Free Vientiane Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Vientiane trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Vientiane
Vientiane photo 2
Vientiane photo 3
All photos

Vientiane, Laos, pairs Mekong sunsets with gilded temples, French-era streets, Buddhist culture, local markets and relaxed Southeast Asian sightseeing.

A Capital Shaped by the Mekong

Vientiane, the capital of Laos, stretches along the Mekong River opposite Thailand, combining the easy pace of a provincial town with the responsibilities of a national capital. Its streets are marked by Buddhist temples, leafy compounds, French colonial-era buildings and low-rise modern development rather than a dense metropolitan skyline. The riverfront becomes especially atmospheric as the heat softens towards evening, while cafés, restaurants and market stalls bring a gentle social rhythm to the central districts.
Read more about Vientiane

Temples, Monuments and Cultural Life

The city’s most recognisable sights reveal the central place of Theravada Buddhism and Lao national identity. Pha That Luang, a gilded stupa and national symbol, stands alongside the monumental Patuxai, whose form recalls the Arc de Triomphe while its decoration is distinctly Lao. Wat Sisaket preserves rows of Buddha images in a historic cloister, and nearby Haw Phra Kaew reflects the capital’s royal and religious past. The COPE Visitor Centre offers a sobering introduction to the continuing consequences of unexploded ordnance in Laos, adding modern social history to the sightseeing landscape.

Markets and Everyday Vientiane

Exploration is best undertaken slowly, with time for quiet temple courtyards, local noodle shops, coffee houses and neighbourhood lanes. Talat Sao provides a traditional shopping experience, while the evening Mekong riverfront market follows the city’s daily transition from work to leisure. Vientiane is also a useful base for understanding Lao food, handicrafts and contemporary life, with the wider city extending beyond the main monuments into residential districts and riverside communities.

When is the best time to visit Vientiane?

Best: December–February · 31–34°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January (best)325
February (best)3420
March3650
April36120
May35220
June34300
July34350
August33350
September33310
October32160
November3250
December (best)3120

Getting to and around Vientiane

How to get there

Wattay International Airport is Vientiane’s main air gateway, serving the capital with domestic and international connections that vary over time. The city is also linked to Thailand by road and rail through the Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge area, with the railway connection providing access towards Nong Khai and Bangkok. Vientiane Railway Station, located outside the traditional central area, serves the Laos–China Railway, which connects the capital with destinations including Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and northern Laos. Long-distance buses connect Vientiane with other Lao cities and neighbouring countries, while roads provide access from central and southern parts of Laos. Schedules and border procedures can change, so current information should be checked before travelling.

Transportation

Central Vientiane is comparatively compact, and many temples, cafés, markets and civic sights can be reached on foot, although heat, uneven pavements and limited shade make early or late-day walking more comfortable. Tuk-tuks and taxis are widely used for short journeys, while app-based ride services may be available depending on current local provision. Local buses operate on some routes but are less useful for visitors than private cars, taxis or tuk-tuks when reaching dispersed sights such as Pha That Luang and the railway station. Bicycle and motorbike travel is possible, but traffic, road conditions and limited cycling infrastructure require care. Agree fares for informal transport before departure.

Best attractions in Vientiane

Vientiane’s principal attractions reflect its role as Laos’s religious and political capital. Pha That Luang, the country’s best-known stupa, is both a major Buddhist site and a national emblem, while the nearby That Luang Square gives the monument a broad ceremonial setting. Patuxai rises above Lane Xang Avenue as a triumphal arch decorated with Lao motifs, offering an architectural counterpoint to the city’s temple compounds. At Wat Sisaket, a cloister lined with Buddha images creates a contemplative setting, and the former temple museum Haw Phra Kaew introduces the history of royal Buddhism. The COPE Visitor Centre presents accessible, carefully documented information about unexploded ordnance and its continuing impact on Lao communities. Along the Mekong, the riverfront provides open space and changing sunset views, while Talat Sao, small cafés and neighbourhood temples reveal everyday Vientiane beyond its headline monuments.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Vientiane

Pha That Luang is Vientiane’s defining landmark, its gilded central stupa symbolising Lao Buddhism and national identity; the annual That Luang Festival further reinforces its ceremonial importance. Patuxai, completed in the twentieth century, adapts the form of a monumental victory arch to Lao decorative language and occupies a prominent position on Lane Xang Avenue. Wat Sisaket is distinguished by its surrounding cloister and extensive collection of Buddha images, offering an architectural record of the earlier capital that survived the destruction of 1827. Haw Phra Kaew, once associated with the royal temple complex, stands opposite and recalls Vientiane’s former courtly and religious connections. The black stupa of That Dam, set on a central traffic island, is a smaller but widely recognised city marker, while the Mekong embankment expresses Vientiane’s enduring relationship with the river and the communities across it.

Show more landmarks

Explore Vientiane on the map

Plan your Vientiane trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Neighbourhoods in Vientiane

Best restaurants in Vientiane

Vientiane’s food culture draws on Lao staples while reflecting long contact with Thailand, Vietnam, China and France. Sticky rice, or khao niao, is traditionally eaten by hand with dishes such as laap, a seasoned minced-meat or fish salad, grilled river fish, herb-rich soups and jeow dipping sauces. Khao piak sen, a comforting noodle soup, and bánh mì-style baguettes reflect the capital’s regional and colonial connections, while French-influenced cafés sit alongside Lao breakfast stalls. Restaurants and casual eateries cluster through the central districts, with riverside dining and evening food stalls offering relaxed settings rather than a single formal dining quarter. Talat Sao and surrounding streets are useful for snacks and everyday meals, while markets and small family-run kitchens provide opportunities to encounter herbs, fermented flavours, grilled meats and sticky-rice traditions without relying solely on hotel menus.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Vientiane

Vientiane’s nightlife is relatively restrained, with evenings usually centred on riverside walks, beer gardens, cafés, restaurants and small bars rather than a large club scene. The Mekong waterfront becomes a social meeting point around sunset, when the evening market and open-air food stalls draw residents and visitors. In the central districts, bars and live-music venues offer Lao and international repertoire, while some hotel and expatriate-oriented venues provide cocktails or quieter conversation. Beerlao is a familiar local choice, but nightlife is not limited to drinking: cultural performances, late meals and café visits also form part of the city’s evening rhythm. Activity can vary considerably by season and day of the week, and visitors should respect local closing practices, dress sensibly and use care on quieter streets when returning to accommodation.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Vientiane

Vientiane’s nightlife is relatively restrained, with evenings usually centred on riverside walks, beer gardens, cafés, restaurants and small bars rather than a large club scene. The Mekong waterfront becomes a social meeting point around sunset, when the evening market and open-air food stalls draw residents and visitors. In the central districts, bars and live-music venues offer Lao and international repertoire, while some hotel and expatriate-oriented venues provide cocktails or quieter conversation. Beerlao is a familiar local choice, but nightlife is not limited to drinking: cultural performances, late meals and café visits also form part of the city’s evening rhythm. Activity can vary considerably by season and day of the week, and visitors should respect local closing practices, dress sensibly and use care on quieter streets when returning to accommodation.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Vientiane

Shopping in Vientiane ranges from traditional market trading to small independent shops and contemporary commercial centres. Talat Sao, or the Morning Market, is the city’s best-known retail landmark, with textiles, jewellery, household goods, electronics and souvenirs sold through a busy indoor complex and surrounding streets. Handwoven sinh skirts, silk and cotton fabrics, Lao handicrafts, baskets and carved items can be found in specialist shops and artisan outlets, though quality and provenance vary, making it sensible to ask about materials and production. The central streets also offer cafés, bookshops and small boutiques, while local markets are useful for fruit, snacks and everyday goods rather than polished souvenir shopping. Lao coffee, tea, dried foods and woven products may travel more easily than fragile crafts. Bargaining can be part of informal market buying, but it should remain courteous and proportionate.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Vientiane, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Vientiane essentials

Currency and Payment
The official currency is the Lao kip, written as LAK. Cash remains important for markets, small restaurants, tuk-tuks and independent shops, while hotels, larger restaurants and many established businesses may accept international bank cards. Contactless payment is not universal, so visitors should not rely solely on a phone or card. ATMs are available in central Vientiane and around major commercial areas, although availability, withdrawal limits and foreign-card acceptance can vary. Thai baht and US dollars may sometimes be quoted or accepted in tourist-facing businesses, but payments and change are generally most straightforward in kip. Keep smaller notes for everyday purchases and check exchange calculations carefully.
Safety
Visitors should take ordinary urban precautions in Vientiane, particularly in crowded markets, around transport hubs and when carrying phones or wallets near busy roads. Keep valuables secure, use reputable transport where possible and take care when walking after dark on quiet or poorly lit streets. Traffic can be unpredictable, especially for pedestrians and motorbike riders, so crossing carefully is important. When exploring beyond established urban areas, do not touch unfamiliar metal objects or leave marked paths in locations where unexploded ordnance may remain. Heat, sun exposure and sudden heavy rain can also affect comfort and mobility. Travel insurance with medical cover is sensible.
Emergency Situations
In Laos, commonly used emergency numbers include 191 for police, 190 for fire services and 195 for ambulance assistance, although access and English-language support may vary. Ask accommodation staff, a local contact or a Lao speaker for help if a call does not connect or communication is difficult. For urgent medical problems, seek assistance through a reputable hospital or clinic and contact travel insurance as soon as practical; facilities and specialist care are more limited than in some neighbouring capitals. Keep a copy of passport details, insurance information and relevant medication records. In an emergency, state the location clearly and avoid relying on a landmark that may be unfamiliar to responders.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress respectfully at temples, covering shoulders and knees where appropriate, and remove shoes before entering designated sacred buildings. Avoid touching monks, particularly if you are unsure of local etiquette, and do not photograph religious ceremonies or people without permission. Keep voices low in temple grounds and never climb on religious monuments. In homes and some traditional settings, observe local footwear customs and accept food or greetings graciously. Tipping is not a strict universal requirement, though a modest amount may be appreciated for good service. Avoid public displays that could embarrass local residents, and remember that rules concerning photography, roads and protected sites should be followed even when enforcement appears informal.
Local Tips
Use the central temple quarter as a walking base, then travel separately to Pha That Luang, Patuxai and the COPE Visitor Centre rather than trying to cover the city in one rushed circuit. The Mekong riverfront is most atmospheric around sunset, while Talat Sao and nearby streets provide useful orientation for daily shopping and local food. Lao meals are often shared, and asking about ingredients is helpful if you have dietary restrictions. Vientiane’s quiet pace rewards early starts, especially during the hotter months. For a broader perspective, compare the formal monuments of the central districts with residential streets, small monasteries and riverside areas away from the main visitor routes.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloສະບາຍດີ[sa-bai-dee]
Goodbyeລາກອາດາດ[la-kha-daa-d]
Yesຂໍ[ko]
Noບໍ່[bo]
Please/You're welcomeກະລຸນາ[ka-lu-na]
Thank youຂອບໃຈ[kop-chai]
Excuse me/Sorryຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ[ka-phao-jao]
How are you?ໂຊກດີບໍ?[sok-dee-bo]
Fine. And you?ດີ, ເຈົ້າອາກາ?[dee, jao-a-ka]
Do you speak English?ເຈົ້າເວົ້າພາສາອັງກິດບໍ?[jao-wa-pa-sa-ang-kit-bo]
I don't understandຂໍບໍ່ເຂົ້າມີ[ko-bo-khao-mi]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕ້ອງໄດ້ເບີມອາຫານກັບການບໍ[ka-phao-jao-tong-dai-bua-ah-nu-gab-kan-bo]
I don't eat meatຂໍບໍ່ກິນລັງ[ko-bo-kin-lang]
Cheers!ຂະລີພັນ[sa-lee-pan]
I would like to pay, pleaseຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕ້ອງຈ່າກັບການບໍ[ka-phao-jao-tong-jak-nu-gab-kan-bo]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!ຊ່ວຍຊ່ວຍ[su-su]
Go away!ໄວຊ່ວຍ[wai-su]
Call the Police!ໂທແດງສັນຕິພາ[tho-deng-san-ti-pha]
Call a doctor!ໂທຖືກຜູ້ຂ່າວ[tho-tuk-pu-kao]
I'm lostຂໍບໍ່ຮູ້ຈັນ[ko-bo-hu-chan]
I'm illຂໍບໍ່ດີ[ko-bo-dee]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຕ້ອງຊື້...[ka-phao-jao-tong-sum]
I'm just lookingຂໍບໍ່ຊື້, ຂໍບໍ່ປະກອບ[ko-bo-sum, ko-bo-pa-kob]
How much is it?ມູນຄ່າເທົ້າ?[mun-ka-thao]
That's too expensiveມູນແກ່ວາ[mun-kwai-wa]
Can you lower the price?ໃຊ້ຄືນລູກໃຫ້ແລກລູກໄດ້ບໍ?[sai-kun-luk-hai-lek-luk-dai-bo]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?ເວລາແມ່ນຫຼາຍແທຍ?[wa-la-mun-la-tee]
It's one o'clockແມ່ນສືກ[mun-suk]
Half past (10)ສາກາຍເທົ້າ (10)[sa-ka-na-thao (sip)]
Morningກາງມື້[kang-meu]
Afternoonສວຍຕາມ[suai-tam]
Eveningແລງໂລກ[leng-lok]
Yesterdayມື້ວາ[meu-wa]
Todayມື້ນີ້[meu-nee]
Tomorrowມື້ອື້ນ[meu-un]
1ໜຶງ[nung]
2ສອງ[song]
3ສາມ[sam]
4ສີ[si]
5ຫ້າ[ha]
6ເຈັດ[jet]
7ແປດ[pad]
8ເກົ້າ[kao]
9ເຂັມ[kham]
10ສາຍ[sip]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?ມີ...ຢູ່ໃກ້ບ່ອນໃດ?[mi-yu-kai-bon-dai]
What's the address?ທາງຢູ່ດ້ວຍຫນ້າແທຍ?[thang-yu-duai-na-tee]
Can you show me (on the map)?ເຂົ້າເຈົ້າສະແດງຂ່າວຂອງຂ່າວ?[khao-jao-sa-deng-kao]
When's the next (bus)?ມື້ນັ້ນມາຈັກທີ່ນັ້ນ?[meu-nan-ma-jak-tee-nan]
A ticket (to ....)ເງິນຂາຍ (...)[ngoen-kai]

History of Vientiane

Early Settlements and Lan Xang

The Vientiane area lies within the historic cultural landscape of the middle Mekong, where settlements developed around river trade, agriculture and Buddhist communities. Vientiane became increasingly important under the Lan Xang kingdom, founded by Fa Ngum in the fourteenth century. The kingdom united much of present-day Laos and established Theravada Buddhism as a major institution of political and cultural life. Vientiane’s location on the Mekong connected it with communities on both banks of the river, while the surrounding plains supported rice cultivation and settlement. Although the visible city has been repeatedly rebuilt, this early association with the Lan Xang realm remains central to Vientiane’s historical identity.

A Royal Capital on the Mekong

In the sixteenth century, King Setthathirath moved the capital of Lan Xang from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, traditionally dated to 1560. The relocation reflected the city’s strategic position and closer links with regional trade routes. During this period, major religious foundations were established or developed, including That Luang, which became an important Buddhist monument and a symbol of Lao political authority. Wat Sisaket and other surviving religious sites are connected with later phases of the capital’s development, but the move to Vientiane established the city as a royal and ceremonial centre. Its temples, monasteries and monumental architecture still express the relationship between kingship, Buddhism and urban life.

Conflict and Destruction in the Eighteenth Century

After the Lan Xang kingdom fragmented in the early eighteenth century, Vientiane became the capital of a separate Lao kingdom and remained involved in the political struggles of mainland Southeast Asia. In 1827, King Anouvong led a rebellion against Siam, but the uprising was defeated. Vientiane was subsequently attacked and heavily damaged, and much of the population was displaced across the Mekong. The destruction altered the city’s scale and political importance for decades. Wat Sisaket survived this period and is often regarded as one of the most significant architectural witnesses to the earlier capital, while the memory of Anouvong continues to occupy an important place in Lao historical consciousness.

French Colonial Administration

Vientiane entered the French colonial sphere in the late nineteenth century, when France consolidated control over Laos as part of French Indochina. The city was developed as an administrative capital, with new roads, public buildings and colonial urban forms added around older temples and royal sites. French influence is visible in some villas, institutional buildings and street layouts, although Vientiane never became a large colonial port or industrial centre. The period also helped establish the modern administrative geography of Laos and strengthened Vientiane’s role as the country’s political headquarters. Its architectural legacy is therefore layered rather than uniform, with colonial structures standing beside Buddhist monuments and later Lao civic buildings.

Independence and the Lao People's Democratic Republic

Laos gained independence from France in 1953, but Vientiane remained entangled in the wider conflicts of the Indochina wars and the Cold War. Political authority shifted during years of conflict, and the city’s institutions were shaped by the eventual establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 1975. Vientiane became the seat of the new state and continued to expand as government offices, educational institutions and housing spread beyond the historic core. The city’s modern identity combines national administration with religious continuity, visible in the restoration and continued use of temples, the prominence of That Luang and the everyday presence of Buddhist practice.

A Gradually Changing Capital

Since the late twentieth century, Vientiane has experienced measured urban growth as Laos opened more extensively to regional trade, tourism and international cooperation. Roads, hotels, cafés and commercial areas have expanded, while the city’s low-rise character and temple districts remain prominent. Regional links across the Mekong have also become more significant, including the Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge connection and the railway linking Vientiane with Thailand and onward regional destinations. Contemporary Vientiane is consequently both a national administrative centre and a cross-border capital, with development occurring alongside efforts to retain religious landmarks, historic buildings and the distinctive scale of the central city.

Vientiane in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities near Vientiane

The closest cities to Vientiane, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Laos
More of the region

Explore more of Laos

Discover Laos: A tranquil escape with breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality. Perfect for adventure seekers and those craving serene beauty.

Explore Laos
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Vientiane

Discover Vientiane like a local with Evendo, the 100% free travel guide app offering detailed insights on attractions, landmarks, shops, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Explore Vientiane effortlessly with Evendo, your free app-based travel guide. Discover attractions, book hotels and tours, and enjoy curated local tips.

  • Comprehensive history of Vientiane and travel essentials
  • Local advice to maximize your visit
  • User-friendly navigation through the app and city
  • 'Near me' feature to discover nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Planning a trip to Vientiane, Laos? Evendo is your ultimate travel companion. With detailed information on Vientiane's best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities, Evendo ensures you make the most of your visit. Imagine exploring the serene Pha That Luang, the vibrant Morning Market, or enjoying a relaxing stroll along the Mekong Riverside Park. Evendo provides rich information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easy to plan and organize your trip.

Craving some authentic Lao cuisine? Evendo guides you to top restaurants like Kualao Restaurant and Makphet. Interested in the local nightlife? Discover hotspots like Jazzy Brick and Marina Nightclub. And it's not just about finding places—Evendo lets you book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app, saving you time and hassle.

With features like a comprehensive history of Vientiane, travel essentials, tons of local advice, and easy navigation, Evendo ensures you enjoy the city to the fullest. The 'Near me' feature helps you explore what's around you, no matter where you are. Plus, curated local tips let you experience Vientiane like a true local. Best of all, Evendo is 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs, and it covers over 7,000 destinations worldwide. Download Evendo today and bring the world to your pocket!

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.