Vientiane

Capital of Laos

Vientiane shares little in the way of common ground with its neighbouring capitals such as Hanoi or Bangkok. Gleaming skyscrapers, droves of rickshaws and legions of street vendors are few and far between in 'Southeast Asia’s biggest village'.

With a population of just over half a million, Vientiane is the centre of Laos culture, commerce and administration and is considered as being mad busy in comparison with the other Laotian urban conglomerations. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane, like many Southeast Asian cities, is a place of contrast.

Rice and vegetable fields are well hidden behind tree-lined pathways, where French-style buildings stand next to Buddhist monasteries and monuments, each telling a story of the country's rich, cultural and somewhat troubled past. Less than 5% of the soil is farmable yet 80% of the population works in agriculture and this pretty much sums up the employment-and-class balance within the country. Rebuilt by the French after the Siamese army left it in virtual ruins in 1828, the city does not feature French-style architecture as prominently as say Saigon or Phnom Penh. But the local penchant for producing stomach-filling baguettes and fragrant coffee clearly shows that the influence of the French still lingers on.

The central boulevard is reminiscent of the Champ Elysees, another telling sign of the city's French heritage. Vientiane is relatively small so moving around can de done with ease. Accessing sights such as Wat Sisaket, That Luang and Buddha Park, can be done by hiring a song-teow, a pushbike or even going on foot. As for dining out; fringing the Mekong River there are an abundance of inexpensive food choices with everything from Indian, Thai, French, and Mediterranean readily available.

Here, plentiful accommodation along with a leisurely nightlife adds up to a pleasant location to visit and enjoy. When in Laos, do as the Laos do and the slow the pace right down. A common joke is that acronym PDF (Peoples Democratic Republic) actually stands for ‘Please Slow Down’. A word of warning to the anally punctual, the country is decidedly laid back and some visitors may mistake this for a lack of ambition or impolitesse but regardless, it's best not to expect things to run like clockwork.

Where to Stay in Vientiane - Vientiane Hotels

Vientiane hotels and resorts at the best rates, from Five Stars resorts such as Don Chan Palace or Settha Palace Hotel , to budget accommodation likeThe Elephant Crossing Hotel or Lane Xang Hotel, you are sure to find the accommodation you are looking for.

Vientiane Tours & Excursions

Vientiane offers many possibilities when it comes to tours and excursions: From a half-day City & Temples excursion to a full day at the Ban Viemthene Protected Forest, to a three-day Vientiane stopover, the choices are numerous...

Vientiane Attractions: What to See in Vientiane

For many, Laos is the highlight of Southeast Asia as it has been well preserved from the mass tourist trail that has inflicted her neighbours –Thailand and Vietnam. This relatively undeveloped nation is located between rugged mountains and the fertile low lands of the Mekong, and is touched by both European and Asian cultures.

Vientiane Activities: What to Do in Vientiane

One of the Laos people's favourite pastimes – as will become apparent when you are there – is sitting and watching the time pass by. The French coined the phrase: ‘The Vietnamese plant the rice, the Cambodians watch it grow and the Laos listen to it grow’. Understandably, this is not in everyone’s nature, but a few hours of guzzling beer Lao and watching the sunset upon the tranquil shores of the Mekong, is kind of mandatory for any Vientiane visitor.

Dining Out in Vientiane

Down by the river is pretty much as lively as it gets in Vientiane. Various chilled out river side joints serve traditional Thai and Southeast Asian dishes to be enjoyed while overlooking the Mekong. Some restaurants reside on stilts others are sidewalk based, each offering a different experience of the surrounding area. There is a distinct European charm to dining out in Vientiane, where you can watch the locals and tourists go about their business; an experience sometimes lost in the more hectic and polluted cities of Hanoi and Bangkok.

Nightlife in Vientiane

“The brothels are cleaner than the hotels, marijuana is cheaper than pipe tobacco, and opium easier to find than a cold glass of beer."
Paul Theroux, writing in 'The Great Railway Bazaar', of Vientiane in the 1970's, got it spot on. But nowadays the opium dens and brothels that were once omnipresent in the city have been replaced by guesthouses and a handful of friendly and understated nighttime venues, the majority of which turn their lights off by 12 pm.

Shopping in Vientiane

Laos is an excellent destination for those interested in picking up elaborate handicrafts and Vientiane is the best place to do so. Hill tribe silk, arts, crafts, home-furnishings, jewelry and couture-quality textiles are all readily available within the city. There are quite a few markets taking place around Vientiane where fresh produce, as well as crafts and ornaments, can be picked up. The city’s main shopping streets are Samsenthai and Setthathirat, around the Nam Phu Fountain area and the Morning Market, where you can find the best deals on local silk.

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