I visited Vientiane not long after the borders reopened in May 2022. I was there to ride the new Laos-China Railway, which had been running since December 2021. The last time I was in Vientiane was via train from Bangkok, and the next time I visit will probably be when the line from Thailand is […]
Laos-China Railway – A review of the Vientiane to Boten train
The Laos-China Railway opened on the 2nd of December 2021, making it the first railway in Laos (not counting the border shuttle at Thanaleng from Nong Khai in Thailand). The train from Vientiane to Boten takes just 3.5 hours, and its main stops include Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Muang Xai. Laos was still closed […]
Cafes in Vientiane, Laos
During my trip to Vientiane I did the rounds of the best cafes in the city. It had been nearly seven years since my last visit to Vientiane so I was curious to see how much has changed. There is now a good selection of cafes to work from here, so whether you are on […]
Vientiane Travel Guide
Travel Notes > Laos > Vientiane Travel Guide Vientiane is the capital of Laos and it’s often described as the sleepy capital, though such descriptions are relative. If you have just come from Bangkok then you will feel like you have arrived in a big country town. If you have just come back from a […]
How to get from Bangkok to Vientiane by train
I like to travel by train in Southeast Asia if it’s a reasonable alternative to flying. For the trip from Bangkok to Vientiane, getting the train is a comfortable and economic way to go. First off I will say that the train doesn’t actually go to Vientiane; it stops at a station about 16km away. […]
Flight Review: Lao Airlines – Vientiane to Ho Chi Minh City
Flight: Lao Airlines QV 515 From: Vientiane (VTE) To: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) Via: Pakse (PKZ) I flew with Lao Airlines from Vientiane to Ho Chi Minh City. I compared flights with Skyscanner to find what my options were. At the time of my travel there was no non-stop flight between the two cities. […]
Hotel Review: iHouse-New Hotel, Vientiane – Laos
Hotel Name: iHouse-New Hotel Address: 72/6 Pangkham Road, Vientiane, Laos I stayed at the iHouse-New Hotel in Vientiane, Laos. I booked online at the rate of $13.50USD per night, and I selected it out for its location in the city. Laos is a small city so you can’t really go wrong with hotel location if […]
Hotel Review: Avalon Hotel, Vientiane – Laos
Hotel Name: Avalon Hotel Address: 70 Rue Phnom Pen, Vientiane, Laos I stayed at the Avalon Hotel in Vientiane. I booked online at the rate of $13.50USD per night, and I picked it out for its price and location. Vientiane is a compact city so I don’t think there is any particular advantageous location. As […]
