Thanks to its small size, navigable layout and relative lack of traffic, Vientiane, the capital city of Laos is a low-key, pleasant city. This city has a life pace as slow as the Mekong River, which flows along the bounder of the town. Although Laos has to offer you many places well worth your attention, the multivariate charms of the first city in Laos implore you spend at least a few days here and explore in a way this country truly demands: slowly.
Cultural Experiences
Patuxai- Source: thaisontravel.vn
The city center of Vientiane has a ton of temples that command your attention. As the capital city, Vientiane is a gather spot of most of the countries significant museums and archives. Their importance is no less diminished although they lack the outward flashiness as well as the size of other capitals. Built from concrete originally intended for an airport runway, Patuxai, which is a 4 arched monument, is the most prominent landmark in the city. Being an important art museum, Haw Phaw Kao is where you can see an exhibition of many mainly religious artifacts. Naturally there are plenty of impressive temples in Vientiane, among which Wat Sok Pa Luang, Wat Si Saket (thought to be the oldest original temple in the city) and Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan are the notable ones.
Relaxation and Entertainment in Vientiane
Lao massage- Source: hanoitv.vn
When you have finished admiring Vientiane’s temples and learning about the history of Laos, it’s high time for you to just relax and chill out. One of the best choices is going out for a Lao Massage. Although being similar to Thai massage, this style of rubdown, whose techniques are designed to release the tension in your body, can be rough at times, so suck it up and take it like a woman/man. Just politely shake your head if they are too rough!
Food
Ban Anou Night Market- Source: blog.011now.com
There are two major highlights in food in Vientiane. Around the riverfront at sunset, where many people, locals and tourists alike, cheer the departure of the sun with an ice cold Beer Lao is the first center. Situated near the Ban Anou Night Market, Bor Pen Yang Bar and Restaurant, where you can go hunting for some street food after your sundowner beers, is a popular destination. From laab to Vietnamese pho, beef/pork/chicken satays to miang (a lettuce-wrapped snack with peanuts), there is a wide variety of Lao and regional foods.
Shop to Your Heart’s Content
Workshop in Vientiane-Source:www.artisansdangkor.com
Are you one of those folks who cannot complete a visit to a new place without spending some money on buying nice stuff? Well, you are surely going to love Vientiane as in this regard, this city is so generous. Tourists can easily find elaborate handicrafts and other stuff, such as: textile, jewelry, home furnishings, hill tribe silk and more in several nice outlets.
On Setthathiarat, Samsenthai and Panggkam streets, there are Antiques, Crafts and Arts available. You can also choose from a wide selection of Thai Tribal and hill-tribe crafts. You do not need to shell out a lot of cash to get a few of these interesting gifts may be what make you surprised. For shopping fans, the Morning Market which is more like Western mall culture where you can find everything big or small; is a shopper’s paradise for sure and a must-visit kind of place.
