Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos, on the banks of the Mekong River near the border with Thailand. Vientiane became the capital in 1563 due to fears of a Burmese invasion but was later looted then razed to the ground in 1827 by the Siamese (Thai). Vientiane was the administrative capital during French rule and, due to economic growth in recent times, is now the economic center of Laos.

Location: Vientiane is located on a curve of the Mekong River with total area of 3,920 square kilometers includes 09 districts: Chanthabouly, Sikhottabong, Xaysettha, Sisattanak, Naxaithong, Xaythany, Hadxaifong, Sangthong and Park Ngum. The population is about 900,000. 

Climate in Vientiane

The climate in this city features a tropical savanna climate with a distinct wet season and a dry season. Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the onset of the wet season which in Vientiane lasts about seven months. Vientiane tends to be hot and humid throughout the course of the year, though temperatures in the city tend to be somewhat cooler during the dry season than the wet season.

The Kingdom of Laos – the country of Buddhism – the friendly and intimate country, which is famous for “The land of A million Elephants” is a painting of many festivals and temples. Coming to the Kingdom of Laos, you will be attracted by the peaceful life, slowly alternating the ancient atmosphere, the sacred temple. 

Tourist attractions in Vientiane

Vientiane is the capital city of Lao, a country known as a kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao (Million Elephants and White Parasols). The Laotian capital offers amazing Buddhist art, graceful temples and lovely gardens with the huge collection of statues, Buddhism and Hinduism relievos.

Patuxai Victory Monument

With its crenellated upper level topped with five ornate towers in the traditional Laos style, the Patuxai Victory Monument cuts a distinctive figure on the Vientiane skyline. It forms the centrepiece of Patuxai Park, and is dedicated to the Laos who were killed in the fight to gain independence from France, as well as from the nation’s earlier occupiers, Siam and Japan. Situated at the end of one of the capital’s grand avenues, the large, square arch is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. However, as a monument to Laos’ resilience and eventual independence, Patuxai was designed to pay homage to its national culture and traditions. Its exterior embellishments feature both Buddhist religious symbols such as lotus leaves and the stupa-shaped towers, and statues of animist kinnari (half-female and half-bird figures) and nagas (dragons). The interior of the monument is also richly decorated with painted walls and ceilings depicting gods, goddesses and elephants. For a small fee, you can climb to the top to enjoy the panoramic view of the charming, old-fashioned city of Vientiane with its many trees, low-rise buildings and temples, and all the way across the Mekong River to Thailand.

Opening Hours: From 08:00 to 16:30 on Mondays to Fridays, and 08:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays.

How To Get To Patuxai Monument

Patuxai is located in the Vientiane city center. It’s a pretty small city, so you can easily walk to this monument from a hotel, which is what I did.

You could also take a bicycle or taxi; there are some tuk-tuk taxis sitting around near the monument if you need a ride back to your hotel afterwards.

Xieng Khuan

In Laos, travelers will have an opportunity to visit  the unusual Buddha Park. It is located in the immediate vicinity of Vientiane. The opening of the park took place about 50 years ago. It is not about nice exotic plants, but uncommon sculptures instead. Total in the park, there are about 200 statues of Buddhist and Hindu subjects, among which you can see not only the Buddha sculptures, but also incredible mythical monsters.

The park was opened in 1958, but apparently some statues look as if they have been created a few hundred years ago. In fact, concrete items were aged artificially to give the park complex a special kind of mystery. Besides sculptures, there are amazing landscape decorations. The park is very popular among tourists. It’s not difficult to get there from the capital of Laos, so the facility is not empty any day of the year.

The founder of the park is Bounleua Suliat, one of the locals and supporter of special religious movement, which is a combination of Hinduism and Buddhism. Bounleua Suliat invested a lot of personal resources in creating the facility. Many sculptures was built on donations. An admission fee for entering is about 1 US dollar. For this modest money, guests have an opportunity not only to walk in the park, but to make memorable pictures completely free. Tourists who want to visit the Buddha Park by themselves have to get to the bus station Talat Sao, which is located near the central market of the capital.

Opening Hours: Daily from 8am to 5pm

How To Get To Xieng Khuan

To get to Buddha Park, there’s a bus (#14) departing from Talat Sao Bus Station every 40 minutes.

Pha That Luang

Pha That Luang – which literally means ‘great golden stupa’ – is said to have undergone many transformations over the years. Known as a Buddhist stupa nowadays – a hemispherical structure used as a place of meditation – Pha That Luang actually started life in the 1st century as a Hindu temple. In later years Buddhist missionaries and monks from India visited the stupa – the monks were said to have brought a breastbone of Lord Buddha as a relic.

In the 13th century, the stupa was rebuilt as a Khmer temple, but it later fell into disrepair. Then in the 1500s, King Setthathirat relocated the capital city from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. As part of the relocation, the rebuilding of Pha That Luang was ordered, and this time it was surrounded by 30 smaller stupas too.

In 1828, Pha That Luang was destroyed once again, this time by a Thai invasion, and all the gold from the building was stolen. An attempt was made by the French in 1900 to restore it according to the drawings made by the French architect and explorer Louis Delaporte, but the attempt was unsuccessful. After a redesign, it was reconstructed in the 1930s, only to be heavily damaged during the Franco-Thai War. Pha That Luang was finally restored for the final time after World War II.

After such an unfortunate history over many centuries, it’s no wonder Pha That Luang has become a symbol of Laotian pride. Rooted once again in Buddhism, Pha That Luang has three levels to convey the various elements of Buddhist teachings. The cloister is filled with paintings, sculptures and statues of the Buddha. There are a number of altars, where many people bring gifts and flowers. There are also gardens, monuments and smaller stupas, where monks still live and study today.

Outside, the building is covered with 500kg of gold leaf, making the impressive structure a shining beacon in Vientiane. It’s considered to be one of the top architectural works to represent Buddhism across the world.

Nowadays it is possible for visitors to access the interior of Pha That Luang for a small entrance fee, as well as the impressive grounds surrounding the building, which can be accessed free of charge.

Tips to remember when visiting Pha That Luang

•         Take off your shoes before you enterPha That Luang
•         Dress appropriately in long sleeves, no short skirt, no flip-flop
•         Do not speak loudly
•         Do not buy any Buddhist relics because it’s illegal

Opening hours: every day from 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00.

How to get to Pha That Luang

Located 4 km northeast of central Vientiane, the temple is easily reachable by tuk tuk or bicycle. You can rent bikes from most guesthouses in the city.

Ho Phra Keo

 Wat Ho Phra Keo is considered as the most ancient and important temple of Laos which is formerly known as a place for praying.
The temple was built in 1565 under the reign of Setthathirat after he ascended the throne as a place of preservation and protection of the jade Buddha statue and royal place of prayer. In the temple, people worship Wat Ho Phra Keo Buddha statue. This was once occupied by Siamese troops, and in 1779 Wat Ho Phra Keo Buddha was stolen by Siamese soldiers. By 1828, the temple was fully flattened. From 1936 to 1942, Souvanna Phouma rebuilt the temple, Souvanna Phouma was the first prime minister of Laos.

Wat Ho Phra Keo Temple is a unique architecture, feature traditional culture of the Lao people. Wat Ho Phra Keo Temple is built on stone foundation, running along the stairs are two stone dragon carved elaborately to the small architecture of Laos. At present, visitors to the pagoda will see the statues of Buddha with many different materials such as copper, terracotta, stone … carved in the Lao style, very sharp but elegant. The more special will make visitors enjoy the Buddha statue around the temple carries the beauty of the face, different facial expressions that makes the variety and unique for this temple. Take a deep look at the hidden soul contained within each of these works. Besides, these statues are also gilded in some places such as: head, stomach, chest … with the idea of protecting and blessing the Lao people have a life of prosperity.
If you like a peaceful place, there are no skyscrapers, crowded commercial areas, boulevards blazing with lights, but rather the quietness of a simple life with the park blended in green shady, the roads filled by the shadow of the monk, the temple roof hidden behind the tree; then Wat Ho Phra Keo will make you surprise and enjoy.

Opening hours: Everyday, from 08:00 am to 12:00 am and 01:00 pm to 04:00 pm.

Wat Si Muang

The Wat Si Muang is another incredible temple in the city of Vientiane, Laos. Built in 1563 along with several other temples in the city, its location and beautiful design played a key role in the temple’s purpose for centuries. It is one of the few temples of the city that is not had to undergo continual reconstruction from invading forces destroying it. Unlike many of the temples from this. This one is not seen the massive destruction that was so common with the other temples.

A Little History about Wat Si Muang

The temple was built to serve the people of the Kingdom of Lan Xang. It is located on the eastern entrance of the city center, directly on the road which leads to the Friendship Bridge that crosses over into Thailand. Originally, the temple itself was built on the ruins of the Hindu shrine from the Khmer Empire. In fact, you can still see some of the remains from the original structure located in the ordination hall.

The statue of King Sisavang Vong stands directly in front of the Wat Si Muang, giving great prominence to the mighty king who helped to build the structure. There is also a great legend that holds that women who were pregnant at the time that the temple was constructed were given to the temple as a sacrifice to the gods.

What Wat Si Muang Looks Like

One of the things that makes this temple such a grand structure is because of its simplicity. Inside, Wat Si Muang is divided into two different rooms. The front row with a structure is reserved for quiet, where monks usually are on hand to give blessings to those who enter the complex. In the rear room of the house there was a large main altar area. Here you will find numerous statues and images of Buddha, as well as other decorative carvings and art that really add to the grandeur and stature of the building.

The Importance of Wat Si Muang

When it was constructed, Wat Si Muang was designed to be one of the pillars of the city of Vientiane. It still is today. In fact, this is one of the most visited monuments in the entire country of Laos, not only by tourists but by the indigenous persons of the country as well.

Today you can join in and visit this beautiful temple, which is surrounded by a very impressive courtyard area. The bright and decorative colors are surely something you will enjoy, and because it is such a close distance to the border of Thailand many find that it is the perfect day to visit the temple and then spend a brief period of time across the border.

Be aware that in the temple area you will also find many who were selling wares. This includes such things as bananas, coconuts, incense, and candles. Well maybe not being the grandest of the temples you will find in the city, it is surely one you will not want to miss.

Some information you may need to know:

Entrance fee: you do not need to pay the entrance fee, but you have to pay fee for parking in the ground.

Opening hours: Daily from 6am to 7pm

How to get to the Wat Si Muang

It will be convenient if you want to ride a bicycle or you can drive a motorbike.

Wat Si Saket

Wat Sisaket is a small temple in the capital Vientiane, the temple has 6.840 small and rare Buddha statues. Statues made here are mainly made of copper, some made from other materials such as precious wood, silver, or gilded.
The temple has a 5-storey roof structure and corridor surrounding the main temple. The walls in the corridor are home to more than 2.000 large statues made in the 16th and 19th centuries. Around the corridor, there are more than 300 statues of Lao sculpture made of wood, stone or tin made in Vientiane in the 16th and 19th centuries. The lower cases also display over 300 Buddha statues in the Lao style. The western corridor displays a series of broken statues – the result of an assault by the Siamese in 1828. Noteworthy, in the main hall and a few rooms around, there are many rare gold-plated ancient statues. Coming to Sisaket, anyone must visit the “Buddha statue” lying neatly on the left of the temple. The door is made with simple wood panels, revealing inside hundreds of large Buddha statues. These statues only have the body, hands, or legs. All statues have one thing in common, that is losing head.

It is also a museum – where more than 8000 valuable books and 6840 Buddha statues are made of various materials such as bronze, stone, wood, silver or gypsum. Each niche places a Buddha statue, giving a sense of protection to the person praying. The outer courtyard system also houses hundreds of large and small Buddha statues. There is also a library of nearly 400 years old with many ancient Buddhist texts written on palm leaves.
For the Lao people, Buddhism is national religion. Sisaket is one of the symbols of Buddhism in this gentle country. You can meet temples influenced by other religions, but over time, these religions will be transformed gradually towards Buddhism so that close to the customs and lifestyle of the Lao people. Wat Sisaket is quite similar to other temples in “The land of A million Elephants”. Everyday, monks will still have to go begging. The begging is only in the morning and absolutely cannot limit the food that people give. The number of food besides serving two meals daily to visit the soul sent in the temple. The people who eat food for the temple every day also partly want to send food for their loved ones in in another world.

Opening hours: Everyday, from 08:00 am to 04:00 pm.

COPE Visitor Centre

Located on Kouvieng Road just down from the morning market, the COPE Visitor Center shows the dark history of the Lao Civil War and the 260 million bombs that were dropped on Laos from 1964-1973. COPE provides artificial limbs and rehabilitation for people, many of them children, who have lost limbs due to UXOs, or unexploded ordinances.

Opening hours: all days during a week, from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm.

That Dam (or Black Stupa)

That Dam (or Black Stupa) is a large stupa in Vientiane of Laos. This ancient and impressive stupa is located on a square, where near the Talat Sao Market. Stupas were constructed to honor Buddhist King as well as influential monks. Along with That Luang, That Dam is the biggest temple in the capital with the wonderful visual art.
According to many documents of the Lao people, the That dam is the unique construction of the most architectures, not only in the Vientiane but also in Laos. As some information collected, That Dam stupa was taken up residence. The Naga defended Vientiane’s residential when the town was destroyed in 1827. Other historians have suggested that Black stupa used to be built in gold, but the Siamese trespassers took it.

Opening hours: 24/7

Lao National Museum 

The Lao National Museum was built in 1925, which is formerly known as the Lao Revolutionary Museum. In 2000, this museum was renamed. Sometimes, people call this museum is the Lao National History Museum.
The Lao National Museum is the wonderful method to discover and find out about the Lao’s history, culture and life. The Museum has now included various ground, from ancient time to the modern day. Although there is a wide range of artifacts as well as photos, which are not arranged and disposed professionally, there are numerous excellent exhibits. The first floor exhibits many antique items, the upper floor displays more detail describing and illustrating the Lao history.

There are some rules that you should remember before visiting the Lao National Museum:

1. You should foresee that, there may be various sign and displays showing anti-Western.

2. Do not forget to sign in a guest book and read some exchanges at the entrance of the Museum.

3. You are not allowed to bring cameras and bags in the museum.

4. You will need to hand in your personal longings at the entrance.

How to get to the Lao National Museum:

Everywhere in the centre of Vientiane capital, you can hire a bicycle or go by tuk tuk, and even walk to the Lao National Museum.

Wat Ong Teu

Wat Ong Teu was built in the early 16th century by King Setthathirath. It was destroyed during the war with the Siamese and was rebuilt in the 19th and 20th centuries.

After the French reconstructed, the temple was used as a school for Theravada Buddhism. It is now the national center of Buddhist studies in Laos. With a visit to the Wat, you’re likely to encounter monks reading books around the temple. If the monks seem open to talking to you, take the opportunity to chat with them; they’ll appreciate practicing their English and in turn you may learn about their life as monks.

There are many statues of Buddha in this temple with a central and massive bronze Buddha, the largest one cast in Vientiane that survived the war. The Buddha called Phra Ongteu gives the temple its name.

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday: 8 am – 5 pm

Wat Sok Pa Luang

Famous for its herbal saunas, which are usually administered by lay people who reside at the temple, this wat paa or forest temple (War Mahaphutthawongsa Pa Luong Pa Yai; Thanon Sok Pa Luong) is in Muang Sisauanak. After a relaxing sauna, you can take herbal tea on the veranda while cooling off; expert massage is also available. You’re not supposed to wash away your accumulated perspiration for two or three hours afterwards, apparently to allow the herbs to soak into your pores. The temple charges around US$1 for use of the sauna, about US$2 for an’ hour-long massage. Nearby Wat 51 Amphon (Thanon Si Amphon) also does herbal saunas.

Wat Sok Pa Luang is known for its course of instruction in vipassana (Lao vipatsanda), a type of Buddhist meditation that involves careful mind-body analysis. The abbot and teacher is Ajahn Sali Kantasilo, a Thai who came to Laos in 1953 at the request of monks and laity in Vientiane. He accepts foreign students but only speaks Lao and Thai, so if you are interested you may have to arrange an interpreter. 

How to get to Wat Sok Pa Luang

Taxi, jumbo and tuk-tuk drivers all know how to get to Wat Sok Pa Luang. If you’re traveling by car or bicycle, take Thanon Khu Vieng south past Talat Sao for about 2.5km until you come to a fairly major road on the left (this is Thanon Sok Pa Luang, but it’s unmarked). Turn left here; the entrance to the wat is about 500m on the left. The temple buildings are back in the woods so all you can see from the road is the tall, ornamented gate.

Morning Market (Talat Sao)

Talat Sao combines two very different shopping experiences in a central location where old and new Vientiane come together in an interesting mix, and, if you are travelling deeper into Laos, it is your absolute best chance to pick up any specific items and indulge in a bit of retail therap

The Morning Market (also called  Talat Sao) starts early, but keeps going well into the day as vendors cram into the downtown venue to sell everything from Chinese medicinal herbs to pirated DVDs and silver jewellery in addition to everyday sundries. This is the Laotian version of a shopping mall, offering the only experience of its kind in the country. 

Selling points

•  “Ordinary local market”
•  “Great place to buy Gold.”
•  “Laotian Market”

Nam Ngum Reservoir

Nam Ngum is a large river in North and Central of Laos, which is an important tributary of the Mekong. Nam Ngum is 354 km long, originating from the northern mountainous region of Xieng Khouang, flowing south to Vientiane, and entering the Mekong in the south of Vientiane. The river basin is home to about one million Lao people. In the 1980s, Laos built a hydropower project on Nam Ngum at a section of Vientiane. In the mid-1990s, the dam was built to change the direction and supplement water to Nam Ngum reservoir in the dry season. Up to now, Nam Ngum Hydropower is still the largest hydropower project in Laos. Laos is also building and having plans to build four other hydropower projects on this river.

 5 BEAUTIFUL WATERFALLS IN VIENTIANE

At present, Vientiane residents have a choice of waterfalls to visit, where a happy Saturday or Sunday can be spent enjoying a lazy picnic and playing in the refreshing water. Most of the waterfalls are surrounded by thick vegetation and visitors can delight in the clean air and the sound of birdsong against the backdrop of cascading water.
Most waterfalls are open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00pm and there is a small charge for each visitor and for vehicles. It’s also advisable to bring some money to rent a hut and some mats.

Tad Moun waterfall

This waterfall is located in Sikhottabong district and is closest to the city centre. It has been developed by a local investor and consists of several areas: Tad Moun 1 and 2, Tad Palay, Tad Vangnong 1 and 2, and Tad Vangnampheuak. Leaving downtown Vientiane, head for the Km 10 marker at Nongteng village on Road No. 13 North. You will see a sign on the right hand side to Tad Moun waterfall, where you turn left onto a concrete road and then drive a further 7 to 10 kilometres to reach the waterfalls. Each of them is signposted along the road. They are all close to each other and you can choose your favourite spot.

HinKhanna waterfall

This waterfall is located in Naxaithong district and can be reached by driving along Road No. 13 North to Km 15 where you will see a sign to the waterfall pointing to the left. Turn left and drive for another 10km to reach the waterfall. There are a lot of trees here and it’s a good place to have a picnic with your family or friends.

Tad Xon waterfall

Tad Xon is located in Naxon village, Naxaithong district, and has a large channel that directs the cascade of water pouring down the rocks from higher ground. To get there, take Road No. 13 North to Huakhua village – a distance of about 20 km. You will see a sign pointing left onto an asphalt road, which you should follow for another 10km. This area has many big trees and is a very good place to relax in a modern hut or take an elephant ride. Elephant rides cost 50,000 kip for foreign adults and 30,000 kip for foreign children. Lao nationals pay 30,000 kip per adult and 20,000 kip for children.

Nam Xuang reservoir

This reservoir is located in Sivilay village, Naxaithong district. Take Road No. 13 North to the 38 Km marker where you turn left onto an asphalt road. Continue for a further 2km to get to the reservoir. Here, the water flows through a channel formed by rocks and is a great spot to cool off.

Tad Vangluang waterfall

Tad Vangluang waterfall is located in the Vernkabao area of Pakngum district. It opened to the public last year and is currently very popular, attracting at least 1,000 people at weekends. The entry fee is very reasonable at 20,000 kip per pick-up truck and 5,000 kip per motorbike. Huts are available for rent at 50,000 kip per hut, and you can also rent inner tubes, charcoal stoves and mats for 30,000 kip each.