VIENTIANE ATTRACTIONS:

Tours | Vientiane at a glance | History

Vientiane Hotels - Up to 75% discount under published rates

The most important national monument in Laos is Pha That Luang (the Great Sacred Stupa), which is a symbol of both Buddhism and Lao sovereignty.  This Stupa was built in by King Xaysetthathirath in 1566.  That Luang was once destroyed by war and was restored in 1935. It has been said that if you do not visit That Luang you do not arrive Laos yet.  This is a must place to visit.  The Morning Market (Talat Sao) is the main shopping place in Vientiane.  There are a variety of goods and local products with reasonable prices.  You can buy Lao designed and handmade souvenirs such as textiles, Lao skirts (sinh), handicraft, jewelry and antiques.  Get another shopping experience by go to Talat Sao and shop till you drop.  Other sights of interest include Wat Pha Kaew, a former royal temple which is now a museum and Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple in Vientiane.  Xieng Khouan is a collection of compelling Buddhist and Hindu sculptures located in a meadow, 24km (15 miles) south of Vientiane.  When the French took control of the country in the late 19th century, they set about totally re-designing it with the same style as the magnificent Indochinese capitals of Saigon and Phnom Penh.  The wide boulevards lend themselves nicely to monuments of a grand scale, and one such is the Patouxai War Memorial also known as Anousavali which means the "Gate of Victory".   Its architecture is inspired by the Arc de Triumphe in Paris incorporated with traditional Lao design and sculpture.  You can climb up to the top to get a panoramic view of the city of Vientiane.  This concrete monument was constructed in 1958, allegedly with US cement intended for the city's new airport!   No account of Vientiane would be complete without mention of the Lao Revolutionary Museum, a monument to Laos' long struggle to free itself from colonization.  The museum contains such relics as the photograph of Thit Chanto, who is shown baring his chest in defiance and waving above his head the rifle he used to shoot down an American fighter-bomber, which can be seen burning in the background.  Though perhaps a little anachronistic in these post-Glasnost days, the museum itself is another sign of this city's sense of humor - for it is housed within the former residence of the French colonial governor.  Wat Si Saket - The only temple to have survived the 1828 destruction wrought upon Vientiane by the Siamese, is the oldest and one of the most interesting temples in Laos.  The interior of the main hall, and the walls of the surrounding courtyard, are inset with thousands of tiny niches and shelves containing 6,840 Buddha images and Buddhist inscriptions from the 18th century.  A replica of Ho Trai, the main hall, was recreated to great acclaim for the 1970 World Expo in Osaka, Japan.  Wat Pha Kaew - Built in 1565 by King Setthathirat, when he moved the capital of Lane Xang from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, the temple was originally designed to house the famous Emerald Buddha, which he had brought with him from the Kingdom of Lanna.  The National Ethnic Cultural Park - 20km down the Mekong from Vientiane, also known as Suan Vatthana Tham includes shady paths, sculptures of Lao literary heroes and a small zoo.  It also offers views across the Mekong to Thailand and along the river to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.  In this one place you can see the lifestyle of all the ethnic groups in Laos, their homes, a small zoo and a good view of the Friendship bridge linking Laos and Thailand.   There are a number of riverside bars and restaurant so sit back, relax and enjoy the day at Suan Vatthanatham.  Buddha Park - Located 24km downstream from Vientiane is a garden of statues enshrining sculptures of Buddha images and Hindu gods.