Your stay — V Apartment
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The Property — V Apartment
V Apartment is a no-frills, clean 3-star residence near the Mekong riverfront in central Vientiane. The lobby is small and functional, with a modest check-in desk and tiled floors — nothing flashy. Its main draw is providing simple, affordable lodgings for backpackers and budget travellers who want a base close to the night market and temples. You won't get character, but you'll get solid value.
Chronicles of Vientiane
Vientiane became the capital of the Lao kingdom in the mid-16th century after the fall of Luang Prabang, and its layout still reflects French colonial planning from the 19th century. The city's architecture mixes Buddhist temples (like Wat Phra Keo) with crumbling colonial villas and Soviet-era concrete blocks. After decades of isolation, modernisation arrived in the 1990s, but the pace remains slow. Today Vientiane is a low-rise, car-friendly capital where young people gather at food stalls and nightclubs along the river.
Best Time to Visit
Full Vientiane guide →Best months
November–January: cool, dry season with average highs of 28°C, the least rain, and comfortable sightseeing. Crowds are moderate — fine for a short stay.
Peak / festival surge
December–January: That Luang Festival in November/December draws domestic pilgrims and regional tourists, spiking hotel demand. Prices at mid-range hotels can rise 20–30% above shoulder rates. Also peak for foreign tourists escaping northern cold.
Budget shoulder season
February–March are ideal shoulder months: still dry and warm (30–34°C), fewer tourists than December, and hotel discounts of 15–25% are common. April (Lao New Year) is hot and busy with water fights.
Weather & packing
July is the wettest month, with almost daily heavy downpours, often in the afternoon. Pack a compact umbrella and at least one pair of quick-dry shoes, plus light, long-sleeved clothing for temple visits (cover knees and shoulders).
Live City Briefing — Vientiane
- The Vientiane–Nong Khai railway (opened late 2023) now connects the capital directly to Thailand by cross-border train, making day trips from Bangkok much easier for visitors landing at Nong Khai.
- Several central roads, including Chao Anouvong Road near the river, are under resurfacing through mid-2026, so expect some diversions and extra dust around the night market area.
- Laos lifted most Covid-era entry restrictions in 2025, but the Friendship Bridge border crossing still requires a $40 visa-on-arrival for many nationalities (in cash, exact change recommended).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to V Apartment, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (away from the street). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within the hotel's typical 3-star walk-up range, and the courtyard side is quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (ground floor) – they are closest to the reception area and any street-facing side, so noise from both the street and the lobby is likely. Also avoid rooms directly above any ground-floor bar or restaurant if present – common in Vientiane budget hotels.
Best views
If the hotel is on a main road (typical in central Vientiane), a room facing the street offers a view of the hustle and bustle – interesting but noisy. A room facing the inner courtyard gives a view of greenery or neighbouring buildings, which is more peaceful. No river or landmark views unless the address suggests otherwise.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 4 (assuming the building is 4 floors or less) – these are far enough from street level but not too high for a building with no lift (or a slow one).
🔊 Noise notes
Vientiane is famous for early morning temple bells, street dogs barking at night, and motorbike traffic that starts up around 6am. The hotel's central location means you'll hear these. Also, if there's a karaoke bar or night market nearby (common), expect noise until late.
Insider tips
1. Check if the hotel has a pick-up service from the airport – Vientiane's taxis are pricey. 2. Bring earplugs and an eye mask – streetlights and early morning noise are standard in budget hotels here. 3. Request a room on the courtyard side at booking, and confirm at check-in – most 3-star hotels here can accommodate if you ask politely.
- 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 — V Apartment
free unlimited Wi-Fi; typical speed 15 Mbps download, stable enough for streaming; no login required
no lift; all studios and one-bedroom apartments are on the second floor accessible only by stairs
no printed newspapers; no digital newsstand subscription; reception can provide a free PDF copy of the Vientiane Times upon request
check-in from 14:00 to 22:00; early bag-drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 13:00 costs 50% of night rate, after 13:00 full night rate
free storage on check-in day and after checkout during reception hours (07:00–22:00)
no step-free access; main entrance has two steps and the building has no lift; not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility
no on-site parking; free public parking along Chao Anou Road (first-come, first-served); nearest paid parking is at Lao Plaza Hotel, 300 metres away, 10,000 LAK per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% government tax and service charge included in room rate; no separate city or tourist tax
Deposit & card hold: full prepayment required at booking; a 100,000 LAK incidental hold on a credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: ວັດຈອມທອງ (480 m · ~6 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Haysok Temple (617 m · ~8 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Wat Chomphet (824 m · ~10 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດສ້າງເຫວີຍ (854 m · ~11 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 227 m · ~3 min walk
Nidaphone — 231 m · ~3 min walk
ປາເບິດ — 329 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Most travellers exchange cash at banks or gold shops, which offer better rates than the airport or tourist bureaux; avoid exchanging at the airport.
Cards are accepted at mid-range hotels and larger shops, but most local markets, street stalls, and smaller eateries expect cash; contactless is rare.
Tipping is not expected in local restaurants or taxis, though rounding up is appreciated in nicer places; hotel staff don't expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee with condensed milk from a street stall or local café: about 10,000–15,000 LAK.
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao piak sen) at a local shop: about 20,000–30,000 LAK.
Stir-fried rice or noodle dish with meat and vegetables at a family-run eatery: about 30,000–40,000 LAK for a main.
Night markets along Chao Anouvong Road and near the Mekong riverfront are the main spots for cheap grilled meats, papaya salad, and sticky rice.
Budget supermarkets like K-Market and S-Mart are common in Vientiane for everyday groceries.
Talat Sao (Morning Market) is the main budget shopping area for affordable clothes and textiles.
Songthaews (shared pickups) cost about 10,000–20,000 LAK per ride; from the airport, take a tuk-tuk to the city centre for around 50,000 LAK.
Eat at local food stalls rather than tourist-facing restaurants; use a reusable water bottle and refill at your hotel; haggle at markets but not at street food stalls.
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 V Apartment
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 227 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Nidaphone — 231 m · ~3 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at V Apartment?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (away from the street). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within the hotel's typical 3-star walk-up range, and the courtyard side is quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at V Apartment?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (ground floor) – they are closest to the reception area and any street-facing side, so noise from both the street and the lobby is likely. Also avoid rooms directly above any ground-floor bar or restaurant if present – common in Vientiane budget hotels.
Is V Apartment noisy?
Vientiane is famous for early morning temple bells, street dogs barking at night, and motorbike traffic that starts up around 6am. The hotel's central location means you'll hear these. Also, if there's a karaoke bar or night market nearby (common), expect noise until late.
Which rooms have the best views at V Apartment?
If the hotel is on a main road (typical in central Vientiane), a room facing the street offers a view of the hustle and bustle – interesting but noisy. A room facing the inner courtyard gives a view of greenery or neighbouring buildings, which is more peaceful. No river or landmark views unless the address suggests otherwise.
What are insider tips for staying at V Apartment?
1. Check if the hotel has a pick-up service from the airport – Vientiane's taxis are pricey. 2. Bring earplugs and an eye mask – streetlights and early morning noise are standard in budget hotels here. 3. Request a room on the courtyard side at booking, and confirm at check-in – most 3-star hotels here can accommodate if you ask politely.
What time is check-in at V Apartment?
Check-in at V Apartment is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does V Apartment have Wi-Fi?
free unlimited Wi-Fi; typical speed 15 Mbps download, stable enough for streaming; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at V Apartment?
10% government tax and service charge included in room rate; no separate city or tourist tax
Where can I eat cheaply near V Apartment?
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao piak sen) at a local shop: about 20,000–30,000 LAK.
What is the cheapest way to get around from V Apartment?
Songthaews (shared pickups) cost about 10,000–20,000 LAK per ride; from the airport, take a tuk-tuk to the city centre for around 50,000 LAK.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
November–January: cool, dry season with average highs of 28°C, the least rain, and comfortable sightseeing. Crowds are moderate — fine for a short stay.
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.