Vivid memories of Vientiane

Colonial Relics, Temples, Markets & Museums Make A Trip To Vientiane Memorable

Article by www.natastravel.com (c) 2011

Vientiane is a mix of gorgeously restored temples, lively markets, peculiar museums and noodle shops mingling with cyber cafes and pizza joints. The captivating old world feel of the Lao capital is enhanced by the friendliness and hospitality of the people who are always smiling.

Vientiane, which means sandalwood city, is relatively small and easily covered on foot. Walking from place to place allows you to view the city at a laid-back pace and enjoy the sights at your own leisure. If you get tired, hop on to a tuk-tuk, a three-wheel taxi that can be hired for about US$10 a day.

The French colonial influence is apparent in the form of Patuxai or Victory Monument that is similar to the Arc de Triomphe of Paris. Climb the many steps to the top and you will get an overview spread of the city where colonial style buildings with verandas and high windows with shutters are reminders of French rule.

The Pha That Luang, or the Great Stupa, is the significant national symbol in Laos located on the eastern outskirts of Vientiane. The gold covered monument has a central stupa that reaches 45m high.

The Fountain Circle is one of the main landmarks with nearby guesthouses and restaurants that are popular with tourists. A short walk away from the Fountain Circle is the Lao National History Museum that is situated in a two-storey white mansion with blue shutters.

The wide span of exhibits here range from dinosaur bones and statues of Hindu gods to machine guns and photographs from the communist war. Across the street is a museum of religious artefacts called Haw Pha Kaew that use to be a royal temple.

Along the city centre, there is a temple on almost every block, such as Wat Inpeng where visitors can admire attractive carvings. Inside Wat Si Saket in central Vientiane, you will find many clay and silver Buddha figurines in hundreds of niches in the interior walls. An altar displaying Buddhist sculptures can be found in the ordination room.

The Talat Sao Market is a popular haunt for shoppers with a variety of food and fruits, traditional outfits and souvenirs on sale. Shopkeepers in Vientiane seldom pressure you to buy their wares so you can shop in peace.

If you’re feeling hungry, noodle shops are abundant in Vientiane. Try the fish or minced chicken laap, which is a traditional Lao dish of sour soup mixed with many spices and herbs and eaten with sticky rice.

People in Laos celebrate their new year with a water festival for three days in April. During this time, locals drench each other with water to usher in the coming year. The Rocket Festival is held from May to June in honour of the rain gods to welcome the rainy season, which is essential for crop cultivation.

Lao Airlines operates flights from Changi Airport to Vientiane three times a week. The best time to visit Vientiane is during December and January, when the weather is cool and the temperature ranges from 17 to 23 degrees. On the other hand, it gets very hot from April to June with temperature going as high as 39 degrees.