Vientiane Travel Answers

Bookmark. I'm going over next March and was thinking of just turning up & finding a room, so I'll be interested in the responses.

Two things I usually do in that situation is firstly do a Google search of the name of the accomodation you are interested in and find the site of the hotel, not a site that will book the hotel for you, enter their site and you will usually find a way of contacting them, e.g. email, fax etc then contact them direct, that usually works really well. The second is as you suggested, Just Turn up, I don't book a lot of my accomodation when I travel except Bali(my 2 favourite hotels do not have many rooms and I need to book so I won't miss out) and Major Cities when that isthe city I am entering the country through and don't want to have to find accomodation on arrival, otherwise I just try a few hotels till I find one I like, I have never had a problem. I have been to Vietnam but not Cambodia or Laos, I can't imagine that there would be a problem unless it is a Public Holiday etc. Hope you have a lovely holiday, Christine, Sydney.

Thanks for the advsiory, Christine, much appreciated! Have managed to pick up a few names of similar type Hotels from this site as well as others, but, sadly, many do NOT have their own web page, so, unable to contact them directly. Shall keep fingers crossed and hope I find one upon arrival. Otherwise may have to spend the nights at one of the Wats :-)) Have been to Phnom Penh, Yangon, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh before, but, all rooms were booked in advance via the NET. This shall be a "first-experience" for me. TheCapt

Hi TheCapt I'm in Vientiane until tomorrow and have just asked my hotel (Inter City Hotel) for available rooms next week, but all sold out: There is a big religious festival around That Luang Stupa at the moment - and it's high season here in Laos. Sorry, not much help. Hope you'll find a room. Vientiane is a great city. Kind regards, Klaus

Hi, Klaus! Many thanks for the input. Ahhh! No wonder! Even most of the flights into VTE are FULL :-(( Was lucky to get a seat. If you're kind enough - I read that there's a RIVERVIEW Hotel somewhere in Vientiane - is it still there? Hope I manage to get by upon arrival! TheCapt

Hi... if you come to VTE tomorrow and cannot find budget place (GH) to stay in the tourist part you can still go to other guesthouses which are just 20-30 min walking from Mekong. Still fairly close and nice environs. You may try Laongdao hotel (near Dongpalan street), Tawan guesthouse, and Wonderland (not far from chinese embassy). You would be able to get nice double room for 6 uds/night on in these places. Never, even in the high season and holiday we didn't have problem finding room in the VTE. Mostly because most people will only know for guesthouses in the 'french quarters' in the tourist centre. But there are nicer places as well if you don't mind staying from the crowds. I wrote a tip on Tawan if you're interested... Hope you'll enjoy your stay. Vesna

Been following this thread esp this posting... In early February, i will be heading to Vientienne, Vah Vieng and Luang Prabang. If it is difficult to make a telephone booking, we may have to walk in. Is it advisable in all these 3 places. We are a group of 3 travelling on a budget hoping to book rooms that can provide an extra bed with attached washroom preferable. As long as it is clean. Fans are fine and away from too much noise so as to get a good night's sleep. If anyone's in either one of these places and reading this posting,please advice...During that time it is the 2nd week of Chinese New Year which I think is one of the main festivals there but things shouldn't be so busy by then. Kindly recommend specific places (telephone number would be real handy) if any as well. Thanks very much in advance. PS:Should i do a new posting as well?

Hi teevee, It might be wise to post a new question, as only those on this thread will see this question. I'm off to Laos in March, have no idea where to stay, so will follow your new thread as well. Betska

Okay Betska! Pity can't meet you there. See you in the new thread..posting it in a few mins.

To answer questions here now that i'm back from Laos. In February at least, in Viantiene, it was peak time thus it would be good to have make advance arrangements for accomodation. While there I noticed some guesthouses had 'full' sign hung at their entrance on a few days when i pass everytime. And when checking in there was another traveller asking sleeping on the floor would be okay. I gather many places might have been full and it getting late 5pm or so. As advised above, it might be good to try the quiet places if you are out of places. But, that could be your first option :) In Luang Prabang, some travellers seem to be wanting to find alternative guest houses for whatever reason. Again, better to book a night or two in advance. Most places only have less than 10 rooms. My guess is the guest houses are usually homes (most homes are comfortably small) which are renovated. There could be many guest houses (and yes i did see quite a few) but since there aren't that many rooms to each, unless you really don't mind anything, book! One might need to walk aalottt before finding something suitable and fits your budget. Oh, it is common to have tour agents have groups of tourists or self-arranged groups so they do take up almost the whole guesthouse or a few and hotel rooms :) There were lots of groups when i went Koreans, Europeans, Japanese, Thais etc.