Vientiane Hotel Reviews
The sights of Vientiane can really be exhausted in about a day. Spending two there, we found ourselves scratching our heads to figure out how to spend out time. Definitely try a Lao massage -- much better, softer and more relaxing than a Thai massage.
Go to the ''Cafe Du Maison'' on Pangkhan Road, (off Samsenthai Rd) for the absolutely best Lao Mountain Coffee in Vientiane!
I was only there for 1 day but enjoyed it. Vientiane is a fairly sleepy capital on the river. I went to see most of the local tourist attractions which were easily accessible. Budha park is way outside of town and not worth the visit IMHO if you only have 1 day. I ate dinner at a simple restaurant on the river. The fresh fish and sauce was out of this world. The meal along with beers and an entree for my driver was less than $5. Unfortunately, I don''t have the name of the restaurant but there are many places along the river. Don''t be afraid to venture out.
One day is enough for Vientiane. I recommend to visit Wat Sisaket in the morning and That Luang in the late afternoon. Outside of Vientiane Vang Vieng (Two and a half hour by private car) has a beautiful scenery due to its limestone cliffs but it can certainly in no way be compared with the scenery of Yangshuo/Guilin in Southern China.
Vientiane is a quiet and laidback city (compared to other asian capitals anyway). I also found it quite friendly. Major attractions are easily available by foot. I particulary liked Wat Si Saket. Other places worth seeing are places like Pha That Luang, Morning Market and the National museum. I spent about three days in Vientiane before moving to Luang Prabang further north.<br> <br> Luang Prabang was really beautiful. I spend six days there, including daytrips to the caves and waterfalls. The trip to the Pak Ou caves was by slowboat on the Mekong river and included stop in villages like a Hmong village. I just went down to the pier where the boats to the caves started, and hired a boat for the day (we where three persons paying US$10 each). I think the rivertrip to the caves is just as interesting as the caves themselves, because of the beautiful scenery along the river. In Luang Prabang itself I particulary enjoyed the Royal Palace Museum, Phu Si hill and Wat Xieng Thong. Or just strolling the peninsula between Mekong River and river Nam Khan. I would also recommend to rent a bike (several guesthouses have bikes for rent for about US$1.50 per day) to explore the city and its surroundings at least for one day.
Laos is a very poor country but still provides good quality to traveller of all kinds. The quality of service from the area around Vientienne and the fabulous views of the Mekong make it an area well worth visiting. Plus a pair of socks on prime display in a museum is well worth a visit.
With wider knowledge of the visa on arrival scheme I expect the place to pace of change to increase. Just remember to pick up the VOA form at Bangkok or wherever and get to the front of the queue at Wattay.<br> <br> My latest LP guide gave prices that are already out of date: jumbos won''t easily budge below $1 (OK they ask $2 but you know they''re trying it on) and car+driver is not easy to find for as little as $10 more than LP upper bound figures.<br> <br> The morning market is being spoilt by busloads of rich US tourists (when they arrived the stallholders immediately ignored my Asian wife). Prices are rather high, almost comparable to Bangkok and bargaining, even by an expert is hard. Eating out is very cheap and continental food is good; e.g. we were very impressed by Cote d''Azur. We did not risk the roadside stalls and my wife was not too impressed by the Lao food. For me, I could not complain at $1 for a litre of excellent laobeer, while watching sunset over the Mekong. Vientiane is peaceful, people are friendly and easy going and I had a very relaxing stay.<br> <br> My wife enjoyed visiting the weaving commune (enchanting for me to watch the ladies at work). On the way back from a relaxing day at Nan Ngum lake we stopped at a market selling all kinds of animals and animal components.
One of the hotel staff organised a car and driver for us for the day to tour the region (Buddah park, temples, Morning market, friendship bridge, lunch, more temples...) Vientianne is quite primitive and there really isn''t that much to do and see (1 or max 2 days will do you). Be careful walking the streets and pavements (where they exist!) as there are a lot of open holes. Everything (over)priced in US$ - generally prices are way way too expensive. Worth the detour: Phaeng Mai Gallery - for handwoven silks. Absolutely fantastic - expensive but definitely high quality. (take a taxi - 5 to 10 minutes from centre).
Vientiane is a small city and I walked everywhere. My main interests were food, wine, and getting a visa for Thailand, all within easy walking distance. There is a large square with a fountain in the center about 150 meters from the hotel. This square is surrounded with various kinds of European restaurants and delis and there are Laos restaurants and street stalls everywhere, plus seafood restaurants and bars down by the Mekong River.<BR><BR> The Thai consular section is just across the street from the morning market, which is known by everybody, and can be seen by people queueing up for visas. Some locals have set up desks on the street and for a fee which can be negotiated down to 700 baht (in addition to the 1000 baht for the visa), they will take care of everything for you and you don''t have to stand in line. This service is in fact reliable. Your hotel or many travel agents could do it for you but it costs 1000 baht or more.
Vientiane lacks the charm of Luang Prabang--hot and dusty, river less scenic here than other Mekong towns. Prices relatively expensive for the region, too. But, friendly people, beautiful textiles, etc. The National Museum is appalling--one of the worst I''ve seen in Southeast Asia.
Took tuk-tuk round the town. Bargain with the drivers. Also there is boat trip along Mekong River, from pier leaving at 5.30pm. It''s free and you only pay for drinks. Vientiane is a very pleasant town. For those who like Indian food, there are some very good, cheap Indian restaurants. Everyone in Laos prefers payment in $US or Thai baht to the local currency (Kip). Take lots of $US or Thai baht in small denominations ($1, $5, 10 or 20 baht) to avoid getting change in Kip (that can''t be changed when you leave the country). Whatever you do DON''T stay in a ''resort'' called DANSAVANH, 1.5 hours by road outside Vientiane. The facilities promised there don''t exist and it is just a place for Malaysians to go gambling.
I went into Laos by land from Thailand. You can catch a domestic Thai Airways flight to Udon Thani from Bangkok for less than half the cost of a flight to Wattay airport in Vientiane, as well as more frequent flight availability. Thai Airways operates a shuttle bus (100 Baht) from the airport to the border at Nong Khai - the drive takes about 45 minutes. You can get a visa-on-arrival at the border for US$31. Vientiane city is about 20 minutes by tuk-tuk (150 Baht) on the other side. A cheaper and more flexible option than flying directly.
Vientiane is a small provicial town, nice for a stop over of a day or two. Be a bit careful when walking on the side walks, as there are many potholes etc. I would not recommend to spend a few days in a hospital to get with your leg in plaster, or walk around with crutches! But for the rest, the distances are not too long to do everything on foot. Before going up country, this is the place to buy a bottle of wine and drink some fresh milk (pasturised).
Vientiane is slowly changing from a sleepy backwater to being an interesting experience. There are an increasing number of good restaurants and entertainment venues. However even if none of these were available it is still worth visiting because of the amazingly friendly people and the baguettes. Ah!! How I miss those baguettes. It may well be the only worthwhile legacy the French left behind.
Quiet city, I would not rate it as a top touristic in Indochina. Nonetheless pleasant.
Took tour of capital and following day took tour of countryside. Tourist Department has a lot to learn if they want to promote tourism in Laos, very far behind Thailand or Vietnam.
Schedule no more than 1 day in Vientiane -- there is not much to see or do.
''Real'' Laotian food is, of course, found only at little food stalls -- places where the Laotians themselves eat. If you are looking for something more upmarket, however, the Kua Lao is highly recommended and has a good performance of traditional music and dance.
Going to Laos was truly incredible. I think it is one place still mostly untouched by outside influences. Very laid back. Lots of dirt roads. Many Buddist Monks wandering around.