10 Top Things To Do In Vientiane – Laos’s Forgotten City
MUST-SEE Attractions In Vientiane
Looking for the best things to do in Vientiane? I’ve asked myself the same question before arriving in this understated Southeast Asian capital.
While Vientiane may not have the immediate “wow factor” of other regional capitals, this city offers a surprising array of worthwhile experiences that deserve at least a short stay.
During my two-night visit to Vientiane, as I travelled between Laos’ main cities, I discovered a place that perfectly balances a laid-back atmosphere with cool cultural attractions. What struck me most was the distinctive French colonial architecture that gives the city its unique character – walking down certain streets felt like stepping into a small corner of Europe nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia.
For couples and solo travellers with limited time, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to the most essential things to do in Vientiane.
Whether you’re trying to decide if the city deserves a spot on your Laos itinerary (spoiler: it does), or you’re already booked and wondering how to make the most of your stay, this post will help you discover the very best this underrated capital has to offer.
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Map Of Things To Do In Vientiane
Patuxay Park & Victory Monument
Patuxay Park was a really cool place to explore in Vientiane.
I felt as if I were transported back to France because of the Victory Monument standing at the end of the park. It reminded me vividly of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which makes sense as it was inspired by this monument, and the French have a significant colonial history in Laos.
When we visited, we enjoyed strolling around the park at a leisurely pace. Even though the fountains were turned off and without water, it was still a pleasant way to spend some time.
I recommend you don’t miss the World Peace Gong found at the north end of the park. This was presented to Laos in 2008 by the World Peace Committee of Indonesia.
Another fun thing to do is walk right under the Victory Monument and admire the roof details.
I got a little vertigo, but wouldn’t change a thing. It’s dedicated to all the soldiers who rose up against the French in the battle for independence.
Is Vientiane Worth Visiting? Find out all you need to know with my in-depth guide.
While we didn’t get to climb to the top for the views of the city, visitors can do this if they wish for 3,000 KIP.
This is easily one of the best things to do and see in Vientiane.
I find it interesting that the concrete used to build the monument was donated by the US to create a new airport runway. Now, some locals call it “the vertical runway!”
Make sure you explore the park in full.
🤩 I recommend this Vientiane Half-Day City Tour to see Patuxai and Buddha Park!!
Wat Sisaket
Wat Sisaket is a beautiful temple found right beside the presidential palace, and I recommend you add it to your Vientiane itinerary.
The exterior shines and sparkles with golden and orange hues when the sunlight hits it at the right time. Walking around here is a peaceful way to see one of the top temples in the city.
What impressed me most was the long array of gilded Buddhas found inside the temple. Though they look old and dusty, they are packed with history.
White, yellow, and red combine to create the temple’s colours.
On the outside, you’ll find Buddha statues every couple of meters, offering a blissful way to learn more about Buddhism and Lao culture.
🤩 I recommend this Vientiane Half-Day City Tour to see Wat Sisaket and other major Vientiane landmarks!!
Vientiane Night Market
Vientiane night market is located right along the river with lovely views of Thailand.
When we walked around in the evening, we were often treated to a gorgeous sunset.
My favourite thing to eat here was sushi, along with many BBQ options like sausages and chicken.
To be fair, the seafood in Vientiane is spectacular. We enjoyed skewers of squid.
While it’s not the biggest night market for food I’ve visited in Asia, it’s still very tasty.
You can also shop for clothes and other miscellaneous items closer to Chao Anouvong Park.
🤩 I recommend this Small-Group Full-Day Vientiane Tour with Sunset to see all the top attractions in Vientiane!!
King Anouvong Statue
Close by the Vientiane night market, you can find the King Anouvong Statue.
This statue is dedicated to the last monarch of the Kingdom of Vientiane. He ruled from 1805 to 1828. This leader was famous for leading a rebellion against Siam in an attempt to reassert Lao independence.
Unfortunately for King Anouvong, his attempts did not work and backfired, leading to the destruction of the city in 1828.
Additionally, after being captured, he passed away in captivity. However, today he is remembered as one of the country’s most celebrated heroes.
🤩 I recommend this Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch to experience cultural landmarks!!
Presidential Palace
While for obvious reasons you cannot enter the Presidential Palace, you can stop by on the outside for a quick look as you move to Ho Phrakeo Museum or Wat Sisaket.
The building is rather grey, and while the architecture is nicely designed, it incorporates both French and Lao influences as expected.
There is a large Lao flag hanging right in front of the building – why not get a photo from outside the gate in front?
🤩 I recommend this Vientiane City Highlights Tour to explore the exteriors of the Presidential Palace and other famous landmarks!!
Pha That Luang
Pha That Luang is an incredible design, colour and place to visit in Vientiane.
What I mean is, it’s so golden and shiny it looks like it’s just been painted. Also, it is the most significant religious site not only in Vientiane but in all of Laos.
It actually appears on banknotes as well as the country’s emblem.
At its peak, it reaches 45 metres and has 3 levels, which represent the three stages of Buddha’s enlightenment journey.
When we visited, I found it hard to compare any other monument in Laos or Southeast Asia in terms of colour and brightness.
In the 18th century, however, people came from what is now Thailand and destroyed the area. It was thanks to the French in the 20th century who restored the pieces back together.
King Setthathirath made it a Buddhist stupa in the 16th century. I recommend you also visit his statue, which is hard to miss and located directly in front of the Wat.
🤩 I recommend this Vientiane City Highlights Tour to spend 1.5 hours exploring Pha That Luang and other magnificent landmarks!!
Wat That Luang Tai
Right beside Pha That Luang, you can also visit Wat That Luang Tai before or after.
The monastery here is still active today, so you will see many monks around the area. They live here as well as work and study. You can expect to have a calm and peaceful time walking around the whole area.
There is a huge Reclining Buddha beside the temple, which is outdoors, so don’t miss that.
What I loved the most was the multi-layered roof and its colours. The reds and yellows have been consistent throughout the Buddhist temples in Vientiane, making for great photo opportunities.
Of course, there are many Nagas (serpent heads) found around the temple. Their intricate detail, design, and colouring made me feel like they might start moving and bite me at any moment.
PS – don’t miss out on the museum on the north side of Wat That Luang for an immersive dive into Vientiane’s past.
🤩 I recommend this Vientiane Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay to explore Wat That Luang Tai and other major Vientiane landmarks in one day!!
Ho Phrakeo Museum
In my experience, Ho Phrakeo Museum is the most beautiful part of Vientiane.
The colourful gardens and impressive museum are maintained incredibly well. We were able to walk around the garden and enjoy the fine weather and lush gardens, which were packed with colour.
This place dates back all the way to the 16th century when King Setthathirath built it to house the sacred Emerald Buddha.
While this was raided by the Siamese at the time (Thailand today), it can now be found in the Grand Palace in Bangkok, which I visited and can tell you that in person it’s properly spectacular, although nobody is allowed to photograph it.
In relation to the architecture, I loved the lacquered doors with Hindu-style carvings and amazing wooden features.
I promise you, once you visit,t they will leave you mightily impressed.
🤩 I recommend this Vientiane Classic Food Tour to explore the local cuisine and culinary traditions!!
That Dam Stupa
That Dam Stupa translates to “black stupa” because of its colour.
Do not expect any maintenance work to be done. It looks like any second a breeze could knock it over.
It looks severely weathered, but the design is impressive nonetheless. Additionally, it can be found right in the middle of a busy roundabout, which is unusual.
There is not much space to get close to it, and you need to be mindful of the traffic.
You will only spend a few moments here inspecting the site, but I think it’s a unique thing to do in Vientiane because of just how old it is.
🤩 I recommend this Small-Group Full-Day Vientiane Tour with Sunset to see all the top attractions in Vientiane!!
Nam Phou Park
A small and picturesque place to see in Vientiane is Nam Phou Park.
When we visited, the water was shooting from the fountains while lights illuminated and changed colours within seconds.
This added vibrant, eye-catching colour to our nighttime stroll.
It was built in the 1920s, and this is actually where a morning market attracted locals to get all their necessities.
While the fountain was added in 1975, it was privatised in the early 2000s. In 2022, the government reclaimed it and transformed it back into a pleasant public space.
Passing through Nam Phou Park is a nice way to see the character and history of Vientiane in a few swift moments.
🤩 I recommend this Small-Group Full-Day Vientiane Tour with Sunset to see all the top attractions in Vientiane!!
Where To Stay In Vientiane
For the best experience, you’ll want to stay in a central location, and fortunately, there are several excellent accommodation options available.
When we visited Vientiane, I stayed at Mali Namphi Hotel and paid $20.00 per night, which included breakfast and a great location.
This place is only a 6-minute walk from the night market, and they have an amazing pool with decent rooms, though a little small. For a couple of days in Vientiane, it was a perfect choice for us.
It’s also a nice idea to stay along the riverside for scenic views across the border to Thailand.
Some other options you can consider include:
DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane
How To Get To Vientiane
You can get to Vientiane in a number of different ways.
Train
Laos is served well by the Laos-China Railway. I made the journey from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, and thankfully, you can get to Vientiane on the train too.
You can purchase tickets at any train station in Laos, or you can ensure your seat and book tickets on 12goasia or below.
Fly
You can fly internationally into Vientiane.
Wattay International Airport serves the capital, but if coming from Europe, it’s likely a stop in the UAE, Netherlands, or Turkey will be needed.
The airport is nothing like Bangkok or Hanoi, where numerous international flights come in each day, so expect layovers.
Bus
You can take the bus or minivan between Laos’ major cities.
When travelling to Vientiane by bus, you can expect to stop at one of these main stations: Kua Din (Central) Bus Station, Northern Bus Station and Southern Bus Station.
You can arrange tickets through your hotel or the many tour agencies found in the streets of Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, or Pakse.
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Final Thoughts/Conclusion
So in summary, Vientiane is a nice place to visit as you transit through Laos’ other main cities.
To be honest, it doesn’t offer more than a few days’ worth of activities. Other locations like the 4000 Islands, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng are all worth more time. Don’t waste too much time here – that’s my advice.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you pack correctly for Southeast Asia. I made an in-depth packing list for you to take all the stress away.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
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FAQs
Is Vientiane Worth Visiting?
Vientiane is certainly worth visiting because there are plenty of great things to do in the city. My favourite was Wat Sisaket and the Ho Phra Keo Museum. There are plenty of other fun activities like shopping at the night market and visiting Wat That Luang Tai. While it doesn’t possess the same number of exciting activities as other cities in Laos, I would still say it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
Is 3 Days Enough For Vientiane?
Yes, certainly. Three days in Vientiane is a nice amount of time to see all the best attractions but more importantly, enjoy yourself while doing it. You won’t be rushed in three days and you can fully experience the vibe as well as visit all the main sites.
What To Do In Vientiane In 1 Day
In one day, you can see many of the best attractions in Vientiane, including Patuxay Park, Vientiane Night Market, and Ho Phrakeo Museum. You don’t need lots of time in Vientiane in just 24 hours, you can fit in plenty of sights to enjoy a memorable short stay. I’ve created a one-day itinerary post for you to check out and plan your time efficiently.
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