Visiting Vientiane: 10 Incredible Things to Do & More

10 Best Things to Do in Vientiane

1. Admire the beauty of Pha That Luang ❤️ Must Visit

One of the most iconic landmarks in Vientiane that you should definitely check out first is Pha That Luang, a stunning golden stupa complex featuring a large central stupa surrounded by smaller stupas and shrines, all painted in gold and covered in traditional Lao design elements with Buddhist symbolism.

It was originally constructed way back in the 3rd century, but due to conflicts between neighboring countries, especially during the colonization period, much of the original temple has been destroyed.

That said, the newly rebuilt Pha That Luang is still one of the most impressive structures you can see in Vientiane, and it is still much revered by the locals to this day.

Since the temple is approximately 5 km away from the Old Town, you are going to have to catch a taxi to get here. I would recommend asking your accommodation to find a taxi for you, as it will be cheaper than flagging down a tuk-tuk yourself, as they are known to overcharge tourists.

The taxi from the old town to Pha That Luang should cost no more than 40,000 LAK per trip. The temple is open from 8 AM - 12 PM in the morning and again from 1 PM - 5 PM in the afternoon every day except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is 30,000 LAK per person.

Where to Stay in Vientiane?

Budget

Barn 1920s Hostel

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Mid-Range

SYRI Boutique Guesthouse Restaurant & Cafe

$$ | Double Room

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High-End

Crowne Plaza Vientiane, an IHG Hotel

King Room | $$$

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2. Check Out Patuxay

Another impressive structure in Vientiane you should check out is Patuxay, a striking war monument constructed in the 20th century to commemorate those who fought and died in various wars, including World War II and the Indochina Wars.

The monument's design is inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but with Laos' own little twist, incorporating several unique Lao architectural elements, such as the Kinnaree design carvings that showcase Lao's incredible artistry.

Surrounding the monument, you will find a beautiful park equipped with benches and a large fountain right at the center, where you can relax and admire the beauty of Patuxay up close.

You can also go up the monument and enjoy the incredible view of the city from up there. It is quite a walk up, and the staircase is not open-air, so I recommend that you go up in the evening when it is cooler. This way, you will also get to witness the sunset from up there.

Visiting Patuxay is still one of the best things to do in Vientiane, so be sure to check it out while you are here. Since you can't get inside anymore, the place can be visited any time of the day, every day of the week, and there is no entrance fee to visit Patuxay.

3. Visit Wat Sisaket

Next up, we visit another incredible temple, Wat Sisaket, one of the oldest temples in the city, built in the early 19th century by the last king of the Vientiane Kingdom.

Although having been built in the 19th century may not seem very old, the fact that much of Vientiane was destroyed by foreign invasions during the colonial period in the 20th century, and Wat Sisaket is one of the few structures that is still left standing to this day, is pretty impressive in itself.

If this temple could talk, imagine how many stories it would have with all the destruction going on around it. Even if it couldn't speak, you can clearly see that it has been through a lot just by looking at its rustic and charming yellow-painted exterior.

The temple features a cloister with hundreds of small niches that house thousands of Buddha images. The images are made out of several types of materials, from wood to bronze, reflecting different periods of Buddhist artistry.

The main temple itself housed several religious artifacts, sculptures, and traditional Lao art that you can stroll around and admire.

The temple is open from 8 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 30,000 LAK per person. It is not very far from the Old Town, so be sure to check the temple out while you are in Vientiane.

4. Stroll Around Ho Phrakeo Museum

Not too far from Wat Si Saket, you will find another tourist attraction you should check out, Ho Phrakeo Museum, an impressive structure that was originally built as a royal temple in the 16th century to house the Emerald Buddha.

Unfortunately, the Emerald Buddha is no longer here as it was taken away and enshrined in the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, during the Siamese occupation of Laos in the 18th century.

It was subsequently used as a storage facility for religious artifacts and was eventually converted into the museum you see today. You can still find a replica of the Emerald Buddha inside, as well as other incredible artifacts from various periods of Laos' history.

The museum is open from 8 AM to 12 PM and again from 1 PM to 4 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 30,000 LAK. If you are interested in learning more about the history of Laos, be sure to check out the Ho Phrakeo Museum.

5. Drop by Wat Si Muang

Heading southeast from Ho Phrakeo Museum, you will find Wat Si Muang, a colorful and highly revered temple complex founded in the 16th century. Legend has it that the temple got its name from a woman who sacrificed herself during the construction of the temple. Her spirit is believed to protect the city and its residents.

The temple is extremely sacred, and you will see many Lao people visiting the temple to make offerings, prayers, and wishes for good fortune and blessings every day.

It is a great place to get a glimpse of the Buddhist culture of Laos, not to mention all the stunning architecture and stupas you can see here. I was there for only a few minutes and I saw waves and waves of local people praying and making offerings the entire time.

It is one of the best things to do in Vientiane, so be sure to check out this place. The temple is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, and there is no entrance fee to enter the temple.

6. Learn Why Laos is the Most Bombed Country in the world at COPE Visitor Center 🏛️ Best Museum

One of the most tragic parts of the history of Laos is the fact that it is one of the most bombed countries in the world, with an estimate of over 2 million tons of bombs dropped by the US on Laos during the Vietnam War from the 1960s to the 1970s.

Why was it bombed so much? Well, one of the best places to learn about in Vientiane is at COPE Visitor Center, a small museum located inside a hospital, dedicated to telling the stories of the people who are affected by UXO or unexploded ordinance that continues to affect the local people to this day.

The saddest part is that this is not even their war. It was the conflict between the US and Vietnam, but since Laos shares a border with Vietnam, the North Vietnamese often used the remote jungles of Laos to transport troops, weapons, and supplies from North Vietnam to South Vietnam along the so-called Ho Chi Minh Trail.

The US decided to bomb the living crap out of it, causing large areas of the country to be contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO). This has resulted in ongoing dangers to people's lives and livelihoods. The COPE Visitor Center highlights the stories of the locals who are affected by UXO.

One terrifying thing you will learn from this museum is the horror of cluster bombs. These weapons release multiple smaller bomblets over a wide area, with one bomb containing over 2,000 bomblets inside and having a failure rate of over 30%.

In total, over 260 million cluster bomblets rained down on Laos between 1964 and 1973, and more than 80 million of them failed to explode, leading to significant collateral damage that continued to pose threats to civilians even long after the conflict ended.

It is an eye-opening experience to visit the COPE Visitor Center, and if you are interested in learning more about Laos and its dark past, be sure to drop by the museum. The place is open from 8:30 AM to 4 PM every day, and it is free to enter, but they do accept donations.

7. Shop Away Local Products at Talat Sao Morning Market

If you are looking to shop for some affordable local Laos products like their delicious coffee or "Sabaidee" t-shirts, there is no better place to be than Talat Sao Morning Market.

Talat Sao Morning Market is a large shopping complex with many local shops selling all kinds of goods at very affordable prices if you don't mind negotiating hard.

It is located right by the central bus terminal, near the old town, which makes it easily accessible on foot. If you want to go on a shopping spree in Vientiane, be sure to check out Talat Sao Morning Market. The mall is open from 7 AM to 5 PM every day.

8. Stroll Around Vientiane Night Market

After sunset, there is no livelier place to visit than Vientiane Night Market, located along the bank of the Mekong River. The night market is always bustling with people every evening, with many shops lining both sides of the boulevard.

Most of the shops sell clothes and trinkets, so if you are looking to buy clothes like elephant pants or unique-looking trinkets, this is the place to be.

Right along the western end of the boulevard, you will find a small temple fair equipped with all kinds of fun amusement rides, such as colorful Ferris Wheels, bouncing castles, and bumper cars, as well as restaurants where you can try some local food.

I got myself a squid salad at one of the street food stalls at the temple fair, and it was delicious. I was seated on a tiny chair, right by the temple fair, with all my senses engaged. It was incredible.

If you are looking for a place to stroll around and go people-watching at night in Vientiane, be sure to drop by the Vientiane Night Market. The market opens from 6 PM until 10 PM every day.

9. Check out the street food scene at the Food Park Center Point

If you prefer visiting a market that is filled with street food stalls where the locals hang out, you can't go wrong with the Food Park Center Point.

At this market, you won't find anything else but street food. From fresh coconut juice to Lao-style BBQ sticks, there are countless options for you to try out here.

Moreover, what's truly remarkable is how incredibly affordable the food here is, primarily because you're charged at the local rate, given that this market is often frequented by the locals.

The market is open from 6 PM to 10 PM every day, so be sure to check out the Food Park Center Point for those who love street food as much as I do.

10. Enjoy the Stunning Sculptures of the Buddha Park ☀️ Great Day Trip

One of the best things to do in Vientiane is to visit Buddha Park, a unique park filled with incredible sculptures and monuments, all related to Buddhism.

The park is renowned for its vast collection of intricate and ornate sculptures depicting various figures from Buddhist and Hindu mythology, as well as other spiritual and philosophical concepts.

As you walk inside, you will find yourself surrounded by an array of sculptures, including images of Buddha, Hindu gods and goddesses, demons, animals, and mythological creatures drawn from local legends, as well as influences from abroad.

One of the most recognizable features of the park is a massive reclining statue of Buddha, measuring around 40 meters (130 feet) in length, as well as many towering sculptures of various deities and figures, each with its own distinct design.

There is also a monument where you can enter through its mouth and climb up to the top for an incredible view over the park above, so do not forget to check that out. Just make sure to climb carefully as the staircase is ridiculously steep, and it can be quite slippery when it rains.

You can expect to spend around 30 minutes to an hour here. To get here, you can catch bus #14 from the central bus terminal near Talat Sao Morning Market, and they should drop you off right at the entrance of the park in 30 minutes.

The bus should cost around 12,000 LAK (0.6 USD), and it leaves every 15-30 minutes. To get back, just stand by the bus stop sign across the road from Buddha Park and flag the bus down from there.

The park is open from 8 AM to 5 PM every day, except on Sundays when it is open from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. The entrance fee is 40,000 LAK per person.

What To Eat And Drink In Vientiane?

1. Check Out Joma Bakery Café

Joma Bakery Café is the place I go to in Vientiane when I want to get my daily fix of tasty pastries and coffee with its wide selection of delicious menus from croissants to pasta and salads, which makes the place great for both breakfast and lunch.

The seating area is spread out across 2 floors with plenty of cozy sofas and tables to accommodate you. They have free WIFI, which is more reliable than other cafes, and best of all, you can pay with your credit card here, which is not so easy to find in Laos.

If you are looking for a great cafe to relax in and have breakfast before you head out and explore Vientiane, be sure to check out Joma Bakery Cafe. The cafe is open from 7 AM to 9 PM every day.

2. Try Lao Iced Coffee at Naked Espresso

Another of my favorite cafes in Vientiane is Naked Espresso, a cozy cafe that also serves a variety of menus from pastries to all-day breakfasts.

In most cases, it is pretty similar to Joma Bakery Cafe with its cozy atmosphere, reliable WIFI, and the ability to pay with credit cards, but what I love most about Naked Espresso is its Lao Iced Coffee, a strong and sweet Lao-style coffee that will wake you right up with its delicious taste and aroma.

If you love iced coffee and you want to try out the Laos iced coffee, be sure to drop by the Naked Espresso cafe. The cafe is open from 7 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on weekends.

How to Get to Vientiane?

The best way to get to Vientiane is to fly into Bangkok and either fly directly to Vientiane via AirAsia or, if you are looking for a cheaper alternative, you can take a domestic flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani and cross the border on foot in Nong Khai.

For flying to Vientiane or Udon Thani, I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find all the cheap flights and compare them so that you can find the one that best fits your itinerary.

To cross the border between Nong Khai, Thailand, and Vientiane, Laos, you can catch one of the many minivans straight from the airport that will take you all the way to the border for 200 THB. Once you are at the border, you can cross into Laos via the Friendship Bridge on a 35 THB shuttle bus service.

Once you are on the Laotian side, you can go through immigration on foot, fill in the entry form, pay the 20 THB fee, and get on bus #14 to Vientiane. The bus should cost around 12,000 LAK (0.6 USD), and it will take about 30 minutes to arrive at the central bus terminal, near Talat Sao Morning Market, from where you can walk to your accommodation.

You can also take a train from Bangkok to Nong Khai and cross the border to save costs on flights, but it will take significantly longer. You are looking at spending at least 12 hours on the train before you arrive in Nong Khai. If you don't mind an overnight train, you can book the Bangkok-Nong Khai train here.

For a complete border-crossing guide between Thailand and Vientiane, check out:How to Get From Thailand to Vientiane, Laos & Vice Versa

How to Get Around Vientiane?

Vientiane is a pretty walkable city, with many of the best tourist attractions located within walking distance of the old town area, except for a few attractions such as Buddha Park and Pha That Luang.

To get to Buddha Park, you can catch bus #14 from the central bus terminal near Talat Sao Morning Market, and you should be there in 30 minutes. It costs around 12,000 LAK (0.6 USD), and it leaves every 15-30 minutes. To get back, just stand by the bus stop sign across the road from Buddha Park and flag the bus down from there.

For Pha That Luang, I recommend that you ask your accommodation to organize a taxi for you. It should cost around 40,000 LAK (2 USD) one way. AVOID getting on the tuk-tuk that is often waiting around on the side of the road as they are known to charge tourists double the actual local price. They even have a laminated price list on hand to make it look official and convince you to pay more.

Do not fall for it. You are better off organizing the taxi with a local working at the reception of your hotel, as they all have access to a local taxi-hailing app and the prices are way more favorable than taking the tuk-tuk.

For more information on train travel in Laos, check out:10 Tips For First-Time Laos Train Travel

Daily Budget

This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.

Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.

What to Pack for Vientiane, Laos?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Vientiane, Laos:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Vientiane, Laos in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets online in Southeast Asia that would otherwise not have been available in English online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Laos

Looking for more information for your trip to Laos? Here are a selection of articles that might help you with your trip planning:

• Have more days to spend in Laos and want to thoroughly explore the country from north to south? Check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Laos Itinerary.
• For a complete Laos backpacking itinerary, check out: 7 Days Backpacking Laos Itinerary By Train.
• Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3-Month Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Vang Vieng, the adventure hub of Laos, has a lot to offer to those who are seeking adrenaline-rush activities. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Vang Vieng.
• Luang Prabang is definitely my favorite city in Laos, and it is a place not to be missed. Here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Luang Prabang.
• Want to visit Southern Laos? Pakse is a great base for exploring the natural and historical wonders of Champasak Province. For a complete guide to Pakse, check out: Exploring Pakse: 10 Best Things to Do and More.
• Want to go off the beaten path in Laos? How about visiting Savannakhet, a city in Southern Laos full of beautiful french colonial buildings and more. Here's a complete travel guide: Explore Savannakhet: 10 Best Things to Do & More.
• If you plan to travel around Laos by train, you are going to want to read this: 10 Tips For First-Time Laos Train Travel.
• Want to travel from Thailand to Vientiane, Laos? Check this guide out: How to Get From Thailand to Vientiane, Laos & Vice Versa.
• Looking to cross the border from Thailand to Pakse in Southern Laos? Check out: How to Get From Bangkok/Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse, Laos, and Vice Versa.
• Want to cross the border from Mukdahan to Savannakhet in Laos and vice versa? Check out: How to Get From Bangkok/Mukdahan to Savannakhet, Laos & Vice Versa.
• Packing for a trip to visit a place as big as Southeast Asia is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Southeast Asia - The Essential Packing List.
• Not convinced by my words about Southeast Asia? Here are 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia now.
• You can also watch my travel video about Southeast Asia here: Watch the "Asia Alive" travel video.
• You can see all my Laos-related articles on my Laos Travel Guide page.
• For more Southeast Asia-related articles, check out my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.