TAXIS 
On arrival at Wattaya International Airport in Vientiane, taxis are available to take you into town. The airport is about ten minutes from Vientiane's Centre and though some taxis have no meters, there is a price list posted at the airport lounge for your guidance. If you can team up with other passengers then share the taxi or go to the main road & take a motorcycle taxi. Don't worry Vientiane is a small place & everyone knows where the immigration is. The people are nice and very helpful & a little different from Thais'. However bargain.

AIR TRAVEL:
Thai International and Lao Aviation both fly to Vientiane from Bangkok. Also flights from Hanoi, Saigon, Phnom Penh, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Luang Prabang (daily), Savannakhet (daily), Luang Namtha (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), Xieng Khouang (daily), Pakse (daily), Oudomxai (Tu, Th, Sat, Sun), Xayyabuli (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), Houixay (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat), Thakhek (Fri), and Saravane (via Savannakhet, Sun. only). 

TRAIN & BUSES:
Trains leave Hualumpong Railway station in Bangkok daily for Nong Khai but you must stay overnight in Nongkhai. Air conditioned buses leave  Bangkok MorChit 

MEKONG RIVER:
The mighty Mekong River is the longest and most important water route, flowing through 2030 km of Laos, providing a natural means of transportation. However, its navigability is limited to 1330 km, mainly because of rapids between Savannakhet and Pakse, the Khong Falls, and low water levels during the dry season. Beside the Mekong River, the following rivers are also used for water transportation: Nam Ou, Nam Khan, Nam Tha, Nam Hgur, and Se Don.                      

INFRASTRUCTURE:
Lao PDR has 13100 km of main road networks. The 3390 km of national roads link major towns, provincial capitals to neighbouring countries. 1620 km of them are paved. The rest are mostly earth-surfaced, connecting towns and large villages within provinces.
The main road system is the National Road No. 13, 1370 km long, linking Pak Mong in the North with Khong in the South, passing through major urban areas of Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Savannakhet and Champasack.  National Road No. 9 leads to the Vietnamese border.

HEALTH:

Malaria is a preventable infection that can be fatal if left untreated. Prevent infection by taking prescription antimalaria drugs and protecting yourself against mosquito bites especially in the wet season. be prepared when you go up country. Take anti malaria roll on or spray.

POLICE
Emergency Tel: 41-2536 (Police of Prefecture)

Chanthabouri District: 21-3907-8
Xayasettha District: 41-2455
Sikhottabong District: 21-2712
Sisatanak District: 41-2538

COMMUNICATIONS:
The central telephone office is located on Setthathilath Road near Nam Phu Circle (Nam Phu Fountain), and is opened from 08:00 to 22:00 daily. Fax, and telefax services are also available.
International Direct Dialing is available in Vientiane. When calling from overseas: the country code is 856, and the city code is 21.

NEWSMEDIA:
The local newspaper to read is the Vientiane Times and if you want to check their website go to: www.laoembassy.com as the site known as ( www.vientianetimes ) has NOTHING to do with the paper. The Vientiane Times takes no responsibility for the content, news & stories appearing on this site & its sad to see how others feel they should have this URL. The Times is published on Tuesdays & Friday & mailing address is:P.O.Box 5723, Vientiane, Lao PDR, Tel: (856-21)216-364 Fax: 216-365 & is open weekdays 8am-4pm.

LIBRARIES:
NATIONAL LIBRARY is in Saetthathirath Rd, Namphu. Open Mon-Friday 8am to 12 noon & 1pm to 4pm.

AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY opposite the AusAID office is open on Wed 2-5 & sat 9.30-12.30pm Free membership & everyione is welcome

FRENCH CENTRE on Lane Xang Ave Mon-Fri 9.30- 12.30pm 2pm to 6.30pm Wed 9.30-6.30pm Sat 9-12pm

BARGAIN BUYS:
Vientiane still has the French flavour and are famous for their barquettes. It's also the place to buy silver and gold plus hill tribe goods and assorted handicrafts. The best buys are by far the sterling silver & prices are half what they are in ChiangMai and Thailand. The people are friendly and different from their Thai neighbours but Vientiane has an excellent  lay back feeling to it. if you haven't been there then you are mssing an adventure. Coffee is also cheap to buy.

EATING PLACES: 

Healthy & Fresh Bakery: 44/4 Ban Xieng Yeun, Sethathirath Rd. Vientiane  Tel:(856-21) 215265 near Namphou Fountain where you can also receive a copy of the ChiangMai Trader News

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