Vientiane

Flying time from Singapore 2 hours 55 minutes
Currency Laotian Kip (LAK)
Language Laotian
International dialling code +856
Climate The dry season occurs from November through March. April marks the onset of the monsoon, which lasts for about seven months

Airport code VTE
Airport to city 3km
Airport tax USD15 for international flights

Despite being the capital and commercial hub of Laos, Vientiane is surprisingly quaint and laid back. Located along the Mekong River in the north of Laos, the nation’s largest city boasts its own curious blend of traditional temples, French colonial buildings and an increasingly cosmopolitan café scene. Despite a flood of investment in recent years, with boutique hotels and shopping malls springing up across the city, Vientiane has managed to retain its old world charm and remains an idyllic destination for a retreat.