THEGUIDE
vientiane
FAHTHAI
133
1 _
WHAT WE
RECOMMEND
The city is psyched-
up for festival fever in
February. Events include
the Sikhottabong Festival
at Sikhottabong stupa,
where the Vietnamese
and Chinese communities
ring in the New Year with
firecrackers and revelry.
2 _
KNOW THE
NUMBER
72 — the number of
years Vientiane was an
independent kingdom
during the 18th century
3 _
MINISTRY OF
SILK
This shop is the top
choice if you’re in the
market for sophisticated
and stylish silk clothes and
accessories. The evening
dresses, in particular,
are gorgeous. A limited
selection of menswear is
also sold here. Don’t see
exactly what you want?
Have your dream outfit
custom-made.
(ministryofsilk.com)
COUNTRY
CODE
+856
EXCHANGE
RATE
LAK8,000 = US$1
FREQUENCY
1 flight per day
LAOTIAN
DREAMING
Vientiane is truly
a photographer’s
paradise
M A G I C H O U R
Top 3
insider
travel tips
Rest Your Head
RASHMI’S PLAZA HOTEL
From studios with en suite
mini-kitchens to a very swish
presidential suite, Rashmi’s
Plaza offers a solid selection of
well-appointed and spacious
rooms with modern design
touches. The temperature-
controlled rooftop bar and
lovely reception area are havens
if you’re looking to chill out after
a day of sightseeing.
(rashmishotel.com)
Top Tables
NIRVANA RESTAURANT
This Laotian, Chinese, Thai,
Indian and Vietnamese-inspired
vegetarian restaurant has
enough Asian and Western
favourites to please even the
most finicky herbivore.
(Si Muang Rd)
BISTRO 22
Don’t judge this small,
nondescript restaurant by its
homely décor. Bistro 22 is one
of the best places in town to
feast on sumptuous French
cuisine and is something of an
open secret among resident
expats. The set lunch is an
excellent value.
(Samsenthai Rd)
Bottoms Up
HIGHLAND BAR
This al fresco riverside bar is
a favourite with both well-
heeled Laotians looking for a
place to chill out at sunset and
enthusiastic football and rugby
fans keen to cheer their teams
on to victory while catching all
the action on the big screen.
Highland Bar can get pretty
loud, but it never fails to deliver
a memorable night out.
(Fa Ngum Rd)
HOUSE OF FRUIT SHAKES
Fruit shakes can be found in
just about every restaurant in
Vientiane. But no other venue
serves up the sort of perfectly
crafted concoctions that have
become a House of Fruit Shakes
trademark. Come for the fresh
and soothing drinks, stay for the
delicious light snacks.
(Thanon Tha Deua)
Vientiane
TEXT: YIXUAN FAN
