There is a limited but adequate selection of activities in Vientiane which are geared towards children, and parents may need to use their creativity to make this developing city entertaining for little ones. The sights, smells and sounds of evening life along the Mekong are interesting for all ages, and activities like bowling and boat rides can be used to break up tours of temples and markets.

Boat Rides
Since Vientiane is situated along one of the world’s greatest rivers, a short boat cruise is a wonderful way to see the surrounding countryside and give kids a really special experience. Small but sturdy boats regularly take visitors on tours along the Mekong for a taste of river life, and can be arranged at any travel shop in town.

Bowling
One of the few things to do in Vientiane is bowl a few frames at one of the capital’s three venues: Lao Bowling Centre, The Alley, and the large Lao-ITECC Centre just outside of town. Prices are cheap and the bowling is as fun as it is anywhere else in the world.

Unfortunately, there is virtually nothing remaining of pre-colonial Vientiane except for Wat Sisaket temple, a lucky survivor of the Siam invasion. Despite a lack of historic architecture, visitors still have a decent range of cultural activities to choose from, including traditional dance performances, a couple of museums, several nice temples and some colourful daily markets.

Chinatown
Like most Asian capitals, Vientiane has a small but excellent Chinatown comprised of six blocks in the downtown area. This place is at its best after dark when dozens of different food stalls line the sidewalks. People from all over the city come here to enjoy an environment different from that of a typical Laotian neighbourhood.

Lao National Museum
Housed in a lovely colonial mansion, this small but interesting museum provides a detailed look at the history, heritage and culture of Laos. The first floor focuses on the archaeology, geology and ancient culture of the country, while the second floor is dedicated to the struggle for Lao independence with more modern items on display. The museum is located on Samsenthai road. Phone: +856 21 212462.

Lao National Theatre
The beautiful and graceful movements of Lao traditional dancing are best experienced at the Lao National Theatre, which hosts daily performances each evening. The one-hour shows include the famous Lao Loum lowland dance, as well as dances from a number of ethnic groups which live in the country. The theatre is located on Manthatoulat road. Phone: +856 21 242 978.

Morning Market (Talaat Sao)
Vientiane’s largest daily market is the nexus of the city’s local commerce, and warrants at least one visit. The Morning Market starts early, but keeps going well into the day as vendors cram into the downtown venue to sell everything from Chinese medicinal herbs to pirated DVDs and silver jewellery in addition to everyday sundries. This is the Laotian version of a shopping mall, offering the only experience of its kind in the country.

Wat Haw Phra Kaew
This charming temple dating to 1565 was once the private sanctuary of a Lao king, but today houses a decent museum with one of country’s finest collections of art and antiquities. The temple’s eclectic range of relics, such as a stone vessel from the Plain of Jars and several Khmer-era statues, make this a nice stop. The former temple is located on Setthathirat road.

Wat Si Muang
Built in 1566, this Buddhist temple is significant because it is home of the foundation pillar of Vientiane, a cultural relic which is considered one of the country’s most valuable possessions. If you are visiting during the amazing That Luang festival in early November, this temple is a great place to be. The temple is situated on Samsenthai road.

French influence can be seen in many facets of the cuisine in Vientiane, from the ubiquitous fresh baguettes available each morning to the Lao-style pate, tasty Beer Lao and the surprisingly good selection of wine. There are some excellent French restaurants around the Nam Phu Fountain if you need a break from the local Lao food, as well as a handful of cafés that cater to Western tastes, all priced well below what you’d expect to spend.

Laotian cuisine is simple, based around available produce, meats, fresh herbs and spices. Sticky rice is the nation’s staple and accompanies just about every meal. It comes in small bamboo baskets and is eaten with the right hand. A classic dish to go with sticky rice is laap, a wonderful blend of minced chicken, pork or fish with chillies and fresh mint leaves. Khao poun, fresh rice noodles served in a coconut milk broth with vegetables, meat and fresh herbs, is another daily staple worth multiple tries. Grilled and steamed fish caught in the rivers are available everywhere, commonly served with a variety of spicy sauces.

There are plenty of great places to eat in Vientiane, both Lao and Western-style. Along the riverside Fa Ngum road, there are dozens of choices. Here, little barbecue shacks open up each evening as the sun sets over the Mekong, providing a fun and popular place to have a cold Beer Lao and a snack. A couple of blocks from the river is the Nam Phu Fountain, another hotspot for some of the finest bakeries and restaurants in the capital.

In the morning, grab a fresh baguette on the street corner and a glass of thick, sweet Lao coffee. Most Laotians eat a bowl of noodle soup for breakfast, but many hotels along the river and in the fountain district have Western-style menus if eggs and bacon are more to your taste. Head for the Morning Market for even more breakfast variations.

Vientiane is also an excellent place for shopping. Laos is known around the world for its exquisite hand-woven silk, which comes in a wide range of styles. Scarves, clothing articles for men and women, wall-hangings and other decorative accessories are all available. Although you can find decent silk items at the Morning Market, you may find higher quality pieces in the quaint boutique shops around the Mixay district and near the Nam Phu Fountain area.

Fine silverwork is another craft of distinction in Laos, and the capital has dozens of shops where the jewellery and other silver items are cheap and well-made. Apart from the Morning Market, where treasures are often hidden among less valuable items, check out Samsenthai and Setthathirat streets.

Antiques and other beautiful pieces of Laotian art are also good buys in the capital. Prices are negotiable in the markets and smaller shops, but the boutiques usually have fixed prices. Overall, visitors should find that the cost of crafts in Laos is very affordable, but be prepared to pay more for exquisite pieces of art and silk.

Vientiane is not exactly an outdoor recreation wonderland, but there are a few activities in town to keep your heart pumping if you want a bit of exercise. Apart from individual activities like swimming, bowling and jogging, visitors can book a short trek into the countryside around the city.

Aerobics
Entertaining to watch and even more fun to join in, every morning and evening dozens of locals come out to do aerobics under a huge outdoor pavilion next to the Mekong. The accompanying Asian pop music alone is worth the experience.

Swimming
One activity that Vientiane excels at catering for is swimming. The top hotels are the best places to take a refreshing dip, many of which allow non guests to enjoy the pool for a small fee. Lao Plaza Hotel, Don Chan Palace, Tai-Pan and Settha Palace all have excellent swimming pools to check out. Otherwise, there is a massive and inexpensive public pool on Ky Houng road, which offers a local experience.

Trekking
Despite staying in the capital, visitors can still arrange a trek into the neighbouring countryside to explore natural and cultural sites. Activities such as hiking, cycling, rafting and caving are all standard components of organised treks. The city’s main tour companies are Green Discovery and Exotissimo.

Massage
Traditional Lao massage is a wonderfully relaxing blend of stretching and massage, designed over the centuries to improve circulation and induce relaxation. The price is right, so indulge yourself in this art form at any of the spas or massage shops around the city.