🇱🇦 Vientiane, Laos
Vayakorn Inn
📍 19, Hengbounnoy Street, Vientiane
Your stay — Vayakorn Inn
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The Property — Vayakorn Inn
Vayakorn Inn is a tidy, budget-friendly guesthouse on a quiet lane off Rue Hengboun, ten minutes’ walk from the Mekong riverfront. The lobby feels like a functional, air-conditioned pit-stop: tiled floors, a small reception desk, and a seating area with tourist leaflets. Rooms are clean and simple with tiled floors, basic wooden furniture, and en-suite bathrooms; some have a balcony overlooking the street. It suits backpackers and cost-conscious travellers who need a reliable, central base without frills.
Chronicles of Vientiane
Vientiane became the capital of the Lane Xang kingdom in the mid-16th century, moving the royal seat from Luang Prabang. The city’s layout was shaped by French colonial rule after 1893, which added broad boulevards, shuttered villas, and a grid of streets around the old Chinese market. Buddhism remains central: the gold-covered Pha That Luang stupa and the 16th-century Wat Si Saket show the city’s religious core. Today, Vientiane is a slow-paced, riverine capital where palm-fringed streets, baguette stalls, and Lao temples mix with a modest nightlife scene along the Mekong. Its small-town feel and low-rise skyline resist the boomtown sprawl of other Southeast Asian cities.
Best Time to Visit
Full Vientiane guide →Best months
November to February are best: dry, cool evenings (18–28°C), low humidity, and clear skies – perfect for cycling to the Buddha Park or walking the Mekong promenade.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are the peak tourist season. The weather is ideal, and the That Luang Festival (Boun That Luang) in November draws crowds and raises hotel rates by 30–50%. Vayakorn Inn’s standard double room, normally 250,000–350,000 LAK (≈£10–15), can hit 400,000 LAK.
Budget shoulder season
March and October are the best shoulder months: March is hot but dry, with fewer tourists and room rates 10–20% lower; October ends the wet season, with green landscapes, occasional showers, and good deals before peak season.
Weather & packing
Vientiane has a tropical wet-dry climate: the monsoon arrives May–October with daily downpours that flood some streets within minutes. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or umbrella and quick-dry walking sandals – and accept that you will get damp at least once.
Live City Briefing — Vientiane
- The Laos-China Railway (Vientiane–Boten) now runs frequent cross-border services from Vientiane Station (Khamsavath), linking to Kunming; book tickets at least a day ahead via the LCR app or at the station.
- The Mekong riverfront promenade between Chao Anouvong Park and the Night Market is being extended with new seating and lighting, but some sections are still fenced off for paving – expect a detour near the Laotian National Museum.
- July is peak monsoon month: expect heavy afternoon rain most days, sometimes causing localised flooding around Rue Hengboun and Samsenthai Road. The hotel can store a small umbrella at reception.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Vayakorn Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (4th or 5th floor) as they are likely to be quieter due to being further away from the street noise on Hengbounnoy Street. Additionally, the hotel's elevator is situated on the ground floor, which means that rooms on lower floors may experience more elevator noise.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the elevator, may be noisier due to the hotel's street entrance and potential foot traffic.
Best views
Rooms on the front side (facing Hengbounnoy Street) may offer a view of the city, while rooms on the back side may have a view of the surrounding buildings or the hotel's internal courtyard.
Quietest floors
3rd to 5th floors
🔊 Noise notes
Hengbounnoy Street can be busy, especially during rush hour, so rooms on the higher floors or further away from the street may be a better choice for a quieter stay.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the hotel's proximity to the Mekong River by asking the staff for directions to the nearby boat landing, which offers a scenic view of the river. Be sure to try the local street food vendors near the hotel, which serve authentic Lao dishes at affordable prices.
- 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 — Vayakorn Inn
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas; 50 Mbps speed; no login constraints
Serves all floors; no stairs-only historic sections
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on all devices
14:00-22:00; early bag-drop available from 06:00; late check-out until 15:00 for 20,000 LAK fee
Available 24/7 for 10,000 LAK per bag, per day
Step-free access; wheelchair accessible entrance; accessible rooms available upon request
On-site parking available for 15,000 LAK per night; nearest public car park is 500 meters away at 20,000 LAK per night; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 500 LAK per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 200,000 LAK advance deposit; 100,000 LAK incidental card hold 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
Change money at banks or reputable exchange offices, avoid airport or tourist bureaux for poor rates. Western Union and money changers available near the night market.
Credit and debit cards accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but cash is preferred for street vendors and local markets.
Round up the bill or leave 1,000-2,000 Kip for restaurant service, 5,000-10,000 Kip for taxi drivers, and 1,000-2,000 Kip for hotel staff per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street vendors or local cafes with a cup of coffee for around 8,000-12,000 Kip.
Street food stalls near the night market offer meals from 15,000-25,000 Kip.
Local restaurants with a main course for around 30,000-50,000 Kip.
Night market and street food stalls along the Mekong River.
Vientiane Fresh Market and Talat Sao Market.
Local markets and night market for affordable clothing.
Bicycle or motorbike rentals from 10,000-20,000 Kip per day, or a day pass for public buses for 5,000 Kip.
Negotiate prices for transportation and services.Eat at local markets or street stalls for affordable food.Avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist areas for poor rates.
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 Vayakorn Inn
🕒 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 Vayakorn Inn?
Request a room on the higher floors (4th or 5th floor) as they are likely to be quieter due to being further away from the street noise on Hengbounnoy Street. Additionally, the hotel's elevator is situated on the ground floor, which means that rooms on lower floors may experience more elevator noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Vayakorn Inn?
Rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the elevator, may be noisier due to the hotel's street entrance and potential foot traffic.
Is Vayakorn Inn noisy?
Hengbounnoy Street can be busy, especially during rush hour, so rooms on the higher floors or further away from the street may be a better choice for a quieter stay.
Which rooms have the best views at Vayakorn Inn?
Rooms on the front side (facing Hengbounnoy Street) may offer a view of the city, while rooms on the back side may have a view of the surrounding buildings or the hotel's internal courtyard.
What are insider tips for staying at Vayakorn Inn?
Take advantage of the hotel's proximity to the Mekong River by asking the staff for directions to the nearby boat landing, which offers a scenic view of the river. Be sure to try the local street food vendors near the hotel, which serve authentic Lao dishes at affordable prices.
What time is check-in at Vayakorn Inn?
Check-in at Vayakorn Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Vayakorn Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas; 50 Mbps speed; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Vayakorn Inn?
500 LAK per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Vayakorn Inn?
Street food stalls near the night market offer meals from 15,000-25,000 Kip.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Vayakorn Inn?
Bicycle or motorbike rentals from 10,000-20,000 Kip per day, or a day pass for public buses for 5,000 Kip.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
November to February are best: dry, cool evenings (18–28°C), low humidity, and clear skies – perfect for cycling to the Buddha Park or walking the Mekong promenade.
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.