All citiesVientiane Things to do and walking itinerary
Laos Vientiane travel guide
10 things to do in Vientiane, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Vientiane
- Pha That Luang — Laotian Buddhist stupa (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Wat Si Saket — wat in Vientiane, Laos (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Wat Si Muang — Wat Si Muang in Vientiane, Laos (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Presidential Palace — Presidential Palace in Vientiane, Laos (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan — Buddhist monastery in Vientiane, Laos (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Vientiane Jamia Mosque — mosque in Vientiane, Laos (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sacred Heart Cathedral, Vientiane — church in Vientiane, Laos (visit ≈ 35 min)
- That Dam — place of worship in Laos (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kaysone Phomvihane Museum — museum in Vientiane, Laos (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Azahar Mosque — mosque in Vientiane, Laos (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Vientiane walking itinerary
Starting point: Nam Phu Fountain. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 4.5 km · 6,020 steps · 58 min on the way): Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan → Presidential Palace → Wat Si Saket → Sacred Heart Cathedral, Vientiane → Wat Si Muang
- Day 2 (≈ 8.0 km · 10,750 steps · 1 h 47 min on the way): Pha That Luang → That Dam → Vientiane Jamia Mosque
Where to stay in Vientiane
- Nam Phu Fountain: The heart of town, surrounded by restaurants and cafés.
- Mekong Riverside: Ideal for the night market and sunset walks.
- That Dam: Quiet boutique hotels around the old stupa.
- Patuxai: Wider streets and hotels near the Victory Monument.
Getting from the airport to Vientiane
- Wattay International (VTE): Taxi or the LOCA app ≈ 15 min.
Getting around
The centre is small and flat; explore on foot or by rented bicycle. Use tuk-tuks or LOCA for farther temples.
Classic places to eat
- Kualao: Lao cuisine and traditional music in an old French villa.
- Lao Kitchen: Lao classics like laap and sticky rice.
- Joma Bakery Café: Popular bakery-café for breakfast and sandwiches.
- Khop Chai Deu: Beer garden with live music by Nam Phu.
- Common Grounds: A relaxed riverside café for breakfast and coffee.
- Noy’s Fruit Heaven: A traveller favourite for fresh juices and smoothies.
Romantic views
- Chao Anouvong Park (Mekong Riverside) (Sunset): The sun sets over the Mekong behind the Thai shore.
- Patuxai (Evening): The fountain park around the victory gate looks lovely when lit.
- Pha That Luang (Sunset): The golden stupa glows in the low evening sun.
- Wat Si Saket (Early morning): The quiet courtyard of this old temple is peaceful in the morning.
Good to know before visiting Vientiane
- Fine: Sexual relations between foreigners and Lao nationals outside marriage are illegal.
- Fine: Drug offences carry extremely severe penalties, including death.
- Fine: Photographing military sites, borders and government buildings is prohibited.
- Warning: Unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains in rural areas; stay on marked paths.
- Warning: Cover shoulders and knees in temples and remove shoes (often socks too).
- Cash (kip) is needed; ATMs are mostly in towns.
- Emergency: police 1191, ambulance 1195, fire 1190
- Plugs: A/B/C/E/F, 230V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: Tipping is optional.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Laos, Wikivoyage — Laos, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Vientiane travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Vientiane?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
- What are the top things to do in Vientiane?
- Highlights: Pha That Luang, Wat Si Saket, Wat Si Muang, Presidential Palace and Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan. The map has 10 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Vientiane?
- Nam Phu Fountain: The heart of town, surrounded by restaurants and cafés. Other options: Mekong Riverside, That Dam and Patuxai.
- How do you get from the airport to Vientiane city centre?
- Wattay International (VTE): Taxi or the LOCA app ≈ 15 min.
- How do you get around Vientiane?
- The centre is small and flat; explore on foot or by rented bicycle. Use tuk-tuks or LOCA for farther temples.
- What is the emergency number in Vientiane?
- Emergency: police 1191, ambulance 1195, fire 1190.
- Do you tip in Vientiane?
- Tipping is optional.
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