb and dozens of Hindu-Buddhist figures. Built in the 1950s by a mystic priest. A half-day trip 25 km downstream.
Entry ~15,000 kip (~$0.90); bus or tuk-tuk from town.
The city's social heart is the riverside promenade — join the locals for an evening stroll, a beer at a sunset bar and the nightly market, with Thailand glowing across the water.
A moving, well-curated museum on Laos's unexploded-ordnance (UXO) legacy and the prosthetics that help survivors. Essential context for the country's recent history — free, donations welcome.
Transport
Vientiane is linked by air, the new high-speed railway, and road. It's the gateway to the rest of Laos and an easy overland crossing from northeast Thailand via the Friendship Bridges.
From Vientiane, ride the new railway north to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, or head south toward Pakse and the 4,000 Islands.
Accommodation
Vientiane's hotels cluster near the river and the old town — outstanding value for a capital city.
Walk to the temples, night market and sunset bars. A mix of French-colonial boutique hotels, guesthouses and hostels.
Leafy boulevards, embassies and mid-range hotels — a 10-minute walk to the river, quieter at night.
Social hostels from ~$6–12/night near the river, often with bicycle rental and tour booking.
Food & Drink
Lao food is fresh, herbaceous and built around sticky rice, grilled meats and punchy salads — milder than Thai but equally fragrant, with strong Vietnamese and French influences in the capital.
Laap (or larb) — minced meat or fish tossed with lime, chilli, mint and toasted rice; the national dish. Tam mak hoong — the Lao green-papaya salad, sharper and fishier than the Thai version. Khao soi (Lao style) — a rich pork-and-tomato noodle soup, not to be confused with the northern Thai curry noodles. Sticky rice (khao niao) is eaten by hand with everything.
Plan Your Trip
Many Western passport holders get a visa-on-arrival (US$30–42) or e-visa for Laos. The currency is the Lao kip (LAK), but US dollars and Thai baht are widely accepted — carry a mix, as ATMs dispense kip. English is spoken at tourist businesses. Dress modestly at temples (covered shoulders and knees). Vientiane is safe, walkable and relaxed.
Ready to plan a route? Pair this with the Laos budget travel guide, then ride the railway north to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang.
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Where to Stay
The Crowne Plaza Vientiane is the capital's most prominent international business hotel, occupying a commanding position on Samsenthai Road in the city centre. The hotel's 220 well-appointed rooms, outdoor pool, conference facilities, and multiple dining outlets make it the default choice for corporate travellers and those wanting a familiar international standard.
One of Vientiane's leading full-service hotels, the Lao Plaza Hotel on Samsenethai Road combines spacious rooms with a large outdoor pool, fitness centre, and the popular Vieng Kham restaurant serving both Laotian and international dishes. The hotel's central location within walking distance of most major temples makes it a practical choice.
Rising on a small island in the Mekong River connected to the mainland by a short causeway, Don Chan Palace is one of Vientiane's largest hotels with convention facilities catering to government and business events. The hotel offers river views from many rooms and has a large outdoor pool and multiple dining venues.
A beautifully restored French colonial mansion on Pang Kham Street in central Vientiane, Settha Palace is widely considered the most characterful hotel in the city. The 29-room boutique property features high ceilings, ornate period furnishings, a garden pool courtyard, and the acclaimed Le Coquelicot restaurant serving French-Laotian cuisine.
Set in manicured gardens away from the main city bustle on Khouvieng Road, Green Park Boutique Hotel is a lush resort-style property with bungalows and garden rooms arranged around a generous pool. The relaxed colonial-plantation atmosphere and consistently high service ratings make it popular with leisure travellers seeking calm.
A French-colonial-influenced boutique property on Francois Nginn Street in the Mixai village neighbourhood, Le Charme Vientiane blends European aesthetics with Laotian hospitality. The hotel's 37 rooms are charmingly furnished, and the central location makes it an excellent choice for exploring the Mekong riverfront on foot.
A small riverside property in the Watchan village area along the Mekong waterfront, Villa de Mekong offers a handful of spacious and well-appointed rooms with direct river views. The intimate scale and attentive personal service place it among the more memorable accommodation options along Vientiane's scenic riverfront.
A modern serviced-apartment hotel on Souphannouvong Avenue in the diplomatic quarter, Somerset Vientiane provides spacious studios and apartments with fully equipped kitchens, making it well-suited to extended stays and family visits. The rooftop pool and regular social events create a community atmosphere.
A welcoming mid-range property set in garden surroundings on Sihom Road, Vientiane Garden Villa Hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms in a quiet location a short tuk-tuk ride from the Mekong riverfront and city temples. The outdoor pool and garden seating area provide a pleasant retreat from the city heat.
A compact mid-range hotel on Pangkham Road in the heart of the old city quarter, Sabaidee provides clean, simply decorated rooms at competitive rates. The friendly Lao-speaking staff, central location near the Nam Phou fountain, and reliable wi-fi make it a dependable base for budget-conscious independent travellers.
Situated on Samsenthai Road in the commercial centre, the Mercure Vientiane is a reliable international chain hotel with 108 rooms, an outdoor pool, and a restaurant serving both local and European food. Rates are generally competitive for the level of facilities offered, and the location is convenient for business and sightseeing.
A small family-run guesthouse in the Ban Sisavad Neua neighbourhood, Villa Sisavad provides clean, modestly priced rooms in a quiet residential area a short walk from the Mekong riverfront. It represents the kind of inexpensive local accommodation where meaningful interaction with Laotian hospitality is possible.
An affordable and central inn on Pangkham Road near the Nam Phou fountain, City Inn Vientiane offers value-for-money rooms in a genuinely convenient location. The inn is popular with solo travellers and budget backpackers who want a clean, simple base without paying mid-range hotel prices.
One of Vientiane's most highly rated budget properties, Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel on Saylom Road is a social hostel with a vibrant on-site cafe popular with both residents and local customers. Dormitory and private room options cater to a range of budgets, and the friendly atmosphere makes it popular with solo travellers.
A reliable backpacker hostel on Manthatourath Road in a convenient central location, Lucky Backpackers provides dormitory beds and budget private rooms at some of the lowest prices in the city. The social common areas and helpful staff provide useful advice on onward travel to Luang Prabang and other Laos destinations.
Experiences
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Talat Sao (Morning Market) is Vientiane's main covered market, occupying two buildings near the bus station. Despite the name, it operates all day and sells a wide range of goods including Laotian silk textiles, handicrafts, silver jewellery, electronics, and fresh food. It is the best single stop for buying local souvenirs and traditional fabrics.
The riverside night market along the Mekong waterfront sets up each evening from around 5pm, with vendors selling clothing, handicrafts, fresh fruit, and cooked food. The market is popular with local families and tourists alike, and the combination of riverside setting, affordable street food, and evening cool makes it one of the best experiences in the capital.
The Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles studio and showroom near Wat Nong is one of Southeast Asia's finest silk weaving workshops, where artisans hand-weave exceptional tapestries and scarves in traditional Laotian patterns. Visitors can watch the weaving process, purchase finished pieces, and learn about the rich tradition of Laotian silk and cotton textile design.
Learn to prepare classic Laotian dishes in a small-group cooking class, typically including laap (minced meat salad), green papaya salad, mok pa (fish in banana leaf), and Lao sticky rice. Classes often begin with a visit to a local market to select fresh ingredients before moving to a teaching kitchen.
Information
Laos
UNESCO town with morning alms, temples, and Mekong sunsets.
Karst mountains, blue lagoons, and adventure activities.
Gateway to the Bolaven Plateau and 4,000 Islands.
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