The capital of Laos, Vientiane is often a hoping off spot for visitors headed to the northern mountains of Luang Prabang or perhaps Vang Vieng. Vientiane’s central location in Laos with tempting destinations close by makes it a place most travelers quickly get in and out of. Don’t be fooled though there is a lot to see in town, here’s how to plan 24 hours in Vientiane.
Accommodation
There’s two type of stays in Vientiane. The first is a more resort type of experience and many of those pricier hotels can be found along the Mekong waterfront but are not very close to town. (Roughly a 40 minute walk or 15 minute car drive, depending on the highly variable traffic.) For shorter stays in Vientiane though it’s best to stay near the city center in a place like the Salana Boutique Hotel. You can watch my full review in the video below.
Temple Hop
Vientiane is a city of temples, most of which are within walking distance within a short radius. There’s the oldest, Wat Si Saket or the colorful Wat Ho Phra Keo. A short walk from the latter is Wat Si Saket, nearby to a Cafe Sinouk where you can cool off and try some locally harvested coffee from Laos. In case you haven’t seen enough temples (make sure you go inside for the impressive art, sculptures, and architecture) Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan is also nearby.
A bit of a further drive (about a 20 minute car ride using the Loca ride sharing app) is Pha That Luang. There’s no much to see inside but rather it’s the large gold structure that is the main attraction. Bring your camera, sunscreen, and stay hydrated during your visit.
Enjoy A Buffet Run By Nuns
One of the most interesting places I stumbled upon is called Vegetarian in the Golden Age or Vegetarian Master Ruma Restaurant. Most days of the week there’s a highly varied vegan buffet offered for roughly $3 by Vietnamese nuns. As part of their Buddhist beliefs, they are strict vegetarians and the food is a tasty blend of Vietnamese and Lao flavors. Most of the dishes are replaced with completely new ones so arrive hungry. There is quite a selection and whether you’re omnivore or not, you won’t miss out on any flavor.
COPE Center
In the afternoon you should visit the COPE Visitor Centre. COPE is a center for medical rehabilitation and education about the effects of cluster bombs. Since the Vietnam War, Laos remains the most bombed country in the world and small unexploded ordinances are still injuring and killing thousands per year. You can learn more about this history and help with a donation by buying something at the gift shop.
As the hot sun of the day begins to set, make your way to the waterfront where Vientiane comes alive. There’s a carnival atmosphere, clothing stands, shopping, and a lot of street food to be found. For quick bites hang around the clothes vendors but for a more relaxed sit down, enjoy some seafood or a hot pot by the water. There’s often live music which makes for a great way to end your day in Vientiane.