Vientiane Favorite Tips by SirRichard Top 5 Page for this destination

Buddhas everywhere

Favorite thing: As you walk about in Vientiane you will find buddhas and temples in every corner. All of them have signs in lao language, so I couldn't tell which was the meaning of each gesture, position... but that must be an interesting topic!

Srisavangvong King

Favorite thing: You will find this statue of the king near the Wat Si Muang, in the east side of the town.
In fact, I saw another one in Luang Prabang that was EXACTLY the same...

Traditional houses

Favorite thing: Inside the Sisaket Temple and Museum complex you will find, at the right as you enter by the main gate, a row of traditional lao houses that can be visited inside and will give you an accurate idea of how they live in the country.

6.800 Buddhas

Favorite thing: At the Sisaket Temple you can see the 6.800 Buddha statues, which are all ritually cleansed at Lao new year day. Most of this 6.800 Buddhas are rather small and are located in little holes in the walls surrounding the temple.

Talking walls

Favorite thing: On most of the temples you will find these images of Buddha's life. They explain in a graphic way the life and teachings of Buddhas, so when illiterate peasants come to pray they can learn about that without reading.
It's like a king size comic, and it's useful too for those who can't read lao language (me, for instance, LOL)

Sunset over the Mekong

Favorite thing: One of the best places to enjoy the sunsets in Vientiane is by the riverside. There are here a group of terraces where you can have a fruit shake for 0,30 USD while you enjoy the view of this mighty river, so broad here in Vientiane...