Things to Do in Vientiane

At first sight, Vientiane could appear boring. Compared to other capitals of SEA, it looks sooooo painfully sloooooow. Still, if you give it a chance, you’ll be happy you did so. The range of sights and activities to choose from is diverse. Each of them gives you an insight into this country’s history, culture, and the way of living.

Fresh Market Tour with food tasting

DIY or organized city tours are always a must, but why not give it a gastronomic twist? If you’re a foodie, going on a food tour is mandatory. You get the chance to taste a plethora of fresh herbs, exotic spices, unusual ingredients and Lao’s popular sticky rice. Tours offeres around the city typically last two hours and include a tuk-tuk ride to the Talat Thong Khan Kham fresh market, food tastings, and the assistance of an English-speaking guide.

Threeland Travel is one of the operators offering this fresh market tour for about USD40/LAK 320,000. You can book in advance and pay by a credit card. Cancellations until six days before the booked date are free of charge.

Sunset Aerobics

This is one of the activities we actually enjoy the most. Even if you are not going to participate, just come to see aerobics enthusiasts of all ages gather at sunset by the Mekong. Everybody’s welcome though the majority are normally women. The activity is absolutely free to join, though a small donation about LAK2,000 would be a good idea
.

Get a traditional Lao massage

A good massage session after the aerobics class is what you will probably need. Lao massages are the definition of relaxation, yet they leave you invigorated and refreshed. A traditional Lao massage is a unique experience – one can hear the sounds of the forest and feel the sunshine on their skin – well, poetically speaking, of course.

Though you will have to get outside the touristy centre, we would still recommend heading to Wat Sok Pa Luang. A 10-minute motorbike ride will get you east past Talat Sao Morning Market and the COPE Visitor Center right to the temple. Massage shops are on the temple’s grounds and are open daily from 1 pm to 8 pm. The price for massage sessions starts from LAK35,000/USD4.5, and for saunas from – LAK15,000/USD1.80.

Waterfalls hike with elephant ride

If you’re ready to get away from the city, going on a hiking trip is an excellent choice. This private tour supplied by Threeland Travel is a unique experience as it includes an elephant ride through the forest. The route crosses rainforests, mountains, streams and quaint villages and the program includes a mouth-watering picnic lunch and a boat trip along the Nam Khan River.

To get the most of the adventure, you should be reasonably fit, as the tour lasts 9 hours and a part of this time is devoted to jungle trekking. The price starts from USD135 – LAK1,000,000.

Variations of this tour include a cycling tour or water rafting.

2-day Vang Vieng Tour from Vientiane

If you think you’ve head enough of Vientiane but are not going to travel far, consider a two-day tour from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. Do it yourself or opt for ready-made solutions.

The road from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is one of the most beautiful routes in the region. The picturesque views, the hill tribe sleepy villages, the grand limestone formations and the caves are some of the many reasons you’ll appreciate this tour, especially if you are a nature and adventure enthusiast.

The tour lasts two days, and the starting price is USD260 or LAK2,000,00. Some of the highlights of the tour include a visit to the Hmong Village, the archaeological site of Vang Xang, the fishing village of Ban Houy Mo and a boat trip in Vang Vieng itself.

The second day is dedicated to touring the Tham Chang Cave, which is considered one of the most spectacular natural caves in the world. Lonely Planet provides this private tour.