Laos is steeped in history that reaches back in time 10,000 years. It is regaled most often for its beautiful weather and the unique experiences it can offer visitors. It is fast becoming recognized as one of the world’s premiere vacation spots. Vientiane is a great location to begin exploring the country and traditions that are Laos.

Vientiane is known as the low-rise capital of Laos, but unlike many of the capital cities in the Southeast Asia area, Vientiane is much more quaint and relaxing a place to visit. In fact, most tourists remark that it looks much more like a large collection of small villages than a large city. As tourists increase in numbers to the city, businesses are jumping at the opportunities to serve them, spurring economic growth. More and more companies are calling this capital city home, providing a wide selection of activities for tourists to enjoy during their vacation.

There are a number of things to discover in Vientiane. The first is the world famous museum of Lao art, which can be found at the Haw Pha Kaew. This used to be a royal temple but is now a small museum housing Buddha images. Wat Si Saket is another place that is a must-see attraction, and it is believed to be the oldest standing temple in the city. The building has hundreds of small niches which all hide priceless treasures for visitors to enjoy.

Another important location that is not to be missed is Patuxai, or the Victory Gate. The Victory Gate is much like the Arc de Triomphe found in Paris, only with elaborate Buddhist embellishments. It has four gates to enter through, and it is extremely impressive to look at, both from near and far. Visitors can climb the seven stories to view the splendid city that lies below. They can also enjoy the park that is around the monument, which is lined with trees and fountains.

There are plenty of things to see and to do directly in Vientiane, especially for those who are looking to enjoy the beauty of Laos without having to be in a large and bustling city. Vientiane also makes a great central location from which visitors can explore a host of nearby attractions. You can also go outside the main area to enjoy a number of different fascinating highlights that you can only find in Laos. Vientiane also provides convenient travel access to other areas of Southeast Asia.