Attractions:
Number one is the wonderful Mekong River. Lots of "riverside" restaurants, that is in the cool season they are about 30 metres above the water level in the river perched on the steep bank. Sunsets here are the best way to finish the day.

Not sure if Beer Lao is an attraction but it seems the whole population basically runs on it.

Getting Around:
A flat town. most things of interest are not far away so a bicycle is easy and enjoyable, 12,000Kip per day. Motorcycle hire is from $7 a day for 100cc stepthru.
Plenty of Tuk-Tuks during the day, always set price first and bargain hard but politely. Late at night a Tuk-Tuk can be hard to find, usually hang around the nighclubs most of which close about 1:00am.

Shopping:
Talaat Sao (Morning Market) at cnr. of Thanons Lan Xang & Khu Vieng, 6am-6pm. For clothes,hardware,jewellery,electronics etc.
Talaat Khua Din on Thanon Mahasot for fresh produce, flowers and assorted goods.
Tallat Thong Khan Kham (Evening Market) in Ban Nong Duang, the biggest in town, has everything.

Warnings:
Emergency help is at the police kiosk on Thanon Setthathirat

Coming & Going:
Vientiane is the main entry/exit by air into Laos. Flights are available from most nearby countries to Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Angel Air flies Bangkok-Luang Prabang (direct and via Chiang Mai).

Bus: main bus terminal is at Thanon Khu Vieng (next to Talaat Sao). Another terminal on route 13 (near Km60) has buses going south. Check times. buy ticket at terminal then go, pre-purchase may not be available.
To Vientiane from Friendship Bridge (20Kms). Bargain hard with Tuk-Tuk drivers. They will want about 150 Baht when locals pay 20 Baht.

Boat: to Luang Phabang. Slow, about 4-5 days upriver,3-4 downriver. Leave from Kao Liaw Boat Landing 8Km west of Novotel Vientiane. About 8am. Stops along the way at Huay La, Sanakham, Don Men, Pak Lai, Tha Deua.

Speedboat:Carrying 6 people to Luang Prabang, full day's trip. part way. Pak Lai and Tha Deua.

Road: To LUANG PRABANG. Faster than the boat.
Previously potentially hazardous around Kasi (Bandits etc) but now quite safe it seems.
Vang Vieng on the way is a popular stopover.
About 3 hours to Vang Vieng and from there about 8-9 hours to Luang Prabang.
Slow winding road through remote mountainous jungle.
Very few towns. Buses break down often. Some people even cycle this road

To VANG VIENG.
Vientiane's Morning Market Bus Station has buses [starting around 6:30am] to Vang Vieng, about 3 hours trip. Leave every 1-2 hours when full.

A'VIP' tourist bus that leaves directly for Vang Vieng between 9:30-10am from a parking lot along the Mekong [north of Phang Kham Street] but you can contact the Wildside's travel office on the first floor of the Khop Chai Deau Restaurant next to the Nam Phu fountain [northeast corner] and they'll even shuttle you over to catch the bus. the cost is U$4-5

Money:
Kip is the official and supposedly only currency legal to use, this is often ignored.
Change money at La Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao (BCEL) at Thanons Pangkham & Fa Ngum. 8:30am-4pm Mon-Fri and till 11am Sat. Best rates available.
Bangkok Bank, Joint Development Bank, Siam Commercial Bank and Thai Military Bank also change money. Other official and unofficial money changers are around. Know the going rate and count your money.

There are no ATM machines in Laos. No Credit Card advances either,unless you have an account with Thai Farmers Bank, so take all the money you need with you. Thai Baht is good throughout Laos. As is US$ of course.

Communication:
telephone Area code 21.
For overseas and fax the Public Telephone Office at Thanon Setththirat is open 7:30 am- 10p.m.
For internal calls. Post,telephone & Telegraph Office (PTT) 8am-5pm. Mon-Fri. half Sat.

Accomodation:
About 50 hotels and guesthouses, rates vary a lot. Prices may be in US$ or Baht as well as Kip.

Climate: Hot to moderate.Very pleasant in the cool season, Dec-Feb.

Geography:
Situated on the Mekong River, surrounded by fertile countryside.

History:
Vientiane is the capital of Laos. It has been ruled by the Burmese, Siamese, Khmers, Vietnamese and most recently the French.