Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos. Located on the banks of the Mekong River near the border with Thailand, the city comprises the five urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture. As of the 2023 census, the city had a population of 840,000 residents.
Historically, Vientiane served as the administrative capital during the period of French rule. The city is home to several significant religious sites, most notably Pha That Luang, which is considered an icon of Buddhism. Other notable landmarks include Haw Phra Kaew, a Buddhist temple that formerly housed the Emerald Buddha.