Travel 101 ... Vientiane

Travel 101 ... Vientiane

YOU can take Vientiane out of being a small town and make it the capital of the country, but you can't take the small town out of it. Pronounced "Wieng Chan" by the locals, life in Laos' largest city is as idyllic as the Mekong river which runs through it. You'll find yourself slowing down, influenced by provincial air and the sweet easy-going nature of the Lao people. Whether you're in the comfort of a lovely French colonial bungalow or a scruffy riverside bar, it's easy to let endless tropical days melt into gentle nights here.

Breakfast at Le Banneton Cafe: S$6.60

You could almost make believe you're in France - a road is called a "rue" and the breads are crusty, especially at Le Banneton (568 Ban Mixay, Rue Nokeokaummane). Order the Gourmand breakfast set (43,000 kips) where there's latte, juice, eggs with bacon or ham, baguette and vienosserie of croissants or brioche. Now that's a real breakfast to get you started.

City tour of Vientiane: S$60.28

Choose to see the city in an air-conditioned car or the more eco-friendly bicycle with a tour with Exotissimo Travel (http://laos.exotissimo.com). Prices start from US$34 (S$41.90) and the tour brings you to the temples of Wat Sisaket, Wat Phra Keo and the Black Stupa. Lunch is an additional US$15 at the highly-rated Makphet Restaurant, which doubles up as a vocational institution training street children for the hospitality industry.

Visit to COPE Visitor Centre: S$18.45

This sleepy little nation of soft-spoken people is sadly the most bombed country in the world. Unexploded ordinance remains a problem today and the good people behind non-profit organisation Cooperative Orthotic And Prosthetic Enterprise or COPE (www.copelaos.org) provide prosthetics and mobility devices for those in need. Visiting the exhibitions at COPE is free, but please leave a donation or buy gifts from the shop. According to the website, a donation of US$15 would provide food for a week.

Dinner at Kong View Restaurant: S$15.38

To end the day with cheap, good grub with a riverside view to boot, head for Kong View Restaurant (www.view-goodview.com). Order the Deep Fried Keung Fish topped with Lemongrass (60,000 kips), the Luang Prabang Sausages (31,000 kips) and an ice-cold glass of Beer Laos (9,000 kips) to make it a good night out.

Total: S$100.68

Prices and conversion rate accurate as of press time

~Courtesy of Today~
http://www.todayonline.com/Travel/EDC110616-0000002/Travel-101-,,,-Vientiane