Things to Do in Vientiane in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Vientiane
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
84°F (28°C)
High Temp
66°F (19°C)
Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December kicks off Vientiane's dry season. Mornings glow gold and clear. Perfect light for shooting That Luang's golden spires without haze. Other months smother them in gray.
- + Riverfront dining feels pleasant again. Mekong breeze slices midday heat. Sunset beers at the night market don't glue you to plastic chairs.
- + Crowds stay thin. You'll share Wat Si Saket with maybe a dozen others. Monks aren't yet bored of tourist selfies.
- + Hotel rates haven't spiked for Lao New Year or Chinese New Year yet. Snag riverside rooms with balconies for the price of a backpacker dorm elsewhere in Asia.
Considerations
- − UV is brutal. That pale winter sun bouncing off the Mekong fries unprepared skin in 30 minutes flat.
- − Evenings drop to 66°F (19°C). Locals break out puffer jackets. If you're acclimatized to tropical heat, grab a light fleece for riverside bars.
- − River levels are low. Scenic long-tail boat trips to Buddha Park feel more like a mud slog than a cruise.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Vientiane brings clear, cool air. It is a dry relief after the monsoon. Mornings start crisp, softening into warm, golden afternoons under a pale blue sky. The city exhales. Life develops on sidewalks and in temple courtyards without rain. Early in the month, Lane Xang Avenue fills for Lao National Day. Marching bands provide a rhythm. Paper flags rustle. The scent of grilling sausages and sweet coconut waffles hangs there. By mid-December, sound drifts from the National Stadium. You will hear the metallic chime of Hmong coin-beaded costumes and the drone of the khene mouth-organ. This marks the Hmong New Year, with courtship games and mounds of vivid purple sticky rice. Celebrations are gentle. The pace is unhurried. Light lingers, good for long walks along the Mekong at dusk. The river turns the color of hammered copper.
Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide
private_tourThis tour moves beyond monuments. It touches the living pulse of the city. Your guide might lead you through the echoing chant of monks at dawn alms. Next, you could visit a family-owned shop filled with the nutty aroma of roasting coffee beans. They will explain the nuances of Theravada Buddhism and Lao social customs along the way.
This tour has a curated, personal gateway into the rituals defining daily life in Vientiane. It stays far from the standard tourist trail.
Insider tip: Request an early start. You can witness the serene, orange-robed procession of monks collecting alms along Sethathirath Road. The sight feels hushed and sacred in the cool December morning.
Private Tour: Vientiane City Tour Full Day with Buddha Park
day_tripThis tour is a complete journey. It goes from the spiritual heart of the city to its most eccentric artistic expression. You will feel the smooth, cool stone of ancient Buddha statues at Wat Si Saket. You will see the gleaming golden spire of Pha That Luang against the clear December sky. Later, stand before the surreal, moss-streaked concrete sculptures of Buddha Park. The air there carries a faint, damp smell from the nearby Mekong.
This tour connects Vientiane's revered national symbols with its strange folk-art wonder on the city's outskirts.
Insider tip: At Buddha Park, look for the distinctive three-story pumpkin sculpture. You can climb inside to pass through representations of Hell, Earth, and Heaven. It is a narrow, dimly-lit experience.
Vientiane Half-Day City Tour
guided_experienceThis tour efficiently captures the essential character of Laos's capital. You will hear the soft clatter of prayer beads in the cloister of Wat Si Saket. See the morning sun glint off the towering Patuxai Arch. Feel the quiet reverence inside the golden interior of Pha That Luang.
It is the most time-effective way to absorb the historic and spiritual landmarks that anchor Vientiane.
Insider tip: Visit Patuxai first thing. Climb the interior staircase before the midday heat builds. You will get a breezy view over the fountain-dotted parklands.
Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station
transportThis service provides an easy, air-conditioned welcome or farewell. After a flight, you will appreciate the immediate relief from the tarmac's heat. Watch the dusty palm trees and low-rise buildings of Vientiane glide by. There is no hassle of haggling or navigating.
It guarantees a stress-free, comfortable entry or exit from Vientiane. You can begin or end your journey relaxed.
Insider tip: Have your hotel's Lao-language name and address ready to show the driver. English signage can be sparse once you leave the airport perimeter.
Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines - No worries
skip_lineThis service removes the significant friction of securing a seat. It is for Laos's modern, Chinese-built railway. This service spares you the long, humid queues at the station. You can instead savor a final iced coffee while your tickets are secured. Destinations include journeys north to Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang.
It is the simplest solution for accessing one of Laos's most scenic and efficient travel experiences. It avoids the typical administrative headache.
Insider tip: For the best views of the dramatic karst landscapes, request seats on the right-hand side of the train. This applies when traveling from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.
1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems
otherThis tour balances well-known sites with quieter discoveries. You might taste the tangy, herbal punch of a tam mak hoong papaya salad at a morning market stall. Later, find yourself in a tucked-away courtyard studio. Feel the slick texture of raw silk being woven on a wooden loom.
This tour is designed for the curious traveler. It delivers both the postcard images and the authentic, sensory details just behind them.
Insider tip: Keep an eye out for the small altars outside shops and homes. Your guide can explain the daily offerings. These include fragrant jasmine flowers and steaming sticky rice that sustain the phi, or spirits, of the place.
Where to Stay in Vientiane in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December
Lao National Day (2 December)
Parades roll down Lane Xang Avenue starting 8am. Schoolkids in white shirts, soldiers shouldering vintage rifles, dragon dancers weave past Patuxai Arch. Vendors sell sweet coconut pandan waffles for pocket change. Crowds are local and friendly. Tourists are welcome but not targeted.
Mid December
Hmong New Year (mid-December, weekend nearest 15th)
Out at the National Stadium, Hmong communities host pov pob ball-throwing courtship games, khene mouth-organ contests, stalls of purple sticky rice. You'll hear metallic clanging of coin-beaded costumes before you see them.
Packing Checklist
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View Vientiane Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Tuk-tuk drivers quote in baht or kip. Agree currency before you climb in to avoid inflated mental math.
Most restaurants shut 2-4pm. Plan a café or museum break then or you'll wander hungry.
Weekend brunch at Scandinavian-run spots fills with NGO expats. Eavesdrop for off-menu volunteer opportunities.
ATMs dispense only large notes. Break them at 7-Eleven where staff expect it
Sunset on the Thai side looks prettier. Walk 200m (0.12 miles) north of the night market for an unobstructed view.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't assume 84°F (29°C) isn't hot. Humidity tricks sweat into evaporating. You dehydrate faster than you notice.
Don't rely on Grab. Coverage is patchy outside the centre. Flagging a passing tuk-tuk is often quicker.
Skip booking Buddha Park tours online for midday slots. Morning light is softer and crowds thinner.
Don't wear shorts into Wat Si Saket. Guards will hand you a rental sarong and charge for the privilege.
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