Relaxing in Laos

After visiting the hectic cities of Asia, visitors are surprised by Vientiane’s quiet, laid back atmosphere. While the city is the largest in Laos, it somehow manages to keep its charm while scoring point with visitors for its chilled out vibe.

Of course, temples abound in the city. They are the main draw for sightseers, though simply watching the sun set over the Mekong is, or should be, a close second. Wat Si Saket is the the oldest and the most interesting of these temples. Wat Si Muang has many Buddha statues around its grounds. It is worth a stroll around the well worn path past these statues, which are considered sacred to Laotians.

Considering that most of the city can be covered by foot, simply wandering about is not only possible, but advisable. Wandering is especially pleasant during the cooler months later in the year.

Victory Gate is an impressive nod to Paris’ Arc de Triumph. The Lao version is actually supposed to be taller than that of the French. The reason? France being the former colonial rulers of Laos, one might guess that the height of Vientiane’s Victory Gate was not decided upon by accident.

Despite its size, Victory Gate is not the most important structure in Vientiane. The honor instead goes to Pha That Luang, a holy monument that is 450 years old and considered a national treasure in Laos.

French influence is still evident in Vientiane, mostly in its cuisine. La Terrasse is a wonderful and relatively reasonable eatery near the Mekong. If you’ve always wanted to try the cafe lifestyle, La Terrasse is a good place to start. The numerous cafes near the river and near virtually every guest house offer cheap eats, caffeine, and a place to chill and peruse some day old newspapers. Backpackers frequent such places, so they are also good venues for trading travel stories and meeting new people.

The banks of the mekong are literally lined with simple beer gardens. These spots offer a view of the river and place to do some serious relaxing. Bia Lao (Bialao) is a decent local brew and an oversized bottle cost the same as a small bottle of Tiger Beer. Soft drinks and coffee are also available at these beer gardens.

Bor Pen Nyang (Blue Sky Bar) is a airy rooftop affair popular with expats, locals, and tourists. There is often live music. Though things are mildly pricey relative to the riverside beer gardens, the view is worth it, and, all things considered, it is still very cheap. Other bars catering to tourists and expats are found around the city.

Vientiane is a wonderful place to take a couple days off from the hard work of traveling and get down to some serious relaxing. It is also a good spot for Thailand’s expats to come during a “visa run.”