I’m the type of traveler where if I look on a map and see I’ll be close to a border, it physically pains me to not cross into the neighboring country. That’s why I’ve visited Armenia on a quick day trip from Georgia and even took the train from Vienna to Bratislava just to grab lunch.
So, when I headed to Southeast Asia for the fourth time and still had yet to visit Laos, I knew I would finally “tick it off of my list.” What I didn’t realize, however, was that Vientiane would be such a cool city — much more than simply a bucket list check.
While I spent a few days there, you can easily see Vientiane’s coolest sights in just one short day. If that’s all you’ve got, here’s what to do.
Pro-tip: As of October 2026, visas are available on arrival at Vientiane airport for American travelers (and several other nationalities). However, it is crucial to have crisp bills (I paid $40 USD in cash) and a passport photo. People have gotten rejected without the photo!
Start your morning at one of Vientiane’s cafes
Vientiane, like many major southeast Asian cities, has wonderful cafe culture. Head to one of the city’s many coffee shops to try local Laotian beans, one of the country’s biggest exports. I personally enjoyed Le Trio Coffee, as they focus on Laos-specific roasts, offering a nice variety of lattes and coffee-based drinks.
Make your own tie-dye clothing at Laos Textile Museum
Take in the history of Laos’ relationship to silk and textiles, where you’ll learn cool things like that certain Laotian populations wear animals on their shirts and dresses which alludes to where they live (for example, if a woman is wearing a fish or a frog on her outfit, it means she lives by the river). Afterward, get your hands dirty at the Indigo Workshop, where you’ll use natural dyes from plants and leafs to make your own tie-dyed shirt or scarf. The process only takes about 30 minutes and is a fun way to bring a souvenir home.
Head to Patuxai to learn about French colonization of Laos
Next, it’s time for a photo opp meets a mini history lesson. Laos was colonized by the French, and the proof is in the details at Patuxai, which translates to “Victory Gate.” This historic arch represents the Laotian lives lost when fighting French colonizers to gain independence.
- If you prefer a guided tour, you can book one here.
See one of the region’s largest Buddha statues
One of the things I was most excited for in Laos was the “Reclining Buddha” temple, where, as the name suggests, a giant golden Buddha is lying down. But this temple is so much more than that — it’s part of  Wat That Luang Tai, a larger temple complex full of various monuments and pavilions. There are golden hued statues and red details everywhere, and after having spent ample time in Southeast Asia, this was one of my favorite religious sights I’ve visited in this region.
Grab lunch at Ma Maison
Ma Maison is in a French colonial-style building offering traditional Laotian dishes, with some that fly further under the radar. For example, yes, you’ll find various types of Lao sausage here, but you’ll also find river weed, similar to seaweed, dotted with sesame seeds and garlic chips. Don’t skip out on the bamboo soup, and be prepared to battle your own spice tolerance, because Laotian food has higher levels of heat than other parts of southeast Asia. It’s an addictively dry-style heat that makes it impossible to put your spoon and chopsticks down. Make sure to check out the garden before heading out.
Alternatively, you could take this food tour to get the best of local flavors.
Buy some local crafts at Her Works
Traveling is sweet as is, but when you travel for good and ensure your money goes back into the community, it’s all that much sweeter. Her Works is a boutique shop selling handcrafted materials, such as handbags, scarves, hair ties, wallets, and more, all made by local women. Each tag even tells you where in the country the product was crafted. The designs here focus on tradition but have a modern take and twist. I bought a yellow hair tie that I love!
Chill by the pool or get a spa treatment
Laos is hot and humid year round, and even just a little bit of walking around will have you craving to cool down and relax. At Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane, where I stayed, there’s a glistening outdoor pool lined with palm trees, and also a wonderful spa. I had a traditional Laos massage, and when I say this woman kinked out every sore muscle in my body, I mean it! Take a little breather before continuing to hit the ground running.
Enjoy cocktails for happy hour at Sabaidee Social
Before you head out to dinner, grab a cocktail or a glass of wine from Saibadee Social. This newly-opened bar has retro wallpaper that makes for great photo opps, and even some tasty small bites, like spicy wings and truffle fries.
Have a traditional meal in town at Lao Derm
When I travel, I usually find small hole-in-the-wall mom and pop shops that lean more “no frills.” However, a local told me Lao Derm, a restaurant ladened with chandeliers and florals, has some of the best traditional Laotian food in town, and I am so very happy I listened, because this was easily one of my top meals not just in Laos, but of 2026 as a whole. I went for these super crispy Laotian chicken wings that came with sambal, laab (ground pork salad), and papaya salad that was so addictive and spicy I was tempted to ask for seconds. They also have a lovely bar with a unique selection of cocktails, wine, and fresh juices like watermelon and strawberry. If you only have time for one meal in Vientiane, let Lao Derm be it.
Optional: Join a night tour
If you’re not ready to go to bed yet, join a guided nightlife tour to try different drinks and bites.
Spend the night
I stayed at the newly-opened Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane, and absolutely loved it! One of the many great things about Laos is you can get a nice room in a four-star hotel, like this one, for less than $100/night. The lobby is designed in such an open-air style space that it makes you take a deep breath and immediately relax upon walking in. The rooms are spacious, and there’s even an onsite temple to marvel at and enjoy.
DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!
DISCLAIMER II: Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane hosted me for two nightsÂ
