Vientiane is the Capital of What Country? Where is Laos Anyway? - Peanuts or Pretzels Share This Tweet This Free Gift! Get updates via email (we don't spam) & get a FREE Gift! We’ve been in Asia for almost a couple years now. And when we recently told our friends and family that we were planning to travel from Bangkok to Vientiane, there was a noticeable silence. “Vientiane – what is that?” they asked us. “It’s a capital city in southeast Asia” we told them. “Vientiane is the capital of what country?” they uttered. “Laos,” we replied. “Where is Laos?” *sigh* We knew this was going to be a long conversation. They were genuinely confused, as I’m sure many people might be. Most people know about Vietnam, Thailand and even Cambodia – but few have any idea about Laos. So we decided to put a little something together to sum up some of the things to do in Vientiane and why we were heading to Laos.

Strolling the riverside promenade and restaurants of Vientiane, Laos Most Travelers Skip by Vientiane — but It’s Definitely Worth a few Days For those people who know about Laos and the natural beauty it offers visitors, they can understand why we have Laos on our travel list. But Vientiane? While Vientiane is the capital of a truly beautiful country, the city is often skipped by travelers who are heading off to more scenic and adventurous areas, such as Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang. However after spending a few days in Vientiane, we are convinced that travelers who have the time, should at least spend a couple days in this charming capital city. Especially if it is your first stop in Laos (as it was for us). Where is Vientiane, Laos? Vientiane, Laos is practically in the center of southeast Asia. The city is just over the border from Thailand and sits along the famous Mekong river. From Bangkok, you would need to travel east, then north – past Udon Thani toward the Mekong. While you can fly into Vientiane, many travelers who are roaming around southeast Asia prefer to arrive by bus or train.

We were coming from Bangkok , so we opted to take the overnight train from Bangkok to Vientiane. It actually goes to Nong Kai, at the border of Thailand just before the river. Then you hop on another train that goes just over the border. However, the city of Vientiane is actually another 20 km away from the train station. So you need to get on a minibus or tuk-tuk into the heart of the city. Vientiane Surprised Us – In a Good Way! Having never been in Laos before, we weren’t sure what to expect. We’ve been to Thailand numerous times, and even lived there for some time. So we are familiar with Thailand, but we knew that Laos was much more rural and less developed. To be honest, we were looking forward to this change — experiencing Laos is almost like experiencing what Thailand was like many years ago…before all the mass tourism and development took over so many areas. We knew little about Laos, only that it had some French influence and a bit of a tumultuous past. But upon our morning of arrival, we were already in love with this capital city that actually feels like a small town.

In Vientiane we spotted some monks pulling / pushing each other around on carts while doing some work — who says monks don’t have fun?!?! Before checking into our hostel, we stopped off for some breakfast — which included a tasty chicken baguette sandwich and some fantastic, thick and dark coffee! And we were already in love. Our Favorite Things to Do in Vientiane, Laos We only planned to spend a few days in Vientiane, but we loved it so much that we ended up adding a couple days to our trip. Here are a few of our most favorite things to do in Vientiane. Explore the Many Wats (or Vats) all Over Town Laos is a country full of beautiful Wats (or temples). And the city of Vientiane is loaded with them, in fact, it felt like there was a Wat on every corner! Not all of them are worth a visit, and it’s easy to get “templed-out” if you were to check out all of them. But some of the most popular and worth seeing include: That Luang (covered in gold!), Wat Ong Teu, Ho Phra Keo, Vat Sisaket, and Wat Si Meuang.

Be sure to dress modestly or bring a cover up — your shoulders and knees should be covered. Also, be careful not to point your feet toward any Buddha statues, out of respect (the feet are the lowest and dirtiest part of the body). Lastly, if there are some monks around you may be able to get a blessing and a bracelet in exchange for a small donation. Wherever we go, we enjoy the experience of getting blessed by a monk. Another interesting sight is That Dam (home of a Geocache ). This Stupa is actually one of the oldest left in Vientiane. It was one covered in gold, but the gold was pillaged by Siam and taken to Thailand long ago. Legend has it that there was a seven-headed serpant, “Naga” who lived here to protect the city of Vientiane. More Beautiful than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris! The Patuxai (literally meaning “victory gate”) is a giant arch structure along the main road into town. It looks down the street toward the Presidential Palace and the Mekong River.

The arch is actually a war monument, built between 1957 and 1968 to commemorate those who fought for independence from the French. It’s a beautiful example of Lao design and is decorated with many mythical like the Kinnari (a half bird half female creature). Personally, I found it more beautiful than the Arc in Paris (sorry Paris). During the day you can climb to the top for a bird’s eye view, but at night, the area comes alive with families hanging out in the park and the lights and sunset really make for some great views! Oh, the Food in Vientiane! So we already mentioned the amazing baguettes in Vientiane, and these sandwiches are everywhere! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can have a baguette alone, or make it into a sandwich – a very popular street food here. In fact, you will find tasty (and cheap) baguette sandwiches all over Laos! The coffee is another thing that is great in Laos, so rich and dark – it’s almost like chocolate! People don’t realize that there are actually coffee plantations in Laos — so much of this coffee is actually local! The first of oh so many baguette sandwiches in Laos!

Being that Vientiane is the capital city, there is a wide array of food available. You can find some of the best Lao food around, including Laap (or Larp) – one of our favorites. Laap is a traditional Lao dish made with your choice of minced meat, combined with onions, chilies, lemon, herbs and spices, including mint — a popular ingredient in Lao food. While we found many tasty Lao dishes, I think Lap was by far our favorite and we found ourselves craving it at times. Traditionally, it is served with sticky rice (the primary style of rice in Laos), but you can also get steamed rice too. Another favorite dish of ours is papaya salad – similar to Thailand’s version, but usually without the shrimp (great for me since I don’t like shrimp). This slightly sweet, sour, spicy cold salad has a hint of peanut and is a great side dish to share. While there are many restaurants around Vientiane serving local Lao dishes, we were surprised to discover just how many international cuisines are represented here. Many more than other places we have traveled! We found awesome pizzas and pasta, kebobs and Mediterranean food, hummus, and super tasty Mexican food.

We also discovered the BEST Philly Cheesesteaks we remember ever having. Traditional Lao dishes – ginger chicken on the left and Lap on the right. After living in Asia for 2 years, we were loving having such a variety of food — we were shocked to find it in such a small town like Vientiane. And honestly, we never ate anything bad, everything was really tasty. Who would have thought we’d be eating so good in Laos. But be prepared to spend some cash, because dining out isn’t cheap in Laos. While you can find baguette sandwiches for 15,000 – 25,000 kip, most restaurants were charging 30,000 – 60,000 kip for meals in Vientiane. Overall, it’s not as cheap as we thought to eat in Laos – especially when compared to other southeast Asia travel destinations. So build that into your budget if you are planning a trip to Laos. Rent a Bike in Vientiane to Explore – or a Motorbike to go Further Even though Vientiane is the capital city of Laos, it seems more like a small town.

It is quite walkable, and riding a bike around town is very popular. Most all guesthouses offer bikes for rent, or included in your stay. But you will also find bike rental shops everywhere. Be aware though – it can get quite hot! Wear sunscreen and drink lots of water if you are going to be riding around town. Liz cruising on a motorbike in Vientiane Laos If you want to go further outside of town and into the countryside, then consider renting a motorbike. Motorbikes are available at many guesthouses or shops around town. We rented ours from our hostel, the Orange Backpacker . Being so hot outside, it felt good to cruise around with breeze. But it was deceiving, and we both got a bit sunburned! The Night Market in Vientiane Every night along the riverfront promenade area, locals set up a night market. People start setting up in the early evening, around 4 or 5 pm – and it goes on well into the night. There is a lot of clothing and accessories, for locals, but tourists will also find some souvenirs – including clothes, bags, crafts, and artwork.

We actually saw a number of beautiful paintings, with the shopkeepers painting right inside the tent. We have a weakness for art, so we had to hold ourselves back from buying everything! The night market in Vientiane is large, and it takes quite a while to walk it. We found ourselves walking up and down it most every night, because the whole promenade area along the river really is the place to hang out at night. There are also a lot of street food vendors nearby too. ** Note: There is another Market – the Morning Market – which is actually inside some buildings, kinda like mall. We strolled around numerous floors, and nearby alleyways, but we found this market to be boring and a bit of a bust. Mostly local items, and not much character. Just kinda blah. Read also: How to Conquer a Foreign Shopping Market like a BOSS! Nightly Promenade Along the River Speaking of the river, at night this whole area really comes alive. Not only with the market, but there are many street vendors and people gathering all around. Just before sunset, the open areas are filled with group aerobics classes, and you can hear the pumping music and see the crowds getting their sweat on together.

For a small fee, you can join in too. But if you just want to be lazy, like us, then just have a seat and watch the sunset. This was actually one of our favorite activities in Vientiane. We would grab something to drink, or even a sandwich, and just sit for a good hour or two. We’d watch the sunset and even stick around after dark – just hanging out and talking while looking out over the river. We weren’t the only ones, the area is filled with people until late. A great cheap and relaxing activity in Vientiane. Venture Upriver from the Night Market for Outdoor Restaurants on the River If you are looking for a great night out relaxing on the river, then make your way upstream from the Night Market and promenade area. If you just keep following the walkways along the river, the sidewalk will widen and you will start to see outdoor restaurants along the riverbank. One after the other, these places are hopping at night – with music, drinks, and lots of food being cooked up and grilled out all around you. Enjoying the sunset with all the locals in #Vientiane #Laos .

pic.twitter.com/8UMhUOvXBU — Josh & Liz (@PeanutsPretzels) May 16, 2016 It’s a nice evening to relax and watch the sunset over the river, and have dinner under the stars. With so many restaurants, it’s hard to choose – so walk up and down to scope out what they all have. Trips Outside of Vientiane City While Vientiane is great, it’s also nice to venture out of town to explore. There are a few places worth heading for the afternoon or just a day, or you may opt to take an overnight trip. Here are some notable places and our thoughts on them. The Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) We heard a lot about this place before going to Vientiane. 25 km outside of Vientiane, this park is full of sculptures from a rogue monk some years back. It’s a combination of Buddhist and Hindu gods and creatures. It’s actually a bit creepy in some aspects, some “Frankenstienesque” looking things. We read all about the history online before we went, and learned that there actually isn’t much signage about what the things are inside the park.

So reading about it gave us more insight — plus, we learned that the sculptures aren’t made from rock, but are actually concrete poured. A photo posted by Peanuts or Pretzels (@peanutsorpretzels) on May 6, 2016 at 8:00pm PDT We weren’t sure what to expect, so we drove our motorbike out to the site – which was a really great day trip out of Vientiane. We enjoyed the ride and exploring some villages. However, when we arrived at the Buddha Park, we saw they were charging 5,000 kip to park our bike + another 5,000 admission + 3,000 kip if you brought a camera to take photos! ** Side note: This is the first of many times in Laos where we realized it’s all about nickel-and-diming tourists. It’s rampant, and can get extremely irritating (and costly). It’s the one complaint we have about visiting Laos. We were kinda turned off by those prices, so we decided to park our bike across the street at a local restaurant for free, and eat lunch while we thought more about it.

After looking around and talking about it, we noticed how small the Buddha park was, and that there was a walkway that went around the outside of it. In the end, we just walked around the outside for free and looked inside, taking a few pics. We just didn’t feel like it was worth it to go inside. It was small, and not very exciting. Looking into the Buddha Park outside Vientiane, Laos You can get out here to the Buddha Park by public bus, but the motorbike was definitely more fun. Overall, if you have time in Vientiane – then it’s a nice ride out here. But otherwise we wouldn’t really recommend the Buddha Park. Phou Khao Khouay National Park This national conservation area in Laos is a great day trip from the city, but best with an organized tour. There are some great waterfalls, forests, and trails for hiking. You can also do some kayaking on the rivers and wildlife watching. In fact, wild tigers and elephants (although elusive) are still roaming the park grounds! There are also some traditional and friendly local villages on the outskirts of the park that you can visit and get to know the Lao culture. ** Sleep Overnight in an Elephant Lookout!

** While you can take a day hike out to an elephant lookout near a popular salt lick that they like to visit, there’s no guarantee that you will see an elephant. But a cool option that will enhance the likelihood of you seeing one is to actually sleep overnight in the lookout. Some people are woken up at night to the sound of the elephants at the salt lick. A very cool experience, we’d like to do sometime, but just didn’t really have it on our itinerary this time around. Boating or Jet Skiing at Ang Nam Ngum Reservoir A couple hours out of town is Ang Nam Ngum, a large reservoir where many people go to enjoy a day cooling off and playing in the water. There are some resorts up here where you can stay overnight, or just for a day trip. Visitors can rent boats and even jet skis to play in the water – and there is also a casino nearby, if you like that sort of activity. Vientiane Has a Special Place in our Hearts! While we realize that people are limited on time and may opt to bypass Vientiane for more scenic places, we must admit that we really came to like Vientiane.

Looking back, we probably liked Vientiane so much because it was our first stop in Laos, but we still think there is something special to it. It’s by far the smallest capital in all of southeast Asia, and it has a sort of small town charm to it. Plus, it’s easy to get around by foot, bike or motorbike – making it a lot easier to explore than other capitals in southeast Asia. Besides being easy to get around Vientiane, we felt like there were some great things to see, and it was a nice introduction to Laos and the Lao people. By far, our favorite part was relaxing along the Mekong River in the evening – watching the sunset and just hanging out well into the night. We loved gazing out at the river in the moonlight – this is one of our favorite memories! Where is Laos? Well, it’s in our heart now. And we are really looking forward to exploring more of this amazing, and often overlooked, country in southeast Asia. Vientiane Map, Capital of Laos World Map / Laos Map / Cities / Vientiane Map, Capital of Vientiane Vientiane Map, Capital of Laos Disclaimer Close Disclaimer : All efforts have been made to make this image accurate.

However Compare Infobase Limited, its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same. Vientiane, the Capital of Laos is divided into units such as provinces, prefectures and city. This early river-valley fiefdom is located on a bend in the Mekong River. Because of the fertile alluvial plain the settlers chose this place. A fragile sovereignty was enjoyed by Vientiane in its early days. Capital of Laos was controlled by Burmese, Siamese, Vietnamese and Khmer at different point of time. In the 14th century Lan Xang kingdom was established by the Khmer. Originally it was centered in Muang Sawa but the capital was moved to Vientiane in the 16th century. It was named the capital in the late 19th and early 20th century when the country became a French protectorate. Laos's capital is actually pronounced "Wieng Chan". Wieng means "city or place with walls' in Lao and Chan means either 'sandalwood or moon".

Therefore Vientiane is known as Sandalwood City or Moon City.The image of exotic Eurasian setting can be found here, which is one of the three classic Indochinese cities. These images are the integrated part of the city. Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, US, soviet influences all are at work in Vientiane. Vientiane is the largest city of Laos but it is not tough to get to know this small city. The older section of the town along the Mekong river is really attractive with is living history. Passing traffic can not overshadow the atmosphere of timelessness that is generated by the tree-lined boulevards and old temples. Vientiane is also the place where you can experience the vibrant culture of Laos. Ten Reasons Why Vientiane, Laos, is the World?s Best Capital City Ten Reasons Why Vientiane, Laos, is the World?s Best Capital City markonthemap.wordpress.com A Sparkling Clean Oasis Chances are your journey to Vientiane will not be direct, and arriving from Hanoi, Phnom Penh or Bangkok, you will be struck by the immaculate streets of the Laotian capital. Vientiane may just be the cleanest city in all of Southeast Asia.

With meticulously angled shrubbery and manicured roadside gardens, you'd hardly believe you were in one of the poorest countries in the world. Hosting the Southeast Asian Games in 2009 (for the first time in their 50-year history) Vientiane is opening its doors to the world, a small city with big dreams. Exuding a pride often found in capitals, the residents of Vientiane work hard at the upkeep to make their city the shining example of a prosperous future. . Photo: REUTERS markonthemap.wordpress.com Friendly Locals Learn this word: "Sabaidii," (sa bye dee - hello, welcome) and you've unlocked the door to the land of 1,000 smiles. The warm, welcoming faces of the Lao people are so infectious, you will find yourself singing "Khawp jai lai lai," (kop chai lye lye - thank you very much) not only because you like the sound, but because of their bewildering radiance. The Lao citizens don't have much to be happy about.

The French, British, Chinese, Japanese and Thais have all drawn lines around this land and after years of strict socialism, the country remains in the world's "least-developed" category. Yet, the Lao people refuse to let hard times get them down. markonthemap.wordpress.com Dirt-Cheap French Food Waking up to the wafting scent of freshly baked baguettes and crispy croissants, you might just forget where you are. In fact, to find bread in such quantities is a rarity in Asia. Yet, in Vientiane, the lingering refinements of French Indochina rule the city's culinary scene. Vientiane is, perhaps, the cheapest place in the world to indulge in wood-fire steaks, soufflés, pates, and a cold glass of Sancerre. Most restaurants line the crisscrossing rues of Vientiane Central or you can combine dinner and a movie at Centre Culturel et de Cooperation Linguistique. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang Upmarket Accommodation Aided by a change in foreign tourism in post-tsunami Thailand, the past few years have brought an unprecedented boom in tourism for Laos.

Seeking the languid, "authentic" Asia that many feel is lost elsewhere, more than 1 million tourists came in 2005, up from 14,000 in 1990. As a result, Vientiane's old flophouses received an overdue makeover and accommodation took a notable swing for the up-market - although prices remain fair. Expect to pay between $8 and $30 USD for a room with a balcony in the old quarter. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang The Riverside Night Market The mighty Mekong River stretches from Nepal to southern Vietnam, and as it meanders through Laos, it acts as the border with Thailand. Along its banks, Vientiane's night market comes to life. On a long stretch of the recently revitalized riverfront, plastic chairs are artfully arranged as hawkers present the day's catch for your approval. The fresh and unbelievably cheap fish is then cooked to your liking and served (face and all) on a bed of rice and greens. After dinner, stroll down the river to check out local craftsmen or head back to town for some tiramisu.

markonthemap.wordpress.com Beer Lao Founded in 1973, Lao Brewery Co. Ltd. was a joint venture between foreign investors and Lao businessmen. The Communist government that took over in 1975 formed a partnership with Carlsberg Brewers in 2005. From the government to the hands of the people, Beer Lao is the national beer. Its lager, light, and dark varieties blow Thailand's Chang Beer back across the Mekong. Produced in Vientiane, Beer Lao is one of the nation's largest companies, sponsoring sport events and beauty pageants as well as splashing its marketing across the country. A cold Beer Lao at sunset on the Mekong is a Vientiane must. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang A Funny Sort of Nightlife When the sun sets over the Mekong and the merchants pack up and away, Laos' night workers take to the streets. Revving engines, hiked up skirts, and splashes of red are instant indicators that these are not the conservative, demure girls of the daylight. With the dramatic game of cat and mouse below, you may just kick back on the balcony with a Beer Lao and watch the show.

But, if you're prepared for a night out, this small capital city has a surprising number of bars and clubs. markonthemap.wordpress.com Crumbling French-Colonial Architecture While the French colonial government did not have the budget here for the grand constructions of Hanoi or Saigon, these nevertheless impressive villas are perhaps more visible in tiny Vientiane. Now home to museums and embassies, these crumbling, porch-encased mansions tower above the city's modest dwellings. Previously reluctant to promote colonial architecture as an asset for tourism, new generations of local authorities have come to embrace it as an intrinsic link to their recent history. markonthemap.wordpress.com Temples, Temples, Temples While not as omnipresent as temple-heavy Luang Prabang, Vientiane boasts some bold national treasures. The blaring, golden Pha That Luang (Laos' most important national monument) is cornered by four temples - two of which remain. Wat Si Salet is the oldest temple in Vientiane with an amazing 2,000 silver Buddha images and 300 seated and standing Buddhas in wood, stone, and bronze. Craving more statues?

Head to Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park), one yogi-priest-shaman's bizarre testament to a merged Hindu-Buddhist mythology. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang Laid-back Laos Nothing moves very fast in Laos. For some, this can be a test in patience, but the reward is an oasis from the bustle of modern, motorbike-crazy Southeast Asia. Because any journey onto the patchy roads outside of Vientiane will inevitably take four times as long as the kilometers may have you estimating, an open, flexible attitude will bring nothing but smiles and good times with the carefree locals. The lesson in this? Stay put in Vientiane for a while. It is not a doing city - it's a do nothing city. After a few days, the city oozes into your head, grabs you by the heart, and sets you free with a Zen-like zeal. Vientiane Vientiane Vientiane 662 Vientiane is the capital of Laos with a population of presently 464.000 , located on the bank of the Mekong river. Tell your friends Tweet Most travellers are fascinated by the city's exotic Eurasian setting.

The confluence of several cultures has given Vientiane an appealing ambience. Tree-lined boulevards, French historical dwellings and Buddhists temples dominate the scene of central Vientiane and impart a unique character of timelessness. Vientiane 's major attractions are its scenic Buddhist monasteries and the significant monuments that dominate the scenery of the capital which include Vat Sisaket, Vat Hoprakeo Patousay,That Luang stupa , Vat Ongtu, etc... Vientiane 's That Luang stupa is the most impressive and biggest stupa in Laos , featured on the Lao insignia. This stupa was constructed in 1566 by King Setthathirat. The Siamese damaged it badly during their invasion in 1828, but it was restored in the 1936s. In mid-November, religious rites as well as a fair are held here during the That Luang festival.Wat Phra Keo was also constructed by King Setthathirat. It was rebuilt after the Siamese razed it during the Siamese-Lao war of 1828.

The building had housed the Emerald Buddha until it was taken to Bangkok following a skirmish with the Lao in 1778. Vat Phra Keo still displays some of the finest Buddha sculptures found in the country. The Patousay on Lane Xang Avenue is a large monument reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris . Its architecture incorporates typical Lao motifs. From the top one can have a panoramic view of the entire city. Vat Sisaket is the oldest temple of Vientiane , which has survived in its original fomi. Inside the main hall, and along the walls of the courtyard surrounding it, a total of 6,840 Buddha images rest in small niches or on shelves. At Vat Ong Teu resides the Buddhist Institute where monks can study their religion under the guidance of senior instructors. Revolutionary Museum , housed in an impressive French colonial building. The museum pays tribute to the sacrifices of the Lao People in freeing the country from colonial rule. The upstairs galleries feature photographs, artifacts and old weapons from the revolution, as well as maps, paintings and dioramas. Downstairs holds an archaeological display and exhibits about modern Laos.

Vat Xieng Khouane ( Buddha Park ): the park is in pleasant and it's a religious culture park located by the Mekong River 24 kilometers down river from Vientiane . Features include an enormous concrete reclining Buddha, and a three-tiered model of heaven, earth and hell which visitors may climb through.Hours: 08.00-16.30. Weaving Village: A halfday excursion of South Vientiane , where you can see the breeding of the silkworms in most of the houses and traditional weaving. Tour ends with a visit to the Buddha Park near Thadeua, the border crossing point with Thailand and the National Ethnic Park beside the Friendship Bridge. ... Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest news and deals! Subscribe Vientiane | Laos Golf Holidays Vientiane VIENTIANE Vientiane’s laid-back atmosphere may be the first thing you notice about the Lao capital city, with people strolling and traffic rolling unhurriedly past patrons poised at sidewalk café tables. The second thing you may notice is how clean the Lao people keep their largest city. Litter is the exception rather than the rule in Vientiane.

Sidewalks and streets are swept clean every morning and unimposing signs extol the virtues of being a responsible Lao citizen and keeping the country clean. Actually, the second thing you might notice on your Laos Golf Holiday, if it is morning and they are baking when you arrive in Vientiane, is the fresh aroma of warm bread wafting through the air. The French influence in the region left a legacy of, and appetite for, fresh baguettes and sweet pastries. Vientiane is Heaven for golfers and tourists that appreciate the culinary arts and delectable international cuisine in general; freshly baked bread and pastries in particular. Fashionable sidewalk cafes like you might find in Los Angeles, Paris, Milan, or Madrid prevail in the central tourist area around Vientiane’s Nam Phou Fountain. English is widely spoken and courteous citizens are not shy to assist traveling guests with directions or other information. Public transportation is in the form of tuk-tuks, three-wheeled vehicles best described as a motorbike front end fastened to a pickup truck bed fitted with bench seats and shaded by an awning. Tuk-tuk drivers are not shy either and will solicit your business enthusiastically at times.

Any time you are in a foreign country the rule of thumb is to always select the taxi or tuk-tuk rather than let them select you. And always get the fare agreed before you step aboard. You’ll be paying more than a local but the minimum going rate for tourists to travel by tuk-tuk in Vientiane is 100 baht unless you know how to negotiate without offending their pride or sense of self worth. Since you will be arriving from Thailand it is easiest to use Thai currency in Laos. Thai baht and U.S. dollars are widely accepted and much easier than keeping track of tens or hundreds of thousands of Lao kip, which is their national currency. If you are on a budget and want to gain even the smallest economic advantage then you will benefit by finding the best exchange rate available and paying everything with kip. This is because there is always a tendency on behalf of the sellers to round up when quoting prices in outside currencies. The name Vientiane appears to have derived originally from the sacred Buddhist language of Pali, translated to indicate “city of the moon.” People throughout Southeast Asia pronounce the capital city Viangchan which can mean “city of the moon,” although dissenting views do exist.

It is reasoned that the pronunciation and spelling Vientiane grew out of the French difficulty in saying the ch sound. Regardless of how you say it, Vientiane is one of the more laid back and relaxed cities of the world. The citizens are polite and properly friendly and their actions speak well for the education system in Laos. Vientiane is a city steeped in culture and history just waiting for your eyes, ears, and camera lens to discover. No trip to Vientiane is complete without a visit to the famous Morning Market, where you will find a plethora of silk shops, gadget stalls, and souvenir touts hawking things like a cobra snake preserved in a whisky bottle. Locals shop there, as well as tourists, and it is a sensory-awakening immersion into the local culture. If the price on a cell phone or watch seems too good to be true in the crowded market, let the phrase caveat emptor come to mind. A good way to explore the history of Laos is at the Lao National Museum where the turbulent revolutionary era of the 1970s is detailed.

There is a strong cultural bond between the Lao people and the people of Thailand, especially the native citizenry of the northeastern region of Thailand known as Isan (ee’-sahn). Isan folks incorporate a lot of the Lao language into their own regional idiom. Reflecting this cross-cultural relationship in Vientiane is Wat Si Saket. Wat means temple in both Laos and Thailand. Wat Si Saket is believed to be the oldest standing temple in Vientiane, built in 1818 with Siamese influenced Buddhist architecture. You will find numerous cultural tours in and around Vientiane, enough to keep you busy for a week or more visiting the ‘A’ list attractions. The best part is that you can customize your itinerary now before you leave by taking a moment to contact one of our destination professionals at Laos Golf Holidays for details and answers about golf and sightseeing in Vientiane. Vientiane | national capital, Laos | Britannica.com national capital, Laos Siribunyasan Vientiane, also spelled Viangchan, largest city and capital of Laos , situated on a plain just northeast of the Mekong River .

The city’s central river port location in a country relying heavily on its rivers for transportation and its surrounding hinterland of intensive rice cultivation have made Vientiane the major economic centre of Laos. The city has a tropical monsoon climate, every month having an average daytime temperature above 80 °F (27 °C) and more than 80 percent of Vientiane’s annual precipitation on the average falling in the five months May–September. Time-lapse video of Louangphrabang, Vientiane, and Khone Falls, Laos. Vincent Urban & Clemens Krüger (A Britannica Publishing Partner) That Luang temple, Vientiane, Laos. Picturepoint, London The town was founded during the late 13th century, and in the mid-16th century the capital of the Lao kingdom (a state known as Lan Xang) was moved to Vientiane from its previous traditional location at Luang Prabang (now Louangphrabang). In 1778 Vientiane came under Siamese control; in 1828 it was sacked and destroyed when the subject Laotian king revolted against Siamese hegemony .

From 1899 to 1953, with the exception of the Japanese occupation (1945), Vientiane was in succession the seat of the French governor and the French administrative capital. Vientiane still has some of its older wooden structures, despite its government offices, foreign embassies, and schools. Its modern industries include brewing, lumber processing, and the manufacture of brick, tile, textiles, cigarettes, matches, detergents, plastic bags, rubber sandals, and iron and steel. The Lao farmers of the surrounding area tend rice, corn (maize), and livestock in some of the best alluvial lowlands of Laos. Before 1975 the city was the principal stock shipping and slaughtering centre of the country. Since the shift in the country’s import trade from Vietnam to Thailand , Vientiane has replaced Pakxé to the southeast as Laos’s principal port of entry. Similar Topics Where is Laos? / Where is Laos Located in The World? / Laos Map - WorldAtlas.com What is the capital of Laos?

Located in the continent of Asia , Lao People's Democratic Republic covers 230,800 square kilometers of land and 6,000 square kilometers of water, making it the 84th largest nation in the world with a total area of 236,800 square kilometers. Laos became an independent state in 1953, after gaining its sovereignty from France. The population of Laos is 6,586,266 (2012) and the nation has a density of 29 people per square kilometer. The currency of Laos is the Kip (LAK). As well, the people of Laos are refered to as Lao/Laotian. The dialing code for the country is 856 and the top level internet domain for Lao/Laotian sites is .la. To learn more, visit our detailed Lao People's Democratic Republic section. Quick facts

Question: Of which country is Vientiane the capital?
Answer: Laos