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Vientiane

Though often overlooked in favour of Laos’s more beautiful city, Luang Prabang, we have more than a few reasons to love Vientiane. The capital and largest city of Laos sits just along the Mekong and makes an easy spot to explore in just a few days, with its easily navigable streets lined with French colonial villas, blooming bougainvillea and centuries-old temples. Vientiane is also the beginning of our Laos tour.

Population:

196,700

The Vibe:

Thankfully for us, Vientiane is a fairly compact city and can easily be explored on foot or bicycle. The heart of the action lies in the roughly grid-like downtown area around Rue Samsenthai and the Mekong River, with loads of guesthouses and hostels on Rue Francois Ngin. 

Things to do in Vientiane

Pha That Luang

Start your day by taking a bike out to Pha That Luang, a 16th-century stupa covered in gold-leaf and now Laos’s most revered religious site. Get there early enough and avoid the crowds of Lao tourists.

Downtown Vientiane

Head back downtown where you can visit Wat Si Saket - the oldest existing temple in Vientiane -, the Lao National Museum, and the iconic French-style Victory Gate, known as Patuxai. All are within walking distance of each other, though if it’s too hot out, tuk-tuks can be hired for cheap.

COPE Visitors Center

Once you’ve seen the biggest historical sites, head over to the COPE Visitor Centre for a dose of modern history - and tragedy. COPE, or the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise is an equally heartbreaking and inspiring centre where you can learn about the many unexploded ordnances (UXOs) that still remain in Laos after it was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, and their effect on Laos today.

COPE not only provides education on the danger of these bombs but also provides prosthetic and rehabilitation services for those who have lost limbs to UXO accidents. Some survivors even act as volunteers at the Centre, happy to share their stories with international visitors. Watch a documentary, talk to a volunteer, and grab an ice cream at the cafe, where proceeds go to COPE’s programmes.

Nighttime in Laos

As the sun begins to set on your first days of your Laos tour, make sure you head over to the banks of the Mekong, where you can join local aerobics classes en plein air with all the local housewives, and dance your way to fitness.

A night market opens up here after sundown, with much less of a touristy feel than the market in Luang Prabang, and the small streets leading off from the market between Quai Fa Ngum and Rue Setthathilath are where lights from the bars and restaurants will be glowing til late. To get a meal for a good cause, head to Makphet near Wat Ong Teu, which serves delicious Lao dishes and provides hospitality and culinary training for disadvantaged youth.

Beerlao flows in abundance at all the sidewalk cafes, so grab a few bottles with your friends and watch the Vientiane nightlife flow past - though if you’re craving something a bit more high-so, the Spirit House Bar serves delicious cocktails at its location on the river.

You might just find Vientiane inspiring you to stick around for a few more days.

 


WHERE STRAY STAYS

Eastin Hotel Vientiane Laos

Laos Select Tour

Unit11, Khaemkong Road
Oumoung Village
Sikhottabong District
Vientiane
Laos

View in Google Maps
Tel: +856 21 219 999

Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool,
Non-smoking rooms,
Room service,
Free parking,
Restaurant,
Fitness centre,
24-hour front desk,
Tea/coffee maker in all rooms,
Bar,
Fabulous breakfast

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