Vientiane

We started out are trip in Laos in Vientiane, the capital. Didn't spend to much time here, but it is a nice enough place. It is small when you consider it is the capital, only 200,000 people. Vientiane is expanding quite quickly though and there is a lot of construction and road work happening throughout. There economy is definitely growing, most of it I think on the back of tourism. They are a very poor country though, as 50% of their yearly budget is apparently foreign aid.

Anyway, Vientiane boasts a budda park as well and below are a couple pics.

And a few more landmarks in the city...
This Stupa is apparently their national monument.
Like we said, we didn't spend too much time here. So these were the highlights of our introduction to Laos.