Sharing border with Vientiane Municipality, Luang Prabang, Xieng Khounag and Bolikhamsay provinces, Vientiane province has a total population of 305000. Its chief town is Phonhong. Vientiane province is divided into nine districts: Phonhong, Thourakhom, Keo Oudom, Feuang, VangVieng, Kasy, Saysomboon, Hom and Sanakham.

VangVieng is a scenic district of Vientiane province, enjoying excellent weather with breath-taking views of rock and limestone mountains (Pha Tang, Phatto Nokham), caves and rock outcrops overhanging the Xong River. At only three kilometers of its center, you'll find Tham Chanh, Tham Phra, Tham Baat, and Tham Leusi the holy caves in the Chang rocky mountains.

Nam Ngum Lake is situated about 80km to the North of Vientiane. The beautiful scenery over the Nam Ngum river and its green valley is enhanced by the presence of a vast, spectacular lake. This is a man-made reservoir of an hydroelectric power dam, generating most of the electricity sold to Thailand. The forests with a big variety of woods is still there on the thousands of islands dotting the lake. It is a rewarding experience to cruise around by motor-boat or spend the day or the week-end at the many bungalows or on the "floating restaurant boat" to enjoy the picturesque scenes of water, island, forests and charming fishing-villages.

On the way to Nam Ngum Lake, a short detour will take you to Vangsang, an 11th century Buddhist archeological site, where primitive Buddha images are carved right on the rock cliff. A salt extraction plant using traditional methods and the Zoo can be visited at Ban Keun.

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