population: 0.82 million

extension: 3,920 square kilometers

Museums

If you are in Vientiane and interested in visiting museums, a great place to start would be the Lao National Museum, which showcases the history of Laos. Other museums in Vientiane that may interest you include the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, which honors the former prime minister, and the Ho Pra Keo Museum, which was once a temple and now houses Buddhist art and artifacts.

If you are interested in visiting more museums of similar type outside of Vientiane, Luang Prabang is the city that offers many museum options such as Royal Palace Museum, Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, and UXO Laos Visitor Center.

Food

Some of the most recommended, popular and typical dishes to eat in Vientiane according to local people are:

1. Laap: This is a minced meat salad made with herbs, spices, and lime juice and served with sticky rice.

2. Tam Mak Hoong: Also known as papaya salad, it is made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, garlic, chili, fish sauce, lime juice, and peanuts.

3. Khao Poon: A traditional noodle soup made with coconut milk, chicken or pork broth, lemongrass, and chili paste.

4. Ping Kai: Grilled chicken marinated in a mixture of lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, and fresh herbs.

5. Or Lam: A rustic stew made with mixed vegetables, herbs, and either chicken or pork.

6. Mok Pa: Steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves with herbs and spices such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal.

7. Sai Oua: Grilled Lao-style sausages made with minced pork, garlic, lemongrass, chili, and herbs.

Note that these are just some examples, and there are many other traditional Lao dishes that you might enjoy trying while in Vientiane.

Activities

There are many fun activities that local people enjoy in Vientiane. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Visit the Night Market: This is a great place to experience the local culture, sample delicious street food, and shop for souvenirs.

2. Watch the sunset at the Mekong River: The Mekong riverbank is a popular spot for locals to relax and take in the beautiful views of the sunset.

3. Participate in a Baci Ceremony: A Baci ceremony is a traditional Lao ritual that is performed to celebrate special occasions or welcome guests. It involves tying strings around the wrist while reciting blessings.

4. Attend a local festival: There are many festivals throughout the year in Laos, including the popular That Luang Festival in November.

5. Take a cooking class: Learn how to cook authentic Lao dishes with a local chef and get a taste of the country's cuisine.

6. Explore the Buddhist temples: Vientiane has many historic and beautiful Buddhist temples, such as Wat Si Saket and Pha That Luang, which are popular destinations for both locals and tourists alike.