Accommodation in Vientiane : iHouse, Pangkham Road, Water Fountain/Mekong River.
Length of stay : 2 days 1 night.
1. If you want to see everything in details, stay for minimum 3 days 2 nights. Mine was 1 night, and it was enough because I don't really want to go to every temples. Yes, lots of temples there.
2. You can only change your money to Lao Kip when you arrive there. Even money changer in Thailand don't have Lao Kip. So you just change at the Airport. My experience was difficulties to change Lao Kip FROM Singapore Dollar. Better bring USD so you can change anywhere. The only one Bank that has most of the money is Phongsavanh Bank, and it has branch at the Airport.
3. Better stay around Rue Setthathilath or Rue Samsenthai, because it's in the centre and almost everything in walking distance.
4. Always bargain for tuk tuk! If your Hotel has a bike rental, better go by bike, cheaper!
5. Going Buddha Park is a must. It's 45 to an hour from the city center. If you're too lazy or don't have so much time like me, prefer take a taxi, and ask your hotel about it and bargain the price. I got 300K Kip then it reduced to 280K Kip for round-trip. You can also going by bus 14 from the central station in front of Morning Market (Talat Sao). But then again, you still have to change tuktuk at Friendship Bridge. Believe me, don't ever try tuk tuk for the whole trip because it's quite bumpy, unless you're an adventurer.
6. Talat Sao also a good idea to find souvenirs and traditional cloth. Again, bargain everything!:D
7. I found it's quite difficult to find foods, since I need Halal food. Cafes are everywhere but their Menus are almost the same like Italian or Thai food. Benino cafe quite nice though. But if you want to explore culinary as well, Khop Chai Deu restaurant at Rue Setthathilath serves nice Lao Dishes menu. Even for me it tastes a bit similar to Thai food but you should try. For some menus you can even get free Laobeer or a shot of Lao Whisky.
8. If you have some time, have a breakfast at Scandinavian Bakery, the eldest bakery in town. It has WiFi too.
9. For coffee lovers, you should try Le Trio Coffee which is the first boutique coffee roaster in Vientiane. Nakes espresso is also recommended, too bad I didn't have much time to go there. Do visit on your way to Pha That Luang, it's quite near there. So many people Joma Bakery has a good coffee, but it was so so for me both coffee and their cakes.
10. Explore along the way of Mekong River at night, lots of young local hang out there for running or just walking around. There was bazaar too, but I don't know exactly it was permanent or not, but it's open on weekdays.
