Top Things to do in Vientiane Prefecture
Top Hotels in Vientiane Prefecture
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Vientiane Prefecture, Vientiane Prefecture
Discover the best top things to do in Vientiane Prefecture, Laos including MAG UXO Visitor Centre, Wat Si Muang, COPE Visitor Centre, Phou Khoun Observation Site, Icat Gallery, Phat Tich Temple, Mekong Riverside Park, Vientiane City Pillar Shrine, Church of Sacred Heart, Vat that Khao.
Restaurants in Vientiane Prefecture
1. MAG UXO Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 78 reviews
The UXO Visitor Centre provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the most bombed country in the world per capita, and about the work that MAG has been doing in Lao PDR since 1994 to save lives and support development for local communities by clearing the deadly remnants of the bombings.
Reviewed By Gapyearizzie
The visitor centre is very small but contained a lot of important information about the issue of UXOs in Laos, something many western people will be unaware of until they visit this country. The centre had interactive games and videos, as well as bombs and models to help convey the message. The staff were very friendly and welcoming and were happy to answer any questions. They also had free, locally grown tea and coffee as well as calendars that you could take. The whole exhibition is by donation, and it was lovely to be able to support such a worthy cause.
2. Wat Si Muang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
Reviewed By vand658
I 1st visited Wat Si Muang a few years back when I visited Vientiane, although it wasn't until I appreciated here did I realise the beauty and history behind the school. We went to Wat Si Muang when I moved in with the house I live in to get numerous blessed water to distribute all around the house. It was then that a buddy clarified the story behind Wat Si Muang. Typically there was a number of attempts at developing a temple in that spot that had been unsuccessful, one day someone (can't remember who) told the people that someone must lose the presence of theirs by shifting in the really effectively therefore the temple may be set up, that specific must be wanting. Which continues to be when a pregnant lady came also and forward after the sacrifice of her, the temple was successfully built. There is a division of the temple which people are in a position to go to offer due to this specific individual, as well as likewise I believe the title of her was Si Muang. Just how accurate would be the story? I couldn't allow you to know, although it'd been told to me by the Lao buddies of mine.
3. COPE Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,464 reviews
Reviewed By b3n07l0 - Launceston, Australia
This is a museum dedicated to the legacy of the US bombing campaign in Laos known as the ‘secret war’ of unexploded ordinances and the ongoing human impacts which include maiming and death of farm workers and children and the work of COPE and their partners in UXO clearances and the provision of psycho-physical needs of victims. Profoundly moving. Free entry but donations are graciously received and go to find their work in the field.
4. Phou Khoun Observation Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By offroadvietnammotor - Hanoi, Vietnam
I actually wanted to try this longer ride from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang when I turned right at Kasi. Local friends told me it would take two hours longer than the shorter road. Honestly, it's only one hour longer but I had breath-taking views, good roads. Only thing is Lao/Chinese container trucks (I met ~40 in total) made it a bit hard at time. There are many long and steep up or down hill (~5km) so get ready if your bikes have problems.
5. Icat Gallery
6. Phat Tich Temple
7. Mekong Riverside Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 746 reviews
Reviewed By Twwrn
In the evening after 6 the Mekong Riverside Park comes alive with vendors galore and here is where you can purchase souvenirs from traditional clothing for him and her, silk, accessories, tshirts, anime phone cases, artwork, not to mention food! Bartering is allowed and you can get a lower price in most cases. US currency is accepted here BUT make sure it's NEW, undamaged bills or they will NOT accept them, credit cards are accepted. The view of the Mekong by sunset is a sight to behold and many gather if only to view this and take pictures.
8. Vientiane City Pillar Shrine
9. Church of Sacred Heart
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By marywM5233LQ - Ocean Pines, United States
There is a Sunday 10:30 am Mass in English; there is a lovely choir and worshipping with the parishioners and seeing their devotion was inspiring.
10. Vat that Khao
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 226 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
My wife and I enjoyed a short 5 day Wendy Wu “Laos in Focus” private tour in January 2020 organised through Asia DMC Laos, as part of an 18 day Asian adventure to celebrate our 40th anniversary. We enjoyed a three night stay in Luang Prabang and one night in Vientiane. Our all too short stay in Vientiane included a “whirl wind” tour of the main city attractions including the delightful Vat That Khao Temple next door to the iconic Gold covered Great Stupa. Research I have undertaken in preparing this review suggests that while this review is listed under Vat that Khao, the actual name of the Temple appears to be Wat That Luang Tai. Deciding the temple’s correct name however, is immaterial as it is the overall beauty of the temple complex that will be remembered. The temple complex has a very ornate entrance gate. A real feature is a Pavilion building with a beautifully decorated exterior, which has the most amazing collection of murals around a high ceiling inside, which I understand illustrate the most important and decisive moments from the life of Buddha. The entrance to the building has around 8 blue steps with an orange strip down the centre and flanked by two dragon figures on either side. Moving around the inside of the Pavilion one can only marvel at the intricacy of these murals. This building is well worth spending several minutes inside just to gaze sideways and upwards and admire the artwork. The whole place is very spacious. The place has two levels of ceilings. The lower ceiling around the perimeter of the interior of the building has murals and is held together by white painted columns and the higher ceiling in the centre with the life of Buddha murals or frescoes is propped up by 8 ornate gold and red coloured columns. A couple of the building’s sides are open to the elements with no walls. These sides have an ornate white vase-like railing at the base and at the top overhanging from the roof along the outer top edge are what I describe as very attractive semi circular carved-out panels with murals on both the panels' exterior and interior. Another great “must see” feature is the good sized gold imaged reclining Buddha resting very peacefully around landscaped gardens on an impressive, decorative gold and red painted bed. Finally after seeing the reclining Buddha we headed out to the imposing Great Stupa next door but not before passing a covered area containing two rows of several Gold imaged Buddha statues wearing orange cloth sashes with one of the Buddha statues looking down at a resting elephant and a kneeling monkey statue. The overall effect looked very attractive. Our first look at the Great Stupa was from the grounds of this temple complex and it proved a definite WOW factor. Vat that Khao or Wat That Luang Tai was the ideal entrée for the main course which was the Great Stupa (Pha That Luang), next door (reviewed separately). We did not go into the grounds of the Great Stupa but we managed to get some simply stunning photographs of this majestic icon of Vientiane from outside. This gold-covered large Buddhist stupa from ground to pinnacle is 147.6 feet (44 metres) high. The scene was simply majestic, leaving an indelible impression on the mind.
