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Vientiane

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State capital
—°10
Vientiane (Laos)
ℹ️

Practical info — Vientiane

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Arrive at the Mekong riverfront by 5 PM to secure a good spot and grab a drink for the famous sunset view.
  • Download the Loca app (the local equivalent to Uber) for reliable rides instead of constantly haggling with tuk-tuk drivers.
  • Rent a bicycle to explore the flat city center comfortably at your own pace; the traffic is much slower than in other Asian capitals.
  • Always cover your shoulders and knees when visiting important Buddhist temples like Pha That Luang or Wat Si Saket.

🍽 Food

🍽
Larb

The traditional, spicy Lao minced meat or fish salad. Look for small, family-run restaurants on the streets heading toward the river.

🍽
Khao Piak Sen

A hearty tapioca noodle soup. It is a classic local breakfast best enjoyed at morning street food stalls.

🍽
Khao Jee (Baguette)

The legacy of French colonialism. You will find delicious, heavily stuffed baguettes at sandwich carts all over the center.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Vientiane Night Market

A sprawling market set up along the Mekong River. Great for picking up cheap clothes, souvenirs, and enjoying an evening stroll.

🛍
Talat Sao (Morning Market)

The prime destination for traditional Lao silk, handmade textiles, and jewelry. Visit in the late morning for the best stalls.

🧘
Wat Si Saket

The oldest surviving temple in Vientiane. Its cloisters, lined with thousands of tiny Buddha statues, are incredibly peaceful.

🧘
COPE Visitor Centre

While the subject matter (unexploded ordnance) is heavy, the quiet gardens and thoughtful exhibitions offer a space for reflection.

🧘
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)

Located a short ride outside the city; wander quietly among hundreds of bizarre, moss-covered religious sculptures.

Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos, serving as the country's primary gateway and cultural hub on the banks of the Mekong River. Known for its laid-back pace compared to neighboring Bangkok or Hanoi, the city gives a blend of French colonial villas, Buddhist monasteries, and modern infrastructure. Its origins date back to the 9th century, but it rose to prominence in 1563 when King Setthathirath moved the capital of Lan Xang here. The city's spiritual heart is Pha That Luang, a gold-covered stupa that symbolizes Lao sovereignty and Buddhism. Another iconic landmark is Wat Si Muang, where the city pillar is located and where locals come to seek blessings. Vientiane is the economic engine of Laos, hosting the headquarters of major banks, telecommunications companies, and the stock exchange. The city has recently seen a surge in development with the opening of the Laos-China Railway, connecting Vientiane to the regional logistics network. Geographically, its position across from Thailand makes it a strategic point for trade, facilitated by the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. The urban fabric is a mix of wide avenues, narrow alleys filled with street food vendors, and serene riverside parks. Cultural institutions like the Lao National Museum and the COPE Visitor Centre provide insights into the nation's history and its struggles with unexploded ordnance. Despite globalization, Vientiane retains its soul through its community-oriented festivals, like the Boun That Luang, and its reputation as one of the most peaceful capitals in Asia.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C212528312928272727252321
Rain mm813356216817020324620485166

Geography

Population
840,940 (2026)
Coordinates
17.96670, 102.60000

Facts

  • Vientiane was originally a Khmer settlement before being taken over by the Lao people.
  • The city's highest temperature on record is 41.1 degrees Celsius.
  • Wat Si Muang is built on the ruins of a Hindu Khmer shrine.
  • The city's night market on the Mekong riverbank is famous for its red-roofed stalls.
  • Vientiane is divided into several districts, including Chanthabuly and Sikhottabong.
  • The Lao-Japan Sunrise Hospital is one of the most modern medical facilities in the city.
  • The city's official area covers approximately 3,920 square kilometers for the prefecture.
  • Vientiane hosts several international organizations, including the Mekong River Commission headquarters.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Mekong Riverside ParkMekong Riverside Park<1 km · NExplore →
PatuxaiPatuxai2 km · NExplore →
Pha That LuangPha That Luang4 km · NExplore →
Nam Ngum RiverNam Ngum River6 km · SWExplore →
Vientiane Logistics ParkVientiane Logistics Park8 km · NExplore →
Vientiane Industrial and Trade AreaVientiane Industrial and Trade Area13 km · NExplore →
Nam Ngum ReservoirNam Ngum Reservoir15 km · SWExplore →
Nong KhaiNong Khai16 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Vientiane (10)

Soviet Pilots' Monument🏺 historical

The Soviet Pilots' Monument is a dedicated stone memorial honoring the contributions and sacrifices of Russian aviators in Laos.

Khao niew Lao theater🎭 culture

Khao Niew Lao Theater is a cultural performance space renowned for staging traditional Lao puppet shows and theatrical dances.

ວັດ ສີບຸນເຮືອງ📍 landmark

Wat Sibounheuang (ວັດ ສີບຸນເຮືອງ) is a revered Buddhist temple in Vientiane known for its ornate golden sim (ordination hall).

ວັດ ຍາພະ📍 landmark

Wat Yapha (ວັດ ຍາພະ) provides a serene Buddhist sanctuary adorned with traditional serpent (Naga) statues guarding its entrance.

ວັດໄຕນ້ອຍ ຣັຕນະມຸງຄຸລ⛪ religious

Wat Tai Noy Rattanamingkhun is a distinctive place of worship featuring classical Lao temple aesthetics in the heart of Vientiane.

ຫໍພະໄທພິໂດກ ວັດ ອິນແປງ⛪ religious

The Hor Pha Trai Pidok at Wat Inpeng serves as a sacred library housing ancient Buddhist manuscripts in Vientiane.

ວັດ ຂົວຫຼວງ📍 landmark

This active Buddhist temple in Vientiane features traditional Lao religious architecture and serves the local spiritual community.

ວັດຮ່ອງຄ້າ⛪ religious

A traditional Lao place of worship in Vientiane, gathering the local neighborhood for religious ceremonies.

Sikhai Public Market🎭 culture

A bustling public marketplace in Vientiane where vendors sell a wide variety of fresh local produce, meats, and everyday goods.

Wholesale wet market🎭 culture

A busy wholesale wet market in Vientiane supplying large quantities of fresh meats, fish, and seasonal vegetables to local businesses.

Frequently asked questions

What is the landmark of Vientiane?
Pha That Luang, a golden stupa, is the most important national monument and symbol of Laos.
Which dish should one try?
Larb, a spicy meat salad, and sticky rice are staples of Lao cuisine.
How do you get around in the city?
Tuk-tuks are common. Many tourists rent bicycles to explore the flat city center.
Where can one see the sunset?
The Mekong riverfront promenade is the most popular spot for sunsets and the night market.
Is Vientiane safe for travelers?
Yes, it is considered one of Asia's safest capitals, though one should watch out for pickpockets.
Vientiane: where is it located?
Vientiane is located in Laos.
Vientiane: what is there to see?
Highlights include Soviet Pilots' Monument, Khao niew Lao theater, ວັດ ສີບຸນເຮືອງ.
Vientiane: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.
Vientiane: why is it worth visiting?
Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos, serving as the country's primary gateway and cultural hub on the banks of the Mekong River.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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History & landmarks

Chao Anouvong Statue — Vientiane (Laos)
Chao Anouvong Statue
A prominent bronze monument along the Mekong in Vientiane, dedicated to the last king of the Kingdom of Vientiane.
Lao National Museum — Vientiane (Laos)
Lao National Museum
A museum in Vientiane showcasing the history, culture, and revolutionary struggle of the Laotian people.
Wat Si Saket — Vientiane (Laos)
Wat Si Saket
The oldest surviving Buddhist temple in Vientiane, known for its thousands of small Buddha statues in the walls.
Haw Phra Kaew — Vientiane (Laos)
Haw Phra Kaew
A former temple in Vientiane that today serves as a museum for religious art and ancient Laotian artifacts.
COPE Visitor Centre — Vientiane (Laos)
COPE Visitor Centre
An informative museum in Vientiane documenting the impact of secret bombings on Laos and prosthetic efforts.
Pha That Luang — Vientiane (Laos)
Pha That Luang
The most important national monument in Laos, a large gold-covered Buddhist stupa in the center of Vientiane.
Buddha Park — Vientiane (Laos)
Buddha Park
An unusual sculpture park along the Mekong River that houses over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues.

More places

Mekong River Valley at Vientiane — Vientiane (Laos)
Mekong River Valley at Vientiane
The wide alluvial plain surrounding the capital city, Vientiane, formed by the Mekong River.
Mekong Riverside Park — Vientiane (Laos)
Mekong Riverside Park
A popular park along the river in Vientiane where locals gather in the evenings for sports, play, and relaxation.
Vientiane Orchid Farm — Vientiane (Laos)
Vientiane Orchid Farm
A specialized nursery in the capital dedicated to breeding and preserving hundreds of Laotian orchid species.
That Dam — Vientiane (Laos)
That Dam
A massive weathered stupa in the center of Vientiane, believed by many Laotians to be inhabited by a seven-headed Naga.
Wat Si Saket — Vientiane (Laos)
Wat Si Saket
The oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, known for its thousands of tiny Buddha statues in the gallery walls.
Haw Phra Kaew — Vientiane (Laos)
Haw Phra Kaew
A former royal temple in Vientiane that now functions as a museum of religious art and once housed the Emerald Buddha.
🗺️
Suan Mon Organic Farm
An interactive organic farm that introduces families and children to traditional Laotian agriculture and sustainable practices.
Patuxai — Vientiane (Laos)
Patuxai
An imposing triumphal arch in Vientiane, dedicated to those who fought for independence from France.