Vientiane General information Many people are surprised that Vientiane is in fact a capital city as it radiates a relaxed atmosphere and small-town charm. An eclectic mix of colonial-French buildings and ancient temples along with colorful markets, can characterize Laos’ capital. A morning walk around the center area is possible; however, the city’s streets are often unpaved and dusty. The most enjoyable approach to explore Vientiane is to simply wander around; take a peek at the markets or visit some of the many temples where friendly resident monks will be delighted to chat. At dusk, almost everyone heads toward the Mekong river bank to watch the spectacular sunsets. Many small bars along the riverbank welcome visitors to gaze out across the Mekong to Thailand. Due to recent isolation from the rest of the world, Laos retains some elements of its colonial heritage. Most surprisingly, the capital is populated with a high density of good restaurants and bars. Vientiane has international food suitable for almost any palate; meanwhile the local spicy delicacies are also popular. Weather Summary Vientiane has a tropical climate; the summer experiences a good amount of rainfall, while the winters experience very little. Temperatures reach their highest in April, averaging 27.9°C (82.2°F) and hit the lowest average of 20.8°C (69.4°F) in January. The average annual temperature is 25.4°C (77.7°F) and the average precipitation is 1622 mm of rainfall. December sees the least rain with an average of only 3mm and August sees most of the rainfall, averaging 337mm.