Top Things to Do in the Vientiane | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Vientiane

Patuxai

Patuxai is a monumental gate located in the heart of the capital city of Vientiane in Laos. It is dedicated to the martyrs who died in the Independence movement from French and WWII in Laos. Patuxai is an important landmark of Laos and is a popular stop for tourists visiting Vientiane who come to enjoy the panoramic views of the city from the top of this gate.

Pha That Luang or the Great Stupa is a sacred Buddhist site located in the capital city of Vientiane in Laos. This large golden stupa is the most revered religious site in the country. This historical monument is a national icon and is found in the currency of Laos. It is also believed to be the most ancient site in Laos, dating to 307 BC. Pha That Luang is one of the must-visit top attractions for tourists visiting Vientiane.

Phou Khao Khouay is a protected national park located close to the capital city of Vientiane in Laos. It is an enormous reserve area consisting of mountain ranges, sandstone cliffs, rivers, waterfalls and lakes along with being home to rich wildlife in SE Asia. If you enjoy trekking amidst mountains, cycling and swimming amidst waterfalls, it is recommended to take a day trip to Phou Khao Khouay on your visit to Vientiane.

Tad Moun is a waterfall located outside the city of Vientiane, the capital of Laos. It is a small seasonal waterfall known for hiking trails and cycling around the region and is a popular excursion among tourists visiting Vientiane for some adventure and watersports.

That Dam is a large stupa, located in the city centre of Vientiane, Laos. The stupa is one of the historical landmarks in the city and is a popular tourist attraction in Vientiane. It is enroute to many popular attractions in the town including Patuxai monument. The stupa is believed to be a Buddhist temple or a place containing the ashes one of the former kings of Laos as the history of the memorial is still unclear.

This is one of the most sacred sites of this place. The stupa placed in this temple was established in the year 1566 when the capital was moved from Luang Prabhang to Vientian. This place is known to be built in the third century however the stupa is known to be placed in the year 1566 when the capital of Laos was changed to Vientiane due to the fear of Burmese invasion. This stupa had been subjected to numerous attacks and has been hampered many times, however it was finally restored in the year 1963. This stupa is known to contain a bone as well as hair of Lord Budha and is known to be spread across three floors.This place is also known to host the famous Luang festival every year. Read More

Vientiane City Pillar is a small sacred shrine located in the capital city of Vientiane in Laos. It symbolises the foundation of the town and is a holy place of worship for the locals. The city pillar shrine was completed in 2012, and now it is maintained by the department of Information Ministry of tourism and culture. It was constructed in this place as more than 400 pieces of the ancient stone pillar from the 5th century were found here. The pillar made the foundation of the city of Vientiane. It is a sacred place for locals who come to worship and seek good luck. They pray by placing flowers, fruits and incense on the pillar and wish for prosperity. Traditional ceremonies and rituals are held in this shrine on auspicious Buddhist days. Read More

The night market in Vientiane, Laos is located at Chao Anouvong park on the banks of the Mekong River. It is a famous daily market among the locals and tourists, which is known for souvenirs, handicrafts and other items. For travelers, it is worth visiting this night market while exploring Vientiane for shopping and getting to know local culture.

This place is known to be named after the statue it once had. This temple which was built in the year 1565 is something you would love. This temple was once known to house Phra Kew or the emerlad buddha made out of single jade stone. This place was intially built by the king of those times in order to allow the royal family worship the emerland buddha. The emerland buddha which was once housed at this place was looted by the Siam and is now present in Bangkok within a temple with the same name. Read More

This temple was built in 16th century however was destroyed in the year 1827. This was again restored and is now known to be an important centre of buddhist studies. This place is known to be one of the important places in Laos where studies related to the preaching of Buddha are done. This place was initially known to be built in the 16th century however was destroyed in between the year 1827-1828. Later restored in the year 1929 this place since then is regarded as a place of national importance. You might not find this place too attractive however, you can go down the middle of this area and walk in peace. Read More