Vientiane, the sleepy capital of one of the poorest countries on earth. On the banks of the sluggish, brown Mekong River, with its crumbling French colonial architecture and fancy new SUVs driven by the myriad of foreign aid workers who live the high-life here. Theravada Buddhism mixed with old-school Communism mixed with a Capitalist spirit. Not a bad place to escape the rest of the world.
Please visit the Vientiane page on my personal website to see many more high quality photos from this destination.
This is the first rainbow that I've managed to capture in a photo. It's actually a double rainbow if you count the faint one above the bright main one. The shot was taken in a little residential backstreet in Vientiane. Simply lovely!
- Pros:traditional Lao culture with French influence
- Cons:insurgents occasionally set off explosives in public places
- In a nutshell:It's hard to believe that this sleepy town is the capital of an entire nation
Reviews (18)
UXO (Unexploded Ordnance)
Warnings Or Dangers
(1)
Laos has the dubious distinction of being the most heavily bombed country in the history of warfare. During the war... more travel advice
Presidential Palace
Things to Do
(6)
Not really a "Must See Activity" but definitely a prominent landmark in the city, Laos' Presidential Palace was... more travel advice
Lao vs. French Cuisine
Favorites
(4)
There are two types of cuisine that dominate in Vientiane (and Laos in general), Lao and French. The former obviously... more travel advice
Laos Visa Information
Favorites
(4)
When traveling to Vientiane, it is possible for foreign tourists to obtain a Laos visa on arrival at either the... more travel advice
Vientiane Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Vientiane: Titch vs. the Mozzies"
- "Vieng Chan. a capital by the Mekong"
- "Vientiane.."
- "Vientiane, capital of tranquility"
- "VIENTIANE"
- "Bank Training Project - Bank of Lao PDR"
- "Vientiane - the capital city of Laos"
- See All...
Categories
- Things to Do in Vientiane
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Nearby Travel Guides
- Vientiane Travel Guide
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Badges & Stats in Vientiane
- 18 Reviews
- 20 Photos
- 31 Forum posts
- 6 Comments
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Photos in Vientiane
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Travel Interests
See All Travel Interests (5)Latest Vientiane hotel reviews
- Hotel Lao
- 21 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jul 23, 2011 - Green Park Boutique Hotel
- 127 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 12, 2012 - Lao Plaza Hotel
- 131 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 10, 2012 - Douangdeuane Hotel
- 32 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 4, 2012 - Settha Palace Hotel
- 137 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 11, 2012 - Inter City Hotel
- 298 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Oct 9, 2011 - Lakeo Guest House
- 2 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Sep 14, 2010 - Le Parasol Blanc Hotel Vientiane
- 3 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 25, 2011 - Hotel Khamvongsa
- 212 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 12, 2012 - Beau Rivage Mekong Hotel
- 134 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 12, 2012 - Rivertime Resort and Ecolodge
- 44 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 8, 2012 - Mekong Hotel
- 4 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Oct 22, 2011 - Royal Dokmaideng Hotel Vientiane
- 116 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Oct 25, 2010 - Hotel Cosmo
- 20 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 17, 2011 - Villa Manoly
- 23 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 17, 2011

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Comments (6)
You must be steamed that a "Yankee Air Pirate " is going to be our next President.
Travelling to Laos sounds like an adventure in itself! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks . Very informative .We plan on travelling to Vientien in Jan 06...can't wait.
Very nice and accurate tips !! Very helpful
Very nice page! Very accurate info here. Laos is a very special experience, I want to go back some day.
Great photos and tips!
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