VIENTIANE: SHORT HOLIDAY IN THE CAPITAL

Andy Chan

Visiting Vientiane for just a few days was one of my New Year’s resolutions, and I’m glad I made it happen. Though brief, my time here reminded me why this capital city is both timeless and ever-changing.

Day One: Exploring on Foot

The best way to experience Vientiane is by walking through its streets, villages, and temples. January’s cooler weather makes it perfect for strolling without rushing. When you need a break, there are plenty of cozy coffee shops, modern shopping centers, and local restaurants to rest and recharge.

Don’t miss out on Lao coffee — grown locally and brewed with care, it’s truly one of the best coffee scenes in the region.

Day Two: Outskirts and Family Visits

On my second day, I rented a motorcycle to visit relatives and explore the outskirts. Vientiane is small by world standards—barely a million people call it home—but it is developing fast. High-rises are popping up, big houses are appearing in the suburbs, and luxury cars share the newly paved roads. The standard of living is clearly improving, and the city feels vibrant and full of life.

Food and Culture

Lao cuisine is famous worldwide, but tasting it here is a different experience altogether. Local restaurants prepare dishes with authenticity and flavor that you simply can’t replicate abroad. If you have limited time, choose a few well-established spots to appreciate the richness of Lao food culture.

A Capital with Character

By global standards, Vientiane is a small capital — home to just around a million people. Yet Laos itself is vast, with breathtaking landscapes and a population under eight million. Tourism is thriving too: in the first 11 months of 2025, more than 4.1 million visitors came to Laos, proving the country is more international than many realize.

Final Thoughts

A few days are never enough to truly know Vientiane, but even a short stay offers a glimpse into everyday life here. With thoughtful planning, visitors can enjoy both the city’s charm and its modern growth.

I came to see and do what I set out for, and I leave with the feeling that there’s always more to discover next time.

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Packed my bag at sunrise, ticket in my hand
Map of little daydreams, and a one-way plan
Window seat, city lights fade into blue
Heartbeat like a drum, every mile feels new

Solo on the road but I’m never alone
Every corner whispers, “come find your own”
Sun on my face, and the sky’s wide and free
This suitcase is full of who I want to be

I’m coming, I’m coming, down the open line
I’m coming, I’m coming, to my favorite time
New streets, new songs, new skies to find
I’m coming, I’m coming, leaving doubt behind

Coffee in a market, laughter in the square
Postcards to tomorrow, stamps of everywhere
Footsteps on the pavement, stories in my shoes
I follow little signs that lead to something true

Maps fold like memories, but I keep the view
Every face a mirror showing something new
Night lights like lanterns guiding where I roam
Every road I take is bringing me back home

Solo but smiling, I dance with the breeze
Collecting little moments like seashells from seas
No hurry, no map that says where I must be
Just the pull of the horizon calling out to me

One more sunrise, one more road to roam
I’m coming to the place that feels like home
I’m coming, I’m coming, with the world to find
I’m coming, I’m coming, and the road is mine