Capital · Laos
Vientianeວຽງຈັນ
Give Vientiane one or two nights on the way between Thailand and Luang Prabang: a slow, low-rise capital of temples and a Mekong promenade, not a highlight in itself.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (cooler, dry, low humidity)
- avoid Mar–May (very hot, often 38–40°C, seasonal haze) and Jul–Sep (Mekong flooding, heavy rain)avoid Mar–May (very hot, often 100–104°F, seasonal haze) and Jul–Sep (Mekong flooding, heavy rain)
- Airport
- VTE
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Laos ↗Get the visa only from the official government e-visa portal or at the airport or border desk; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Laos ↗Carry Lao kip in small notes; small shops, tuk-tuks and markets are cash-only, and Thai baht or US dollars are only accepted at some tourist businesses.
- Laos ↗At dawn alms-giving, watch from across the street, keep quiet, never use flash and never touch a monk.
Vientiane is the capital of Laos and sits on the Mekong River across from Thailand. The centre is compact, with temples, a riverside promenade and French-era buildings. It is a low-key city with few major sights, and it is the main entry point by land from Thailand at the Nong Khai / Thanaleng border crossing.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Vientiane, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Lao kip (LAK) in small notes for markets, tuk-tuks and food stalls.Laos-wide
- SIM or eSIMUnitel, Lao Telecom and ETL sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport registration required.Laos-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill water everywhere.Laos-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up or leave LAK 10,000–20,000.Laos-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/E/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Laos-wide
- SafetyLow-crime capital; road traffic and unagreed tuk-tuk fares are the main day-to-day friction, not personal safety.
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop at bus stops and markets.Laos-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 190 fire · 195 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckGovernment offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 23:30 — check).Government offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 11:30 PM — check).Laos-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVTE Wattay International (About 4 km west of the centre; taxi or hotel transfer 10–15 min).VTE Wattay International (About 2.5 mi west of the centre; taxi or hotel transfer 10–15 min).
- Getting aroundThe old quarter is compact and walkable in a morning.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeLao-grown coffee₭15,000–25,000
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup (fŏe) at a local shop₭20,000–35,000
- BeerBeerlao (large bottle)₭15,000–25,000
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miShort tuk-tuk ride in town₭20,000–50,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₭150,000–300,000 · Mid ₭350,000–700,000 · High ₭900,000+
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VTE Wattay International (About 4 km west of the centre; taxi or hotel transfer 10–15 min)VTE Wattay International (About 2.5 mi west of the centre; taxi or hotel transfer 10–15 min)
Weather and climate
Vientiane: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old quarter is compact and walkable in a morning. Tuk-tuks and metered taxis cover longer distances; agree the fare before getting in a tuk-tuk. Bicycles are an easy, cheap way to cover the temple circuit and riverside without traffic.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
goDoor to door: Half day
Tuk-tuk or local bus, about 25 kmTuk-tuk or local bus, about 16 mi
Nam Ngum Reservoir
cautionDoor to door: Full day
Car, about 90 kmCar, about 56 mi
Mostly a local weekend spot; confirm current road conditions.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near the Mekong riverfront
Walkable to the evening market, cafes and sunset drinks; can be noisy near the main road.
Around Nam Phu fountain / old French quarter
Central, restaurants, easy walk to Wat Si Saket and the morning market.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₭150,000–300,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₭350,000–700,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₭900,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Beerlao (large bottle) | ₭15,000–25,000 |
| Noodle soup (fŏe) at a local shop | ₭20,000–35,000 |
| Short tuk-tuk ride in town | ₭20,000–50,000 |
| Lao-grown coffee | ₭15,000–25,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Tuk-tuk drivers often quote a flat, inflated price to tourists: agree the fare before setting off, or ask your hotel for a fair range.
- Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) to enter temple compounds, especially That Luang.
- Unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War era remains in rural Laos: stay on marked paths outside the city if you head into the countryside.
- ATMs charge a fixed withdrawal fee per transaction (confirm locally, it adds up): withdraw larger amounts less often.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Vientiane. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (cooler, dry, low humidity) · avoid Mar–May (very hot, often 38–40°C, seasonal haze) and Jul–Sep (Mekong flooding, heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Cooking class or a guided Lao food tour
- Sunset drink on the Mekong riverfront
- COPE Visitor Centre for UXO history and context