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The capital

Vientiane

A relaxed riverside capital of golden stupas, coffee culture and sunset aerobics.

Pha That Luang
Temples & spiritual01

Pha That Luang

ພະທາດຫຼວງ

The golden stupa that is the national symbol of Laos.

  • Visit in the morning light
  • Walk around the cloister
  • Dress modestly
Patuxai
History02

Patuxai

ປະຕູໄຊ

Vientiane's victory monument, with city views from the top terrace.

  • Climb the stairs to the top
  • See the fountain park at night
  • A small entry fee applies
Wat Si Saket
Temples & spiritual03

Wat Si Saket

ວັດສີສະເກດ

The city's oldest surviving temple, its cloister walls lined with thousands of small Buddha images.

  • Combine with Haw Phra Kaew opposite
  • No photos inside the sim
  • Go early, before the midday heat
Prosthetic legs at the COPE centre in Vientiane
Social enterprises04

COPE Visitor Centre

ສູນຂໍ້ມູນ COPE

A moving centre on prosthetics and rehabilitation for survivors of unexploded ordnance.

  • Free entry; the café supports the programme
  • Allow an hour
  • Watch the short documentaries
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
Off the beaten path05

Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)

ສວນພະ (ຊຽງຂວັນ)

A riverside garden of giant concrete Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, 25 km from the centre.

  • Climb inside the giant 'pumpkin'
  • Take local bus 14 or a tuk-tuk
  • Go late afternoon for softer light
Riverside night market & sunset aerobics
Markets & local life06

Riverside night market & sunset aerobics

ຕະຫຼາດກາງຄືນລິມຂອງ ແລະ ເຕັ້ນແອໂຣບິກ

Chao Anouvong Park fills up at dusk with stalls, food and mass open-air aerobics.

  • Join in the aerobics, everyone's welcome
  • Browse clothes and gadgets
  • Eat at the riverside grills
Lao coffee being prepared
Food & drink07

Coffee and khao jee culture

ວັດທະນະທຳກາເຟ ແລະ ເຂົ້າຈີ່

Lao coffee from the Bolaven Plateau and French-legacy baguette sandwiches on almost every corner.

  • Order a strong iced Lao coffee with condensed milk
  • Try khao jee pâté for breakfast
  • Explore the new specialty cafés
Riverside nightlife
Nightlife & social08

Riverside nightlife

ຊີວິດຍາມຄ່ຳລິມແມ່ນ້ຳ

Beer gardens, live-music bars and rooftop terraces along and behind the Mekong promenade.

  • Try Beerlao Dark or a local craft beer
  • Most places wind down around midnight
  • Use a registered taxi or ride-hailing app
Boun That Luang (Nov)
Festivals09

Boun That Luang (Nov)

ບຸນທາດຫຼວງ (ເດືອນພະຈິກ)

The country's biggest religious festival, with candlelit processions and a week-long fair at the stupa.

  • Join the dawn alms-giving at That Luang
  • Watch the wax-castle processions
  • Expect big crowds on the full-moon day
Festivals10

Vientiane boat races (Oct)

ບຸນຊ່ວງເຮືອວຽງຈັນ (ເດືອນຕຸລາ)

Longboat races on the Mekong the day after Ok Phansa, with a riverside fair.

  • Watch from the promenade
  • See lantern boats the night before
  • Dates follow the lunar calendar
Phou Khao Khouay & Nam Ngum
Nature11

Phou Khao Khouay & Nam Ngum

ພູເຂົາຄວາຍ ແລະ ນ້ຳງື່ມ

Day trips to forest waterfalls in the national park and island-dotted Nam Ngum reservoir.

  • Hire a driver for the day
  • Eat fresh fish at the reservoir
  • Swim only where locals do
Vientiane's station on the Laos-China Railway
Getting around12

Getting in and out

ການເດີນທາງເຂົ້າ-ອອກ

Wattay airport, the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai, and trains north to Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and Kunming.

  • Book trains a few days ahead
  • The railway station is outside the centre
  • Ride-hailing apps work in the city

Checked September 2026. Opening hours, prices and boat or train timetables change, so confirm locally before you go. Photo credits

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