In the capital of Laos, Vientiane, I came for a Thai visa. Since go, then for a visa, not for a visa-wound, and if you go, then to Laos, where I have never been. Pro two-entry Thai visa in Laos and how to get to the city from Thailand, you can read here – a Thai visa in Laos – our experience, but now about the very capital of Laos.
Vientiane looks very similar to the usual city of Thailand. But, Laos was once a French colony, imposed its imprint. The first thing that catches your eye is French baguettes, sold on every corner, and often in stores you can see croissants.
It is so strange to see how dense white bread entered life people, and became the real fast food. And laotians are pulling in sachets not some rice, but half a loaf of bread stuffed with vegetables and meat As it is probably convenient for European tourists who are used to such eating at home.
Baguettes are sold at every corner.
In the long road all stock up sandwiches
Food on the street, as in Thailand
On the streets of Vientiane
On the streets, French speech is often heard – former there are a lot of colonists here. Some locals also know this language, than I was injected into a stupor, when I, buying something, heard in response not English words, but French. So don’t be surprised if on the street you throw in passing “Bonjur”, and not “Hello”.
The names of all state objects are also written in English, and the streets have the prefix Rue (French. Road), and not Road, as in Thailand. Periodically there are old buildings obviously built by French projects.
Official inscriptions in French
Rue – street for French
House in french style
Another of the unusual – the presence of sidewalks in almost all streets (on at least in the center). Just like in a civilized country, you can walk calmly without fear of being knocked over by a dashing tuk-tuker on your motorcycle. Sometimes the sidewalks are covered with flowers, not roses. of course, but still beautiful.
Sidewalks in colors
Vientiane is the capital of Laos
Laos is a poor country, and this is noticeable by the strong separation. poor and rich, by the amount of garbage on the streets, as well as by such missing service in guesthouses like the internet, despite the fact that the price on food, accommodation, tuk-fat is 1.5-2 times higher than in Tae. In laos often the palace is adjacent to the cardboard house, and the latest model Toyota with a dead and rusty… I want to say a penny.
Palms, houses, shacks
Vientiane is the capital of Laos
Vientiane is the capital of Laos
Vientiane is the capital of Laos
Vientiane is the capital of Laos
By the way, there really are Russian cars, hello to you from AvtoVAZ and any car factories that make trucks. It is also very Korean cars are often met (in Thailand they seem to be squeamish) and bikes from Microsoft.
Vaz 2104 in Laos. Vientiane
Bike from Microsoft
In Laos, many KAMAZ
Meets and GAZ
Yes, you will also receive greetings from the Soviet Union – flags with a sickle and a hammer hung almost on all the streets of Vientiane. BUT some foreigners are proud to wear communist t-shirts symbolism.
Communist flags in all streets of Vientiane
Sometimes there are patriots
Almost all Lao women wear national skirts that makes them politely feminine. But bringing them to your room is not worth, as evidenced by the announcement in the room. Also small sun umbrellas give them the charm just like the monks hiding their enlightened calf in the shadows.
Women in Vientiane
National Clothes Shop in Vientiane
All monks with umbrellas
Lao Wedding
Shop curtains – well, very lulling place
In general, Vientiane itself has nothing to do, especially if you are already were in other countries and cities of Asia, and especially in Thailand. Here just a few attractions. Therefore, my advice to you don’t linger and go inland to the national parks
That Dam stupa is the first landmark of Vientiane
The Arc de Triomphe Patuxai – like the Champs Elysees
Tseretelli visited here?
In the distance, the sacred and shallowed Mekong
Just a beautiful tree on the Vientiane seafront
Police in the capital of Laos
Yes, another such moment, people here smile much less often, and each tuk-tuker considers it his duty to ask several times “Hello, tuk tuk? ”Then I saw this phrase at night —
Tuk-tuki in Laos
And the prices in Laos at last: – Guesthouses from 100.000kip. – Plate rice with vegetables from 13.000-20.000kip and above. – Half baguette on street with a filling 5.000-10.000kip – Long baguette in the store 10.000kip, the packaging of croissants 20.000kip. – juice or shake 5.000-7.000kip – a half-liter bottle of water 2.000-3.000kip
Prices in a cafe for foreigners – Vientiane
Lao money – kip
Life hacking 1 – how to buy a good insurance
Choosing insurance is now unrealistically difficult, therefore, to help everyone travelers, I make a rating. To do this, constantly monitor forums, I study insurance contracts and use insurance by myself.
Insurance Rating
Life hacking 2 – how to find a hotel 20% cheaper
First, choose a hotel on Booking. They have a good base offers, but the prices are NOT the best! The same hotel is often possible find 20% cheaper in other systems through the RoomGuru service.
Discount hotels
