VientianeCapital

Vientiane is the relaxed riverside capital of Laos, the sleepy but storied city of the great river that spreads its golden stupas, its temples, its French-era villas and its wide tree-lined boulevards along the mighty river and the border, the slowest capital of Southeast Asia. Founded as a royal city of the kingdom and rebuilt and reshaped through the Siamese and the French eras, it keeps the gentle character of its past: no towering skyline, no traffic madness, only the great golden stupa, the gilded temples, the swaying of the palms and the long evenings along the river. The great golden stupa, the temples of the old town, the victory monument and the park of the Buddha of the region anchor the essential visits, while the rolling karst mountains and the waterfalls of the countryside spread beyond the capital. Golden, calm and profoundly laid-back, Vientiane is the understated soul of the Lao nation.

About Vientiane

Vientiane is the capital of Laos. The city's documented population is around 950,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Lao Kip (LAK) and Lao is spoken; the dialling code is +856.

The Stupa of the That Luang and the Monument of the Victory

The capital runs on the slow rhythm of the river, and the essential days move between the great golden stupa, the temple district and the river promenade, with the cafes, the night markets and the monuments distributing the easy pace. The great stupa with its soaring gilded tower, the tall victory monument with its view, and the cluster of the old temples along the boulevards of the town anchor the classic stops, while the morning markets and the night market of the riverfront carry the shopping, the food and the hangout life. The park of the Buddha with its concrete statuary and the caves and the waterfalls of the region, and the crossing to the great city across the river, fill the wider days.

The Wats of the Morning and the Houses of the Colonial

The climate of the city is the tropical monsoon of the interior river, with the very hot dry season, the smoky burning season and the heavy wet season of the middle months, while the cool, dry months of the early year give the pleasantest travel window. The kip is the currency, the Lao the language and some English and the French spoken in the tourist world. The centre, the temples and the monument make the core visits, and the temples and the waterfalls of the region lie a short drive or a ride away. Light clothing for the humidity, modest dress for the temples and comfortable shoes for the dusty walks complete the simple kit.

The Park of the Buddha and the Riverfront of the Night

The great golden stupa of the capital, the famous monument with its enormous gilded tower and its surrounding walls, is the national symbol of the country, its glinting summit the emblem of the nation since the sixteenth century and the centre of the great festival of the year, while the monument of the victory, the arch with its climbable roof and its view over the boulevards, is the French-inspired landmark of the independence. The temples of the old town, from the oldest temple with its giant reclining Buddha to the temple with its beautiful carved library and its gardens, preserve the gilded craft of the kingdom, and the morning market and the night market along the river carry the food, the fabrics and the silks of the town. The park of the Buddha across the fields, with its hundred concrete sculptures of the legend, the caves, the swimming holes and the waterfalls of the countryside around the city, and the friendly floodlit riverfront with its restaurants and its sunset beers, complete the essential, laid-back circuit of the Lao capital. Golden, graceful and gloriously unhurried, Vientiane is the gentle heart of the land of the million elephants.

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Country: Laos
Population: 950,000

Capital: Vientiane
Region: Asia
Currency: Lao Kip (LAK)
Languages: Lao
Calling code: +856
Country code: LA

Entry requirements for Laos

Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Laos for tourism.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vientiane the capital of Laos?

Yes — Vientiane is the capital of Laos.

What currency do I need in Vientiane?

The local currency is the Lao Kip (LAK). Languages spoken in Laos include Lao.

What is the dialling code for Laos?

The international dialling code for Laos is +856.

Do I need a visa to visit Laos?

It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Australia (e-visa), Canada (e-visa), France (e-visa), Germany (e-visa) and India (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.

Flying out of Vientiane? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.