Vientiane

Things to see and do

The Lao National Museum

This two-storey colonial mansion became the Lao National Museum in 1985 and houses enough relics of Lao history and culture, both ancient and modern, to make a visit worthwhile. The first rooms you come upon after entering the museum are filled with a hodgepodge of ancient artifacts like Khmer ... read more
Patuxai

The large concrete monolith at the end of Lane Xang Ave is Patuxai, the Victory Gate of Vientiane. Except for the Buddhist details visible up close, Patuxai was clearly designed to resemble Paris's Arc du Triomphe. We're not sure what victory it's supposed to be celebrating — perhaps the end ... read more
That Luang

No town in Laos is complete without a stupa or two and, as the capital city, it seems fitting that Vientiane has the biggest. Located about 2 km east of the Patuxai monument, golden That Luang is the national symbol of Laos. The stupa was first built in 1566 and was said to contain a hair from the ... read more
Wat Ong Theu

Known as the Temple of the Heavy Buddha, Wat Ong Theu was originally built in the late 16th century by King Setthathirat but, like most of Vientiane, it was destroyed during the Thai invasion of 1828. The temple you see now was rebuilt at the turn of the 20th century and sits in a shady compound ... read more
Wat Ho Phra Kaew

Visitors to this lovely temple set amid manicured grounds would never guess it has such a turbulent history. The wat was originally built in 1565 to serve as the personal temple of the Lao royal family, but was razed and looted during the Thai invasion. The name of the temple is homage to the ... read more
Wat Si Muang

A bit east of the city centre, Wat Si Muang is a little temple that plays a big role in the daily lives of many locals. Though it is a Buddhist temple, its story offers some insight into how the Lao people have merged their former animist beliefs with Bud Many variations of the legend abound, but ... read more
Wat Sisaket

Built between 1818 and 1824 by King Chao Anou, Wat Sisaket survived the Thai invasion in one piece, thus making it the oldest temple in Vientiane. The temple features a Bangkok-style design with large pillars and a five-tiered roof, perhaps why it was the The sim is surrounded by a roofed cloister ... read more
Wat Mixay, Wat Chan, Wat Inpeng, Wat Haysoke

These four temples are a short walk from the guesthouse district, so most travellers will at least pass by them, if not actually go inside. These are functioning temples and not set up as tourist attractions, so don't expect any English signs or informati Rather, they are pretty and peaceful ... read more
That Dam

A short walk from the centre of town, this blackened stupa is regarded as more of a landmark than an attraction. It's clearly quite old, but there is no signage or any information about it. Legend is that That Dam was home to a seven-headed dragon with the power to protect Vientiane from invaders ... read more
Presidential Palace

The classically-designed residence at the junction of Lane Xang Ave and Settathirath Rd is the Lao Presidential Palace. The sprawling mansion with colonnaded balconies was originally built to house the colonial French governors, but now serves as a venue for government functions. It is not open to ... read more
Lao National Culture Hall

The palatial building opposite the National Museum on Samsenthai Rd is the unfortunately underused National Culture Hall which opened in 2000. Grant money from China paid for its construction, but the Culture Hall has no budget of its own to put on any cultural events and simply acts as a venue for ... read more
Lao Cultural Shows

While most visitors concentrate on the museums, temples and the riverbank, Vientiane does also offer cultural shows showcasing some of the different traditional styles of dance and entertainment. Here are two. The Lao National Theatre presents Yensabai, a performance of traditional dancing, Monday ... read more
Mekong Riverfront

If you haven't drunk a Beerlao on the bank of the Mekong, you have not been to Vientiane. In a city of few must-see attractions, a leisurely evening of food and drink by the river has become the iconic Vientiane experience. Though there are always a couple simple restaurants open along the river, ... read more
Nam Phou (Fountain) Square

Known as Nam Phou in Lao, the central fountain has been an icon of Vientiane for nearly 100 years. The area surrounding the fountain has been turned into somewhat of a park with flower gardens, benches, and some of the city's top-rated restaurants and cafes. It's a lovely spot for a morning ... read more
COPE Visitors Centre

A phenomenal example of Lao people helping their fellow countrymen, COPE was established to provide medical treatment, prosthetics, and mobility devices to people who could otherwise not afford them. Many of the people that COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) treat are victims of ... read more
MAG Visitors Centre

Along with COPE, another place to learn about the landmine problem in Laos is the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) Visitors Centre along the riverfront. MAG has been clearing landmines in Laos since 1994 and was a co-laureate for the Nobel Prize in 1997. The Visitors Centre offers a close look at their ... read more
Massage

Rejuvenate your body and soul after stomping the streets (and dodging the potholes) of Vientiane by popping into one of the plentiful massage parlours. Lao massage is a blend of Swedish oil massage with the acupressure and stretching of Thai massage, and is a relaxing experience. Massage ... read more
Swimming pools

Beat the dry heat of Laos with a dip in one of the many swimming pools scattered across town. The best are undoubtedly the ones at the city's top hotels, and most are open to the public for a modest fee. Try the Don Chan, Lao Plaza, or Best Western hotels for access to their swimming pools and ... read more
Nong Chanh Water Park

Opened in 2008, Nong Chanh Water Park is lots of fun and a great place to cool off. With huge slides — the likes of which were previously unheard of in Laos — it is an impressive sight on Khouvieng Blvd, near the central bus station. Joma has opened a cafe in the park to ensure good ... read more
Ten Pin Bowling

In a city without a lot of entertainment options, bowling has really taken off with young Laotians. There are two bowling alleys in Vientiane: the Lao Bowling Centre a couple blocks past the Lao Plaza Hotel on Khoun Boulom Rd and The Alley a Visiting either one is a lot of fun and a sure way to ... read more
National Sports Complex

The Lao National Stadium in Vientiane is looking better than ever after hosting the SEA Games in December 2009, even though most events were hosted at the new complex 16 km outside the city. The large complex includes tennis courts, a shooting range, jogging track, and a football pitch. Though ... read more
Cinema

For now, Vientiane does not have a proper movie theatre but that's set to change with Phase 2 of the Talaat Sao Mall construction, which will have a three-screen cineplex when completed. Until then, there are a few locations in Vientiane that regularly screen movies. The two screens at the ... read more
Adventure Treks and Tours

The tourist boom in Laos has largely been due to the country's vast potential for adventure travel and eco-tourism. Opportunities for kayaking, trekking, cycling, rafting, caving, climbing and more exist just a short distance outside the city limits and can be arranged through local tour operators. ... read more
Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khuan)

Though the locals call it Wat Xieng Khuan, this attraction 25 km outside the city limits it not a temple but an outdoor collection of religiously-inspired statuary. The huge images were built in the 1950s by Lao mystic Luang Pu Bunleae Sulilat who hoped to unite the Buddhist and Hindu faiths with ... read more