Vientiane travel review & recommendations by Father_Son_Cycle

VIENTIANE - Laos

Why go there?
Vientiane is the capital of Laos. Laos is famous for being a very friendly and un-exploited country, but it is getting more and more popular as a tourist location - both with backpackers and wealthier package tourists. Laos has stinning scenery with 'Kast' mountain peaks surrounded by bright green rice paddies and large rivers sustaining a local economy of fishing and boat travel. The people are very friendly. Smiles abound.

Vientiane itself is not a large city. It has a large number of diplomats which tends to influence local prices along with the richer package tourists, but it could still not be called expensive.

Where should I eat and drink?
Vientiane has a wealth of international and fusion cuisine at reasonable prices. Many people eat every evening at one of the beer-garden shacks along the Mekong river (near the centre. These serve local well cooked food and are pretty cheap. Lao Beer (Beer Lao) is everywhere you look and it is very good with a fresh taste. Beer Lao is probably Laos' biggest industry and success story.

Sticky Fingers, Full Moon Cafe and Vista Cafe are in Francoise Nginn Street near the centre and serve western / fusion food of a high standard. Blue Moon is nearby and is also good. Prices are not cheap but are reasonabvle for the atmosphere and quality. In addition there are many cheap Lao cafes offering Feu (rice noodles with veg and choice of meat plus a basket of salad greens to throw into it). About 10,000 Kip ($1.2). New restaurants and bars are opening all the time to cater for travellers. Beer costs about 10,000 Kip ($1.2) for a large 650cl bottle. If you want something toi blow the cobwebs away for only a few cents, try Lao Lao (Lao Rice Vodka).

Where's the party?
Vientiane is not really a party place although many of the western bar / cafes get very busy at night. For party atmosphere most travellers head up to Vang Vieng a few hours bus ride away.

What do people do here?
There are plenty of temples locally and boat trips along the Mekong. Unfortunately most people use Vientiane as a stopping off point to Thailand / the airport so the scene is more about taking a rest, eating western food and resting up. It is also a place to get visas without having to go miles to embassies.

Where should I stay?
There are numerous places to stay and to suit all pockets. Popular budget guest houses are right in the centre. Mixay is the current favourite at about $8+. Soukcha Leun is also popular along with Chanta Guest House around the same price. Chindamay is further along the main street (west) and usually has cheap rooms ($6). Prices are increasing year by year if not by the month.
In the midrange I suggest Vaykorn Guest House - very central with a proper foyer and nice rooms around $20. A particularly nice one for those seeking something homely and quiet with high ceilings and a bit of colonial charm is Villa That Luang at around $20. Very nice for couples.
For those seeking top end places there are some lovely modern hotels near the centre but on the Mekong Waterfront, also a couple in the same street as Vayakorn.

You can easily get around the city on a Tuk Tuk taxi or on the back of a motorcycle taxi. Heading further afield there are buses aplenty and the bus station is not too far from the centre (a tuk tuk ride for most). Bicycles and motorcycles can be hired in Vientiane and this is a popular thing to do. It is a great way to see the villages which are friendly and more interesting for most travellers.

We highly recommend Laos as a cycling location and you will meet many other cyclists on your way if you take this option. There are plenty of country guest houses to stop at and places to eat. This is 'real Laos' for me.

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