Is it worth visiting Vientiane? Lots of people visit Laos on the popular Thailand - Laos - Cambodia - Vietnam route but most opt to visit Luang Prabang over the capital of Laos: Vientiane. But we really enjoyed Vientiane and think that you will too. Here are five reasons not to skip Vientiane:
5 Reasons Not to Skip Vientiane, the Capital of Laos
1. BUDDHA PARK VIENTIANE
Fun day out? Check. Plenty of cool photo opportunities? Check check. Buddha park Vientiane houses over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues which are perfect for taking photos with:
Two slightly misleading things though: firstly this is not a temple (it's a park), and secondly though they might look it, the statues aren't hundreds and thousands of years old. The park was actually set up in 1958 by a priest-shaman who integrated Buddhism and Hinduism (hence why there are both Buddhist and Hindu statues). The statues are from around this time too and are made from concrete.
A final slightly misleading thing is this park isn't really in Vientiane - it's a 30 minute drive away and is on the border with Thailand. Most hostels and hotels will try and sell you day trips there - don't do it! It's the easiest thing in the world to take the bus there by yourself and costs a fraction of the price (plus you get to bus-people watch)! Seriously, it's a fraction of the price. Hotels and hostels will offer you a trip for anywhere between $10 and $60, you can do it yourself for $1.50.
A final slightly misleading thing is this park isn't really in Vientiane - it's a 30 minute drive away and is on the border with Thailand. Most hostels and hotels will try and sell you day trips there - don't do it! It's the easiest thing in the world to take the bus there by yourself and costs a fraction of the price (plus you get to bus-people watch)! Seriously, it's a fraction of the price. Hotels and hostels will offer you a trip for anywhere between $10 and $60, you can do it yourself for $1.50.
2. NIGHT MARKET
Night markets are a must for anyone and everyone visiting South East Asia - they're at night (duh) which makes the temperatures bearable and you can find some pretty cool/unusual things there. Nevertheless, there's a general census that once you've been to one night market, you've been to them all.
However, we found the Vientiane night markets to be slightly different. Mainly because there was nothing really suitable for us to buy there (not that that stopped us). Most people are selling clothes - super thick clothes that un-climatised Westerners like us just can't wear.
The upside of this (and another unusual thing about the Vientiane Night Markets) is that there are barely any tourists there at all - which is great: so don't go for the shopping, go to people watch.
However, we found the Vientiane night markets to be slightly different. Mainly because there was nothing really suitable for us to buy there (not that that stopped us). Most people are selling clothes - super thick clothes that un-climatised Westerners like us just can't wear.
The upside of this (and another unusual thing about the Vientiane Night Markets) is that there are barely any tourists there at all - which is great: so don't go for the shopping, go to people watch.
3. THE FOOD
We really enjoyed the food in Vientiane from the nice cream by the river to the yummy local restaurants. We tried Reunion Cafe and liked it so much we went back every day (we recommend the vegan chicken strips).
4. THE PEOPLE
We fell in love with pretty much every Laotian that we met, they were quick to laugh with (at) us and very sweet in general. Vientiane doesn't see too many tourists which is great as a) you don't have to put up with tonnes of annoying tourists and b) the locals are still kind and curious with foreigners - as opposed to fed up and annoyed which you sadly (though understandably) see a lot in South East Asia.
5. THE CROWNE PLAZA
The Crowne Plaza was the perfect base for our trip to Vientiane: they serve an excellent breakfast in the morning (with quite possibly the most extensive range of foods we've ever seen at breakfast, from local Laos noodles all the way to baked beans and hash browns). This sets you up for a great day of sight seeing. Their beautiful infinity pool is a great place to watch the sunset. Overall, it's the perfect place to rest up.
But don't just stop at Vientiane, make sure you see the rest of beautiful Laos - here's a 2 week itinerary for Laos to help you plan.
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