Joanna James
Known as one of the world's most chilled- out Capitals with its delicious coffee, easy navigability, and laidback culture, Vientiane is ideal for vacationers who enjoy quiet excitement. Listed below are some essential spots for your itinerary.
If you want to give back to this beautiful community, visit this fair-trade village for purchasing keepsakes with an authentic flair designed by the talented craftswoman of Laos. Not only will you find loads of aesthetic souvenirs, but you'll also help preserve an ancient art form and empower an impoverished demographic. If you're keen on spoiling loved ones with upmarket local products, visit luxury brands like the iconic Ministry of Silk for gorgeous accessories and evening wear with a contemporary twist on traditional Laos design, and artisan boutiques like Elegant, Phaeng Mai, and T'Shop Lai Gallery sell everything you could dream of from handloom fabric and organic skincare products to silver jewellery mined from local tribe lands.
A potpourri of vivid sensations, if you like some loud and fun vibes in this usually placid city, the Vientiane Night Market is everything you could ask for. Here you can meander through a melange of red-canopied stalls vending everything from budget-friendly clothes and phone accessories to traditional crafts and souvenirs. If you arrive at around 5 PM, you will be able to catch a spectacular riverside sunset while chomping on some epic street food from the stalls nearby.
For a must-try experience that will add value to your stay in this Mekong haven, visit the likes of the Houey Hong Centre and Lao Disabled Women's Development Centre, where you can take interactive workshops in local crafting techniques such as loom weaving, eco-friendly papermaking, and fabric dyeing.
The Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise or COPE is a visionary initiative that aims to provide proper treatment and rehabilitation for Laotian locals with physical disabilities and injuries due to the leftover Vietnam War landmines scattered across the countryside. This centre provides visitors with deep insight into their process of expertly aiding the victims of hidden explosives, along with a workshop showcasing the creation of prosthetic limbs.
If you're a nature or aquatic sports fanatic, the moderate rapids surrounded by picturesque forest hiking and biking trails is ideal for kayaking and bathing in the deep, cool pools during the rainy season. The quaint huts nearby can be rented for a few hours of relaxation and trekking up the lush mountainside.
The city represents an artistic retelling of history, and this enclave of antiques is a testament to the East-meets-West theme that is poignant in Laotian heritage. From the French Colonial era to prehistoric remnants and artefacts of local tribes, there's plenty to see and purchase as a piece of an enriching past. If you're hunting for sophisticated serviced apartments in Vientiane proving prime access to the city's vibrant nucleus, look no further than Somerset Vientiane.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
