Vientiane on track to reach targeted number of tourists for 2019

Vientiane officials are confident that the targeted number of 2 million visitors set for Visit Laos-China Year 2019 will be reached.
Director of the Vientiane Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Ms Vilayvone Chanthalaty, told Vientiane Times that city authorities in cooperation with individual companies had made a great effort to attract more tourists by creating and improving visitor attractions.
As part of these efforts, repairs were carried out at the Hor Phakeo museum and That Luang stupa.

More than 1.5 million visitors came to Vientiane in the first 10 months of this year, Ms Vilayvone said.
Vientiane is known for its rich culture and history, with the That Luang Grand Stupa being a standout feature of the city as an enduring symbol of Laos and an icon of Buddhism.
Hor Phakeo, Vat Simeuang and Vat Sisaket temples are steeped in history as well as being architecturally fascinating.
Also in the  town centre is the Patuxay monument which rises majestically into the sky, challenging the energetic to climb to the top for a panoramic view. It also has a small park attached, where the weary can take a restful break.
Vientiane is the most visited destination in Laos and a hub for travel around the country and onward to other countries. It is easy to access, whether arriving at the international airport by air or overland by road or rail via the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge.
Visitors should be sure to try Laos’ signature dishes - tam mak houng (spicy green papaya salad), larp (beef mixed with vegetable, herbs and chilli), ping kai (barbecued chicken) and keng nor mai (bamboo soup).
The city has 24 officially designated places of cultural interest and 15 historical sites, while a trip to the outskirts will provide a contrasting rural environment complete with rivers and lakes.
As of 2018, Vientiane had 230 hotels, 253 guesthouses and resorts, 108 restaurants and 38 entertainment venues, according to the Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
More than 2.2 million tourists visited Laos in the first six months of this year, an increase of about 5 percent compared to the same period last year.

BySiladda Souliyong
(Latest Update November 25, 2019)