On a curve of the Mekong River, which
shares its border with Thailand
Total
Area
:
3,920 square meters
Population
:
610,000
08
Districts
:
Chanthabuly, Sikhottabong, Xaysetha,
Sisattanak, Naxaithong, Xaythany,
Hadsaifong, Sangthong and Muongparkngum
Capital
:
Vientiane Municipality
Capital
Vientiane is the capital of Laos and shares its
border with Thailand. King Saysethathirath
constructed the city on the curve of the Mekong
River in the 16th century
The old
part of Vientiane is an attractive and
interesting settlement along the Mekong River
where ancient temples, museums, monuments and
parks are all located just a short distance from
one another
The
cosmopolitan capital of Laos, Vientiane has
galleries, boutiques, theatres, nightclubs and
Internet cafes, making it a major attraction of
visitors from all around the globe. Although
small, the city offers visitors a great variety
of restaurants serving both Lao and foreign
cuisine
That
Luang Stupa (Great Sacred Stupa)
Originally
built in 1566 by King Saysethathirath, That
Luang Stupa was rebuilt in 1953. The golden
stupa stands 45 meters tall and is believed to
contain a relic of Lord Buddha. Today it is the
nation’s most important cultural monument.
Symbolizing the coming together of all Lao
people it holds a special place in the national
psyche
The
gold colored centerpiece of this stupa echoes
the curve of an elongated Lotus bud. The shrine
is the focus for the annual That Luang Festival.
The festival is celebrated for 7 daysand nights
during the twelfth full moon of the Buddhist
lunar calendar where monks are presented with
flower offerings and residents enjoy traditional
cultural performances
That
Luang Stupa is open from 8:00H to 16:00H, except
Mondays and public holidays
Ho Pra Keo Museum
Previously
the ancient temple, it was built in 1565 by King
Saysethathirath to house the Emerald Buddha (lost
to the Siamese in 1828) as his personal place of
worship. For this reason and unlike other
temples in Laos, monks have not taken up
residence here. During the 1970’s the temple was
converted from a place of worship into a museum
and it now houses nation’s finest collection of
Buddhist sculpture and artifacts
From
the terrace of HoPra Keo a view overlooking the
President’ Palace (former Royal Palace) and
gardens can be enjoyed. The museum is open daily
08:00H to 12:00H and 13:00H to 16:00H
Wat Sisaket Temple
This
temple is located in the center of the old city
and was built in 1818 by King Anouvong and is
Vientiane’s oldest remaining temple having
survived the destination of the city by the
Siamese in 1828
The
oldest monastery stands intact in its original
from and certainly is one of the most
interesting in the country. Inside the main hall,
the courtyard walls house hundreds of little
niches and shelves containing a total of 6,840
Buddha images. Ho Trai is a hall containing many
Buddhist manuscripts, which were published in
the 18th century. The temple is also
renowned after featuring as the Lao national
emblem at the 1970 Expo Osaka in Japan
The
temple is open daily from 08:00H to 12:00H and
13:00H to 16:00H
Patuxay Monument
The
memorial monument of Patuxay is perhaps the most
prominent landmark in the city. It was
constructed in its prominent position on
Lanexang Avenue in 1958. While the architecture
was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris the
design incorporates typical Lao motifs including
“Kinnari”, a mythical birdwoman
Energetic
visitors can climb to the top of the monument.
Which reveals an excellent panoramic view of the
city. The monument is open daily from 08:00H to
17:00H
Revolutionary Monument
Located
near That Luang Stupa, this simple star-tipped
monument was built as a tribute to those who
died in the revolutionary struggle between 1945
to 1975
Wat Simuang Temple
The
original foundation pillar of Vientiane can be
found in Wat Simuang, which is located in Ban
Simuang village along the Sethathirath Road. It
was built in 1956 and is thought to be guarded
by the spirit a local girl called “Si”. Local
legend has it that Nang Si, who was pregnant at
the time, leapt to her death as a sacrifice,
just as the pillar was being lowered into the
hold. A very colorful Phasat Pheung (wax
pavilion procession) takes place two days prior
to the That Luang Festival in November, which
attracts large crowds to Wat Simuang Temple
Wat Ongtue Temple
Wat
Ongtue or “the temple of the heavy Buddha”,
houses a 16th Century Buddha image
weighing an incredible ten tons. The temple was
built by King Saysethathirath and is found on
the street of the same name – Sethathirath Road
Wat Inpeng Temple
Wat
Inpeng Pagoda is a historical landmark of arts
and culture, located on the north of Wat Ongtue
Temple. There are many historical elements of
interest to those studying Lao art and culture
including the rock sculptures, Buddha image and
rock columns depicting Mon and Khmer cultures
Despite
many of the original items in this temple having
since been removed. The pagoda still corresponds
to the King of Gods. It was once said that
during construction, He transformed himself into
an old wise man to assist with construction.
Legend also holds that He further transformed
himself into an old white monk to help construct
the Buddha image. From then on, the temple
became known as Wat Inpeng, which means “to
transform”
Ta Lat Sao or Morning Market
Located
on Lanexang Avenue opposite the Post Office, the
Morning Market consists of 3 main buildings each
with 2 floors. This lively shopping market has
become the commercial center of Vientiane. A
huge variety of goods are sold among including
Lao antiques, textiles, souvenirs, handicrafts,
jewelry, and products imported from abroad. The
market is open daily from 07:00H to 17:00H
Suan Wattanatham Bandapao or National
Ethnic Cultural Park
The
National Ethnic Cultural Park is located 20
kilometers south from Vientiane near the
Friendship Bridge. Visitors can follow shady
paths past model-sized traditional Lao Homes,
sculpture of Lao literacy heroes and through a
small zoo. Afterwards visitors can relax at the
Mekong’s riverside, where the view of Khau
Midthaphab (Friendship Bridge) can be enjoyed
from several bars and restaurants
The
National Ethnic Cultural Park is open daily from
08:00H to 18:00H
Khau Midthaphab or Friendship Bridge
The
friendship Bridge was officially opened in April
1994 and it spans the Mekong River linking Lao
P.D.R. (Vientiane) with neighboring Thailand (Nongkhai).
As one of Lao’s International Border Checkpoints,
tourists can be obtained for entry at the Bridge
It is
open daily from 06:00H to 22:00H
Xieng Khouan Buddha Park
The
Xieng Khouan Buddha Park is a religious
sculpture park, which was built in 1958. A
collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures is
scattered amongst gardens and trees. Built about
28 kilometers south of Vientiane backing onto
the Mekong River, the town of Nongkhai in
neighboring Thailand can be seen on the opposite
side of the river
The
park is open daily from 08:00H to 16:30H
Hinkhanna Waterfall
This
small but attractive waterfall is situated in
Naxaithong District about 25 kilometers to the
north of Vientiane
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