Living the Life in Laos! (Part 2): Colors of Vientiane!

- November 23, 2025, Sunday.

- Even as a "sleepy capital", Vientiane is bursting with colors! Like neighboring Thailand, much detail is always present in many buildings, old or new. 

- My first agenda for the early morning was visit to Pha That Luang, one of Vientiane's must-sees and one of the city's most significant religious landmarks. Known for its bright golden color, it traces it roots possibly to the 3rd century BC when the Buddhist missionaries sent by India's Ashoka the Great brought a Buddhist relic that is believed to be in this stupa. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times since then, but it remains to be an emblem not only of Vientiane, but also of Laos.  

I would only read about his in books, or see in photos and videos. Never thought I'd get to see this eventually.

I was there really early, around 20 minutes before opening time haha.

I'm finally here!! Can you see how golden it is!!

Took all the photos I could.

I was about to leave when I decided to take this not-too-common angle.

With the sun.

- I returned to the hotel to have my breakfast before going to the newly-opened Lao Art Museum. Opened in January 2025, this is Vientiane's newest art and tourist hub. It boasts Lao wood carvings, mostly Hindu-Buddhist in nature. Located in Nonsa-at Village, it is roughly 20 kilometers from the city center. More than a museum, it is currently expanding to have a hotel, more restaurants, and other recreational areas.

View of the museum....which you can only reach after riding a shuttle or walking some distance from the ticket office. The museum appears "floating" on water.

The main atrium with stunning pillars and ceiling.

Gallery for Buddha sculptures.

Another look at the atrium before moving to the next hall.

Screens, wall decors, and other Buddha statues.

The basement level has the biggest group of galleries.

Most of these wood sculptures are life-sized. Some have information explaining the sculpture, others not much.

I love this giant wooden peacock.

- I took my lunch at the museum's restaurant as it was noon, and I wasn't sure if it would be easy to find a ride back to the city center (thankfully it was!) Once I arrived back in the city, I visited Wat Inpeng. Wat Inpeng, attributed to the Hindu god Indra, is actually a Buddhist temple. Although built in the 1500s, its location has been a religious site since the 3rd century AD. It is recognizable for its bright green facade bearing a blend of Lao, Thai, and Khmer architectural influences.

Wat Inpeng. The temple wasn't open so I couldn't go inside. I think it's closed most of the time since I don't see other tourists being able to go inside too. It does look stunning from outside!

- A few steps away from Wat Inpeng is Wat Ong Teu. Built in the 1500s, it houses Vientiane's biggest Buddha. The Buddha is made of bronze. 

Wat Ong Teu.

Vientiane's biggest statue.

I passed by the Mekong River on the way back to the hotel. I just want to show how unique this part of the river is: the river is shared by two countries. The buildings on the other side of the river belong to Thailand's Nong Khai province.

- After having some time to rest and cool off at the hotel, I met my friend Kim for a sumptuous traditional Lao dinner! I specifically asked her to bring me to a Lao restaurant because I wanted to taste proper Lao food. Lao food has lots of vegetables too, which is good! We had dinner at a local restaurant called Han Sam Eauy Nong - Three Sisters, which was close to Wat Ong Teu.

We had chicken larb, som tam (papaya salad), Luang Prabang salad, sticky rice, and a seemingly lifetime supply of vegetables!!

Can we please not wait for ten++ years before meeting again?

Walked back to the hotel, passed by Ho Kang Temple again, and they had another Teochew opera show that night.

- My two-day stay in Vientiane might be more than enough for some people who treat Vientiane more as a stopover before heading towards the provincial cities of Laos. However, Vientiane has a lot of fun and interesting things to explore, tucked in its sometimes-disturbing quietness. It would be nice to have a day or two explore more of Vientiane!