I was in Vientiane twice during my trip as were many other travellers. It’s usually a pit stop at the beginning and end of your journey in Laos. I understand that there are some nice temples, architecture and the Buddha Park in Vientiane, but I got so lazy after Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang that I did nothing else but hang out at my hostel, Sihome Backpackers Hostel.
Stay
A room at Sihome Backpackers Hostel is LAK50,000 (USD6.00) a night for an 8-bunkbed dorm with shared bathroom. It is a pretty typical dorm room. The bed is clean and they provide a blanket and a locker. The lock is not provided but you can buy one downstairs for LAK10,000 or so. Towels need to be rented for LAK5,000 too.
The lobby is great. It is very spacious and has a very well maintained pool table, a fridge packed with Beer Lao (which you will guzzle throughout Laos), a cosy common area indoors and a long bench plus a few tables outdoors. It is a fantastic place for single travellers to meet people. The long bench outside is perfect for travellers to congregate and talk about their journey. I made many a friend there.
David who hails from Vietnam usually runs operations day and night. He is a very helpful guy and will provide all the services you need, be it ordering a Beer Lao or booking a ticket for your next destination. The owner Philippe is a very nice chap too. He owns another hostel, Sihome Backpackers Gardens, which is only about 100m away from Sihome Backpackers Hostel. If you are booking one of the two online, be mindful of that fact as I met many travellers who got the wrong hostel for obvious reasons.
Eat
Ray’s Grill Vientiane
Only 50m away is Ray’s Grill which whips some of the best burgers I’ve ever tried. Their signature sandwich is the Philly cheese steak and boy was it good! Everyone who tried Ray’s have been raving about the food. It is not the cheapest by Lao standard (averages LAK55,000) but you know you are getting quality ingredients and great taste. Ray is a very pleasant guy who owns and manages the place. I’ve been there for lunch and dinner and he was there both times. If you see him, go and say hi and ask for recommendations about the food based on your preferences. During my numerous trips there, I tried the blue cheese burger, the Philly cheese steak and had a bite of the Falafel burger (vegetarian). All F***** amazingly good!
Ron from Lao
Why on earth would you eat a burger in Vientiane with all the excellent food available here?
johahnb
Hey Ron, good question. It’s because I met some fellow travellers where I was staying who highly recommended it. In fact, everybody was raving about it. And I have to admit, after trying it, I started recommending it myself. It is THAT good! Plus it’s only 50m away from where I was staying. That said, I had plenty of Lao food too!