Capital city in Vientiane Prefecture, Laos
Vientiane for solo travelers
Is Vientiane good for solo travel?
The slowest capital in Southeast Asia: Mekong sunsets, temples, French bakeries and cheap beer. Cheap, quiet and easy for a base, with limited nightlife and public transport.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Watch bag snatching near the river at night and dress modestly at temples. |
How to meet people in Vientiane
Hostel events, riverside run groups, cooking classes, coffee-shop events and coworking meetups; expat bars along the Mekong draw regulars.
Good things to do alone
- Watch the Mekong sunset from the riverfront
- Bike to Pha That Luang
- Explore Buddha Park by bus
- Taste Lao coffee and baguettes at morning markets
- Take the Laos–China Railway to Vang Vieng for a day
Where to stay in Vientiane
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Chanthabuly and Mekong riverfront | First-timers: guesthouses, cafés, night market, temples |
| Ban Phonsinuan and Sisattanak | Long stays near embassies, expats and supermarkets |
| Ban Anou | Budget guesthouses and local food near the center |
| Thatluang | Quiet residential area near the main stupa |
Solo travel across Laos
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Luang Prabang | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Vang Vieng | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| 4000 Islands | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nong Khiaw | 4/5 | Limited |
| Thakhek | 4/5 | Limited |
| Vientiane | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Pakse | 3/5 | Limited |
| Phonsavan | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Vientiane good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). The slowest capital in Southeast Asia: Mekong sunsets, temples, French bakeries and cheap beer.
How do you meet people in Vientiane?
Hostel events, riverside run groups, cooking classes, coffee-shop events and coworking meetups; expat bars along the Mekong draw regulars. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Vientiane?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Vientiane safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Watch bag snatching near the river at night and dress modestly at temples.
More about Vientiane
Going to Vientiane solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Vientiane meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.