Mystical Buddha Park
Home to over 200 statues and a 120-metre long Buddha, Xieng Khuan is where a fabled rogue monk fused mythical gods and monsters into his own bizarre form of mysticism.
Vientiane is an exotic southeast Asian paradise where tuk-tuks glide passed glittering temples and the streets hum with an unexpected café society, buddhist monks, and the promise of street food decadence. Vientiane is the laid-back capital of Laos and home to over 700,000 people. Popular attractions include Pha That Luang, Patuxai Victory Monument, and Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park).
Get ready to embark on a soul-stirring journey to the land of lotus eaters and fiery sunsets with cheap flights to Vientiane. Vientiane is home to Wattay International Airport (VTE), which is a 20-minute drive from the heart of the city. The airport serves several airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Vietnam Airlines. Popular connecting flights to Vientiane depart from Johannesburg and Cape Town. The flight duration from Johannesburg to Vientiane is approximately 19 hours and 5 minutes.
Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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Home to over 200 statues and a 120-metre long Buddha, Xieng Khuan is where a fabled rogue monk fused mythical gods and monsters into his own bizarre form of mysticism.
Follow the irresistible mingling of coconut cream, smokey banana leaves and roasted duck and you will find yourself in one of the many street food markets that rule the city.
Sit with monks at Wat Sok Pa Luang temple and learn the art of meditation or head to a traditional Laos herbal sauna for a fragrant steam and invigorating massage.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
Country | Laos |
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Currency | Lao Kip |
Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 614.22 LAK |
Language | Lao |
Hub Airport | Wattay International Airport (VTE) |
Airline | Lao Airlines |
Time Zone | GMT+7 |
Travel Adaptor | Type A / B / C / E / F |
Vientiane experiences a tropical climate with a wet (May to October) and dry season (November to April). Average temperatures range from 14°C to 33°C. November to February is considered the best time to visit Vientiane. These months offer delectably warm weather and clear, starry nights. However, this is also peak tourist season, so rates are higher. Luckily, it never seems crowded in this humming city, even during peak season. April is hot and sticky, but the water tossing to celebrate the Lao New Year will offer a nice respite from the heat and give you a chance to experience one of the most important events on the Vientiane calendar. For cheap flights to Vientiane, the best time to visit is between May and October. Tropical downpours are common in the afternoons, but crowds are scarce and prices are lower.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low °C | 14°C | 17°C | 20°C | 22°C | 23°C | 24°C | 24°C | 24°C | 23°C | 21°C | 18°C | 15°C |
High °C | 28°C | 30°C | 33°C | 34°C | 32°C | 31°C | 31°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 28°C |
Rainfall (mm) | 6 | 16 | 32 | 83 | 234 | 261 | 251 | 337 | 305 | 83 | 11 | 3 |
Stretching along the Mekong River in Laos, Vientiane lazes to the right of the well-trodden Banana Pancake Trail that laces across southern Asia. It is a hidden paradise where Buddhist monks outnumber tourists and the pace of life is famously easy going.
And for those who are lucky enough to stumble upon this offbeat city, they will find themselves charmed by ancient temples that hum with the sacred sounds of Buddhism and Hinduism.
Follow the mystical Lao rhythms and scent of mok pa (steamed fish in coconut sauce and a banana leaf) and you will find yourself amongst the whirl and bustle of one of the street markets. It is amidst the smoky tendrils and scent of sticky rice that you will have some of your most unforgettable experiences in Vientiane.
Learn the art of meditation from a monk at the Wat Sok Pa Luang temple or spoil your body with a steam in a rustic herbal sauna and traditional Laos massage. Chase relaxing days with raspberry and marmalade sunsets and Lao Lao cocktails as you relish the undiscovered magic of Vientiane.
Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to Vientiane online at Travelstart!
South African passport holders will need a visa to visit Vientiane, or anywhere else in Laos. A tourist visa can be obtained upon arrival for stays up to 30 days.
You will need to ensure your passport has a minimum validity of six months and at least one blank page for entry stamps.
The nearest South African Embassy is situated in Thailand.
Address: 87 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pratumwan, Bangkok, 10330
Phone: + 66 2 092 2900
Although Vientiane is considered a relatively safe city for travellers, you should still take the usual precautions and maintain vigilance as you would in any developing place. Travel insurance to cover theft and medical expenses is recommended.
You should be on your guard in darker streets outside the city centre and along the river. Motorbike thieves ply the streets and have been known to snatch bags as they pass, while pick-pockets and commando ladyboys operate in busy tourist areas and after dark. You should keep valuables out of sight or safely stowed in your hotel room or safe. Keep a copy of your passport on you at all times, as officials can stop you and request identification.
It is highly recommended that you familiarise yourself with the local laws and customs of the country before arriving.
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are travelling from an infected country. Zika virus and dengue fever are a risk in Laos, so precautions should be taken to avoid mosquito bites. A number of Avian Influenza cases have also been reported. Immunisation against hepatitis A & B, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, and rabies is recommended. Other routine vaccinations include MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella and polio. Bottled water is recommended.
Item | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Vientiane |
---|---|---|---|
Meal, inexpensive restaurant | R100.00 | R100.00 | R33.06 |
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) | R 28.00 | R25.00 | R16.62 |
Cappuccino (regular) | R23.43 | R23.50 | R32.07 |
Taxi 1km (normal tariff) | R10.00 | R10.00 | R30.39 |
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 39.00 | R 40.00 | R28.13 |
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