Vientiane
Right on the platform, I was approached by a friendly taxi driver. Exhausted and eager to finally begin exploring this fascinating country, we agreed to let him take us to the hotel—especially since the price was surprisingly fair.
Thirty minutes later we arrived at our hotel in Vientiane. We checked in, but it was still too early to access our room. So we left our luggage at reception and set off in search of an ATM.
We quickly found one—only to discover that the first three machines we tried didn’t work. But once we reached the main street, we finally had better luck. We withdrew 1,000,000 kip and officially became millionaires for the first time in our lives.
We strolled through the city, soaking in our first impressions. Laos is a developing country that has only relatively recently opened up to tourism—and you can feel that. Not all roads are paved, even though Vientiane is the capital. The city feels more like a small town in many ways. Still, there are plenty of cozy cafés, and no one is going to go hungry here. Prices are a bit higher than in Bangkok, but still much lower than in Europe. Traditional calm blends here with modern touches—a fascinating contrast.
By midday, we returned to the hotel and moved into our beautiful room with a balcony overlooking the Mekong—the river that would accompany us throughout our journey.
Later in the afternoon, we walked along the river from the hotel until we reached a park where the first vendors were setting up for the night market. After a coffee, we strolled through the market, which turned out to be a bit disappointing. It couldn’t really compete with the vibrant markets of Bangkok.
We also had dinner there before taking a tuk-tuk back to the hotel, where we quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Day 2: Temples, Triumph Arches and Cat Café
On our second day in Vientiane, we had finally shaken off the jet lag and felt much more energized.
We jumped into a tuk-tuk right after waking up and headed to Pha That Luang, the great golden stupa that gleamed in the morning light. But first, we treated ourselves to a lovely breakfast at Café Amazon, nestled in a quiet, shady garden.
Pha That Luang is the most important religious monument in Laos. It was rebuilt in its current form in the 16th century and is a wide complex made up of several structures. The golden façade reflected the sun in a way that created a nearly mystical atmosphere.
Next, we made our way to Patou Xai, the triumphal arch of Vientiane. Modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, it was built in the 1960s to honor those who fought for Laos’ independence and is now one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
Now we were in need of caffeine again. We found a nearby café, ordered iced cappuccinos, and enjoyed the calm.
From there, we continued by tuk-tuk to Wat Si Muang, one of the most significant and vibrant temples in the city. According to legend, a woman sacrificed herself here to bless the temple's construction. Many Laotians visit to pray and light incense, lending the place a special, almost sacred feel.
We were especially struck by the bright colors of the buildings and the enormous reclining Buddha.
After the temple, we visited Le Cattitude Café, a cozy spot nearby where you can relax surrounded by cats. A perfect place to take a break.
Feeling tired, we headed back to the hotel and spent some time relaxing by the pool.
Evening Atmosphere on the Mekong
That evening, we walked to the Mekong promenade, just a few meters from our hotel. This riverside walk only really comes to life after dark. Restaurants and bars light up, and people of all ages and nationalities stroll along the water’s edge.
We enjoyed a beautiful dinner in a dreamy setting. Across the river, we looked back toward Thailand one last time. The next day, we would leave Vientiane and venture deeper into this exciting country.
