Vientiane is great. Our first impression was bizarre because we arrived on Sunday and the whole city was practically asleep. The restaurants and stores were open (for the most part) but there were hardly any people or cars moving around. Things picked up a lot on Monday but it was still a very calm capital city.

 

We spent six days here in total; a few relaxed ones, a couple riding bikes down the sleepy streets, visiting temples, and we never missed an opportunity to stuff our faces with all kinds of great, affordable food.

 

One of our top picks!

 

 

 

 

What We Learned

 

- Saysouly Guesthouse (in Lonely Planet) is a great value and has a good atmosphere. They also sell water and Beer Laos at market prices, which is very convenient. I really liked their balconies.

 

- Nazim’s has (IMHO) the best Indian food in Vientiane. We also tried Taj Mahal, the place next to it, Ali’s, and Fathima’s.

 

- The street vendors sell a great local fish, BBQ ribs, and coconut rice balls.

 

- JoMa’s Cafe has amazing tuna melts, soups, snacks, salads ..... Pretty much everything.

 

- There is a friendly bookstore near “That Dam.” They’ll sell you a Guidebook and buy it back from you when you’re finished with it, at half price.

 

- Rent a bicycle. The tuk-tuk’s will try to refer to an absurd “tourist price list.”

 

- Beer Laos is a great value. Check out their dark beer as well. More expensive but worth it.

 

- The “forest wat” was kinda lame.