The capital of Laos carries a different vibe from its smaller cities like Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. Instead of surrounded by nature, we found ourselves in the middle of unique cafes and buildings. Instead of handspun scarfs and traditional outfits, we saw fashion labels and familiar international brands. This is the evolving lifestyle of Laos’ capital city, Vientiane.
Overview
- Admire the photogenic golden stupa
- Visit the less touristy golden reclining Buddha
- Enjoy a relaxing Laos massage
- Ban Anou night market
- A-house Project
- Under the tree
- Spend your golden hour at the Patuxay Monument
- Dinner at a boutique French restaurant
- COPE Visitor Centre
- A highlight of Vientiane: Buddha Park
- Cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
- Where to stay in Vientiane?
- Getting Around Vientiane
What to do in Vientiane?
Day 1: Finding gold in Vientiane – Golden Stupa and Golden Reclining Buddha
Grab a hearty local breakfast
Laotian loves a good bowl of hot congee or hand-pulled dough in hot soup, with spoonfuls of chilli and lime of course. In the morning, you can easily find a roadside stall selling these breakfast dishes – I came across a few along Chao Anou Road, towards the river. A good breakfast starts the day right.
Price: 10,000 kip
Admire the photogenic golden stupa
The impressive 44m high gold stupa is one of the most important national symbols of Laos. It has undergone several reconstructions due to past foreign invasion of the country. The 3-storey high stupa, each reflects a part of the Buddha doctrine.
Currently, visitors are not allowed to enter the stupa. Hence, we could only walk along the corridors of the complex that have Lao and Khmer sculptures displayed.
Entrance fees: 10,000 kip
Pha That Luang
Google Maps
Visit the less touristy golden reclining Buddha
The reclining buddha in That Luang Tai Temple is often overshadowed by its neighbour, the golden stupa. Not only this temple is free to visit, but it is also a quieter alternative to appreciate the local ceremonies taking place in the colourful prayer hall. The place also serves as a columbarium, another cultural aspect to observe.
That Luang Tai Temple also has very distinctive structures and designs on the complex exterior. The temple is decorated with bright colours and paintings of Buddhism teachings on the ceiling of the main hall.
Entrance fees: Free
That Luang Tai Temple
Google Maps
Enjoy a relaxing Laos massage
What screams relaxation more than a massage? Nothing ever.
A walkable distance away from the reclining Buddha, loosen up your muscles with a full body massage in the middle of the hot day. We found this place that is popular with tourist buses on Google Maps and it turns out to be pretty good! Facilities are clean and the place is not too crowded.
Price: 120,000 kip for 1.5 hour body massage (Tip is appreciated)
Doi Massage
Google Maps
Ban Anou night market
Probably the biggest night market in Laos, Ban Anou night market sells not only just souvenirs for tourists, but they also have more fashionable clothing, modern handphone accessories and children toys. Definitely a cut above the other night markets we have visited in other cities.
Surrounding the night market, it is bustling when the night falls. Locals crowd there to take away food from the food carts along the entire stretch outside the night market. Travellers love to spend their evening with a drink at the many pubs in the same district. Actually sound like a great way to end the night.
Day 2: Cafe hopping and the Patuxay Monument
A-house Project
It is not easy to get here but this place is so well planned out that it is perfect as an outdoor studio! Every corner of the cafe gives off a different vibe and backdrop. We had fun taking photos here plus the drinks here are pretty awesome.
We had our favourite steamed fish here and one of the delicacies in Southeast Asia is deep-fried chicken cartilages – which we highly recommend it! It is nothing weird tasting we promise.
Under the tree
A cafe that makes you feel like you walked into a real-life dollhouse filled with vintage decorations and the warm lighting make you feel at home. The cafe specialises in drinks and desserts that are bound to satisfy your sweet tooth. We chose this place for its perfect proximity from the Patuxay Monument.
Spend your golden hour at the Patuxay Monument (Patuxai)
Although looking very similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Patuxay is designed with Laotian mythological creatures and patterns. We loved everything down to details at the Patuxay if you observe carefully.
Visitors are allowed to ascend the tower at a small fee which we think was absolutely worth it. From the viewing platform, you are rewarded with the panoramic view of the city. Almost all the spaces inside the tower are transformed into a market selling souvenirs for the tourists.
A good 30 minutes should cover your visit inside the monument so head up latest at 3.30 PM as they close at 4 PM. After viewing the platform, hang around at the fountain for a few pictures or just relax alongside the locals.
Entrance fees: 3,000 kip
Dinner at a boutique French restaurant
Sometimes known as the little France of Southeast Asia, it is not surprising at all to find good French cuisine in the city. Enjoy authentic French food at Laos’ prices.
La Cave Des Chateaux offers set menu at an attractive price but their specialities are all in the regular menu! Pork shank, eggplant chevre and the appetisers are amazing. The dining ambience is nice and very quiet. We had the restaurant to ourselves.
La Cave Des Chateaux
Google Maps
Day 3: Crossing the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai
COPE Visitor Centre
Laos is the highest bombed country per capita in history. COPE Visitor Centre share stories on the history of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos and how the centre helps each individual go through the rehabilitation process.
At the visitor centre, there are short documentaries screening, a cafe that supports the work of COPE and a gift shop.
Entrance fees: Free (Donations are appreciated)
A highlight of Vientiane: Buddha Park
Buddha Park may seem a little far from the city centre but it is totally worth the distance and is easily accessible by public transport. Unlike the statues displayed inside, there is nothing religious about this place. One of the best things to do in Vientiane for sure.
The direct bus is available at Talat Sao bus terminal where bus #14 is located. Let the bus driver know that you would like to get off at the friendship bridge. The journey should cost 8,000 kip.
For the return trip, simply cross over to the lane heading in the opposite direction and wait for the same bus. There is a convenient store located beside the bus stop.
Entrance fees: 15,000 kip
Cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge to have a taste of Thailand in Nong Khai
Crossing the friendship bridge was not originally in our Vientiane itinerary but we thought why not? It was fuss-free and there was no crowd during weekdays at the immigration.
We easily combined our visit to Nong Khai and Buddha Park on the same day. Interestingly, there is a larger Buddha Park just across the border in Nong Khai which was built by the same artist who fled Vientiane after the revolution in 1975.
Although located near the Laos border, Nong Khai did not lose its Thai charm at all. Convenience stores and night market are of Thai standards.
Where to stay in Vientiane?
Hostel
We can’t recommend Barn1920s Hostel enough. It is by far the BEST hostel we have stayed throughout Southeast Asia. The hostel is combined with a cafe that serves lovely drip coffee but that’s beside the point. The hostel itself is a hideaway from the bustling food street at its doorstep and walkable distance away from the Ban Anou night market. It also has the most spacious dorm bed space, free instant noodles, eggs and drinking water.
Hotel
On the steep side, Dhavara Boutique Hotel is getting the attention of travellers who would like a little more luxurious stay that is furnished with beautiful colonial style decorations. Perfect location, spacious room and wonderful breakfast that guests enjoy!
Getting around Vientiane
Loca, a ride-hailing app
Unlike the neighbouring countries, Laos does not have Uber or Grab. We used Loca a couple of times and it is well, not the best but an easier option than taking a taxi. In general, our journey cost 10,000 – 12,000 kip per km.
The best thing about ride-hailing is that they will pick you up no matter where you are, and anytime you want.
Tuk tuk
To get a tuk tuk, you’ll need to rely on your bargaining skill. It’s not always easy without an official price fixed. It is also not easy to find one whenever you need but if you are not connected to the internet, this is the most possible way to get from places to places.
Public buses
Other the most used route from the central bus station to Buddha Park, there are other routes that you could use to reach other attractions at the cheapest price including the airport, Southern and Northern bus stations – they usually cost 4,000 – 12,000 kip for a one-way journey. Check out the bus routes on the official website here.
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