Search Hotels in Vientiane

Vientiane Hotels: Where to Stay Along the Mekong & in the Historic Center

About Vientiane

Laos's serene capital hugs a lazy bend of the Mekong, where golden stupas and French-colonial facades share the skyline. At the city's heart, the 45-meter Pha That Luang, a gold-covered stupa built in 1566, doubles as the national symbol, while the Patuxay Victory Gate channels Paris with a Laotian twist: Buddhist carvings climb a seven-story Arc de Triomphe-style monument, and 150 spiral steps lead to a rooftop panorama. About 25 kilometers southeast, Buddha Park crowds nearly 100 concrete deities and demons onto a riverside meadow, the work of a single visionary sculptor in 1958.

Where to Stay in Vientiane

Vientiane City Center

The city center puts you within walking distance of Talat Sao (the Morning Market), Nam Phou Fountain, and the old quarter's cluster of wats and French-era shophouses.

Mekong Riverside

The riverside stretch runs past sunset-viewing terraces, the night market, and a line-up of international hotels with Mekong panoramas.

Vientiane Hotels by Style

Hotels with Great Pools

These three properties earn consistent guest praise for their pools, useful after a day of temple-hopping in Vientiane's heat.

Hotels with Standout Breakfasts

Both hotels draw repeat mentions for their breakfast spreads, whether you want a full buffet or a solid meal before sightseeing.

Hotels Known for Service

Ruby Luxe punches above its 3-star weight on staff attentiveness, with guests repeatedly praising the service.

Vientiane Travel Essentials

Getting Around

• Vientiane's public bus network is limited but cheap; Talat Sao is the central bus station, with English destination signage on buses.
• Tuk-tuks from the Southern Bus Terminal to Wattay Airport run 30,000 to 60,000 LAK (~$1.35 to ~$2.70), though drivers often start with inflated quotes.
• Tuk-tuks are not permitted inside Wattay International Airport; you'll need to walk roughly 500 meters to the main road to flag one.

Food & Street Eats

• A classic Vientiane meal comes family-style: a soup, laap (minced meat salad with herbs and toasted rice powder), grilled or steamed fish, sticky rice, and an array of spicy dipping sauces.
• Vientiane street-food staples to track down include larb, khao niew (sticky rice), som tam (spicy papaya salad), and sai oua (grilled Lao herb sausage).
• At That Luang Food Market, the signature grab is khao jee, a Lao-style baguette packed with meats, herbs, and chili paste, plus grilled skewers and fresh fruit shakes.

Entry & Visa

• Most visitors arriving in Vientiane (including US, UK, and EU passport holders) need a visa; the two main routes are Visa on Arrival at Wattay Airport or an eVisa applied for in advance through the Lao official eVisa system.
• Visa on Arrival costs $30 to $50 in cash (US dollars only) and is available at Vientiane's Wattay International Airport as well as major land crossings.
• When entering Laos through Vientiane, your passport must be valid for at least six months from entry and have one blank page; VOA applicants also need a recent 4x6 cm passport photo on a white background.

Weather & When to Go

• Vientiane runs on a three-season tropical monsoon clock: cool and dry November to February (15 to 28°C), hot and dry March to May (28 to 38°C), and rainy May through October.
• In Vientiane, the November-to-February window is the most comfortable stretch for walking between temples and exploring on foot.

※ Prices and policies vary by season and are subject to change. Confirm with official sources before booking.