Your stay — Orange backpackers hostel
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The Property — Orange backpackers hostel
Orange Backpackers Hostel is a basic, sociable hostel aimed squarely at budget travellers and solo backpackers passing through Vientiane. The lobby feels like a casual hangout: worn-in sofas, a noticeboard with tour leaflets, and the faint clatter of a pool table from the common room. It has a loyal repeat crowd thanks to its central location on Setthathirath Road, a two-minute walk from the Mekong riverside, and the free beer hour that runs each evening.
Chronicles of Vientiane
Vientiane was established as the capital of the Lan Xang kingdom in the mid-16th century, though the city was largely destroyed by Siamese armies in the early 19th century and rebuilt under French colonial rule after 1893. That legacy shows in the wide boulevards and shuttered villas that still line the old quarter. During the Vietnam War, the city served as a neutral administrative centre, and after the 1975 communist takeover it declined into a sleepy backwater. Today it’s a low-rise, bicycle-friendly capital where Buddhist temples, baguette stalls and Soviet-style concrete blocks sit side by side, and the Lao government is slowly pushing tourism along the newly spruced-up Mekong promenade.
Best Time to Visit
Full Vientiane guide →Best months
November to February: dry, cool season with bright skies and temperatures around 25-30°C, perfect for cycling between temples and the river without sticky heat. Crowds are still moderate compared to Luang Prabang.
Peak / festival surge
That Same Nam (Lao New Year) in mid-April (13-15 April) is the busiest period, when Vientiane empties as locals travel, hotels fill with domestic tourists and prices jump 20–30%. The city shuts down for water fights and temple ceremonies.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer lower room rates and fewer tourists. March is hot but dry, October sees the tail of the wet season with sporadic downpours and green landscapes.
Weather & packing
Vientiane has a tropical wet-and-dry climate; the July visit falls mid-rainy season, so expect daily downpours, often in the late afternoon. Pack a light, quick-dry rain jacket or a compact umbrella, and bring sandals that can handle puddles on the unpaved side streets.
Live City Briefing — Vientiane
- The new Vientiane bus terminal opened in 2025 at Nong Bone, replacing the chaotic old market station; local buses now run a cleaner, more punctual service to Thanaleng train station for the Laos-China Railway.
- Boun That Luang (a major Buddhist festival) falls in November, but the That Luang Esplanade underwent a renovation in 2025 that added shaded walkways and a small visitor centre.
- The Mekong riverfront promenade now has a nightly walking street market (Fri–Sun) from 5pm to 10pm, with food stalls and craft vendors; it’s packed in July but worth braving the humidity for grilled Lao sausages.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Orange backpackers hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (3rd floor) at the back of the building, away from Sihom Road. These rooms get less foot traffic noise and have a bit more privacy from the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor and those facing Sihom Road. The ground floor can pick up lobby and street noise. Front-facing rooms get constant motorbike rumble from the main road.
Best views
Back-facing rooms on the upper floors overlook the residential area behind the hostel — rooftops and a bit of greenery. Front rooms just see Sihom Road traffic.
Quietest floors
3rd floor (top floor) — furthest from street and lobby activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Sihom Road is a busy through-route in Vientiane with motorbikes, tuk-tuks and trucks starting early (around 5am). The hostel is low-rise (3 floors) with no lift, so stairs echo. Corridor noise carries.
Insider tips
Bring earplugs — the street noise is relentless even on higher floors. Check-in is usually cash-only, so have Lao kip ready. There’s free coffee in the lobby from 7–9am, but it’s inconsistent — grab a. Laotian iced coffee from the street vendor outside instead.
- 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 — Orange backpackers hostel
Free basic Wi-Fi reaches all dormitory rooms and common area; speed sufficient for messaging and social media, not for streaming or video calls.
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only.
No newspapers; common area has a bookshelf with maps and guidebooks.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 for half-day fee (50,000 LAK), after 12:00 charged full night.
Free luggage storage available in lockable room behind reception; leave same day or overnight with tag.
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps; all rooms are upstairs; not suitable for wheelchair users.
No on-site parking; free street parking available on Sihom Road (limited spaces, first-come); nearest paid parking at Lao Plaza Hotel (0.3 km away) for 30,000 LAK per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; incidental hold of 200,000 LAK at check-in for key deposit.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: ວັດ ເຈີ່ນຮຶງດ໋າວ (115 m · ~1 min walk)
- Place of worship: ຫໍພະໄທພິໂດກ ວັດ ອິນແປງ (206 m · ~3 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດ ອິນແປງ (244 m · ~3 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດ ບາງ ລອງ (246 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mellka Shopping Mall — 126 m · ~2 min walk
MAG UXO Visitors Centre — 463 m · ~6 min walk
Lao National Opera — 381 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Sacombank — 33 m · ~1 min walk
Somkiat Pharmacy — 184 m · ~2 min walk
Yok Shod — 43 m · ~1 min walk
BRT - ຕະຫຼາດເຊົ້າ — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Use banks or private exchange shops on Sihom Road for better rates; avoid airport and tourist bureaux which give poor rates.
Major credit cards accepted in higher-end hotels and restaurants, but cash is king in local shops and markets; contactless is rare.
Not expected but appreciated for good service; round up taxi fares or leave small change (10,000–20,000 LAK) in restaurants, nothing for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local-style iced coffee with condensed milk from street stalls, about 10,000–15,000 LAK.
Rice with meat and vegetables from a street-side food cart or simple eatery, about 20,000–30,000 LAK.
Plate of stir-fried noodles or grilled meat with sticky rice from a basic restaurant, around 30,000–40,000 LAK.
Along Sihom Road and nearby side streets, look for evening stalls selling noodle soup, grilled skewers, and som tam (papaya salad).
Small minimarkets like ງາມຕາ or ບໍລິການຊື້ຂາຍ; no big budget chains here.
Talad Sao (Morning Market) or local street stalls selling basic items; no specific high-street chains in this immediate area.
Tuk-tuk shared rides for short hops (10,000–20,000 LAK per person); from airport, a shared tuk-tuk to Sihom Road costs about 50,000 LAK per person.
Haggle firmly but politely at markets and with tuk-tuk drivers for better prices; stick to street food and local eateries away from tourist spots to save; carry small denomination Lao Kip notes as change is often scarce.
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 Orange backpackers hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Sacombank — 33 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Somkiat Pharmacy — 184 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 Orange backpackers hostel?
Request a room on the top floor (3rd floor) at the back of the building, away from Sihom Road. These rooms get less foot traffic noise and have a bit more privacy from the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Orange backpackers hostel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor and those facing Sihom Road. The ground floor can pick up lobby and street noise. Front-facing rooms get constant motorbike rumble from the main road.
Is Orange backpackers hostel noisy?
Sihom Road is a busy through-route in Vientiane with motorbikes, tuk-tuks and trucks starting early (around 5am). The hostel is low-rise (3 floors) with no lift, so stairs echo. Corridor noise carries.
Which rooms have the best views at Orange backpackers hostel?
Back-facing rooms on the upper floors overlook the residential area behind the hostel — rooftops and a bit of greenery. Front rooms just see Sihom Road traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Orange backpackers hostel?
Bring earplugs — the street noise is relentless even on higher floors. Check-in is usually cash-only, so have Lao kip ready. There’s free coffee in the lobby from 7–9am, but it’s inconsistent — grab a. Laotian iced coffee from the street vendor outside instead.
What time is check-in at Orange backpackers hostel?
Check-in at Orange backpackers hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Orange backpackers hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi reaches all dormitory rooms and common area; speed sufficient for messaging and social media, not for streaming or video calls.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Orange backpackers hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Orange backpackers hostel?
Rice with meat and vegetables from a street-side food cart or simple eatery, about 20,000–30,000 LAK.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Orange backpackers hostel?
Tuk-tuk shared rides for short hops (10,000–20,000 LAK per person); from airport, a shared tuk-tuk to Sihom Road costs about 50,000 LAK per person.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
November to February: dry, cool season with bright skies and temperatures around 25-30°C, perfect for cycling between temples and the river without sticky heat. Crowds are still moderate compared to Luang Prabang.
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.