Vientiane Things to Do

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Wat Si Sa Ket is in the vicinity of the Presidential Palace and the intersection to th Patuxay and we were lucky enough to visit at the new year when they clean and wash all the Buddha images, and many locals come to give donations. The temple was built in 1818 and is renowned for its 5 tiered roof. There is also a museum and a small entrance fee.

Get some exercise and join the hash run on Mondays at 5.30. Anyone is welcome and if you have never been on a run before the trail is marked out by someone preparing the course (called the hare) who marks arrows and crosses at various points along the route and the idea is to follow them until you reach the end of the course. Don't worry if you are not fit, there is a course that you can walk round. At the end of the run there is usually lots of beer to drink, then members sometimes dine at a restaurant. The meeting point changes every week but you can check at Europ car, Samsen Thai road to see where the run will start fom.

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Climb to the top of the Patuxay (Victory Gate in English),which was built in 1957 to commemorate the Laotians who helped to overthrow the French Colonists. It is similar to the Arc de Triomphe but the architecture is clearly Laotian. From the top you can see a 360 degree view of the city, but perhaps the site is ruined as on one of the floors there are many tables and traders selling souvenirs. There is a pleasant garden to walk around at the bottom, including a fountain.

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Take a short walk and visit the Presidential palace, better for photography in the evening as it is lit up. Unfortunately it is closed for the public and is rarely used except for official ceremonies. It was originally built in early 1900s by the French for their governors to reside in, then it was taken over by the Lao Royal Family until they were overthrown in 1970. It was originally the site of the Lao Royal Palace until the Siamese invaded and destroyed the place in the 19th century. You will find this in Thanon Setthathirat, near the road that leads up to the Patuxay

Since my first visit to Vientiane 20 years ago i was shocked that all the riverside restaurants have disappeared as they have built a road and promenade along side the Mekhong. It was wonderful to sit by the river in the old days while sipping a beer with the view, but now you cannot do this. However it is still nice to take a stroll as it gets dark, walk to the huge statue of the former king, then perhaps take a few exercises on some of the equipment that is in the park by the river, which are all free to use. Children will be playing football and hawkers will be selling their snacks, the locals will be pleased to strike up a conversation with you.

Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) is located about 20 kms east of the city and is accessible by taking the No 14 bus from the bus station. It will take less than an hour to get there, and you will pass by many tremendous piles of sand which have been taken from the Mekhong for building purposes. The park has many Buddhist statues by the side of the river and is worth a visit. Xieng Khuan means spirit city and many of e concrete statues are bizarre. Some of the statues are of Hindu gods and some you can climb up. There are a few refreshment stands that offer snacks such as som-tam Spicy papaya salad. A small charge is paid to enter the park.

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Don't forget to spend an hour or so at the market, Talat Sao where you can buy sarongs, t-shirts and various other souvenirs. Take your time and if interested in buying something ask the price then go to other stalls and offer half the price and maybe you will be lucky. Gradually raise your price until you find a stall holder who is ready to sell to you.

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Wat Si Saket is a temple (wat) in 1818 was built in Vientiane (Laos contemporary) by King Anouvong (Chao Anou) of the kingdom of Vientiane. It is opposite the presidential palace at the intersection of Thanon Lan Xang with Thanon Sai Setthathirat. It is the oldest temple still intact in Vientiane. All other temples are either built after the temple, or had to be restored after the destruction of Vientiane by Siam in 1828. This temple was built in the Bangkok style, and this is probably the reason that this temple was only spared by the Siamese. The temple was restored by the French 1 time in 1913. This temple contains a total of some 6840 Buddha images.

The inner walls of the monastery contains more than 2000 small alcoves with silver and ceramic Buddha images. There are also more than 300 standing and seated statues of Buddha in wood, stone, silver and bronze. Most in Vientiane 16th-19th-century style. There are also some older images in 14th and 15th century Luang Prabang style. To the west of the monastery is a pile of destroyed and half melted Buddha statues, dating from the Siamese invasion in 1828.

The actual temple is surrounded by a terrace with columns and a five-piece roof in Bangkok Style. The interior walls contain, like those of the convent niches with Buddha images. And murals depicting the life of Buddha proposals. The floral motifs on the ceiling inspired by the temples of Ayutthaya in turn by the palace of Versailles inspired. It is said that the Buddha left on the altar formed to King Anouvong. The wooden candlestick near the altar is from 1819.

On site is also a library (Haw tai) with a roof in Burmese style. All books are stolen by the Siamese and brought to Bangkok.