The Top 10 Things To Do In Vientiane Laos

Vientiane is the capital of Laos. Situated on the banks of the Mekong River, it boasts temples, restaurants, and cultural attractions all without the traffic of other Asian capitals. Don’t let Vientiane’s small size keep you from hanging around long enough to explore the top things to do around town.

1. COPE Visitors Center

Museum

The COPE Center helps Lao citizens with disabilities obtain prosthetics and do physical therapy to regain mobility. The visitors’ centre has an in-depth display on the horrors of cluster munitions and the damage bombings have caused and continue to cause in Laos. Watch documentaries on UXO removal then see photos and read stories about some of the patients COPE has helped. You might catch a wheelchair basketball game or grab a coffee or ice cream from the on-site café.

2. Pha That Luang

Buddhist Temple

Boun That Luang takes place every November over three days around the full moon, but the temple is open daily year-round to visitors. The stupa in Vientiane is the national symbol of Laos and is said to house a piece of Buddha’s breastbone. Thousands of pilgrims gather at That Luang to give offerings to the monks who come from all over Laos. Processions, parties, and a trade show follow. Even if you don’t make it for the festival, the stupa is a sight to behold any time of year. Join the faithful and place offerings of flowers, candles and incense at the altar or quietly stroll around the massive enclosed yard.

Try a fun workout

Every morning and evening group dance aerobic classes can be seen (and heard) on the Vientiane Promenade by the Mekong River. For less than $1 you can join in the fun and try your moves to American and Thai pop songs. If you’d rather set and spike than shake your booty, check out the pick up volleyball games on Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Vientiane International School. At 6 p.m. on Monday and Thursday evenings SabaiiDisc plays ultimate frisbee at the Ambassador’s Field and on Saturdays at 4 p.m. they play pick up games on the beach next to the Mekong.

3. Ocean Park

Amusement Park

Laos can be stiflingly hot. Cool off at Ocean Park, Laos’ premiere water park. Adult tickets are 50,000 kip ($6) and entrance for children is 20,000 kip ($2.50). Located at the Lao ITECC, Ocean Park opened in 2015 and has a wave pool, waterslides, swimming pool and a lazy river. Check out the climbing wall, relax poolside and eat at one of the two restaurants at the park.

4. Muy Lao with Champions

Gym

Backstreet Academy connects travelers with local entrepreneurs who want to share their skills and culture. Participants in the two-hour Muy Lao with Champions class will learn Lao boxing techniques from former national champion Khampanath Kounlavong. Muy Lao is similar to Thailand’s Muy Thai and Cambodian’s Pradal Serey. Choose a morning session for a quiet one-on-one coaching session or an evening class to train and interact with local boxing students.

Go shopping

Vientiane is the perfect place to shop for Lao handicrafts and textiles. Mulberries is a fair trade textile store that sells products made at the farm and workshop in Xieng Kuang Province. If you’re looking for silver, handbags or accessories, check out Saoban, which sources its goods from over 300 village artisans. For a full day of shopping, consider downloading the GPSMyCity app and following the Vientiane Shopping Tour Map for boutiques and a stop at the morning market.

5. Tuk Tuk Safari Tour

School

Tuk Tuk Safari is run by husband and wife team Ere and Peta and offers five distinct and intimate tours to get to know Vientiane, its people and food. You’ll be picked up Lao-style in a three-wheeled tuk tuk and taken to an organic farm if you choose the Down On The Rice Farm tour. Live Lao For One Day participants visit a temple, market, silversmith workshop and the COPE center. The Hungry Tuk Tuk and Dinner With The Locals are perfect for foodie travelers who want to dive deeper into Lao cuisine. The Silk Road Safari allows visitors to try their hand at the pottery wheel and learn about Lao textiles from weavers.

6. i:Cat Gallery

Art Gallery

i:Cat Gallery was started in 2009 by British art teacher turned gallery owner Catherine O’Brien. i:Cat supports artists in Laos and beyond by showing and selling visual art, fashion design, hosing fundraisers, music and poetry performances and film screenings. New shows go up every one to two months. Local writers have had book launches, readings and gallery shows of illustrations in the space as well.

Go cycling

Vientiane’s quiet streets and relatively flat landscape makes the city and its surroundings perfect for a bicycle ride. Many guest houses and cycling shops in town have bikes for rent at a nominal price. If you’re interested in meeting fellow cyclers on a group ride, Team Dai organizes five rides per week. If a slower pace mixed with booze is more up your alley, the Lao Hash House Harriers organize a bike hash once a month in addition to their two weekly runs.

7. Nam Ngum Dam and Reservoir

Natural Feature

Located 56 miles (90 kilometres) north of the capital of Vientiane, Nam Ngum is the largest lake in the country. The reservoir was created with the Nam Ngum dam was completed, which provides hydro-electric power domestically and as an export. Take a boat ride around the lake and enjoy the calm waters. Head up for the day, or stay at one of the resorts around the lake.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.