8 Best Things to Do in Vientiane: Temples & Markets

Featured image: Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Things to Do in Vientiane at a Glance

Eight sights cover most first trips. Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew stand side by side, so visit them together. Pha That Luang sits outside that central temple cluster and needs its own trip. For sights that cost nothing, see our list of no-cost sights around the city.

8 Best Things to Do in Vientiane, Grouped by Area

Prices and hours checked November 2026. Items run from the riverside through the old-town temples to the markets and one out-of-town stop. Each entry notes who can skip it.

1. Mekong Riverside and Chao Anouvong Park

Chao Anouvong Park runs along the Mekong and is where Vientiane gathers at dusk. Locals join open-air aerobics classes, families picnic, and the sun sets over the Thai bank across the water. Evenings from about 5 PM to 10 PM are liveliest, and the park itself is free.

Stalls selling handicrafts, textiles, grilled skewers, sticky rice and Beerlao set up for the evening, and our guide to the evening market stalls covers what to buy. Our Mekong promenade guide maps the wider stretch for a longer walk. Anyone wanting a quiet evening may find the stalls busy.

2. Wat Si Saket

Wat Si Saket dates from 1818 and is widely described as Vientiane's oldest surviving temple. It reportedly escaped the 1828 Siamese invasion that destroyed much of the city. Cloister walls hold more than 2,000 Buddha images set in rows, niches and alcoves, and faded 19th-century murals show Jataka tales.

Remove your shoes and cover shoulders and knees. Early morning gives soft light and fewer tour groups. Travelers with no interest in temples can skip it, though it is the quietest of the central sights.

3. Haw Phra Kaew

Haw Phra Kaew was the royal temple that housed the Emerald Buddha until it was taken to Bangkok in 1779. It now works as a museum of Lao Buddhist art, with bronze statues, carved doors and lacquer pieces. Garden shade makes it a calm break in hot weather.

It stands next to Wat Si Saket, so combine the two in one walk. Look closely at the carved doors, which show the craftsmanship best. Visitors short on time can view the exterior and move on.

4. Pha That Luang

Pha That Luang is the golden stupa that serves as Laos's national symbol. UNESCO's tentative listing dates the current monument to 1566, when King Setthathirath moved the capital to Vientiane. Walk the grounds slowly, clockwise as worshippers do, and keep shoulders and knees covered.

Sunrise and late afternoon avoid midday heat. Dates for the That Luang Festival follow the lunar calendar and usually fall around November. Pass on it only if your stay is a single afternoon; Patuxai gives a lighter city view.

5. Patuxai

Patuxai means "Gate of Triumph" and was built between 1957 and 1968. Its overall form recalls the Arc de Triomphe, but the decoration is distinctly Lao. Climb the interior stairs for views over the capital's temples and the park around the monument.

Late afternoon brings a breeze and softer light. Pair it with Talat Sao for one central route. Anyone who struggles with stairs can enjoy the monument from its base.

6. COPE Visitor Centre

COPE explains the legacy of unexploded ordnance in Laos and the work to help survivors. It sits in the grounds of the Centre for Medical Rehabilitation on Khouvieng Road, across from the Green Park Hotel. Entry is free, and it opens daily from 8:30 AM.

Cave Cinema screens short documentaries, so ask staff for screening times. Allow 1–2 hours, and read more on COPE's own site. Exhibits are sobering, so younger children may find them heavy.

7. Talat Sao

Talat Sao is the central market for textiles, clothing, gifts and everyday goods. It opens daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and most shops are busiest between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Bargaining is common in the traditional sections.

Bring cash, since some smaller vendors may not accept cards. Look for Lao fabrics and small locally themed souvenirs, and compare stalls before buying. Arrive after 4 PM and you will find little time left.

8. Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)

Buddha Park lies 24 km southeast of the city and was created in the 1950s by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat. More than 200 concrete statues mix Buddhist and Hindu imagery, including a giant reclining Buddha. You can climb into a pumpkin-shaped sphere for views over the grounds.

Tuk-tuks and shared minivans take roughly 45–60 minutes each way. Settle the return fare and waiting time with your driver before leaving. Plan a half-day, and skip it if you have only one day in town.

How to Plan Your Time in Vientiane

With a half-day, walk Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew, then continue to Patuxai and Talat Sao. A full day can add Pha That Luang, COPE and the riverside at sunset. Two days leave room for Buddha Park, which takes a half-day on its own. For a route on foot, use our self-guided walking route. On a rainy day, swap in COPE, the Haw Phra Kaew museum and a café stop.

Costs, Tickets and Opening Hours

COPE has free entry, and the Mekong riverside and its park cost nothing. Talat Sao is open daily 7:00 AM–5:00 PM. Fees at the temples, Patuxai and Buddha Park change from year to year and are paid in LAK. Current rates are listed on the Laos national tourism site. Carry small cash notes for entry, market buying and donations, and see our free-sights guide for ways to cut costs.

Getting Around and Day Trips From Vientiane

The centre is compact enough to walk in cooler hours. Bicycles, motorbikes and tuk-tuks cover longer hops, and tuk-tuk fares should be agreed before you board. Buddha Park is 24 km away, so a round trip needs about 2 hours of travel. Phou Khao Khouay National Park lies roughly 40–50 km out, and Nam Ngum Lake about 90 km. Choose Buddha Park for a short outing and the lake or national park for a full day.

Best Time to Visit and Temple Etiquette

November to February is generally drier and cooler, which makes walking between temples easier. March to May is much hotter, and the rainy season runs from about May to October. Cover shoulders and knees at every temple, and remove shoes before entering halls. Keep your voice low near worshippers at active shrines. Plan temple visits for early morning or late afternoon to avoid midday heat.

Choosing a Full-Day Trip Beyond Buddha Park

Buddha Park is the simplest outing when time is tight. It is 24 km southeast of central Vientiane, and the journey usually takes 45–60 minutes each way. That makes it a practical half-day choice, leaving an evening free for the riverside.

Choose Nam Ngum Lake when you want a full day away from the city without building an itinerary around temples or monuments. It is about 90 km from Vientiane, so it makes less sense for a short stop or a flight-day excursion. Choose Phou Khao Khouay National Park for a nature-focused day instead. It lies roughly 40–50 km from the city, but transport and a return plan need more attention than Buddha Park.

For either longer trip, arrange transport before departure and agree on the driver’s waiting time and return fare. Travelers with only 1–2 days in Vientiane will usually get more from the central sights, COPE and Buddha Park.