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Vientiane
This is the Capital, but
you could think this is a village... there is few traffic,
but many restaurants. Some could be very expensive and
there are also some wine bars !? How could it be possible
whereas Laos is one of the poorest Asian countries : maybe
thanks to UN and its staff !
Vientiane has many places
like in Paris or Bangkok such as the Vientiane Monument
which is just like l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris
What to
see
Pha That Luang
The holiest temple in all of Laos. Located about
a 25 minute walk from the town center, follow Thanon Lane
Xang just before the Vientiane Monument (Patuxai) and
turn right for about 15 minute walk.
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Patuxai
- The Vientiane Monument
The Vientiane Monument - just like l'Arc de Triomphe.
From the top you can have a view of the town. Imagine
Lane Xang Avenue as the Champs Elysses but with none
of the traffic and a lot more dust. |
Buddha
Park
A park built by a crazy artist, nothing very exciting,
this is a 1 hour ride by tuk-tuk from Vientiane, and
it's not worth the trip. |
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Talat Sao - The Morning
Market
To go shopping. This is in fact open from 8:00 am
to 6:00 pm. You could find traditionnal clothes from the
Lao ethnies with many slik products.
The sunset from the Mekong
Don't follow what Lonely Planet says about the Sunset
Bar : it's too far away and there are many other charming
bamboo bars along the mekong.
What to
see, around
The plaines of Jars : among
the most enigmatic places in Laos, this is about one hour
by plane from Vientiane.
Where to
stay
We visited the Santidouk
at 8 USD : the room is very basic
So we prefered to stay at
the Lao Paris for 12 USD the double room. This
hotel - in Vietnamese style - has 4 floors of rooms, shower
is in the room, there is a restaurant downstairs, and
it's well located.
Where to
eat
There are many restaurants
for a small place such as Vientiane, we enjoyed to try
some of them :
- The one next to the foutain
circle (at the corner of Namphou Fountain and Thanon
Setthatirath) : Khop Chai Deu Food Garden . the setting
is excellent, the food is nice and cheap !
- The Kua Lao is
an Asian restaurant : Expensive, cold, but the food
is good
- If you have been in Asia
for a long time, La Cote d'Azur (along the river)
is an excellent French restaurant : you can easily imagine
that you are in Southern France in Provence
- You can try also the Italien
restaurant L'Opera at Namphou Circle.
Internet-cafe
There are several
internet-cafe in Vientiane with similar prices.
Planet Online - on Thanon Setthatirath - costs 300 Kips
per minute.
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