5 things to do in Vientiane, Laos

Vientiane was never a city we had given much thought to and in all honesty we may have missed it if it wasn’t for a mistake on my part. With the initial intention to spend a couple of weeks in Laos, we had a flight booked into the capital from Hanoi, Vietnam back in February. Although these plans fell through, we ended up having a great 4 days in the capital city that often gets overlooked by UNESCO World Heritage site Luang Prabang. Here’s a few of our favourite things to see, eat and do in the city.

Check out our vlog from Vientiane:

Visit Pha That Luang

Pha That Luang is the number one sight to see in the city and with good reason. Only a short tuk tuk ride away 4km out of the centre of the city lies the most important Buddhist monument in Laos. The monument dates back to the 3rd century and it is believed that the 44 metre gold stupa enshrines the breastbone of Buddha, brought to Vientiane by an Indian missionary. A small entrance fee of 10,000 Lao Kip (£0.90 GBP) is charged and ladies are required to wear clothing that covers the knees and shoulders.

Eat the local speciality, Larb

Found in most, if not all local restaurants in the city, Larb is essentially a spicy salad of minced meat such as chicken or pork with mint, lime juice, chilli, herbs, onions and fish sauce and comes served with sticky rice. As with many of the local dishes, it really does pack a punch so make sure to ask for it mild unless you’re going for the truly authentic experience.

Climb to the top of Patuxai Monument

The Arc De Triomphe replica also known as Victory monument is well worth a visit. Built in the 1960’s with cement that was given by the USA and originally intended for an airport, the monument acts as a memorial to those who died in pre revolutionary wars.

Marvel at the architecture from below or climb the stairs to the top (for a small fee of 3000 LAK/£0.30) for unrivalled, panoramic views across the city. It makes a great spot for photos and there happens to be small shops and stalls inside if you’re in the market for some souvenirs.

Go temple hopping

Dotted around the city are numerous Buddhist temples that you can visit for a small entrance fee. Many are within walking distance of each other but if not, you can easily grab a tuk tuk to take you around. Wat Si Saket is only a short walk from the Patuxai Monument and is believed to be Vientiane’s oldest temple. Therefore, it is not in excellent condition but still has an interesting history and beautiful details inside.

Drink a Lao beer in a rooftop bar

There are countless bars around the city which may come as a surprise considering how quiet it is compared to a lot of Asian cities. From rough around the edges ones to bars specialising in Belgian beer to high end hotel rooftops, there is bound to be a bar to fit your budget and taste. As always, the local beer ‘Lao beer’ is the cheapest option but happy hours can be found across the city.

All in all, we had a fantastic time exploring the city over the few days that we spent there. Whilst it is not the cheapest city in Asia, it boasts fantastic food, countless sites and has a refreshingly calm feel to it, especially in contrast to the bustling and hectic cities of Bangkok and Hanoi.

This small list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things to do in Vientiane and many trips are available to venture further afield and explore more of Laos. Unfortunately this time around we didn’t get to explore more of the country but this gives us an excellent reason to return.

Have you been to the Laos? How was your experience?

Happy adventuring,

Lorna