Full-Day Vientiane and Antique Textile Museum Tour
Vientiane, Laos
Trip Type: Full-day Tours
Duration: 9 hours
Vientiane’s main highlights are as beautiful as the capital is calm and relaxed. Moments of immense importance such as the That Luang and temple complexes Vat Sisaket and Ho Phra Keo are among the most revered institutions in Laos. Not only does the country take great pride in maintaining and respecting these sights, its handicraft is among one of the main sources of income for many Laotian residents. Have a traditional lunch then visit a traditional textile museum completes this day, where tradition, art and Laotian culture are kept alive, to be transferred to the next generation.
More About This Activity All Full-day Tours →
Vientiane’s main highlights are as beautiful as the capital is calm and relaxed. Moments of immense importance such as the That Luang and temple complexes Vat Sisaket and Ho Phra Keo are among the most revered institutions in Laos. Not only does the country take great pride in maintaining and respecting these sights, its handicraft is among one of the main sources of income for many Laotian residents. Have a traditional lunch then visit a traditional textile museum completes this day, where tradition, art and Laotian culture are kept alive, to be transferred to the next generation.Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Vientiane and drive you to see the highlights of the Laotian capital.
First, stop at the Vat Sisaket, the oldest monastery in Vientiane, built in 1818.
Vat Sisaket has survived in its original form; all other temples in Vientiane have gone through extensive renovations. Continue to nearby Ho Phra Keo, the former Royal temple, now a Museum of Buddhist art and sculptures. The building once housed the Emerald Buddha until it was taken to Bangkok following a skirmish with the Lao in 1778.
The That Luang with its golden stupa in the characteristic banana flower shape is the most revered shrine in Laos and cannot be missed. Laos’ national symbol has a central structure that is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an elongated lotus bud, the original stupa, is said to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha. Its domination of the Vientiane skyline is clearly visible from the top of the Phaxuthai Victory Gate, located in the northern city boundaries.
Next go enjoy a traditional lunch.
This Phaxuthai Victory Gate, also known as Anousavali, was constructed in 1958; its architecture is inspired by the “Arc de Triumph” in Paris and incorporates typical Lao motifs including the Kinnaree, the mythical bird-woman. Energetic visitors can climb the top of the monument and enjoy a panoramic view of Laos’ capital from Vientiane’s highest point: a small entrance fee will be levied upon arrival at the stair case (not included in the rates, to be paid on spot).
After a delicious local lunch at a local restaurant in the capital, your driver will stop at the Lao Textile Museum, a cluster of 3 houses, constructed in a traditional Laotian style where the proprietors of the museum has collected a large collection of Lao artefacts and textiles. Most of the items at display are part of a larger private collection. The lush gardens that surround the houses are a nice place to relax before we move on with our tour.
Interested in buying some Laotian textiles? There is only one spot to do this Talad Sao. Comprises full of separate areas where household utensils, clothing, handicrafts and food are sold here daily, this is the place to buy real textiles that are used daily by many Laotians. Assigned as a ‘morning market’ by many, this name is a bit misleading: the market commonly remains open until 4pm. Proceed to That Dam Stupa (translated as Black Stupa), situated in the center of a roundabout near the morning market.
From here, walk through the Vientiane streets which lead to the banks of the Mighty Mekong River as stroll along the riverbank in the late afternoon.
After exploring all the sights, sounds and the smells of Vientiane, your guide and driver will bring you back to your booked hotel in Vientiane. Expected arrival will be around 5:30pm.
First, stop at the Vat Sisaket, the oldest monastery in Vientiane, built in 1818.
Vat Sisaket has survived in its original form; all other temples in Vientiane have gone through extensive renovations. Continue to nearby Ho Phra Keo, the former Royal temple, now a Museum of Buddhist art and sculptures. The building once housed the Emerald Buddha until it was taken to Bangkok following a skirmish with the Lao in 1778.
The That Luang with its golden stupa in the characteristic banana flower shape is the most revered shrine in Laos and cannot be missed. Laos’ national symbol has a central structure that is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an elongated lotus bud, the original stupa, is said to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha. Its domination of the Vientiane skyline is clearly visible from the top of the Phaxuthai Victory Gate, located in the northern city boundaries.
Next go enjoy a traditional lunch.
This Phaxuthai Victory Gate, also known as Anousavali, was constructed in 1958; its architecture is inspired by the “Arc de Triumph” in Paris and incorporates typical Lao motifs including the Kinnaree, the mythical bird-woman. Energetic visitors can climb the top of the monument and enjoy a panoramic view of Laos’ capital from Vientiane’s highest point: a small entrance fee will be levied upon arrival at the stair case (not included in the rates, to be paid on spot).
After a delicious local lunch at a local restaurant in the capital, your driver will stop at the Lao Textile Museum, a cluster of 3 houses, constructed in a traditional Laotian style where the proprietors of the museum has collected a large collection of Lao artefacts and textiles. Most of the items at display are part of a larger private collection. The lush gardens that surround the houses are a nice place to relax before we move on with our tour.
Interested in buying some Laotian textiles? There is only one spot to do this Talad Sao. Comprises full of separate areas where household utensils, clothing, handicrafts and food are sold here daily, this is the place to buy real textiles that are used daily by many Laotians. Assigned as a ‘morning market’ by many, this name is a bit misleading: the market commonly remains open until 4pm. Proceed to That Dam Stupa (translated as Black Stupa), situated in the center of a roundabout near the morning market.
From here, walk through the Vientiane streets which lead to the banks of the Mighty Mekong River as stroll along the riverbank in the late afternoon.
After exploring all the sights, sounds and the smells of Vientiane, your guide and driver will bring you back to your booked hotel in Vientiane. Expected arrival will be around 5:30pm.
« Go Back