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The Essence of Vientiane
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The Mekong River has long been the spine and lifeblood of Laos as it meanders from the far north to the very south of this landlocked nation. Along its route, the river passes by Vientiane the capital city of Laos.
Frequently the first stop of tourists coming to Laos, Vientiane is a riverbank city where one can spend a short time seeing a different aspect of Lao culture before exploring the rest. Unlike the spirituality of Luang Prabang or the natural splendor of the deep south, Vientiane will show you Laos’s broader history and the urban life of the city. Let Absolute Asia Tours guide you through the best things to do in Vientiane!
The relaxed manner of Laos can be particularly seen in Vientiane, which is signature for Lao culture. Before the French came in the late 1800s, its significance fluctuated over the ensuing centuries. Things started to calm down when the civil war ended and the Pathet Lao party emerged victorious.
Vientiane is best enjoyed for its relaxed environment, French colonial architecture, and scattering of revered Buddhist temples, even if it offers only a few attractions to cross off a traveler’s must-see list. The Patuxai memorial, resembling the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is located in the center of the city and is best seen at night when it is brilliantly lit.
Take a morning walk through Talat Sao Market to start the day, and then continue on through the French Colonial area. Temple lovers must see the venerated (and glittering) Wat Pha That Luang, and the neighboring Buddha Park is a unique collection of more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues arranged in well-kept gardens.
There are now many excellent options to sample both traditional and contemporary Laotian food, which is frequently combined with French and other international cuisine, thanks to the growing restaurant and bar culture that has been fueled by the expat community. Watch the sun set over the Mekong at a riverbank café in the evening.
If you want to add Vientiane to your Laos tour as the first stop or enjoy the charm of this city for a longer time, let Absolute Asia Tours bring you a perfect itinerary for your needs!
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Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is the ancient town situated in northern Laos. In 1995, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The global body described it as an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved town scape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.
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Located on the Nam Song River, Vang Vieng is a tourism-oriented town in Laos. It takes about four hours ride to the north from the capital Vientiane to Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng has long-lasting history since 1353 with its original name as Mouang Song and was renamed as Vang Vieng now during French colonial in the 1890s. The most notable feature of the area is the karst hill landscape surrounding the town.
DiscoverSi Phan Don (4000 Islands)
Si Phan Don, or the 4000 Islands, is a peaceful destination in southern Laos. This unique area, with its breathtaking islands and sandbanks, is shaped by the seasons of the Mekong River. During the flood season, it becomes the widest part of the river, but in the dry season, hundreds of islands emerge, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
DiscoverPakbeng
Being located between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang, Pakbeng used to grand the Mekong as the only major transport route in the country. Nowadays, Pakbeng has developed as a stop during the night for both shipment and passenger ferryboats.
DiscoverPha That Luang
Located on a hill about three miles northeast of the centre of Vientiane, Pha That Luang (The Great Stupa or Sacred Reliquary) is considered as the most important national monument and the symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. It is an impressive gold-covered large Buddhist stupa whose gilded structure reflects marvelously in the midday sunlight.
DiscoverTham Jang
Located southwest of Vang Vieng in Laos, Tham Jang (or Tham Chang) is Vang Vieng’s most famous of the caves. In the early 19th century the cave was used as a bunker during the Chinese-Ho invasion. It was also the residence of migrating people who settled near the town’s southern Meuand Xong Village to plant vegetables.
DiscoverTham Xang
Located in a scenic karst area to the northeast of Thakaek, Tham Xang (or Elephant Cave) is one of many famous caves known for its remarkable limestone formation and having prominent Buddha statues housed around it.
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