Vientiane Travel Guide - Vientiane Travel Information – Vientiane Tours

Home > Destination > Laos > Vientiane

DESTINATION DETAIL

Vientiane

Vientiane tours, according to those Laos travel enthusiasts, always evoke some emotional mixture. Vientiane's withstood history mixed up with fortunes and misfortunes, which makes this city stand strongly on its ground while facing today's urbanization flocking. The surrounding alluvial plains in Vientiane around the Mekong River are so fertile that Lao people couldn't think of moving anywhere else once they settled in the 9th century. During most of the time, Vientiane has enjoyed the position of the national major regional center. However, the history of being controlled and periodic invasions by the Vietnamese, Burmese and Siamese wasn't quite enjoyable. And attempts to assert Lao independence sometimes resulted in even more violent and destructive episode in Vientiane's history. The colonial times were tough too. Arrived in late 19th, the French explorers made the capital out of Vientiane. And the reconstruction began. A simple grid plan was laid out for the city and a sprinkling of colonial-style mansions and administrative buildings emerged. During the WWII and Cold War, Vientiane was home to an ethnical mixture of Lao, French, American and Vietnamese, with the population growing vigorously. The arrival of the Pathet Lao (PL) in 1975 changed Vientiane. And the city settled into a slumber punctuated by occasional unenthusiastic concessions to communism, including low level collectivization and an initial crack-down on Buddhism. Things picked up in the 1990s and in recent years Vientiane has seen a relative explosion of construction, road redevelopment and vehicular traffic. Vientiane Tourism is on the rise, and the city is facing some serious urbanization sprawl. Today, a Vientiane vacation can give you a quick scan of its mixed past and thriving today.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

1. Getting there & away

Land

Bus & sǎwngthǎew

Buses use three different stations in Vientiane, all with some English-speaking staff. The Northern Bus Station (260255; Th T2), about 2km northwest of the centre, serves all points north of Vang Vieng, including China, and has some buses to Vietnam.

The Southern Bus Station (740521; Rte 13 South), commonly known as Dong Dok Bus Station or just khíw lot lák kāo (Km 9 Bus Station), is 9km out of town and serves everywhere south. Buses to Vietnam will usually stop here.

The Talat Sao Bus Station (216507) is where desperately slow local buses depart for destinations within Vientiane Province, including Vang Vieng, and some more distant destinations, though for these you’re better going to the northern or southern stations. It’s also home to the Thai-Lao International Bus .

Getting into Thailand: Vientiane to Nong Khai

The Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge is 22km southeast of Vientiane. The border is open between 6am and 10pm, and the easiest way to cross is on the comfortable Thai–Lao International Bus (12,000 kip, 90 minutes), which leaves Vientiane’s Talat Sao bus station at 7.30am, 9.30am, 12.40pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 6pm. From Nong Khai in Thailand, it leaves at the same times for 55B. Similar buses run to Udon Thani (20,000 kip, two hours) six times a day. Visas are issued on arrival in both countries. Alternative means of transport between Vientiane and the bridge include taxi or jumbo (60,000–70,000 kip – bargain hard) or regular public buses from Talat Sao (13,000 kip) between 6.30am and 5pm. At the bridge, regular shuttle buses ferry passengers between immigration posts. For information on crossing this border in the other direction.

Boat

Rare, no-frills cargo boats head upstream to Luang Prabang (four days to one week) from Kiaw Liaw Pier, 3.5km west of the fork in the road where Rte 13 heads north in Ban Kao Liaw. Go there and speak with the boatmen in advance to see if, when and how far they’re running. During dry season, November to May, it’s out of the question.

Air

Wattay International Airport is the hub for flights to the rest of the country and CambodiaThailand. and Lao Airlines (code QV; 212051; www.laos-airlines.com), Thai Airways Internationalwww.thaiair.com) and also Vietnam Airlines (code VN; 217562; www.vietnamairlines.com) are the main carriers for Vientiane. From here you can fly to Siem Reap (US$140), Phnom Penh (US$50), Pakse (US$100), Savannakhet (US$60), HCMC (US$180), Bangkok (US$100), Chiang Mai (US$90), Kunming (US$140), Huay XaiLuang Prabang (US$60), Phonsavan (US$50) and Hanoi (US$120). (THAI, code TG; 251041; (US$90),

2. Getting around

Bicycle

Bicycle & motorcycle

Bicycles can be rented for 8000 kip per day from tour agencies and guest houses. Scooters are also a great way to get about town, but remember to keep your helmet on (the police fine is a movable feast). The excellent Jules’ Classic Rental (020 7600813; www.bike-rental-laos.com; Th Setthathirat; per day 85,000-255,000 kip) outside Phimphone Market has new bikes ranging from classic Vespas to heavy-duty 450cc motocross giants. Another major plus is you can drop your bike off in Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang. Comprehensive insurance is standard.

Túk-Túk

Many túk-túk have a laminated list of vastly inflated tourist prices and won’t budge for less than the price already agreed upon with the other drivers (starting at 10,000 kip). You’re better off trying a free-roaming túk-túk (one driving along the street), where negotiation is possible. You can also flag down a shared túk-túk (with passengers already in it); shared túk-túk ply fixed routes and cost about 2000–5000 kip depending on your destination.

3.Money & costs

Money

Several banks in Vientiane change cash and travellers cheques and do cash advances against credit cards for a commission. There are also a number of 24-hour ATMs.

Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao (BCL; 213200; cnr Th Pangkham & Th Fa Ngum; 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri) Good rates for travellers cheques.

Joint Development Bank (213535; Th Lan Xang; 8.30am-4pm Mon-Fri) Charges lower commission on cash advances against credit cards.

Lao Development Bank (213300; Th Setthathirat; 8.30-11.30am & 2-4pm Mon-Fri)

Lao-Viet Bank (215418; Th Lan Xang; 8.30am-4pm Mon-Fri)

4.Health & safety
While you're there
Medical services
Aek Udon International Hospital (0066 4234 2555; 24hr). If you’re seriously ill seek an emergency evacuation to this hospital in Thailand.

Australian Embassy Clinic (413603; Th Mahasot;8.30am-12.30pm & 2-5pm Mon-Fri) Citizens of Commonwealth countries can access treatment here.

Mahasot Hospital (214023; Th Mahasot) Come here for treatment of minor ailments