Things to Do in Vientiane

A long riverside park with a statue of King Anouvong. Good for watching the Mekong at sunset. No entry fee. Benches, walking paths, and food stalls at night.

🕐 Open all hours

💡 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.

An excellent small museum about unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the Vietnam War and the work of COPE to help victims. Free entry, but donations encouraged. A short tuk-tuk ride from the centre.

🕐 Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00, Sat 09:00–15:00

💡 The short film is worth 20 minutes. Allow 1 hour. The gift shop sells handmade items from survivors. Closed on Sundays.

The oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, built in 1818. Entry is 10,000 LAK. Over 10,000 Buddha images line the cloister walls. The courtyard is quiet and shaded.

🕐 Daily 08:00–16:30

💡 Combine this with the nearby Haw Phra Kaew (free grounds). Come early to avoid heat and tour groups. Bring small notes for entry.

Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe-style monument built with US-funded concrete. Climbing to the top costs about 5,000 LAK. The view over the city and surrounding countryside is worth it.

🕐 Daily 08:00–16:30

💡 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.

The national symbol of Laos: a large gold-covered Buddhist stupa on a grassy site. Entry is about 10,000 LAK (under £1). The surrounding grounds are free to wander.

🕐 Daily 08:00–16:30

💡 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.