Is Vientiane fun? (With a one-day itinerary)

Vientiane is probably the most controversial city in Laos. People seem to either love it or hate it. Those who like it think it's more fun than Luang Prabang, while those who don't think even half a day is too long to spend there. But you have to experience it for yourself to know how you feel. As the capital, Vientiane is a bit of a "rural-urban fringe," but compared to Luang Prabang, it is indeed a big city, so it doesn't have that laid-back and leisurely vibe. It's bustling with traffic (of course, you can also find a café on French Street and sit there for an afternoon), and some attractions are far apart. We stayed for a day and a half and felt that it wasn't enough time. 🥭One-day itinerary That Dam - Wat Sisaket - Wat Ho Phra Keo - Wat Xieng Khuan - Pha That Luang - Wat Si Muang - Patuxay - Night Market/French Street 🥭Travel tips Staying in the area from the Presidential Palace to the Mekong River is the most convenient because it's the embassy district. You can walk to the city's attractions and night markets, and famous restaurants are also concentrated there. It's considered the most upscale area in Vientiane. There's a beautiful graffiti wall on the side of the US Embassy near That Dam. The most worthwhile temple to visit in Vientiane is Wat Sisaket, one of the oldest temples in Vientiane. The cloister is filled with Buddha statues from the 11th to 19th centuries, with different shapes and materials, spanning a long period. Wat Ho Phra Keo, diagonally opposite Wat Sisaket, is also worth a visit. The famous Emerald Buddha in the Thai Royal Palace was taken from here. Taking a taxi to and from Wat Xieng Khuan is very expensive, but you can take Bus 14, which costs 18,000 kip (over 5 RMB) one way. It runs every half hour, departing from Central Bus Station on the hour/half-hour, and from across the street from Wat Xieng Khuan at 20/50. On the return trip, it stops at the border crossing to Nong Khai, Thailand, for 20 minutes. The best time to visit Pha That Luang is around 3 or 4 pm when the lighting is particularly good. The fountain at Patuxay only operates in the evening, but it closes at 5 pm, so you can't go to the top. Tickets for Wat Sisaket, Wat Ho Phra Keo, Pha That Luang, and the top of Patuxay cost 30,000 kip, and tickets for Wat Xieng Khuan cost 60,000 kip. Pha That Luang is closed on Mondays. The Vientiane Night Market is just a retail market for small goods, and you can't buy handicrafts there. You should buy souvenirs at the Luang Prabang Night Market. Currency exchange in Vientiane is not as convenient as in Luang Prabang. Banks and shops close after 5 pm, but you can ask the hotel front desk. Some have pretty good exchange rates.