VIENTIANE
Vientiane is the capital of Laos. Among its major attractions are religious monuments such as the golden That Luang, built in the third century A.D It is said to contain the relic of the Buddha and is considered to be the most sacred Buddhist monument of the country. Wat Sisaket is a traditional Laotian monastery built in 1818 during the reign of King Anou, making it the oldest monastery in Vietiane. It is one of the most important buildings in the city, having survived the Thai invasion in the early 19th century. Other interesting sites in Vientiane include the Buddha Park, the Cultural Center, Friendship Bridge, weaving village, Wat Pakeo, Victory Gate and the Talat Sao (Morning Market).