Things to Do in Vientiane in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Vientiane
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + December mornings roll in at 19°C (66°F) with almost zero rain, giving the That Luang loop the kind of crisp perfection cyclists dream about.
- + Riverfront restaurants along the Mekong finally lose their furnace-like heat - you can settle into a riverside table past noon without feeling like you're dissolving.
- + The Morning Market (Talat Sao) operates in near-civilized conditions - no October monsoon mud squelching underfoot, no March dust storms whipping through stalls, just organized chaos under clear December skies.
- + Lao New Year preparations begin appearing in December - watch locals hand-painting temples and preparing sticky rice for January celebrations.
- − River levels plummet dramatically - the Mekong shifts to muddy-brown and some sunset cruise operators cancel trips when water gets too shallow.
- − Smoke season arrives from slash-and-burn agriculture - afternoons can turn hazy enough to erase Thailand's skyline from view.
- − Accommodation prices increase 25-30% around Christmas when Bangkok expats flee to Vientiane for visa runs.
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December's low water levels let smaller boats nudge closer to sandbar islands, though some operators cancel if levels drop too far. The 5 PM departure nails the timing - the sun sinks behind Thailand's mountains around 6:15 PM, and by the time you're sipping Beerlao on deck, the air has cooled to 24°C (75°F).
The 25 km (15.5 mile) ride to Xieng Khuan becomes pleasant in December - no rivers of sweat, no rain-slick roads. The concrete statues (including that 40-meter (131-foot) reclining Buddha) don't scorch your fingers, and the park stays open until 5 PM so you can chase golden hour photography.
December finally makes Wat Si Saket's cloister walls enjoyable - morning temperatures let you examine the 2,000+ Buddha images without racing through. The morning alms procession on Setthathirath Road happens at 6:30 AM when it's 20°C (68°F), not the brutal 32°C (90°F) of March.
Timing works well - sticky rice steams better in dry air, and you won't soak your apron making laap. Markets stock fresh ingredients for December specialties like khao poon (rice vermicelli soup) that vanish during rainy season.
December's 29°C (84°F) highs render the seven-story climb manageable - the concrete stops radiating heat like a pizza oven. Views reach across to Thailand with clear skies 70% of the time. The ground-level market inside sells superior Lao coffee compared to most cafes.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Though the actual festival lands in November, December finds monks repainting the golden stupa and vendors building the surrounding market. You'll witness traditional Lao dance rehearsals and early preparation of festival foods. The stupa receives its fresh gold leaf coat - photograph it before December crowds swarm in.
Essential Tips
What to pack, insider knowledge and common pitfalls