Located on the left bank of the Mekong, opposite Thailand's Nong Khai province, the Laotian capital is a small city with a population of little more than 300,000. Although modernizing at an increasing pace, Vientiane remains a quiet, unhurried sort of place, quaintly attractive for its blend of Asian and French colonial architecture.
In 1563, King Setthathirat made Vientiane (in Lao language Vieng Chan) the capital of the kingdom of Lane Xang. The two most important Wats of Vientiane, Wat That Luang and Wat Phra Kaeo date back to that time
In 1827 Vientiane had been conquered and sacked by a Siamese army. For decades the town lay in ruins, until the French, at the beginning of their colonial reign rebuilt it. However, Vientiane today does not feature French-influenced architecture to the same extent as Phnom Penh and Saigon. Instead there is a strong Thai influence.
With barely half a Million inhabitants Vientiane is the smallest capital in Southeast Asia (except for Bandar Seri Begawan of Brunei).
 Attractions in Vientiane
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Vang Xang
 The ruins of this Mon temple, are by the road from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, some 66 kilometres from Vientiane. Vang Xang was built in the 11th century when Buddhist Mon and Hindu Khmer ruled Southeast Asia. Five Buddha statues remain. Allegedly, they stood on a former elephant cemetery
Nam Ngum Dam
The dam and its turbines, about 90 kilometres from Vientiane, direction Luang Prabang, generate electricity for much of the country. The area is very picturesque. Hundreds of islets are scattered all over the lake. In some places enormous tree trunks jut out of the water. Boat tours on the lake are a favourite pastime.
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