If you ask me, travelers shouldn't be sleeping on Laos and all its hidden gems!
With famous neighbors like Thailand and Vietnam, Laos often gets overlooked by tourists. But the truth is that it has so many hidden spots throughout the country that are bound to give you the travel memories you're seeking in Asia.
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Vientiane is the capital and largest city in Laos, and to be honest, it doesn't typically make the cut for most magical destinations in this country. It's one of the main gateways to this country, so many travelers make their way through the city at some point in their trip (rather than it being the destination stop). Although it's hard to compete with adventures like Laos' blue lagoons that you can find a bit further north, if stunning statues and temples are your thing, you wouldn't want to miss a stop in this capital city.
So if you find yourself in Vientiane as part of your trip to Laos, here's our guide to making the most of a day or two here:
All About Vientiane
Like we mentioned, Vientiane is the capital city of Laos! It sits just about 10 miles north of the Thai border, so it often becomes the first stop for travelers coming to Laos from Thailand.
As you're researching online to plan your trip here, you'll see a lot of travelers asking the question, "Is it worth a visit?" And the answers are sometimes yes and sometimes no. My thoughts? If you're short on time in Laos, I wouldn't pick Vientiane over places like the famous Blue Lagoons outside Vang Vieng or Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang. But there are some really cool sites here so if you have the time or if you are passing by, you can absolutely put together a great itinerary for a day exploring the city.
About 24-48 hours is a good amount of time to see Vientiane.
The Can't-Miss Spots
Wander The Buddha Park
Okay, first things first. This park is just cool. If you go anywhere in Vientiane, I'd suggest starting here so that you don't miss it. You'll see Buddhist statue heads all across Asia but this park is incredibly unique.
It’s a big sculpture garden full of giant Buddha heads, Hindu deities, and animals (some real, some are totally made up). It’s sorta eerie to wander around these enormous heads that have been weathered by the humidity and rain found in Laos, but it makes for some stellar pictures, especially since the park is full of leafy ferns, waving palm trees, and blooming bougainvillea for most of the year. The overall effect is a green lush jungle full of towering statues and a spiderweb of pathways that take you through the park. Yep, I'm in.
It's best pack up a few snacks yourself if you plan on being at the Xieng Khaun Buddha Park for long — it's not huge, but you can easily see a lot in 15 minutes if you run through it exceptionally fast, or up to a couple of hours if you want to really get all the photos and experience all the sites. Around the park, there is a small restaurant and snack stalls selling things like taro or fruit, but you don't have tons of options (hence packing in your own snacks).
Getting Here: The Xieng Khaun Buddha Park is found about 20 km outside of the city itself, which is handy if you're coming by bus straight from Thailand (it's just right by the border crossing at Nong Khai). If you're coming from the city, go to the Talat Sao bus station and find bus #14. Tickets are about 8000 KIP (less than a dollar). Buses run frequently (every 20 minutes or so) and the ride will take under an hour depending on traffic.
If you'd like to visit right after crossing the Nong Khai Thai border, you'll find tuk-tuks waiting to take you to the Xieng Khaun Buddha Park.
Cost + Hours: Entry tickets for foreigners cost 60,000 KIP which is about $3 USD. The park is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Visiting The Capital's Prettiest Wats + Structures
Words like jaw-dropping come to mind when you look at the temples (or “wats”) all over Laos. You will probably get your fill of wats if you do any exploring in Bangkok or Chiang Mai in Thailand, but Vientiane has a few to admire as well:
Wat Sok Pa Luang
Come meditate with the monks!
You’ll have to time your visit right, but each Saturday at Wat Sok Pa Luang, a group of monks gather for a meditative service primarily aimed at English speakers. You'll be able to sit in meditation with the monks and ask questions — the whole afternoon is structured as a sort of exchange, with the chance for visitors to practice meditation and the monks getting the chance to practice their English. After the mini discussion, you'll be taught the different types of meditation and get the opportunity to practice what you've learned.
Of course, this isn’t the only time you can chat with a monk (you’ll see them all over South East Asia), but now’s a good time to ask questions.
Getting Here: Taking a tuk-tuk to Wat Sok Pa Luang is typically the best option (unless you're within walking distance).
When: Saturdays at 3:00 PM
Usually, the English conversation lasts for about an hour (in small groups) then at around 4:00, there will be 20 minutes of discussion about meditation, 20 minutes of practice (while sitting) and 20 minutes of practice (while walking). It's about a two hour activity and you'll want to wear loose, flowy clothes you don't mind sitting and walking in.
Wat Si Saket
Wat Si Saket is the oldest standing temple in the city (built around 1818 and survived the Siam invasion), surrounded by thousands of Buddha statues. If you're in the city center, it's easy to walk here, sitting just off the Mekong River. You can also easily grab a tuk tuk to get here as well.
Entrance Fee: 5,000 KIP (about .25 cents USD)
Wat Si Muang
One of the more popular temples, Wat Si Muang has all the hallmarks of a Buddhist temple — a stunning prayer hall, ornate ceilings, reverent shrines, and people paying their respects and praying. It's just down the road from Wat Si Saket, so we recommend heading here after you visit that temple.
Pha That Luong
The Luong is a giant gold covered Buddhist stupa sitting in the center of Vientiane. It's one of the most famous and sacred monements here in Vientiane. The pinnacle is completely covered in gold leaf and the entire structure is painted in gold paint which creates a pretty show stopping effect. Inside, you'll find three floors that are broken up into different beliefs of Buddhism.
You can wander outside for free (although there's a charge if you want to go inside).
Find it on Google Maps
*No matter which temple you choose to visit, make sure you are dressed conservatively to show respect. We have a post all about visiting Buddhist temples in Thailand, but the same guidelines apply.
Donate At The COPE
COPE (or the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) is a charity based in Vientiane that works to rehabilitate those with mobility-related issues. This charity is particularly relevant in Laos due to all the unexploded landmines that dot the country, left after the Vietnam War.
Per capita, Laos is the most heavily bombed country in history. Thousands of farmers, those out for a walk in the fields, and others have suddenly been involved in life-altering accidents and COPE is here to help. The charity has helped thousands be fitted for prosthetic limbs (and other services, like orthodontics) after falling victim to the landmines. Learn more here.
The COPE Visitor Center walks you through the prosthetic process and displays and who they have been able to help. It's pretty heavy and emotional to walk through, listen to the survivor's stories, and realize how horrible the Laotian people have suffered from the after effects of the war.
Website: copelaos.org
Cost: It's free to visit, but a donation goes a long way. Just to give you an idea, $20 USD goes to paying for five days of food for a COPE patient, and $170 USD can pay for a lower arm + hand prosthesis. Every little bit helps!
Address: Find it on Google Maps
Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Places To Eat
Stroll The City's Night Market
Nestled along the huge Mekong River that flows through this country (and a few others), you can’t miss night markets while traveling in Asia. You'll definitely want to spend time at the night market just shopping around and tasting some of the local food.
For foodies, we like the things at the Ban Anou Market. It's more like a cool, outdoor food market rather than your traditional night market. Be sure to try some of the tasty (and local) food. Local dishes in Laos have similar roots to dishes you'll find in nearby Thailand and Vietnam, but with a distinctly French influence. Find goodies like lettuce wraps with peanut dressing, small rice pancakes stuffed with bean sprouts and minced pork and bowls, baguette based sandwiches smeared with pate, and bowls of noodles. Cool down with a local drink; a mixture of coconut milk, chai tea and little bits of jelly (sorta like Boba). Yummmmm.
Address: Find it on Google Maps
Hours: Daily from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Bacan Cafe
In the mood for Mexican food? We're big fans of the local dishes you can eat in Laos and Thailand, but after a few months of spring rolls, curries, and rice you may want something a bit more familiar, like tacos or empanadas. The cafe is cute and stylish and also serves up yummy tea, coffee, and desserts like flan. We love that there's good Chilean food in Laos! Closed on Sundays.
Address: Rue Samsenthai, Vientiane 01000, Laos (near the Ban Anou Market)
Info On Getting Here
From Thailand
Our ILP Volunteers who are living in Thailand for their semester abroad often take a quick visit to Laos since it's so close. Vientiane is right on the border of the two countries and is a popular jumping-off point to other adventures in Laos. ILP Volunteers will be able to get transportation help from their Local Coordinator (sometimes groups book a group van to take them over there for the weekend, so more information on that once you arrive in-country) but if you want to DIY, you can also visit Vientiane by bus.
A Little Info About The Border Crossing
Since you'll be crossing into a new country, you'll need to go through a border crossing and get your visa-on-arrival for Laos. For the most up to date information on visas for US passport holders, check the US State Department (in the entry, exit, and visa information section).
At the time this post was written, US passport holders can receive a 30 day visa on arrival at Laos ports of entry or can apply for an evisa at least 3 business days in advance. Check ahead for current requirements and visa fees when planning your trip.
To visit Vientiane, you'll probably cross at the Nong Khai/Vientiane border. The process is straight forward: If you go by bus, you'll be dropped off near the border crossing (you may need to take a tuk-tuk to the actual office), go to a desk to get your paperwork, fill out your paperwork, pay your fee, and hand over your passport and visa picture to get your actual visa at a second desk. Then you're done! So you know, the border crossing checking is about 20 km from the actual city of Vientiane, but you'll find tuk-tuks or other transport to take you from the crossing office to the city (or the nearby Buddha Park if you'd like to visit that before you visit Vientiane).
Ready to pack up and head here yourself?
What about living in nearby Thailand and taking a vacation to Laos? ILP volunteers get to live in Thailand and take weekend trips or vacation days to explore southeast Asia and other spots.
