Top places to visit in Vientiane

• Mekong Sunset Riverside Walk

  viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Mekong River promenade at sunset — Vientiane best daily ritual. As the sun sinks over Thailand (literally visible across the river), locals gather along the riverfront park to exercise, eat street food, and watch the day end.

• Patuxai Victory Monument

  monument · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Vientiane Arc de Triomphe — the Patuxai Victory Monument was built in the 1960s with American concrete aid money, then decorated in traditional Lao Buddhist motifs. The top floor gives panoramic views over Vientiane. A fascinating blend of…

• Vientiane Night Street Food

  market · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Nightly street food along the Mekong promenade with stalls serving Lao BBQ, grilled meats, fresh fruit shakes, and cold BeerLao. The most social and lively evening gathering in Vientiane.

• Wat Si Muang Spirit Shrine

  temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Vientiane most visited temple and the site of the city pillar (lak mueang). According to legend, a pregnant woman sacrificed herself when the pillar was installed, and her spirit protects the city. Pilgrims come daily to ask for favours,…

• Wat Sisaket Oldest Temple

  temple · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The oldest temple in Vientiane (built 1818) and the only one that survived the Siamese sack of 1828. The cloister walls contain over 6000 miniature Buddha figures in niches — an extraordinary and unique spectacle of Theravada devotion.

• Mekong Riverside Dining Strip

  district · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The row of riverfront restaurants and bars along Fa Ngum Road facing Thailand across the Mekong — one of the most pleasant dining settings in Southeast Asia. Best at sunset with cold BeerLao and grilled Mekong fish.

• Nam Phu Fountain Colonial Quarter

  square · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The central fountain square of Vientiane surrounded by French colonial cafes, bakeries, and restaurants. The Namphu Fountain has been the social heart of the city since the French era — best for café au lait and croissants.

• COPE Visitor Centre Vientiane

  museum · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A moving and important museum documenting the impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the Vietnam War — Laos is the world most heavily bombed country per capita. COPE also provides prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services. A sobering…

• Wat Mixay Active Vientiane Temple

  temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the most centrally located and frequently visited temples in Vientiane — an active monastery with a large golden Buddha and monks in saffron robes visible throughout the day.

• Lao Textile Museum

  museum · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A beautifully curated museum dedicated to the extraordinary textile traditions of Laos — silk, cotton, and natural dye techniques from all 49 ethnic groups. The museum houses rare antique textiles and has a working weaving studio.

• Vientiane Lao Cooking Experience

  cooking-school · 4.6 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Half-day Lao cooking classes in Vientiane starting with a morning market tour and ending with lunch of Lao specialties — larb, mok pa, and tam mak houng papaya salad.

• Beerlao Brewery Factory Tour

  brewery · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A tour of the famous Beerlao brewery — the most beloved beer in Laos. The factory tour explains the brewing process and concludes with free samples of Beerlao Gold, Dark, and the original Lager.

Things to do

• Vientiane Mekong Sunset Promenade Walk Heritage Sightseeing · 1.5 h
• Vientiane Patuxai Victory Monument Sunrise Walk Heritage · 1.5 h
• Vientiane Night Market Mekong Street Food Beer Lao Heritage · 3 h
• Vientiane French Colonial Heritage Cycling Tour Heritage · 4 h · from LAK 346,000 per person
• Vientiane COPE Centre UXO Victims Heritage Visit Heritage · 2 h
• Vientiane Buddhist Meditation Morning with Monks Heritage · 2 h · from LAK 115,000 per person
• Vientiane Lao Cooking Class Street Food Larb Heritage · 5 h · from LAK 461,000 per person
• Vientiane Zipline Forest Adventure Near Vang Vieng Adventure · 10 h · from LAK 922,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Vientiane Highlights Day Tour 8 h · from LAK 861,000

Where to stay in Vientiane

• Samsenthai–Setthathilat Corridor about LAK 4,200 per night

  The compact central spine of Vientiane running between the two main tourist streets. Hotels, restaurants, COPE Centre, and the Mekong night market are all within a short walk. Best base for first-time visitors.

Hotels

• Settha Palace Hotel Vientiane 5-star · LAK 5,000 to LAK 15,000 per night
• Settha Palace Hotel 5-star · USD 150 to USD 350 per night
• Ansara Hotel 4-star · USD 90 to USD 220 per night
• Crowne Plaza Vientiane 5-star · USD 90 to USD 220 per night
• Lao Orchid Hotel 3-star · LAK 987,254 to LAK 2,068,533 per night
• Salana Boutique Hotel 4-star · USD 70 to USD 170 per night

Where to eat

• Lao Baguette Morning Stalls Vientiane Lao, Street Food, Bakery · about LAK 15,000 per person
• Mekong Riverside Evening Stalls Vientiane Lao, Thai, Street Food · about LAK 40,000 per person
• Dao Coffee Vientiane Coffee, Lao, Cafe · about LAK 30,000 per person
• Talat Sao Morning Market Food Lao, Street Food, Market · about LAK 30,000 per person
• Noy's Fruit Heaven Vientiane Extra Lao, Healthy, Cafe · about LAK 25,000 per person
• Joma Bakery Vientiane Central Extra Bakery, Western, Cafe · about LAK 80,000 per person
• Sunset Mekong Bar Restaurant Lao, Thai, Bar · about LAK 60,000 per person
• Scandinavian Bakery Vientiane Bakery, Western, Cafe · about LAK 80,000 per person

Getting to Vientiane

Airport: Vientiane (VTE)

How visitors arrive in Vientiane

• Fly into Wattay International Airport By air · common

  Wattay airport is close to the centre and has international flights, many from China and Southeast Asia, plus domestic flights. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge from Nong Khai By road from Nong Khai (Thailand) · common

  The bridge at Nong Khai is the most common land crossing from Thailand; many visitors fly to Udon Thani and cross by bus. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train to Khamsavath station By train from Bangkok / Udon Thani · common

  Direct trains from Bangkok and Udon Thani arrive at Khamsavath station outside the centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Laos-China Railway from northern Laos By train from Luang Prabang / Vang Vieng · possible

  The Laos-China line serves Vientiane railway station, away from the centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Loca ride-hail from Wattay

  Loca is a ride-hail app that takes international cards; drivers can collect you at arrivals. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Airport shuttle bus unconfirmed

  A shuttle bus links the airport, the city centre and the Central Bus Station, but the page lists it as suspended, so check first. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Touts at arrivals offer prepaid tuk-tuk or taxi rides at inflated rates; use the app or a hotel pick-up. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Bus 28 from the Lao-China station

  City bus 28 runs from the Lao-China Railway station to the Central Bus Station; taxis and Loca also go to the centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Scooter Rental
• Tuktuk

  Tuk-tuks are a usual way to get around central Vientiane, with the fare agreed with the driver before you go.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Tuk-tuk "free tour"

  Major tourist zones

  Cheap city tour ends at gem shops where the driver collects commission.

  How to avoid it: Use LOCA app. Confirm destination + price first.

• Tuk-Tuk Overcharging

  Central Vientiane, Patuxai area, Night Market

  Tuk-tuk drivers quote foreigners prices 5–10× the local rate, especially after dark or for airport runs. Some quote in USD to obscure the actual cost. Prices vary wildly with no metering.

  How to avoid it: Agree on the fare before boarding and in Lao kip. The going rate for a short inner-city trip is 20,000–30,000 LAK (about 1–1.50 USD). Download a currency converter to cross-check quotes.

• Buddha Park "Closed Today" Misdirection

  Tha Deua Road leading to Buddha Park

  A tuk-tuk driver or stranger tells you that Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) is closed today due to a "special ceremony" or "government event," then offers to take you to a different attraction where they earn a commission.

  How to avoid it: Ignore these claims. Buddha Park is open daily 08:00–17:00 year-round except major Lao national holidays. Verify directly with your hotel or check the Tourism Authority of Laos website.

• Currency Exchange Short-Change

  Money changers near Talat Sao and Fa Ngum Road

  Informal currency exchange booths near the market give you fewer notes than the displayed rate or sneak in fake or foreign-country notes (Vietnamese dong, Thai baht at par value) into the stack.

  How to avoid it: Only exchange at licensed banks or official currency exchange booths with clearly displayed rates. Count your notes before leaving the counter. Banks (BCEL, Lane Xang Bank) are the safest option.

Best time to visit Vientiane

• Jan 29°C
• Feb 32°C
• Mar 36°C
• Apr 37°C
• May 34°C
• Jun 33°C
• Jul 32°C
• Aug 31°C
• Sep 32°C
• Oct 30°C
• Nov 29°C
• Dec 27°C

More in Laos

• Luang Prabang
• Vang Vieng
• Savannakhet
• Don Det
• Phonsavan
• Pakse

Frequently asked questions about Vientiane

How many days do you need in Vientiane?

A typical trip to Vientiane is 2-3 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Vientiane?

The highest-rated places in our Vientiane guide are COPE Visitor Centre Vientiane, Mekong Sunset Riverside Walk, Wat Si Muang Spirit Shrine, Wat Sisaket Oldest Temple, Vientiane Lao Cooking Experience.

Where should I stay in Vientiane?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Vientiane: Samsenthai–Setthathilat Corridor.

How do I get around Vientiane?

Ways to get around Vientiane covered in our guide: Scooter rental, Tuk-tuk, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Vientiane?

Scams reported to us for Vientiane include Tuk-tuk "free tour"; Tuk-Tuk Overcharging; Buddha Park "Closed Today" Misdirection. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Vientiane?

Average daytime highs in Vientiane run from 27°C in Dec to 37°C in Apr.

Which airport is nearest to Vientiane?

The nearest airport to Vientiane has the code VTE.