After my travel in Phonsavan, I took the overnight sleeper bus heading to the city of Vientiane (pronounced as “Viang Chang” by the locals) and reached the bustling Capital of Laos by 7am.
I had one day in Vientiane. Famished from the 10 hours overnight bus journey, I settled for some USD$1 local breakfast: Laotian street side porridge and chili. After finding my hostel to check-in and purchased my next bus ticket towards Vang Vieng the next day, I decided to embark on my own city tour of the capital.
Patuxai Victory Monument
The Patuxai was built when Laos was a constitutional monarchy and was originally known simply as the “Anousavali” (or memory). It serves as a dedicated memorial of the Laotian soldiers who died during World War II and the Independence War from France in 1949.
A short climb up level 7 will leave you with a panoramic view of the city.
Pha That Luang or Golden Pagoda
The Pha That Luang stupa is the symbol of the city of Vientiane, Laos. It’s a huge golden stupa built in the year 1566 with its golden color not painted but it’s literally covered in gold. This golden pagoda is one of the most representative places of Buddhism, splendor of Laos, as well as being a monument of national pride. According to popular beliefs, the temple housed a relic of Buddha (a rib to be exact) brought from India by missionaries of the Court of the Emperor Ashoka.
Walking around the compound, you can see many other shrines and temple compound that belong to Pha That Luang.
After an awesome Laotian steamboat dinner, I headed for a restful night in my hostel followed by my 10am morning bus to the city of Vang Vieng the next day.
Hilary Travels 