Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Vientiane, Laos, Asia
Vientiane is the capital city of Laos located on the border of Thailand at an altitude of 174 meters placed on the banks of Mekong River formed as a capital of Laos in the year 1563. In December 2009, Vientiane was organized the 25th Southeast Asian Games. Vientiane is home to Lao Airlines head office, Mahosot Hospital and National University of Laos.
Geography and climate of Vientiane:
Vientiane Province shares its border with Thailand in the south, Luang Prabang Province on the north, Xaignabouli Province towards west, Bolikhamxai Province in the east and Xiangkhouang Province in northeast.
Vientiane features a tropical wet and dry climate and from November to March is the dry season in Vientiane. Vientiane Province covers an area of 15,927 sq. km. and Song River, Nam Ngum River and the Nam Lik River are major rivers flowing through the province.
History of Vientiane:
The name of Vientiane derives from a Middle Indo-Aryan language Pali and the literal meaning of Vientiane in local language is “city of sandalwood”. It is believed that, Vientiane founded by Prince Thattaradtha during 9th century.
Food and Shopping in Vientiane:
Vientiane is packed with full of shopping malls, supermarkets, book stores, handicraft shops and department stores. The best shopping malls include Talat Sao Mall, Home Ideal Department Store and Talat Sao and also the city is home to numerous famous handicraft shops like Mixay Boutic, Laha Boutique and The Art of Silk.
Tourists can visit Monument Books to purchase books and magazines and it has a large collection of English and French language books. One can pick European, Asian and US movie DVDs at all the major DVD shops of the city.
The hotels of Vientiane serve tourists with variety of Europe and Asian style food at reasonable prices. The best restaurants in Vientaine include John’s Restaurant, Nazim Indian Restaurant, Vegan Restaurant and Taj Mahal Restaurant. Vientiane houses the food corners of all the ranges, tourists can choose as per their ability.
Connectivity to Vientiane:
Vientiane is the capital city of the country well connected with all the major cities by road and airways. One can catch buses easily at Vientiane Bus Station to nearby regions and bordering regions of China and Thailand.
Wattay International Airport is served by Lao Airlines located 11 km away from the city. Tourists can board daily flights to the main city Luang Prabang and weekly flights to other towns of the country at Wattay International Airport.
Tourist Attractions in Vientiane:
Lao National Museum:
Lao National Museum is a most important attraction of the country located in Vientiane City. It includes historical objects of 18th Century Laotian Kingdom.
Buddha Park:
Buddha Park was constructed by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat in the year 1958, located about 28 kms from Vientiane City and has a great collection of Buddhist and Hindu carvings.
Wat Si Muang:
Wat Si Muang is a famous temple of Vientiane constructed in the year 1563.
Pha That Luang:
Pha That Luang is a 45 meters Buddha stupa and is one of the favorite destinations of foreign tourists constructed by King Setthathirath in 1566.
Other tourist attractions in Vientiane are:
- Hophakaew Museum
- Wat Si Saket
- Haw Phra Kaew
- That Dam
- Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan
- Pha That Luang
- The Sanjiang market
- Settha Palace Hotel
- Talat Sao
Best time to visit Vientiane:
The winter months from November to March are the best time to visit Vientiane.
Accommodation Options in Vientiane:
The major budgeted, midrange and luxury hotels and guest houses in Vientiane City are listed below:
- DreamTime Eco Retreat
- Benacam Guest House
- Mimi Guest House
- Mixay Guesthouse
- Sabaidy Guest House
- Asian Pavilion Hotel
- Beau Rivage Mekong Hotel
- Chanthapanya Hotel
- iHouse Residence Hotel
- Lane Xang Hotel
- Green Park Boutique Hotel and Resort
- Don Chan Palace
- Mercure Vientiane
- Settha Palace Hotel