Things to Do in Vientiane in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in Vientiane
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Genuine low season means 30-40% cheaper accommodation rates and empty temples - you'll have Pha That Luang practically to yourself during morning visits, which is unheard of in peak months
- The Mekong River runs high and brown during rainy season, making riverside dining at sunset genuinely spectacular - the water level rises 3-4 m (10-13 ft) and creates this dramatic backdrop you don't get in dry season
- Mangoes are at peak season in June, and you'll find street vendors selling nam dok mai mangoes for 15,000-20,000 kip per kilo - locals actually prefer visiting fruit markets now over any other time of year
- Afternoon rains cool everything down by 5-7°C (9-13°F) around 3-4pm, which means evenings are actually more comfortable than the oppressive heat of March-April - perfect timing for night markets
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days typically hit between 2-5pm and can dump 30-50 mm (1.2-2 inches) in an hour - not ideal if you've planned outdoor temple visits for afternoon, and tuk-tuks become scarce when it pours
- The 70% humidity makes that 32°C (90°F) feel closer to 38°C (100°F) in terms of actual comfort - you'll be changing shirts twice a day if you're doing any walking around midday
- Some guesthouses and smaller restaurants close for June-July as owners take their own holidays during slow season - worth confirming your accommodation is actually open before booking
Best Activities in June
Early Morning Temple Cycling Routes
June mornings before 9am are actually perfect for cycling - temperatures hover around 25-27°C (77-81°F) and the air is clear after overnight rains. The loop from Wat Si Saket to Wat Si Muang to Pha That Luang covers about 8 km (5 miles) and you'll beat both the heat and the crowds. Locals do this year-round but tourists rarely take advantage in rainy season, which is honestly their loss. The roads are quieter, the light is softer for photos, and temple grounds are being cleaned and prepared for the day.
Mekong Riverfront Sunset Sessions
The high water levels in June make the Mekong genuinely impressive rather than the muddy trickle you get in dry season. Between 5:30-7pm, the riverfront promenade from Chao Anouvong Park stretches about 2 km (1.2 miles) and fills with locals doing aerobics, teenagers on dates, and food vendors setting up. The post-rain air actually feels breathable, and you'll understand why Vientiane locals structure their entire day around avoiding midday heat. Bring 50,000-100,000 kip for snacks and Beer Lao.
COPE Visitor Centre and Indoor Cultural Experiences
June's afternoon rains make this the perfect month to actually spend time in Vientiane's indoor attractions without feeling like you're wasting good weather. The COPE Centre (free admission, donations encouraged) tells the story of unexploded ordnance in Laos and is genuinely moving - plan 90 minutes minimum. The Lao National Museum and Kaysone Phomvihane Museum are also air-conditioned refuges that tourists skip in favor of temples, but they provide context you won't get anywhere else. When rain hits at 3pm, you'll be grateful to be inside rather than huddled under a temple overhang.
Buddha Park Day Trips
Xieng Khuan Buddha Park sits 25 km (15.5 miles) southeast of central Vientiane and is actually better in June than dry season for one specific reason - the grass is green and the sculptures look less desolate. Go in the morning (leave by 8am, return by noon) before afternoon storms roll in. The park itself is outdoors and exposed, so timing matters. The bizarre concrete Hindu-Buddhist sculptures from the 1950s photograph beautifully against rainy season clouds, and you'll have the place nearly empty on weekdays.
Vientiane Night Markets and Street Food Circuits
The night market along the Mekong sets up daily around 5pm and runs until 10-11pm, but June evenings after the rain are when it actually feels pleasant to wander rather than sweltering. The tourist night market sells the usual textiles and handicrafts, but the real move is the food stalls on the back streets parallel to the river - grilled fish, tam mak hoong papaya salad, ping gai chicken skewers for 10,000-25,000 kip per item. Locals eat late in June because of the heat, so the energy peaks around 7-8pm.
Day Trips to Vang Vieng Countryside
Vang Vieng sits 150 km (93 miles) north and the limestone karst scenery is genuinely more dramatic in rainy season when everything is lush green rather than dusty brown. The drive takes 3-4 hours depending on road conditions. June is actually ideal because you're not competing with the tubing crowds that descend in high season, and activities like kayaking and cave exploration are still fully operational. The Nam Song River runs higher but remains safe for organized activities. Worth noting that afternoon rains can make dirt roads to some caves impassable, so morning departures are essential.
June Events & Festivals
Boun Khao Phansa Preparations
While the actual Khao Phansa Buddhist Lent typically falls in July, late June sees temples preparing for the three-month rains retreat when monks stay in their monasteries. You'll notice increased activity at temples with locals making merit and bringing offerings. It's not a tourist event but provides genuine cultural context if you're visiting temples during this period. Worth asking your guesthouse about specific temple ceremonies happening in the final week of June.