Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
war in Vietnam, the city teemed with CIA agents, madcap Ravens (maverick US Special
Ops pilots) and Russian spies.
In 2009 the city hosted the Southeast Asian Games, a major illustration of the country's
new profile. In 2012 Vientiane saw its first gay-pride event, and in 2013 the capital en-
joyed a visit from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. And although the newly con-
structed train line from Thailand to within a few clicks of Laos is still largely useless, Ch-
ina's Kunming to Vientiane express route will be completed over the next few years, at a
massive cost to Laos.
Sights
The three main streets parallel to the Mekong - Th Fa Ngoum, Th Setthathirath and Th
Samsenthai - are the central inner city of Vientiane and, conveniently, where most of the
sights, guesthouses, hotels, restaurants and bars are located.
Pha That Luang
(Great Sacred Reliquary, Great Stupa; Th That Luang; admission 5000K; 8am-noon & 1-4pm Tue-Sun)
Svelte and golden Pha That Luang is the most important national monument in Laos, a
symbol of Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. Legend has it that Ashokan missionar-
ies from India erected a tâht (stupa) here to enclose a piece of Buddha's breastbone as
early as the 3rd century BC.
BUDDHIST STUPA
Wat Si Saket
MAP GOOGLE MAP
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
(cnr Th Lan Xang & Th Setthathirath; admission 5000K; 8am-noon & 1-4pm, closed public holidays)
Built between 1819 and 1824 by Chao Anou, Wat Si Saket is believed to be Vientiane's
oldest surviving temple. And it shows; this beautiful temple turned national museum is in
dire need of a face-lift.
Patuxai
MAP GOOGLE MAP
MONUMENT
(Victory Monument; Th Lan Xang; admission 5000K; 8am-5pm) Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe
replica is a slightly incongruous sight, dominating the commercial district around Th Lan
Xang. Officially called 'Victory Monument' and commemorating the Lao who died in
prerevolutionary wars, it was built in 1969 with cement donated by the USA intended for
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