Interesting Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Vientiane
Vientiane is the national capital city of Laos and also the largest city in the country. The city is only a river away from Thailand. The most popular places to visit in Vientiane are the Buddhist temples. You will come across several temples as you prepare Vientiane sightseeing itinerary and most of them have a story or a legend associated with them. It is advisable to first reach out to Lao National Museum during Vientiane travel to learn about the history and culture of the region. Another important aspect to remember when you visit Vientiane is the folklores, mythology and local legends. If you know these, it will make your trip more engaging and interesting. You will see various aspects of religion, history, mythology and folklore expressed at Vientiane attractions in form of murals, paintings, statues, decor, architecture and so on. If you known about them beforehand, it will help you derive meaning from things to see in Vientiane.
Though majority of top things to do in Vientiane comprises of temples, there is much more to explore in the city. The street food is incredible and unique. The markets of the city are hustling and bustling places for engaging with the people and shopping for local products. The textile products are quite popular among tourists who visit Vientiane. You should also hunt for garbs with traditional design and decoration. It can be an interesting addition to your wardrobe as well as a souvenir. You should also check out Vientiane tourist attractions like the Buddha Park and Ethnic Cultural Park to thoroughly explore the leisure side of the city as well.
Table of Contents
The Best 15 Tourist Places to Visit in Vientiane
1. Cope Vientiane
This visitor center is also a museum telling about the Secret War where America dropped over 580,000 bombs in the region. One of the best things to do in Vientiane Laos in order to relive the horrific parts of the nation’s history is to participate in searching for the bombs. It is one of activities which takes place at the Cope Vientiane visitor center. You would need about half an hour for this place.
2. Lao Textile Museum
Textile items are some of the best local souvenir you can take back from Laos. This museum exhibits the history and cultural of textile craftsmanship in the country. It is one of the most popular Vientiane attractions to visit among tourists. You will need about hour to explore Lao Textile Museum.
3. Lao National Museum
One of the most important places to visit in Vientiane is the National Museum. This museum gives an insight into the history of the country and its people. You will need 2 hours for the National Museum.
4. Wat Dane Soung Jungle Temple
It is believed to have been built in the first millennia and was inhabited by a single monk. You will need 20 to 30 minutes to explore this temple.
5. Pha That Luang
This monument is among the most popular things to see in Vientiane. The temples is believed to have existed since the 3rd century BCE and is known to have been rebuilt in 1500s. You will need 30 to 45 minutes for this Stupa.
6. Patuxay Monument
This Arch is designed after the France’s Arc of Triumph and was ironically built to commemorate independence of Laos from French rule. It is among Vientiane must see monuments. You would need 15 to 20 minutes to see and admire this monument.
7. Wat Haw Phra Kaew
This buddhist temple is a beautiful structure to explore during Vientiane sightseeing. The temple is known for its ornate design and decorative interiors. You will need need half an hour for this temple.
8. Wat Si Muang
This temple was first built 1563 and is named after Si Muang, who sacrificed herself at the spot of this temple to appease the gods. The gold and red decor of this temple is among the most beautiful things to see in Vientiane. You would need 30 to 45 minutes for this temple.
9. Buddha Park
This park is also known as Xieng Khuan, meaning the Spirit City. It is one of the most blissful places to visit in Vientiane. It is best known for the various statues of Lord Buddha spread throughout the park. There are also states of animals and mythological creatures in this park. The park is a lively place with some of the top things to do in Vientiane. You would need an hour or so to explore it.
10. That Dam
One upon a time, this place used to be the Black Stupa. The Stupa, though now in ruins, is an import part of Laos’ history and culture. You would need 15 to 20 minutes for That Dam Stupa. It is advisable to learn about the stories and history associated with it before your visit. It will help you derive meaning from the ruins that you would see at this Vientiane attraction.
11. Wat Si Saket
This temple was built in 1818 and has survived onslaughts of war. The temple will seem quite different from other things to see in Laos as it is designed like a Thai temple. You would need 30 to 45 minutes at this temple.
12. Lao National Ethnic Culture Park
This park is a cultural experience as well as an amusement park. So you get to enjoy 2 of the top things to do in Vientiane, Laos in one place. You will many houses built in different ethnic styles spread across the park. There are also many leisure and entertainment activities which can enjoy at this park when you visit Vientiane.
13. Presidential Palace
Located on the banks of Mekong river, this beautiful palace is the residence of the President of the nation and also popular among Vientiane tourist attractions for its design and architecture. You should keep aside 30 minutes of time for the Presidential Palace.
14. Lao People’s Army History Museum
This museum tells the history of wars and military endeavors of Laos. You will need about half an hour for this museum.
15. Wat Mixai
This buddhist temple is known for its gold and yellow design decor. The interiors of the temple depict various events from life of Lord Buddha and has an ornate statue as well. You would need 20 to 30 minutes for this temple.
If you already seen above mentioned 15 places and still your heart wants to see more in Vientiane, then please check out our below mentioned huge list about many more things to do and see in Vientiane.
Things to do in Vientiane
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Vientiane
- Pha That Luang
- Patuxay Monument
- Wat Si Saket Temple
- Cope Vientiane
- Buddha Park
- Hophakaew Museum
- Wat Si Muang
- That Dam Stupa
- COPE visitor center
- Presidential Palace
- Chao Anouvong Park
- Wat Mixai
- Lao People’s History Museum
- Lao Textile Museum
- Carol Cassidy Lao Textile
- Wat Ong Teu
- King Anouvong Statue
- Wat That Khao
- Wat Inpeng
- King Setthathirath Statue
- Phat Tich Temple
- Kaysone Phomvihan Museum
- Fa Ngum Statue
- Vat Phiavat Temple
- Wat Sok Pa Luang
- Vientiane Museum of Contemporary Arts
- Wat That Phoun
- People’s Public Security Museum
- Chinese Association Temple
- Wat That Luang Tai
- Haw Pha Kaeo
- Masjid Azhar
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- Souphanouvong Museum
- Wat Chan
- Lao National Museum
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Vientiane
- Bung Salkham
- Nam Ha National Bio-Diversity Conservation
- Phou Hin Poun National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Vientiane
- Lao National Ethnic Culture Park
- Nam Phau Fountain
- Ocean Park
- Patuxay Park
- Ban Pako Eco Resort
Shopping in Vientiane
- Vientiane Night Market
- Morning Market
- Khua Din Market
- Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles
- Oot Ni Gallery
- Ministry of Silk
Beaches & Island in Vientiane
- Hat Don Chan
Sightseeing in Vientiane
- Thai Lao Friendship Bridge
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Vientiane
- That Dam Wine House
- Soukvimarn
- Khop Chai Deu
- Vieng Sawan
- Joma Bakery Cafe
- Miengchaikao
- Villa Opera
- Senglao Cafe
- Lao Kitchen
- La Signature
- May Yuan
- Lane Xang
- Bor Pen Nyang
- Pha That Luang
- Kualao
- Ban Haysoke
- L’Adresse
- Tyson Kitchen
- Scandinavian Bakery
How to Reach Vientiane?
By Air
The Wattay Airport is the easiest option for Vientiane travel. You can get direct flights to this airport from Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Phnom Phenh, Siem Reap, Chiang Mai, Kunming, Seoul, Singapore and Busan. You can get busses and cabs to reach any of the places to visit in Vientiane from the airport.
By Road
You can get direct train to visit Vientiane from Nong Khai in Thailand. You can also get an express train from Bangkok which connects to Nong Khai. There are also several buses running from several cities and towns in Thailand for Vientiane travel.
One of the major routes for Vientiane sightseeing is the Thai-Lao Friendship bridge, which connects it with Nong Khai in Thailand.
By Water
Though there is a river running near the city, there are no water transport options to visit Vientiane.
Image Reference
- Cope Vientiane – fabulousfabs / Flickr
- Lao Textile Museum – Mx. Granger / Wikimedia Commons
- Lao National Museum – Chris / Flickr
- Wat Dane Soung Jungle Temple –
- Pha That Luang – Thanate Tan / Flickr
- Patuxay Monument – SaigonJoe / PixaBay
- Wat Haw Phra Kaew – Dan Searle / Flickr
- Wat Si Muang – Philip Roeland / Flickr
- Buddha Park – Somsanith Chanthaseng / PixaBay
- That Dam – Philip Roeland / Flickr
- Wat Si Saket – sunoochi / Flickr
- Lao National Ethnic Culture Park –
- Presidential Palace – Mary Newcombe / Flickr
- Lao People’s Army History Museum – Erwin Alexander / Flickr
- Wat Mixai – Gerd Eichmann / Wikimedia Commons
