Tourist Places to Visit in Vientiane
Laos

Interesting Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Vientiane

Mustafa Natalwala 3177 Views

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.

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.

Cope Vientiane

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.

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.

Lao 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.

Pha That Luang

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.

Patuxay 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.

Wat Haw Phra Kaew

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.

Wat Si Muang

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.

Buddha Park

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.

That Dam

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.

Wat Si Saket

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.

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.

Lao People’s Army History 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.

Wat Mixai

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

  1. Pha That Luang
  2. Patuxay Monument
  3. Wat Si Saket Temple
  4. Cope Vientiane
  5. Buddha Park
  6. Hophakaew Museum
  7. Wat Si Muang
  8. That Dam Stupa
  9. COPE visitor center
  10. Presidential Palace
  11. Chao Anouvong Park
  12. Wat Mixai
  13. Lao People’s History Museum
  14. Lao Textile Museum
  15. Carol Cassidy Lao Textile
  16. Wat Ong Teu
  17. King Anouvong Statue
  18. Wat That Khao
  19. Wat Inpeng
  20. King Setthathirath Statue
  21. Phat Tich Temple
  22. Kaysone Phomvihan Museum
  23. Fa Ngum Statue
  24. Vat Phiavat Temple
  25. Wat Sok Pa Luang
  26. Vientiane Museum of Contemporary Arts
  27. Wat That Phoun
  28. People’s Public Security Museum
  29. Chinese Association Temple
  30. Wat That Luang Tai
  31. Haw Pha Kaeo
  32. Masjid Azhar
  33. Sacred Heart Catholic Church
  34. Souphanouvong Museum
  35. Wat Chan
  36. Lao National Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Vientiane

  1. Bung Salkham
  2. Nam Ha National Bio-Diversity Conservation
  3. Phou Hin Poun National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Vientiane

  1. Lao National Ethnic Culture Park
  2. Nam Phau Fountain
  3. Ocean Park
  4. Patuxay Park
  5. Ban Pako Eco Resort

Shopping in Vientiane

  1. Vientiane Night Market
  2. Morning Market
  3. Khua Din Market
  4. Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles
  5. Oot Ni Gallery
  6. Ministry of Silk

Beaches & Island in Vientiane

  1. Hat Don Chan

Sightseeing in Vientiane

  1. Thai Lao Friendship Bridge

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Vientiane

  1. That Dam Wine House
  2. Soukvimarn
  3. Khop Chai Deu
  4. Vieng Sawan
  5. Joma Bakery Cafe
  6. Miengchaikao
  7. Villa Opera
  8. Senglao Cafe
  9. Lao Kitchen
  10. La Signature
  11. May Yuan
  12. Lane Xang
  13. Bor Pen Nyang
  14. Pha That Luang
  15. Kualao
  16. Ban Haysoke
  17. L’Adresse
  18. Tyson Kitchen
  19. 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

Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making

You May Also Like

Top Tourist Places to Visit in Luang Prabang, Laos

25 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions and Best Things to Do in Luang Prabang, Laos

Mustafa Natalwala