Wat Si Saket
One of Vientiane's oldest surviving temples, built in the early 1800s. Its cloister walls hold thousands of small Buddha images in niches, and the main hall has old murals.
Vientiane
On the Mekong, this calm capital is known for its riverside night market, the Patuxay monument and Pha That Luang stupa.
Attractive locations
Pha That Luang
Large golden stupa regarded as the national symbol of Laos and an important Buddhist monument. It stands in a walled compound with cloisters, and a major festival is held here each year.
Patuxai
Victory monument that resembles the Arc de Triomphe, but topped with Lao-style roofs and decorated with carved figures. Visitors can climb inside to a viewing level above the avenue.
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
Sculpture garden on the Mekong riverbank, filled with concrete figures of Buddhist and Hindu deities. A giant reclining Buddha and a pumpkin-shaped tower with stairs are among the highlights.
Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan
Old temple in the centre of Vientiane and a centre for Buddhist study. Its large hall holds a big bronze Buddha, and a quiet courtyard offers a calm break from the traffic.
That Dam (Black Stupa)
Old, weathered stupa in the middle of the city, darkened by age and partly overgrown. Local legend says a multi-headed serpent protects it. A short stop that shows a quieter side of Vientiane.
Airports
Wattay International Airport VTE
It is about 7 km in a straight line from Vientiane.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan21.3 °C8 mm
- Feb24.6 °C13 mm
- Mar28.1 °C35 mm
- Apr30.5 °C61 mm
- May29.3 °C168 mm
- Jun28.0 °C170 mm
- Jul27.2 °C203 mm
- Aug26.7 °C246 mm
- Sep26.6 °C204 mm
- Oct25.3 °C85 mm
- Nov23.3 °C16 mm
- Dec20.7 °C6 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: Jul, Aug, Sep.
Costs
Prices here are about 22% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
religious
Boun That Luang
That Luang stupa, which is golden, hosts the biggest Buddhist festival in the country.
festival
Boun Ok Phansa boat races
As Buddhist Lent comes to an end, the Mekong sees long-boat races and boats carrying candles.
religious
Boun That Luang
That Luang stupa, which is golden, hosts the biggest Buddhist festival in the country.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 191. Fire 190. Ambulance 195.
local government
Tourism Marketing and Promotion Department (Ministry of Culture and Tourism)
Helps with: Lao government department that runs the tourismlaos.org website. Its contact details are given on the site's Before You Go page for tourism enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Laos or planning a trip there.
Phone: +856-21-212248
Address: Lane Xang Avenue, Hatsadi Village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Lao PDR
Helps with: The UN migration agency, working in Laos since 2002. It gives humanitarian help to migrants, displaced people and returnees and supports the government on migration management.
Who qualifies: Migrants, displaced people and returnees. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +856 21 26 77 95
Email: [email protected]
Address: UN House, 3rd Floor, Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane
local government
Police emergency number 1191
Helps with: Reaches the police in Laos. The number comes from UK government travel advice, which also lists 021 251 128 for the tourist police in Vientiane.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 1191
local government
Ambulance emergency number 1195
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Laos. UK government travel advice also lists 030 525 7239 for the ambulance.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 1195
local government
Fire emergency number 1190
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Laos. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 1190