Exploring ASEAN: A Day Trip in Vientiane

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One-Day Trip to Vientiane

This one-day trip to Vientiane involved a group of 8 travelers. We booked round-trip AirAsia flights from Bangkok to Udon Thani for 214 baht. We also rented a van with a driver to pick us up from Udon Thani airport and take us to the Tha Sadet checkpoint in Nong Khai province. The van driver also arranged for a van with a driver on the Vientiane side. The cost of the van rental is not recalled. The drive to the checkpoint took approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.

After clearing immigration, our van driver was waiting for us at the checkpoint.

For this trip, there was no set itinerary, but it was agreed that we would rent a van for one day and drop it off at the checkpoint the next day.

The van that picked us up was a Starex minivan with eight seats, as shown in the picture. However, once we loaded our luggage and everyone was on board, it was packed like sardines.

The First Tourist Destination: Wat Si Saket

Our first stop was Wat Si Saket, where we paid an entrance fee of 10,000 kip (approximately 40 baht) per person. This price is consistent across all temples in Laos. Wat Si Saket was built by King Anouvong, the Laotian king at that time. The name "Wat Si Saket" comes from the temple's proximity to the palace. When the king slept, his head would be facing this temple.

Upon noticing a sign in the temple, we mistakenly assumed it prohibited photography and loudly informed our friends. A nearby Laotian individual clarified that the sign actually read "ห้ามไต้ธูป," which translates to "No Incense Lighting." Therefore, photography within the temple was not restricted.

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As we hadn't booked a hotel in advance, we asked our driver to help us find one. He brought us to this hotel, called the Paisai Hotel. The room rate was around 500 baht per night. The room was spacious but a bit run-down and had a musty smell. However, it was acceptable if you weren't too fussy.

Note: The faces of the participants in the trip have been blurred for privacy reasons.

After packing our belongings, the car took us shopping. I don't remember the name of the store, but most of the items sold were liquor.

The packaging is visually appealing and enjoyable to look at.

It's lunchtime! Let's go eat some delicious noodles together. A small bowl costs 50 baht, while a large bowl costs 70 baht. However, even though it's called a small bowl, the size is not actually small. The large bowl is very big!

Continuing on to the Haw Pha Kaew, also known as Wat Phra Kaew, this site once housed the Emerald Buddha. The Haw Pha Kaew served as the royal temple of the Laotian dynasty. King Sai Setthathirath ordered its construction in 1565 to enshrine the Emerald Buddha, which he had brought from Chiang Mai in the Lanna Kingdom upon his return to the throne following the death of his father, King Photisarath.

During the Siamese-Laotian War of 1778-1779, Vientiane was captured by the Siamese army. The Emerald Buddha, a sacred Laotian palladium, was taken to Bangkok along with many members of the Laotian royal family. The history between Thailand and Laos is sensitive, so as tourists, we should simply appreciate the beauty of the temples.

After leaving the temple, the driver started talking on the phone about his brother's alleged involvement in a motorcycle theft. He then asked us if he could drop us off at the hotel and let us continue the tour on our own, as he needed to deal with his brother's issue. While the other members of the group were sympathetic and willing to let him go, we found the situation unreasonable. We had already paid him according to the agreement, and he was obligated to complete the tour. We questioned how he would charge us or refund us if he left us at that point, and how we would continue the tour without him. We expressed our inconvenience in finding a new vehicle and lack of knowledge about the remaining行程. Ultimately, the driver had to comply with the original agreement. (We suspect that he was trying to deceive us, as the situation seemed suspicious.)

Continuing our journey, we arrive at Wat Pha That Luang, the largest and most magnificent stupa in the Lao PDR. Built by ancient Lao artisans, it holds immense historical, artistic, and cultural significance, serving as a symbol of Lan Xang Lao architecture. The gleaming golden stupa houses the sacred relics of the Lord Buddha.

In front of the Great Stupa, there is a monument to King Chaiya Chettha Thipraj.

The next landmark is Patuxai, a square-shaped monument with four gates. The roof features five spires, and the center of the monument has a space for lighting a flame, serving as a symbolic memorial to the unknown heroes. The monument is divided into three levels. The third level is the roof with five spires, and the largest spire has a tower offering panoramic views of Vientiane.

On the other side of the Patuxai is a public park, where locals come to relax and enjoy their leisure time.

The evening was pleasant with the sun setting, a gentle breeze, and cool air. The atmosphere was very nice.

To join the trip, they started complaining, "Why are there only temples? At least the van driver took us around to buy things, going in and out of shops. It's easy for him, he gets a commission."

Following our arrival, we were escorted to our hotel. In the evening, we took a leisurely stroll along the Mekong River, which was conveniently located near our accommodation. The sunset painted the sky in vibrant shades of orange, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

After strolling through the riverside market, we set out to find a nearby restaurant for dinner.

After a satisfying meal, we decided to explore Vientiane at night. We hailed a tuk-tuk to take us to the city center, agreeing on a round-trip fare of 200 baht. The driver promised to return in an hour. When the time came, he was nowhere to be seen. We wandered around, hoping to find a ride back to our hotel, but no vehicles passed by. After a considerable wait, the driver finally appeared and drove us back. I was holding a cup of soybean milk, which cost 20 baht. Food in Laos is generally expensive.

The next morning, the van driver took us to a Chinese wholesale store in Laos for shopping. After shopping, he took us to the border. Before leaving, I asked the driver to send a postcard from Laos to Thailand. However, the postcard has not arrived yet. I don't know if it was not sent or lost by the Lao post office.

One-day trip to Vientiane ends.

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