Visit Vientiane: what are the best things to do and see in the capital of Laos?
We often think there’s not much to do on Vientiane. Get out of here, though Vientiane or a quiet capital, the activities are multiple for who knows where to find them. Here is a list of the most important activities and visits of the Laotian capital.
1. Chao Anouvong Park
Chao Anouvong Park is a 14-hectare park built in 2010 to honour the memory of King Chao Anouvong (1767-1829) whose statue you will find on the north shore of the Mekong River. The statue representing the king is made of bronze and is 6 meters high. The king is considered to be a war hero, at the foot of the statue, a small altar for offerings and prayers.
2. Buddha park
The buddha park also known as Vat Xieng Khouane, is a park located about 20 kilometres from Vientiane and 4 km from the Friendship Bridge (linking Laos to the North East of Thailand). It is called Vat (Laotian Time) Xien Khouane but it is not a temple. This site was built in 1958 by Bouleua Soulilat a shaman priest yogi and includes more than 200 statues in Buddhist and Hindu concrete. Go to the top of the statue in the shape of a pumpkin to have a view of the entire Buddha park.
3. Haw Pha Kaeo Temple
Haw Pha Kaeo is one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in Vientiane. This temple was built in 1565 to house the emerald Buddha. Following a conflict with Thailand in 1779, the emerald Buddha is currently in Thailand. Today, Wat Pha Kaeo has become a museum of religious art.
4. Night market
Vientiane’s Night Market is an open-air market that sits on the banks of the Mekong every evening. After visiting the statue of King Chao Anouvong at Anouvong Park, walk up the shore of the Mekong River to go to the Night Market. Clothing, textiles, craftsmanship, you will find some memories to bring back from your trip. It is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and no food is sold.
5. Patouxai
Here is a monument that strangely resembles the arch of Parisian triumph. The Patouxai also called "Victory Gate" was built in the 1960s. This construction was the project of architect Tham Sayasithsena who had studied in Paris. At each level, you will find a souvenir shop reserved for tourists.
If you go to the top you can enjoy a view of Lane Xang Avenue.
6. Pha That Luang
The Pha That Luang means in Laotien "great golden stupa". This Buddhist monument of Vientiane is the most sacred of Laos, symbolizing both Buddhist religion and sovereignty. The inside of the Pha That Luang is supposed to contain a Buddha's hair. In front of this quadrangular gold stupa of 35 meters high stands a statue of King Setthathirat who ordered the construction of the stupa.
7. Talat sao
We find everything or almost at the Talat Sao. Here you make your shopping, souvenirs, practical items for your daily life, textiles, high tech and even what to eat. If you like shopping and negotiate prices, you will be served at Talat Sao. To get there, nothing simpler, you have to ask a tuk tuk Avenue Lane Xang. The Talat Sao is located between Wat Sisaket and Patouxai.
8. That Dam
The That Dam or "black stupa" is a short walk from the Nam Phu fountain and the Talat Sao. It is said that in the past the supa was made up of gold leaves, with the invasion of the Siamese, only the black bricks and the grass remain on it. There is no visiting fee to see That Dam, you can visit it at any time of day. Avoid at night, because the stupa is not lit.
9. Wat Si Muang
The Wat Si Muang is the most visited of Vientiane and the most frequented by the Laotians for more than 1000 years. According to a legend, a pregnant woman would have sacrificed herself by throwing herself into the hole planned for the pillar of the city, thus becoming the guardian of the city.
10. Wat Sisaket
It is the oldest temple of Vientiane built in 1818 by the mandate of King Anouvong and completed in 1824. The wat Sisaket is the only temple that survived the Siamese invasion for its Thai style. This temple is also known for these 7000 statues of Buddha mainly wood sculptures located in the gallery of the courtyard.
How to get to Vientiane?
Departure from Paris Roissy, Thai Airways offers regular flights to Vientiane and Luang Prabang via Bangkok. Malaysia Airlines also offers flights from Paris to Kuala Lumpur. You can also go to Laos with Finn Air, via Helsinki, or Emirates, via Doha, but prices are usually a little higher. From Thailand, it is possible to get to Laos by bus. To find cheap flights to Vientiane, you can search our partner's website Ulysses .
Where to stay in Vientiane?
Vientiane is not a great capital. We have to target them accommodation in the centre and avoid those who give on the Mekong. You can find a cheap hotel in Vientiane by looking for this Compare hotels .
Now that you have become aware of Vientiane's essentials, what will be your choice among temples, markets and/or monuments?
Loading comments ...