Vientiane Capital
City Information
Located on a curve of the Mekong River, at 17°58' North, 102°36' East (17.9667, 102.6) with a total area of 130 square kilometer. Vientiane Capital has a recorded history that stretches back to around 1,000 AD. The area was originally settled because of the fertility of the surrounding alluvial plains, and Vientiane became the capital city of Laos around the mid-16th century. Vientiane Capital has a population of 737,750 (as of 2024, UNdata).
Vientiane Capital is a home to the most significant national monument in Laos: That Luang (Great Stupa), which is the symbol of Lao and an icon of Buddhism in Laos. There are many beautiful temples in Vientiane, such as Sisaket Temple, Ong Teu Mahavihan Temple, Xieng Khouan Temple (known as the Buddha Park), Si Muang Temple, etc. At Hor Phakeo Museum, there is a precious collection of Buddha statues, including traditional Lao style of the "Calling for Rain" and "Offering Protection". To spend a morning in the Lao National Museum, which displays an interesting mixture of revolutionary and contemporary exhibitions. Shopping for handicrafts is not complicated in Vientiane; visit Talat Sao (a morning market) for a wide range of colourful textiles including silk, wall-hangings and other decorative pieces. For fine handicrafts, try one of the many upscale galleries in the city center. Keep your eyes open for traditional wood carvings, mulberry paper and a variety of basketry made from bamboo and rattan.
The nation’s signature dish are tam mak-hung (spicy green papaya salad), laap (spicy minced meat salad) and ping kai (fried chicken). Vientiane Capital is surprisingly multicultural. There is a number of excellent French, Indian, Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants in Vientiane. Quench your thirst with a refreshing Beer Lao or fresh fruit shake from one of the many small restaurants found along almost every street in town. At dusk, find a spot along the Mekong promenade to enjoy an amazing view of the sunset over the river.
The largest fair, Boun Pha That Luang, is held in Vientiane Capital around mid – November each year. Celebrations begin at Si Muang Temple followed by a procession to That Luang. Festivities last a full week, ending in fireworks on the last night, which coincides with the full moon. In mid – October, the riverbank overflows with spectators watching the annual boat races. Boun Ok Phansa or the last day of Buddhist Lent precedes the boat races by one day. In the evening of Boun Ok Phansa, Lao people prepare small banana leaf boats called Heua Fai and set them afloat on the Mekong illuminated by candles and incense in a charming ceremony meant to bring good luck and prosperity.
All Year Climate & Weather Averages in Vientiane Capital
| High Temp: |
35 |
°C |
| Low Temp: |
17 |
°C |
| Mean Temp: |
27 |
°C |
| Humidity: |
71 |
% |
| Precipitation: |
124.4 |
mm |
| Annual Rainfall: |
1493.2 |
mm (per year) |
| Dew Point: |
21 |
°C |
| Wind: |
5 |
km/h |
| Pressure: |
1009 |
mbar |
| Visibility: |
5 |
km |
| |
|
| Time Zone: |
Vientiane, Laos (GMT+7)
|
| Currency: |
The Lao Kip (LAK)
|
| Dialing Code: |
+856 21
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| Public Airport: |
Wattay International Airport (IATA: VTE, ICAO: VLVT)
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| Sources: |
- United Nations. 2018. The World's Cities in 2018. [Online]. [15 January 2019]. Available from: https://www.un.org/
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| |
- Tourism Marketing Department, Lao PDR. 2012. Sabaidee Laos.[Online]. [12 December 2018]. Available from: https://www.tourismlaos.org/
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| |
- Time and Date. 2019. [Online]. [22 January 2019]. Available from:https://www.timeanddate.com/
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Top Attractions
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The Patuxai (Victory Gate) monument - by Wuttichok Panichiwarapun/
Shutterstock |
Phra That Luang - by timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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Lao National Museum - by Travel Blog
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Buddha Park - by Tripsavy
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Sister City Agreement:
- Mr. Samak Sundaravej, Governor of Bangkok and Mr. Thongsing Thammavong, Mayor of Vientiane Capital signed Cooperation Agreement between Bangkok and Vientiane Capital on 24 May 2004 in Bangkok.
- Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, Governor of Bangkok and Dr. Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, Mayor of Vientiane Capital signed Cooperation Agreement between Bangkok and Vientiane Capital on 11 June Capital in Vientiane.
Leader: Atsaphangthong Siphandone, Mayor (as of 1 April 2021)
Website: vientianecity.gov.la
Download Memorandum of understanding (thai), Memorandum of understanding (laos) and Memorandum of understanding (Thai & Laos)
Consequences Activities after Signing on the Agreement
| No. |
Date |
Activity |
Venue |
Link Photo/Vdo Album |
| 1 |
17-18 July 2004
|
The delegation of Bangkok led by Mr. Samak Sundaravej, Governor of Bangkok, visited Vientiane Capital to participate in a golf competition between the BMA and Vientiane Capital.
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
|
| 2 |
August 2004
|
Vientiane Capital officials had a technical visit on urban gardening and city decoration in Bangkok.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 3 |
11-18 September 2005
|
A group of three medical personnel of Vientiane Capital visited Bangkok to participate in a cooperative program: Workshop on Laparoscopic Surgery.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 4 |
9 January-4 May 2007
|
Vientiane Capital officials participated in Seminars for the Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Executive Bangkok Metropolitan Management of the BMA (one official for each seminar).
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 5 |
29-31 August 2007
|
The delegation of Bangkok led by Mr. Pichai Chaipotpanit, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the BMA, visited Vientiane Capital to have a discussion on cooperative programs between the two cities on gardening, tourism, environment, and education.
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
|
| 6 |
9-12 March 2008
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A group of seven officials from Vientiane Capital visited Bangkok to participate in a seminar on environment, in accordance with the Cooperation Program on environment between the two cities.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 7 |
19-22 March 2008
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A group of seven officials from Vientiane Capital visited Bangkok to participate in a seminar on environment, in accordance with the Cooperation Program on education between the two cities.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 8 |
10-13 June 2008
|
Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, Governor of Bangkok, had an official visit to Vientiane Capital to sign an agreement on cooperation between Bangkok and Vientiane Capital (on 11th June 2008).
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
|
| 9 |
27 July-1 August 2008
|
The delegation of Vientiane Capital participated in Bangkok Sister City Week 2008.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 10 |
23-31 March 2009
|
The delegation and youth representatives of Vientiane participated in Bangkok Sister City Youth Program 2009.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 11 |
7-9 April 2009
|
Mr. Sombat Yialiher, Mayor of Vientiane Capital, visited Bangkok.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 12 |
27-28 October 2009
|
M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Governor of Bangkok, visited Vientiane to attend the Boun That Luang Festival.
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
|
| 13 |
8-10 December 2009
|
The delegation of Bangkok visited Vientiane to attend the opening ceremony of the 25th South East Asian Games.
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
|
| 14 |
18 January
-
23 March 2010
|
A couple of Educational Administrators from Vientiane Capital participated in the 4th seminar for Top Level Educational Administrators.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 15 |
24-26 March 2010
|
The delegation of Vientiane Capital participated in Working Level Meeting for Sister Cities Week 2010.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 16 |
18-20 November 2010
|
Mr. Pornthep Techapaiboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok participated in a celebration of the 450th anniversary of Vientiane Capital.
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
|
| 17 |
25-27 May 2011
|
The delegation of Vientiane Capital participated in Bangkok Sister City Week 2011 (Urban Green).
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 18 |
28 February -
3 March 2012
|
An official of Vientiane Capital participated in a seminar on Hotel Asset Management to support Lao PDR’s tourism year 2012.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 19 |
12-17 March 2012
|
An official of Vientiane Capital participated in a seminar on Tourism Management and Operations to support Lao PDR’s tourism year 2012.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 20 |
29 March-5 April 2012
|
A university student from Vientiane Capital participated in Bangkok Sister City Youth Program 2012.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 21 |
4-6 May 2016
|
The delegation of Bangkok participated in Senior Official Meeting of ASEAN Capitals 2016.
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
|
| 22 |
13-17 November 2016
|
Mr. Poksak Nilubol, Adviser to Governor of Bangkok participated in the 4th Meeting of Governors/Mayors of ASEAN Capitals 2016.
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
|
| 23 |
3-6 April 2018
|
The delegation of Bnagkok participate in the Taskforce Meeting of Lower Mekhong Tourism Cities.
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
|
| 24 |
22-24 April2019
|
Vientiane Capital representatives participated in Senior Officials Meeting: SOM.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 25 |
26-28 June 2019
|
The delegation of Vientiane Capital led by Mr. Sihoune Siththilusay, Vice Governor of Vientiane Capital and Vice-Party Secretary of Party Committee participated in the 7th Meeting of Governors/Mayors of ASEAN Capitals 2019: MGMAC 2019.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 26 |
27 June-1 July 2019
|
The delegation of Vientiane led by Mr. Sihoune Siththilusay, Vice Governor of Vientiane Capital and Vice-Party Secretary of Party Committee participated in the Sister Cities Week 2019.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 27 |
14 October 2019
|
Mr. Kriangyos Sudlabha, Deputy Governor of Bangkok participated in the 5th Lower Mekong Tourism Cities Mayors Summit on the theme of ‘Towards an Integrated and Connected Lower Mekong Tourism Cities Community’
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
https://1th.me/d7YHR |
| 28 |
17 May 2021
|
Pol. Gen. Asawin Kwanmuang sent a congratulatory letter to Mr. Ardsapangthong Siphandone, Governor of Vientiane Capital on the occasion of appointment as the new Governor of Vientiane Capital.
|
Mail
|
|
| 29 |
20 May 2022
|
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration donated 1 fire truck to Vientiane Capital to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Thailand-Laos diplomatic relations.
|
Bangkok
|
|
| 30 |
11-14 January 2023
|
The total of 7 BMA officials from Fire and Rescue Department and International Affairs Office, the Permanent Secretary Office traveled to deliver fire trucks and train the Vientiane Capital officials the usage of the trucks.
|
Vientiane
Capital
|
|
| 31 |
19 May 2023
|
Mr. Chadchart Sitthipunt, the Governor of Bangkok welcomed Mr. Ardsapangthong Siphandone, the Governor of Vientiane Capital and the delegation of Vientiane Capital, the Embassy representatives, Mr. Khamphan Anlavan, Ambassador of the Lao PDR to Thailand paid a courtesy call to discuss future cooperation between Bangkok and Vientiane at The Study Room, Shangri-La Hotel.
|
Bangkok
|
|
As of January 2024
