Top 10 Nightlife Experiences in Ho Chi Minh City

Best Places to Go at Night in Saigon

At Night in Saigon

Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh means very different things depending where you are in the city. Downtown in District 1, rooftop bars, high rolling casinos and smooth jazz bands are the choice forms of nightlife entertainment in Saigon. But move a few kilmoetres west into District 3 and the backpacker street of Pham Ngu Lao, with its boisterous street bars, cheap eats and good time vibe, is certainly the place to be when night falls.

Whatever your idea of the perfect night out in Ho Chi Minh, with our top 10 guide to the very best of nightlife experiences we’re sure you can find something to suit your style... and then some!

1. Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar

Sky Bar Saigon

Ho Chi Minh has one of the greatest collections of rooftop bars in the world. From the colonial charm of Saigon Saigon to the chic and modern style of the Chill Skybar there is a rooftop spot to suit any mood in Saigon. Sit back with a cocktail and soak up the stunning view of Ho Chi Minh City from sunset until late into the night.

2. Get Lucky at a Casino

Casino Saigon

Several of the best hotels in Ho Chi Minh have casinos within so you can hit the roulette table, play some mah-jong or get lucky on the slot machines. Two of the biggest casinos in Saigon are located in the Caravelle Hotel and Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers. Casinos in Ho Chi Minh City are not on the scale of Las Vegas and some games, such as hold ‘em poker, are available on a computer screen only, but having a flutter is still an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

3. Beer Hoi on Pham Ngu Lao

Beer Hoi on Pham Ngu Lao, Saigon

The street drinking scene along Pham Ngu Lao in District 3 of Ho Chi Minh is legendary. It is the backpacker hub of the city and welcomes a mix of foreigners and local Vietnamese who mix freely and chat the night away, drinking cheap beers on small plastic stools all along the street. There are many cheap restaurants here too and several nightclubs if you want to hit the dance floor later in the night.

4. Dinner Cruise down the Saigon River

Dinner Cruise down the Saigon River<

For a romantic night in Ho Chi Minh there is nothing better than taking a leisurely cruise down the Saigon River. The Bonsai Dinner Cruise combines a slow river journey aboard a beautiful wooden barge with a sumtious feast of western and Vietnamese favourites. Along with dinner and the views of the HO Chi Minh City at night, there is a live jazz performance on board and a traditional Vietnamese dance to enjoy.

Cruise aboard a traditional wooden barge along the Saigon River. During dining on an extensive selection of Asian and Western cuisine, enjoy a mix of live western jazz, classical and traditional Vietnamese music as well as a dance performance.

5. Live Music Bars

Live Music Bars Saigon

Live music fans are spoilt for choice in Ho Chi Minh City. From smooth jazz to heavy rock and everything in between, whatever your choice of tunes there is probably a bar or club playing exactly that. Live music are fairly well spread out across the city so you should never be too far from some singalong fun, and if you are staying in the popular areas of District 1 or 3, then you will be spoilt for choice. Here are five of our favourite live music bars in Ho Chi Minh.

Live music in Ho Chi Minh is never far away. Whether you are looking for relaxing background melody or a rip roaring rock session, Vietnam’s largest city has a place for you. Of course, most of the major hotels have live music entertainment, with Rex Hotel and Carravelle Hotel having rooftop bands every night of the week, but if you want to get out of the hotel and see what kind of musicians are entertaining the crowds in Ho Chi Minh then check out our five recommendations of the best live music bars in the city:

1) Acoustic Bar

The Acoustic Bar in Ho Chi Minh is the venue of choice for Vietnam’s up and coming rock musicians. This is the place where legends never die and you can hear amazing renditions of – amongst others – Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and John Lennon. But it’s not limited to the classics; the international roster of musicians is free to rock on with anthems from any era. The place itself is part bar, part cafe, with plenty of sofas for chilling with a coffee in the early evening and standing room for when it heats up at night – there is no food served at The Acoustic Bar though so be sure to fill up beforehand. This place is packed practically every night with a pleasant mix of Vietnamese and foreigners so if you only have one night for live music in Ho Chi Minh we recommend The Acoustic Bar. You’ll have no trouble finding the bar, just look out for an artistically upturned VW Beetle to guide the way.

Opening Hours: 18:00 – 24:00 (live music from 21:00, except on Sunday).
Location: 6E1 Ð Ngo Thoi Nhiem, District 3.
Tel: +84 (0) 8 3930 2239

2) Sax n’ Art Jazz Club

Dark and smoky, this live jazz bar is unique in Ho Chi Minh – somewhere to listen to contemporary jazz with subtle Vietnamese influences thanks to the talented owner who plays several traditional instruments on stage. Sax n‘ Art is more expensive than most bars in the city, and some people are put off by the $5 entry free added to their first drink, but that is the price you must pay to listen to Vietnam’s best jazz band in a compact and personal space. The house band weaves between jazz standards and into some more avant-garde compositions, and many touring musicians have been known to frequent the club owned by Vietnam’s foremost jazz saxophone player. This bar is easy to find on Le Loi, not far from Ben Thanh Market, with live music every night of the week.

Opening Hours: 19:00 – 24:00 (live music from 21:00)
Location: 28 Le Loi, District 1.
Tel: +84 (0) 8 3822 8472

3) Hard Rock Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe is a bar that needs no introduction – creative cocktails, huge portions of tex-mex favourites, memorabilia on the walls and a kick ass live band to entertain you after dinner. It’s a formula that has won plaudits from New York to New Deli and keeps tourists returning again and again. The live bands at Hard Rock Cafe in Ho Chi Minh are technically excellent and play a varied and middle-of-the-road selection of rock ballads and a few anthems to get people out of their chairs and singing along. Hard Rock Cafe Ho Chi Minh is tourist and family-friendly with a bar menu of Western classics that could quell the hunger of a wildebeest. Particular favourites include the intimidating barbeque rack of ribs and their legendary burgers. The bar is easy to find in Kumho Asiana Plaza, a sparklingly new lifestyle mall with several other restaurants and shops, close to the Botanical Gardens.

Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:00 – 24:00, Weekends 11:00 – 02:00 (Live music from 21:00)
Location: 39 Le Duan street, District 1
Tel: +84 (0) 8 6291 7595

4) Yoko Bar

A short moto-taxi out from Ho Chi Minh’s tourist centre, Yoko Bar plays host to an assortment of bands playing rock and acoustic jazz pop in a smallish bar with a unique ‘lived in’ style. This is a true live music bar so there are bands playing every night of the week with a regular crowd of Ho Chi Minh scenesters and expats. Expect to hear some classic rock tunes along with some singer/songwriter type songs – and if the feeling grabs you, you are free to go up and sing with the band! There are plenty of comfy sofas and a small upstairs space with a great view of the performers. Yoko Bar is an authentic Ho Chi Minh venue that doesn’t rely on tourism so it’s the perfect place to sit back with a beer or cocktail and see how the cool kids have fun.

Opening Hours: 19:00 – 24:00 (Live music from 21:00).
Location: 22A Nguyen Thi Dieu, District 3.
Tel: +84 (0) 8 3933 0577

5) Seventeen Saloon

Picture this: a Filipino band line dancing in Stetson hats and cowboy boots in a wooden, saloon type bar in Ho Chi Minh City. Sound interesting? Then you have to check out Seventeen Saloon: a two storey live music hall with rock and roll on both floors and a mostly Vietnamese crowd. Bands play all night at top volume so this isn’t the best place for quiet chat but if you’re in the mood for some U2, Bon Jovi and other heavy rock standards then this corner bar across the park from the famous New World skyscraper will give you an amazingly fun – if not slightly surreal – night out. This is an easygoing bar where waitresses are dressed up in sexy country and western garb and the bands play late into the night. Its location halfway between the backpacker part of town and the central tourist area means the foreigners who do make it here are always an eclectic and interesting bunch.

Opening Hours: 19:00 – 02:00 (live music from 21:00).
Location: 103A Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1.
Tel: +84 (0) 8914 0007

6. Lush Nightclub

Lush Nightclub Saigon

Lush Nightclub is the premier nightclub in Ho Chi Minh. It is the place to see the young and beautiful of Saigon, dressed to impress and not afraid to spend a little cash. The venue is kitted it out in an industrial chic style, with space to dance and an upstairs area with seating. Music ranges from house to hip hop and a bit of mainstream party pop depending on the night.

Lush Nightclub in Ho Chi Minh is a sleek and fashionable nightspot where the young and beautiful party the night away to different styles of music, depending on the evening. On Fridays and Sundays Lush is taken over by some of the best hip hop DJs in the city while Saturday night is the real highlight of the week with International funky house ensuring Lush is packed by a crowd of locals and foreigners. There is an amazing ladies night on Tuesday when the fairer sex drink free until midnight and on Thursdays there is a buy one get one free deal on beers and mixed drinks that lasts until closing.

Following a renovation in 2012, the decor of the club is modern and playful with steel and concrete creating a masculine, almost industrial feel, but the use of neon strip lighting and Manga style animations add some fun to the surroundings. One thing is for sure: Lush is certainly the coolest nightclub in Ho Chi Minh. In front of the club there is a small garden which offers a great place to relax and perhaps grab a bite to eat and behind there is an outdoor bar – we recommend you start the night here before moving inside as the party heats up.

Lush Nightclub is located on Ly Trong Street in District 1, close to the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Doors open at 20:00 but we wouldn’t advise arriving before 21:30. The club is open seven nights a week and is consistently busy. For a modern, funky and fashionable nightclub in Ho Chi Minh, Lush is the obvious choice.

Address: 2 Ly Tu Trong, District 1.
Tel: +84 (0) 9 1863 0742

7. Ben Thanh Night Market

Ben Thanh Night Market

Ben Thanh Market plays a central role in Ho Chi Minh from early morning until late at night. Although busiest during the day, night time brings many food vendors onto the streets serving a wide variety of seafood, as well as many fashion stalls and souvenir type stalls. The night market is setup alongside the market on Phan Boi Chau Street and becomes a pedestrian zone from 19:00 until 23:00 so you can browse at your leisure. Be aware that prices start very high here and bargaining is a necessity.

Situated in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, bustling Ben Thanh Market in District 1 is a great place to buy local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs.

Here, you’ll find eating stalls inside the market where you can get a taste of hawker-style Vietnamese cuisine or simply cool off with a cold drink when the bargaining becomes too much.

The market is big, difficult to navigate at times and certainly best avoided during the hottest part of the day but all the same its well worth a look. When night falls, restaurants around the perimeter of the market open their doors creating a vibrant street side scene filling the air with the scents of wok-fried noodles, barbecued fish and meats.

One of Saigon’s oldest landmarks, Ben Thanh offers a great atmosphere that is absolutely authentically Vietnamese.

Ben Thanh Market Highlights

Real street style local food around Ben Thanh Market.
Save your appetite and head to Ben Thanh Market in the evening where you can be served some real street style local food at one of the 20 or so eateries that surround the market building. Chefs will cook in front of you with an endless array of cuisine choices including vegetarian noodles, fresh seafood, crispy rice pancakes and steamed cakes. You will be in great local company as most of the places thrive with locals enjoying a bite to eat and a quick drink on their way home from work.

For shopping heaven head to the market preferably early morning to pick up some bargains including lacquer ware, bamboo goods, arts and crafts. Also on sale are clothes, textiles, luggage, watches and an assortment of electronic goods. Spices, nuts and local fruits heavily scent the air which is also filled with the chatter of tourists and locals haggling for bargains. Do note however that some items will be strictly fixed price.

Good to Know about Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is situated in District 1 in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City at the intersection of Le Loi, Ham Ngh, Tan Hung and Le Lai streets. Shops close late afternoon with shopping best done in the morning before the heat of the day hits.

The market is one of Ho Chi Minh’s most famous landmarks and is known by all taxi drivers, although if you are staying downtown check first to see if you can walk to it from your hotel as it’s very centrally located.

8. Apocalypse Now

Apocalypse Now

Apocalypse Now is a legendary nightclub that is very popular with backpackers, expats and many Vietnamese ladies too. Set over two floors, it isn’t the most sophisticated of clubs, but its lots of fun, with cheap drinks promotions, western pop tunes and plenty of space for dancing or chilling out with a few drinks and playing some pool. Open until 04:00, it is also one of the last places to close at night so Apocalypse Now is a great place when you’re in the mood for that one more drink. Address: 2B-C-D Thi Sach Street, District 1, Tel: (+84 8) 3825 6124.

9. Saigon Opera House

Saigon Opera House

The Saigon Opera House is a beautiful colonial building in the centre of Ho Chi Minh with a stunning facade of ornate winged statues and curved window frames. Inside the opera house the culturally inclined are able to witness the best of the fine arts that visit Vietnam seasonally, and although there is no consistent performances, events are common. The range of performing arts on show includes ballet, musical concerts, Vietnamese traditional dance and live theatre. Tickets can be bought from Saigontravel Travel Agents opposite the opera house.

The Saigon Opera House in Ho Chi Minh is an elegant colonial building at the intersection of Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street in District 1, very close to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral and the classic Central Post Office. The restored three-storey 800-seat Opera House was built in 1897 and is used for staging not only opera but also a wide range of performing arts including ballet, musical concerts, Vietnamese traditional dance and plays. Performances are advertised around the building and information can be found in the state-operated tourist information centre Saigontravel close by.

The exterior has the appearance of polished pearl and makes a great place to photograph – especially at night when bathed in a soft, orange light. The entrance is through a vaulted archway that is kept in immaculate condition; inside, expect swathes of red velvet, classical friezes and hardwood floors. Although the official name of the building is The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh it is by far more commonly known as the Saigon Opera House and after the restoration work in 1995, the building is just as it was at the turn of the 19th Century.

10. Sax n' Art Jazz Club

Sax n' Art Jazz Club, Saigon

Sax n' Art Jazz Club is an institution in Ho Chi Minh, with Vietnam’s most celebrated musicians performing here as well as international guest artists. Located on Le Loi Street in the centre of District 1, there is a cover charge which comes with a free drink which is a great deal considering this place offers some of the finest live jazz in the city, but drinks prices are higher than most other places in town to compensate. With a dark, cave-like interior, all effort is made to keep the focus on the musicians on stage. View more 5 best live music bar.

Tours in Ho Chi Minh City

• Ho Chi Minh City Tour
• Relaxing Tour in Saigon

Top 10 Best Shopping in Hanoi, Vietnam

Great Places to Shop in Hanoi

Shopping in Hanoi

Shopping in Hanoi is famed for its bustling markets and narrow shophouses but there are a growing number of flash boutiques and shopping malls on the rise and we have compiled the very best retail experiences it’s possible to have with our Top 10 Best Shopping in Hanoi list below.

The best thing about shopping in Hanoi is that you can do it all on foot, with many streets dedicated to specific trades. This is particularly true in the Old Quarter, where Silk Street and Silver Street still retain their particular trades after hundreds of years. Whether you are looking for gimmicky souvenirs such as Vietnamese farming hats or a hand-made silk evening gown, Hanoi can provide.

1. Hang Gai Street (Silk Street)

Hang Gai Street (Silk Street)

This street is famous in Hanoi as the best place to pick up some high quality, fashionable silk items, such as dresses, apparel and home furnishings, as well as other fashion items. The entirety of this busy 300 metre long street is lined with boutiques, tailors and fashion stores, but two of our absolute favourites on Hang Gai Street are the famous brand Khai Silk and the colourful Tan My Design both offering ready-to-wear fashion. Squeezed in between the high profile boutiques are narrow souvenir shops selling far cheaper – and lower quality – items and some excellent art galleries.

2. Hanoi Weekend Night Market

Hanoi Weekend Night Market

Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market in the Old Quarter.
The Weekend Night Market in Hanoi is a busy, bustling gathering of stalls and vendors that brings crowds in droves. Taking place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 19:00, the market runs through the Old Quarter, starting from Hang Dao Street and running north to the edge of Dong Xuan Market. The fashion items on sale won’t turn many heads and the souvenirs can all be found in the surrounding stalls, but there it is a fun environment and the endless food vendors have interesting and exotic things to try. Bartering is normal here and, as with all busy markets, be aware of your belongings. Friday, Saturday and Sunday – 20:00 to 23:00

3. Dong Xuan Market

Dong Xuan Market, Hanoi

Dong Xuan Street (Northern part of the Old Quarter)
Dong Xuan Market is the largest market in Hanoi and has a wide array of products for sale over four floors. Located on the northern edge of the Old Quarter, it is an imposing Soviet-style building, surrounded on all sides by merchant shops and stalls. It is a rough-and-ready type of market (some might even say ‘dirty’), especially in the ground floor wet market area. However, head up the stairs and you will find cheap printed tees, bolts of fabric, school uniforms, luggage stalls and much more, all available at wholesale prices. It is quite an experience, even if you only leave with a pair of cheap sunglasses and a Vietnamese conical hat. Opening hours: 07:00 - 19:00.

4. Trang Tien Plaza

Trang Tien Plaza, Hanoi

Trang Tien Street (south of Hoan Kiem Lake)
Trang Tien Plaza is where Hanoi’s rich and famous come to shop for luxury items and international designer goods. This shopping mall is spread out over five floors with leading fashion brands such as Cartier, Burberry, Ermenegildo Zegna and Louis Vuitton occupying the ground floor, electronics and home furnishings spread out over the second and third floors and a supermarket on the fourth floor which stocks many international goods. There are some excellent international restaurants on the fifth floor. Trang Tien Plaza is located on Trang Tien Street at the beginning of the French Quarter. Opening hours: 11:00 - 20:00

5. Hang Bac Street (Silver Street)

Hang Bac Street (Silver Street)

Hang Bac Street has been synonymous with jewellery (‘Bac’ means silver in Vietnamese) for hundreds of years, and this small, atmospheric street still retains many small outlets of jewellers selling rings, necklaces and many types of inexpensive fashion pieces. There isn’t one particular shop to check out; instead, take a wander from one end to the other and check out the jewellers, handicrafts and propaganda poster shops that are dotted along the street. To reach Hang Bac, start from the Water Puppet Theatre on the northern side of Hoan Kiem Lake and walk up Hang Be Street until you come to a T-junction.

6. Nha Tho Street

Nha Tho Street in Hanoi

59 A Ly Thai To Street
Nha Tho Street is located in front of St. Joseph’s Cathedral and is jammed with small fashion stores and excellent restaurants – despite only measuring 100 metres. It is very popular with the sophisticated set of Hanoi’s middleclass and foreign expat community. In particular, Things of Substance is a lovely Australian-run shop selling Vietnamese-style fashion and fabrics in Western sizes, and Mu Accessories selling fashion and apparel items in a range of bold colours are both lovely boutiques.

7. Do Manh Cuong Boutique

88 Nguyen Huu Huan
If you are looking for something really special then a visit to Do Manh Cuong Boutique will surely provide. Generally considered the finest and most successful fashion designer in Vietnam, Do Manh Cuong is famous in fashion hotspots around the world, having previously worked for Christian Dior and Dominique Sirop in Paris. His ladies fashion range is always sophisticated, incorporating whimsical details to make dresses with unmistakably unique touches. This stand alone boutique is located on Nguyen Huu Han Street northeast of Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter. Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:00.

8. Hang Da Shopping Mall (Hanoi Square)

Hang Da Shopping Mall (Hanoi Square)

Hang Ga Street
Hang Da Shopping Mall (also called Hanoi Square) is a modern, air-conditioned building which has a collection of fashion stalls selling cheap clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. Prices here are cheap and it’s possible to haggle, especially if you are buying in bulk. On most weekdays Hang Da Shopping Mall is quite empty as most of the customers are local Vietnamese, but on weekends there is more of a pulse to this sizeable shopping space on the western edge of the Old Quarter close to Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:00.

9. Thanh Binh Gallery

Thanh Binh Gallery in Hanoi

25 Trang Tien Street (just before the Hanoi Opera House)
Thanh Binh Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery in the French Quarter of Hanoi. Surrounded by five-star hotels, fine dining restaurants and the Hanoi Stock Exchange, it’s no wonder that prices here are high. Some of Vietnam’s most respected modern artists have pieces hanging in Thanh Binh Gallery and the range of lacquerware painting is especially good. Pieces here sell to private collections and public institutions so you can be sure the art pieces here are critically acclaimed. Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Tel: +844 3824 5344

10. Hang Dau Street

Hang Dau Street, Hanoi

Northeast Corner of Hoan Kiem Lake, near the Lo Su intersection
Hang Dau Street is quite unbelievable at first glance because of the sheer amount of shops selling one thing: shoes! There are hundreds of shoe-sellers lining the street and although larger western men may not find much to fit there is plenty of choice in ladies shoes. Most of the footwear consists of brand names made at Vietnamese factories that have been rejected as seconds, making them a great purchase with usually only a small imperfection. There are also plenty of fake reproduction bags where Hang Dau Street meets Lo Su. Opening Hours: 09:00 - 20:00.

Tours in Hanoi Vietnam

• Fullday discovery Hanoi (One-day)
• The Heaven On The Sea (Hanoi - Halong Bay)
• Enjoy the heaven on Halong Bay (Hanoi - Halong Bay)
• Soaring with Halong Starlight (Hanoi - Halong Bay)
• Stunning twin cities Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh

Top 10 Shopping in Vientiane, Laos

What & Where buy in Vientiane

From night markets along the riverfront to tiny tucked away boutique stores offering one-of-a-kind Buddhist artefacts, Vientiane has a surprisingly wide selection of shopping options considering its relatively small size.


Vientiane Night Market

Rather than boasting a never-ending supply mega-malls like so many other South East Asian capitals, Vientiane specialises more in quaint gift shops, galleries and outlets, selling genuine hill tribe silk, arts, crafts, home-furnishings, jewellery and books – most of which can be found around the city centre. There’s certainly no shortage of markets either, with Talad Sao Morning Market, Vangtong Evening Market and aforementioned Night Market along the Mekong riverfront among the pick of the bunch. Here are the 10 best places to shop in Vientiane!

1. Vientiane Night Market

Vientiane Night Market

The Vientiane Night Market – often referred to as the ‘night bazaar’ – is the biggest and most popular tourist shopping spot in the whole city. Straddling the majestic Mekong River, the sprawling line of red-roofed stalls line the promenade, making for a great place to grab a bargain, find a picturesque spot to eat, or just soak up the chilled-out atmosphere.

Unlike many markets in the region, the shopping tempo is far from frantic. Here, you usually won’t find pushy vendors or much congestion. Instead, you can slowly peruse the various stalls that sell a vast selection of electronics, clothes, accessories, artwork and trinkets. For food, the market itself doesn’t offer much, however there are plenty of bars and restaurants overlooking the Night Market (notably Bor Pen Nyang).

Riverside Night Market in Vientiane

Riverside Night Market in Vientiane

The Vientiane Night Market is aimed primarily towards tourists, with clean, orderly stalls, and all manner of merchandise that make great souvenirs or mementos. It all begins around sunset when a small army of sellers begin setting up their red-roofed stalls directly on the riverside promenade.

You can’t fail to see it. The whole riverside area is alive at this time with joggers and dog-walkers taking advantage of the cooling breezes and stunning backdrop of the sun lazily sinking into the Mekong river.

Products on offer are fairly typical of night markets throughout the region. You will find a predictable array of Buddhist-inspired paintings and knickknacks, cheap sunglasses, and Beer Lao T-shirts. The clothes stalls tend to be geared towards the backpacker market with fishermen pants and one-size-fits-all dresses and skirts. With only $US10 in your pocket you can pick up at least a couple of products here, but, for bargain hunters, it’s worth mentioning that everything on offer here can be found at a slightly cheaper price at other markets. The traders seem to have whittled down all the best-sellers from the Morning Market and set them up in more attractive, and convenient, surroundings.

As with all tourist markets, English is widely spoken but be prepared to test your bargaining skills because initial prices are always inflated, and you should never accept the first price quoted. Most of the products can be found at several stalls so it helps to wander around to find the best price. A little perspective is advised when it comes to the negotiation process however, as the difference of a few thousand Kip is negligible when converted to foreign currency. Even if you have already stocked up on souvenirs and aren’t really planning to buy anything, an enjoyable few hours can be spent browsing and people watching down by the river. It seems to be the Laotians’ favourite pastime.

The one noticeable absence from the market is the lack of food stalls, but with Vientiane being so small there is pretty much every kind of food imaginable only a stone’s throw away. Return visitors may wistfully remember Vientiane before the construction of the promenade – named in honour of Chao Anouvong, the last king of Laos – when many ramshackle riverside bars and restaurants were propped up on stilts directly over the river, offering great sunset vistas, cold beer and fresh, grilled fish. Those days are long gone as the government decided to build a flood wall to protect the city, move restaurants away from the water’s edge to reduce the amount of trash being tossed into the river and generally make it a more communal area for everyone to enjoy.

Nowadays, instead of the riverside bars, there is a children’s playground, a Chinese shrine, a flower garden and an imposing statue of Chao Anouvong, pointing across the Mekong towards Thailand. It’s all part of the transition from sleepy colonial backwater to modern capital city that’s taking place in Vientiane. The Riverside Night Market is the most ascetically pleasing shopping experience to be found in Vientiane and the best place to find some interesting clothes or gifts without breaking the bank. All life seems to gravitate towards the market anyway, so it’s probable that even short-stay visitors will spend some time here.

• Opening Hours: 18:00-22:00.
• Location: Riverside promenade, upstream from the Chao Anouvong statue.

2. Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles

Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles

Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles is a shop in the centre of Vientiane that doubles as both a workshop and gallery. The store specialises in traditional Laotian textile weaving and has a strong emphasis on intricate patterns and elaborate motifs.

The American designer works in store alongside local artisans, using old-age techniques to produce stunning pieces of woven art, clothes and cloths. Carol Cassidy made her as a prominent designer in the industry after many of her items were chosen to be displayed in museums across the USA - including at The New York Fashion Institute. However, with this world renowned status comes a hefty price tag to match.

• Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 08:00 –12:00, 14:00 –17:00, Saturday: 08:00 -12:00.
• Location: Rue Nokeokummane.

3. Talat Sao Morning Market

Talat Sao Morning Market

Talat Sao Morning Market is a great place to shop for the early risers. Things kick off 07.00, which is when most of the stalls begin to set up, selling everything from cheap clothes to expensive wooden carvings of Buddhist murals.

The market is split into two areas: An outside section is comprised of narrow walkways crammed full of the more rough and ready market-style stalls, whilst the indoor section is more of a shopping mall – the only one you’ll find in Vientiane. Inside is inevitably brighter, more spacious and cooler (air-conditioned), making for a much more pleasant shopping experience. There’s also a Big C centre, a three-screen cinema and an arcade games area – all perfect to escape the outside heat.

Talat Sao Morning Market and Shopping Mall

Talat Sao is split into two distinct sections: The air-conditioned shopping mall (the only one in Laos) is the best place to find electronics, sports equipment and jewellery, while the cavernous original Morning Market is fairly overflowing with mass-produced silks, cheap T-shirts, trinkets and other souvenir type items. Talat Sao is the market to visit if you are looking for something in particular – although bear in mind that the catwalks of Paris and Milan are a long way from Vientiane.

Shopping Mall

Despite looking like a shopping mall in a provincial town rather than the flagship shopping destination of a capital city, Talat Sao mall is still a breath of fresh, air-conditioned air to many tourists battling with the tropical heat outside. There are a range of shops and services for tourists to enjoy over five floors, including a Big C supermarket, a three-screen cinema, a children’s play area with plenty of arcade games and flashing lights, and a food court on the fourth floor.

The clothes stores offer a practical range of items for work, school or leisure but don’t expect to find any cutting-edge fashion. When it comes to electronics, there have been many instances of replica products being sold as genuine so be careful and remember, if a price seems too good to be true, it usually is. There are also several banks and currency exchange services on the ground floor.

Morning Market

From early morning to mid-afternoon, Talat Sao is as bustling as it’s possible to get in Vientiane. The labyrinth of alley ways stock a mish-mash of products using the ‘stack them high, sell them cheap’ philosophy. Although the market can be quite disorientating, it is clean and walkways are tiled. A visit to the Morning Market is a genuine experience, with traders coming from all over Laos to sell and source products. The city bus station adjoins the market creating a scene of constant coming-and-going that contrasts sharply with the rest of this rather sleepy city. Inside the open-air but under-cover market, sellers may pester you to look or try – just as in every market in Southeast Asia.

There are some excellent bargains to be had here, but there are also sections selling everything from buckets to second-hand washing machines which are of little interest to tourists. Still, the open air market is a thoroughly interesting place to explore and the best place to shop for those on a budget. All of the products on display at the touristy Riverside Night Market will have come directly from here, so it’s the place to come if you are hunting for the absolute best price and know how to haggle.

Talat Sao combines two very different shopping experiences in a central location where old and new Vientiane come together in an interesting mix, and, if you are travelling deeper into Laos, it is your absolute best chance to pick up any specific items and indulge in a bit of retail therapy.

• Opening Hours: 7:00-17:00 (Market stalls tend to close earlier).
• Address: Talat Sao Mall, Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane.
• Tel: 856 21 285 001.

4. Oot Ni Gallery

Oot Ni Gallery

Oot Ni Gallery is one of the largest and best antiques shops in Vientiane, and is well worth a look if you’re looking for something a little more unique. The shop, which is located near the National Cultural Hall on Samsenthai Street, displays an assortment of genuine antiques from across Southeast Asia, silver ornaments, handicrafts and artwork.

The elaborate paintings include watercolours and oils, and antique goods such as ancient Buddhist artefacts and sculptures also prove popular – as long as you have enough room in your luggage! Some of the more unusual items we found were the old-age ornamental opium pots, bone china tea sets, and authentic teak carvings available in a number of different sizes and weights.

• Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 – 20:00
• Location: 306 Samsenthai Street, Vientiane, not far from the National Cultural Hall.
• Tel: +856 (0)21 214 359.

5. Vangtong Evening Market

Vangtong Evening Market

Love shopping but already have a full suitcase? Then Vangtong Evening Market provides a perfect solution. The products on sale here are all of the edible variety, meaning that you’ll leave here with a full stomach, rather than any extra luggage.

Situated opposite the National Stadium, Vangtong Evening Market easy to find - especially when you notice the crowds of locals. You’ll find fresh fish (paa), pork (moo) and chicken (gai) usually being grilled or deep fried. As well as freshly cooked snacks, you’ll notice a range of colourful and pungent curries which have been pre-prepared. Simply point at what takes your fancy and the vendor will happily scoop up a generous portion into a plastic dish with rice – all for about $US1!

Vangthong Evening Food Market

Vangthong Evening Food Market

Vangthong Food Market is the place to come from sunset onwards to sample the best of everyday Laotian food that is authentic, delicious and amazing value. Some tourists may worry that the food preparation is less than sanitary but it is such a popular eating spot that demand is high and the ingredients are always fresh. The market opens just before sunset, and runs parallel to Boulevard Khounboulom. For those who get lost easily, a nearby landmark is the National Stadium which is on the opposite side of the road. Find the stadium and you’ll smell the market.

The best way to experience Vangthong is to simply stroll from one end to the other, buying small quantities of the varied snacks and treats on offer. There is limited seating on offer so barbecued meat, such as bing gai (grilled chicken) or bing moo (pork on skewers), is always popular, of course with the obligatory khao niew (sticky rice). If you lack the required vocabulary to order what you want, there is usually an English speaker within earshot to help you out, and if not, point and smile. After all, the gesture for chicken is the same in every language, right?

Vangthong Market is swarming with locals either here for an enjoyable evening, or picking up take-away food on their way home from work. This is a living market, not something developed with tourists in mind – although foreigners are always warmly welcomed. As you walk past each stall, you will see how efficiently the meat is prepared. Nose-to-tail dining is growing in popularity throughout the world, but at Vangthong Market, this method of cooking and preparing food has always been a way of life.

Even if you don’t want to eat it yourself, you will surely be impressed by how many different cuts of chicken can be worked on to skewers, from chicken feet, all the way up to the neck. A lot of the food on offer is surprisingly simple to prepare and lacks the sophistication of neighbouring Thai or Chinese cuisine. Regardless of the difficulty, the food and snacks here will live long in the memory, as will the photographs of weird and wonderful fruit, fish and skewered meat.

Five Common Foods to Try

• Bla Kan Sung – Grilled river fish.
• Gayoor Toort – Deep-fried spring rolls.
• Bet Yang – Roasted duck.
• Sai Oua – Laos sausage.
• Khao Lam – Pounded sticky rice with coconut cream grilled inside bamboo.

• Opening Hours: 17:00-22:00.
• Address: Vangthong Food Market, Boulevard Khounboulom.

6. Ministry of Silk fashion Shop

Ministry of Silk fashion Shop

Ministry of Silk, located in the centre of Vientiane, really offers a touch of class for those looking to splash the cash a little on a one-of-a-kind dress or shirt made from locally produced silk.

Designers here specialise in bespoke women’s garments, including stunning cocktail dresses (around $US250) and classy blouses ($US150). They also do a good range of sophisticated overcoats, bags, accessories and some jackets and shirts for the guys. Prices are high but at the Ministry of Silk you do feel like you’re paying for that extra quality. The immaculate white-fronted shop is easily recognisable and conveniently situated on the central Nam Phu Square, a few doors down from La Cave Des Chateaux and L’Opera restaurants.

Ministry of Silk Fashion Shop

Ministry of Silk is the best clothes shop in Vientiane to find something unique with a touch of sophistication. The products on offer are a mix of locally produced silk-and-lace items and internationally sourced accessories and bags. Stunning evening and cocktail dresses feature prominently, although there is a fairly diverse selection of blouses, overcoats, and a limited selection of men’s jackets and shirts. If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for, items can also be made to order.

The designers at Ministry of Silk have combined the fitted elegance of Western fashion with Southeast Asian patterns and materials. Dresses are mostly one of a kind and feature intricate details and embroidery guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd. As you might expect, this kind of exclusivity comes with a price: bespoke dresses cost around $US250, and blouses around $US150. It must be said that the quality of the work easily justifies the price.

Ministry of Silk is located on Nam Phu Square, a few doors down from restaurants La Cave Des Chateaux and L’Opera. The shop itself stands out with an immaculate white shop front, and the clean, white design continues inside. Unlike at other boutique shops in Vientiane, Ministry of Silk spaces out items so they can be admired individually. The interior is cool and clean with artwork on the walls and comfy sofas for ladies with their husbands in tow.

Silk has been an integral part of Laos culture for centuries but the tradition has seen a revival in the last 20 years, spearheaded by Carol Cassidy’s excellent work highlighting the extraordinary skill of Laos weavers. Nowadays, the quality of Laos silk is recognized throughout the world and many European designers use Laos silk in their bespoke creations. Ministry of Silk opened in mid-2012 and is using the quality and craft inherent to Laotians to produce elegant clothes for the international market.

• Opening Hours: 09:00-21:00.
• Address: 99/01 Namphou Square, Vientiane.
• Tel: +856 21 213776.

7. T'Shop Lai Gallery

T'Shop Lai Gallery<

Walking into T’Shop Lai Gallery is like entering a tiny Laotian home ware store/body shop. Everything from the gorgeous tables and chairs to the stylish cabinets displaying intricate handmade trinkets are set up tastefully in the spacious downstairs area. You’ll also notice the wonderful aromas coming from the various natural body oils, perfumes and organic soaps on sale – all of which are fair-trade and made from locally sourced ingredients.

Venture upstairs and you’ll find more of a traditional art gallery; there is a good range of colourful local artwork lining the walls which is on sale at a reasonable price.

• Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00 Mon-Sat, 10:00-18:00 Sun.
• Address: Th In Paeng, behind Vat Inpeng temple.

8. Little House Café

Little House Café in Vientiane

A stop-off at the charming Little House Café is an opportunity to do two popular Vientiane activities all under one small roof: drink coffee and go shopping! This ever-so cute little coffee shop-turned-handicraft boutique is owned and operated by the Handicraft Promotion Enterprise (a group that collaborates with ethnic Lenten tribes people to produce embroidered handicrafts ), and can be found just a few metres walk away from the Mekong River front.

Their fresh local coffee is rich and smooth, and if you like it enough you can buy a whole bag of it to take home. On sale is also a decent range of handmade silk and cotton items which feel very unique compared to many of the other generic souvenirs and handicrafts found all over town.

Little House Cafe in Vientiane

Little House is a charming cafe and handicrafts shop serving debatably the finest coffee in Vientiane, as well as selling handmade silk and cotton items. The coffee shop also doubles as a coffee wholesaler which trades with many other restaurants and cafes in and around the city. This is where cafes come to buy coffee – high praise indeed!

Little House is owned and operated by H.P.E. (Handicraft Promotion Enterprise), a group started by Yukiko Tani who has been collaborating with ethnic Lenten tribespeople to produce embroidered handicrafts since 2002. Located on Manthatourat Road, a quiet street leading away from the river, Little House is unlike any other establishment in town.

Walking up the garden path and under the thatched roof, Little House feels more like a friend’s country cottage than a coffee shop, and this homey, rustic charm continues inside with large wicker sofas and kitchen furniture covered in delightfully embroidered bags, placemats and pillow covers. Everything displayed is for sale with profits going straight to the indigenous tribes who painstakingly stitch each piece by hand. Even though H.P.E. is not as famous as other ethical traders in Vientiane, the work here is unique and far easier on the wallet than other ventures around town.

There are two coffees to choose from: medium or dark roast. The dark roast iced coffee is among the best I have ever tried. Rich and bitter; it really put a spring in my step and was served on an H.P.E. embroidered placemat with miniature pots of syrup and milk. All of their coffee is sourced exclusively from the Bolaven Plateau, the coffee-growing region of Laos in Champasak Province and makes an ideal (and ethical) gift for any fans of the world’s favourite morning pick-me-up. There is also a limited range of cakes and pastries to snack on.

Set back a little from the road and fronted by a dainty white-picket fence; the whole experience is peaceful and serene. Instead of air-conditioning, Little House keeps the windows and doors propped open to catch the gentle breeze that blows through their garden and into the house. It’s the perfect place in which to escape the world for a few hours or to sit back with a good book without the drone of a television. There are many coffee shops in Vientiane but none quite like Little House.

• Opening Hours: 08:30-18:30 (closed Monday).
• Address: Manthatourat Road, Vientiane
• Tel: 856-20-5540-6036.

9. La Cave Wine Shop

La Cave Wine Shop in Vientiane

La Cave Wine Shop wouldn’t seem to out of place of on the boulevards of Paris, with its dim lighting, wooden interior and most importantly – its huge selection of European wines.

Whilst La Cave Wine Shop generally specialises in French reds, you can also find some quality white and sparkling wine alongside some more unusual liquors and spirits. As with most other wine shops, you get what you pay for (unless you strike lucky in their bargain bin), with prices starting from around $US10-15 a pop. Not a wine connoisseur? Then don’t worry – the English speaking staff can advise you as to which wine might suite your budget and tastes.

• Opening Hours: 8.30 - 20:00, Monday - Saturday.
• Location: 354 Th Samsenthai.

10. Monument Books in Vientiane

Monument Books in Vientiane

Monument Books is the biggest book shop in Vientiane and holds a vast range of new and second-hand books in various languages. In recent years, the Laos capital has developed a bit of a reputation as being one of the best places on the well-worn South East Asia backpacker trail to stock up on books – essential of course of those long bus journeys and time spent relaxing on the beach. Monument Books is, and always has been, the pick of the bunch; whether you’re after a travel guide, magazine, history book, or just a good novel, Monument Books should be your first stop. There is also an art gallery on second floor with some affordable art by local artists.

There are several other Monument bookstores found across South East Asia, but this Vientiane branch is found on Nokeokumman Rd, near the intersection with Setthathirath.

Monument Book Shop in Vientiane

Monument Books is the biggest and best-stocked book shop in Vientiane. There are a host of new and second-hand book stores on the streets leading away from the river in the centre of town; however, if you are after something in particular, including travel guides, international magazines and books on Laotian history, then Monument Books should be your first stop. Owing to the slow pace of life in Laos, and a coffee-shop culture that is a central characteristic of life in the capital, a good book can be the perfect accompaniment to watching the world go by on a lazy afternoon.

There are several other Monument bookstores found throughout Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, but the Vientiene branch is located on Nokeokumman Rd, just after the intersection with Setthathirath. Monument Books has a pleasant atmosphere with attentive, but not pushy, staff. The books are more expensive than in any Western country though, but this is a true of all well-stocked book shops in Southeast Asia.

It’s also a place to pick up original artwork at a reasonable price and some interesting postcards and other souvenir type items that aren’t mass produced or tacky. Monument Books also has a small art gallery upstairs but exhibits are temporary.

• Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-18:00.
• Address: Vientiane Store#124/1, Nokeokumman Rd, Ban Mixay, Vientiane.
• Tel: +856 21 243 708.

Tours in Laos

• Vientiane - Luang Prabang - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Luang Prabang - Vientiane - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Hidden Delights of Laos - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Laos Sightseeing - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Laos Intangible Charms - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Luang Prabang - 3 Days/ 2 Nights

Inle Lake, Myanmar

Inle Lake - Top Myanmar Travel Destination's

Fishing On The Lake - Inle Lake

A five kilometer long canal suddenly opens up to a wide lake with numerous villages on stilts and floating gardens against the hazy mountain ranges. Fishermen in their shallow boats cast their cone shaped bamboo down in the lake to trap the fish, and the lake dwelling framers tend to their floating gardens from their canoes. The gardens are anchored to the lake beds with long bamboo poles and host flowers or tomatoes, chilies, cauliflowers and other vegetables. The lake is situated in the Shan State, 1000 meter above sea level and is the home of the Intha people and many other ethnic minorities. Sailing among the villages you can hear the silk looms clanking and the tapping of the ironsmiths and get a glimpse of girls chatting while wrapping cigars and wave to the smiling kids looking out through the open shutters of the wooden or bamboo houses built above the water.

In the countryas the air is a bit cooler and drier. The unique culture which visitors can find in Inle Lake is, fishermen have tendency to row boats using their legs and it is also a part of the Inle tradition itself.


Visiting Inle Lake by Boat

Other significant scenery that one can expect to see in the Inle Lake such as: floating tomatoes fields around the lake, gardens of flowers properly anchored to the lake bed with bamboo poles. The friendliness of the local people and their unique daily life activities spice things up a little bit better for visitors that they can enjoy a pleasant trip alongside the lake yet enjoy the sincere of the local community.


Fisherman on the Lake - Inle Lake

The best time of the year to visit is during September and October. The ceremonial Hpaung Daw U Festival, which lasts for almost three weeks, is closely followed by the Thadingyut festival of lights. Moreover, the market day of the villages located near Inle Lake offers extremely colorful with freshly grow hill foods and other local products which is another major attractions for all visitors to have a look at./.

Tours in Myanmar

• Essential Myanmar - 16 Days/ 15 Nights
• Beautiful Myanmar - 15 Days/ 14 Nights
• Essential Myanmar - 13 Days/ 12 Nights
• Colorful Myanmar - 13 Days/ 12 Nights
• Essential Myanmar With Boat - 13 Days/ 12 Nights
• Classic & Beautiful Beach - 12 Days/ 11 Nights
• Beautiful Myanmar - 10 Days/ 9 Nights
• Wonderful Myanmar - 10 Days/ 9 Nights
• Beautiful Myanmar - 9 Days/ 8 Nights
• Beautiful Myanmar - 8 Days/ 7 Nights
• Beautiful Myanmar - 8 Days/ 7 Nights
• Discover Myanmar - 6 Days/ 5 Nights
• Amazing Myanmar - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Amazing Myanmar - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Taste Of Myanmar - 4 Days/ 3 Nights

Top 10 responsible travel tips for Vietnam

Vietnam Travel Tips

Committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.


Ngoc Son Temple - Hanoi, Vietnam

1. Be considerate of Vietnam’s customs, traditions, religion and culture.

2. Dress modestly and respectfully. Shoulders to knees should be covered, especially when entering places of worship.

3. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water.

4. Always dispose of litter thoughtfully, including cigarette butts.

5. When bargaining at markets, stay calm, be reasonable and keep a smile on your face. It's meant to be fun!

6. Learn some local language and don't be afraid to use it - simple greetings will help break the ice.

7. Shop for locally made products. Supporting local artisans helps keep traditional crafts alive.

8. Refrain from supporting businesses that exploit or abuse endangered animals.

9. Please ask and receive permission before taking photos of people, including children.

10. When on community visits or homestays, refrain from giving gifts or money to locals./.

Tours in Vietnam

• Vietnam in style - 11 days/ 10 nights
• Vietnam relaxing - 10 days/ 9 nights
• Discovery Vietnam in style - 9 Days/ 8 Nights
• North Vietnam Highlights - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Vietnam Beach Tour - 14 Days/ 13 Nights
• Northern Vietnam in Depth - 13 Days/ 12 Nights
• Stunning twin cities Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh - 7 Days/ 6 Nights
• Ho Chi Minh City Tour - 3 Days/ 2 Nights
• Highlights of Mekong Delta - 2 days/ 1 night

Ngapali Beach - Top destination in Myanmar for your holiday

Ngapali Beach - Top destination in Myanmar

Ngapali is located in Rakhine State and stretches along the Bay of Bengal and it lies in Rakhine State of Myanmar. Ngapali is said to be one of the best beaches in Myanmar where most natural are untouched where visitors can enjoy the true natureof the beach itself. It is famous for its natural and unspotted beauty up to this day. The beach stretches about 3 km with soft white sand fringed by coconut palms.

It is the best place for those leading a modern life in urban areas and looking for a place to enjoy the nature beauty of the beach itself. The beach is unlike like other beaches around the world where it is very crowded along the beach and hawkers persuading visitors to buy their products.


Fishing boat, Ngapali Beach

There are other organized recreational activities where visitors can participate such as: beach strolling, cycling and many more. It has also the perfect sunbathing ground. The sea cobalt blue, without any dangerous marine animals and clean as well. There are a few fishermen villages nearby and it can be arranged to visit to those villages on bicycle tour. Most local people believe that the best time to visit the beach is in during October and May of every year.

Thandwe which is situated near to Ngapali beach is one of the most suitable place for those who would like to enjoy a modern yet but not too modern town near the beach for many other relaxation activities. Ngapali Beach is one of the loveliest places in Myanmar; it is also one of the most unspoiled beaches in the world, with miles of pure white sands skirting the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Actually, Ngapali is not one single beach but it is a series of beaches interconnected with small fishing villages stretching from Mazin where the airport is located, to Lontha on Mayo Bay where coastal steamers dock in a sheltered anchorage.


Relaxing on the beach with Myanmar Beer

After resting on the beach under the clear blue skies, those who expect for some more activities has the option of exploring the range of hills behind the Strand Beach Hotel. Once you are on the small hills you will find a peaceful lake, which is actually a reservoir with blue waters visitors can fish but not swim. Moreover, fishing boat can be hired for trips to go around some of the island off the coast or to fish along the beaches. There is no doubt the Ngapali is the perfect place for those who would like to enjoy the beauty of mother earth in one place where all the natural and marine animals like to inhabitant./.

Tours in Myanmar

• Essential Myanmar - 16 Days/ 15 Nights
• Beautiful Myanmar - 15 Days/ 14 Nights
• Essential Myanmar - 13 Days/ 12 Nights
• Colorful Myanmar - 13 Days/ 12 Nights
• Essential Myanmar With Boat - 13 Days/ 12 Nights
• Classic & Beautiful Beach - 12 Days/ 11 Nights
• Beautiful Myanmar - 10 Days/ 9 Nights
• Wonderful Myanmar - 10 Days/ 9 Nights
• Beautiful Myanmar - 9 Days/ 8 Nights
• Beautiful Myanmar - 8 Days/ 7 Nights
• Beautiful Myanmar - 8 Days/ 7 Nights
• Discover Myanmar - 6 Days/ 5 Nights
• Amazing Myanmar - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Amazing Myanmar - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Taste Of Myanmar - 4 Days/ 3 Nights

Vientiane Attractions

WHAT TO SEE IN VIENTIANE

For many, Laos is the highlight of their Southeast Asia trip as it has been saved from the mass tourist trail that has led to her neighbours –Thailand and Vietnam. This relatively undeveloped nation is located between rugged mountains and the fertile low lands of the Mekong, and is touched by both European and Asian cultures. The city’s man-made structures are as distinctive as the areas of natural splendor.

Modernity has yet to infiltrate this sleepy capital, where temples and religious affiliations blend with the rural foundations of the city. The majority of the city's sights are situated within relatively close proximity of each another due to the fact that an urban sprawl has yet to materialize within the city.

1. Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) in Vientiane

Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) in Vientiane, Laos

Buddha Park (aka Xieng Khuan) is a famous sculpture park with more than 200 religious statues including a huge 40-metre high reclining Buddha image.

The best spot for photography here is on top of the giant pumpkin structure standing about three stories high. The entrance is crafted to look like a demon’s mouth (about three metres high) with a stone ladder inside leading to a bird's eye view of the entire Xieng Kuan Park.

Buddha Park Highlights

It was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, a monk who studied both Buddhism and Hinduism. This explains why his park is full not only of Buddha images but also of Hindu gods as well as demons and animals from both beliefs.

The most outstanding ones include Indra, the king of Hindu gods riding the three-headed elephant (aka Erawan and Airavata), a four-armed deity sitting on a horse and an artistic deity with 12 faces and many hands, each holding interesting objects. They are all equally impressive not only because of their enormous size but because they are full of interesting details and interesting motifs.

There is a local eatery and café offering food and drinks to tourists at one end of the park right next to the Mekong River that makes a great spot to chill after all the walking and climbing. Among the popular snacks are papaya salad, fried bananas and cold Lao beer. It also has a souvenir shop and restrooms. There is a small fee for entering the park as well as for photography.

Buddha Park

• Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 – 18:00.
• Location: About 25 kilometres southeast of Vientiane, along the Mekong River.
• How to get there: The Buddha Park can be reached by public bus or tuk tuk.

2. Lao National Museum

Lao National Museum

A visit to the Lao National Museum, also known as the Lao National History Museum, is an excellent way to learn about the history, culture and people of Laos while spending a couple of hours out of the sun. Many of the exhibits are a bit faded and the old French colonial building is falling apart, but the museum covers a lot of ground, from prehistoric times to the modern day.

Although the range of artifacts and photographs is not as comprehensive or as well organised as you might expect in a national museum, there are nonetheless some fascinating exhibits here. The ground floor houses a mixture of ancient items such as dinosaur bones, pottery shards and Khmer sculptures that trace the early history of the region.

Upstairs, you will find more detail in the exhibits, which depict the turbulent modern history of Laos from the Siamese invasions and the French colonial period to the American military presence during the Vietnam War, and through to the present day. There is a heavy emphasis on the struggle for independence and the introduction of communism in 1975, which explains why the museum was originally named the Lao Revolutionary Museum.

Lao National Museum Highlights

• The Lao National Museum is housed in the old French Governor’s mansion, which was built in 1925.
• Formerly known as the Lao Revolutionary Museum, it was renamed in 2000 and is sometimes also referred to as the Lao National History Museum.
• The exhibits of ancient Lao history and culture on the ground floor include a particularly interesting display from the Plain of Jars (Savannakhet), which features an intact jar from the site.
• Of the modern-day exhibits, many visitors find the one about unexploded ordinances from the American War the most fascinating and thought-provoking. From 1964 to 1973, Laos was heavily bombed, and many unexploded shells remain scattered around the countryside.
• Be prepared for many of the displays and their labels to show an anti-Western bias, describing the Americans in particular as ‘imperialists’.
• Stop and sign the guestbook at the entrance, and read some of the amusing exchanges on communism.
• The entrance fee is minimal.
• No bags or cameras are allowed in the museum. You will need to hand in your belongings for storage in the lockers at the entrance (free).

Lao National Museum

• Opening Hours: From 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, seven days a week. Closed on public holidays.
• Location: The Lao National Museum is located in the centre of town on Thanon Samsenthai, one block from the Lao Plaza Hotel and in front of the Tennis Club and the National Stadium.
• How to get there: You can easily walk, ride a rented bicycle, or take a tuk-tuk or jumbo to the National Museum from anywhere in central Vientiane. Thanon Samsenthai is one of the main boulevards in the city, and runs parallel with the river.

3. That Dam (Black Stupa) in Vientiane

That Dam (Black Stupa) in Vientiane

That Dam, or black stupa, is located on a quiet roundabout not far from Talat Sao (the morning market) and the American Embassy. That in Laotian refers to an inverted bell shape (or unopened lotus flower) structure that usually contains relics of the Buddha.

Legend has it that a seven-headed water serpent – a ‘Naga’ lived here to protect the stupa that was once covered in pure gold. During the Siamese-Laotian war in the 1820s, the gold was pillaged and taken to Siam, now Thailand, leaving the legacy that is the black stupa today.

That Dam (Black Stupa)

Known as the ‘Black Stupa', many locals believe this mythological structure was once inhabited by a seven-headed dragon (now dormant) that stood to protect the city from the threat of the Siamese. Another tale that does the rounds says that the gold that once graced the surface was taken when the Siamese army ransacked Vientiane back in 1828.

As if to serve as a memorial to that terrible act, the crumbling and weather-worn That Dam stands forlorn, neglected and un-loved. There are no glittering embellishments typical of similar establishments in neighbouring Southeast Asian countries; no worshippers come here to pray.

Nevertheless, the Lao still regard That Dam as the city’s guardian spirit. Legend, folklore, and history all combine to make this structure a curious and charming place to visit. It makes a change from most religious sites in nearby Thailand, for example, where stupas and temples are endlessly renovated and rebuilt, and history, at best, is lost and buried deep within them.

Location: Chantha Khoumane Road, Vientiane.

4. The Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace

The building of the elegant Presidential Palace on Lane Xang Street was first started in 1973 by the then Royal Lao government on the grounds that used to house the royal residence. It was designed by local architect Khamphoung Phonekeo, but due to political change brought about by the takeover of the communist Pathet Lao in 1975, the building was not completed until much later.

The Presidential Palace finally opened its doors in 1986 and even then only as a venue for government functions and ceremonies. The building is closed to the public.

The Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace is a well-known landmark for its imposing yet elegant beau arts-style architecture complete with tall colonnades and shaded balconies. The building is surrounded by well-manicured lawns and gardens and fenced off by tall walls and a wrought iron gate.

The Presidential Palace is not to be confused with the official home of the Lao president, which is located in the Vientiane suburb of Ban Phonthan. This magnificent building is lit up in the evening and offers a great opportunity for night photography although a long lens may be needed.

• Location: Junction of Lane Xang Avenue and Settathirath Road, Vientiane.

5. Wat Ho Phra Keo

Wat Ho Phra Keo

Vientiane boasts several beautiful temples or wats, but one of the most impressive and interesting of them is Wat Ho Phra Keo. It was originally constructed in 1565 as the Lao royal family’s personal chapel, and as a home for the Emerald Buddha after it was snatched from northern Siam (Thailand). This sacred jade statue was reclaimed by the Siamese in 1778 and now sits in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

Even without the Emerald Buddha, however, Ho Phra Keo is well worth a visit. The only part of the old royal palace that has survived, the temple is no longer used for religious purposes and is now a museum. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, as it is often known in English, is richly adorned with carved wooden features, a magnificent 16th century lacquered door with Hindu carvings, numerous Khmer stone carvings and a variety of Buddha statues.

The stone balustrade of each of the temple stairs features a dragon with its head facing the grounds, guarding the sacred building. The shady, well-kept garden is an oasis of calm that offers a welcome respite from the sun and a quiet place to meditate or simply rest.

• The name Ho Phra Keo means "Altar of the Emerald Buddha", in reference to the fact that only the altar remained when the statue was removed.
• It is also sometimes spelled Haw Phra Keow, Ho Prakeo or Ho Phra Kaew. English-language guidebooks often refer to it as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
• The temple was first built on the grounds of the royal palace in 1565, but was destroyed in the Siamese invasion of 1828-29.
• Prince Souvanna Phouma, an engineer and future prime minister of Laos, directed the reconstruction of Wat Ho Phra Keo between 1936 and 1942.
• Although it is relatively new, the Bangkok-rococo style structure has a distinctly traditional look.
• On its veranda you will see some of the finest examples of Buddhist sculpture in Laos.
• The interior of the temple is now a museum that houses many Lao treasures such as a gilded throne, Khmer Buddhist stone tablets, wooden carvings, bronze frog drums and palm-leaf manuscripts.
• The entrance fee is less than a dollar.
• The neatly tended garden contains colourful flowers, lush green lawns and charming statues set among the shady trees.

Wat Ho Phra Keo

Opening Hours: The temple is open from 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00 every day.
Location: Wat Ho Phra Keo is situated on the corner of Thanon Setthathilath and Thanon Mahosot. It is next to the Presidential Palace and across the road from Wat Si Saket. Mahosot Hospital is on the opposite side of Thanon Mahosot.
How to get there: As is the case with Vientiane’s other attractions, Ho Phra Keo is just a short stroll, bicycle ride or tuk-tuk trip from other parts of the city centre. From the main entertainment and business district, head east along Thanon Setthathilath or Thanon Fa Ngum, which runs along the river, and you will find the majestic Wat Ho Phra Keo in a tree-filled compound just after the Presidential Palace.

6. Wat Si Muang

Wat Si Muang Vientiane

Wat Si Muang is one of Vientiane’s most popular sites of worship, and offers a fascinating insight into how old animist beliefs have blended seamlessly with Theravada Buddhism.

According to local legend, when the temple was being built in 1563 a young pregnant woman named Si Muang volunteered to sacrifice herself to appease the angry spirits. She threw herself into a hole in the ground where the building’s central pillar was to be placed, and was crushed when the massive pillar was lowered into position. This central pillar also formed the centre of the town that was springing up around Wat Si Muang, which to this day is revered as the ‘mother temple’ of Vientiane.

During the That Luang Festival every October or November, this temple is one of the focal points of the celebrations, and Si Muang is fêted as a guardian of the city. On a daily basis, Wat Si Muang attracts crowds of local Buddhists who want to benefit from its ‘good luck’ powers. It is commonly thought that if you pray for something here and simultaneously make a promise, your wish will be granted, providing you return and fulfil your promise.

• The first Wat Si Muang was constructed in 1563, but was destroyed by Siamese invaders in 1828. It was subsequently rebuilt a number of times, and the present wat dates from 1915.
• The temple is named after Si Muang, who sacrificed herself in the pit that holds the central pillar of the structure. There is a small statue of Si Muang behind the building, along with a heap of old bricks that are said to date back to her time.
• The building itself is fairly unremarkable, although it does, unusually, contain two rooms rather than one. In the front chamber, you will find a monk offering blessings, while the back room contains an ornate altar where worshippers give their offerings.
• The interior of the temple is lavishly adorned in the usual manner with carved gold pillars, brightly coloured ceiling friezes and painted scenes from the life of the Buddha.
• There is no entrance charge, but you do have to pay to park your bicycle or motorcycle on the temple grounds.
• King Sisavang Vong's monument is located next door, and is reachable through a gate from the Wat Si Muang grounds.

Wat Si Muang

• Opening Hours: The temple is open from 06:00 to 19:00 every day. • Location: Wat Si Muang is located at the eastern end of Thanon Setthathirath, in the triangular area formed just before the street merges with Thanon Samsenthai and turns into Thanon Thadeua. • How to get there: Follow either Thanon Setthathirath or Thanon Samsenthai in an easterly direction towards the Friendship Bridge. If you are on Thanon Setthathirath, go past La Leela Hotel, and you will see the yellow Wat Si Muang on the other side of the street, surrounded by parked bicycles and motorbikes, as well as stalls selling flowers and other offerings.

7. Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE)

Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE)

Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise, or COPE, is a local non-profit organization that provides clinical treatment and rehabilitation programmes for Lao people with physical disabilities. Working with the government National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), and with financial assistance from international organizations and private sectors, COPE makes prosthetic legs and funds the manufacturing of orthotic devices (devices that help support parts of the body), and wheelchairs and tricycles. It also custom fits arms and hands.

Unexploded weapons (UXO) that litter the countryside as a result of the Vietnam War has been and continues to injure and maim thousands of people in the Lao PDR. Most of these people are children who live in rural areas and have limited access to health care. With a headquarters in Vientiane, COPE has five rehabilitation centres in eight provinces to cover the hard-to-reach areas. It provides and funds all the medical treatments and also travelling and accommodation costs for all patients.

COPE centre in Vientiane is well worth a visit. There is an exhibit about the problem of UXO in Lao PDR, with excellent documentary films on the work of the organization. Here, visitors can watch how prosthetic legs are made in COPE workshop using polypropylene, a highly durable but low cost material.

The Karma Cafe and gift shop are both made from bamboo harvested locally in a bid to save the transport costs of modern construction materials from Thailand. Stop here to have a cup of Lao coffee and homemade ice cream. At COPE gift shop, you can buy T-shirts and postcards or simply make a donation to this worthwhile cause. The centre even lends out bicycles for free for visitors to explore the town. COPE is situated about 1 km from talat sao (morning market). For those who would like to organise fundraising events, COPE has made a publicity pack for this purpose that contains booklets, a DVD, and its logo.

Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise

• Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00.
• Location: Khouvieng Road, opposite Green Park Hotel.
• Tel: +856 (21) 218 427.

8. Patuxai Victory Monument

Patuxai Victory Monument, Vientiane

With its crenellated upper level topped with five ornate towers in the traditional Laos style, the Patuxai Victory Monument cuts a distinctive figure on the Vientiane skyline. It forms the centrepiece of Patuxai Park, and is dedicated to the Laos who were killed in the fight to gain independence from France, as well as from the nation’s earlier occupiers, Siam and Japan.

Situated at the end of one of the capital’s grand avenues, the large, square arch is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. However, as a monument to Laos’ resilience and eventual independence, Patuxai was designed to pay homage to its national culture and traditions. Its exterior embellishments feature both Buddhist religious symbols such as lotus leaves and the stupa-shaped towers, and statues of animist kinnari (half-female and half-bird figures) and nagas (dragons).

The interior of the monument is also richly decorated with painted walls and ceilings depicting gods, goddesses and elephants. For a small fee, you can climb to the top to enjoy the panoramic view of the charming, old-fashioned city of Vientiane with its many trees, low-rise buildings and temples, and all the way across the Mekong River to Thailand.

Patuxai Highlights

• Patuxai was built between 1957 and 1968 using funds from the U.S. government.
• It is sometimes nicknamed the ‘vertical runway’ as the cement used was intended for the construction of a new airport.
• The name comes from the Sanskrit words for door or gate (patu) and victory (jaya).
• Patuxai features four arches, facing North, South, East and West.
• The four corner towers and fifth central tower that crown the arch symbolise the five Buddhist principles of thoughtful amiability, flexibility, honesty, honour and prosperity.
• The seven floors of the monument contain administrative offices as well as a gift shop, a museum and the upper viewing galleries.
• Patuxai Park is a popular place to stroll around in the afternoons among the palm trees and lotus ponds. There is also a musical fountain that was donated by China.
• The peace gong at the northern end of the park was presented to Laos by Indonesia in recognition of Laos being named the world’s most peaceful country.
• For an entrance fee of 3,000 Kip (38 US cents) you can take the stairs or the new lifts to the top floor viewing area.

Patuxai

• Opening Hours: From 08:00 to 16:30 on Mondays to Fridays, and 08:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Location: Patuxai is situated at the far end of Thanon Lane Xang in the government and diplomatic district. The monument sits on the large ‘island’ formed where the avenue splits into two, opposite the Ministry of Justice to the south and the Prime Minister’s office to the north.
• How to get there: Vientiane is such a small city that it is easy to get around on foot, by bicycle, or by tuk-tuk. To get to Patuxai, head north-east from the Presidential Palace near the river and follow Thanon Lane Xang for five blocks until you see the imposing sight of the Patuxai arch.

9. That Luang - Vientiane Great Stupa

That Luang - Vientiane Great Stupa, Laos

That Luang, or the Great Stupa, in Vientiane is a national symbol (its image is on Laos’ official seal) and also the most sacred monument in the country. From the outside That Luang looks more like a fortress surrounded by high walls and it features two temples with the main stupa, the top of which is covered with gold leaf, standing 148 feet tall.

The beautiful architecture is in Lao style, influenced by Buddhist beliefs – these include finely-gilded, red-lacquer doors, pointed lesser stupas, many Buddha images and beautiful flower and animal images.

Locals say that it was originally built as early as the third century to house a breastbone of the Lord Buddha brought to Laos by an Indian missionary. However, the current structure was built by King Setthathirat in 1566 on the site of a 13th century Khmer ruin. He named Vientiane the capital after Luang Prabang in the mid-sixteenth century. An elegantly crafted statue of him stands in front of the main entrance to That Luang.

That Luang was greatly damaged by the Burmese, Chinese and Siamese during invasions in the 18th and 19th centuries then was basically left alone until French colonial times. Restoration work was completed in 1900 by the French and for a second time in 1930, again with the help of the French.

Every November when the Boun That Luang Festival is held in Vientiane, a large crowd of followers and tourists come to town from all over Laos and neighbouring countries. The festival is considered the most important Buddhist celebration in Laos with many activities going on for three days and three nights. The main event is always held at That Luang and thousands of people come to pay respect to the stupa and to enjoy the colourful event that includes parades, live music and religious ceremonies.

That Luang

• Opening Hours: All year round.
• Location: The impressively gilded structure is situated about four kilometres northeast of Vientiane.

10. Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng in Laos

Vang Vieng for many travelers is simply a piece of heaven on earth. Surrounded by scenic landscape ranging from mountains to rivers and limestone cliffs to rice fields, this small and scenic town offers a long list of interesting attractions. The Nam Song River is where you will witness the famous tubing – and young travellers sitting in large inner tubes floating downriver is a common sight in Vang Vieng.

Actually it has become a large part of the reason why many young people come here in the first place. The well-known Tham Poukham Cave features the "Blue Lagoon", a nice spot to swim and swing lazily on a rope, while Tham Norn is among one of the biggest caves in Vang Vieng. If time allows, make a stop at the local market to catch a gimpse of everyday life in a typical Lao rural area.

Prices are very reasonable for just about everything including grilled river fish, veggies, noodle stir-fries, beef BBQ and sticky rice. The most convenient place to head to when feeling hungry is the town centre where you will find many small eateries to select from. Alternatively, please try the following list.

Kangaroo Sunset Bar

A well-known restaurant and bar and often full with a friendly crowd, Kangaroo Sunset is as the name suggests a great place to view the beautiful sunset in Vang Vieng. You can also do it in style with a cool beer on your hand. Recommended dishes include chicken massaman curry, Thai-style fried rice and spring rolls. The bar also features a pool table, TV and various choice of Western music which customers can select too.

• Opening Hours: Daily.
• Location: On the River Road, south of the town centre located close to the town Buddhist Temple and Nam Song River...
• Tel: +856 (0) 20 – 771 4291.
• Cuisine: Asian and Western food.

Organic Farm Restaurant

The Organic Farm Restaurant is a unique setup located not far from Vang Vieng. It’s a restaurant, bar, organic farm and learning centre for local kids, all in one place. The bar stocks health drinks, beers and liquor and the menu is full of interesting items. Some must-tries are the deep-fried mulberry leaves and fresh spring rolls as well as variety of BBQ dishes. All ingredients are freshly picked from their own farm. Isn’t that cool?

• Opening Hours: All year round.
• Location: Just outside Vang Vieng.
• Tel: +856 (0) 23- 511174.
• Cuisine: Real organic food.

Sala Pha Deng

Sala Pha Deng riverside restaurant has some of the most stunning views in town. Located on the banks of the Nam Song River, the restaurant has a big terrace and plenty of tables to choose from as well as a lovely wooden bar. The views of the unspoiled river and mountains are a major reason why this place is so popular.

• Opening Hours: All year round.
• Location: At a boutique hotel called the Elephant Crossing Hotel.
• Tel: +856 (0) 23-511 232.
• Cuisine: Traditional Lao and some international food.

Vang Vieng Nightlife

Vang Vieng nightlife offers drinking and lots of it. While the infamous ‘shroom special shakes’ can do the job without any help from synthetic stimulants, more experienced travellers tend to chill out with beers or drinks that they are familiar with. Many bars offer the usual extras such as darts and pool. Music is well covered from typical young western tunes to chill-out music. Most bars serve as restaurants as well and stay open until very late to welcome the ‘tubers’ that need to unwind after a long day out on the river. Expect to see many episodes of Friends on TV as, for some strange reason; a lot of bars on the town’s main street have just that on all day long. No one knows why.

Vang Vieng Shopping

Vang Vieng is not the best shopping destination in the country but visitors may find a few places that sell more than postcards to send home. The local market located north of town sells everyday goods such as fresh food and kitchenware but alongside you’ll find beautiful Lao textiles including many different types of traditional phaa sin (sarongs), ropes and hand-woven shirts. Other exotic items on sale are trays and baskets made from local materials, such as bamboo, grass and straw.

Those who have come to Vang Vieng unprepared for water sports don’t worry; you’ll find swimming suits, shorts, caps, hats and flip-flops at many shops scattered throughout town. Most of them are family-run type of businesses therefore they open quite early.

Vang Vieng Activities

Vang Vieng’s popular activities are not just limited to tubing downriver, though. There are many more pursuits to follow out here especially if you are an outdoors person. Choices of fun activities range from river kayaking to forest hiking and sightseeing this lovely area by boat. Those who are looking for more adventure and thrills will be happy to know that Vang Vieng and its surroundings are famous for having the best rock climbing in the region.

While sliding downhill (no Health & Safety regulations here…), mud sports (mud volleyball, anyone?) and rope swings are also popular among the many backpackers here, cave and cavern exploring is a highlight on the must-do list of nature enthusiasts. After a hard day, spoil yourself with a Lao massage and don’t forget to try a Lao-style steam sauna – a unique experience not to be missed.

11. Wat Mixai

Wat Mixai - the Temple of Victory

Wat Mixai, or the Temple of Victory, was built during the reign of King Sai Setthathirat (1550-1571) to celebrate the victory over the Burmese troops during the 16th century Lao-Burma war. It was renovated in the early 1900s and adopted a Central Thai style of religious architecture.

As with many Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, the name may have association with the victory of the Buddha over the distracting demon Mara who was sent to test his fortitude on the eve of his enlightenment.

With its convenient location right in the city centre of Vientiane, Wat Mixai serves the Buddhist community who congregate here four times a month, during the Buddhist days of reverence. There is a public school within the compound and it is a lively and working temple where visitors can observe monastic life led by the numerous monks, novices, worshippers, and schoolchildren.

There is a large presiding Buddha in the main, high-ceilinged hall and the imposing columns are decorated in red and gold while the mural on the ceiling depicts the lives of the Buddha. In the temple grounds there are small stupas and sculptures of mythical animals and demons.

In all, the temple seems an exact replica of the form and style of Thai temples just across the Mekhong River. No relics are buried here, nor is it steeped in history and folklore, as are other grander Vientiane temples. Nevertheless, as part of the temple tours and for observing Buddhist daily life, it is well worth a visit.

Wat Mixai

• Location: Setthathilath Road, Vientiane.
• Tel: +856 21 212155.

12. Wat Sisaket

Wat Sisaket in Vientiane

Wat Si Saket located in Vientiane is famous for its cloister wall housing thousands of tiny Buddha images and rows with hundreds of seated Buddhas. These images mainly date from the 16th and 19th centuries and come in all sizes and are made from wood, stone and bronze – more than 6,800 Buddhas in total.

If visiting the temple early in the morning, visitors will come across the many locals that go to pray and make merit as well as to offer food to the monks. It is a charming daily ceremony to witness. The temple is quite shady as it is surrounded by tropical fruit trees.

Wat Si Saket is not only famous for the interior walls of the cloister but it also has beautiful architecture and layout with history dated back to 1818. Among the many interesting features there are its lovely surrounding verandas, an ornate five-tiered roof, a drum tower, a small library building with a Burmese-style roof and the flowered ceiling of the ordination hall.

Located opposite the Presidential Palace, the temple was built by Chao Anuvong, the last king of the Lan Xang Kingdom in early Bangkok-style architecture mixed with its own unique style. It survived the Siamese-Lao war of 1828 and has become the oldest Buddhist monastery in Laos.

Art enthusiasts will be thrilled to see many figurines and sculptures fashioned by highly skilled craftsmen such as the five-metre long beautiful detailed wooden naga (in Sanskrit, it means serpent deity) as well as a Khmer-style Buddha seated on a coiled naga.

Wat Sisaket

• Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 – 16:00.
• Location: On Lan Xang Road (across the street from the Presidential Palace), Vientiane.

Tours in Laos

• Vientiane - Luang Prabang - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Luang Prabang - Vientiane - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Hidden Delights of Laos - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Laos Sightseeing - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Laos Intangible Charms - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Luang Prabang - 3 Days/ 2 Nights