While Hanoi, Bangkok or Phnom Penh are very lively and noisy, Vientiane remains quiet slowly along the Mekong. Not crowded and full of dust like other capitals, in Vientiane you still enjoy the fresh air of temples, quiet streets lined with trees. Read the our guide below to understand why Vientiane is so special in Asia.
Climate in Laos are divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season starts from May to November, while the dry season lasts from December to the end of April next year. You should travel in the dry season when weather is cool dry, the average temperature is about 15 - 30 degrees C. You can also travel to Vientiane on April 13th , 14th , 15th to have a chance to join the water festival here.
Citizens of European Union, North America, Great Britain, ASEAN can get visa on arrival on Vientiane International Airport and Thai- Laos Friendship border gate with duration of stay is30 days, the fee is 30 to 41USD depending on the nationality.
Flight
There are plenty of different flights to reach Vientiane such as Lao Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air with a frequency of 1 flight/day.
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Hanoi - Vientiane: Reference fares range: 130 – 267 USD.
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Ho Chi Minh City - Vientiane: Reference price range: 190 – 334 USD.
Coach
From Hanoi, you go to Nuoc Ngam bus station to buy tickets to Vientiane. There are many car companies to choose from, if you want to go with Vietnamese companies, you can go on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays while Laos’s coach will go on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays Sunday. You should book tickets to go in the evening, so early in the morning will arrive at Cau Treo border gate to enter Laos. Then continue to go for a few more hours, about 14:00 can reach Vientiane . Passenger bus fares are much cheaper than air tickets, only about 500,000 VND/ person/route.
Flight
Currently there are about 6 flights daily from Bangkok (Suhanabhumi Airport - BKK or Don Muang Airport - DMK) to Vientiane (VTE), flight time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Airlines operating this route include Thai Air Asia, Laos Airlines, Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways.
Among these airlines, Laos Airlines has the most flights. Thai Airways has 2 flights per day, Thai Air Asia and Bangkok Airways operate one flight per day.
With the exception of Thai Air Asia flying from Don Muang, the remaining airlines depart from Suhanabhumi and stop at Vientiane airport.
Coach
Go to Morchit station to catch the car to Udonthani, then from Udonthani to Vientiane.
Catch the coach from Morchit station (Bangkok) to Nong Khai and then bus from Nong Khai to Vientiane. If you can not find the bus, just take tuktuk to the border gate between Thailand – Laos (friendship bridge). Distance from Lao border gate to Vientiane is about 20km, there is a bus/taxi at the border to go.
Note: Thailand and Laos authorities forbid walking over the bridge so it is mandatory to get coach.
You can also take the night bus from Bangkok to Vientiane: bed car, ticket price is about 800 baht.
Train
Train depart from Hua Lamphong Station (train station near Bangkok Chinatown) to Nong Khai. There are morning trips (8:20) and evening trips (18:00 and 20:00). Travel time takes 10-11 hours (depending on the company). To save time, many visitors will choose to take the night train, overnight on board.
From Nong Khai Station, take tuktuk to the border gate, enter Laos and take the bus to Vientiane.
Wat Sisaket
Designed and built in 1818 by the reign of King Anouvong, this place is considered the most sacred temple in Vientiane and also a famous sightseeing place in Vientiane (Laos). The pagoda also conserves a collection of Buddha statues in different sizes (About 6840 statues).
Pha That Luang
Pha That Luang is considered the most beautiful stupa in Asia. It was built in 1566 by King Saysetthathirath and restored in 1953 in the shape of banana flower. Pha That Luang is the national symbol of Laos and was printed on the notes and the national emblem of Laos.
Buddha Park Xien Khuang
Xieng Khuang Buddha Garden is considered a large collection of Laos art with Buddhist and Hindu statues. The statues were created of concrete & placed in garden. This place is very hot place to check in on Instagram.
Hor Pha Keo Museum
Ho Phra Keo (or Haw Phra Kaew) is an old Buddhist temple built in 1565. Previously the temple was a place where the Royal Family came to pray so the temple was also called the Royal Pagoda. Today, the temple is no longer used as a place of worship but serves as a religious art museum in Vientiane. Previously, the pagoda was a place to store Emerald Buddha statue, but after the 19th century Lao-Siamese war, the Thai army brought this statue as a booty. The statue is currently stored in BangKok Royal Palace.
Patuxay
Patuxay (or Patuxai) is unique triumphal arch in South East of Asia. The arch was built to honor the soldiers in the anti-French war of the Lao people. Patuxay is somewhat similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris but bears the identity of Lao culture. These are Kinari décor - half woman and half bird, reliefs depicting the Rama epic and the Lao-style towers.
Watch the sunset on the banks of the Mekong
This is also an extremely interesting experience for Laos tourists. After watching the sunset, do not forget to experience street food on the banks of the Mekong River. Grilled Fish & hot pot is very delicious.
You can also combine your trip to Vientiane with Luang Prabang with our guide here:
Day 1
Morning: The capital of Laos is famous for its delicious cakes and excellent coffee. Start your trip at the Le Banneton store, one of the best croissants and tarts here.
At around 8:30, you begin to explore the old streets and French colonial architecture of Vientiane. Then have lunch at a restaurant by the Mekong River.
Afternoon: Catch a tuk tuk to get to one of Laos’ most famous monuments - Pha That Luang. After that, you go to visit Wat Si Saket before having dinner at one of the best quality restaurants in Laos: Lao Kitchen with famous Laos cuisine.
Night: Come to the harbor on the banks of the Mekong River to immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of the night market. It’s a paradise of street food. You can go to Bor Pen Nyang café to enjoy sunset from the balcony.
Day 2
Morning: Have breakfast at JoMa’s famous bakery and coffee shop before visiting museums in Vientiane like Kaysone Phomvihane and Haw Phra Kaew.
Afternoon: Take a tuk tuk to Xieng Khuan, also known as Buddha Park, the largest religious complex in Vientiane. Late afternoon, come to T’shop Lai, a souvenir store. You can buy homemade perfumes and soaps. These products are the result of cooperating with handicapped craftsmen in Laos. After shopping, reward yourself with one of the most popular services here: massage. One suggestion for you is the Oasis Massage.
Night: You can enjoy fine French and Lao cuisine at Le Silapa restaurant. If you are still interested in indigenous cuisine, the Ban Anou night market is a wise choice. Before returning to the hotel, enjoy your last night in Vientiane at iBeam and Jazzy Brick Bar.
3-star hotels
4-star hotels
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Ansara hotel
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Salana hotel