Experience Vientiane in One Day

Crossing the border

After a long 12-hour drive from Chiang Mai to Nong Khai, Thailand, my five European travel companions and I were dropped off at a restaurant to wait for the bus that would take us across the Friendship Bridge into Laos.

The restaurant where I waited for the bus to take me to Vientiane, Laos.

Two of the group opted to stay overnight in Nong Khai, leaving the rest of us to settle at a table, each doing our own thing.

I had some leftover biscuits and chips from earlier in the journey, and the kind waitress provided me with a cup of hot water to make my coffee. It was a simple yet satisfying breakfast.

After walking and checking the area around the restaurant and filling up some forms needed to cross the border, at 10 AM the bus arrived, and we headed to the border.

The bridge over the Mekong River as seen from the back of the restaurant

The border/immigration was already full when we got there. As I didn't require a visa, I completed the formalities quickly, while my companions took a bit longer. We then waited for another bus to take us into Laos. The heat was intense, and we had to wait on the pavement, sitting on our bags. After a long wait, we finally boarded a different bus from the one we arrived on.

Crossing the bridge was swift, and we arrived at Talat Sao Terminal in Vientiane. The sun was high, and I was feeling the effects of the heat, so I hopped into the first tuk-tuk I saw.

Inside Vientiane

Entering the hostel, I saw the girl who traveled with me in the minivan. She was the only one who talked to me and seemed friendly during the night trip from Chiang Mai. We were both surprised to learn that we’re staying in the same hostel.

Well, the tuk-tuk driver brought me to a different hostel, and when I asked the receptionist about the whereabouts of the correct hostel, she wasn’t that helpful.  Not wanting to take a tuk-tuk again and waste my time looking for the correct hostel, I decided to stay there and pay for a night. After a refreshing shower and a brief rest, I set out to explore Vientiane.

The dormitory room of the hostel

Vientiane, the capital of Laos since 1563, is a laid-back city on the banks of the Mekong River. One wouldn’t feel that he’s actually in a city with its laid-back, relaxing atmosphere.

I hired a tuk-tuk driver after haggling with him for a two-hour tour at 55,000 kip, which was a welcome relief from the summer heat. Although I could see Vientiane on foot or by bicycle, I had to get a tuk-tuk because of the summer heat.

·         Wat Sisaket Museum – the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, turned into a museum. It was built between 1819 and 1824 during the reign of King Anouvong. This was the place where lords and nobles swore their oath of loyalty to the King.

Buddha Statue inside the compound of Wat Sisaket

The cloister wall on the four sides of the compound has a very interesting display of more than 2,000 ceramic, wood, and silver Buddhas; some are broken, discovered during the excavations in 1924 and 1930 made by the French for restoration of the place.

Buddha statues at Wat Sisaket compound

An old Korean man saw me running to the Buddha statues after setting my camera timer. He took pity on me and offered to take photos of me. After some photo shots, I asked him if he's Korean, and when he said yes, I told him "gamsa hamnida". He went on, "Oh oh. You Korean???" to which I replied laughing, "No, but I learned some phrases through watching K-dramas".

Back to the main topic, cameras are not allowed inside the temple itself, and you have to take a closer look at its walls to see the beautiful paintings. They are very striking to look at!

Vientiane's oldest surviving temple at the Wat Sisaket compound

Because the temple looks more like the temples in Thailand, this temple was spared during the Siamese invasion in 1828.

Just behind the library inside the compound, which once housed the manuscripts documenting Buddhist philosophy, is a dirt path with small stupas containing the ashes of cremated temple devotees.

Photo of a window of the library in Wat Sisaket compound

It’s a peaceful and quiet place, and several monks are still residing in the compound.

·         Haw Phra Kaew – Located across from Wat Sisaket, this temple once housed the Emerald Buddha. Now a museum, it showcases 18th-century bronze Buddhas. 

During the Siamese invasion in 1828-1829, this temple was destroyed and was reconstructed only in the late 1930s. The temple was the only part of the Royal Palace that had survived.

Built in 1565-1566 during King Settha Thirath’s time as the Royal Family’s chapel and to house the Emerald Buddha from Chiang Mai before being transferred to Luang Prabang. The Buddha can now be found in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok after the Siamese reclaimed it in 1778. The temple is now called Haw Phra Kaew, which means the Altar of the Emerald Buddha, as it’s only an altar now and the Buddha is back in Thailand.

The absence of the Emerald Buddha doesn’t hinder visitors from admiring the temple. 18^th-century bronze Buddhas are on display on the balcony of the temple.

·         Presidential Palace – Situated near the above sites, this building is a prominent landmark in Vientiane.

·         Phra That Luang – a large gold-colored Buddhist stupa surrounded by 30 small stupas. This is the most important national monument in Laos; thus, a national symbol.

Phra That Luang - the most important monument in Laos

Inside the Phra That Luang compound 

You can find a temple beside the stupa, which has a large reclining Buddha. There’s a market in front of the entrance where I took a quick stop to buy a cold, refreshing fruit shake.

•  Patuxai Monument – the victory gate in Vientiane, located on the Lang Xang Avenue. Often compared to Paris's Arc de Triomphe, this war memorial offers panoramic views of the city. 

I didn’t have the chance to climb to the top of it as it was really hot, but on my second trip to this place, I was able to linger more and appreciate the monument (I will write about this in another blog.)

I was trying to get a nice photo of the monument from the government office across, and an employee riding a motorbike coming out saw me and talked to me for a while in broken English and offered to take a photo of me, which I delightedly accepted.

My very nice tuk-tuk driver waited for me in between my visits to the places above. He also brought me to a market, thinking I wanted to buy some souvenirs. He also drove me around some places, asking from time to time if I wanted to get off and take photos. He also showed me the way to the Chao Anouvang Park from my hostel, which is just a minute walk.

Back in the hostel to take a quick shower, I was so thankful that I had accomplished seeing much of Vientiane. Thankful also to the Korean guy, the government employee, and the tuk-tuk driver for making my tour easier and rewarding. 

Wandering Raine's selfie at Chao Anouvong Park

I hurriedly leave the hostel again to witness a beautiful sunset over the Mekong River. The sunset over Thailand-side across the Mekong River was just so wonderful, and the riverside promenade was lively, with locals and tourists alike enjoying the sunset.

Sunset over the Thailand side across the Mekong River

Walking along the banks of the Mekong River to Chao Anouvong Park was an experience in itself. Kids were playing, running around. Some were skateboarding, and some were dancing to Thai/Lao music. A group of oldies was doing tai chi and aerobic dances. People old and young, tourists or locals, were either walking or biking or exercising, or just sitting around. The area was lively and lovely.

When I reached the end of the park where the statue of Anouvong is, it was already dark. I joined the throng of people taking photos. I lingered long here because I couldn’t find a chance to get a nice photo of the statue alone.

Chao Anouvong Statue in Vientiane, Laos

Heading back to the spot where I watched the sunset, I took the path down near the main road. The area was now transformed into a night market. I was tempted to shop for gifts and souvenirs. The vast array of Lao products – paintings, pieces of jewelry, clothes, etc. was cheap and worthy to keep. I changed my path and strolled towards a playground and occupied a bench with a local family. A walking vendor offered me fried chicken and soda, which I instantly paid for, surprised with myself that I survived the day under the scorching heat of the sun with an empty stomach.

Food stall at the Chao Anouvong Park

The Night Market in Vientiane, Laos

Back at the hostel by 8:30 PM, I was ready to rest. However, my sleep was interrupted by a group of new arrivals. The "leader" was loud and inconsiderate, disturbing the peace of the room.

Later, the electricity went out, and without a generator, the room became unbearably hot. I resorted to fanning myself with a map until someone opened the window and a breeze provided some relief. I finally managed to sleep, though I woke up with mosquito bites.

Before departing for Luang Prabang the next morning, I visited Mixay Temple, a small and serene spot just across from my hostel. The temple was peaceful, offering a moment of reflection before continuing my journey.

NOTE

Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted several photos from my camera, resulting in the loss of some images from my time in Vientiane and Vang Vieng. While I managed to get a few new shots of the Patuxai Monument, Presidential Palace, and Haw Phra Kaew during a subsequent visit to Vientiane, the beautiful sunset photos from Vang Vieng are permanently lost.