Vientiane is one of the beautiful cities not to How to Spend 3 Days in Vientiane? Things to Do in Vientiane for 3 Days
be missed in Laos. It is not enough to discover all the beautiful landscapes in 3 days in Vientiane. This is a suitable time to better understand the culture, customs, and way of life of the locals. Here are the best places to spend time during your Laos tour.
The beauty of Vientiane at sunset
Best Time to Travel 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 subjected to altitude.
- Between April and October, the monsoon brings heavy rains, especially in the South, sometimes making traffic impossible by deteriorating the roads, with April and May very hot, between 30 and 35 ° C.
On the bottom line, the best time to visit Vientiane is between November and March.
What to Do for 3 Days in Vientiane?
1. Visit the traditional markets of the capital of Laos
The Vientiane Morning Market
These markets take place from early in the morning until mid-afternoon. They are also called Talat Sao and are very lively places in Vientiane.
Quite different from the night market, here you will find a lot of products such as fruits and vegetables, spices, clothes for men and women. Besides, there are also jewelry and accessories, fabric, local decoration, souvenirs,…
Given the number of stands and goods, you may be a little disoriented in this great labyrinth. However, the market is clean and the driveways are tiled.
There is a bus station located near the market, which creates a constant back-and-forth scene that contrasts sharply with the rest of this rather quiet city.
Laos rice, a must-try specialty of Laos at Vientiane morning market
The 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, and Laotian beer. This night market is the most pleasant shopping place in Vientiane and the best place to find cheap clothes or gifts.
If you like cooking and want to learn to make some culinary specialties of Laos, you can take part in a cooking class in Vientiane. This is a real opportunity to learn more about the culture of Laos. Not only will you get a glimpse of the ingredients used and dishes cooked in the country, but you will also discover the importance of food for the locals and the way they enjoy each dish.
Ban Anou Night Market
On your 3 days in Vientiane, you should spend time visiting 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. If you are brave enough, you can make the adventurous choice to taste fried insects! The evening will end with a local dessert made of ice and sticky rice.
2. Visit the historical and religious monuments
If you want to understand deeply Laotian culture, do not forget to visit the following tourist sites on 3 days in Vientiane:
Wat Si Saket
Wat Si Saket, Laos
This is the oldest temple of Vientiane, which was built between 1819 and 1824 by Chao Anou. It still retains its original design as Thai style markings, although the temple was restored twice, the last is in 1930. It is a good idea to discover Laotian history at this place during your 3 days in Vientiane.
Laos National Museum
The museum has its location in a vast administrative building in Vientiane from the 1920s. This tourist site is always amazing, especially for history buffs.
It traces the entire period of colonization, revolution, and the struggle of the country to assert its own identity. There are many photos that are exposed in chronological order.
Moreover, the museum offers a wide variety of objects, weapons of war used by French colonists to baskets and tools of Laotian resistance.
Wat Si Muang
Built-in 1563, it was also destroyed by the Siamese invaders in 1828. During That Luang Festival every October or November, this temple is one of the main points of the celebrations, and Si Muang is celebrated as the guardian of the city.
Every day, this Buddhist temple attracts crowds of local Buddhists who want to benefit from its “good luck” powers. It is generally thought that if you pray for something here, make a promise simultaneously, and your wish will be granted.
Pha That Luang Stupa
Phat That Luang Stupa, Vientiane
This shrine is the symbol of the city of Vientiane. It is a huge golden stupa, built-in 1566. It has its 45 meters height and 69 meters width in a pyramidal shape. Surrounding are 30 smaller stupas. The tourist site has 3 levels, symbolizing the ascent of the earth to the sky.
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 the answer and more at the Lao Textile Museum. This site is the first private museum in Laos where you can see former housewives produce the fabrics on your tour to Indochina.
3. Admire the beauty of the landscapes outside this city
Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khuan)
Wat Xieng Khuan or the famous Buddha Park in Vientiane
This is a heavy Buddhist sculpture park located 25km to the west, on the outskirts of Vientiane City. The park is also home to more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu concrete statues. The sculptures here may seem original, beautiful or ugly depending on everyone’s taste, but what is certain is that it is not something to be missed on your 3 days in Vientiane.
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. Besides, you can also discover the traditional way of life, the culture as well as the artisanal production in the villages of the ethnic minorities such as Hmong, Lao Tay, …
4. Discover Laotian culture
The Presidential Palace
This site was launched in 1973 by the Royal Government of Laos and finally opened in 1986 for government functions and ceremonies (the building is closed to the public).
The landmark is famous for its imposing architecture, but also very elegant with its large columns and shaded balconies. The building is surrounded by manicured lawns and gardens and fenced by high walls and a wrought iron gate. This beautiful place is illuminated at night, promises to give you a lot of beautiful photographs on your 3 days in Vientiane.
Patuxai
Let’s get closer to admire Patuxai’s unique architecture beauty
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!
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Located next to the French Embassy in Vientiane, this cathedral was built in 1928 during the French Indochina era.
You will recognize the church with its white exterior and sky blue roof. Once getting inside, you will also find these colors on the statues of Joan of Arc or Saint Therese. A large wooden cross at the bottom of the building overlooks the room.
If you pass by on a Sunday, you can attend Mass and listen to the choir sung in English by the few Catholics in the city.
What to Eat for 3 Days in Vientiane?
1. Lap
This dish is a traditional Laotian salad. It is 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 that are less accustomed to the spicy cuisine of Laos.
2. 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, serving with many accompaniments.
3. Khao Jee Pâté
This baguette sandwich looks a lot like a Vietnamese famous Banh Mi, but instead of using coriander and pickles, the Laos version consists of watercress, grated carrots and a good amount of chili sauce and garlic.
4. Mok Pa
It is a steamed fish that is usually wrapped in banana leaves and tied with a bamboo string. All ingredients are mixed with steamed fish. This dish should never be served dry and is one of the best dishes that you should not miss on your 3 days in Vientiane.
Tips for Your 3 Days in Vientiane
- No vaccine is required for a trip to Laos. However, it is highly recommended to be up-to-date with your main vaccines to leave with peace of mind.
- The boat, via the Mekong crossing, is also another popular means of transportation to go to Laos from Thailand and disembark at Houei Sai.
- A bike is an option, but to do this, it is better to have knowledge of mechanics to provide self-repair breakdowns, since the competent mechanics are rare or nonexistent on some roads.
- Remember that in major cities, especially tourist destinations such as Vientiane and Luang Prabang, there have been some cases of robbery. Therefore, always keep an eye on your things.
Read more: 2 Days in Vientiane
