When we started making our website and researching popular attractions in Vientiane, we came across the Nam Phou Fountain several times. Therefore, we decided to ask a tuk-tuk driver to bring us there. We were kind of surprised, since he didn’t understand why we wanted to go there. To be fair, despite what you might think, the Nam Phou Fountain is not a famous tourist attraction in Vientiane. Still, it holds cultural significance and is one of the most well-known meeting points for locals and tourists alike. We’ll show you why you should visit it.
A popular meeting point in the capital
The Nam Phou Fountain is a popular meeting point for dates, meeting friends, or family gatherings. Although the musical fountain itself isn’t too impressive, there are a few reasons that make it worth a visit. Some of them are:
- Beautiful light displays around night time
- Central location near many bars and restaurants
- Great starting point for a walk
- Nice spot for taking pictures
- Popular venue for live music
- Totally free to visit
That’s why it’s understandable that many people chose the fountain in the center of the city as a meeting point. To be honest, it’s not that special, but if you don’t know the city very well, it’s definitely a great spot to start your evening.
Nam Phou Park
The Nam Phou Fountain is part of the Nam Phou Park. It’s a very small square park with the fountain at its center. There’s not much to see at the park. The fountain is definitely its most prominent feature. When it comes to the surrounding area, the situation is a bit different. There are plenty of options to hang out with family or friends, especially if you like sitting outside.
History of the Nam Phou Fountain
Like many other landmarks in Vientiane, the Nam Phou Fountain was constructed during the French colonial era. Its construction dates back to the 1920s. Since then, it got renovated several times, although, except for the surroundings, not a lot has changed. The biggest renovation was in 2009, when the AIF Group Laos invested 10 billion kip to rebrand the whole area. In its first decades the Nam Phou Fountain was a public plaza with a fresh market. Such a market doesn’t exist anymore. Instead, there are plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
Nearby attractions
Due to its central location, there are some attractions in immediate proximity of the Nam Phou Fountain. One of our personal favorites is the amazing night market in Vientiane. It’s definitely one of the best locations to buy souvenirs, eat some food, get a drink, make new friends, or enjoy the bumper cars. Another option is the famous That Dam Stupa. The Buddhist stupa is located in the middle of a roundabout, so pay attention to the traffic before you enter the small garden surrounding it. Of course there are plenty of temples too. One of the more famous ones is Wat Sisaket.
How to get to the Nam Phou Fountain
The Nam Phou Fountain is located at the center of Vientiane, not far from the Chao Anouvong Park and the Presidential Palace. Therefore, any taxi or tuk tuk driver will know how to get there. The prices for a ride totally depend on your location. If you should have an accommodation near the river, you probably can walk for some minutes. Just take a look at the map if you’re having a hard time finding the way.
Best time to visit
If you want the full experience, come here during the night. Like the musical fountain at the Patuxai Park, you’ll be able to experience the lights and music. During the day, the fountain is way less impressive, but it really depends on what you’re looking for. Since it’s just a fountain in the middle of an open park, you can visit whenever you like. Even in the middle of the night, no one is going to stop you from enjoying the view. There are no fixed opening times.