Home › When to Visit › November
Vientiane - Things to Do in Vientiane in November

Things to Do in Vientiane in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Vientiane

30°C (87°F) High Temp
21°C (70°F) Low Temp
15 mm (0.6 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

  • Post-monsoon clarity with minimal rainfall - those 10 rainy days typically mean brief evening showers rather than day-ruining downpours, and you'll get that crisp morning light that photographers actually dream about for temple shots at Pha That Luang
  • Peak Mekong season with water levels perfect for riverfront activities - the river sits at ideal height after monsoon runoff settles, making sunset cruises and riverside dining at Chao Anouvong Park genuinely pleasant instead of muddy or too low
  • That Luang Festival timing (early November) brings the city's most significant cultural event - you'll see the entire city transform with processions, candlelit ceremonies, and the kind of authentic celebration that hasn't been packaged for tourists yet
  • Comfortable temperatures for cycling and walking exploration - mornings around 21°C (70°F) mean you can actually bike the 4 km (2.5 miles) from Patuxai to Pha That Luang without arriving drenched, something impossible during hot season

Considerations

  • That Luang Festival week (typically first full moon in November) creates accommodation price spikes of 40-60% and books out guesthouses months ahead - if you're not coming specifically for the festival, avoid November 5-12, 2026
  • Humidity lingers at 70% despite lower rainfall, so that warm feeling is actually sticky - cotton clothes will take overnight to dry in your guesthouse, and you'll want two shirts per day for any walking around midday
  • Variable weather patterns mean you can't completely trust the forecast - those 10 rainy days are scattered unpredictably, so outdoor plans need flexibility built in rather than rigid scheduling

Investigate Other Months

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
View Year-Round Climate Guide →

Best Activities in November

Mekong River Sunset Activities

November water levels make this the sweet spot for anything along the Mekong - the river sits high enough for proper boat access but clear enough to actually see into the water. The stretch from Chao Anouvong Park to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge becomes genuinely beautiful around 5:30pm when temperatures drop to comfortable and the light turns golden. Worth noting that locals flood the riverfront during this month because the weather finally cooperates, so you'll see the city actually using its waterfront rather than the empty promenades you get during hot season.

Booking Tip: Riverboat operators cluster near Chao Anouvong Park and typically charge 80,000-150,000 kip per person for 90-minute sunset trips. Book same-day or one day ahead - no need for advance planning outside festival week. Look for boats with life jackets actually visible and avoid the cheapest options during festival week when unlicensed boats appear. Check current river tour options in the booking section below.

Temple Circuit Cycling

Those morning temperatures around 21°C (70°F) create the only window all year when cycling between temples feels pleasant rather than punishing. The 8 km (5 miles) loop connecting Wat Si Saket, Haw Phra Kaew, Pha That Luang, and Patuxai becomes actually doable before 10am. Post-monsoon means roads are clean but not dusty yet, and November's lower tourist numbers mean you'll often have temple courtyards nearly to yourself around 7-8am when light is best.

Booking Tip: Rental bikes run 20,000-40,000 kip per day from guesthouses throughout the city center - the cheaper ones work fine for flat Vientiane. Start by 7am to finish before midday heat, and carry 20,000 kip in small bills for temple entry fees ranging 5,000-10,000 kip. No need to book guided tours for this - temples are well-signed in English and clustered close enough that getting lost is actually difficult.

Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) Morning Visits

The 25 km (15.5 miles) trip to Buddha Park works best in November because you can visit during morning hours without melting - aim for 8-10am arrival when sculptures cast interesting shadows and humidity hasn't peaked. The park's concrete and metal sculptures become uncomfortably hot to touch by midday even in November, so timing matters. That said, November's variable weather means checking the morning sky before committing to the trip, as the park offers zero shade and limited shelter.

Booking Tip: Public bus #14 from Talat Sao costs 6,000 kip and takes 60-75 minutes, or tuk-tuks negotiate to 200,000-300,000 kip roundtrip with waiting time. Entry is 15,000 kip. Go independently rather than booking tours - the park is straightforward to navigate and you'll want flexibility to leave when heat builds. If booking transport through your accommodation, confirm the return time is flexible since you'll likely want 60-90 minutes maximum on-site.

Vientiane Night Market and Street Food Scene

November evenings around 6-10pm hit that perfect temperature where eating outside feels comfortable rather than sweaty or buggy. The night market along the Mekong (operating Tuesday-Sunday) and the permanent food stalls near Chao Anouvong Park benefit from post-monsoon conditions - less rain risk means vendors set up full operations instead of abbreviated rainy season versions. You'll find locals out in force during November evenings, which tends to mean better food turnover and fresher ingredients than slower months.

Booking Tip: Night market stalls typically run 15,000-40,000 kip per dish, with fruit shakes at 10,000-15,000 kip. Come hungry around 6:30pm when stalls are freshly set up but before 8pm weekend crowds. No booking needed - this is pure walk-up street food. Bring small bills as change is perpetually scarce, and skip the market's tourist handicraft section in favor of the food perimeter where locals actually eat.

COPE Visitor Centre and Surrounding Exhibitions

November's variable weather makes having solid indoor options essential, and COPE provides the most meaningful rainy afternoon backup in Vientiane. The exhibition covering UXO (unexploded ordnance) impact in Laos takes 90-120 minutes and offers air-conditioned respite during midday heat or sudden showers. November timing is actually ideal since you'll want indoor breaks anyway, and the center sees lower crowds than December-January peak season.

Booking Tip: Entry is free though donations are encouraged (20,000-50,000 kip is standard). Located near the city center, easily reached by walking or short tuk-tuk ride of 15,000-20,000 kip. Open 9am-6pm Tuesday-Sunday. No advance booking needed - just show up, though mornings tend to be quieter than afternoons. Combine with the nearby Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre if weather keeps you indoors longer than expected.

Phou Khao Khouay National Park Day Trips

The 90 km (56 miles) to Phou Khao Khouay becomes worthwhile in November when trails dry out enough for comfortable hiking but waterfalls still carry decent flow from monsoon runoff. The Tad Leuk and Tad Xay waterfalls sit at their most photogenic - not the raging torrents of September but fuller than the trickles of March. November temperatures make the jungle hiking manageable if you start early, though that 70% humidity means you'll still work up a sweat on uphill sections.

Booking Tip: Day trips typically run 400,000-600,000 kip per person including transport, guide, and lunch, best booked 3-5 days ahead through guesthouses or licensed tour operators. The park requires guides for most trails, so independent visits are limited. Look for tours departing 7-7:30am to maximize cooler morning hours for hiking. Check current national park tour options in the booking section below.

November Events & Festivals

Early November (November 5-7, 2026 based on lunar calendar)

That Luang Festival (Boun That Luang)

Vientiane's most important annual celebration centered on Pha That Luang temple, typically spanning 3 days around the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. You'll see thousands of monks receiving alms at dawn, candlelit processions circling the golden stupa at night, and a massive fairground with food stalls, concerts, and carnival rides that locals actually attend. The wien thien (candle procession) on the final evening is the genuine highlight - arrive by 6pm to secure viewing spots near the stupa. This is authentic cultural celebration rather than tourist performance, which means crowds, chaos, and the kind of energy that makes travel worthwhile.

Mid November (typically second or third Sunday)

Vientiane Marathon

Growing annual marathon event that typically includes full marathon, half marathon, and 10K options running through central Vientiane and along the Mekong. November timing takes advantage of cooler morning temperatures, though runners still face 21-25°C (70-77°F) and 70% humidity even at 6am start. Worth experiencing if you're a runner, as the route passes major landmarks and local spectator support has genuinely improved in recent years. Registration opens months ahead and typically fills for popular distances.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or packable poncho - those 10 rainy days mean brief showers rather than all-day rain, but you'll want something that stuffs into a daypack for sudden afternoon downpours that last 20-30 minutes
Two sets of walking clothes per day - 70% humidity means cotton shirts won't dry overnight in guesthouse rooms without air conditioning, so pack extras or plan for daily laundry
SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply supplies - UV index of 8 means you'll burn during temple visits and riverside walks despite November being cooler season, especially 10am-2pm when shade is limited
Closed-toe shoes that can get wet - temple grounds and sidewalks flood during those brief showers, and you'll be removing shoes constantly for temple entry anyway, so skip anything that takes forever to dry or requires socks
Small bills in US dollars AND kip - bring actual cash in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 USD plus withdraw kip in 20,000 and 50,000 notes, as change remains perpetually scarce at markets and tuk-tuks genuinely can't break 100,000 kip notes
Modest temple clothing that breathes - cotton or linen pants/skirts covering knees and shirts covering shoulders are required for temple entry, but synthetic fabrics become unbearable in 70% humidity during midday visits
Refillable water bottle with 1 liter (34 oz) capacity - you'll need constant hydration in the humidity, and Vientiane has limited public water refill stations, so carry enough for 3-4 hour morning exploration blocks
Small headlamp or phone flashlight - sidewalks throughout Vientiane have irregular lighting and surprising gaps or holes, particularly near the night market and riverfront areas after dark
Mosquito repellent with 20-30% DEET - November sees fewer mosquitoes than monsoon months but they're still present during evening hours near the Mekong and in parks, particularly around dusk 5:30-7pm
Daypack that handles light rain - you'll carry water, sunscreen, rain jacket, and temple cover-up clothes throughout the day, so bring something that won't soak through during brief showers and can handle 3-4 kg (6-9 lbs) comfortably

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodation before October 15 if visiting during That Luang Festival week (November 5-12, 2026) - guesthouses fill completely and prices jump 40-60% during this period, but availability stays normal for non-festival November dates
The 4pm-6pm window offers the best compromise for outdoor activities throughout November - morning humidity hasn't fully lifted by 9am despite cooler temperatures, but late afternoon brings genuine relief before evening mosquitoes arrive around 6:30pm
ATMs throughout central Vientiane limit withdrawals to 2,000,000 kip (approximately 100 USD) per transaction with fees of 30,000-50,000 kip, so plan cash needs ahead and use BCEL or JDB Bank ATMs which tend to have better rates than private bank machines
Locals eat dinner early (6-7:30pm) during November when temperatures cooperate, meaning restaurants and street food stalls see peak crowds and freshest food during this window rather than the 8-9pm timing tourists often expect

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming November means completely dry weather - those 10 rainy days are scattered throughout the month with zero pattern, so travelers who don't pack rain protection or build schedule flexibility end up scrambling when afternoon showers hit
Booking Buddha Park or national park trips without confirming morning departure times - tour operators often suggest midday departures which sound convenient but mean arriving at outdoor sites during peak heat and harsh light, wasting November's comfortable morning window
Withdrawing only US dollars or only kip - Vientiane operates on a dual currency system where some places prefer dollars (guesthouses, tour bookings) while others only take kip (temples, street food, local transport), and you'll lose money constantly converting between them at poor rates if you don't carry both

Explore Activities in Vientiane

Continue Planning Your Trip

October

Travel guide for October

December

Travel guide for December

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Vientiane

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Get insider tips and travel guides delivered to your inbox

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.