Vientiane

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Calm river, Vientiane

Introducing Vientiane

This delightfully friendly capital, studded with crumbling French mansions, bougainvillea­-blooming streets and steaming noodle stalls, is somewhere between a big town and a diminutive city; the kind of place you might find a Graham Greene protagonist. Its conveniently compact travellers’ enclave is based around Nam Phu, the Mekong riverside and Setthariat and Samsenthai streets. Full of things to see, from Buddha Park to the Morning market and an impossibly rich selection of international cuisine – most pointedly French – you’ll find yourself slowly won over by the easy charms of this evolving backwater. The city may reveal its beauty less readily than Luang Prabang, but spend a few days visiting its unusual sights, sampling its excellent food and enjoying a Beer Lao at sunset by the river, and you’ll soon feel at home here.

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Last updated: Feb 17, 2009

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. funspirit avatar
    Tiger Trekking in Laos

    by funspirit 14 September 2011

    Currently in Vientiane. Going on a two day trek through forest though coming back at night as too wet to camp right now. Does anyone…
  2. Skatten avatar
    First trip alone to Asia, Laos

    by Skatten 14 September 2011

    Hello! I am a Swedish nurse going to Laos betwen 26/12-17/1. I will stay my first night in Vientiane and the free to explore the county…
  3. nabanga avatar
    RE: To Laos from Thailand by train .. and itinerary suggestions?

    by nabanga 14 September 2011

    Its a straighforward trip and the overnight trains are clean and comfy enough. I use them often and prefer them to the bus any day. From…

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