Vientiane is known for its laid-back atmosphere, and while life moves slowly here, it suits people who appreciate a quiet, easygoing vibe. One of the most popular things to do in the Lao capital is to visit centuries-old Buddhist temples, which may be reached by foot, bicycle, or tuk-tuk.
Though Lao food has something similar to Thai’s due to a long shared history, some aspects of its cuisine are distinctive.
Local cuisine restaurant:
Western cuisine restaurant:
Laos coffee, woodcarvings, sinh (a wraparound skirt with silver belt), paintings, home decor, jewelry and weaving silk dominate the local marketplaces.
Top Places to shop in Vientiane:
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Buddha Park is a massive garden filled with over 200 Buddhist statues and Hindu deities that are each a one-of-a-kind work of art. The garden’s most noticeable feature is a 40-meter-long, giant statue of a reclining Buddha.
A sacred monument and one of Laos’ most impressive religious structures. Standing at 44 meters, it has a real gold pinnacle and a set of painted turrets surrounding its center stupa. Located 4 kilometers northeast of central Vientiane, you can easily travel by tuk-tuk or bicycle.
As a commemorative work of unknown soldiers lying on Lane Xang Avenue, the Arc de Triomphe is also considered one of the most beautiful symbols of the capital Vientiane. It has a body that simulates the shape of the Arc de Triomphe station in Paris while the top part is a pyramid-shaped architecture and reliefs typical of Laotian culture.
Tham Phu Kham Cave is considered sacred by many Lao. The cave is a labyrinth of chambers, galleries and crevices filled with stalagmites and stalactites. The first chamber contains a bronze reclining Buddha, lit up by the sunlight that comes in through a hole in the ceiling. To reach the cave, visitors have to climb a steep 200m through scrub forest. At the end of the track to the cave is the Blue Lagoon, a big tourist draw thanks to its beautiful green-blue waters which are just perfect to relax and cool off.