| K Bacon |
14 November 2001 |
Stayed at Settha Palace Hotel - Vientiane, Laos.
|
Most people visit Vientiane on their way to Luang Prabang. However, Vientiane holds its own place in history and stops to Wat Sisaket, the Morning Market, and the banks of the mighty Mekong River should not be missed. There are several excellent world class restaurants such as Le Opera and the Nam Phu Bar and Restaurant. Vientiane can and should be experienced in two to three days.
|
| R Storrøsten |
09 October 2001 |
Stayed at Calao Inn, Le - Luang Prabang, Laos.
|
A very laid-back and friendly athmosphere. Since I had made no tour bookings on beforehand, I got a proposal to take a trip with a riverboat (+taxi) to the waterfalls to the south. Nice trip on the river, taxi drive through a rural landscape and beautiful waterfalls. 20 US dollars to the boatman (who also went with me to the waterfalls) and 30 000 KIP to the taxi driver - maybe a somewhat stiff price for one person?
|
| H Meikle |
06 October 2001 |
Stayed at Calao Inn, Le - Luang Prabang, Laos.
|
Very interesting very cheap. Trips to the waterfalls and the caves overpriced and subject to haggling. Again the cheapest and best way to hire motorbikes US$8 per day.
|
| S Doherty |
04 October 2001 |
Stayed at Novotel Vientiane - Vientiane, Laos.
|
The morning market is a good place to buy silk and silver, among other things, but watch the price and bargain. Many items are substiantially cheaper in Phnom Penh and Bangkok.
On October 3, there were boat races along the river - part of a Buddhist celebration (end of lent). This is worth seeing, the river is full of activity and the local people are in party mode.
|
| A Batista |
11 August 2001 |
Stayed at Settha Palace Hotel - Vientiane, Laos.
|
Vientaine is worth one day. But the beauty of the country is really up north!
|
| R Sinding |
30 July 2001 |
Stayed at Settha Palace Hotel - Vientiane, Laos.
|
Vientiane is not the most exciting city in Southeast Asia. There isn't a whole lot to do here, and the main sights can be seen in a day. But it does have the charm of being a very laid-back capital city, much more reminiscent of the era of French provincialism than, say, Saigon or Phnom Penh. And the Settha Palace is worth staying in for more than one night, if for no other reason than to luxuriate in a wonderfully clean, air-conditioned room with a comfortable bed, a nice swimming pool and a very friendly staff.
|
| H Halim |
01 May 2001 |
Stayed at Asian Pavilion Hotel - Vientiane, Laos.
|
It is recommended for the first-time traveller to spend only 2 days in Vientianne. This is more than enough to visit 5 major places around Vientianne (That Luang, Wat Sisaket, Wat Phra Kaeo, Anousavari Monument, and morning market), including one whole day for a complete relax around Mekong river. There are plenty of choices of restaurant along Mekong river and the adjascent area, for both budget and rather expensive ones. I also recommend the Indian restaurant, Na Zim on Fa Ngum Street in front of mekong - reasonable price and tasty real Indian food.
Tuk-tuk is the major public transportation in Vientianne, you can bargain for Kip 20,000 to go around Vientianne. (1 USD = Kip 8,500). But it is recommended to just take a walk from the Hotel to Mekong river area.
|
| E Rayneri |
12 April 2001 |
Stayed at Novotel Vientiane - Vientiane, Laos.
|
Markets very interesting, good local restaurants.
|
| Y Tamura |
31 March 2001 |
Stayed at Asian Pavilion Hotel - Vientiane, Laos.
|
This season, it''s dry, hot and smoky.
I visited Pha That Luang, Arch of Triumph and some Wat. And, I enjoyed tours to Buddha Park and Vang Vieng Cave.
Almost all restaurants are good. Especially, Kua Lao restaurant of Laos food is recomended.
I moved in town by tricycle, and arround city by taxi.
Many internet sites are available.
|
| D Freedman |
06 August 2000 |
Stayed at Novotel Vientiane - Vientiane, Laos.
|
Closer to town than we first thought. We usually walked, although a tuk-tuk was cheap. We didn't find any great restaurants. L'Opera was pretty good.
|
Traveller's Tales: Places to go and see in Laos
