Welcome to our Vientiane travel blog! Embark on a journey through the charming capital city of Laos as we uncover its rich cultural heritage, delectable cuisine, and tranquil ambiance.
From exploring ancient temples to indulging in flavorful Lao dishes, we provide insights and tips to make the most of your Vientiane adventure.
Join us as we delve into the sights, sounds, and flavors of this enchanting city, and discover the hidden gems that make Vientiane a must-visit destination.
Vientiane is the capital and the largest city of Laos. It is located on the northeastern bank of the Mekong River.
Vientiane has a soothing atmosphere. You can enjoy a riverside walk enjoying the sunset views over the Mekong.
This city has plenty of ancient old-century Buddhist temples and shrines within the distance of upmarket restaurants and bars in the city.
1. Xieng Khuan:
This is a Buddha Park and is located about 20 kilometers outside Vientiane. As the name suggests this park is famous among tourists for having more than 200 religious statues.
The statues are scattered all over the lush grounds. You will find a sculpture of a 40-meter-high reclining Buddha. Here, you will find a mixed influence of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures.
A must-see at this park is the sculpture of Indra atop a three-headed elephant.
2. Patuxai Victory Monument:
This is one of the major tourist attractions in Vientiane. It is a part of the Patuxai park. It was designed to resemble the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
This monument is carved with the symbols of Hindu Gods. This monument has an additional five towers that resemble traditional Laotian buildings giving it a touch of an East meets West kind of attraction.
This is a perfect place to have a serene walk at sunset. You can also take a view across Vientiane from the top of the Patuxai Victory Monument.
3. Vientiane Night Market:
This night market is located along the scenic waterfall in the city. The market gets crowded after sunset. In this market, you can shop for a wide range of items such as clothes, textiles, accessories, handicrafts paintings, and myriad souvenirs.
This is also one of the cheapest places in Vientiane to dine in the evening. You will also find plenty of food stalls where you can try traditional Laotian snacks such as barbecued meats.
4. Visit Wat Ho Phra Keo:
This is a Buddhist temple, built in 1565, and is also one of the most spectacular buildings in the city.
It used to be the location of the famous Emerald Buddha statues which were stolen by Laotian royalty from Thailand before being retaken in 1778 and returned.
This temple is also known as the “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”.
Food to try in Vientiane:
1. Laap:
It is one of the ultimate stable Laos foods. The word Laap refers to any meat prepared immediately after butchering.
The meat is first minced, then quickly fried while adding fish sauce, a garden full of fresh herbs, lime juice, and toasted sticky rice powder.
2. Paeng Pet:
Vendors prepare this duck by mixing raw duck blood with cooked minced duck and organs, along with plenty of Laos herbs like mint, green onions, and cilantro.
How to reach Vientiane:
1. Reach Vientiane by flight:
You can take a flight to Wattay Airport. It is located about 4 km north of the city. You can take a cab to the city center.
2. Reach Vientiane by train:
The nearest railway station is Nong Khai which is about 13 km from Vientiane. You can reach the city bus by shuttle bus or cab.
3. Reach Vientiane by bus:
There are regular bus services available from Udon Thani and Khon Kaen cities of Thailand. There are 3 main bus stations in Vientiane; Central Bus Station, Northern Bus Station, and Southern Bus Station.
