Our Top 5 Activites Around Vientiane
The noise and chaos of capital cities in Southeast Asia can be overwhelming for visitors. On a map, the Lao capital of Vientiane might seem like the kind of place that travelers are trying to leave behind – hectic, hustling, and tense. Since Vientiane is a transportation hub for the rest of the country, foreigners mistakingly approach it with a 'get in and get out' attitude. They're missing something.
Vientiane is said to have a more relaxed, small-town feel than other Southeast Asian capitals. At a population of around 450,000 people, it is more like an “overgrown village” and one of the smallest capital cities in mainland Asia. If you stop, take a deep breath, and good look around, you'll find that there is plenty to do in and around Vientiane before fleeing to the farther corners of Laos. Stay a few nights in Vientiane, and you'll see that there are some exciting day trips and excursions are based in the city.
Day Trips from Vientiane
Take the amount of time you had originally planned to stay in Vientiane, and increase it by at least one night. Give yourself a full day to enjoy the city and see the major sites. Get lost in hidden markets as you make your way from one grand temple to the next. Wander down to the riverside for a beer – a favorite pastime in Vientiane. Or, leave the planning and navigating to a local expert and plan on a guided bicycle tour of Vientiane. On this route, you'll hit the major stops of Wat Sisaket, That Luang, Wat Haw Pha Keo and the Patuxai Monument.
At thats just for starters. Consider staying a few more days and checking out these unique day trips - well worth it!
For thrillseekers a high-intensity day trip from the capital is the Nam Lik Jungle Fly. After a morning of reaching the JunglyFly adventure site by car, by boat across the Nam Lik river, and by foot, day trippers are rewarded with a picnic in the Nam Lik Jungle. Then, a playground of canopy activities awaits – from rope walking to zip lining to abseiling. There's even an additional kayak option for the super-active who want to paddle themselves across the Nam Lik river en route to JungleFly.
In the spirit of community-based tourism, this trek is an initiative to benefit the local people of Ban Hatkhai village. These locals will be your guides and hosts, along with the orchid expert that accompanies each trek. Highlights of the trek include a waterfall, bamboo forests, and spotting of the best orchid and butterfly species that Laos has to offer. The tour leaves Vientiane in the morning and will return around 5:30pm. A very satisfying day trip!
Half-day Coffee Discovery Tour
This excursion is for the caffeine addicts and coffee connoisseurs. Here's a chance to get behind the scenes of the entire coffee production process, from how it is grown, harvested, roasted, and prepared. Of course, the tour ends with a tasting of this high-end coffee that the Boloven Plateau is famous for.
Let the mysticism and quirkiness of this huge collection of Buddhist sculptures charm you. The park is about 45 min by car toward Thailand. On the way, you'll stop at the Friendship Bridge that was constructed to link Laos and Thailand in 1994. Once in the park, drift peacefully through the 200 statues and along the Mekong river. On the way back, two special stops include the community of Mai Savanh to see traditional textile and silk production, and the Lao Disabled Women Development Center for a chance to buy their handmade paper and other handicrafts.
