Visiting Vientiane

vientiane-temple-stupas Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane is located in the Mekong Valley and is the largest capital city of Laos, with an estimated 750,000 people (2011). This is my story about visiting Vientiane back in 2008.

This laid-back city is one of the exciting places to visit as they are one of the newest players in the tourism industry for Indochina and Southeast Asia.

Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane city is also currently being developed at a fast pace. Hence, as you enter Laos via flight, you will land at the Wattay International Airport, which is very modern, and you will be pretty impressed.

But a quick walk to the domestic terminal will take you back in time. The other popular way of getting to Vientiane would be via the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge via road and, in the future, train.

Right now, the train from Bangkok stops at the border town of Nong Kai, and you need to take a tuk-tuk across to the Laos checkpoint.

vientiane-temple-stupa Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane Stupas in the town area.

Vientiane was also featured in the New York Times in 2008 as the top place to visit for that year. I had already booked my Vientiane tickets via AirAsia on promotion before the announcement came out, and back then, I paid only about RM600 (US$170) both ways for two persons.

Numerous airlines from around Southeast Asia fly to the capital here if you want an excellent deal. I flew with AirAsia for my trip as it was one of the new destinations in 2008.

Vientiane Presidential Palace.

Walking around Vientiane can be easy and relaxing as there are several temples and interesting sites within the town area.

However, you should be prepared for some extreme walking if you are the type that loves to wander the city areas.

I spent a good two days on foot exploring the city while the other days were spent on a rented motorbike to visit other places of interest.

It is cheap and easy to rent a motorbike in Vientiane for foreigners, which I described in my other story.

vientiane-police-fire-department Visiting Vientiane

Me, posing at the police and fire department of Vientiane.

vientiane-art-paintings-roadside Visiting Vientiane

Lao paintings sold near the Mekong River.

If you explore the town centre, you will find roadside vendors selling paintings. They are all unframed paintings done by locals and are sold pretty cheaply.

When I bought some in 2008, they cost only about US$3-$5 for the small and medium-sized ones, while the larger ones cost around $10 to $15.

vientiane-street-art-painting-vendor Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane – Street art being sold by locals.

Some of the vendors set up shop late in the morning, and looking closely, you would be amazed at some of the work being sold.

The paintings are mainly of Buddha and Monks. Some paintings are of local scenery, and I recommend buying them.

A woven painting holder is also sold for about $2 to $3 to hold your rolled paintings so you can easily take them back home.

vientiane-restaurants-fountain Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane nightlife, where restaurants line the streets at the fountain.

vientiane-monk-contractors Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane Monks doing construction work at a temple.

Video of the Mekong River in Vientiane

viantiane-restaurants-by-mekong Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane riverside local restaurants.

Visiting the Mekong River

The mighty Mekong River, which borders Thailand, is the centre of attraction in Vientiane, where most restaurants, guesthouses and hotels are situated.

This is one of the must-visit places while in Vientiane. Experience the Lao people’s local lifestyle by sitting at one of the local coffee shops or riverside restaurants and enjoying a lovely Lao Coffee or a cold Lao beer.

vientiane-carlsberg-bar-boat-mekong Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane Mekong River floating bar-restaurant.

Sadly when I visited Vientiane in February, the Mekong River was all dried up. It was so dry that people from across the river in Thailand would walk across to Vientiane.

The super-wide Mekong River in Vientiane is actually a border with Thailand. I looked like a full kilometre across the river from my view.

vientiane-mekong-river Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane – Dried up Mekong River. Thailand is just across.

So, there I stood, watching these people going about their daily life. Motorcycles were seen riding across the river bed to the border while hoards of people casually walked into Vientiane.

There were no police or immigration people around when this happened, and I can only imagine how many locals used the river to cross over.

vientiane-restaurant-by-mekong-river Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane Mekong riverside restaurant.

vientiane-lady-girl-hawker Visiting Vientiane

Local Lao lady selling items in town.

vientiane-joma-bakery-latte-croissant Visiting Vientiane

Latte at Joma Bakery in Vientiane.

Eating in Vientiane

Eating in Vientiane can be a wonderful experience as the local Lao food is tasty and fresh. It was a blast for me as I genuinely love the Indochina style of food.

Besides local Lao food, there are many other options, like European-style bakeries and cafes and a wide selection of French, Swedish and European cuisines in town. The prices are reasonable, and the food quality there is top-notch.

And if it gets too tricky for your stomach, you can opt for the hotel food or some available European food.

French bakery in Vientiane.

Bakeries are top-rated here, and walking around Vientiane town, you will surely come across various bakeries like French, Italian and Swiss. Hence, you are never away from home, as they say.

But keep in mind that there are no international fast-food chains in Laos. No Mcdonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Doughnuts or Taco Bell.

I have to highlight the local coffee found all over the city. And one local coffee to try is the famous Lao coffee, as it is unique.

vientiane-foreign-currency-exchange Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane money changer or currency exchange.

Money Changers in Vientiane

Foreign currency exchange in Vientiane or money changers is easily found throughout the central city. While most of these money exchange outlets would exchange the most popular currencies, some do not accept Malaysian Ringgit (this goes to the Malaysians travelling to Vientiane).

I suggest changing your local currency to US Dollars before going to Vientiane. However, US Dollars, Thai Bath and Lao KIP are accepted throughout Laos. Give them US dollars and Bath; they give you change in KIP.

vientiane-foreign-exchange-rates Visiting Vientiane

Vientiane Foreign Currency Exchange Rates.

While in Vientiane, I found only one outlet that accepted Malaysian Ringgit. With that, I changed all my remaining Ringgit to KIP as I was headed to Luang Prabang for the rest of my trip and was informed that they do not accept the Ringgit in Luang Prabang.

Of course, you can easily find ATM Machines available at various locations to make a cash advance in emergencies.

Vientiane guesthouse bus ticket prices.

Many of the guesthouses offer bus tickets to almost the entire of Laos and also to Thailand. Shop for the best price if you plan to see other places in Laos.

In many cases, most foreigners would arrive in Vientiane, meet other travellers, discuss and then book tickets to other places.

This usually is the case for backpackers. These ticket counters also provide taxi services to nearby places of interest and the airport.

vientiane-yensabai-lao-show-theater Visiting Vientiane

Yensabai Traditional Lao Show in Vientiane.

Lao Traditional Show in Vientiane

Finally, if you have time, see the local Lao Traditional Show, Yensabai Show. This is in the Quai Fa Ngum Road area.

Shows start daily at 5:30 pm (closed on Sundays), and tickets are USD 7 (Children 2 to 12 yrs: USD 4) and are sold at the theatre entrance from 4:30 pm. The Lao Cultural Show is located on Manthathurath Road in Vientiane.

Additionally, Vientiane is pretty simple, with hardly any crime and easy to move around town. Most of the popular tourist sites are Stupas or temples.

To fully experience Laos, you must visit other places like Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vang Vieng.

If you plan to travel to other parts of Laos and do not have time, flying is the best option with Laos Airlines. I recommend this as it saves a considerable amount of time.

Things to Look Out For in Vientiane

Watch out for local tuk-tuk drivers trying to sell you Marijuana (Ganja). Just politely decline them, and they will not hassle you. Also, do not get caught with drugs; it is a harsh punishment.
I’m surprised that there are hardly any beggars in the town area. Apparently, the government and police are very strict with beggars, and if caught, they would be hauled up and sent out of town to a detention centre.
Take some time to try to local Lao or Khmer Massage in town. Cheap and surprisingly good. Many of these places are around the main town area, so shop around.
Check out the roadside Banana Pancake vendors who push their stalls around town at night.
Be amazed at how the Lao ladies dress in traditional skirts all over Laos and even in Vientiane town. The men, however, are usually dressed. It is a culture where Lao women still practice the tradition to this very day.
Be careful when buying Lao Antiques, as the government has a stringent ruling on removing local antiques from the country. Only antiques with permits are allowed out. The fine could be quite high if caught without one, so it’s best to avoid it.
The best time to visit Vientiane would be from November to February when the weather is cooling.
Is Vientiane Safe? 100% Safe from my personal experience. Well, just don’t get drunk and think you own the bar like some travellers in Bangkok or Pattaya.
Off The Beaten Part in Vientiane: Try attending a Lao Cooking Class for the ladies. A few have classes for 3 to 4 hours around the town area. One of them is located at the Thong Bay Guesthouse.

For more, you can check my other Laos and Vientiane articles that I have done.

Conclusion

For anyone planning to visit Vientiane, ensure you get all your arrangements done appropriately, as you would want things done promptly.

Vientiane is also the main gateway to other parts of Laos, and this country is the last country to open up to tourism apart from Myanmar. I hope that you found my Vientiane experience useful or helpful.

Share this content: