Vientiane

{{about|the urban center and city|the mueang|Kingdom of Vientiane|city proper|Vientiane Prefecture|the province|Vientiane province}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Vientiane

| native_name = ວຽງຈັນ

| official_name = ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ

| native_name_lang = lo

| settlement_type = Capital city

| image_skyline = {{multiple image|total_width=300px|perrow=1/2/1|border=infobox

| image1 = Vientiane - Patuxai - 0003.jpg

| alt1 = Patuxai

| caption1 = Patuxai

| image2 = 20171118 Vientiane 3220 DxO.jpg

| alt2 = View of Vientiane from the Patuxai

| caption2 = View of Vientiane from the Patuxai

| image3 = Vientiane-Wat Sisaket-02-Sim-gje.jpg

| alt3 = Wat Si Saket

| caption3 = Wat Si Saket

| image4 = Pha That Luang - Vientiane (Laos) I.jpg

| alt4 = Pha That Luang

| caption4 = Pha That Luang

}}

| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=9}}

| pushpin_map = Laos#Asia

| pushpin_relief = 1

| coordinates = {{coord|17.98|N|102.63|E|type:city_region:LA-VT|display=it}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{flag|Laos}}

| subdivision_type1 = Prefecture

| subdivision_name1 = Vientiane Prefecture

| timezone1 = UTC+7 (ICT)

| established_title = Settled

| established_date = 9th century{{cite web |url=https://lao.unfpa.org/en/publications/results-population-and-housing-census-2015-english-version |title=Results of Population and Housing Census 2015 |format=PDF |author=Lao Statistics Bureau |date=21 October 2016 |access-date=8 January 2018 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630042237/https://lao.unfpa.org/en/publications/results-population-and-housing-census-2015-english-version |url-status=live }}

| leader_title = Mayor

| leader_name = Athsphangthong Siphandone

| area_total_km2 = 3,920

| elevation_m = 174

| elevation_ft = 570

| population_total = 840940

| population_as_of = 2023{{citation|title=Vientiane Capital|url=https://kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx?id=79850}}

| population_density_km2 = auto

| demographics_type2 = GDP

| demographics2_footnotes = {{citation |title=Vientiane Capital Records 4.83% Economic Growth in 2022|url=https://laotiantimes.com/2023/01/13/vientiane-capital-records-economic-growth-in-2022/?amp}}

| demographics2_title1 = Total

| demographics2_info1 = US$ 3 billion (2022)

| demographics2_title2 = Per capita

| demographics2_info2 = US$3,600 (2022)

| website =

}}

Vientiane ({{langx|lo|ວຽງຈັນ|translit=Wiang Chan}}, {{IPA|lo|wíaŋ tɕàn|pron}}) is the capital and largest city of Laos. Situated on the banks of the Mekong River at the Thai border, it comprises the five urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture and had a population of 840,000 as of the 2023 Census. Established as the capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom in 1563, Vientiane served as the administrative center during French rule and retains colonial-era architecture alongside Buddhist landmarks such as Pha That Luang, a national symbol of Buddhism, and Haw Phra Kaew, which once housed the Emerald Buddha until its 18th-century relocation to Thailand.

The city functions as Laos’ political, economic and transportation hub, emphasizing regional connectivity through infrastructure projects like the Laos-China Railway. This railway, a component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, terminates in Vientiane after linking Kunming, China, and is slated to connect to Thailand’s rail network via the Mekong Railway Bridge.{{cite web |title=The World According to GaWC 2020 |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |website=GaWC - Research Network |publisher=Globalization and World Cities |access-date=31 August 2020 |archive-date=24 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824031341/https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |url-status=live }}

Etymology

"Vientiane" is the French spelling derived from the Lao Viangchan {{IPA|/wíaŋ tɕàn/}}.{{Cite book |last1=Askew |first1=Marc |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DNJ_e6FKjrwC&q=vientiane+sandalwood+moon&pg=PA46 |title=Vientiane: Transformations of a Lao Landscape |last2=Long |first2=Colin |last3=Logan |first3=William |publisher=Routledge |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-134-32365-4 |pages=15, 46 |language=en |access-date=22 November 2020 |archive-date=16 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116182326/https://books.google.com/books?id=DNJ_e6FKjrwC&q=vientiane+sandalwood+moon&pg=PA46#v=snippet&q=vientiane%20sandalwood%20moon&f=false |url-status=live }} The name was previously written "{{lang|lo|ວຽງຈັນທນ໌}}" (in Thai, เวียงจันทน์) and later sometimes written "{{lang|lo|ວຽງຈັນ}}". In Lao, viang ({{lang|lo|ວຽງ}}) refers to a 'walled city' whereas chan ({{lang|lo|ຈັນ}}, previously {{lang|lo|ຈັນທນ໌}}) derives from Sanskrit candana ({{lang|sa|चन्दन}}, {{IPA|/t͡ɕand̪ana/}}), 'sandalwood' and can be translated as the 'walled city of sandalwood'. Some believe it refers to the 'walled city of the moon' as chan can represent 'moon', and this was previously distinguished in writing as "{{lang|lo|ຈັນທຣ໌}}".{{Cite book |last1=Goscha |first1=Christopher E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u9LzLvtbxmkC&q=vientiane+sandalwood+moon&pg=PA205 |title=Contesting Visions of the Lao Past: Laos Historiography at the Crossroads |last2=Ivarsson |first2=Søren |publisher=NIAS Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-87-91114-02-1 |pages=34 n.62, 204 n.18 |access-date=22 November 2020 |archive-date=16 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116182439/https://books.google.com/books?id=u9LzLvtbxmkC&q=vientiane+sandalwood+moon&pg=PA205#v=snippet&q=vientiane%20sandalwood%20moon&f=false |url-status=live }} Other romanisations include "Viangchan" and "Wiangchan".{{cite encyclopedia |author= |encyclopedia=Collins English Dictionary |title=Definition of 'Viangchan' |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/viangchan |access-date=11 June 2019 |publisher=HarperCollins |location=Glasgow |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611151032/https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/viangchan |archive-date=11 June 2019 |url-status=live |quote=Viangchan in British. (ˌwiːɛŋˌtæn). noun: another spelling of Vientiane}}

History

File:Ban-talat-Mon-inscription.jpg

File:Buddha sculptures at That Luang.jpg sculptures at Pha That Luang]]

File:Vat Phra Kèo.JPG or Temple of the Emerald Buddha]]

=Dvaravati city state kingdoms=

By the 6th century in the Chao Phraya River Valley, Mon peoples had coalesced to create the Dvaravati kingdoms. In the north, Haripunjaya (Lamphun) emerged as a rival power to the Dvaravati. By the 8th century the Mon had pushed north to create city states, in Fa Daet (what later is Kalasin, northeastern Thailand), Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) near Tha Khek, Laos, Muang Sua (Luang Prabang), and Chantaburi (Vientiane). In the 8th century CE, Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) was the “strongest of these early city states”, and controlled trade throughout the middle Mekong region. The city states were “loosely bound politically, but were culturally similar” and introduced Therevada Buddhism from Sri Lankan missionaries throughout the region.{{cite web |url=http://www.reninc.org/bookshelf/history_of_laos_viravong.pdf |title=HISTORY OF LAOS |author=Maha Sila Viravond |access-date=December 29, 2017 |publisher=Refugee Educators' Network |archive-date=3 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403030051/http://www.reninc.org/bookshelf/history_of_laos_viravong.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.reninc.org/bookshelf/history_of_laos_manich.pdf |title=HISTORY OF LAOS (including the history of Lonnathai, Chiangmai) |author=M.L. Manich |access-date=December 29, 2017 |publisher=Refugee Educators' Network |archive-date=17 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517084823/http://www.reninc.org/bookshelf/history_of_laos_manich.pdf |url-status=live }}{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=seglAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA328 |title=Historical Dictionary of Laos |author=Martin Stuart-Fox |date=6 February 2008 |page=328 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810864115 |access-date=26 February 2021 |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124021606/https://books.google.com/books?id=seglAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA328 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/57571 |title=The That Phanom chronicle : a shrine history and its interpretation |author=Phra Thep Rattanamoli |date=1976 |access-date=27 February 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207203220/https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/57571 |url-status=live }}{{rp|6,7}}{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bCMgBlhtm8sC |title=Culture and Customs of Laos |date=2009 |first=Arne |last=Kislenko |access-date=26 February 2021 |page=19 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=9780313339776 |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124021606/https://books.google.com/books?id=bCMgBlhtm8sC |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://vietlongtravel.com/news/laos-history/the-mon-and-khmer-kingdoms |title=The Mon and Khmer Kingdoms |date=31 March 2015 |access-date=26 February 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924092038/https://vietlongtravel.com/news/laos-history/the-mon-and-khmer-kingdoms |url-status=live }}

=Khmer domination=

A reference of the name Vientiane can be seen on a Vietnamese inscription of Duke Đỗ Anh Vũ, dated 1159 during the Khmer-Viet conflict. The inscription says that in 1135, Văn Đan (Vientiane), a vassal of Zhenla (Khmer Empire), invaded Nghe An, and was repelled by the Duke; the Duke led an army chased the invaders as far as Vũ Ôn? (unattested), and then returned with captives.{{cite book |last1=Taylor |first1=K. W. |title=Essays Into Vietnamese Pasts |year=1995 |publisher=Cornell University Press |isbn=978-1-501-71899-1}}{{rp|65}}

=Lan Xang and French colonial rule=

In 1354, when Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang,{{cite book |last=Coedès |first=George |author-link=George Coedès |editor=Walter F. Vella |others=trans.Susan Brown Cowing |title=The Indianized States of Southeast Asia |year=1968 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=978-0-8248-0368-1}}{{rp|223}} Vientiane became an administrative city. King Setthathirath officially established it as the capital of Lan Xang in 1563, to avoid Burmese invasion.{{cite web |url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20101120-248232.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816032318/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20101120-248232.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 August 2011 |title=Vientiane marks 450 years anniversary |access-date=18 July 2015}}

During French rule, the Vietnamese were encouraged to migrate to Laos, which resulted in 53% of the population of Vientiane being Vietnamese in the year 1943.{{Cite book |last=Stuart-Fox |first=Martin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8VvvevRkX-EC&pg=PA51 |title=A History of Laos |date=1997 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-59746-3 |page=51 |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824000153/https://books.google.com/books?id=8VvvevRkX-EC&pg=PA51 |url-status=live }} As late as 1945, the French drew up a plan to move Vietnamese population to 3 key areas (i.e. the Vientiane Plain, the Savannakhet region, and the Bolaven Plateau), which was interrupted by the Japanese invasion of Indochina. If this plan had been implemented, according to Martin Stuart-Fox, the Lao might well have lost control over their own country.

During World War II, Vientiane fell and was occupied by Japanese forces, under the command of Sako Masanori.{{cite web |title=Far East and Australasia |url=http://www.cpamedia.com/politics/japan_in_laos/ |access-date=25 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121140017/http://cpamedia.com/politics/japan_in_laos/ |archive-date=21 November 2010}} On 9 March 1946, French paratroopers arrived and reoccupied the city on 24 April 1946.{{Cite book |date=2002 |publisher=Psychology Press |title=The Far East and Australasia 2003 |isbn=9781857431339 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e5Az1lGCJwQC&pg=PA736 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510180225/https://books.google.com/books?id=e5Az1lGCJwQC&pg=PA736 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-05-10 |series=Regional surveys of the world |chapter=Laos: History |last=Stuart-Fox |first=Martin |pages=735–742 |access-date=2023-02-20}}{{rp|736}}

=Independence=

As the Laotian Civil War broke out between the Royal Lao Government and the Pathet Lao, Vientiane became “unstable”. In August 1960, Kong Le seized the capital and insisted that Souvanna Phouma become prime minister. In December, Phoumi Nosavan then seized the capital, overthrew the Phouma Government, and installed Boun Oum as prime minister. In 1975, Pathet Lao troops moved towards the city and Americans began evacuating the capital. On 23 August 1975, a contingent of 50 Pathet Lao women symbolically liberated the city.

Geography

=Climate=

Due to its dry winters and wet summers, Vientiane has a tropical savanna (Aw), a typical climate found in Laos, with a average high humidity rate ranges from 70-84%. The city has two distinct seasons. The wet season, mostly starts from April to September, featuring hot and humid weather with average temperature of 28°C (82°F). The season received 1,395 mm (5.4 in) of rainfall annually. The dry season, lasted from October to march, featuring drier and cooler temperature. The highest temperature ever recorded was 42.6°C (108.7°F) in April while the lowest temperature ever recorded was 2.4°C (36.3°F) in January. The city received on average 2,200 hours of sunshine yearly.

{{Weather box

| location = Vientiane (1991–2020, extremes 1907–)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan record high C = 36.0

| Feb record high C = 38.0

| Mar record high C = 40.2

| Apr record high C = 42.6

| May record high C = 42.5

| Jun record high C = 39.5

| Jul record high C = 38.2

| Aug record high C = 37.8

| Sep record high C = 37.5

| Oct record high C = 36.8

| Nov record high C = 36.0

| Dec record high C = 36.0

| year record high C = 42.6

| Jan high C = 29.0

| Feb high C = 31.0

| Mar high C = 33.4

| Apr high C = 34.8

| May high C = 33.6

| Jun high C = 32.6

| Jul high C = 31.8

| Aug high C = 31.4

| Sep high C = 31.7

| Oct high C = 31.7

| Nov high C = 30.8

| Dec high C = 28.9

| year high C = 31.7

| Jan mean C = 22.9

| Feb mean C = 24.8

| Mar mean C = 27.4

| Apr mean C = 29.1

| May mean C = 28.7

| Jun mean C = 28.4

| Jul mean C = 27.9

| Aug mean C = 27.6

| Sep mean C = 27.6

| Oct mean C = 27.2

| Nov mean C = 25.5

| Dec mean C = 22.9

| year mean C = 26.7

| Jan low C = 18.2

| Feb low C = 19.3

| Mar low C = 21.7

| Apr low C = 24.2

| May low C = 25.0

| Jun low C = 25.4

| Jul low C = 25.3

| Aug low C = 25.0

| Sep low C = 24.6

| Oct low C = 23.9

| Nov low C = 21.5

| Dec low C = 19.2

| year low C = 22.8

| Jan record low C = 2.4

| Feb record low C = 7.6

| Mar record low C = 11.7

| Apr record low C = 13.8

| May record low C = 19.1

| Jun record low C = 20.0

| Jul record low C = 19.5

| Aug record low C = 20.0

| Sep record low C = 18.8

| Oct record low C = 12.9

| Nov record low C = 8.9

| Dec record low C = 5.0

| year record low C = 2.4

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 7.4

| Feb precipitation mm = 16.8

| Mar precipitation mm = 43.8

| Apr precipitation mm = 89.4

| May precipitation mm = 225.6

| Jun precipitation mm = 263.8

| Jul precipitation mm = 299.8

| Aug precipitation mm = 340.8

| Sep precipitation mm = 265.0

| Oct precipitation mm = 87.4

| Nov precipitation mm = 15.4

| Dec precipitation mm = 5.0

| year precipitation mm = 1663.2

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 2

| Feb precipitation days = 2

| Mar precipitation days = 5

| Apr precipitation days = 7

| May precipitation days = 15

| Jun precipitation days = 18

| Jul precipitation days = 20

| Aug precipitation days = 21

| Sep precipitation days = 17

| Oct precipitation days = 8

| Nov precipitation days = 2

| Dec precipitation days = 1

| year precipitation days = 119

| Jan humidity = 70

| Feb humidity = 68

| Mar humidity = 66

| Apr humidity = 69

| May humidity = 78

| Jun humidity = 82

| Jul humidity = 82

| Aug humidity = 84

| Sep humidity = 83

| Oct humidity = 78

| Nov humidity = 72

| Dec humidity = 70

| year humidity = 75

| Jan sun = 221.0

| Feb sun = 214.7

| Mar sun = 209.2

| Apr sun = 213.9

| May sun = 188.8

| Jun sun = 140.7

| Jul sun = 116.0

| Aug sun = 124.3

| Sep sun = 157.7

| Oct sun = 209.5

| Nov sun = 225.3

| Dec sun = 224.9

| year sun = 2246.0

| source 1 = World Meteorological Organization,{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716235244/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Laos/XLS/VientianeCapital.xls |archive-date=16 July 2021 |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Laos/XLS/VientianeCapital.xls |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020 |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |access-date=2 August 2023}} Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes 1907–1990),{{cite web |url=http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_489400_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von Vientiane (Viangchan) / Laos |work=Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |language=de |access-date=23 January 2016 |archive-date=5 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305194059/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_489400_kt.pdf |url-status=live }} Pogoda.ru.net,{{cite web |url=http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate4.php?id=48940 |script-title=ru:КЛИМАТ УЛАН-БАТОРА |publisher=Pogoda.ru.net |language=ru |access-date=4 January 2015 |archive-date=16 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116182330/http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate4.php?id=48940 |url-status=live }} The Yearbook of Indochina (1939–1940){{Cite web |url=https://seadelt.net/Asset/Source/Document_ID-250_No-01.pdf |title=The Yearbook of Indochina (1939-1940) |access-date=16 June 2023 |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616061212/https://seadelt.net/Asset/Source/Document_ID-250_No-01.pdf |url-status=live }}

| source 2 = NOAA (humidity 1961–1990),{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_II/LA/48940.TXT |title=Vientiane Climate Normals 1961–1990 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=29 November 2013 |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717060122/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_II/LA/48940.TXT |url-status=live }} Extreme Temperature Around The World

{{cite web

| url = https://www.mherrera.org/temp.htm

| title = January record low

| work =

| publisher =

| language = en

| access-date = 3 July 2023}}

}}

Tourism

File:Wat Si Muang.jpg]]

File:Buddha park, lao pdr.jpg]]

The capital attracts tourists to its temples and Buddhist monuments. An attraction is Pha That Luang, a national cultural monument of Laos and 1 of its stupas. It was originally built in 1566 by King Setthathirath and was restored in 1953. The golden stupa is {{convert|45|m}} tall and is believed to contain a relic of the Buddha.[http://www.tourismlaos.org/web/show_content.php?contID=328 Lao National Tourism Administration – Tourist Sites in Vientiane Capital] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723080908/http://www.tourismlaos.org/web/show_content.php?contID=328 |date=23 July 2011 }}

The Wat Si Muang temple was built on the ruins of a Khmer Hindu shrine, the remains of which can be seen behind the ordination hall.{{cite web |url=http://asiaforvisitors.com/laos/vientiane/watmuang/index.html |title=Wat Si Muang |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=10 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210070521/http://asiaforvisitors.com/laos/vientiane/watmuang/index.html |url-status=live }} It was built in 1563 and is believed to be guarded by the spirit of a local girl, Nang Si. Legend tells that Nang Si, who was pregnant at the time, leapt to her death as a sacrifice, just as the pillar was being lowered into the hole. In front of the temple stands a statue of King Sisavang Vong.

The memorial monument, Patuxai, built between 1957 and 1968, is a landmark in the city.

Buddha Park was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat and contains a collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, scattered amongst gardens and trees. The park is {{convert|28|km}} south of Vientiane at the edge of the Mekong River.{{cite web |url=http://asiaforvisitors.com/laos/vientiane/buddha-park.php |title=Buddha Park – Vientiane – Laos – Asia for Visitors |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=1 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601051330/http://asiaforvisitors.com/laos/vientiane/buddha-park.php |url-status=live }}

Other sites include:

Haw Phra Kaew, former temple, later a museum and shops
Lao National Museum
Kaysone Phomvihane Museum
Talat Sao, a morning market
That Dam, a large stupa
Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan, a Buddhist monastery
Wat Sri Chomphu Ong Tue, a Buddhist temple
Wat Si Saket, Buddhist wat
Wat Sok Pa Luang, a Buddhist temple
Settha Palace Hotel, established 1932
The Sanjiang Market{{cite web |url=http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2008/01/23/china-gives-southeast-asias-poorest-first-time-access-to-consumer-goods.html |title=China Gives Southeast Asia's Poorest First Time Access to Consumer Goods – China Briefing News |work=China Briefing News |date=23 January 2008 |access-date=7 May 2012 |archive-date=14 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514142017/http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2008/01/23/china-gives-southeast-asias-poorest-first-time-access-to-consumer-goods.html |url-status=live }}

File:Vientiane Patouxai Laos.jpg]]

Education

The National University of Laos, 1 of 3 universities in the country, is in Vientiane.{{cite web |title=National University of Laos (NUOL) |url=http://www.laoairlines.com/?contentkey=pages&id=6 |website=National University of Laos (NUOL) |publisher=NUOL |access-date=8 December 2014 |archive-date=1 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801181723/http://www.laoairlines.com/?contentkey=pages&id=6 |url-status=live }}

International schools include:

Vientiane International School
Lycée français international de Vientiane Josué-Hoffet (French){{cite web |url=https://www.aefe.fr/reseau-scolaire-mondial/rechercher-un-etablissement/laos-vientiane-lycee-francais-international-de |title=Lycée français international de Vientiane Josué-Hoffet |publisher=AEFE |access-date=2023-06-16 |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616063152/https://www.aefe.fr/reseau-scolaire-mondial/rechercher-un-etablissement/laos-vientiane-lycee-francais-international-de |url-status=live }}
Russian Embassy School in Vientiane

Broadcasting

Lao National Radio has a mediumwave transmitter with a 277-metre guyed mast at {{coord|18|20|33|N|102|27|01|E}}.
China Radio International (CRI) FM 93.0.{{cite web |url=http://laos.cri.cn/ |title=China Radio International |access-date=11 February 2011 |archive-date=4 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204123650/http://laos.cri.cn/ |url-status=live }}

Economy

Vientiane has experienced economic growth from foreign investment.[http://laovoices.com/2010/05/20/work-begins-on-major-new-vientiane-shopping-centre/ Work begins on major new Vientiane shopping centre | Lao Voices] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503191245/http://laovoices.com/2010/05/20/work-begins-on-major-new-vientiane-shopping-centre/ |date=3 May 2011 }} In 2011, the stock exchange opened with 2 listed company stocks, with the cooperation of South Korea.{{cite web |title=Laos stocks soar on debut – yes, both of them |url=http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2011/01/11/lao-stocks-soar-on-debut-yes-both-of-them/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727133539/http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2011/01/11/lao-stocks-soar-on-debut-yes-both-of-them/ |archive-date=27 July 2011 |work=Financial Times}}

Transportation

=By bus=

File:Meter Taxi in Vientiane 01.jpg.{{cite web |author=Matthias Gasnier |url=http://bestsellingcarsblog.com/2012/08/13/laos-2012-update-chinese-models-keep-spreading/ |date=13 August 2012 |access-date=10 November 2013 |title=Laos 2012 Update: Chinese models keep spreading |publisher=bestsellingcarsblog.com |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207224702/http://bestsellingcarsblog.com/2012/08/13/laos-2012-update-chinese-models-keep-spreading/ |url-status=live }}]]

There are regular bus services connecting Vientiane Bus Station with the rest of the country. In Vientiane, regular bus services around the city are provided by Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise.{{cite web |url=http://vcsbe.com/en/ |title=Timetables |website=Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise |publisher=VCSBE |access-date=8 December 2014 |archive-date=1 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601044816/http://vcsbe.com/en/ |url-status=live }}

=By rail=

File:Laos-China-Railway_Station_Vientiane.jpg

A metre gauge railway link over the first bridge was formally inaugurated on 5 March 2009, previously ending at Thanaleng Railway Station, in Dongphosy village (Vientiane Prefecture), 20 km east of Vientiane.{{cite news |title=Inaugural train begins Laos royal visit |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/inaugural-train-begins-laos-royal-visit.html |work=Railway Gazette International |date=5 March 2009 |access-date=3 August 2009 |archive-date=22 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722164527/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/inaugural-train-begins-laos-royal-visit.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/feb/26/first-train-laos-thailand-rail |title=First train to Laos |author=Andrew Spooner |newspaper=The Guardian |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=13 March 2011 |archive-date=11 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111183805/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/feb/26/first-train-laos-thailand-rail |url-status=live }} As of November 2010, Lao officials plan to convert the station into a cargo rail terminal for freight trains, allowing cargo to be transported from Bangkok into Laos more cheaply than via road.{{cite news |url=http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2010/11/laos-rethinks-rail-project/ |title=Laos rethinks rail project |date=9 November 2010 |access-date=13 March 2011 |publisher=TTR Weekly |author=Rapeepat Mantanarat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727101636/http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2010/11/laos-rethinks-rail-project/ |archive-date=27 July 2011}}

The Boten–Vientiane railway (sometimes referred to as the China–Laos railway or Laos–China railway) is a {{convert|414|km|mi}} {{RailGauge|1435mm|allk=on}} electrified railway in Laos, running between the capital Vientiane and the town of Boten on the border with China. The line was officially opened on 3 December 2021.{{Cite web |title=中老铁路今日通车-图片新闻-中华人民共和国交通运输部 |url=https://www.mot.gov.cn/tupianxinwen/202112/t20211203_3629446.html |access-date=2021-12-03 |website=www.mot.gov.cn |archive-date=3 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203084113/https://www.mot.gov.cn/tupianxinwen/202112/t20211203_3629446.html |url-status=live }}

=By air=

File:Wattay Intl Airport Vientiane Laos.jpg]]

Vientiane is served by Wattay International Airport with international connections to other Asian destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and China. Lao Airlines has regular flights to domestic destinations in the country (including flights daily to Luang Prabang, plus flights weekly to other local destinations).{{cite web |title=Route Map |url=http://www.laoairlines.com/?contentkey=pages&id=6 |website=Lao Airlines |access-date=8 December 2014 |archive-date=1 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801181723/http://www.laoairlines.com/?contentkey=pages&id=6 |url-status=live }}

Healthcare

The "Centre Medical de l'Ambassade de France" is available to the foreign community in Laos. The Mahosot Hospital is a local hospital in treating and researching diseases and is connected with the University of Oxford. In 2011 the Alliance Clinic opened near the airport, with a connection to Thai hospitals. The Setthathirat International Clinic has foreign doctors. A free, 24/7 ambulance service is provided by Vientiane Rescue, a volunteer-run rescue service established in 2010.{{cite web |title=About |url=https://vientianerescue.org/ |website=Vientiane Rescue |access-date=11 October 2016 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011225953/https://vientianerescue.org/ |url-status=live }}