Vientiane Travel Guide

Lying close to the border with Thailand in northern Laos, Vientiane is a lazy Southeast Asian capital beside the Mekong River that has developed enormously since the turn of the millennium. On a much smaller scale than nearby Bangkok, Hanoi and Phnom Penh, little Vientiane is a capital that can be seen on foot and makes a great place to take things easy when the rest of Asia seems a little too hectic.

With its long colonial past and much shorter communist present, Vientiane is a city that boasts a number of interesting monuments and temples to explore. The first place most tourists head to is Pha That Luang, a gleaming gold temple dating back to 1566 which is the national symbol of Laos. The other main monument in the city is Patuxai, Southeast Asia’s version of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Visitors can go to the very top for great views of the city’s normally quiet main thoroughfare.

For many, a visit to Vientiane means a chance to sample some of the great local food, the highlight of which is the numerous reasonably priced French restaurants. Close to the river, especially near the famous fountain area, there are about half a dozen French eateries with superb steaks, authentic French baguettes and varied wine lists. Vientiane also has a handful of good Indian and Italian restaurants in addition to those that sell local and Thai food.

Vientiane Attractions

Pha That Luang: Vientiane’s must-see attraction, with its impressive gold leaf decorated pavilions.

Patuxai: Laotian proof that Vientiane can keep up with Paris, this Arc de Triomphe look-a-like is a good place for views of the city.

The Fountain: looks sleepy but this is where you will find the best French restaurants, Italian eateries and even a German bakery. A handful of good bars are also close by.

Morning Market: a large collection of retailers at what most rank as the busiest place in the city.

Buddha Park: out of town near the Thai border, this garden features large Buddhist statues in concrete.

Lao National Museum: get busy and brush up on your limited Laotian history knowledge at this informative exhibition.