Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is one of the most relaxed capital cities in Asia — a riverside town of golden stupas, French colonial streets and Mekong sunsets. For Indian travellers, it is an easy add-on to a Vietnam or Thailand holiday, and its Buddhist heritage feels familiar to anyone who has visited Bodh Gaya or Sarnath.
This Vientiane travel guide from Vietnamtour.in covers the best time to visit, how to get there from India, visa and currency, the top things to do with entrance fees, Indian and vegetarian food, and where to go next in Laos.
Patuxai, the Victory Monument, is the best-known landmark in Vientiane
Vientiane at a glance (updated November 2026)
Vientiane is the capital of Laos, on the Mekong River opposite Thailand; Wattay International Airport is only about 4 km from the centre.
There are no direct flights from India; most travellers connect via Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, with total travel time of about 8–12 hours.
Indian passport holders can get a Laos e-Visa (about US$50 / ≈ ₹4,750) or a visa on arrival at Wattay Airport (about US$40 / ≈ ₹3,800), usually for up to 30 days.
The best time to visit is November to February, when the weather is dry and cool.
Top sights include Pha That Luang, Patuxai, Wat Si Saket, Haw Phra Kaew, Buddha Park and the Mekong riverside night market; most entry fees are about 30,000–40,000 kip (≈ ₹133–177).
Two days are enough for the city; the high-speed train reaches Vang Vieng in about 1 hour and Luang Prabang in about 2 hours.
Why Visit Vientiane?
Vientiane is worth visiting for its golden Buddhist temples, its calm riverside atmosphere and its easy, affordable pace — you can see the main sights in one or two days without the crowds of Bangkok or Hanoi.
The city’s most sacred monument, Pha That Luang, is a national symbol of Laos, and its many temples reflect the Theravada Buddhism that Laos shares with Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar. In the evenings, locals gather along the Mekong to watch the sunset over Thailand, exercise at open-air aerobics sessions and browse the night market. French colonial villas, bakeries and cafes add to the charm.
Vientiane is also the gateway to the rest of Laos: Vang Vieng’s limestone mountains, the UNESCO town of Luang Prabang and the 4,000 Islands in the south.
Best Time to Visit Vientiane
The best time to visit Vientiane is from November to February, during the cool dry season, when days are sunny and around 25–30°C and evenings are pleasant.
November – February: dry, sunny and comfortable — the peak season. The That Luang Festival is held around the full moon in November, with processions and a large fair around the stupa.
March – May: hot, often above 35°C. Pi Mai (Lao New Year water festival) takes place around 13–16 April.
June – October: the rainy season, with heavy afternoon showers, green landscapes and fewer tourists. The Boun Ok Phansa boat racing festival on the Mekong usually falls in October.
For Indian travellers, the October–November Diwali holidays (8 November 2026; 29 October 2027) fall right at the start of the best season.
How to Reach Vientiane from India
Flights from India to Vientiane usually connect via Bangkok or Hanoi
There are no direct flights from India to Vientiane; the quickest routes connect via Bangkok (about 1 hour 10 minutes to Vientiane), Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, with total travel time of about 8–12 hours. Round-trip fares from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru or Chennai are typically about ₹25,000–45,000 when booked 2–3 months ahead. For routes, airlines and fares from each Indian city, read our guide on how to reach laos from india.
If you are already in Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines and Lao Airlines fly from Hanoi to Vientiane in about 1 hour 10 minutes — the easiest way to combine both countries.
Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines link Hanoi and Vientiane in about 1 hour 10 minutes
Laos Visa for Indians
e-Visa: about US$50 (≈ ₹4,750), single entry, for a stay of up to 30 days; apply online at least 1–2 weeks before travel. It can be used at Wattay Airport (Vientiane), Luang Prabang and Pakse airports and the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
Visa on arrival: about US$40 (≈ ₹3,800) in cash at Wattay Airport, for up to 30 days. Carry US dollars, a passport photo and a printed return or onward ticket.
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months, with 2 blank pages.
Currency and Money
The local currency is the Lao kip (LAK). In 2026, US$1 is roughly 21,000–22,000 kip, so ₹1 is about 225 kip. Indian rupees are not exchanged in Laos, so bring US dollars or Thai baht and change them at banks or exchange counters. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but carry cash for tuk-tuks, temples and markets.
Top Things to Do in Vientiane
The top things to do in Vientiane are visiting Pha That Luang, climbing Patuxai, exploring Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew, seeing the sculptures of Buddha Park, and watching the sunset at the Mekong riverside night market.
Attraction
Entrance fee
Opening hours
Time needed
Pha That Luang
About 30,000 kip (≈ ₹133)
About 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, closed at lunch
45–60 min
Patuxai (Victory Monument)
About 30,000 kip (≈ ₹133) to climb
About 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
30–45 min
Wat Si Saket
About 30,000 kip (≈ ₹133)
Daytime, closed at lunch
30–45 min
Haw Phra Kaew
About 30,000 kip (≈ ₹133)
Daytime, closed at lunch
30 min
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
About 40,000 kip (≈ ₹177)
About 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
1–1.5 hours + travel
COPE Visitor Centre
Free (donations welcome)
About 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
45 min
Mekong riverside night market
Free
About 6:00–10:00 PM
1–2 hours
Fees and hours change from time to time; many temples close for lunch around 12:00–1:00 PM.
1. Pha That Luang — the Great Golden Stupa
Pha That Luang is the most important monument in Laos and appears on the national emblem. The golden stupa, about 45 metres high, is believed to hold a relic of the Buddha; the present structure dates from the 16th century and was later restored. In the temple grounds nearby, a giant golden reclining Buddha is one of the most photographed spots in the city.
The golden reclining Buddha near Pha That Luang
2. Patuxai — the Victory Monument
Often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Patuxai is a large war memorial built in the 1960s, decorated with traditional Lao motifs, including kinnari — the mythical half-bird, half-woman figures found in both Buddhist and Hindu legend. Climb the stairs to the top for panoramic views of the city, then relax in the park and fountain square in front.
Patuxai and its palm-lined park in central Vientiane
3. Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew
Wat Si Saket, built in 1818, is the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, famous for the thousands of small Buddha images set into niches in its cloister walls. Across the road, Haw Phra Kaew is a former royal temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha and now serves as a museum of Buddhist art. Both are a short walk from the riverside, so visit them together in a morning.
4. Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
About 25 km southeast of the city, near the Thai border, Buddha Park is a riverside garden of more than 200 concrete sculptures of Buddhist and Hindu figures, including a huge reclining Buddha and statues of Shiva, Vishnu and other deities that Indian visitors will recognise. Take a tuk-tuk or taxi (about 45 minutes), or the local bus 14 from the Talat Sao bus station.
Buddhist and Hindu sculptures at Buddha Park, about 25 km from Vientiane
5. COPE Visitor Centre
This small, moving museum explains the impact of unexploded bombs left in Laos after the Vietnam War and the work done to help survivors with prosthetic limbs. Entry is free, and donations support the centre’s work.
6. Mekong Riverside and Night Market
In the evening, head to Chao Anouvong Park on the riverfront. The night market sets up around 6:00 PM with clothes, handicrafts and snacks, while locals join outdoor dance-aerobics sessions and watch the sun set over Thailand across the Mekong.
Sunset over the Mekong — the perfect end to a day in Laos
Getting Around Vientiane
Vientiane’s centre is compact and walkable; for longer trips, use tuk-tuks or the local ride-hailing apps.
Tuk-tuk: agree the price before you start; short rides in the centre cost about 20,000–50,000 kip (≈ ₹89–221).
Ride-hailing apps: Loca and inDrive show the price in advance and are often cheaper than tuk-tuks.
From the airport: Wattay Airport is about 4 km from the centre, about 15 minutes by taxi.
Bicycle or scooter: easy to rent for the riverside and nearby temples.
Indian and Vegetarian Food in Vientiane
Vegetarian-friendly Lao dishes are easy to find in Vientiane
Vientiane is easy for Indian and vegetarian travellers: several Indian restaurants operate in the town centre, especially near the riverside and Nam Phou fountain, and many cafes offer vegetarian dishes. Long-running Indian restaurants such as Nazim serve North and South Indian food, including dal, paneer, biryani and dosa. Lao cuisine uses fish sauce in many dishes, so ask for “jay” (vegetarian) or “bor sai nam pa” (no fish sauce). Sticky rice, vegetable curries, stir-fried morning glory and fresh tropical fruit are good vegetarian options.
Where to Go After Vientiane
From Vientiane, the Laos–China Railway makes it easy to continue to Vang Vieng (about 1 hour) and Luang Prabang (about 2 hours), while flights connect to Pakse in the south and to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Vang Vieng: limestone peaks, caves, kayaking and hot-air balloons; about 1 hour by train.
Luang Prabang: the UNESCO-listed old capital, with temples, the morning alms-giving and Kuang Si waterfalls; about 2 hours by train. Second-class tickets cost about 330,000 kip (≈ ₹1,460). Read our luang prabang guide.
Pakse and the south: the Bolaven Plateau, coffee farms, waterfalls and the 4,000 Islands; about 1 hour 10 minutes by flight. See our pakse travel guide.
Train tickets sell out quickly in peak season; book through the official LCR app, a station ticket office, or your hotel or travel agent a few days ahead. Vientiane station is about 16 km from the city centre.
The Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge links Vientiane with Nong Khai in Thailand
Day 1: Morning at Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew → lunch near the riverside → Patuxai and Pha That Luang in the afternoon → sunset and night market at the Mekong riverside.
Day 2: Morning trip to Buddha Park → COPE Visitor Centre after lunch → Talat Sao (Morning Market) for shopping → Indian dinner in the town centre.
FAQs About Vientiane
How many days do I need in Vientiane?
Two days are enough to see the main temples, Patuxai, Buddha Park and the riverside. Add more time for Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang.
Do Indians need a visa for Laos?
Yes. Indian passport holders can apply for a Laos e-Visa (about US$50) or get a visa on arrival at Wattay Airport in Vientiane (about US$40), usually for up to 30 days.
Are there direct flights from India to Vientiane?
No. Most travellers connect via Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, with a total journey of about 8–12 hours.
Is Vientiane safe for Indian tourists?
Yes. Vientiane is generally calm and safe. Watch your bag on busy streets at night and agree tuk-tuk prices in advance.
Can I find Indian food in Vientiane?
Yes. Several Indian restaurants operate in the town centre, and vegetarian dishes are widely available.
Visa fees, entrance fees and transport details in this guide were last checked in November 2026.
