Institut Français du Laos

Vientiane


Dance, art exhibitions, films, literary discussions and live music all take place in this Gallic hive of cultural activity. The centre also offers French and Lao language lessons.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Vientiane attractions

1. That Dam

0.28 MILES

That Dam sits on a quiet roundabout near the centre of Vientiane. Legend has it that this stupa was once coated in a layer of gold. The gold is said to…

2. Patuxai

0.32 MILES

Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe replica is a slightly incongruous sight, dominating the commercial district around Rue Lan Xang. Officially called 'Victory…

3. Wat Si Saket

0.42 MILES

Built between 1819 and 1824 by Chao Anou, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Vientiane, Wat Si Saket is believed to be the city's oldest surviving wat…

4. Sacred Heart Cathedral

0.44 MILES

Also known as Vientiane Cathedral, this is the spiritual home of Catholicism in Laos, built during the French colonial period in 1928.

5. Haw Pha Kaeo

0.44 MILES

Once a royal temple built specifically to house the famed Emerald Buddha, Haw Pha Kaeo is today a rather dusty, lacklustre national museum of religious…

6. Presidential Palace

0.49 MILES

It's not possible to go inside the Presidential Palace, as unsurprisingly it is reserved for the president and government officials. It is, however, a…

7. Lao National Culture Hall

0.57 MILES

Huge government building that occasionally plays host to government-approved dance or musical performances.

8. Wat Si Muang

0.58 MILES

The most frequently used grounds in Vientiane are those of Wat Si Muang, the site of the lák méuang (city pillar), which is considered the home of the…