Overview
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1. Patuxai
One of the most famous places to visit in Vientiane is definitely Patuxai, a triumphal arch in the center of the city. Patuxai literally means ‘victory monument’, it is dedicated to all people who fought for the independence of Lao from France. It is inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and was built with cement donated by the Americans to build a new airport.
Even the big four-lane road in front of the monument will remind you of the Champs Elysees in Paris. You can climb the stairs to the top of the monument, where you’ll find some souvenir shops and you can walk around to have a great view of the whole city.
Around the monument, there’s Patuxai Park with a fountain and some benches to sit and relax.
Practical
Top of the monument: 30.000 kip
Parking: 3000 kip
Daily: 08:30 am - 05:00 pm
2. Wat Si Saket
Worth a visit in Vientiane is the Wat Si Saket. Built in 1818, it is the oldest and most important temple in the city. The outside is already beautiful, and on the inside, you’ll find up to 7000 Buddha statues in different shapes and sizes.
Be sure to walk around the temple too, as the surrounding houses are beautifully decorated with many details.
Practical
30.000 kip
Daily: 08:00 am - 05:00 pm
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3. Pha That Luang
Three kilometers outside the center of Vientiane, you’ll find another temple complex: Pha That Luang. This big golden Buddhist stupa is the holiest monument and an important national symbol of Laos.
You can even find it on the national banknotes. It is believed that the stupa contains the breastbone of the Buddha. The construction of this monument was completed in 1566 and it is now considered a world cultural heritage.
Practical
30.000 kip
Daily: 08:00 am - 05:00 pm
4. COPE - Visitor Centre
Unfortunately, Lao has suffered badly in the past during the devastating Vietnam War. It is the most heavily bombed country on earth. Up until today, people are still dying and getting injured by unexploded bombs.
COPE is an organization that helps the victims of these cluster bombs. COPE stands for Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise and provides these victims with artificial limbs, walking aids, and wheelchairs. The COPE Visitor Centre offers informative exhibits and documentaries about the history of Lao, the bombings, the victims, and their prosthetics.
The admission is free but you can always make a small donation. You even support the charity by buying a souvenir or drinking something at the bar. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. It is not a relaxing visit, but you will learn a lot about the tough history of this country.
You can read more about COPE and what they do on their website.
Practical
Entrance fee: donation
Parking: 5000 kip
Daily: 08:30 am - 04:00 pm
5. Haw Phra Kaew
Haw Phra Kaew, also written as Ho Prakeo or Hor Pha Keo, is a museum for the religious arts of Laos. Originally, it was built as a temple in 1565 to house the Emerald Buddha.
The building itself is beautiful and inside you can find a large, interesting art collection of stone, bronze, and golden sculptures. When you enter the museum, you will receive a flower and candles to offer.
You can also see some works of art in the small garden in front of the museum.
Practical
Entrance fee: 30.000 kip
Daily: 08:00 am - 12:00 pm, 01:00 pm - 04:00 pm
6. Stroll the river shore
Vientiane is located next to the Mekong River, so you can enjoy a long walk next to the river shore. Local people come together here to enjoy some workout, dance, listen to music, and watch the sunset over the river.
In the evening, you can stroll over the cozy night market and buy some souvenirs or enjoy some good local food with a great view over the river.
7. Wat Si Muang
Wat Si Muang is considered the home of the guardian spirit of Vientiane. According to a legend, this temple was named after the death of Si Muang, who sacrificed herself on the foundations of this temple to ease angry gods.
It was built in 1563 and, although it is not a very large temple, it is lovely, colorful, and well-maintained. It’s an interesting place to walk around.
You will see many locals here participating in their religious rituals with the monks. It’s a pleasant way to get an insight into the local culture.
8. Morning Market & Night Markets
If you’re more of a morning person, you can check out the Talat Sao Market. It is the most famous morning market of Vientiane, where you can buy fresh fruits, handicrafts, souvenirs and so much more.
In the evening, you find many night markets in the center of Vientiane. The largest, and therefore most crowded, is the Vientiane night market along the riverside. On one part of this market, you’ll find a variety of items such as clothes, textiles, accessories, and handicrafts, while the other part is for food.
However, if you walk around the city, you will come across other nice and quieter ones. Here’s another lovely night market we found, with some delicious street food.
Most of these markets will start around 5-6 pm until 10 pm.
9. Buddha Park - Xieng Khuan
A little further away from the center of Vientiane, you can find Xieng Khuan, better known as Buddha Park. This is a park where you can find more than 200 different Buddhas and Hindu statues.
There’s one sculpture with a stair inside, so you can climb to the top to have a view of the whole park. Inside this sculpture, you’ll find even more interesting and bizarre figures (like, really bizarre figures!) representing heaven, earth, and hell.
Another fascinating statue is an enormous reclining Buddha of 40 meters long, it’s kinda hard to miss.
Practical
Entrance fee: 40.000 kip
Daily: 08:00 am - 05:30 pm
10. Wat Hopping
Since Vientiane is the capital of Laos, you will find quite a few temples in the center. You can stroll or bike through the city and look for the most sparkling and lavishly decorated temples.
One to definitely visit is the Wat That Kao with the sleeping Buddha.
11. Visit the cat cafe
A place to be for cat lovers is Le Cattitude cat cafe in Vientiane. They have lots of large and super beautiful cats walking around. You can enjoy a refreshing drink or a good coffee.
Not only the cats but also the staff are very friendly. You can enjoy a nice drink, and have something small to eat while cuddling their beautiful cats. Because we missed Pablo a lot during our trip to Southeast Asia, this was undoubtedly one of our favorite things to do in Vientiane.
Practical Information
Best Time to visit Vientiane
The best time to visit Vientiane is between November and March, during dry season, when the temperature is pleasantly warm and sunny. Know that this is also high tourist season and expect the biggest crowds.
Temperatures and humidity start to rise in April and from late May, rainy season begins. You can expect higher temperatures and frequent rain showers.
How to get there
By air – Vientiane has an international airport, with flights arriving from other major cities in Asia. From the airport, it is a 15 minute drive to the city center.
By bus – Buses run to Vientiane from other places in Laos and the neighboring countries of Thailand and Vietnam. If you come from Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng, we recommend taking the train. This is much faster and more pleasant.
By train – The north of Laos has recently been provided with a comfortable train network as far as Vientiane. So if you come from another place in the north, such as Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang, you can also reach Vientiane by train. We found it a pleasant, fast and affordable way to travel in Laos. From the train station, you can take a bus to the center for 25.000 kip.
How to get around Vientiane
You can easily explore Vientiane on foot and cycling is also a fun way to cover slightly further distances.
To reach places a little further from the center, like the Buddha Park, you can rent a scooter. Prices for a scooter rental are usually between 100,000 and 150,000 kip per day. If you prefer not to drive a motorbike yourself, you can always book a tour or take a tuk-tuk/taxi.
How many days in Vientiane
It is possible to see all these best things to do in Vientiane in 2 days. However, the city has a very pleasant atmosphere and in order to enjoy the city at a more relaxed pace, you should stay at least 3 days.
Where to Stay
From hotels to guesthouses, you’ll find plenty of accommodations in the center of Vientiane for every budget.
Hotels
Book your room in Vientiane and discover the city
Vientiane
Vientiane
Vientiane
via Booking.com
Restaurant tips
We ate the tastiest pizza in all of Laos! Pizza Da Roby has brought real Italian cuisine to Laos. It was founded by 2 brothers and they now also have a second restaurant: the Italian Job. Reservations are recommended!
If you like a tasty pastry then Dough & Co at Celestia is the place for you. You imagine yourself in France with a delicious pudding cake.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
