Home » Travel & Places » South Asia Countries » Laos

Vientiane: Laos' City of Sandalwood

7 Comments

9 Like

Like 9

Pin It

Ranked #2,244 in Travel & Places, #77,341 overall

Vientiane, the Capital City of Laos

Sandalwood. Wiang-jun. What a wonderful, hopeful name for a city. What a vision it calls up of a lost history or misplaced hopes, of languid gardens and southern birds. This special name of Laos' capital city comes from Pali, the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism and truly means sandalwood, a flower from India treasured for its fragrance. As the French had difficulty pronouncing the hard "j" in Wiang-jun, they just called the place Vientiane. Well, at least they didn't call it Lyon or Nouveau Marseille.

It is believed that Vientiane was a Khmer (remember Cambodia?) settlement, scattered around a Hindu temple. But around the 11th and 12th centuries, the Lao and Thai came from Southern China and overtook the area in one of the endless tumblings of history that mark this much fought over land. Records show that by 1354, the kingdom of Lan Xang was founded with Vientiane as its administrative city. The sandalwood image began to fade and when the French took over the area in 1893, Vientiane was in ruins, looted and almost empty, but nicely situated. So with the Mekong on their front door step as a highway to Vietnam and Cambodia they rebuilt old sandalwood to its next iteration and made it the capital of the protectorate, of French Indo China.

Then came the Japanese in WWII in the 1940's, followed by the French exit from Indochina after Dien Bien Phu in 1954 and then a civil war ending with the Pathet Lao in power. Remember the Ho Chi Minh Trail? Lao may be the most bombed country in the world, but not Vientiane thank goodness. What a mess. At least sandalwood came back in the ruins to cover some of the evils of the times.

Watch these before you go to Laos

Laos: Vientiane discovered: by nfsutton | video info

19 ratings | 20,779 views

curated content from YouTube

Your guide to Vientiane, Laos

Get yourself a guide to Laos

It is hard to find locals speaking English so it is better to have your guide book. You can appreciate more when you understand what you are seeing.

Vientiane in Pictures

Visit this beautiful country in pictures

Landmarks of Vientiane

Wat Si Muang

There are a few sites to occupy tourists in Vientiane. It is a small city and pretty laid back still. This is part of its charm. Its most famous monument is the Buddhist Stupa, Pha That Luang. Originally built in 1566 by King Setthathirath. This golden stupa is believed to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha. Mind you, if all the bits and pieces scattered over Asia that are attributed to Buddha realy were part of him, he must have been hydra headed and eight armed!

Built on the ruins of the ancient Khmer Hindu shrine, Wat Si Muang is a temple to see. In front of the temple is the statue of King Sisavang Vong. Behind the ordination hall which was built in 1563, the remains of the Khmer temple can still be seen. Legend has it that this temple is guarded by Si, the spirit of a local woman Nang Si who, as a sacrifice, leapt to her death as the pillar was lowered in the hole. Who knows? A quick tour of Italian cathedrals will offer up stranger tales than this!

Something special on Vientiane

Get your copy of this Vientiane Journal

This Vientiane journal includes as well a budget planner, activity planner, packing checklist and other useful help to have a good record of your trip.

Travel Journal Vientiane

by: E Locken

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 05/25/2012)
List Price: $19.99
Used Price:

It is worth bringing with you as you travel through Vientiane and Laos as a whole.

Patuxai

Laos Independence Monument

Completed in 1968 to celebrate Laos independence, Patuxai is the most prominent landmark in the city. It looks like the arc de Triomphe in Paris except for some Lao symbols such as the kinnari, a mythical bird woman. Given that the French sort of snuck away without much noise, the Patuxai is sort of laid back too.

Vientiane in Pictures

These Vientiane pictures give you a good idea of what to see

The Buddha Park in Vientiane

View its collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures

There is the Buddha Park built in 1958 along the edge of the Mekong River set around gardens and trees. It has a collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures and as a record of the ebb and flow of these two religions throughout South East Asia, it is quite a site.

Get to know more about Buddhism in laos

Theravada Buddhism is practiced in Laos

This explains the basics of this kind of Buddhism.

Theravada Buddhism - Simple Guides

by: Diana St. Ruth, Richard St. Ruth

Amazon Price: $4.32 (as of 05/25/2012)

This is a good book to get when you only want to have a better understanding of Lao culture.

Videos on Vientiane

A good introduction to visiting Vientiane

Laos: Vientiane discovered: by nfsutton | video info

19 ratings | 20,779 views

curated content from YouTube

The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge

Built in the 1990's, it connects Vientiane to Nong Khai, a Thai city. About 18 kms long, this is a major through way between Laos and Thailand. If you are into bridges and causeways, this is a winner.

Shopping in Vientiane

Best Buys in Vientiane

For those of you who are aggressive souvenir hunters, go to Talat Sao - Morning Market. You will find real authentic local crafts and remember there are some unusual weaves and straws done by the indigenous folks such as the Hmong. Visit some of the stores in the main streets run by NGOs. Hand woven silk and other items are good buys here. But best of all, it will put you close to a brace of wonderful French-tradition restaurants that really are worthwhile.

In the evening, you can wander along the Mekong and there are expected stalls so it's is a good walk and a good place to try out your bargaining skills. Have fun but don't take the fun out of the Laotians trying to earn a few dollars from you. Beer Lao is praised by many as the best beer in the world. If only for that, Vientiane is worth a dekko.

Read on Laos culture

Be prepared for your trip to Vientiane

Culture Shock! Laos

by: Stephen Mansfield

Amazon Price: $0.02 (as of 05/25/2012)
List Price:
Used Price: $0.01

Laos Collectibles

What's on auction

Vientiane Today

Look at the pictures

It is slowly developing out of its laid back existence. It has now a working stock exchange and it s developing its infrastructure as well.

How to get to Vientiane

Visas Available Upon Arrival

Bus services are available daily to Vientiane from Nong Khai, Udon Thani and Khon Kaen in Thailand.

There are direct flights from other Asian cities like Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Hanoi and it's easy to plan a circle route covering Lao, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Where to Stay in Vientiane

Settah Palace

There are good choices of places to stay in Vientiane, but my favourite is the Settah Palace. Built in 1932, the same family still owns it and with the recent retro refurbishment, you sit at the bar waiting for Humphrey and Lauren or Sidney Greenstreet or maybe Catherine Deneuve to swing past the door. It has the whiff of intrigue and even some working fans to summon up the past. It is small enough that I am not underwhelmed by dozens of cookie cutter rooms. Airport pick-up is in an old London cab, so you start ramping down to history from the get-go. And then the wonderful, colonial hotel (with all modern amenities). The place is an elegant symbol of the 30's. Yes, there is even some sandalwood and the gardens alone are worth the stay.

Settah Palace is right in the city center so it's an easy walk to most places. And when you get tired walking the dusty roads of Vientiane, you can come home to your hotel and chill in the garden. This typical Asian home garden with its trees and flowers in bloom is a relaxing place to hang out, meet your colleagues or business partners or relax there yourself and write your travel journal especially in the middle of the day when the sun just makes walking a test to one's comfort. You still can walk the streets of Laos without seeing the stores you often see in most cities you visit. The other "Brands" will all get there soon, but for now, this is sleepy hollow without a burger or burrito in sight. This is different, rural and laid back.

There are, of course other options for those who do not prefer this kind of a hotel. The links below will lead you to many alternatives, all appealing in different ways. The small guest houses close to the Mekong would be great places to stay as well and are usually a bargain.

Lao Food

Try Laap

The French certainly left some of their culinary skills especially in their baguettes. There are a few restaurants still run by French expats. Typical Lao dishes are similar to its neighbours, the Thais, the Cambodians and Vietnamese. It is a rice based cuisine and uses fish sauce. Try Laap, a dish of minced fish or meat with vegetables tossed with lime juice, garlic, pounded rice, green onions, mint leaves and lots of chillies. Most restaurants serve this dish. If you have tried Som Tam in Thailand, the Laos call it Tum Som, green papaya salad, a refreshing accompaniment to the other dishes especially fish and rice. The street food is fantastic. Two of us once ate to excess for less than a Euro.

Watch Lao cooking videos

Very interesting

Traditional Recipes of Laos

Get this book

This book gives you the traditional recipes of Laos.

Traditional Recipes of Laos

by: Phia Sing

Amazon Price: $15.36 (as of 05/25/2012)

If you are interested to try cooking Laos food, get this one. You want the traditional recipes.

The Laos Stock Exchange

A Step towards Capitalism?

The recently opened stock market in Laos has certainly highlighted the potential of its economy and has propelled state owned enterprises to go public. It has engaged the locals with grandfathers lining up on opening day to buy stocks as souvenirs for their grandchildren. So far, two state run firms have been listed: Electricite du Laos Generation Company and the Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao. Thai companies are seeking to enlist in the exchange and Cambodian companies are watching on the sidelines so they, too, can take the necessary moves.

Vientiane: Laos' City of Sandalwood

Vientiane, the Capital City of Laos

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Vientiane on videos

Watch these before you go to Laos

Your guide to Vientiane, Laos

Get yourself a guide to Laos

Vientiane in Pictures

Visit this beautiful country in pictures

Landmarks of Vientiane

Wat Si Muang

Something special on Vientiane

Get your copy of this Vientiane Journal

Patuxai

Laos Independence Monument

Vientiane in Pictures

These Vientiane pictures give you a good idea of what to see

The Buddha Park in Vientiane

View its collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures

Get to know more about Buddhism in laos

Theravada Buddhism is practiced in Laos

Videos on Vientiane

A good introduction to visiting Vientiane

The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge

Shopping in Vientiane

Best Buys in Vientiane

Read on Laos culture

Be prepared for your trip to Vientiane

Laos Collectibles

What's on auction

Vientiane Today

Look at the pictures

How to get to Vientiane

Visas Available Upon Arrival

Where to Stay in Vientiane

Settah Palace

Lao Food

Try Laap

Watch Lao cooking videos

Very interesting

Traditional Recipes of Laos

Get this book

The Laos Stock Exchange

A Step towards Capitalism?

For your trip to Laos

Get yourself a tilley hat

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Please pick your widget size and display. Then click "Make the Widget" to get the code that's just right for you.

Voila! Just copy and paste this code into your own site. Have fun!

Oopsey! Please login to Squidoo in order to add this module to your lens.

More on Vientiane

Some recommendations

Recent News on Vientiane

Keep yourself updated

Pathet Lao in the Struggle for Laos

Learn more about Laos history

Laos Ancient \Past

Find some treasures

Interested in Visiting Southeast Asia?

Include some of these places in your itinerary to Laos

For those who like to go global

Check these out

More guides on Laos

Get ready for that trip to Vientiane

Know Laos Better

Watch some movies

Share with us what you know of Laos