Perched on the banks of the meandering Mekong River, low-key and often overlooked Vientiane is a welcome respite from the bustle of other Asian capitals and delights with temples, markets and a relaxed riverside restaurant scene. With French colonial architecture and magnificent Buddhist temples, Vientiane boasts a rich mixture of cultures to savour. If you want a change of pace from the high energy cities of Vietnam or Thailand this is the place to head.
