The cities of Laos are very attractive to visitors from around the world, including the quiet city – Vientiane. If you want to deeply understand the lifestyle and culture of the Laotians, a short trip in 2 days in Vientiane will be a very great idea. Here are our tips to make your tour in Laos most complete and memorable!
The romantic beauty of Patuxai, Vientiane at sunset
When to Go to Vientiane?
Laos is one of the tropical countries with two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.
From November to March, it is the dry season: less humidity and tolerable temperatures, which are also subject to altitude.
Between April and October, the monsoon brings heavy rains, especially in the South. Sometimes, the rain makes traffic impossible by deteriorating the roads. Also, it is very hot in April and May (between 30 and 35°C).
In short, the best time to visit Vientiane is from December to March; when it is not very hot nor heavily rainy.
Getting to Vientiane
There are many means of transport available to arrive in Vientiane. But tourists often choose the bus or plane to save time and money.
By bus
The bus ride to Vientiane takes about 24 hours. This is a great idea to save money. If you want to go to Vientiane by bus, you can book your tickets online. It’s very useful!
By plane
But there is another choice for you. It’s the plane – the fastest way to get to Vientiane. There are 3 direct flights to Vientiane each day and at flexible time for you to book.
Suggested Itinerary for Daytime on 2 Days in Vientiane
Daytime on Day 1: Cultural discovery of Vientiane
Wat Si Saket
Wat Si Saket, Vientiane
This is the oldest temple of Vientiane, which was built between 1819 and 1824 by Chao Anou. Although the temple was restored twice (the last time in 1930), it has retained its original design as Thai style markings. Visiting this site is also a good chance for you to learn about the country’s history on your 2 days in Vientiane.
Laos National Museum
The museum is located in a vast administrative building in Vientiane from the 1920s. This tourist site is exciting, especially for history buffs.
It traces the entire period of colonization, revolution, and the struggle of the country to assert its own identity, with many photos, exposed in chronological order.
The museum, therefore, offers a wide variety of objects. There are weapons of war used by French colonists to baskets and tools of Laotian resistance.
Wat Ho Phra Keo
This place is one of the must-see sights during your 2 days in Vientiane. It is an ancient temple of the capital of Laos, built-in 1565 by the order of King Setthathirath. The purpose of Wat Ho Phra Keo was to host the famous Emerald Buddha.
That Luang Stupa
This famous site is the symbol of Vientiane
That Luang is a huge golden stupa, built-in 1566. It is a huge Buddhist Stupa with 45 meters high and 69 meters wide in a pyramidal shape. Besides, there are 30 smaller stupas surrounding. The tourist site is built on 3 levels, symbolizing the ascent of the earth to the sky.
Wat Sok Pa Luang
This is a Khmer temple with a fascinating legend as of great importance to the Laotian community. The gold structure was built in 1563, during the reign of King Setthathirat. On your 2 days in Vientiane, you will have the chance to join the That Luang Festival, which takes place in October or November. This is the time when the temple is one of the focal points of the celebration, where people come and pray for their wishes to come true.
Patuxai
This destination is one of the monuments that play a very important role in the spiritual life of Laotians. It is also called the door of victory in tribute to the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysées, which gives the city of Vientiane little Parisian air!
Laos Textile Museum
Laos is one of the countries that is well known for its textile products. Fabrics are appreciated for their beauty and quality. Are you curious about the process of its manufacture? You can find answers to these questions and more at the Lao Textile Museum. This site is the first private museum in Laos where tourists can see former housewives produce the fabrics during their trip to Indochina.
Daytime on Day 2: Wandering out of town
Option 1: Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khuan)
This is a remarkable Buddhist sculpture park located 25 km to the west of Vientiane and is home to more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu concrete statues.
Option 2: Nam Ngum Lake
Fresh beauty of the Laos’ sea
The lake is the first hydro-electric reservoir built in Laos and the sea of the Laotians. It is the home to fishing populations from all over Laos. You should take the time to discover Nam Ngum Lake and meet its atypical population on your 2 days in Vientiane. Moreover, you can enjoy the coolness of its waters and the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
Option 3: Phou Khao Khouay National Park
This amazing and wild national park offers unique landscapes of mountains, sandstone cliffs and gorges carved by picturesque rivers, waterfalls and wild orchids. In addition, you can also discover the traditional lifestyle, the culture as well as the artisanal production in the villages of the ethnic minorities such as Hmong, Lao Tay, etc.
Suggested Itinerary for Nighttime on 2 Days in Vientiane
Vientiane is one of the most lively cities in the evening. Here are our recommended activities for enjoying a good evening on 2 days in Vientiane:
Shopping at the night markets
1. Vientiane Night Market
It all starts at sunset when a small army of salesmen starts installing their red-roofed stalls directly on the riverside promenade. The products on offer are quite typical of the night markets of the region. You’ll find a predictable range of Buddhist-inspired paintings and trinkets, cheap sunglasses and t-shirts, Laotian beer. This night market is the most pleasant shopping experience in Vientiane and the best place to find cheap clothes or gifts.
2. Try the specialities at evening food market in Vangthong
This place opens just before sunset and is parallel to Khounboulom Boulevard. The best way to experience Vangthong is simply to go from one end to the other by buying small amounts of various snacks and treats. It is the ideal place from sunset to enjoy the best of Laotian food every day, both authentic, delicious and with incredible flavors.
3. Ban Anou Night Market
Continue with a visit to the Ban Anou night market to test the best food in the country. Travelers with the most classic taste buds will feast with the pork skewers that Laotians adore while the more daring will make the adventurous choice to taste fried insects! The evening will end with a local dessert made of ice and sticky rice.
Visiting bars and clubs
The ever-growing collection of friendly bars and pubs are great places to start a conversation with a chatty stranger or to exchange travel tips with a backpacker on the same path as you.
Most of the nightlife locates center around the majestic Mekong River where you’ll find the night market, Bor Pen Nyang’s well-roofed rooftop bar, as well as the well-known Kong River View.
Best Food to Try for 2 Days in Vientiane
Lap
It is a traditional Laotian salad, a kind of tartar made from fish or meat as a rule. The lap is usually very spicy. It is therefore commonly consumed with white rice or glutinous rice that slightly reduces the spicy appearance of the dish. This is particularly suitable for Western palates less accustomed to the spicy cuisine of Laos.
Khao Niaw
Khao Niaw, one of Laos’ must-try specialties
In Laos, there is very often glutinous rice to eat at any time of the day. This dish is traditionally steamed in a cone-shaped bamboo basket and placed in a covered basket where it is eaten with many accompaniments.
Tam Mak Hoong
This is “The green papaya salad” in which you add chili, kapi (shrimp paste) or nampou (crab paste), lemon juice and nampa (salted fish sauce). Other ingredients include raw palm sugar, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. All these ingredients are mixed in a mortar and crushed with a traditional pestle.
Khao Ji Pate
This baguette sandwich looks a lot like a Vietnamese bread, but instead of using coriander and pickles, the Lao version consists of watercress, grated carrots and a good amount of chili sauce and garlic.
Mok Pa
This dish is a steamed fish that is usually wrapped in banana leaves and tied with a string of bamboo. All ingredients are mixed with steamed fish. You can enjoy this food for the best flavor with sticky rice.
Laos is an unspoiled combination of both cultural, historical and modern beauty that worth a deep visit. Customize your trip to Laos now so that we can be your companion in exploring the best of not only Vientiane but also other stunning cities!
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