The capital city of Laos, Vientiane is the perfect place to visit for a breather. The sleepy city’s slow pace makes for a pretty contemplative trip. Days bleed into each other in Vientiane, but that’s not such a bad thing when it’s in a city surrounded by French-inspired architecture, incritate temples, and historical landmarks.
The national symbol of Laos, Pha That Luang, is one of the most popular attractions in Vientiane and is a must-see when visiting the capital city. Located on the northeast of the city, at the end of Pha That Luang Road, the historic gold stupa stands at over 45m tall. Pha That Luang, which means the “Great Sacred Stupa” is actually made entirely of gold and is visited by pilgrims from all over the world, especially in November during the Boun That Luang Festival.
A massive war monument located close to the city’s center, the Patuxay (Patuxai) monument was built to commemorate the lives of the fallen Lao soldiers who died during World World II. The monument is also called the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane due to its likeness to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Aside from admiring the monument from below, visitors can actually climb the seven-stories inside the monument, passing through souvenir shops and a museum. Finally, visitors can enjoy the panoramic views of the city from the top.
The Wat Si Saket is one of the city’s most popular temples, and rightfully so. It is the oldest temple in the city that is still in its original form, and one of the very few that survived the looting and destruction in 1827 due to the Siamese armies that came to Laos. The temple’s courtyard is home to over 7,000 preserved images of Budhha.
The Buddha Park is a well-known statue park that was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleau Sulilat. Luang Pu Bunleau Sulilat was a mystic, priest-shaman and sculptor who had a very large following in Laos and Thailand. The park, filled with numerous Buddhist statues, Hindu gods and goddesses like Vishnu, and the eight-armed Shiva, and even a 40-meter-long gigantic reclining Buddha.
Previously one of Laos’ most venerated temples, the Haw Phra Kaew is now one of the city’s most popular museums. The temple was home to the Emerald Buddha from the temple’s construction in 1565 to 1779, the year the Buddha was moved to Thailand. Now, the museum is home to Buddhist relics and old artifacts, as well as a souvenir shop for tourists.
One of the busiest Buddhist temples in the city, Wat Si Muang dates all the way back to 1563. It is considered the home of “the guardian spirit of Vientiane” and is a much-frequented religious temple by both locals and tourists alike. The entry hall also features a copy of the Emerald Buddha, and another ancient Buddha that is believed to have survived the destruction and fires of 1828.
The well-known Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is a bridge over the Mekong River connecting the cities of Vientiane in Laos, and Nong Khai in Thailand. The bridge, which is approximately 1,170 meters long was opened on April 8, 1994. Aside from two wide road lanes that connect travelers between the two countries, the bridge has a railway line in the middle, and an overpass with walking lanes for visitors to take in the view.
The That Dam Stupa, which translates to “black stupa” is a popular historical landmark in the city. Local legend says that the stupa was once home to a seven-headed Naga (serpent), which protected the locals from the 1827 Siamese invasion. Conveniently located near the center of the town, the That Dam is very close to Vientiane’s morning market, making it a tourist favorite.
The COPE visitor center in Vientiane is run by an organization of the same name called COPE (Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise) who aim to provide prosthetics, rehabilation services, and education to those who have been affected by the bombings that Laos suffered from 1964 and 1973. The visitor center is also home to a museum which conveys the dark history of the bombicns in Laos; and most importantly the effect of the American-Vietnam war on its neighboring countries. The visitor center is free to visit and is a site history-buffs should not miss.
The Vientiane Night Market is a riverfront market with stalls that sell a variety of goods: from crafts to textiles, to clothes. It’s the perfect place for bargain-hunters with the majority of their items sold at really affordable prices. Conveniently located, the night market is just across one of the liveliest roads in the city: Quai Fa Ngum, where visitors can grab some food after a shopping spree.
Known as the sleepy capital of Laos, Vientiane is home to some of the country’s most significant monuments including That Luang, Haw Phra Kaew, and much more. It is also a great stop-over for those looking to visit other cities in the country.
Vientiane, Laos is part of South East Asia, where the climate is mostly dry throughout the year. The best time to visit the city is during the cooler months of November to February.
The Riverside is one of the best places for first-time visitors to stay in Vientiane. The Riverside is where most of the city’s best restaurants, cafes, and bars can be found. This is also where you can find a number of the city’s most popular landmarks like the Presidential Palace, Lao National Cultural Hall and more.