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Laos >> Vientiane Capital Travel Guides
Vientiane
The Lao capital of Vientiane sits on the northern bank of the Mekong River facing across to the even sleepier Thai town of Sri Chiang Mai. For many visitors, Vientiane provides the first taste of Lao food, culture and hospitality, and it does not disappoint on any count.
Actually pronounced Wiang Jan and translated as City of Sandalwood, the modern name of Vientiane comes courtesy of a bastardised French transliteration. Wiang actually means "fort" (City of Sandalwood sounds better than Fort... ) but by all accounts it mustn't have been much of a stronghold, as the original city was overrun on a number of occasions by the Burmese and Chinese, and absolutely flattened by the Siamese (Thais) in 1828, after which the city was abandoned and left to the jungle.
This is one reason why many of the wats in the city are of a relatively young age, and if the road layout strikes you as an inspired affair, thank the French for it -- they laid the whole place out when they oversaw the rebuilding of the city from the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries.
Like many French colonial cities, Vientiane is characterised by broad, often leafy boulevards and rundown, creaking colonial mansions. Dotted with rustic wats surrounded by coconut palms and a generally sedentary pace of life as well and the allure of the place can be well understood.
Vientiane also boasts a great selection of Lao and Western restaurants and cafes, and an eclectic mix of sights and attractions which can be combined well for a comfortable two- to three-day stay. Whatever you do, don't miss a riverside sunset here.
What to see?
The Lao National Museum
This two-storey colonial mansion became the Lao National Museum in 1985 and houses an interesting view of the history of Laos. The display is divided into separate departments such as culture, archaeology, history and politics, with the latter two taking up the bulk of the display.
Patuxai (Vitory gate)
Not unlike the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, this large concrete monolith sits at the end of Lane Xang Ave at the centre of a large roundabout. Completed at the end of the 1960s, it was finished with a consignment of US financed cement that was supposed to be used to construct a new airport -- hence it's also referred to as the vertical runway. The views from the top are worth the climb although Vientiane does not have much of a skyline. Unfortunately it is locked up in the late afternoon which means you cannot be up there for sunset. At the top of the monument is a souvenir stall, and at the base a drink stand. The park immediately around the Patuxai is a popular place for Lao students to relax and is a good place to meet some locals.
Wat Sisaket
On Lane Xang Ave, just up from the Presidential Palace, is the oldest building in Vientiane, Wat Sisaket. Built in 1818 by King Chao Anou and the only temple in Vientiane to have survived the Thai invasion, it is surrounded by a roofed cloister containing thousands of Buddha statues. The temple itself has some interesting murals and some fine examples of 19th century craftsmanship. The temple complex also houses an ancient library which once held sacred documents.
That Luang
No town in Laos is complete without a stupa or two and That Luang, found at the top of the road that runs up past the right of the Patuxai monument, is Laos' national symbol. Built in 1566 and said to contain a hair from the Buddha, it was left in ruins after repeated attacks and lootings. It wasn't until the 1930s that reconstruction was undertaken by the French, and today's stupa rises 45m into the sky, dazzling visitors with its tapering golden spire which becomes quite striking when the sun sets at the end of the day. The statue at the front is of King Setthathilath, who is reputed to have built the original stupa. All four sides of That Luang were once flanked by temples, but only Wat Luang Nua and Wat Luang Tai remain. This is the epicentre of the annual That Luang Festival
Wat Haw Phra Kaew
Originally constructed in 1565, destroyed by the Thais, then renovated in the 1940s, Wat Phra Kaew was once the personal temple of the Lao king, but is now a museum of art and antiquities containing one of the finest collections of Lao art in the country. The wat is named after the famous emerald Buddha which was stolen from here by the Thais in the 18th century and is now housed in the temple of the same name in the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok. The temple is encircled by a gallery containing 18th century bronze statues of the Buddha in various poses and while the rest of the articles on display might not be particularly interesting, it's worth a look-in.
When is the best time to visit?
Between the mid of October to mid of March is you best time to visit the site.
Travel Care
Always drink a lot of bottle water to avoid dehydration, but not drink tap water.
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of the monument is a souvenir stall, and at the base a drink stand. The park immediately around the Patuxai is a popular place for Lao students to relax and is a good place to meet some locals.
and today's stupa rises 45m into the sky, dazzling visitors with its tapering golden spire which becomes quite striking when the sun sets at the end of the day. The statue at the front is of King Setthathilath, who is reputed to have built the original stupa. All four sides of That Luang were once flanked by temples, but only Wat Luang Nua and Wat Luang Tai remain. This is the epicentre of the annual That Luang Festival
century bronze statues of the Buddha in various poses and while the rest of the articles on display might not be particularly interesting, it's worth a look-in.