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A street in central Vientiane, Laos
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VientianeTravel Guide

Laos4 stories

Asia's most laid-back capital sprawls gently along the Mekong: a golden national stupa, a Parisian-style victory arch, ancient cloisters of Buddhas, and riverfront sunsets with Thailand on the far bank.

Is Vientiane right for you?

When to come

November to February, the dry season's coolest months

Around 35°C by day in April, 29°C in December — recorded at the local weather station.

What it costs

Cheap by regional standards — eating, sleeping and moving around all cost little.

What we've planned, and who for

We have a weekend here planned hour by hour.

Our editors pick it for a trip with children.

Vientiane is inWarm in JanuaryGood with childrenKind to a budgetEnough for a long weekend
When to go
January: around 29 degrees by day, 18 at night, 7 millimetres of rain, dry and hot. We recommend this month.
February: around 31 degrees by day, 19 at night, 17 millimetres of rain, dry and hot. We recommend this month.
March: around 33 degrees by day, 22 at night, 44 millimetres of rain, some rain.
April: around 35 degrees by day, 24 at night, 89 millimetres of rain, wet.
May: around 34 degrees by day, 25 at night, 226 millimetres of rain, very wet.
June: around 33 degrees by day, 25 at night, 264 millimetres of rain, very wet.
July: around 32 degrees by day, 25 at night, 300 millimetres of rain, very wet.
August: around 31 degrees by day, 25 at night, 341 millimetres of rain, very wet.
September: around 32 degrees by day, 25 at night, 265 millimetres of rain, very wet.
October: around 32 degrees by day, 24 at night, 87 millimetres of rain, wet.
November: around 31 degrees by day, 22 at night, 15 millimetres of rain, dry and hot. We recommend this month.
December: around 29 degrees by day, 19 at night, 5 millimetres of rain, dry and hot. We recommend this month.
Cold to hot, by dayDry to wetWhen we would go

November to February, the dry season's coolest months

Average daily highs, recorded at Vientiane, 1991-2020 normals.

Where this comes from

World Meteorological Organization (en.wikipedia Vientiane weather box)

Budget level

Budget

Typical cost profile for visitors

Combine it with
Plan itWhere to stay in Vientianead · Booking.comTours and tickets
On the map

Finding Vientiane

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The stories

Reading Vientiane

The gilded central stupa and spired cloister of Pha That Luang glowing gold under a deep blue sky in Vientiane, Laos
01
The List

The essential Vientiane bucket list, ranked

Asia's most laid-back capital rewards slow travelers. From the golden stupa of Pha That Luang to sunset on the Mekong, these are the Vientiane experiences that matter — in order.

Laos · 2 min
The sculpture meadow of Buddha Park outside Vientiane, dozens of weathered concrete Buddhas and Hindu deities standing across a sunlit green lawn framed by palms
02
Itineraries

Vientiane with kids: a family day that really works

Giant concrete Buddhas to climb, an arch with a view, fruit shakes on demand and a riverside night market with funfair energy — Vientiane is a sleeper hit for families.

Laos · 2 min
A guesthouse street in Vientiane's old quarter in late afternoon light, hotel and guesthouse signs stacked along balconied shophouses and the brick clock tower standing at the end of the road
03
Stays

Boutique or grand: where to stay in Vientiane

Vientiane's hotels run from one restored colonial grande dame to courtyard boutiques and a dependable budget tail — here is what each tier costs, which few lanes are worth paying for, and when to come.

Laos · 10 min
A monk in saffron robes standing before the gilded gable and tiered roof of a Lao temple hall in Vientiane, the low evening sun setting the gold leaf alight against a clear blue sky
04
Itineraries

48 Hours in Vientiane: The Perfect Itinerary

Golden stupas, a victory arch with a sense of humor, sculpture-garden surrealism, and Mekong sunsets — two unhurried days in Asia's calmest capital.

Laos · 2 min
In pictures

Vientiane, framed

The cloister wall of Wat Sisaket in Vientiane, thousands of small niches each holding a miniature Buddha, with larger weathered bronze Buddhas seated along the terrace and one wrapped in a saffron cloth
Photo: Rob te Braake / Unsplash
Pha That Luang, the gilded stupa of Vientiane, lit against a dark sky
Photo: Life on the road / Unsplash
Patuxai Vientiane Laos, Vientiane
Photo: Boudewijn Huysmans / Unsplash
Pha That Luang, the gilded stupa in its walled compound, Vientiane
Photo: Meklay YOTKHAMSAY / Unsplash
Our picks

What we'd do in Vientiane

See and do

Where to stay

Before you go

Practical essentials for Laos

Money

Lao kip (LAK)

Language

Lao; English proficiency is generally poor beyond tourist-facing staff in Vientiane and Luang Prabang

Power

Type A/B/C, with some E/F, 230V 50Hz

Getting around

There is no metro: visitors take tuk-tuks with the fare agreed before setting off, or the LOCA ride-hailing app, which prices the trip in-app and takes international cards.

Tipping

Tipping is not a Lao custom; smarter hotels and restaurants add roughly 10% as a service charge instead.

Tap water

Tap water is not drinkable anywhere in Laos, but bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere.

Driving

Right-hand side; an International Driving Permit is required, and Laos recognises the 1949 version rather than the more common 1968 one.

Emergency

191 (police), 195 (ambulance), 190 (fire)

Country-level guidance, checked against official sources. Currency, fares and entry rules change — confirm anything time-critical before you travel.

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