Vientiane, sits on the bank of the river. And the opposite bank is Thailand; the middle of the river markets part of a long border between the two countries.
The landlocked country of Laos with its capital in Vientiane is the perfect place to view ornate Buddhist temples, visit beautiful forests and try some delicious Laotian dishes. The most elegant Buddhist temple in Vientiane, Wat Si Saket, is close to the river's edge in the downtown area. The temple has a wall of 6,800 Buddha statues dating back 400 years.
Winding through the entire length of the country is one of the world’s great rivers, the Mekong. From the snows of the Himalayas, the river runs through six southeast Asian countries: Tibet, China, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The Mekong is the artery of life in Laos The Mekong river is a trading route, a source of food and water, and a social centre for the settlements along its banks. Vientiane is relatively flat, and the river banks here are sandy, not rocky.
