A year ago I have started my
That's to discover another country full of meaningful culture, humility. distinctive ingenuity and LAOS has been on that dream list.
The more I have longed for it when I have read a couple of reviews that it has been hailed as one ideal safe destination for women travelers.
After a few trips to Asia , I told myself I should get to visit this place the soonest and so early this year I have finally decided to spend my birthday in Vientiane City.
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We departed Cebu Philippines on Saturday morning and cross the borders doing an overland journey via a train ride from Thailand.
I initially considered visiting other places but we had already booked a round trip ticket in which we have allotted 3 Days and 2 nights for LAOS including the border crossing.
That means we had to let go of seeing nearby cities with Yen finishing the final booking of our hotel accommodation in Vientiane. As they say, a one-day itinerary will be fulfilling to visit tourist attractions in the city.
More than 48 hours in total of traversing, completing immigration checking with a combination of train, van and tuk-tuk ride brought us to our main destination for this week-long trial.
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WE HAVE OFFICIALLY ARRIVED IN LAOS
Upon arrival at the city center via van transport from Thanaleng which took nearly around 30 minutes, all passengers were dropped off beside the Central Bus Station.
We thought of walking around amidst our heavy backpacks and finding our hotel while looking for a money exchange counter which we found one few meters ahead.
Unknown still to some people, the country remains to be an eye candy destination for backpackers with Vientiane as the Capital City, adding on to that are Pakse, VangVieng, and Luang Prabang also topping the list for must-see places following the so-called Banana Pancake Trail.
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SIGHTS and PEOPLE
I was too much excited to step foot to this new destination.
The sighting and architecture had been obviously influenced by its past colonization history and you will be seeing more buildings, commercial establishments, hostels, houses possessing that French touch and design.
Laotian residents live a very simple life, unrestrained, quiet, and relaxed.
It’s too different from the neighborhood countries I have visited and they have maintained that intimate peaceful vibe that welcomes you to this beautiful rising city.
A Laotian local usually engage in special training to master English
language and that enables them to get better chances of work opportunities.
When we arrived it's pleasing to discover that there were a couple of locals
who speak English.
A worker from our hotel has mentioned that it has become an open city and is actually composed of different nationalities hence, a combination of Vietnamese; Thai and Cambodian workers are here.
Surely you will be meeting good people around despite such a language barrier. It can be touristy at some days but mostly not that crowded since most travelers don’t stay longer here to head down to nearby cities for VV and LP.
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DIY Itinerary
We had our own travel route and have enjoyed that liberty staying in the laid-back Vientiane.
A slow pace vacation in this unfamiliar uninterrupted country. Making us treasure that serenity of not worrying anything.
I can still remember how I have forgotten my birthday once we arrived.
Then suddenly at 9:00 in the evening Yen reminded me - I said “Oh wow yeah “it’s my birthday” nothing fancy at all.
I thought making it here is an endearing experience and the best gift ever.
A slow pace vacation in this unfamiliar uninterrupted country. Making us treasure that serenity of not worrying anything.
I can still remember how I have forgotten my birthday once we arrived.
Then suddenly at 9:00 in the evening Yen reminded me - I said “Oh wow yeah “it’s my birthday” nothing fancy at all.
I thought making it here is an endearing experience and the best gift ever.
Personally, it’s my way of traveling. With this leisurely pace, I get to appreciate the place more.
I take my time to observe, capture portrait and scenic photos for souvenir and for my travel collection.
This would also represent each destination at its best and let the people know how beautiful it is from my eyes thru the lenses, from my own memory fascination.
Thus I have created this blog, to sum up, all my travel experiences.
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WHAT TO DO in VIENTIANE LAOS
The following are the listed activities we did as we stayed in Vientiane for 3 days and 2 nights, includes back and forth overnight train rides.
One still has the freedom to be more procreative depending on your interest, budget and time allocation.
One still has the freedom to be more procreative depending on your interest, budget and time allocation.
- Ride the International Train from Thanaleng
- Cross the Friendship Bridge
- Morning Market and Vientiane Mall
- Night Market by the Riverside
- Sunset overlooking Mekong River
- Be with the locals and join the Exercise Routine by the River Side
- Sunrise by the Bay and a Morning exercise
- Chao Anouvong Park
- Night City walks by the Riverside and roams around nightly open bands for free
- The Patouxy (Triumph of Arch)
- Wat Sisaket
- The Great Stupa
- Buddha Park
- Bike around the Boulevard and the City Center
- Visit French-inspired restaurants and cafes (Le Banneton)
- Explore Street Food (Laotian Way) - Enjoy Pad Thai, Lao Pho, and Vegetable Soup, Banh Mi, Banana Pancakes, Grilled Sticky Rice, Street Coffee, Barbeque, Milk Tea, Laotian Beer,
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GALLERY
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1| The Patouxy (Triumph of Arch)
3| Wat Sisaket
Cost: 85,000 Kip or Php 472.00
We availed of a car service from our hotel for the whole tour duration sending us back to our accommodation.
This was a little pricey since it's nearly 30 minute ride from the city but it is worth visiting.
5| Bike ride at the Boulevard
6| RIVERSIDE PROMENADE
Locals have daily exercise routine fronting the Mekong River during the sunset stages.
Laotians maintain a healthy living lifestyle which I think is influenced by their Buddhism practices. Seeing how they prepare their food, the local dishes they often eat plus how they spend time to sweat out was very admirable.
There were 2 groups - the yellow uniformed is for the slow beat exercise with a mix of yoga movements and the other one is more on the Zumba influence an active dancing part.
7| Night Markets will be set up along the promenade at 5PM.
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| Active Group |
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| Slow Pacing Exercise |
8| SUNSET overlooking MEKONG
This has been another heavenly experience in the city.
9| MORNING MARKET
This is Thalat Sao Morning Market, includes an air-conditioned building on the left side and the open market on the right. Souvenir items can be bought here too.
10| VISIT French-inspired restaurants and cafes
You won't find any fast food restaurants here, not even KFC, McDonald's, etc.
But vast choices of French inspired restaurants have been opened and are personally run and managed by the expat owners - those who have fallen in love with the authenticity of this quaint city.
11| Street Food (
Pad Thai, Banh Mi, Banana Pancakes, Barbeques, Grilled Sticky Rice, Street Coffee, Barbeque, Milk Tea, Laotian Beer.
Explore street food haven, the Laotian serving will be a feast.
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HOW TO GET TO
- From the Philippines, we had a plane ride from MANILA TO BANGKOK
- Booked our round-trip plane ticket 6 months in advance via Cebu Pacific Air.
- CROSS the Border. We opted for an overnight Train ride via BANGKOK RAILWAY towards North Eastern Line to cross the border between two countries Nong Khai THAILAND and Thanaleng LAOS.
- Bus rides are also available via Mo Chit Bus Terminal
- Plane Rides are still the fastest option
TRANSPORTATION.
TukTuk is their main public utility vehicle, which usually cost around 30,000 Kip per ride for 2 pax, in which I thought was a little expensive.
Renting bicycles will be an economical option to drive around the city or better yet walk around like what we did.
I am just amazed to discover that Laotian Society owns many luxury cars and I could see a number of them as a regular means of transportation just parked around the corner or along the streets.
WEATHER
The city has a tropical climate from the time we arrived, but one local said almost every day it rains here during the month of August and it can get colder at some days.
ACCOMMODATION
We stayed nearly close to the Riverside area of the city and it was a perfect choice for us since everything is a walking distance.
Your choice of accommodation should be the least worry since the number of guesthouses and hotels have been increasing around the city center and it is affordable still depending on your preferences may it be dorms or shared rooms.
Your choice of accommodation should be the least worry since the number of guesthouses and hotels have been increasing around the city center and it is affordable still depending on your preferences may it be dorms or shared rooms.
Vientiane Star Hotel
Address: 18 Manthatourath Road, Xieng Yeun Village, Vientiane, Laos
Check out reviews in TRIP ADVISOR
EXPENSES
While in Vientiane LAOS, we did not spend much on recreational activities. Instead, we have spent more on food consumption as you can’t resist temptation when it’s just on the roadside.
We brought dollars and had it exchanged to their currency for all our transactions. ATM's are also available around the corner.
The country's currency is “KIP”.
- 1 PHP / Philippine Peso = 174 LAK / LAO Kip
- 1 USD / US Dollar = 8166 LAK
- Restaurant Rice Meal - 23, 000 Kip (ave) or Php 131
- Pad Thai - 15,000 Kip || Php 86
- Black Tea - 8000 Kip || Php 46
- 3 Bottles Beer Lao - 20,000 Kip || Php 111
- Bottled Water - 3000 Kip || Php18
- Baguette - 10,000 Kip || Php 57
- TukTuk - 15,000 Kip || Php 83/pax
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This country has been a lovely discovery for me and I plan to be back soon to visit the rest of the cities.
I loved it here and this has been a heavens treat to take pleasure in what LAOTIAN culture offers for a happy soul.
I have completely fulfilled what I initially longed for and Vientiane has given me that freedom, clarity of mind and hope.
Laos is one of the best tourist destination to distress yourself.
Savor every moment and enjoy trailing.
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