What is the capital of Laos?
Vientiane lies on the banks of the Mekong in the far south of Laos, close to the border with Thailand; the city proper is made up of the five urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture.
Vientiane is the capital and seat of government of Laos. Laos itself has an estimated population of 7,873,046 (2025).
Vientiane is also the largest city in Laos, which is the usual arrangement, though it is far from universal: see the countries where capital and largest city differ.
Vientiane at a glance
| City population | 840,940 (2023 census) |
|---|---|
| Country | 🇱🇦 Laos |
| Founded | 9th century |
| Largest city in Laos | Vientiane |
| Time zone | UTC+07:00 (ICT) |
| Currency | Lao kip (LAK) |
About Vientiane
The site was settled from the 9th century.
Vientiane was already the administrative capital of Laos under French rule.
Pha That Luang, the gilded stupa that is the national symbol of Laos and an icon of Lao Buddhism, stands in Vientiane.
The temple of Haw Phra Kaew in the city once housed the Emerald Buddha, which is now in Bangkok.
City facts sourced from Wikipedia: Vientiane.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Laos?
Is Vientiane the largest city in Laos?
What is the population of Vientiane?
Where is Vientiane located?
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Capitals of neighbouring countries
See the full profile of Laos on its country page, or browse every capital city.
Capital and country data from open datasets; city and metropolitan populations are hand-curated per city and cited where they are shown. Populations of countries come from the World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL). Full sources and vintage on the data page. Last updated . Report a correction.