Vientiane
Vientiane is Laos's capital, on the Mekong River across from Thailand. Go for the gold stupa of Pha That Luang, the temples and evenings on the riverfront.
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Vientiane is the capital of Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and it sits on the Mekong River across from Thailand. Its center is compact, with the morning market and most hotels within walking distance. Nong Khai, on the Thai side, is a short crossing over the Friendship Bridge. The main sights are Pha That Luang, a large gold-covered stupa that is a national symbol, and Wat Si Saket, a temple whose walls hold thousands of small Buddha images.
The city suits a trip of two or three days. Spend time at the temples, walk the Mekong promenade at sunset, and eat larb, sticky rice and grilled meat at local restaurants. Distances are short, and a tuk-tuk or taxi covers most sights. November to February is the most comfortable period, while March to May is the hottest stretch.
Vientiane in five
- Check whether you need a visa before you flyMany passports qualify for a visa on arrival at Wattay International Airport, but check your nationality first. Bring passport photos and US dollars in cash for the visa fee.Visas and entry
- Carry kip cash for daily spendingMany small shops, tuk-tuk drivers and market stalls accept only kip. Withdraw enough in the center before you head to the outskirts or out of town.Money and costs
- Install Grab before you need a rideGrab runs in Vientiane and shows the fare before you book, so you can skip the haggling that tuk-tuk drivers often start with. Set up the app with a card or cash before you land.Getting around
- Set up an eSIM or a Lao SIMBuy a SIM from Unitel, Lao Telecom or ETL, or install an eSIM before you land, since maps and Grab both need mobile data.Phones and eSIM
- Insure for medical evacuationHospitals in Vientiane handle routine care, but serious cases may need transfer to Bangkok. Your policy needs medical evacuation cover as well as treatment cover.Travel insurance
Things to do in Vientiane
See all attractions in Vientiane
Need to know
- Currency
- Lao kip (LAK)
- Entry
- Visa on arrival or e-visa for many passports; check yours before you fly
- Emergency
- 191 police, 190 fire, 195 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+7, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Cool, dryJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Cool, dryFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh34°Low23°Hot, dryMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh36°Low26°Pi Mai, very hotAprilPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Pi Mai, very hot
- MayRain23 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°Hot, rains startMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 251 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rains start
- JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 335 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Rainy seasonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 397 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- AugustRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rainy, greenAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 486 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, green
- SeptemberRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°Rainy seasonSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 414 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy season
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Rains endingOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 155 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ending
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Cool, dryNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low18°Cool, dryDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
Average daily high and low in Vientiane, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Vientiane
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 29%
Vientiane
07:04 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°24°29%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Wed31°24°22%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Thu31°24°39%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Fri31°23°71%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sat31°24°37%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Sun31°23°26%Sunday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Mon30°23°35%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 35%.
Updated 04:44 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 22,380 LAK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)about 40 min by carA sculpture park of large Buddhist and Hindu figures on the Mekong, an easy half-day trip.Read the guide
- Nam Ngum Reservoirabout 1 hour by carA large lake with lakeside restaurants, good for an afternoon away from the city.Read the guide
- Vang Viengabout 3 to 4 hours by roadA river town with limestone hills, too far for a relaxed day, so plan it as an overnight.Read the guide
Before you go to Vientiane
Rules for Vientiane, checked
- Check visa rules for your passport with the Lao embassy or consulate before you book any flight.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure.
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples such as Pha That Luang and Wat Si Saket.
- Drug offenses carry severe penalties in Laos, so carry only medicines with a clear prescription.
- Ask before photographing people, and do not climb on or touch Buddha images.
Plan around Vientiane
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Laos trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich passports need a visa and how to apply
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, Grab, tuk-tuks and buses from the airport
Read the guideMoney and costsKip cash, card use and typical daily prices
Read the guideWhere to stayNeighborhoods and stays for a Vientiane base
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data for maps and ride apps
Read the guideVientiane FAQ
Is Vientiane worth visiting?
Yes, for the temples, the quiet Mekong riverfront and a slower start to a Laos trip. Two or three nights is enough for the city.
How many days do you need in Vientiane?
Two nights cover the main temples, the Mekong promenade and the morning market. Add a day if you want to visit Buddha Park or the reservoir.
How do you get from the airport to the centre?
Take a taxi or book a Grab from Wattay airport. The ride into town is short. Agree the fare or check it in the app before you get in.
Is Vientiane safe for solo travelers?
The main risks are road traffic, especially scooters, and bag snatching on foot.
Can you pay by card in Vientiane?
Mid-range hotels and some restaurants take cards, but many small shops and tuk-tuks need cash in kip. Carry both.
Is Vientiane better than Luang Prabang?
Choose Vientiane for a working capital with temples and a riverside promenade. Choose Luang Prabang for its old town and a smaller, slower pace.