Vientiane and Central Laos

Vientiane may not be one of the must-see capitals of Asia, but its size, relaxed atmosphere, colonial architecture, temples and shrines make a night or two spent here worthwhile. Nestling on the banks of the Mekong River, with Thailand just across the way, the city is a mix of traditional shophouse-style homes interspersed with fine colonial villas and huge, colourful temples. You won’t find much late-night activity, but get an early start and you can share the sunrise with the monks collecting alms and watch as the city slowly comes to life.

By contrast, to the north of Vientiane, Vang Vieng is surrounded by dramatic scenery and stunning country. This is the heart of the adventure industry in Laos. Once a magnet for backpackers, thanks to its many bars and lively atmosphere, the town has been transformed in recent years following a clean-up operation by the authorities, which saw many of the bars close and the adventure sports more carefully regulated. With the bars replaced by boutique hotels and guesthouses, Vang Vieng is a much more family-friendly destination than it used to be, and a good stopping-off point en-route to Luang Prabang.

In and around Vientiane and Central Laos
There aren’t many capital cities that can be explored almost entirely on foot, but Vientiane, sleepy compared to most Asian cities, is one such place. Check out the Morning Market and stroll around any of the temples to see the monks going about their daily work. Admire the hundreds of Buddhas in Wat Sisaket and wonder at the enormous gold-covered That Luang stupa, the country’s most significant cultural and religious monument. Head out of town to Buddha Park, an intriguing collection of Buddhist and Hindu statues. At the end of the day, join the locals by the Mekong as the sun goes down before indulging yourself in one of the French-influenced restaurants or in sampling the local cuisine.

To the north of Vientiane, perfectly positioned for a night or two en-route to Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng is a peaceful town set against a spectacular backdrop of white limestone cliffs and verdant paddy fields. A few days can be spent here soaking up the tranquillity, kayaking along the Nam Song River, exploring one of the many caves and staying overnight in a riverside resort.