Useful Vientiane travel experience

Features about Vientiane

Vientiane City, the capital of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, has a current population of more than 200,000 people. With a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, even in the city center, Vientiane is one of the few capitals in Southeast Asia that gives visitors a natural, comfortable feeling walking in a small village. This makes Vientiane a unique spot on your Laos travel itinerary.

Vientiane is located along the northeastern bank of the Mekong River. Major roads run parallel to the river, including Fa Ngum Road, Setthathirat Road, and Samsenthai Road, located in the central Chanthabuli district. This is where most government agencies, hotels, and shops are located. Vientiane Avenue is the largest street in Vientiane, running from the presidential palace to the northeast, around Patuxay and Pha That Luang, creating a unique image for this capital.

Best time to travel to Vientiane

One of the Vientiane travel experiences you need to keep in mind is the weather here. The climate in Laos is divided into two distinct seasons, quite similar to the climate in Vietnam. The rainy season lasts from May to October, and it rains quite often with high temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. The dry season lasts from November to March, with little rain and low temperatures. The pleasant, cool weather of the dry season is a suitable time to travel. This is also the time when traditional festivals take place, helping visitors have many interesting experiences in Vientiane.

Transportation in Vientiane

Another Vientiane travel experience that tourists need to keep in mind is that there are very few taxis in this city. The main vehicles used by tourists are tuk-tuks and pickup trucks. In addition, visitors can choose to travel by bus at a low cost, with very friendly drivers and assistants. You can also rent bicycles, motorbikes, and cars at car rental areas around the capital!

Vientiane travel experience: Famous tourist attractions

Vientiane is a city filled with many interesting things, from long historical relics to bustling markets. Below are some famous tourist destinations that you should visit:.

Triumphal Arch of Patuxay

Patuxay, commonly known as the Arc de Triomphe, is a unique work of art in Vientiane, Laos. Boasting an architectural beauty that blends Laotian style and the characteristics of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Patuxay was built in 1957 to commemorate the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the resistance war against the French invasion of Laos.

With a height of 55m, Patuxay has four sides; each side is 24m wide, including seven tower floors and two sub-floors. The windows in the staircase are designed in the image of Buddha, creating a delicate combination of art and religion. If you come to Patuxay, you will have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of Vientiane City from the top floor. This is the ideal destination to take unique photos and make an impression on the architectural and cultural beauty of Laos.

Pha That Luang Great Stupa

Save this Vientiane travel experience now so you can't miss this impressive destination: the famous gold-plated That Luang Great Stupa. In the east of the capital, That Luang project has bold Buddhist architecture and is a national symbol of Laos. This tower is structured with many steps, each step symbolizing a different stage of Buddhist enlightenment, from matter to emptiness. Built in the 16th century on the foundation of an ancient Khmer temple, Pha That Luang has gone through many ups and downs in history, but it always exists as an important symbol and a must-see destination for everyone. tourists to Laos.

If you go to That Luang in the last days of October and early November, you can experience the That Luang festival, which is one of the major religious festivals of Laos.

Phra Keo Pagoda

Phra Keo Pagoda is the sacred Jade Buddha pagoda of Laos. This is where many precious works of art and culture are kept, including the national treasure of Laos, the jade Buddha statue. The statue is considered a priceless work of art and a symbol of Lao Buddhism. Built in traditional Lao architectural style, the pagoda is where visitors can learn about Lao history, culture, and art.

Phra Keo Pagoda is located in the center of Vientiane city, about 1 km from Lane Xang Avenue. Using a tuk-tuk or taxi to get to Phra Keo Pagoda is one of the good options that visitors can save for their Vientiane travel experience.

Wat Sisaket

Wat Sisaket is an attractive destination that should not be missed during your trip to Vientiane. The pagoda is located on Setthathirath Road at the corner of Lane Xang Avenue, 25km southeast of the capital. Wat Sisaket was built in the 17th century and is one of the ancient temples in Vientiane. Inside the hallway, you will see a wall displaying more than 2,000 Buddha statues of all sizes, dating from the 16th to the 19th century. On the other side of the hallway, there are more than 300 Buddha statues crafted from wood, tin, or stone in the typical sculptural style of Lao art in the period from the 16th to the 19th century. From Vientiane, you can use a tuk tuk to travel to the temple at a good price.

Xieng Khuan Buddha Statue Garden

Xieng Khuan Buddha Statue Garden is a famous sculpture garden in Vientiane. The impressive point in the statue garden is the more than 200 unique, exquisitely carved statues, bearing bold Hindu and Buddhist features. This location also provides a tour guide in seven languages, including Vietnamese.

Talat Sao Market

Talat Sao Market is located on the corner of Lane Xang and Khu Vieng, one of the capital's most famous attractions. The market is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with more than a thousand stalls selling a full range of items. Visitors can find Lao specialties, from food such as sticky rice and sausage to souvenirs such as bracelets and bags.

The ideal time to visit the market is early in the morning, when the market just opens. At this time, the market is still quite empty, and visitors will have more choices. Talat Sao Market is a great place for visitors to experience local life and shop for typical Lao items.

 Vientiane travel experience: Attractive local dishes

Vientiane cuisine is diverse and attractive, and the dishes you mentioned will definitely satisfy diners when visiting this capital. Lao sticky rice has the soft and smooth taste of sticky rice, similar to the sticky rice dishes of mountainous ethnic people in Vietnam. This dish is often eaten with grilled chicken or boiled vegetables.

Larb is also one of the dishes that enrich Lao cuisine. Larb is a harmonious combination of many ingredients, such as: beef, pork, chicken,... mixed with minced liver with lemon juice, chili,... All ingredients are mixed and served with vegetables. 

Savannakhet grilled chicken is an indispensable dish when you visit Vientiane. After cleaning, the chicken is clamped onto a bamboo stick and grilled over an open fire until the meat is cooked. Savannakhet Grilled Chicken has a special flavor and is an important part of the cuisine here.

Not only that, Khausoy is also a unique and delicious dish in Luang Prabang, with the special flavor of minced pork, garlic, tomatoes, and other spices. To experience this unique flavor, don't miss the chance to try Khausoy when you come to Vientiane.

Above are some interesting things and Vientiane travel experiences that you need to know before visiting this beautiful capital. This city has many other unique features waiting for you to explore. With the development of the current aviation system, finding cheap airline tickets to Vientiane as well as many other destinations has become easier than ever. Don't hesitate to contact Threeland Travel as your professional travel agency today for advice and ticket booking support. Wishing you a happy trip and lots of experiences!