Landlocked and sometimes forgotten, Laos generally only tends to get visitors who are spending time touring the whole region, but those who make it are rewarded with a fascinating culture, and low prices. Laos’ capital city is so low key that it feels like a small-town river resort, though modern development is starting to creep in.Â
The city is yet another great bargain for travelers to Southeast Asia, with nearly everything cheaper than Bangkok, and more along the lines of Hanoi. Being a smaller city, there aren’t loads of hotels in Vientiane, but fortunately most of them are quite cheap and friendly.
The main attractions in the city cost little or nothing, so it should be quite easy to keep your budget intact once you’ve found a place to sleep.
Eating on a tight budget in Vientiane is quite easy, as you’d have to go out of your way to find a restaurant that even approaches North American or European prices. Local dishes based on rice and noodles are cheapest, but sandwiches, pasta dishes, and even pizza can be found at good prices. The local lager called Beerlao is served everywhere at very low prices, while the Lao-lao rice whisky is even cheaper.