Thủ đô Viêng Chăn (hay Vientiane), tạm dịch là Thành Trăng, là thành phố trực thuộc Trung ương duy nhất ở Lào, là đơn vị hành chính địa phương cấp 1 ngang với các tỉnh khác. Với nét kiến trúc lâu đời, độc đáo mang đậm dấu ấn của đạo Phật đã tạo nên một Thủ đô hiền hòa, trầm mặc, bình yên, đó cũng là tính cách rất riêng của con người đất nước Triệu Voi.

 

Discovering Vientiane, the Capital of Laos: Everything You Need to Know
Laos is one of the ideal destinations for those who want to travel abroad without spending too much money or time. When visiting Laos, travelers are sure to be captivated by its ancient cities, culturally rich landmarks, and magnificent heritage sites. If you're planning a trip to Laos but haven't found the perfect destination yet, you can consider Vientiane - the capital city of Laos - to explore its culture, unique architectural structures, delicious cuisine, and friendly people in this beautiful country.

To make your journey to Vientiane, Laos more interesting and complete, take note of the useful information about Vientiane in the article below.

 

1. Introduction to Vientiane, the Capital of Laos
Vientiane is the capital of Laos and also the largest and most developed city in the country.

1.1 Origin of the Name "Vientiane
In Lao, Vientiane is called "Viangchan." The name Vientiane originates from the literary expression of the Pali Buddhist language. The original meaning of the name Vientiane is "City of Sandalwood Forests of the King," referring to the precious tree known for its fragrance as mentioned in Indian scriptures. In Lao, Vientiane means "Moon City." In ancient Vietnamese, Vientiane was called "Vạn Tượng" or "Muong Vieng."

 

1.2 Where is the Capital of Vientiane, Laos?
Vientiane is situated on the left bank of the Mekong River, northwest and north bordering Vientiane Province, northeast bordering Bolikhamsai Province, south bordering Nong Khai Province and Bueng Kan Province of Thailand, and east bordering the Mekong River.

Vientiane covers an area of about 3,920 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 820,940 people (according to 2015 figures, including urban areas and rural districts).

See also: Do You Need a Visa for Travel to Laos? Guide to Entry into Laos

 

1.3 Ideal Time to Explore the Capital of Vientiane, Laos
Laos in general, and Vientiane in particular, has a tropical monsoon climate, with two distinct seasons each year. The rainy season usually falls from May to November annually, with an average temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius. The dry season typically occurs from December to April of the following year, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the best time to travel to the capital of Vientiane is during the dry season - from December to April.

Additionally, a determining factor in the timing of a trip to Vientiane is the opportunity to visit during Laotian festivals and major holidays. Travelers can explore the capital of Vientiane during periods such as:

New Year holidays: New Year's Day (01/01), Lunar New Year (similar to some East Asian countries), Lao New Year (April), H'Mong New Year (from November 30 to December 5 of the lunar calendar every year).

Other typical festivals: Buddha's Birthday (April), Lent season (July), or boat racing festivals (October),...

What does the capital of Vientiane, Laos have?

Patuxay is one of the must-visit places when exploring the capital of Vientiane, Laos.

 

2. What Does the Capital of Vientiane Have?
2.1 Famous Landmarks in the Capital of Vientiane
Pha That Luang: This is a large Buddhist stupa covered in gold located in the center of the capital city of Vientiane, Laos. It is the national symbol of Laos and one of the most important Buddhist monuments in Southeast Asia, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The stupa is considered to house a piece of the Buddha's breastbone. Every year, during the That Luang festival, thousands of Laotian citizens and tourists from around the world flock here to participate in the festival and offer prayers.

 

Patuxay: This famous landmark in the capital of Vientiane is also known as the "Victory Gate of Vientiane" and is a war monument located in the city center. The monument was built in 1957 to commemorate Laotian soldiers who sacrificed themselves in the struggle for independence from France. Patuxay is inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, but has its own unique design with traditional Laotian architectural elements. The monument is 49 meters high and has five floors. The first floor is a spacious hall where visitors can admire the cityscape. The remaining four floors are decorated with bas-reliefs depicting Laotian history. The monument is a favorite destination for tourists and hosts many important events in the city.

 

Wat Sisaket: Built in 1851 during the reign of King Chao Anouvong, Wat Sisaket is one of the oldest and most revered temples in Vientiane, preserving more than 6,800 bronze Buddha statues. Wat Sisaket is built in the traditional Siamese Buddhist architectural style. The temple has a five-tiered tiled roof and a spacious hall. The temple is considered to house a piece of the Buddha's breastbone. Particularly, every year during the Bun Pha Wet festival, thousands of Laotian citizens and tourists from around the world flock here to participate in the festival and offer prayers.

 

Buddha Park: This is a famous tourist attraction and an excellent place to learn about the culture and religion of Laos. Buddha Park is a sculpture park located about 25 km southeast of the capital city of Vientiane, Laos, on a grassy plain by the Mekong River. The park was built in 1958 by monk Bounleua Sulilat. Buddha Park features over 200 sculptures, including Buddha statues, Hindu deities, mythical creatures, and animals. The most famous statue in the park is a 40-meter-tall Buddha statue in the middle of a water pond. The statue is made of concrete and decorated with colorful pieces of broken glass. Visitors can explore the park, admire the sculptures, and learn about the park's history.

Don Chan Market: Don Chan Market, also known as Wat Don Chan, is a large market located on Don Chan Island, the capital of Vientiane, Laos. The market sells various types of goods, including food, clothing, souvenirs, and mementos. Visitors can buy souvenirs, enjoy local cuisine, and experience Laotian culture.

What does the capital of Vientiane, Laos have?

Pha That Luang in the capital of Vientiane is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is also the venue for many unique festivals in Vientiane, Laos.

 

2.2 Famous Festivals in the Capital of Vientiane
Vientiane, Laos is a vibrant city with many festivals happening throughout the year. Answering the question "What does the capital of Vientiane have?", here are some outstanding festivals in the capital of Vientiane. This will be a great opportunity for you to learn about the culture and traditions of the Lao people.

Bun That Luang (That Luang Festival): That Luang Festival is the largest and most important festival in Laos. The festival takes place at Pha That Luang for 5 days in November every year, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. Main activities during the festival include the procession of the Buddha's relic, prayers, water pouring ceremonies, and beauty contests. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Lao cuisine and watch artistic performances.

Katin (Kathina Festival): The Katin Festival is an opportunity for travelers to learn about Buddhism and Lao culture, marking the end of Vassa - the rainy season retreat for Buddhist monks. The festival takes place over 3 days in October every year and is held at temples across Laos. Main activities during the festival include offering food and gifts to monks, participating in Buddhist rituals, and watching artistic performances.

 

Boun Khoun (Boat Racing Festival): Boun Khoun is a traditional boat racing festival in Laos, held on the Mekong River in September or October every year, attracting thousands of participants. Travelers can cheer for the boat racing teams, participate in traditional games, and enjoy traditional Lao cuisine.

Water Splashing Festival - Bunpimay: The festival takes place from April 13th to 15th, according to the Buddhist calendar. Exploring the capital of Vientiane during this time will immerse you in the lively atmosphere of the Lao people celebrating the New Year. Everyone rushes into the streets to splash water on each other for good luck throughout the year.

 

What does the capital of Vientiane, Laos have?

A series of remarkable festivals in the capital of Vientiane will be a great opportunity for you to learn about the culture and traditions of the Lao people.

 

2.3 What to Eat in Vientiane?
Vientiane's cuisine is diverse with many dishes featuring the distinctive flavors of Laos such as larp (minced meat salad mixed with herbs and spices), tam mak houng (green papaya salad with grilled beef), khao piak sen (rice noodle soup with chicken broth and minced meat), khao pad (fried rice with egg, chicken, or seafood), or sai oua (Lao sausage made from pork, beef, or chicken),...

You can find these dishes in most restaurants in Vientiane. However, to experience authentic Lao cuisine, you should visit local eateries or night markets. Here are some famous dining spots in Vientiane:

 

Tamnak Lao Restaurant: This restaurant serves traditional Lao dishes in an elegant setting.

Khao Piak Sen Restaurant: A restaurant specializing in Khao piak sen rice noodles.

Buffalo Hotpot Restaurant: A great place to enjoy Lao hotpot with various meats, vegetables, and mushrooms.

Dokdy Restaurant: Famous for traditional Lao dishes in a cozy atmosphere.

Don Chan Market: A market area with many stalls selling Lao street food.

Joma Bakery & Cafe: A popular cafe and bakery with delicious breakfast and pastries.

Le Silapa: A high-end French restaurant in Vientiane, known for finely crafted French dishes made from fresh ingredients, along with an extensive wine list.

Namaste India: Suitable for those who love the spicy flavors of India. This restaurant serves a variety of Indian dishes, from rich curries, fragrant grilled meats to light and refreshing dishes.

 

What does the capital of Vientiane, Laos have?

Night markets are where travelers can explore the capital of Vientiane with unique shopping and dining experiences.

See also: Explore Lao cuisine with irresistible delicacies

 

3. Getting to the Capital of Vientiane
3.1 Buying Air Tickets to Vientiane
The easiest way to reach Vientiane is by air. Wattay Airport serves numerous one-way and round-trip flights to various international destinations. In Vietnam, you can easily purchase air tickets to the capital of Vientiane from different provinces and cities.

Currently, Vietjet is one of the Vietnamese airlines operating diverse routes to the capital of Vientiane, Laos. Vietjet offers direct flights to Vientiane with a frequency of up to 4 round trips per day, with the following details:

 

Flight time: Flight time from Vietnam to Vientiane ranges from 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on the departure point.

Ticket price: Vietjet offers reasonable and economical ticket prices for travelers. Ticket prices start from 120,000 VND (depending on the booking time and seat class).

Attractive promotions: Vietjet offers extremely attractive promotions to optimize your journey to explore the capital of Vientiane. The "0 VND" flight flash sale to the capital of Vientiane is applicable when purchasing international air tickets on Fridays weekly. See details [HERE].

What does the capital of Vientiane, Laos have?

Vietjet provides direct flights to Vientiane with good prices and many promotions, making your journey to explore the capital of the Land of a Million Elephants even more complete.

 

3.2 Traveling by Bus to Vientiane
This is the most common means of transportation to Vientiane from neighboring provinces of Vietnam. Many bus companies operate routes from Vietnam to Vientiane, with ticket prices ranging from 800,000 to 900,000 VND per way. Travel time from Hanoi to Vientiane by bus is about 12 hours, from Ho Chi Minh City about 20 hours, and from Da Nang about 14 hours. Upon reaching the Lao border, the bus will handle exit procedures for passengers.

 

3.3 Driving a Private Car to Laos
This is a self-sufficient method that allows you to control your own time but requires preparation and you also have to perform many procedures yourself. To travel to the capital of Vientiane by private car, you need to register with the Department of Transportation to complete the Vietnam-Laos transit procedures.

The required documents include: Vehicle registration certificate, application for issuing the border gate entry permit you want to exit. The fee for crossing the border is 50,000 VND/car per time.

After completing the procedures, you can travel to Laos by road through 7 international border gates between Vietnam and Laos, operating from 7:00 to 17:00 daily. The list is as follows:

 

Tay Trang (Dien Bien) - Sop Hun

Meo (Thanh Hoa) - Nam Xoi

Nam Can (Nghe An) - Nam Khan

Cau Treo (Ha Tinh) - Nam Pha

Cha Lo (Quang Binh) - Na Phao

Lao Bao (Quang Tri) - Daen Savanh

Bo Y (Kon Tum) - Phou Keua

 

4. Some Notes When Traveling to the Capital of Vientiane, Laos
Vietnamese tourists traveling to Laos are exempt from visas. The duration of stay is not more than 30 days. If you need to stay for more than 30 days, you must apply for a visa in advance; the stay period can be extended up to 2 times, each time for 30 days.

The currency of Laos is the Kip (LAK). You can exchange Vietnamese currency for Kip at banks, exchange counters, and airports in Laos.

Security: Laos is a safe country, but tourists should still be cautious with their personal belongings. Tourists should avoid going out alone at night and should use reputable taxis.

Dress code: Laos is a Buddhist country, and people highly value religious culture, so you should dress appropriately. Especially when visiting places of worship, such as temples, you should wear modest clothing, avoiding short sleeves, shorts, or casual wear.

The electrical equipment used in Laos is 220V - 50Hz AC, with sockets of the 2-round or flat pin type commonly used.

Laos law requires people to carry personal identification when going out because the police can check anyone when necessary. Therefore, to avoid trouble, you should always carry full documents and your passport with you.

What does the capital of Vientiane, Laos have?

All the information about the capital of Vientiane, Laos provided above will contribute to making your trip more complete.