Guidebook for Vientiane
Food Scene
One of the best-loved coffee shops in Vientiane, Naked specialises in home-grown Lao coffee and selected gourmet imports from places as diverse as Ethiopia and Indonesia. Light meals are also available, including salads and wraps, plus some impressive homemade cakes. Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull dropped by for a coffee in 2016.
Naked Espresso 2
Rue ManthatourathOne of the best-loved coffee shops in Vientiane, Naked specialises in home-grown Lao coffee and selected gourmet imports from places as diverse as Ethiopia and Indonesia. Light meals are also available, including salads and wraps, plus some impressive homemade cakes. Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull dropped by for a coffee in 2016.
Get here early before the country's best croissants run out. The simple interior makes for a nice place to read a paper over a tart, salad, panini or omelette, or you can sit outside on the small terrace. Tasty breakfasts and homemade marmalade and jam.
Le Banneton Restaurant
Rue NokeokoummaneGet here early before the country's best croissants run out. The simple interior makes for a nice place to read a paper over a tart, salad, panini or omelette, or you can sit outside on the small terrace. Tasty breakfasts and homemade marmalade and jam.
Pimentón, with its high ceilings and sleek bar, is widely considered to be the best steak restaurant in the capital. Only the choicest cuts of sirloin, chateaubriand and rib-eye make it to its fiery open grill. At lunch there's tapas: think imported jamón ibérico (a type of cured ham), calamares (squid) and charcuterie of cured meats. Run by a lovely husband-and-wife team.
Pimenton Restaurant Vientiane
Rue NokeokoummanePimentón, with its high ceilings and sleek bar, is widely considered to be the best steak restaurant in the capital. Only the choicest cuts of sirloin, chateaubriand and rib-eye make it to its fiery open grill. At lunch there's tapas: think imported jamón ibérico (a type of cured ham), calamares (squid) and charcuterie of cured meats. Run by a lovely husband-and-wife team.
Makphet, managed by Friends International (www.friends-international.org), helps disadvantaged kids build a future as chefs and waiters. The stunning villa sits in lush gardens, lit with fairy-lights at night. The interior is no less inviting, the service a cut above average, and the cuisine superb, with Lao fare like green papaya salad with aquatic beetle or buffalo láhp. It's a romantic spot.
Makphet Restaurant
Makphet, managed by Friends International (www.friends-international.org), helps disadvantaged kids build a future as chefs and waiters. The stunning villa sits in lush gardens, lit with fairy-lights at night. The interior is no less inviting, the service a cut above average, and the cuisine superb, with Lao fare like green papaya salad with aquatic beetle or buffalo láhp. It's a romantic spot.
Considered by many residents to be the finest Italian restaurant in the city. The 98,000K lunch buffet is justifiably popular and includes a choice of entrées. Indulgent mains include sockeye-salmon ravioli and some sumptuous imported cuts from land and sea. The owner also runs Vinoteca, a leading wine importer, so the Italian wine list is top-notch.
acqua italian restaurant
Rue Francois NginConsidered by many residents to be the finest Italian restaurant in the city. The 98,000K lunch buffet is justifiably popular and includes a choice of entrées. Indulgent mains include sockeye-salmon ravioli and some sumptuous imported cuts from land and sea. The owner also runs Vinoteca, a leading wine importer, so the Italian wine list is top-notch.
Alchemising an eclectic gastronomic landscape of snails and scrambled eggs, sea-bream fillet, beef tenderloin, rack of lamb and rosemary, plus to-die-for crème brûlée perfumed with Madagascan vanilla, Chef Tinay is one of the city's top chefs. Happy hour on bubbles and wine is from 5pm to 7pm daily. It's located behind the temple.
L'Adresse - Cuisine by Tinay
Rue HengbounAlchemising an eclectic gastronomic landscape of snails and scrambled eggs, sea-bream fillet, beef tenderloin, rack of lamb and rosemary, plus to-die-for crème brûlée perfumed with Madagascan vanilla, Chef Tinay is one of the city's top chefs. Happy hour on bubbles and wine is from 5pm to 7pm daily. It's located behind the temple.
Vientiane's most contemporary bakery has a friendly, air-con-chilled atmosphere and a cornucopia of lush salads (30,000K) and bespoke subs and bagels – choose from salami, ham, salmon, chicken, cheese and salad fillings. It also serves brownies, cake and delicious yoghurt. Comfy couches, free wi-fi, unfailing cleanliness and superb staff. New branches have recently opened in the 'burbs.
Joma Bakery Café Nam Phou
Rue SetthathilathVientiane's most contemporary bakery has a friendly, air-con-chilled atmosphere and a cornucopia of lush salads (30,000K) and bespoke subs and bagels – choose from salami, ham, salmon, chicken, cheese and salad fillings. It also serves brownies, cake and delicious yoghurt. Comfy couches, free wi-fi, unfailing cleanliness and superb staff. New branches have recently opened in the 'burbs.
In a remodelled colonial-era villa near Nam Phu, Khop Chai Deu has been a travellers' favourite for years because of its range of well-prepared Lao, Thai, Indian and assorted European fare. Upstairs is a new low-lit bar with slick urban swagger.
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Khop chai deu restaurant
Rue SetthathilathIn a remodelled colonial-era villa near Nam Phu, Khop Chai Deu has been a travellers' favourite for years because of its range of well-prepared Lao, Thai, Indian and assorted European fare. Upstairs is a new low-lit bar with slick urban swagger.
Drinks & Nightlife
A trendy cocktail bar that plays hosts to jazz nights, Déjà vu offers an interesting menu of original drinks and unusual liqueurs. The bar is small and enjoys a cosy, warm vibe with multi-lingual bar staff who pride themselves on offering drinkers a superb service.
Déjà Vu
A trendy cocktail bar that plays hosts to jazz nights, Déjà vu offers an interesting menu of original drinks and unusual liqueurs. The bar is small and enjoys a cosy, warm vibe with multi-lingual bar staff who pride themselves on offering drinkers a superb service.
The second location of Tokyo’s renowned Dresden Bar, Dresden Lao brings the same polish and cocktail-making prowess that has made the original so famous to the capital of Laos.
Once inside the bar, you are surrounded by dark polished woods, sparkling light fixtures, and a bar staff adorned in pressed white shirts, black vests and bowties standing before shelves overflowing with international spirit bottles.
Whisky lovers are especially well-looked-after, with single malts numbering over thirty, including a strong selection of bourbon, Japanese, Canadian, and Irish whiskies as well.
Dresden Lao Bar And Restaurant
138 Rue NokeokoummaneThe second location of Tokyo’s renowned Dresden Bar, Dresden Lao brings the same polish and cocktail-making prowess that has made the original so famous to the capital of Laos.
Once inside the bar, you are surrounded by dark polished woods, sparkling light fixtures, and a bar staff adorned in pressed white shirts, black vests and bowties standing before shelves overflowing with international spirit bottles.
Whisky lovers are especially well-looked-after, with single malts numbering over thirty, including a strong selection of bourbon, Japanese, Canadian, and Irish whiskies as well.
Essentials
M07 Vatchan Mini Big-C
Quai Fa NgumGetting Around
AVIS BUDGET Rent A Car by Asia Vehicle Rental
Rue SetthathilathMixay Bike 2
Parks & Nature
The Chao Anouvong Park is a beautiful park of the city of Vientiane (Laos), located in the heart of the city, next to the banks of the Mekong River and the Presidential Palace in Vientiane. Chao Anouvong is a Green Park suitable for walks, sport, do some shopping, and admire the majestic statue of the King Chao Anouvong.
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Park Chao Anouvong
The Chao Anouvong Park is a beautiful park of the city of Vientiane (Laos), located in the heart of the city, next to the banks of the Mekong River and the Presidential Palace in Vientiane. Chao Anouvong is a Green Park suitable for walks, sport, do some shopping, and admire the majestic statue of the King Chao Anouvong.
Sightseeing
Wat Ong Teu was built in the early 16th century by King Setthathirath. It was destroyed during the war with the Siamese and was rebuilt in the 19th and 20th centuries. After the French reconstructed, the temple was used as a school for Theravada Buddhism. It is now the national center of Buddhist studies in Laos. With a visit to the Wat, you’re likely to encounter monks reading books around the temple. If the monks seem open to talking to you, take the opportunity to chat with them; they’ll appreciate practicing their English and in turn you may learn about their life as monks. There are many statues of Buddha in this temple with a central and massive bronze Buddha, the largest one cast in
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Wat Ong Teu
Wat Ong Teu was built in the early 16th century by King Setthathirath. It was destroyed during the war with the Siamese and was rebuilt in the 19th and 20th centuries. After the French reconstructed, the temple was used as a school for Theravada Buddhism. It is now the national center of Buddhist studies in Laos. With a visit to the Wat, you’re likely to encounter monks reading books around the temple. If the monks seem open to talking to you, take the opportunity to chat with them; they’ll appreciate practicing their English and in turn you may learn about their life as monks. There are many statues of Buddha in this temple with a central and massive bronze Buddha, the largest one cast in
Wat Inpeng is a famous Buddhist temple amongst the many temples in Vientiane, Laos. It’s located on Setthathirath Road between Chao Anou Road and Khun Boulom Road. The temple’s facade and ceiling are decorated by ornate gold designs and paintings depicting stories and tales of Buddha. A lion-like figure stands outside the entrance of the temple.
Wat Inpeng
Wat Inpeng is a famous Buddhist temple amongst the many temples in Vientiane, Laos. It’s located on Setthathirath Road between Chao Anou Road and Khun Boulom Road. The temple’s facade and ceiling are decorated by ornate gold designs and paintings depicting stories and tales of Buddha. A lion-like figure stands outside the entrance of the temple.
Wat Mixai, or the Temple of Victory, was built during the reign of King Sai Setthathirat (1550-1571) to celebrate the victory over the Burmese troops during the 16th century Lao-Burma war. It was renovated in the early 1900s and adopted a Central Thai style of religious architecture.
Wat Mixai
Hom 8Wat Mixai, or the Temple of Victory, was built during the reign of King Sai Setthathirat (1550-1571) to celebrate the victory over the Burmese troops during the 16th century Lao-Burma war. It was renovated in the early 1900s and adopted a Central Thai style of religious architecture.
Once a royal temple built specifically to house the famed Emerald Buddha, Haw Pha Kaeo is today a national museum of religious art. It is about 100m southeast of Wat Si Saket. The main hall contains a mix of Khmer carvings, Laotian Buddhas and relics from temples around town.
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Hophakaew Museum
Once a royal temple built specifically to house the famed Emerald Buddha, Haw Pha Kaeo is today a national museum of religious art. It is about 100m southeast of Wat Si Saket. The main hall contains a mix of Khmer carvings, Laotian Buddhas and relics from temples around town.
Built between 1819 and 1824 by Chao Anou, Wat Si Saket is believed to be Vientiane’s oldest surviving wat. And it is starting to show, as this beautiful temple is in need of a facelift. Along the western side of the cloister is a pile of Buddhas that were damaged during the 1828 Siamese-Lao war.
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Świątynia Sisaket
Avenue Lane XangBuilt between 1819 and 1824 by Chao Anou, Wat Si Saket is believed to be Vientiane’s oldest surviving wat. And it is starting to show, as this beautiful temple is in need of a facelift. Along the western side of the cloister is a pile of Buddhas that were damaged during the 1828 Siamese-Lao war.
Svelte and golden Pha That Luang is the most important national monument in Laos; a symbol of Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. Legend has it that Ashokan missionaries from India erected a tâht (stupa) here to enclose a piece of Buddha's breastbone as early as the 3rd century BC. Pha That Luang is about 4km northeast of the city centre.
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Pha That Luang Vientiane
That LuangSvelte and golden Pha That Luang is the most important national monument in Laos; a symbol of Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. Legend has it that Ashokan missionaries from India erected a tâht (stupa) here to enclose a piece of Buddha's breastbone as early as the 3rd century BC. Pha That Luang is about 4km northeast of the city centre.
The most frequently used grounds in Vientiane are those of Wat Si Muang, the site of the lák méuang (city pillar), which is considered the home of the guardian spirit of Vientiane. The large sǐm (ordination hall; destroyed in 1828 and rebuilt in 1915) was constructed around the lák méuang, and consists of two halls.
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Wat Si Muang
15 Rue BourichaneThe most frequently used grounds in Vientiane are those of Wat Si Muang, the site of the lák méuang (city pillar), which is considered the home of the guardian spirit of Vientiane. The large sǐm (ordination hall; destroyed in 1828 and rebuilt in 1915) was constructed around the lák méuang, and consists of two halls.
Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe replica is a slightly incongruous sight, dominating the commercial district around Th Lan Xang. Officially called 'Victory Monument' and commemorating the Lao who died in prerevolutionary wars, it was built in 1969 with cement donated by the USA intended for the construction of a new airport. Climb to the summit for panoramic views over Vientiane.
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Pomnik Patuxay
Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe replica is a slightly incongruous sight, dominating the commercial district around Th Lan Xang. Officially called 'Victory Monument' and commemorating the Lao who died in prerevolutionary wars, it was built in 1969 with cement donated by the USA intended for the construction of a new airport. Climb to the summit for panoramic views over Vientiane.
Located 25km southeast of central Vientiane, eccentric Xieng Khuan, aka Buddha Park, thrills with other-worldly Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, and was designed and built in 1958 by Luang Pu, a yogi-priest-shaman who merged Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, mythology and iconography into a cryptic whole. Bus 14 (8000K, one hour, 24km) leaves Talat Sao Bus Station every 15 minutes for Xieng Khuan. Alternatively, charter a tuk-tuk (200,000K return).
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Park Buddy
Thanon ThaLocated 25km southeast of central Vientiane, eccentric Xieng Khuan, aka Buddha Park, thrills with other-worldly Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, and was designed and built in 1958 by Luang Pu, a yogi-priest-shaman who merged Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, mythology and iconography into a cryptic whole. Bus 14 (8000K, one hour, 24km) leaves Talat Sao Bus Station every 15 minutes for Xieng Khuan. Alternatively, charter a tuk-tuk (200,000K return).
Shopping
Vientiane's finest shop. Imagine a melange of aromas: coconut, aloe vera, honey, frangipani and magnolia, all of them emanating from body oils, soaps, sprays, perfumes and lip balms, plus bangles, prints, fountain pens and more. These wonderful products are made with sustainable, locally sourced products by disadvantaged women who make up the Les Artisans Lao cooperative.
T'Shop Lai Gallery
Vientiane's finest shop. Imagine a melange of aromas: coconut, aloe vera, honey, frangipani and magnolia, all of them emanating from body oils, soaps, sprays, perfumes and lip balms, plus bangles, prints, fountain pens and more. These wonderful products are made with sustainable, locally sourced products by disadvantaged women who make up the Les Artisans Lao cooperative.
Vientiane's night market lights up the riverfront with a selection of stalls hawking handicrafts and T-shirts. It's not quite the atmosphere of Luang Prabang's, but nonetheless a good place to browse and hone your haggling skills.
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Night market
Vientiane's night market lights up the riverfront with a selection of stalls hawking handicrafts and T-shirts. It's not quite the atmosphere of Luang Prabang's, but nonetheless a good place to browse and hone your haggling skills.
Lao Textiles sells high-end contemporary, original-design fabrics inspired by generations-old Lao weaving patterns, motifs and techniques. The American designer, Carol Cassidy, employs Lao weavers who work out the back of the attractive old French-Lao house. Internationally known, with prices to match.
Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles
123 Rue HengbounnoyLao Textiles sells high-end contemporary, original-design fabrics inspired by generations-old Lao weaving patterns, motifs and techniques. The American designer, Carol Cassidy, employs Lao weavers who work out the back of the attractive old French-Lao house. Internationally known, with prices to match.
Vientiane Center Lao
Khouvieng Road