Things to Do in Vientiane in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
November Weather in Vientiane
Long-run averages for November
87°F (30°C)
High Temp
70°F (21°C)
Low Temp
0.6 inches (15 mm)
Rainfall
69%
Humidity
8
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Very high UV on sunny days: use sunscreen and seek shade at midday
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + November hits the sweet spot, monsoon season has mostly wrapped up while the cool months haven't kicked in yet. You get morning sunshine and 28°C (82°F) afternoons without the October downpours that leave backpackers in Luang Prabang soaked through.
- + The rice harvest in surrounding Vientiane province floods morning markets with fresh khao niao (sticky rice). Vendors hawk bamboo tubes of khao lam, sweet sticky rice with coconut grilled over charcoal.
- + River levels remain high enough for Mekong boat trips to Buddha Park. Yet low enough for the sandbars at Ban Nongtha to surface. Locals gather there for evening football games.
- + Hotel rates sit at shoulder-season pricing. Rooms at the Lao Plaza and Settha Palace run about 30% below December rates, when French winter visitors start pouring in.
Considerations
- − That 70% humidity glues your shirt to your back by 10am, and afternoon heat can spike to 30°C (86°F). Locals take siestas for good reason, in central Vientiane's concrete oven.
- − Those ten rainy days don't follow a pattern. November storms hit as violent 20-minute bursts that flood intersections by the morning market. Have indoor backup plans ready.
- − Northern Laos catches the cool weather first, turning Vientiane into a staging post rather than a destination. You'll encounter more travelers passing through to Luang Prabang than people exploring the capital.
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
Mekong Riverside sunset boat tours
November river levels suit two-hour sunset cruises well. You drift past Vientiane's riverfront temples as the sun sinks behind Thailand. Air temperature falls to 25°C (77°F) on the water, and fishing boats with green and red lanterns head out for night catches. The riverbanks form sandbars where locals play petanque, you can hear the metal balls clink across the water.
Booking Tip: Book afternoon departures to catch the cooling breeze. Morning boats leave at 8am when humidity peaks. Licensed operators dock behind the Lane Xang Hotel (check booking widget below) and include Lao beer in the price.
Wat Si Saket morning alms photography walks
November's soft morning light strikes Wat Si Saket's 2,000 Buddha statues at 6:30am, casting perfect shadows for photography while monks collect sticky rice from elderly Lao women. The temple's cloister walls shield you from sudden showers, and the morning temperature of 22°C (72°F) means you won't sweat through your shirt before the first bell rings.
Booking Tip: Arrive at 6am for golden hour. Most organized photography walks include the temple entry fee and breakfast at a nearby khao nom (sweet snack) shop. Book 2-3 days ahead since groups stay small.
Buddha Park cycling day trips
The 24 km (15 mile) ride to Xieng Khuan Buddha Park is pleasant in November, morning temperatures of 21°C (70°F) and rice paddies glowing gold for harvest. You'll cycle past roadside stands selling grilled chicken with sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, and the park's concrete sculptures throw dramatic shadows in the low-angle sun.
Booking Tip: Electric bikes make the riverside path manageable for casual riders. Guided tours typically depart at 8am to beat afternoon heat and include the 50,000 kip park entry. See current cycling tour options in the booking widget below.
Talat Sao morning market food tours
November is sticky rice harvest season, so Talat Sao's morning food court serves khao niao fresh from bamboo steamers at 7am. The covered market keeps you dry during sudden showers, and vendors push seasonal specialties like bamboo shoot salad and grilled Mekong fish stuffed with lemongrass.
Booking Tip: Market tours start at 6:30am when vendors are setting up, you'll sample 8-10 dishes before the 9am heat arrives. Look for tours led by local university students who break down Lao eating etiquette.
Vientiane beer garden evening culture tours
November evenings drop to 24°C (75°F), good for the open-air beer gardens along Rue Samsenthai where locals congregate after work. The smell of grilled chicken skin and Beerlao mixing with river breeze delivers the real Vientiane experience. November's unpredictable weather keeps gardens open later without December's chill setting in.
Booking Tip: Evening culture walks typically hit three beer gardens, live mor lam music venues, and finish at the night market by 10pm. Tours run nightly but book the afternoon of for weather updates.
Where to Stay in Vientiane in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
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View Vientiane Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The morning market (Talat Sao) has a secret second floor above the electronics section where elderly Lao women sell homemade jaew bong chili paste. November's harvest means it's fresh, and they'll let you taste it with sticky rice.
Skip the riverside restaurants along the Mekong in November, they're overpriced, and the unpredictable weather means service halts during storms. Instead, head two blocks inland to the local joints on Chao Anou Road.
The French cultural center (Centre Culturel et de Coopération Franco-Lao) shows free films most November nights, and the courtyard becomes a gathering spot for Lao university students practicing English
November's rice harvest means every guesthouse offers khao niao for breakfast. But the best stuff comes from the roadside stands on Route 13 south of town - look for steam rising from bamboo baskets at 6am
Avoid These Mistakes
Planning outdoor activities after 2pm - November's heat peaks then and sudden storms arrive, leaving you drenched and sunburned
Assuming November means dry season - locals still carry umbrellas and you'll look unprepared without one
Booking the cheapest riverside guesthouses - November's variable weather means you want somewhere with backup power for when storms knock out electricity
Trying to see everything in one day - Vientiane's humidity means you'll move slower than planned, and November's afternoon heat forces the siesta break locals take seriously
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Top-rated things to do in Vientiane this November
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