Location: Vientiane
Top Things to do in Vientiane
What to do and see in Vientiane, Vientiane Prefecture: The Best Monuments & Statues
Vientiane is the capital and largest city in Laos. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is a city steeped in legend and history. The city is the home of the massive gilded stupa, Pha That Luang, a national symbol of Laos. The streets are lined with trees, French colonial buildings, street markets, Buddhist temples, and noodle shops. Just outside the city is Buddha Park, a garden littered with over 200 cement sculptures depicting the gods and monsters of Buddhist and Hindu myth.
Restaurants in Vientiane
1. Patuxai
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,764 reviews
The "Victory Gate" of the city was built in 1962 out of U.S.-purchased cement that was intended for a new airport.
Reviewed By Travelling_SE_Asia - St. Albans, United Kingdom
Built between 1957 and 1968 out of US purchased cement destined for an airport, the victory gate is rather like the Arc De Triomphe, except it was built in honour of those who struggled in their efforts to gain independence from France. It’s a rather nice monument set in very nice, well-kept grounds. There’s a great city view and a runway style pathway leading up to and through the arc. Well worth a visit.
2. Buddha Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,367 reviews
This sculpture park is a collection of hundreds if Buddhist and Hindu statues scattered around a meadow.
Reviewed By E6054CTjoh
The park is so beautiful, absolutely worth seeing! We found this sign on a tree and it was a lot cheaper than any of the other tours we found. Plus he took us to the friendship bridge, the gate, a beautiful all silver temple, and the Pagoda and gave us a great insight into National history and legend of the places. He was so friendly and funny, we even went for a beer with him afterwards. And 8$ for all you get is really nothing. The other drivers and hostel tours take 12$ and you just get a ride there and back. Just text him, he was available the same day for us.
3. Setthathirath
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By camerons457 - Castle Rock, United States
Intriguing statue of Setthathirath, a historic figure in Laos. Easy to find this statue in the center of the Pha That Luang complex.
4. Wat That Luang Neua
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By milliesmum2016 - Christchurch, New Zealand
This National Monument is right beside Pra That Luang and the Recling Buddha Temple. It obviously gets extremely busy here, as there is an enormous car park area in the front which is doubtless often full of tour buses. The day I was there, there wasn't a bus in sight and very few people. Lucky me! Maybe it was still early in the morning. I can't remember. But I certainly got it right, so do aim for early! Then you can enjoy the full majesty and gorgeousness of the four or 5 interesting places nearby. You only need a ticket for the big stupa, I think. This big Wat is elaborately decorated and you would really need a knowledeable guide to point out all the intricacies. The big doors were closed when I was there but the exterior is impressive and beautifully decorated. The gardens are lovely and in between the little side temple, which was open that day, and the big Wat there is a large old Bodhi tree surrounded by the different incarnations of the Buddha doing his different hand signals. I like the both hands out in front one, which means ,stop fighting with your relatives'. Tickles my fancy, I have to say! This is a nice quiet spot for a seat in relative coolness.
5. Patuxai
6. King Sisavangvong Statue
7. Patuxay Monument
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By livingtheqlife - Colorado Springs, United States
In the heart of Vientiane is Patuxai, or Victory Gate, which is Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Just like the arch in Paris, going to the top of Patuxai provides amazing views of the city of Vientiane, which is the capital of Laos. The arch is made up of five levels that represent both the principals representing the coexistence of nations as well as the five principals of Buddhism. Regardless of the meanings of the five levels, today there are markets on each level as you climb to the top offering you the opportunity to buy local items and tourist trinkets. In the square where the Patuxai arch sits, there is an interesting statue of elephants and a temple made completely from tea cups, saucers, and plates. We were told that it was a gift from China, which has a lot of influence over the country of Laos. It is interesting to see both from the ground as well as from the observation deck of Victory Gate. As you would expect, all of the roads lead to the arch, including the main road that leads to Presidential Palace. Sitting between the arch and the statue is a fountain that wasn’t running at the time of our visit, but we imagine it is quite beautiful, especially at night. The arch was originally built in 1968 to honor the soldiers who died during World War II as well as the war for independence from France. In 1975, when the communist party overthrew the Laos government, the statue was renamed to its current name of Patuxai from its original name of Anousavali, which means monument. Regardless of its name, the main reason for visiting Patuxai is for the views of Vientiane, which are wonderful. It will only take an hour or so to visit the arch, even if you take some time to shop in the different levels within Patuxai.
8. Black Stupa (That Dam)
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 581 reviews
Reviewed By hung375306ga471 - Vietnam, null
The location is extremely unexpected because it's right in the middle of the neighborhood, with restaurants and hotels near it. There's a fantastic deal of history behind it and this is the preferred stupa of mine as it is simply made of stone. I'm pleased they don't actually required to renovate this specific stupa. The oldness of its will be the benefit of its.
9. Fa Ngum Statue
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By Travelling_SE_Asia - St. Albans, United Kingdom
Although there is no signage in English explaining what the statue is and what it is there for, it was still great to visit. There’s a nice, well-kept garden which makes it into a nice park area. Good for a picnic and good to walk around and have a look. I turned up about 14:00 in the blistering heat so you may want to do this before 13:00 or after 15:00 as there’s not a great deal of shade around.
10. King Anouvong Statue
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By LivinInSydney - Vientiane, Laos
Reading some reviews here leaves me mistified, such as, (that is fairly isolated) then go there at night when the locals come out to the Riverside, (facing presidential palace) no it's not, it's facing Thailand, (Lots of elephants around statue like hundreds of them) find out why? at least it's good to see the locals respect where in other cultures they woud have been vandalised or stolen or grafitti, respect the culture, take time to learn the culture, the area is being developed, i was there when it was being erected, the sculpture is huge, see it at least once.
