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.
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.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (cooler, dry, low humidity)
- avoid Mar–May (very hot, often 38–40°C (100–104°F), seasonal haze) and Jul–Sep (Mekong flooding, heavy rain)avoid Mar–May (very hot, often 100–104°F (38–40°C), 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.
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Vientiane191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
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.
Show all 12 answers
- 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 (2.5 mi) west of the centre; taxi or hotel transfer 10–15 min).VTE Wattay International (About 2.5 mi (4 km) 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 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Short 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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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 (2.5 mi) west of the centre; taxi or hotel transfer 10–15 min)VTE Wattay International (About 2.5 mi (4 km) west of the centre; taxi or hotel transfer 10–15 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
Feb
Best
Mar
Avoid
Apr
Avoid
May
Avoid
Jun
not flagged
Jul
Avoid
Aug
Avoid
Sep
Avoid
Oct
not flagged
Nov
Best
Dec
Best
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May, Jul–Sep. Month by month →
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 & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
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 km (16 mi)Tuk-tuk or local bus, about 16 mi (25 km)
Nam Ngum Reservoir
cautionDoor to door: Full day
Car, about 90 km (56 mi)Car, about 56 mi (90 km)
Mostly a local weekend spot; confirm current road conditions.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
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.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
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 diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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