Vientiane

LaosLA

Capital of Laos

Vientiane is the capital city of Laos. Comprising the 5 urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture, the city is located on the banks of the Mekong, close to the border with Thailand. Vientiane was the administrative capital during French rule. The city had a population of 840,000 as of the 2023 census. Pha That Luang, an icon of Buddhism, is located in Vientiane. Other Buddhist temples can be found there, such as Haw Phra Kaew, which formerly housed the Emerald Buddha.

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Population
528,000
Coordinates
17.967, 102.600
Timezone
Asia/Vientiane
Elevation
174 m

Overview of Vientiane

Travellers heading to Laos will find Vientiane, a busy regional city. It counts about 528,000 residents. Which matters when you decide how long to stay. The local offer centres on nature, culture and water sports. Its northern-hemisphere position decides when the high season falls.

Things to do in Vientiane

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Nature in Vientiane

(21)

The nature shortlist for Vientiane: Beaches, Caves, Countryside, Desert and Forest. All of it is drawn from Vientiane's recorded activities. That is 21 tagged options in total, so there is room to pick and choose.

BeachesCavesCountrysideDesertForestGardensGeological FormationsIslandsLakesMountainsNational ParksNatural PlacesNatureNature ReservesParksRiversScenic RoadsValleysVolcanoesWalkwaysWildlife
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Culture in Vientiane

(18)

Under culture, Vientiane is tagged with Ancient Ruins, Architectural Buildings, Art Galleries, Bridges and Castles. The full list runs to 18 activities. Straight from the activity profile stored for Vientiane.

Ancient RuinsArchitectural BuildingsArt GalleriesBridgesCastlesCathedralsCemeteriesChurchesDocksFountainsHistorical SitesMinesMonumentsMosquesMuseumsReligious SitesStatuesTowers
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Water Sports in Vientiane

(18)

Looking for water sports? Vientiane has Bodyboard, Canoeing, Diving, Jet Skiing and Kayaking. In all, 18 activities are recorded in this category. This reflects only what is documented for Vientiane.

BodyboardCanoeingDivingJet SkiingKayakingKitesurfingPaddlePaddleboardingRaftingSailboatsScuba DivingSnorkelingSurfSwimmingWakeboardWater SkiingWater SportsWindsurfing
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Sports in Vientiane

(15)

Vientiane records Biking, Golf, Hiking, Hiking Trails and Horse Trails under sports. All of it is drawn from Vientiane's recorded activities. That is 15 tagged options in total, so there is room to pick and choose.

BikingGolfHikingHiking TrailsHorse TrailsHuntingRunningSkateboardSkiingSlopesSnow TubingSnowboardTennisTrail RunningWalking Trails
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Adventure in Vientiane

(13)

Adventure in Vientiane covers Abseiling, Adventure, Adventure Parks, Amusement Parks and Boat Rides. In all, 13 activities are recorded in this category. This reflects only what is documented for Vientiane.

AbseilingAdventureAdventure ParksAmusement ParksBoat RidesClimbingEscape RoomOff Road TrailsParachuteShooting RangesSkydivingTheme ParksTreasure Hunts
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Nightlife in Vientiane

(10)

Nightlife in Vientiane covers Bars, Casinos, Clubs, Disco and Events. In all, 10 activities are recorded in this category. This reflects only what is documented for Vientiane.

BarsCasinosClubsDiscoEventsFestivalMusicNightlifePubsWine Bars
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Wellness in Vientiane

(7)

Wellness lovers get Farms, Hammam, Ranches, Spa and Therms. Everything listed here comes from what Vientiane is actually tagged with. Altogether 7 options are tagged here.

FarmsHammamRanchesSpaThermsTurkish BathsWellness
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Family in Vientiane

(4)

For family, expect Aquariums, Playgrounds, Water Parks and Zoo. Each one is worth building half a day around. Straight from the activity profile stored for Vientiane.

AquariumsPlaygroundsWater ParksZoo
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Shopping in Vientiane

(2)

Our data lists Food and Shopping as shopping options here. Plan them together and you have a full day. Straight from the activity profile stored for Vientiane.

FoodShopping

More to do in Vientiane

(2)

Vientiane records Fishing and Secret under other activities. All of it is drawn from Vientiane's recorded activities. Small in number, simple to combine into one outing.

FishingSecret

Best time to visit Vientiane

June to September brings the conditions water activities need. Choose April to June and September to October for hiking without the heat or the crowds. Snow activities belong to December to February. Culture, dining and nightlife hold up in every season.

Getting there & around

Long-distance travel plus local networks make Vientiane straightforward to reach and cross. Time zone: Asia/Vientiane.

Similar destinations

Places near Vientiane that share the same kinds of activities.

Frequently asked questions

What is Vientiane known for?
Vientiane, in Laos, is best known for nature, culture and water sports. Those categories cover most of what visitors record here, in a place of roughly 528,000 residents.
What can you do in Vientiane?
Recorded activities in Vientiane include Beaches, Caves, Countryside, Desert and Forest. Combine two or three of them and you have a full day without leaving the area.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
June to September brings the conditions water activities need. Choose April to June and September to October for hiking without the heat or the crowds. Snow activities belong to December to February. Culture, dining and nightlife hold up in every season.
Where is Vientiane located?
Vientiane is located in Laos. Use the country and region pages to see what else lies nearby and to plan a route between stops.

More about Vientiane

Info about Vientiane, (Laos)

Other names for Vientiane are Bientian, Fanhyiengh, Nakhon Viangchan, V'ent'jan, VTE, Venc'jan, Vent'jan, Ventjan, Ventyan, Vianchan, Viang chan, Viangchan, Vien Can, Vien Chang, Vienciana, Vieng Quy, Vieng-Caen, Vieng-Chan, Vieng-C�n, Viengchan, Viengtjan, Vientane, Vientian, Vientianas, Vientiane, Vientijan, Vienti�n, Vientjan, Vientyan, Vijentijan, Vi�ng Qu�, Vjencana, Vjentiano, Vjentjan, Vjen?ana, Vyantyan, Vyanty�n, Vyentyan, Wei-t'ien, Wei-t�ien, Wiang Chan, Wiangcan, Wien Tsjan, Wientian, Wi�n Tsjan, Wyentyan, Wy�ntyan, bhiyenatiyena, bientian, fyyntyan, vhi'antiyana, vi'anga cana, viyancan, viyen tiyen, vu~ienchan, vu~ienchan shi, wan xiang, weiyngcanthn, wyntyan, yong zhen, ????????, ??????, ???????, ?????????, ???????, ??????????, ????????, ???????, ????????, ????????, ????????, ???????, ????????, ???????????, ????????????, ????? ???, ?????????, ?????? ??????, ?????????, ???????????, ?????, ??????, ?????????, ???????????????, ?????????, ??????, ???????, ????????, ??, ??, ????, latitude is 17.9666700, and longitude is 102.6000000.

With a population of 760.000 citizens, this region timezone is Asia/Vientiane (Asia/Vientiane_cet).

Top destination for hammam, jet skiing, shooting ranges, parachute, abseiling, adventure parks, turkish baths, water skiing, wakeboard, skydiving, kayaking, scuba diving, skateboard, desert, diving, tennis, canoeing, paddle, surf, water sports, islands, volcanoes, horse trails, water parks, museums, fountains, adventure, countryside, mosques, amusement parks, beaches, snow tubing, rafting, windsurfing, disco, festival, farms, mountains, slopes, spa, national parks, wildlife, ranches, parks, theme parks, snorkeling, sailboats, treasure hunts, music, cathedrals, nightlife, art galleries, statues, monuments, golf, climbing, scenic roads, lakes, towers, wine bars, boat rides, aquariums, hunting, forest, swimming, hiking, valleys, playgrounds, caves, zoo, off-road trails, docks, therms, events, biking, pubs, wellness, religious sites, bars, geological formations, nature reserves, clubs, escape room, snowboard, gardens, rivers, nature, ancient ruins, natural places, trail running, walking trails, hiking trails, running, shopping, mines, secret, walkways, historical sites, bridges, fishing, skiing, casinos, architectural buildings, castles, churches, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, bodyboard, food, cemeteries over Laos.

More details about Vientiane in Laos (LA)

It is the capital of French Laos.

Vientiane has timezone UTC+07:00 (during standard time).

In Vientiane there are 760.000 citizens, if we consider 2015 latest census.

Vientiane dimension is 3920 sq. km., ideal for visiting a large city, crowdy full of distractions or activities to do. Here you can find high budget accommodations because of its very high accommodation costs, so this is why you could enjoy Vientiane like a base in order to getting the comfort of luxury after going around this big city.

Its elevation above mean sea level, also called meters above sea level (M A.S.L.), is around 174 mt. That's why this city is a perfect place if you and friends want plain land to travel to in your next vacation.

There are also other near cities you can visit, cities like Vientiane Province. As those cities are very close you can very quickly go to these other destinations to visit to see other destinations in Laos.

There are rivers, lakes or sea close to Vientiane. Places like Mekong River are to visit if you and your friends like destinations with near water bodies.

Interactive Vientiane (Laos) Map and attractions

Interactive map of Vientiane, Laos (LA).

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