Visiting Vientiane: what are the best things to see and do in the capital of Laos?
People often think there’s not much to do in Vientiane. Well, Vientiane may be a quiet capital, but there’s plenty to do if you know where to find it. Here’s a list of must-do activities and visits in the Laotian capital.
1. Chao Anouvong Park
Chao Anouvong Park is a 14-hectare park built in 2010 to honor the memory of King Chao Anouvong (1767-1829), whose statue you’ll find on the north bank of the Mekong River.
The statue of the king is made of bronze and stands 6 metres high. The king is considered a war hero, and a small altar has been set up at the foot of the statue for offerings and prayers.
2. Buddha park
Buddha Park, also known as Vat Xieng Khouane, is a park located some 20 km from Vientiane and 4 km from the Friendship Bridge (linking Laos to northeast Thailand). It’s called Vat (temple in Laotian) Xien Khouane, but it’s not a temple. The site was built in 1958 by Bouleua Soulilat, a shaman and yogi priest, and features over 200 concrete Buddhist and Hindu statues. Go to the top of the pumpkin-shaped statue for a view of the entire Buddha Park.
3. Haw Pha Kaeo Temple
Haw Pha Kaeo is one of Vientiane’s most beautiful sanctuaries. This temple was built in 1565 to house the Emerald Buddha. Following a dispute with Thailand in 1779, the Emerald Buddha is now in Thailand. Today, Wat Pha Kaeo is a museum of religious art.
4. Night market
Vientiane’s Night Market is an open-air market that takes place every evening on the banks of the Mekong River. After visiting the statue of King Chao Anouvong in Anouvong Park, walk up the Mekong riverbank to the Night Market. Clothes, textiles, handicrafts, you’ll find a few souvenirs to bring back from your trip. It’s open from 6pm to 10pm and doesn’t sell food.
5. Patouxai
This monument bears a striking resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The Patouxai, also known as the Porte de la Victoire, was built in the 1960s. It was designed by architect Tham Sayasithsena, who had studied in Paris. On each level, you’ll find a souvenir store reserved for tourists.
If you go all the way to the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lane Xang Avenue.
6. Pha That Luang
Pha That Luang means « great golden stupa » in Laotian. This Buddhist monument in Vientiane is the most sacred in Laos, symbolizing both the Buddhist religion and sovereignty. The interior of Pha That Luang is said to contain one of Buddha’s hairs. In front of this 35-metre-high quadrangular golden stupa stands a statue of King Setthathirat, who ordered the stupa’s construction.
7. Talat sao
Talat Sao has almost everything. Here you can shop for souvenirs, practical everyday items, textiles, high tech and even food. If you like shopping and bargaining, Talat Sao is the place for you. To get there, simply ask a tuk tuk for Lane Xang Avenue. Talat Sao is located between Wat Sisaket and Patouxai.
8. That Dam
The That Dam or « black stupa » is just a few steps from the Nam Phu fountain and the Talat Sao. It is said that the stupa was once made of gold leaf, but with the invasion of the Siamese, only the black bricks and grass remain. There’s no charge to see That Dam, and you can visit at any time of day. Avoid the evening, as the stupa is not illuminated.
9. Wat Si Muang
Wat Si Muang is Vientiane’s most visited temple, and has been the most frequented by Laotians for over 1,000 years. Legend has it that a pregnant woman sacrificed herself by throwing herself into the hole provided for the city pillar, thus becoming the city’s guardian.
10. Wat Sisaket
This is Vientiane’s oldest temple, built in 1818 by mandate of King Anouvong and completed in 1824. Wat Sisaket is the only temple to have survived the Siamese invasion for its Thai style. The temple is also famous for its 7,000 Buddha statues, mainly wood carvings, in the courtyard gallery.
How to get to Vientiane
From Paris Roissy, Thaï Airways offers regular flights to Vientiane and Luang Prabang, via Bangkok. Malaysia Airlines also offers flights from Paris via Kuala Lumpur. You can also fly to Laos with Finn Air, via Helsinki, or Emirates, via Doha, but prices are generally a little higher. From Thailand, you can reach Laos by bus. To find a cheap flight to Vientiane, you can search on the website of our partner Ulysse.
Where to stay in Vientiane?
Vientiane is not a large capital. You need to target accommodation in the center and avoid those overlooking the Mekong River. You can find a cheap hotel in Vientiane by searching on this hotel comparator.
Now that you’ve learned about Vientiane’s must-sees, which temples, markets and/or monuments should you choose?
Map of hotels and accommodation – Vientiane,the