Your stay — Barn 1920s Hostel
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The Property — Barn 1920s Hostel
Barn 1920s Hostel sits in a converted colonial-era shophouse on a quiet lane near the Mekong. The lobby feels like a film set from the 1920s: dark wood panelling, ceiling fans, rattan chairs and a polished concrete floor. There’s a small communal kitchen, a book exchange and a noticeboard with scooter-rental numbers taped on. It suits budget travellers who want character over chains and don’t mind sharing a bathroom — the dorm beds are solid, the private rooms tight but clean.
Chronicles of Vientiane
Vientiane became capital of the Lao kingdom in the mid-16th century after the fall of Lan Xang, but it was razed by the Siamese in 1828 and remained a ghost town for decades. The French rebuilt it as an administrative centre from 1893, leaving a legacy of wide boulevards, villa-style buildings and a fusion of Lao and European motifs. After independence in 1953, the city grew erratically through civil war and the Pathet Lao takeover of 1975, then opened to tourism in the 1990s. Today it’s a slow-paced capital where Buddhist monks cross streets with pickup trucks and noodle stalls sell khao piak sen under crumbling balconies.
Best Time to Visit
Full Vientiane guide →Best months
November and December: cool, dry, low humidity (22–28°C) and clear skies, plus the That Luang Festival in late November draws a big crowd but is worth seeing. January also works well.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is November to February, driven by the cool dry season and That Luang Festival. Hotel prices in Vientiane rise 20–40% above low-season rates; private-rooms at Barn 1920s often sell out two weeks in advance.
Budget shoulder season
March and October. March still dry but hotter (30–35°C), with fewer tourists and discounts at mid-range guesthouses. October is the tail end of the wet season — some afternoon downpours, but mornings are pleasant and prices are low.
Weather & packing
Vientiane is one of the hottest capitals in Southeast Asia; even in July humidity hovers around 80% and rain can come without warning. Pack light, quick-dry clothes, a compact umbrella and waterproof sandals — trainers will stay soggy for days.
Live City Briefing — Vientiane
- Lao National Railway’s Vientiane–Boten line opened in late 2023; from July 2026 the daily train to Luang Prabang runs at 7.30am and 2.15pm, cutting the bus time from 10 hours to under 4.
- The Mekong riverfront promenade near Chao Anouvong Park has new pedestrian lighting, planters and public seating, but the ongoing bank erosion project means the path is closed just south of the night market until August 2026.
- July falls in the wet season; the Nam Ngum Reservoir, 90km north, often floods side roads — if you’re driving a scooter out to the dam turn back if water crosses the verge.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Barn 1920s Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room facing the inner courtyard or garden, away from Phai Nam Street. The building's three floors (with no lift) mean a top-floor room (third floor) for less footfall noise and better airflow, but only if you're comfortable with stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the street side (Phai Nam Street) — it's a busy road in central Vientiane, with moped and truck noise that can last into the night. Also skip ground-floor rooms near the reception or common areas; they can pick up chatter and door slam.
Best views
The third-floor rooms at the back (courtyard side) give a view over the hostel's inner space and perhaps a sliver of Vientiane's low-rise rooftops — nothing panoramic, but a quieter outlook.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors only — first floor is closest to ground-level noise from street and lobby.
🔊 Noise notes
Phai Nam Street carries moped, tuk-tuk, and truck traffic, especially after 6pm when locals finish work. The hotel's bar/cafe (if present) may play music until 10pm. No air conditioning in many rooms, so you'll rely on open windows — street noise will be audible.
Insider tips
Ask for a fan upgrade if the room only has a ceiling fan — rooms on upper floors can get hotter but quieter. Check in early (before 4pm) to choose your room after seeing the courtyard; staff at this 3-star hostel usually let you pick on arrival if you're flexible.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Barn 1920s Hostel
Free for all guests, medium speed (approx 10 Mbps), one device per guest with simple login via password
No lift; original 1920s stairs only to all shared rooms and private rooms
No physical newspapers; free access to Vientiane Times online via shared tablet in common area
Check-in: 14:00–22:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00; late check-out fee of 50,000 LAK until 12:00, subject to availability
Free for check-in day and after checkout; left in locked luggage room — collect by 21:00 same day
Step-free entry via ramp at front door; older building has narrow corridors and no lift — wheelchairs limited to ground floor only
On-site unpaved lot for 4 cars free of charge; nearest public parking 300 metres at Chao Anouvong Park (free). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance deposit required; 100,000 LAK incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Thāt Dam (444 m · ~6 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດ ທົ່ງຂັນຄຳ (685 m · ~9 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດ ທົ່ງຂັນຄຳ (687 m · ~9 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດ ພະທາດພູຊວງເທບນິມິດ (741 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Talat Sao Mall — 620 m · ~8 min walk
ສວນ ປະຕູໄຊ — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
MAG UXO Visitors Centre — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
ຫໍວັດທະນະທຳແຫ່ງຊາດ — 884 m · ~11 min walk
Funderland — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
JDB — 180 m · ~2 min walk
ກໍາຊະຫວາດ — 121 m · ~2 min walk
Thippaphone — 360 m · ~5 min walk
BRT - ຕະຫຼາດເຊົ້າ — 711 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Use banks or gold shops for better rates; avoid airport or tourist bureau exchange desks which offer poor rates.
Cards accepted in upscale hotels and some supermarkets, but cash is king everywhere else; contactless is rare.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 10% at nicer restaurants; hotel staff get 10,000–20,000 Kip.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Lao-style iced coffee from a street vendor or local cafe – around 10,000 Kip.
Khao piak sen (noodle soup) from a local stall – about 15,000–20,000 Kip.
Larb or grilled meat with sticky rice at a simple restaurant – around 30,000–40,000 Kip for a main.
The morning market and Chao Anouvong Park area have numerous stalls for snacks and grilled meats.
Phimphone Minimart or local convenience stores; larger supermarkets like Siam Square are a short tuk-tuk ride away.
Talat Sao (Morning Market) for cheap t-shirts; roadside stalls in town center for basic clothing.
Local buses cost 5,000–10,000 Kip per ride; from the airport, take a shared songthaew into the city for about 20,000 Kip per person.
Eat at local stalls instead of tourist restaurants; haggle at markets for souvenirs; fill water bottles at your guesthouse to avoid buying plastic.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Vientiane, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Barn 1920s Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · JDB — 180 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · ກໍາຊະຫວາດ — 121 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere in Vientiane → Funky Monkey Hostel
💡 Tuk-tuks are everywhere but not metered. Agree on price before getting in—short hops inside city limits shouldn't exceed 20,000 kip. For the hostel, say 'near Wat Ong Teu' for a reference.
Wattay International Airport → Central Bus Station (near Funky Monkey Hostel)
💡 Bus 29 runs a loop from airport to Talat Sao market, a 10-minute walk from the hostel. It's cramped but cheap. Flag it down on the main road outside arrivals—no official stop.
Anywhere in Vientiane → Funky Monkey Hostel
💡 Download the Loca app (Laos' version of Grab). It's reliable, shows upfront pricing, and avoids language barriers. Payment is cash on arrival—make sure you have small bills.
Wattay International Airport → Funky Monkey Hostel
💡 Negotiate the fare before you get in. Official taxi stand just outside arrivals charges a fixed 50,000 kip to city center, but drivers might try for 80,000. Metered taxis are rare—stick with fixed price.
About Vientiane
Wikipedia ↗
Vientiane is the capital city of Laos. Comprising the 5 urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture, the city is located on the banks of the Mekong, close to the border with Thailand. Vientiane was the administrative capital during French rule. The city had a population of 840,000 as of the 2023 census....
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Barn 1920s Hostel?
Request a room facing the inner courtyard or garden, away from Phai Nam Street. The building's three floors (with no lift) mean a top-floor room (third floor) for less footfall noise and better airflow, but only if you're comfortable with stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at Barn 1920s Hostel?
Avoid rooms on the street side (Phai Nam Street) — it's a busy road in central Vientiane, with moped and truck noise that can last into the night. Also skip ground-floor rooms near the reception or common areas; they can pick up chatter and door slam.
Is Barn 1920s Hostel noisy?
Phai Nam Street carries moped, tuk-tuk, and truck traffic, especially after 6pm when locals finish work. The hotel's bar/cafe (if present) may play music until 10pm. No air conditioning in many rooms, so you'll rely on open windows — street noise will be audible.
Which rooms have the best views at Barn 1920s Hostel?
The third-floor rooms at the back (courtyard side) give a view over the hostel's inner space and perhaps a sliver of Vientiane's low-rise rooftops — nothing panoramic, but a quieter outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Barn 1920s Hostel?
Ask for a fan upgrade if the room only has a ceiling fan — rooms on upper floors can get hotter but quieter. Check in early (before 4pm) to choose your room after seeing the courtyard; staff at this 3-star hostel usually let you pick on arrival if you're flexible.
What time is check-in at Barn 1920s Hostel?
Check-in at Barn 1920s Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Barn 1920s Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, medium speed (approx 10 Mbps), one device per guest with simple login via password
Is there a city or tourist tax at Barn 1920s Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Barn 1920s Hostel?
Khao piak sen (noodle soup) from a local stall – about 15,000–20,000 Kip.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Barn 1920s Hostel?
Local buses cost 5,000–10,000 Kip per ride; from the airport, take a shared songthaew into the city for about 20,000 Kip per person.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
November and December: cool, dry, low humidity (22–28°C) and clear skies, plus the That Luang Festival in late November draws a big crowd but is worth seeing. January also works well.
Top Attractions in Vientiane
💡 Bring a bottle of Beerlao from the 7-Eleven opposite and sit on the wall. The sunset here beats the touristy bars. Avoid midday heat.
💡 The short film is worth 20 minutes. Allow 1 hour. The gift shop sells handmade items from survivors. Closed on Sundays.
💡 Combine this with the nearby Haw Phra Kaew (free grounds). Come early to avoid heat and tour groups. Bring small notes for entry.
💡 Take the stairs inside, not the lift. The top-floor kiosk sells cheap soft drinks. Go before 10am to avoid heat. The park below has free fountains in the evening.
💡 Go late afternoon when the light turns the gold amber and the crowds thin out. The nearby morning market on That Luang Road sells cheap local snacks.