For this trip, I decided to indulge myself and booked a stay at the luxurious Crowne Plaza Vientiane. Over the course of four nights, I spent S$130 per day, and let me tell you, it was worth every penny. My room, a Standard Twin, had it all—from a spacious private bathroom with a luxurious bathtub to a captivating view of the pool and the majestic Mekong River.

The hotel also offers fantastic amenities, including a refreshing swimming pool and a 24-hour gym. Plus, its strategic location ensures you're never far from delicious restaurants, massage parlours, bars, and cafes. With three in-house restaurants and 24-hour room service, dining options are aplenty, and the prices won't break the bank. I couldn't resist the club sandwiches, pasta, poke bowls, and burgers, and guess what? I only spent less than S$20 per night!

Don't forget to check out the hotel's Beer Garden—a stunning garden restaurant offering a wide range of beers from around the world, live music, and delectable bites. It's the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a 'buy one, get one free' Happy Hour on house wine, beers, and classic cocktails from 5pm to 6pm. The phad thai and meat pies here are divine BTW.

As a self-proclaimed cafe gurlie, I made it my mission to explore Vientiane's cafe scene. The reviews and images on Google Maps might not have been promising, but in person, these cafes are nothing short of amazing. Think Ho Chi Minh City or Bali-level aesthetics.

My first stop was Naked Espresso Botanica, a garden-themed gem just a three-minute walk from my hotel. Another favourite was Up Coffee, offering delicious coffee reminiscent of Vietnamese brews for just ~S$2. The caffeine hit was intense and gave me so much caffeine-induced anxiety later on.

If you're looking for a cafe that's super chio, The Cabana Design Studio & Cafe is a must-visit. It's adorned with greenery, comfortable seating, and excellent chai lattes for less than S$3. The Long Room is another spot to check out for your coffee fix and local dishes like Lao pork noodles.

For cafes with more substantial food, head to Arte for almond croissants, donburi, local delights, and tantalizing desserts like Fruit Yogurt, Creme Caramel, and Cheesecake Lava.

Cafe Aunties, with its woody undertones and Bali-inspired decor, was another personal favourite.

And don't forget to try the bombolinis and sando at Dough & Co too. This gorgeous place is a glasshouse cafe with two levels, and it's work-friendly too!

If you're more into restaurants than cafes, I've got you covered. 525 Cafe, with its chic garden atmosphere, offers slightly pricey but still affordable fare. Media Space near Patuxay is perfect for a moody dining experience, with portions that may be small but are packed with flavour.

And for an unforgettable wine and tapas experience, don't miss The Wine Cafe & Bar—their champagnes, beers, and tapas are a steal. We got a whole bottle of champagne for ~S$23 and ordered nine different tapas-style dishes. We tried almost every tapas dish on the menu, but our favourite was the steak and mushroom pasta.

For a taste of authentic Laotian cuisine in a classy setting, head over to Kualao Restaurant. Their set meals, featuring seven local dishes, rice, and a fruit platter, come with live music. And their turmeric latte is a must-try!

I also tried international cuisine in Vientiane, including Japanese delights at Masa and Italian food at Acqua. My Japanese dinner included a chirashi bowl, yakitori, a sashimi platter, and a glass of umeshu for a mere S$23.

While the Italian food wasn't the best I've had, the carbonara and ravioli were quite legit. The carbonara was also done the authentic way!

I couldn't resist some retail therapy during my stay in Vientiane. SAYA Brand was a cool discovery I stumbled upon, selling simple and meaningful Lao products while supporting local hand-weaving communities. I picked up a coaster and two handmade keychains for around S$20. Just a short walk away, Dress And Sense caught my eye, with stylish clothing from Korea and China, and DokiDoki, a jewellery store. I splurged on a beaded ring and a beaded necklace for a total of about S$35. It's a tad pricey but worth it for the unique pieces.

I also paid a visit to Her Works, a store that champions local art and traditions through their products. I grabbed a pair of gorgeous linen shoes for ~S$50 to replace my worn-out Lacoste ones. They fit like a dream and felt snug and stylish.

Vientiane boasts a couple of malls too. I explored Vientiane Center Lao and Parkson. Parkson, though relatively empty, had a massive supermarket in the basement, as well as Miniso, Starbucks, MIXUE, and a few cafes and athletic shops.

After a day of shopping, treat yourself to a Lao massage at Lao Phu Thai Massage & Spa! The massages here are heavenly and incredibly affordable—a full body massage costs only ~S$8, and I indulged in a head, shoulder, and back massage for just ~S$7.

Vientiane has its fair share of temples, and they offer a more serene and less touristy experience compared to some other Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand. Must-visits include Patuxay, a monumental archway with stunning architecture, Wat Impeng, the Ho Phra Keo Museum, and the Fa Ngum Statue. Most temples allow free entry, but museums typically charge ₭35,000 per person.

An interesting note is that Vientiane seems to be a hot spot for Korean tourists. I spotted only a handful of backpackers, with the majority of visitors being from Korea. The locals even conversed in Korean at times. The reason behind this is that Koreans enjoy visa-free travel to Laos, making it a popular destination for them. It's just a fascinating observation!

You'll definitely need a SIM card during your stay in Vientiane. I picked up mine for less than S$3, which included a generous 30GB of data. You can grab one at the airport, and any of the brands available should work just fine. Choose the one with the shortest queue or the best deal.

Changing your money to Laotian KIP can be a bit tricky as dedicated money changers are scarce. To make things easier, convert your currency to USD first, and then exchange it for KIP at Vientiane airport. While many places in Vientiane do accept USD, they'll typically provide change in KIP. Plus, it's often more cost-effective to pay in KIP, especially if you're coming from Singapore. Most places list prices in both KIP and USD, and you'll save by paying in the local currency. Be mindful when receiving change, as locals might pass you damaged bills that are unusable.