There are car rentals available at the airport and locations around the city. However, if you are only staying in the city, there is no real need for renting a car with the other options to get around. If you plan to travel around, then renting a car is a good choice.

There are taxis available in Vientiane; they are readily available and are a good, comfortable ride choice for longer distances. There are two taxi apps available in Vientiane: inDrive (cash only), and Loca (accepts credit cards, but twice the price of inDrive). You can hail a taxi or tuk-tuk off the street. 

Walking around the city is a great option to explore and get to know the area. Many of the accommodations in the city center are within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and other entertainment options and attractions. The river is close by and a great place for an exploratory scenic walk. Some of the city’s main attractions, like the Wat Si Saket, That Dam, and the Mighty Mekong, can all be easily accessed on foot. 

One of the best ways to see Vientiane is by renting a bicycle. Exploring the city at a slower pace on two wheels is a great and fun option. It’s fun to ride around and see the sights by bicycle, and riding along the river is a beautiful scenic journey. Exploring rural villages, temples, and picturesque landscapes around the city is easily done by bicycle. There are many rental places around the city, and some accommodations also have bicycles available on-site.

Vientiane is considered a very safe destination to visit. However, due to its increased population and visitors over the recent years, crimes against tourists are becoming more common, with petty theft and muggings. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets and tourist attractions. At night, stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Be careful when walking at night, and don’t walk outside the main center of town. 

The capital city of Vientiane is a shopper’s haven, blending modern boutiques, sleek malls, and vibrant local markets where visitors can pick up unique treasures and experience the local lifestyle. A shopping journey through Vientiane can make for a fun-filled day with many locations to check out and plenty of different items to shop for, with traditional Lao souvenirs, stylish clothing, silk, colorful textiles, handicrafts, and jewelry. There are some excellent shopping destinations dotted along Setthathirath Road that appeal to all tastes and budgets. The Vientiane Center is probably the most well-known mall in the city, offering a variety of local and international stores. There are multiple markets scattered throughout Vientiane, which offer a unique, exciting shopping experience. The Don Chan Market is located on Don Chan Island, which sells various types of goods such as food, clothing, souvenirs, and mementos. The markets are filled with plenty of excellent options to try local cuisine and experience Lao culture. The Vientiane Night Market is one of the most popular markets to visit in the capital, a great place to shop and grab a bite to eat. Sample delicious, authentic street food while browsing the stalls as well as enjoying live music and entertainment. The Talat Sao Market is now a modern mall it used to specialize in jewelry and antiques, it still features a few merchants and stalls that sell wooden carvings outside, and the modern air-conditioned stores are found inside, as well as a supermarket and a cinema. There are colorful market stalls set up along the beautiful Mekong River.

The official language spoken in Vientiane is Laotian; however, English is widely spoken by people working in the service and tourism industries. We recommend you get a good English-Lao guidebook and familiarize yourself with a few common phrases, such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you, excuse me, and numbers 1-10.

Vientiane features a tropical monsoon climate with hot, humid summers, dry winters, and two distinct seasons: the wet and the dry season. The average high humidity ranges from 70-84%. The wet season runs from April to October with hot, humid weather and average temperatures that can be well into the high 90s, sometimes triple digits. The dry season is November through February, with cooler temperatures in the 80s and evening lows around 70. This is the most popular time of year to visit the capital city. There are many great festivals held in Vientiane, as well as holidays that are celebrated, such as the Lunar New Year, Lao New Year, H’Mong New Year, Buddha’s Birthday, Lent season, and boat racing festivals.

The currency of Laos is the Lao Kip (LAK). US dollars are also widely accepted in most major cities. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Nepalese rupees upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

The capital cosmopolitan city of Vientiane features a great restaurant scene and cafe culture. Food lovers can enjoy excellent authentic Lao cuisine as well as French-influenced cuisine. The menus throughout the city offer many mouth-watering options from classic Lao dishes, international dishes, Thai food, Western food, fresh French pastries (some say better croissants than Paris!), fresh fish, and seafood. Street food is popular in Vientiane, especially in the bustling markets with different carts and stalls selling all kinds of delicious dishes, snacks, and delicacies to try. The Ban Anou Night Market is one of the best places to try street snacks in the city, including pho made with hand-pulled noodles, lettuce-wrapped snacks with peanut-filled (miang), grilled and skewered meats, grilled sticky rice, and local beverages made from coconut and chai teas.  There are many restaurants downtown and along the river, which boast some nice views, especially as the sun is setting. The cuisine in the capital city is diverse, with many dishes featuring distinctive flavors. Visitors can take a traditional cooking class and learn how to make some traditional dishes. 

Lao dishes are made with a mixture of spicy, savory, and sweet flavors with a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients and unique regional specialties. Staple ingredients may include lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, mint, fish sauce, tamarind, and chili peppers to name a few. Some classic Lao dishes include Laap (minced meat salad), Khao Piak Sen (rice noodle soup), Khao Niaw (sticky rice), Mok Pa (steamed fish), Sai Oua (Lao sausages), Luang Prabang salad with a zesty dressing, Jaew a dipping sauce, and more adventurous options like rat stock based Khao Soi Soup, which is a local specialty. A few popular dishes to be sure to try include Khao Niaw (sticky rice), often served with grilled meats, fish, salads, or omelets.

The nightlife in Vientiane can be characterized by a few bars and clubs, pubs, and sports bars, some found along the riverbanks, many dotted along the streets of downtown. It’s a pretty low-key nightlife scene with some relaxing bamboo thatched beer gardens and riverfront restaurants that boast some of the best views. There are some excellent establishments to sit back and enjoy a drink with music, live bands, and karaoke, many of which can be found along Setthathirath Road. The capital city features modern, trendy, and eclectic choices for popular places to enjoy a range of international beers, cocktails, and food. The capital city is known for Beerlao, a local brewery producing a range of beers. The Mekong Riverfront features a number of restaurants and bars, many boasting outdoor seating overlooking the river, providing a relaxing evening setting, especially when the sun is setting. The riverbank is also the location of many of the busy markets, including the vibrant night markets that feature food and entertainment. The Samsenthai Promenade is a popular nightlife destination in the city known for its lively atmosphere it is lined with countless bars, pubs, and clubs. Nestled right in the heart of the city the bustling promenade offers live music, dancing, restaurants, and street food with a vibrant energetic atmosphere. 

In the event of an emergency dial 1191 for police, and 1195 for an ambulance

Hospital:

Kasemrad International Hospital, Vientiane tel. 856 21 833 333.