10 Attractive Spots to Discover in Vientiane, Laos
1. Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
More of Buddha belief, tourists will find Hinduism through sculpture images, demons and animals. Some of these impressive ones are the King of Hindu gods riding a 3-head elephant, a 12-face artistic deity with many hands. Moreover, visitors can go up to the top of several statues to view the entire park. Additionally, it is really convenient for travelers to buy souvenirs, food, drinks from local small shops, restaurants.
2. That Luang (The Golden Stupa)
This temple is considered as the most sacred cultural monument of Laos and its splendid figure can be found on Lao official seal. Every November, a large crowd of people from near and far come here to participate the main event of the Boun That Luang Festival, the most significant Buddha ceremony in the country held within three days and nights.
3. Lao National Museum
To learn more about Laos people, history and culture, visitors should check out Lao National Museum as well as known as Lao National History Museum. Ancient things like dinosaur bones, pottery shards, stone tools, rock paintings and Khmer sculptures are displayed on the first floor. In the upstairs, there are details of the modern history of Laos.
4. Vientiane Night Market
If tourists want to purchase something as nice mementos when coming back home, Vientiane Night Market is the best choice. The shops are usually started around the sunset every day. In the market, you will be surrounded by a variety of clothes, textiles, artworks, jewelry and more. The good news is that the market has a reputation for slightly cheaper price than others.
5. Wat Ong Theu
This wat plays an important role as a national center of Buddha studies. It was built by King Setthathirath I in the early 16th century known as the golden age of Buddhism in Laos. This name is given because of the large, bronze Phra Ong Teu Buddha statue inside. “Monk chat” is organized monthly in the temple so that visitors can know more of Lao life and monastery while monks can practice English with visitors.
6. COPE Visitors Center
COPE is a non-profit organization that provides medical treatment and programs for Laotians with physical disabilities. Many patients are children living in rural areas and having limited access to health care. The interior center is an exhibition of problems of unexploded weapons and great documentary films on the process of the organization. Besides, tourists will see bombs dangling from the ceiling. At COPE gift shop, you can buy something or make a donation.
7. Patuxay Monument
The monument is at the end of Patuxay Park reflecting the respect for the national culture and traditions. Its outside features are Buddhist religious symbols such as lotus leaves and the stupa-shaped towers. The pillars inside are spiral staircases leading several storeys of shops and displays of artifacts. In addition, the walls and ceilings are decorated with a wealth of gods and elephants.
Patuxay monument in Vientiane
The Patuxai Arch, also known as the Arch de Triomphe of Vientiane
8. That Dam
The stupa is popularly known with the nickname of the Black stupa because it is covered with herbs, black bricks and stones. However, Laotians still regard That Dam as the city’s guardian spirit. That Dam always makes visitors curious about its origin. According to one legend, the brick stupa was inhabited of a 7-head water snake named Naga who tried to protect Laotians from Siamese army. Another tells that it used to be completely covered in pure gold which was taken by the Siamese invaders.
9. Wat Ho Phra Keo
King Setthathirat constructed the temple as a personal place of worship for the royal family and a house for the Emerald Buddha. The wat is no longer used for religious aims and now is a museum consisting of many Lao treasures such as Khmer Buddhist stone tablets, wooden carvings and bronze frog drums. When Hillary Clinton as the first US Secretary of State to visit Laos in 2012, she went to Wat Ho Phra Keo to make an offering to a Buddha.
10. Wat Si Muang
The temple is named after a young woman Si Muang, who sacrificed herself to appease the angry spirits. The locals consider the wat as the mother temple of Vientiane. It is believed that if you pray for something here and make a promise, your wish will be come true. It is designed with carved gold pillars and scenes about the life of the Buddha.
Source: Laos tour packages
