Having some basic Vientiane information can be rather beneficial, especially if this is your first time travelling to the Lao capital. The centre of Laos’s culture, commerce and administration, Vientiane remains relatively traditional, with locals practising customs and beliefs that date back centuries.
The Lao people are known to be very hospitable, but knowing basic etiquette really does go a long way here. Before starting on your sightseeing journey, have a read through our guide of tips, information, and unspoken rules you may not know about Vientiane.
The city is still relatively traditional, with centuries-old temples and shrines within walking distance of upmarket restaurants and bars in the city centre. Have a read through our good-to-know tips and important information about Vientiane before starting on your sightseeing journey.
Carry small change
If you’re not staying in a five-star hotel or partying at upscale clubs, Vientiane is one of the cheapest capitals in Southeast Asia. It’s a good idea to bring small notes and coins before exploring Vientiane. You’ll find that many taxi drivers, food vendors, and most shop keepers operate by cash and rarely have small change if you’re paying with large notes.
Haggle, but nicely
One of the best things about shopping in Vientiane is you can haggle if there’s no barcode or price tag on an item. Instead of adopting a confrontational attitude, do haggle with a gracious and smiley approach. Not only is it common courtesy, but you’ll also likely to get a better deal from the vendor.
Medical in Vientiane
Medical care in Vientiane may not meet western standards, especially in hospitals outside the city. While not mandatory, it’s a good idea to go for vaccinations prior to your trip. Typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis are common diseases in many Southeast Asian countries.
You should also carry some prescription drugs as they may not be available here. Having a medical insurance that covers evacuation by air in case of emergency is also highly recommended.
Drink lots of water
By drinking lots of water, make sure it’s bottled water and not straight from the tap. Even though bottled mineral water is rather pricey, spending some money on clean water might just save you a tip to a hospital in Vientiane.
Carry a photocopy of your passport
Carrying some form of identification is a must in Laos. Instead of bringing your passport around with you (which comes with the constant fear of losing it), having a photocopied version is adequate in Vientiane.
Tipping in Vientiane
Tipping isn't common practice in Laos (and many Southeast Asian countries). Locals will still appreciate it very much if you do decide on leaving a tip as a form of appreciation for efficient, friendly service.
Getting around Vientiane
Getting around Vientiane Vientiane is pretty easy thanks to the city’s rather breezy traffic. The locals are known to be helpful, even though most of them don’t speak much English. Minibuses can take you out of the city to places such as Buddha Park and Friendship Bridge. If you’re staying within the city, you can easily explore on foot or bicycle.
Taxis are readily available with fares negotiable – you can even hire them for the day (rates typically start from $30). Like Thailand, a popular way of getting around is by tuk-tuk (motorised rickshaws). However, it can be rather expensive as tourists are often overcharged.
Weather in Vientiane
Vientiane's weather is tropical, with a dry season and a wet season. Daytime temperatures typically range between 24°C and 37°C – the city also experiences humid days when rains mark the start of the southwest monsoon season.
Rainy conditions start from May or June until the end of October, followed with the northeast monsoon that brings drier and cooler days. The months of November through February are when Vientiane enjoys the most comfortable weather conditions before temperatures rise in March.
Best time to visit Vientiane
The best time to visit Vientiane is from November through March. Note that these months are when the Lao capital receives a large tourist crowd. Flight and hotel prices are highest during this time of the year, but you’ll be able to enjoy cooler weather while sightseeing in Vientiane.
If you’re visiting in April, expect some hot, sticky days but it's also a good chance to see how the locals cool down with their New Year's water festival. Similar to the famed Songkran festival in Thailand, the Vientiane version is much more low-key, but it’s equally enjoyable (and less packed with overenthusiastic tourists).
Vientiane is known for its laidback atmosphere and it's true that life moves slowly here, attracting those who enjoy a peaceful, relaxed vibe. Exploring centuries-old Buddhist temples is one of the most popular things to do in the Lao capital, which you can do on foot, bicycle or tuk-tuk.
Quirky markets sit next to the Mekong River, while colonial buildings are often museums displaying thousands of artefacts dating back to prehistoric times. Grab your camera, hit the streets, and you’re bound to find a host of interesting sights in Vientiane.
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) is an open-air sculpture park with giant sculptures of Buddha and Hindu deities. Located 25km southeast of Vientiane, the park was founded in 1958 by monk and sculpture artist, Bunleua Sulila.
The statues are as impressive in size as they are in detail. Standouts at Buddha Park include a 40-metre reclining Buddha, Indra (a Hindu god) a 2-headed elephant, and a 4-armed deity riding a horse. To get to Buddha Park, there’s a bus (#14) departing from Talat Sao Bus Station every 40 mins.
Location: Deua, Thanon Tha, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 8am to 5pm
That Luang
Pha That Luang is a sacred monument and one of Laos’ most impressive religious structures. Its foundation dates back to the 3rd century, but the current structure was built in 1566 after Vientiane became the capital of Laos.
Standing at 44 metres, Pha That Luang has a pinnacle covered in real gold, with a set of painted turrets surrounding its central stupa. Located 4 km northeast of central Vientiane, it’s easily reachable by tuk-tuk or bicycle (which you can rent from most guesthouses in the city).
Location: Vientiane, Laos
Open: 24/7
Patuxai Victory Gate
The Patuxai Victory Gate is a massive concrete arch on Lang Xang Avenue. Reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, it features Buddhist symbols and Hindu deities, with 5 ornate towers built in traditional Laotian style.
The monument is surrounded by Patuxai Park, which makes for a pleasant evening stroll in Vientiane. For about 5,000 kip, you can climb a spiral stairway to the tower’s observation deck – it offers stunning city views, particularly at sunset.
Location: Lang Xang Avenue, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Monday–Friday from 8am to 4.30pm, Saturday–Sunday from 8am to 5pm
Vientiane Night Market
The Vientiane Night Market takes place along the Mekong Riverfront, where you can see rows of red-roofed stalls selling handicraft, clothes, and electronics. Vendors begin to set up their stalls around sunset – the market is busiest around 8pm, so head there early to avoid a large crowd. The Vientiane Night Market is well worth a visit in the evening for its gorgeous sunset alone, as well as the many street food stalls selling authentic Lao dishes.
Location: Mekong Riverfront, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 6pm to 9.30pm
Ho Phra Keo
Ho Phra Keo (or Haw Phra Kaew) is a former Buddhist shrine dating back to 1565 – today, it serves as a museum of religious arts in Vientiane. Locals call it ‘the Temple of the Emerald Buddha’ as Ho Phra Keo has a gilded throne meant for the Emerald Buddha, which now sits on the grounds of Bangkok’s Grand Palace. You can see displays of Buddha statues on the terrace, and 6th-century stone sculptures at the main ordination hall.
Location: Setthathirath Road, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 8am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm
Wat Si Muang
Wat Si Muang is a Khmer temple with a fascinating legend that still holds great significance among the Laotian community. The gold and red structure was built in 1563 during the reign of King Setthathirat – the temple’s name comes from a young woman, Si Muang, who sacrificed herself over 400 years ago to appease angry spirits. Wat Si Muang serves the local Buddhist community, and has several stalls at the entrance selling bananas, coconuts, flowers, incense and candles for offerings.
Location: Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 6am to 7pm
Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise
The Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) is a charity organisation that provides treatment and rehabilitation programmes for Laotian people with physical disabilities. Many patients suffer injuries from hidden explosives scattered throughout the countryside as a result of the Vietnam War.
COPE has 5 rehabilitation centres across 8 provinces in Laos, so that victims – mostly children – living in rural areas have access to this crucial healthcare centre. You can learn more about COPE’s mission through various exhibitions and documentary films showcased in the centre. You can also see how prosthetic limbs are made at the onsite workshop.
Location: Khouvieng Road, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 9am to 6pm
Phone: +856 21 241 972
Wat Si Saket
Wat Si Saket is the only temple in Laos that survived the Siamese occupation, which destroyed much of the capital in 1828. It features over 10,000 Buddha sculptures of varying sizes and styles – the sim (ordination hall) holds 7,000 images and a wooden serpent-shaped trough that’s used during the Lao New Year. Wat Si Saket stands majestically on Lan Xang Road, northwest of Haw Phra Kaew. Entrance to the temple costs around 5,000 kip per person.
Location: Lan Xang Road, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 8am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm
Laos National Cultural Hall
The Lao National Cultural Hall showcases classical performances and French films in central Vientiane. The large building has traditional Lao architecture, with white-and-gold accents and intricate carvings of Buddhist symbols. Located on Nokeokoummane Road, the Lao National Cultural Hall also hosts modern events, such as car shows and kid-friendly activities from time to time.
Location: Nokeokoummane Road, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 8am to 5pm (hours vary)
Massage in Vientiane
Getting a massage in Vientiane is one of the best things to do after a day of sightseeing. Lao-style massage is a combination of Swedish and Thai acupressure using essential oils – it’s usually gentler than traditional Thai massage, making it popular with those with a low pain threshold. You can choose from luxury hotel spas to standalone outlets in central Vientiane. Both options usually result in an invigorating experience.
Meditation at Wat Sok Pa Luang
Novice monks lead a walking and sitting meditation session at Wat Sok Pa Luang on Saturday afternoons. It takes place at an open-air pavilion at 3pm – the 1st hour is an ice-breaking session with English-speaking monks, before diving into an hour of mediation. Everyone is welcome and it’s free of charge. If you’re looking to deepen your practice, intensive Vipassana meditation workshops take place twice a year at Wat Sok Pa Luang.
Location: Khuvieng Road, Sokpaluang Village, Sesatanak District, Vientiane, Laos
Chao Anouvong Tennis Club
The Chao Anouvong Tennis Club is part of the Lao National Stadium in central Vientiane. There’s a main tennis centre that seats 2,000 people, and 6 smaller tennis courts that are open during evenings. If you’re looking to keep up with your fitness routine in the Lao capital, you can rent a court for about 30,000 kip and 35,000 kip for 2 rackets and shuttlecocks. There’s also a small kiosk selling bottled drinks and snacks.
Location: Lao National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 4pm to 10pm
Phone: +856 21 560 006
Lao Bowling Centre
Lao Bowling Centre is where locals enjoy a night out with loud music, cold beer, and a few rounds of bowling. Sure, the balls are a little chipped, the scoreboard is temperamental, and instructions are somehow in Spanish, but the 10-lane bowling alley is one of the few places in Vientiane that stays open past midnight. It costs around 11,000 kip with shoe hire – bring your own socks – or you can even follow the locals by playing barefoot!
Location: Rue Le Ky Huong, Vientiane 0100, Laos
Open: Daily from 9am to 2am
Houey Hong Centre
Houey Hong Centre provides vocational training (weaving, dyeing and tailoring) for women from rural areas across Laos. Located 7km of central Vientiane, this non-profit centre has an office and retail shop, conference room, tailoring and weaving rooms, a dyeing and stock area, cooking facilities, and a dormitory. You can learn how to make traditional crafts and silk scarves by joining half- or full-day workshops at Houey Hong Centre.
Location: Houey Hong Village (Ban Hoeuy Hong), Vientiane, Laos
Open: Monday–Saturday from 8am to 12pm and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +856 21 560 006
Vientiane restaurants are mostly found down by the river. A host of open-air joints overlooking the Mekong River serve traditional Lao, Thai and Southeast Asian dishes. These restaurants are mounted on stilts or perched on the riverbank, each offering a different experience of the Lao capital.
There’s also a distinct European charm when dining out in Vientiane. You’ll find fine-dining venues occupying colonial buildings, as well as cafés offering strong coffee and freshly baked pastries. Most of these restaurants in Vientiane are ideal for watching the locals and tourists go about their business – an experience sometimes lost in the more hectic cities of Southeast Asia.
That Dam Wine House
That Dam Wine House overlooks Vientiane’s That Dam (black stupa) – it’s particularly popular at night, when the ancient stupa is illuminated with spotlights. The restaurant serves Laotian and European dishes, as well as a cellar filled with international wines. Standouts include duck breast with orange sauce, Lao-style fried rice, red curry, and lamb tenderloin. Grab a seat at the secluded terrace, where you’ll be surrounded by lush trees and plants.
Location: That Dam, Vientiane 0100 Laos
Open: Daily from 10am to 10pm
Phone: +856 21 217 368
Khop Chai Deu
Khop Chai Deu occupies a colonial building close to the Nam Phu Fountain in central Vientiane. A favourite spot among expats, backpackers and tourists, the restaurant serves authentic Laos and international dishes – opt for the set menus of traditional Lao cuisine.
The Discovery Lao set takes you through various short courses of typical Lao dishes with a glass of rice whiskey, while the Champasak set includes a sweet treat – mango with coconut rice. If you’re craving western comfort food, Khop Chai Deu offers 9 types of pizzas, including a vegetarian option.
Location: 54 Sethathirat Road, Namphou, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 7am to 11.30pm
Phone: +856 21 263 829
Joma Bakery Café
Joma Bakery Café is a popular spot for locals and expats craving for a cup of strong coffee to start the day. There are 3 outlets in central Vientiane, with several more in Cambodia and Vietnam. The café uses fair-trade organic coffee beans, as well as provide employment opportunities to disadvantaged people and victims of human rights. For breakfast, Joma Bakery Café has sweet and savoury options, including fruit salads, bagels, and sandwiches. You can also enjoy a variety of salads – standouts include the veggie and hummus plate, taco salad, and mango sesame salad.
Location: Nongbone and Singha Roads, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 7am to 9pm
Phone: +856 21 453 618
Villa Opera
Villa Opera attracts locals and tourists with its affable staff, fine Italian cuisine, and extensive wine selection. This long-running restaurant occupies a refurbished French colonial villa dating back to 1930, with classy décor and furnishing that mirror that period.
Owner and host, Pino, is friendly and more than happy to introduce Villa Opera’s dishes to diners – standouts include the Pizza Laos (tomatoes, cheese, chilies and Laos sausage), ravioli with tomato and cream sauce, and tiramisu.
Location: 42 Rue Panya Sri Si Thane Nuea, Vientiane 0100 Laos
Open: Daily from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 10pm
Phone: +856 21 215 099
Lao Kitchen
Lao Kitchen offers set menus that let you enjoy a variety of authentic local fare in one seating. Opt for a set of 12 (180,000 kip) Lao dishes, which include Pakse-style pork sausage, Luang Prabang-style stew, grilled Mekong fish, and bamboo shoot stew. There’s also plenty of vegetarian options for those who prefer a meatless meal in Vientiane. For dessert, try Lao Kitchen’s sticky rice with mango (or banana) and coconut milk.
Location: Rue Hengboun, Vientiane 0100, Laos
Open: Daily from 11am to 10pm
Phone: +856 21 254 332
Vangthong Evening Food Market
The Vangthong Evening Food Market attracts locals and tourists looking to enjoy authentic Laotian food at affordable prices. After sunset, the market becomes a hive of activity with dozens of stalls preparing traditional dishes such as bla kan sung (grilled fish), sai oua (Laotian sausage), and bet yang (roasted duck). A walk through Vangthong Evening Food Market also provides plenty of good photo opportunities – just make sure you ask for permission before clicking that shutter.
Location: Rue Phai Nam, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 5pm to 10pm
May Yuan Restaurant
May Yuan Restaurant, located on the mezzanine floor of Lao Plaza Hotel, is where you can enjoy authentic Chinese food in Vientiane. There are 5 private dining rooms, along with a main dining area featuring oriental décor and furnishing.
The menu consists of Cantonese, Szechuan, and Teochew, as well as a variety of dim sum – bite-sized portions of Chinese food served in small steamer baskets. Standouts at May Yuan Restaurant include pork buns, congee, and shrimp dumplings.
Location: Lao Plaza Hotel, 63 Samsenthai Road, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 11.30am to 2pm and from 6.30pm to 10pm
Phone: +856 21 218 800
Bor Pen Nyang
Bor Pen Nyang is a 4-storey bar and restaurant overlooking the Mekong River and central Vientiane. The vibe changes throughout the day, so depending on the time of visit, you may find a chill-out bar with pool tables, a sunset roof terrace, or a vibrant backpacker-friendly club. If you’re planning to catch the sunset, head there early as seats by the terrace get filled up fast.
Bor Pen Nyang’s food menu ranges from fajitas and pizzas to Lao-style BBQ and stir-fried dishes – standouts include larb (minced meat salad), spicy seafood soup, and the special Swiss cheeseburger. Draught BeerLao are served in pints, pitchers and beer towers.
Location: Quai Fa Ngum, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 10am to midnight
Phone: +856 21 261 373
Kualao Restaurant
Kualao Restaurant serves Lao cuisine in an upscale setting, occupying a yellow-washed colonial mansion in central Vientiane. The menu includes som tam (papaya salad), deep-fried Mekong River fish, spring rolls, and handmade Laotian sausage. You can enjoy traditional Lao dance and music performance by the National Dance Troupe – arrive early or call in advance (and ask to be seated close to the stage).
Location: Rue Samsenthai, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 10pm
Phone: +856 21 215 777
L'Adresse – Cuisine by Tinay
L'Adresse – Cuisine by Tinay is an authentic French restaurant just behind the 16th-century Wat Ong Teu. You’ll find classic starters such as goat cheese rolls and tuna tartare, as well as main courses like confit duck cassoulet and beef tenderloin stuffed with foie gras.
L'Adresse – Cuisine by Tinay also offers a lunch menu (75,000–95,000 kip), which covers an entrée, main course, and dessert – the coconut profiteroles and crème brûlée come highly recommended.
Location: Wat Ong Teu, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 11.30am to 10pm
Phone: +856 20 56 913 434
Scandinavian Bakery
Scandinavian Bakery’s western breakfast options include bagels and quiches, as well as the traditional combo of eggs, bacon, and toast. You can also find lighter options such as muesli and salads, together with coffee, tea and fruit shakes. True to its name, Scandinavian Bakery offers a good selection of baked treats – doughnuts, Danish pastries, and cakes are priced from 15,000 kip.
Location: 74/1 Phangkam Road, Vientiane 0100, Laos
Open: Daily from 6.30am to 9pm
Phone: +856 21 215 199
Sticky Fingers
Sticky Fingers is a long-running bistro in central Vientiane, with an extensive western menu and cocktail list. The Aussie-owned joint is usually packed during happy hours on Wednesdays and Fridays – try their famous tom yum martini at half price.
Standouts from Sicky Fingers’ all-day brunch menu includes the Hangover Special (paracetamol available for 1,000 kip), eggs Benedict, and pancakes topped with apples, bananas and cinnamon.
Location: 10/3 Francois Ngin Road, Ban Mixay, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Monday–Friday from 5pm to 11pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10am to 11pm
Phone: +856 21 215 972
The Little House Vientiane
The Little House Vientiane is a roastery, café, and souvenir shop beside Wat Si Muang. This charming venue roasts (and sells) coffee sourced from local farms on the Bolevan Plateau, particularly in Paksong.
Enjoy handcrafted and full-bodied caffeine such as latte and mocha, together with your choice of pastries or cakes. Little House Vientiane also sells handmade silk and embroidery by ethnic groups across Laos.
Location: Ban Si Meuang, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 8.30am to 6pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +856 20 55 406 036
Kong View Restaurant
Kong View Restaurant provides a great setting to enjoy stunning views of the Mekong River, together with an excellent menu of Laotian, Thai, and European dishes. The restaurant is decked out with wooden fixtures and tasteful mood lighting, which add to that chilled-out ambiance and welcoming feel. Half of the restaurant is set outside in a garden overlooking the river, and those who don’t mind sacrificing those stunning river views can enjoy the comfort of air conditioning inside the main building instead.
Location: 183 Souphanouvong Road, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 8am to 11pm
Phone: +856 21 243 686
The best nightlife in Vientiane shows that it has evolved from a sleepy little Mekong fishing town to a city lined with riverfront restaurants, cosy bars, and vibrant nightclubs playing modern tunes. The Laotian capital’s nightlife scene is more of a low-key affair, but that doesn’t mean quality and quantity have been spared.
The ever-growing collection of places to go at night in Vientiane gives you the opportunity to enjoy the evening, spark up a conversation with a chatty stranger, or exchange travel tips with a backpacker on the same path.
Lao Bowling Centre
Lao Bowling Centre is where locals enjoy a night out with loud music, cold beer, and a few rounds of bowling. Sure, the balls are a little chipped, the scoreboard is temperamental, and instructions are somehow in Spanish, but the 10-lane bowling alley is one of the few places in Vientiane that stays open past midnight.
Fees include shoe hire (bring your own socks) – you can even follow the locals by playing barefoot!
Location: Rue Le Ky Huong, Vientiane 0100, Laos
Open: Daily from 9am to 2am
The Spirit House Bar & Restaurant
The Spirit House Bar & Restaurant is an all-day riverside spot that really comes alive in the evening. The stylish wooden interior and tasteful background music give the bar an upmarket feeling, which attracts mostly expats and affluent locals.
Cocktails are must-tries at Spirit House Bar & Restaurant – you’ll find creative combos like martini mixed with sake and pickled ginger, and green-tea infused gin and tonic. There’s also a good range of international beers, wines and (as the name would suggest) spirits.
Location: 09/093, Fa Ngum Road, Baan Seetarn Neua, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 7am to 11pm
Phone: +856 21 243 795
Vientiane Night Market
The Vientiane Night Market takes place along the Mekong Riverfront, where you can see rows of red-roofed stalls selling handicraft, clothes, and electronics. Vendors begin to set up their stalls around sunset – the market is busiest around 8pm, so head there early to avoid a large crowd.
The Vientiane Night Market is well worth a visit in the evening for its gorgeous sunset alone, as well as the many street food stalls selling authentic Lao dishes.
Location: Mekong Riverfront, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 6pm to 9.30pm
Chokdee Café
Beer connoisseurs need to look no further than the colourful and quirky Chokdee Café and Belgian Beer Bar. Located on the main riverfront of Vientiane, it’s known for serving international lagers, ales and ciders – Guinness, Magners, Savanna Dry, Leffe, Hoegaarden, La Chouffe – and of course, no watering hole in Vientiane would be complete without the local Beerlao.
Chokdee Café and Belgian Beer Bar has an extensive food menu to complement your beer sampling session. Standouts include mini hamburgers, cheese plate, pork cold cuts, and spring rolls.
Location: Quai Fa Ngum, Ban Signeun, Vientiane, 00010 Laos
Open: Daily from 10am to 11pm
Phone: +856 20 56 103 434
Moonlight Lounge
Moonlight Lounge is an upmarket bar and club about 350 metres west of the Presidential Palace. The early evenings see the lounge playing jazzy house and ambient beats, while vibrant parties with hip-hop, dance, and trap music take place until the next morning.
The extensive drinks list at Moonlight Lounge includes cocktails, draft and craft beers, wines, and over 20 types of bourbons. You can also enjoy cigars and hookah pipes during your late night out at this Vientiane nightlife spot.
Location: 1 Namphu Fountain, Post Box 8837, Vientiane 01000, Laos
Open: Daily from 4pm to 4.30am
Phone: +856 20 55 444 893
Vangthong Evening Food Market
The Vangthong Evening Food Market attracts locals and tourists looking to enjoy authentic Laotian food at affordable prices. After sunset, the market becomes a hive of activity with dozens of stalls preparing traditional dishes such as bla kan sung (grilled fish), sai oua (Laotian sausage), and bet yang (roasted duck).
A walk through Vangthong Evening Food Market also provides plenty of good photo opportunities – just make sure you ask for permission before clicking that shutter.
Location: Rue Phai Nam, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 5pm to 10pm
Bor Pen Nyang
Bor Pen Nyang is a 4-storey bar and restaurant overlooking the Mekong River and central Vientiane. The vibe changes throughout the day, so depending on the time of your visit, you may find a chill-out bar with pool tables, a sunset roof terrace, or a vibrant backpacker-friendly club. If you’re planning to catch the sunset, head there early as seats by the terrace get filled up fast.
Bor Pen Nyang’s food menu ranges from fajitas and pizzas to Lao-style BBQ and stir-fried dishes – standouts include larb (minced meat salad), spicy seafood soup, and the special Swiss cheeseburger. Draught BeerLao is served in pints, pitchers and beer towers.
Location: Quai Fa Ngum, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 10am to midnight
Phone: +856 21 261 373
Kong View Restaurant
Kong View Restaurant provides a great setting to enjoy stunning views of the Mekong River, together with an excellent menu of Laotian, Thai, and European dishes. The restaurant is decked out with wooden fixtures and tasteful mood lighting, which add to that chilled-out ambience and welcoming feel.
Half of the restaurant is set outside in a garden overlooking the river, and those who don’t mind sacrificing those stunning river views can enjoy the comfort of air conditioning inside the main building instead.
Location: 183 Souphanouvong Road, Vientiane, Laos
Open: Daily from 8am to 11pm
Phone: +856 21 243 686
Samlo Pub
Samlo Pub is rather easy to spot, thanks to its bright yellow exterior and central location in Vientiane. This old-school joint might be grungy and the decor dated, with a liberal indoor smoking policy, but Samlo Pub still attracts plenty with its cheap prices.
Live sports are aired on widescreen TVs, and there’s a variety of classic pub games, such as pool and foosball.
Location: Rue Setthathirath, Vientiane 0100, Laos
Open: Daily from 6pm to 2am
Phone: +856 20 55 519 097