What To See in Vientiane

Once a sleepy city, Vientiane today may still have a slower pace of life than its neighbouring counterparts but it is gently stirring. Stretching along the banks of the magnificent Mekong river, the Laotian capital boasts a striking mix of French-colonial architecture and grand Buddhist stupas, and a wide range of activities that even the most discerning traveller would enjoy. If you’re looking for a guide to what to see in Vientiene during your stay, here are some highlights of the main points of interest in the Laos capital.

The grandest stupa of all is the iconic Pha That Luang (also known as the Great Stupa), a monument of national pride in Laos, and paying a visit to this gold-covered majestic monument is one of the top things to do in Vientiane. Reconstructed after World War II, the three-storey stupa was built to symbolise the Buddhist ascent from the ground to the skies.

Closer to the riverbanks sits Wat Si Saket, believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Laos. Steeped in history, the temple was first built between 1818 and 1824 by Chao Anouvong, the last king of the Lao Kingdom of Lan Xang, and its well-preserved walls bear the images of thousands of Buddhas. To truly experience the local life, visit the temple early in the morning to pray and offer food to the monks. As both Wat Si Saket and Pha That Luang are sacred religious grounds, do dress modestly and remove your footwear before entering the temple.

From Wat Si Saket, take a short 20-minute stroll along Khouvieng Road and you will arrive at COPE Visitor Centre. COPE is short for the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise, a non-profit organisation that aims to provide prosthetic and orthotic devices to people living with disabilities in Laos, many of who have lost limbs due to unexploded ordnance (UXO) — remnants of the US’s secret war from the 1960s to 1970s, which left an estimated 80 million UXOs scattered across the country.

This visitor centre is not just a somber reminder of the horrific atrocities of a war waged more than four decades ago; to this date, these UXOs are still claiming victims in Laos. Admission is free and all donations made support the rehabilitation of survivors from the war.

Holidaymakers hoping to bring back a piece of Laos with them should check out T'Shop Lai Gallery, home to contemporary art pieces and locally crafted goods and furniture. If you are looking for gifts for wellness gurus and nature lovers, you will be pleased to find a wide range of fair-trade, ethically made cosmetic products including soap, lotions, body oils and more here.

When wondering where to go in Vientiane, it’s always a good idea to feed your appetite. Perhaps one of the most popular Laotian dishes is laap (or larb, among other variations), a minced meat salad often seasoned with lime juice, fish sauce and spices. You can find laap in most local restaurants and street food stalls, but if you are looking for a premium take on this unofficial national dish, check out Kualao, an institution in Vientiane dining.