Things to do in Vientiane

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Vientiane

Vientiane Attractions

A world of gilded towers, steamy cuisine, and lush jungle scenery is waiting for you on the banks of the Mekong River. A minor metropolis with a relaxed environment and traditional feel, the capital of Laos makes a great base for you to explore the wonders of southeast Asia. From marketplaces and cooking classes to Zen meditation and long-tail boats, you can take advantage of a wealth of things to do in Vientiane that bring the country's beauty and heritage to life.


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Most popular activities in Vientiane

What to do in Vientiane

Free Things to Do in Vientiane

A visit to Vientiane doesn't have to break the bank. You can leave your wallet behind if you go to:

That Dam - Educate yourself about some of the fascinating history of the area through this site.

Patuxay - Pull out your guidebook and find out why this place is worth a spot on your itinerary.

Wat Si Saket - Do a bit of quiet reflection and find out a thing or two about this site's religious importance.

Mekong Riverside Park - Grab your rug, throw together a quick snack and find a cozy area to relish Mother Nature.

Areas & Neighborhoods in Vientiane

The center of Vientiane lies around the Talat Sao marketplace, a modern shopping center surrounded by blocks of little shops that offer handicrafts, dry goods, and fresh food. You'll find the city's biggest cluster of hotels just to the southeast, while temples and historic landmarks to the southwest lie amid French colonial buildings on the way to the riverbank.

When you follow the city's main thoroughfare to the north, you're taken past a chain of embassies and museums to a neighborhood offering fine restaurants and cafes. An even livelier scene awaits you to the south along Tha Deua Road, where craft shops mingle with entertainment venues along the waterfront to form the heart of the city's nightlife.

What to See in Vientiane

A laid-back, uncrowded atmosphere helps to underscore the timeless feel of Vientiane's most beautiful sights. Check out the exquisite handiwork of 500-year-old temples like Wat Si Muang and Haw Phra Kaew, or mingle with the crowd of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures among the trees in Buddha Park. The towering golden stupa of Pha That Luang makes one of the grandest sights in Laos, and the immense triumphal arch of the Patuxai Victory Monument offers one of the best views in the city from the balconies atop its tower. And you can get another kind of perspective at the Lao National Museum, which holds a wealth of history in a colonial mansion built for the former French governor.

Sightseeing in Vientiane

Vientiane's deceptively quiet setting puts you right in the middle of a whole world of relaxation and beauty, along with just the people to help you explore it. You can get a personal introduction to the city with a private tour to some of its most famous landmarks, or venture out into the country for a ride among the islands of Nam Ngum Lake aboard a classic long-tail boat. A trip upriver to the village of Vang Vieng lets you see monuments even older than those in the capital, along with the spectacular steep hills and flooded caves along the Nam Song River.

If you want to get to know the city a bit better, there's few easier ways to do it than by spending some time at the markets. Have a guide show you the vendors and stalls on a food tour that lets you try some of the best Laotian cooking, or get a personalized lesson to learn how to make your own, so you can spend your time in Vientiane the way life here was meant to be lived.

Things to Do in Vientiane with Kids

Vientiane is a terrific place for a family getaway. Take the kids along and enjoy these top family friendly experiences together:


 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Vientiane? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 


 

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Vientiane on a sunny day?
What to do in Vientiane on a rainy day?
If the heavens open up and you’re after something to do, put down your umbrella and try out a Cooking Class in Vientiane.
What should I not miss in Vientiane?
Patuxay is one thing you shouldn’t jump back on that plane without seeing.
Are there cheap things to do in Vientiane?
A Lao Travel Services and Transport Company Limited promises a fabulous time without costing a packet.
What can you do in Vientiane for free?
Your escape to Vientiane needn’t cost a bundle with free things like these to discover:

  • Patuxay
  • Wat Si Saket
  • Talat Sao
  • Ban Anou Night Market


Discover the most popular places to visit in Vientiane

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Vientiane

Lao cafe

Chinatown

When in Chinatown, you can plan a visit to Ban Anou Night Market and Mekong Riverside Park, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Chinatown

Popular day trips from Vientiane