Vientiane

Also known as Bientani, Viangchan, Vientane, Wei-t'ien, Vieṅ Čan, Vieṅg-Čăn, Wīangčhan, Viang chan

Vientiane is the capital city of Laos. Comprising the 5 urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture, the city is located on the banks of the Mekong, close to the border with Thailand. Vientiane was the administrative capital during French rule. The city had a population of 840,000 as of the 2023 census. Pha That Luang, an icon of Buddhism, is located in Vientiane. Other Buddhist temples can be found there, such as Haw Phra Kaew, which formerly housed the Emerald Buddha.

AI overview

Vientiane is the capital city of Laos, situated on the Mekong River near the Thai border, with a population of 840,000 as of 2023. The city is significant as Laos's administrative center and is home to important Buddhist landmarks, including Pha That Luang and the temple Haw Phra Kaew.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Settlement.name: Vientiane
Settlement.settlement_type: Capital city
Settlement.pushpin_map: Laos#Asia
Settlement.pushpin_relief: 1
Settlement.subdivision_type: Country
Settlement.subdivision_type1: Prefecture
Settlement.subdivision_name1: Vientiane Prefecture
Settlement.timezone1: UTC+7 (ICT)
Settlement.established_title: Settled
Settlement.established_date: 9th century
Settlement.leader_title: Mayor
Settlement.leader_name: Athsphangthong Siphandone
Settlement.area_total_km2: 3,920
Settlement.elevation_m: 174
Settlement.elevation_ft: 570
Settlement.population_total: 840940
Settlement.population_as_of: 2023
Settlement.population_density_km2: auto

via Wikipedia infobox

Official website

ຂ່າວສານປະເທດລາວ

kpl.gov.la →

Link to the official site · 13,913 chars · not written by Vinony

Wikidata facts

Official name: ວຽງຈັນ
Demonym: Vientianaise
Population: 528000
Area: 3920
Elevation: 174
Official website: kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx?id=79850
Image: 20171118 Vientiane 3220 DxO.jpg
Dialing code: 021

Show 7 more facts

Commons category: Vientiane
Commons gallery: Vientiane
native label: ວຽງຈັນ
inception: 1560-00-00
P8168: Mihai Nadin
P12749: Abu Dhabi
postal code: 01000 - 01170

Sources (7)

via Wikidata · CC0

~10 min read

Article

20 sections

Contents

Etymology
History
Dvaravati city state kingdoms
Transition
Lan Xang, and French colony
Independence
Climate
Tourism
Education
Economy
Transportation
Bus
Rail
Air
Healthcare
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
External links

==Etymology== "Vientiane" is the French spelling derived from the Lao Viangchan . The name was previously written "" and later sometimes written "". In Lao, viang () refers to a 'walled city' whereas chan (, previously ) derives from Sanskrit candana (, ), 'sandalwood' and can be translated as the 'walled city of sandalwood'. Some believe it refers to the 'walled city of the moon' as chan can represent 'moon', and this was previously distinguished in writing as "". Other romanisations include "Viangchan" and "Wiangchan".