Vientiane itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Vientiane

1. 01

   Day 1: Temples, Patuxai and the Mekong at dusk

   Start at Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew when they open, which are close together, then stop at the Lao National Museum. After a long lunch break, visit Patuxai in the afternoon for the view from the top, then continue by tuk-tuk to Pha That Luang as the light softens. Finish with sunset beside the Mekong.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Patuxai	45 to 75 minutes	Moderate	Late afternoon in the cool season
   Wat Si Saket	45 to 60 minutes	Easy	Morning, when it opens
   Haw Phra Kaew	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Morning
   Lao National Museum	1 hour	Easy	Morning
   Pha That Luang	About 1 hour	Easy	Late afternoon in the cool season (November to February)

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Patuxai: The staircases inside are narrow and steep, with no lift, so many older visitors will prefer to view it from the park below. There is little shade on the open top level and the park has benches.

Plan 02

2 days in Vientiane

1. 01

   Day 1: Old temples and the museum

   Spend the morning at Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew, add Wat Si Muang if energy allows, and visit the Lao National Museum before the midday heat. Rest after lunch. Walk the riverfront promenade at sunset.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Wat Si Saket	45 to 60 minutes	Easy	Morning, when it opens
   Haw Phra Kaew	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Morning
   Wat Si Muang	20 to 30 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon
   Lao National Museum	1 hour	Easy	Morning

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Patuxai, Pha That Luang and COPE

   Go to the COPE Visitor Centre in the morning for a sobering but important look at the war's legacy. After lunch visit Patuxai, then end at Pha That Luang in the late afternoon. Browse Talat Sao if you want souvenirs before it closes.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Patuxai	45 to 75 minutes	Moderate	Late afternoon in the cool season
   Pha That Luang	About 1 hour	Easy	Late afternoon in the cool season (November to February)
   COPE Visitor Centre	45 to 60 minutes	Easy	Morning, when it is cooler
   Talat Sao (Morning Market)	1 hour	Moderate	Morning

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Patuxai: The staircases inside are narrow and steep, with no lift, so many older visitors will prefer to view it from the park below. There is little shade on the open top level and the park has benches.

   With parents at Talat Sao (Morning Market): Indoor, mostly flat but crowded in places, with limited seating. It can be hot and noisy, so take breaks.

Plan 03

3 days in Vientiane

1. 01

   Day 1: Temples and museum

   Wat Si Saket, Haw Phra Kaew and the Lao National Museum in the morning, a rest through the heat, then Wat Si Muang and a Mekong sunset.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Wat Si Saket	45 to 60 minutes	Easy	Morning, when it opens
   Haw Phra Kaew	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Morning
   Lao National Museum	1 hour	Easy	Morning
   Wat Si Muang	20 to 30 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Patuxai, Pha That Luang and COPE

   COPE in the morning, Patuxai and Pha That Luang in the afternoon, and Talat Sao if you need souvenirs.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Patuxai	45 to 75 minutes	Moderate	Late afternoon in the cool season
   Pha That Luang	About 1 hour	Easy	Late afternoon in the cool season (November to February)
   Talat Sao (Morning Market)	1 hour	Moderate	Morning

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Patuxai: The staircases inside are narrow and steep, with no lift, so many older visitors will prefer to view it from the park below. There is little shade on the open top level and the park has benches.

   With parents at Talat Sao (Morning Market): Indoor, mostly flat but crowded in places, with limited seating. It can be hot and noisy, so take breaks.

3. 03

   Day 3: Buddha Park or textiles

   Go to Buddha Park early, since it is exposed to sun, and return for lunch. In the afternoon visit the Lao Textile Museum for weaving and natural dyes, or keep the day free for rest. Check current opening hours before you go.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Lao Textile Museum	1 to 1.5 hours	Easy	Morning

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Vientiane trip for parents and children

• Do the temples and Patuxai in the morning or late afternoon. Midday heat from March to October is tiring, and few sights offer shade between buildings.
• Pavements are uneven or blocked by parked bikes, and crossing roads can be hard because drivers rarely stop. Cross with a companion and take tuk-tuks for anything beyond a few blocks.
• Patuxai has many steps and a narrow staircase to the top viewing level, so decide beforehand whether to climb or enjoy the park and the monument from below.
• Remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees at temples. Take slip-on footwear and carry a light scarf to make this easy.
• Medical care in Laos is limited compared with Bangkok; buy travel insurance with medical evacuation cover, carry enough regular medication and a prescription list, and ask your hotel for the nearest clinic.
• Drink bottled or boiled water and avoid ice if your stomach is sensitive; carry oral rehydration salts.

Vientiane with elderly parents: the full guide →