Things to do in Vientiane
Vientiane hasn't got the obvious charm of Luang Prabang and sometimes suffers by comparison. Against that, Laos' capital has more in the way of traditional tourist attractions and has put much effort into encouraging sustainable tourism. Visitors won't struggle to find interesting things to see and do, and many fall in love with the city's relaxed atmosphere and sleepy riverside scenes.
Vientiane's many Buddhist temples are its main drawcard and are interspersed with modern and colonial architecture, as they are throughout the country. The old and grandiose Ho Phra Kaew and the famous That Luang (the golden Royal Stupa) are among the city's best. Wat Si Saket is another favourite, and is known for its thousands of Buddha images. Travellers should note that although the temples in Laos are incredible, they tend to be fairly similar. They should only stop at the best ones to avoid temple fatigue.
A visit to Vientiane should also include shopping in the Morning Market (Talat Sao), a stroll through Victory Gate, a cooking course on the banks of the Mekong River, a craft class at the Houey Hong Vocational Training Centre for Women and an educational trip to the COPE Visitor's Centre. Regarding excursions, the weird but wonderful Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) is a good option. So too is the small, laidback town of Vang Vieng, which is surrounded by green agricultural fields, friendly Hmong and Yao villages, and mountains that hold fascinating limestone caves.
That Luang Stupa
That Luang Stupa is a symbol of Buddhism and Lao rule, and is the country's most important religious building. The golden temple and its spire are visible from afar, proving an unf…
Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park)
The site known as Buddha Park is an otherworldly collection of Buddhist and Hindu statues scattered around a riverside meadow. Priest, myth-maker and sculptor, Luang Pu designed an…
Si Phan Don
The famous 4,000 Islands region of Laos unfolds at the Mekong River's tail end. Situated in the far south and lapping over into Cambodia, the area is renowned for its tranquil vill…
Victory Gate (Patuxai)
Modelled to mirror the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Laos' Victory Gate is definitely a sight to behold. Indeed, Laotians decided to one-up their former colonial masters by building th…
COPE Visitor Centre
The COPE Visitor Centre can be a sobering reality-check for many tourists. Statistically, Laos is the world's most bombed country: the US military considered it unsafe for planes t…
Houey Hong Vocational Training Center for Women
The Houey Hong Vocational Training Center for Woman has been among the most popular tourist attractions in Laos. The centre provides training and education to Lao women from disadv…
Ho Phra Kaew
Ho Phra Kaew is one of Vientiane's oldest and most grandiose temples, with its interesting history shedding light on Laos' past relations with Thailand. More specifically, King Set…
Talat Sao (Morning Market)
Vientiane's Talat Sao (Morning Market) has two decidedly different sections. Depending on their budget and the type of experience they're looking for, visitors can choose between t…
