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Step 18/60: Laos - Vientiane

Vientiane photo by Jantine De jong

About Vientiane

It might be the capital of Laos, but Vientiane feels like a small town. No high-rise, no crazy traffic. It's a slow paced town, with not much to see or do (but maybe I had my 1.5 month travel dip?). There is a Mekong Festival though, every year during the weekend around March 13th. It's a lovely festival for the French expats in town. Nice French foods, music and atmosphere. Friday night is the best night to go.
Car icon
How I got here ?

Price: 2 €

Traveling time: 1 hours

Price: for a tuk-tuk to the border and another tuk-tuk to town. Visas at the border cost $30, but I already had one.

Tips & Tricks

  • Scam-alert: check if they stamped your passport at the border...!!
  • They demand $100 if you try to exit Laos without a stamp! You'll have to pay up!

Things to see

Pha That Luang 0 /10
- €
Pha That Luang photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Build in the 16th century. This Buddhistic stupa is a national monument and the national symbol of Laos. It's also depicted on the banknotes of the national currency. I didn't actually go in...
Patuxai 6 /10
- €
Patuxai photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Laos very own Arc de Triomphe! It was actually inspired by the one in Paris and the name Patuxai literally means 'arc of triumph'. Apparently it was made of concrete donated by the Americans in the 1960's to make a new airport. Instead they build this arc, which got the nickname: vertical runway.
Wat Si Saket 7 /10
0.5 €
Wat Si Saket photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
The oldest temple in Vientiane. Almost 7000 Buddha statues house in this temple. Every niche in the wall contains a small silver or ceramic Buddha. The main temple building has some really nice murals. Unfortunately there are men trying to be your guide and so the rest of the time you'll be too busy trying to get rid of them instead of actually enjoying the site.

Practical

Syri 1 guest house 8/10
Price 4 €
Address

Rue Saigon
Vientiane

User's opinion:

Stayed here for just one night. Nice, quiet place.


Dragon lodge 8/10
Price 5 €
Address

Rue Samsenthai
Vientiane

User's opinion:

Since I met up with more people, we needed a bigger room. Nice big room with big bathroom (bath!) and tv.


Air Conditioning Available No Curfew
Scandinavian bakery 8/10
Price 2.5 €
Address

Rue Pangkham, Nam Phu
Vientiane

User's opinion:

Great for breakfast and lunch. Good bread and pastries. Good place to just sit and relax, chill with a book and a good cup of tea (or coffee, or chocolate milk...).


Le provencal 5/10
Price 8 €
Address

Rue Pangkham, Nam Phu
Vientiane

User's opinion:

French food place. The food wasn't good here and expensive too! Nobody was satisfied... Floppy french fries, dried-out overcooked steak.


La terrasse 7/10
Price 8 €
Address

Rue Nokeokoummane
Vientiane

User's opinion:

Pizzas and French food place. Nice restaurant with good food. Always busy, so we had to make reservations to be sure to get a table.


Diner at the riverside 8/10
Price 5 €
Address

Along the Mekongriver
Vientiane

User's opinion:

Along the river you'll find tons of little 'restaurants'. Pillows and low tables on verandas along the water. Food is actually sort of street food, but tastes good and there's a great ambiance!!