Create meetup in Vientianechevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Vientiane Guides
bar_chart Trends in Vientiane
day trips from vientiane?
honestly just head to Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khuan) for a half day, it's about 25km southeast of town. the giant concrete sculptures are pretty wild and it's only like 5,000 kip entry, but the real move is grabbing a beerlao at the little stall by the river after. if u want nature instead, the Nam Ngum Reservoir is like 90 minutes north, you can hire a boat for a couple hours and see floating villages, just don't expect luxury. for lunch outside the city, try Ban Xang Khong village east of the center, there's a small family-run spot called Sala Bai that does a killer laap and the silk weaving workshops are right there too
if you want something really chill, take the ferry across the mekong to thailand for a day, it's like 5 minutes and you're in nong khai. there's a huge sculpture park there too (sala kaew ku) that's even wilder than buddha park tbh, and the night market on the thai side is good for dinner. just bring your passport
You could check out the Vang Vieng day trip if you're up for a long drive. It's about three hours north but the karst scenery and tubing are worth the hassle if you leave early.
3 Days in Vientiane: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day at the sacred That Luang Stupa, the national symbol of Laos, located on Thanon That Luang. Arrive by 8:30 AM to avoid the heat and tour the golden stupa for 1… 🌅 Day 1 Morning
Start your first day at the sacred That Luang Stupa, the national symbol of Laos, located on Thanon That Luang. Arrive by 8:30 AM to avoid the heat and tour the golden stupa for 10,000 LAK (about $1). Then walk 15 minutes to the nearby Wat That Luang Tai for a quieter, more local temple experience.
🍜 Day 1 Lunch
For lunch, head to the bustling morning market, Talat Sao, on Thanon Khu Vieng. Try the traditional noodle soup, khao piak sen, at one of the market stalls for around 20,000 LAK. The market is open from 7 AM to 5 PM, but the food stalls are best before 2 PM.
🏛️ Day 1 Afternoon
Spend the afternoon at the COPE Visitor Centre on Thanon Khouvieng, which offers a moving exhibit on the legacy of unexploded ordnance. It is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, and entry is free, though donations are appreciated. From there, it is a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride to the Patuxai Victory Gate, where you can climb to the top for panoramic views for 3,000 LAK.
🌆 Day 1 Evening
As the sun sets, stroll along the Mekong Riverfront promenade, which comes alive with local families and street vendors. For dinner, try the popular Kualao Restaurant on Rue Samsenthai, serving authentic Lao cuisine with live music; expect to pay around 150,000 LAK per person. End the night with a cold Beerlao at the riverside Bor Pen Nyah bar, a favorite among travelers.
🛕 Day 2 Morning
Begin day two at the serene Wat Si Saket, the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, on Thanon Lan Xang. It is open from 8 AM to noon and 1 PM to 4 PM, with an entry fee of 10,000 LAK. Just across the street is Haw Phra Kaew, a former royal temple now housing a museum of Buddhist art; combine both in one visit.
🛵 Day 2 Afternoon
Rent a bicycle or motorbike from your guesthouse (around 50,000 LAK per day) and ride 20 minutes to the Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, located on Thanon Tha Deua. This sculpture park features over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues and is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, with an entry fee of 15,000 LAK. On the way back, stop at the Friendship Bridge viewpoint for a photo of the Thai-Lao border.
🎭 Day 2 Evening
In the evening, catch a traditional Lao dance performance at the National Culture Hall on Thanon Nongbone, with shows typically starting at 7 PM and tickets costing 50,000 LAK. For dinner, head to the night market on Chao Anouvong Park, where you can sample grilled fish and sticky rice for under 30,000 LAK. The market runs from 5 PM to 11 PM daily.
🏞️ Day 3 Day Trip
On your final day, take a day trip to the Nam Ngum Reservoir, about 90 minutes north of the city by bus or private car. Hire a boat at the main pier for a two-hour cruise among the islands, costing around 200,000 LAK for a group. Enjoy a picnic lunch on one of the islands or at a floating restaurant, and return to Vientiane by late afternoon.
🧘 Day 3 Relaxation
After the trip, unwind with a traditional Lao massage at the Wat Sok Pa Luang Meditation Center, located on Thanon Sok Pa Luang. A one-hour massage costs 60,000 LAK and supports the temple's monks. Alternatively, visit the nearby Lao Red Cross Sauna for a herbal steam session for just 10,000 LAK, open from 1 PM to 8 PM.
🌙 Final Night
For your last evening, enjoy a sunset cocktail at the rooftop bar of the Crowne Plaza Vientiane on Rue Samsenthai, with views over the city and Mekong. Then, have a farewell dinner at the acclaimed Makphet Restaurant, which trains street youth in culinary skills; a three-course meal costs around 180,000 LAK. Reserve ahead, as it is popular with both locals and tourists.
this is a great itinerary, honestly covers all the bases. one thing i'd tweak: day 3, the Nam Ngum trip is fine but if you're short on time or energy, consider swapping it for the morning market at That Luang instead. it's way more local than Talat Sao, tons of street food and you can grab a proper Lao coffee for like 5,000 kip. also, for your final night, skip the Crowne Plaza rooftop if the weather's iffy, the view is meh on hazy days. head to the rooftop at the Lao Plaza Hotel instead, it's a bit cheaper and the sunset over the Mekong is just as good. one more thing, the COPE centre is a must, but go early cause it gets busy with school groups after 10am.
The itinerary is solid, and I've done most of it myself. One thing I'd add: skip the tuk-tuk from COPE to Patuxai and just walk, it's maybe 20 minutes and you'll pass the Talat Sao side entrance where you can grab a cheap iced coffee. Also, for the Nam Ngum day trip, don't bother with the floating restaurants, they're overpriced and the food is mediocre. Instead, buy some sticky rice and grilled chicken at the morning market in Vientiane before you leave, it'll taste better and save you cash. And if you're there on a weekend, check out the night market on the riverfront, it's the same one as Chao Anouvong Park but with more stalls and a livelier crowd, I prefer it over the weekday version.
solid list, i've done most of this and it holds up. one thing that stood out to me: the Wat Sok Pa Luang massage is a hidden gem, but call ahead or go right when it opens, cause the monks sometimes have sessions booked out for groups. also, if you're into food, skip the Kualao dinner and hit the street stalls on Chao Anouvong Park for a cheaper version of the same laap and tam mak hoong, you'll pay like a third of the price and it's just as good. for the Nam Ngum trip, the bus from the northern bus station is fine, but the private car is worth it if you're splitting with a few people, it saves you like an hour of stops. last tip: bring cash for the Buddha Park, the ATM nearby is sketchy and sometimes out of order.