Looking to rent a motorbike in Laos but don’t know where to start? Style offers motorbike rentals between our three shops in Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Pakse. We offer one-way motorbike rentals with helmets to work alongside your travel plans, supplemented with personalised guidance and customised routes to include more of the bits you want to see and less of the bits you don’t, to help create your ultimate motorbike adventure in Laos!
Vientiane City - The Sleepy Capital
This is the most important national monument in Laos – a symbol of Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty.
Built between 1819 and 1824 by Chao Anou, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Vientiane, Wat Si Saket is believed to be the city's oldest surviving wat.
COPE (Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise) is the main source of artificial limbs, walking aids and wheelchairs in Laos. There's a gift shop and cafe, 100% of the proceeds of which go to supporting COPE's projects in Laos.
The MAG UXO Visitor Information Centre in Vientiane is an educational museum dedicated to the history and impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos.
Located 25km southeast of central Vientiane, eccentric Xieng Khuan, aka Buddha Park, thrills with other-worldly Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.
Vientiane's F&B scene is a vibrant mix of authentic Lao flavors fused with French colonial influences and neighboring Thai/Vietnamese tastes.
The emphasis at this leafy compound, spread across several local-style wooden buildings, is on textiles.
It is the world's largest museum of Lao art, focusing primarily on intricate wood carvings and other traditional and contemporary artworks.
In Vientiane, the attractions stretch beyond the obvious landmarks, giving the capital far more depth than many expect. The golden stupa of Pha That Luang remains the symbolic heart of the nation, while Patuxai provides sweeping views over the city’s wide boulevards. Historic religious sites such as Wat Si Saket, filled with thousands of Buddha statues, and Haw Phra Kaew, once home to the Emerald Buddha, reveal layers of Lao spiritual history, while the lively Wat Si Muang offers a glimpse into everyday local worship.
The riverfront at Mekong Riverside Park becomes the social centre each evening, blending sunset views with night markets and street food stalls, and nearby Talat Sao Morning Market offers a more traditional shopping experience inside one of the city’s main commercial hubs. For architecture and culture, the Presidential Palace stands elegantly along Lane Xang Avenue, while the peaceful grounds of That Dam add a quiet historical curiosity in the middle of town. History lovers can visit the Lao National Museum for insight into the country’s past, and the COPE Visitor Centre provides an important and moving look at the ongoing impact of unexploded ordnance.
Just outside the city centre, for something more unusual, Buddha Park features surreal Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, offering yet another dimension to the capital’s character.
Beyond its temples and monuments, Vientiane also offers a growing number of cultural and conservation-focused attractions that add real depth to a visit. Just outside the centre, the Lao Art Museum showcases contemporary and traditional Lao art in a peaceful setting, giving visitors insight into the country’s evolving creative scene. Not far away, La Foret provides a green escape from the city with landscaped gardens, forested walking areas, and open space that feels far removed from the urban streets – a refreshing contrast to the temples and markets.
For those interested in wildlife and conservation, the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife is one of the most meaningful places to visit. This rescue and rehabilitation centre cares for animals affected by illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss, offering educational tours that highlight the importance of conservation efforts in Laos. It’s an eye-opening experience and a reminder of the environmental challenges facing the region.
To better understand Laos’ recent history, the MAG UXO Visitor Information Centre provides a powerful and informative look at the ongoing issue of unexploded ordnance. Through exhibits and personal stories, visitors gain insight into how UXO contamination still impacts rural communities today and the work being done to clear affected land.
Vientiane’s F&B options are one of the biggest surprises for many visitors. Lao cuisine is fresh, vibrant, and built around herbs, grilled meats, and bold flavours. Dishes like laap (minced meat salad with lime and toasted rice), grilled river fish, papaya salad, and sticky rice are staples. Add local chilli pastes like jeow bong and you have meals that are simple but deeply satisfying.
Thanks to French influence, the café culture here is also strong. Fresh baguettes, flaky pastries, and excellent Lao coffee are everywhere, making it easy to spend a slow morning hopping between cafés before heading out to explore. In the evening, the city quietly shifts gears. Riverside bars, live music spots, and relaxed cocktail lounges give Vientiane a laid-back but enjoyable nightlife. It’s not chaotic – it’s social, friendly, and easygoing.
Taken together, these sights show that Vientiane is far more than a quiet administrative capital – it is a place of temples, monuments, markets, riverside life, art, conservation, and layered history, all woven together in a relaxed and distinctly Lao atmosphere.
Nam Ngum Loop
1-2 Days
175KM
Housed within an impressive exhibition building, the museum showcases a diverse collection of handcrafted artworks, sculptures, and traditional textiles, reflecting the deep artistic roots of Lao culture. Visitors can learn about the techniques and history behind these creations while gaining insight into the country’s evolving art scene.
Featuring ancient artifacts like dinosaur bones and Khmer sculptures, traditional crafts, and exhibits detailing the nation's struggles for independence, including the American War and the path to socialism.
Quiet roads wind through rice fields, small villages, and open countryside. This section offers a more immersive riding experience, with minimal traffic and a stronger connection to local life.
A boat trip on Nam Ngum Lake, often called the "Sea of Laos," is a popular way to explore the reservoir's "1,000 islands," local fishing cultures, and scenic mountain backdrops.
Unbeknown by travellers but frequented by Vientiane locals, the Tha Ngon floating restaurants is a quintessentially Laotian experience that you ought not to miss.
The Nam Ngum Loop with Style Motorbikes is a rewarding ride that showcases the quieter side of the capital. Designed as a long day loop starting and ending in Vientiane, this route combines lakeside scenery, hidden backroads, viewpoints, and cultural stops into a well-balanced motorbike experience.
As you reach the outskirts of the city, the loop visits both the Lao Art Museum and the Lao National Museum. The Lao Art Museum provides insight into both traditional and contemporary Lao creativity in a peaceful setting, while the Lao National Museum offers a deeper understanding of the country’s history, culture, and identity.
Leaving the city, the ride heads north route avoids the main highways and instead follows the lesser-known Vientiane Backroads, where quiet rural lanes wind through rice fields, small villages, and open countryside. This section offers a more immersive riding experience, with minimal traffic and a stronger connection to local life.
Riding North towards Nam Ngum Lake, one of the most scenic areas near the capital. As you reach the water, the route follows the peaceful Lakeside Road, where calm views across the reservoir and surrounding hills create a relaxed atmosphere far removed from the city. Small villages and fishing communities line the route, offering a glimpse into everyday life along the lake.
Along the way, stop at one of the elevated viewpoints provides sweeping views over the lake and surrounding countryside, making it one of the highlights of the loop. It’s the perfect place to stop, enjoy the scenery, and appreciate just how the landscape changes once you leave Vientiane behind.
This loop is ideal for riders who want a mix of nature, quiet roads, and culture without travelling too far.
Vientiane Eastern Loop
1-2 Days
160KM
Eccentric Xieng Khuan, aka Buddha Park, thrills with other-worldly Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. It's a bizarre, delightfully dilapidated compound that's great for a wander and a photo op.
The temple is home to one of the largest Buddha statues in Laos, standing approximately 45 meters tall. It is often described as a "hidden gem" due to its serene countryside setting and significant religious icons.
Known for its blend of adrenaline-fueled outdoor activities and serene, high-end nature retreats. Visitors can enjoy ziplining (including a 715-meter long line), quad biking (ATV), and luging. The Canopy Walk at Nam Pien Yorla Pa is a major eco-adventure attraction, featuring a series of 22 net bridges. It offers a 1,000-meter-long experience that takes you high into the treetops for panoramic views of the surrounding rainforest and waterfalls.
La Forêt is an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Nestled within lush forests, it provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you're looking to challenge yourself with thrilling zipline courses or relax in the tranquil setting of the Treehouse Café high above the forest floor, La Forêt offers something for everyone.
This wildlife conservation center plays a vital role in protecting the country’s native species in a region considered a major hotspot for wildlife trafficking. The center operates a state-of-the-art wildlife conservation facility, where enclosures are carefully designed to replicate natural forest environments. This approach significantly improves the rehabilitation process and helps prepare animals for their eventual return to the wild whenever possible.
A motorbike loop from Vientiane offers an easy but rewarding ride, linking together unique attractions, quiet countryside roads, and great places to relax along the way. This route is less about distance and more about variety – combining culture, nature, and local hangouts into a well-rounded day on the bike.
Among the most unique attractions near the capital is Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khouane Luang), a riverside sculpture park filled with unusual Buddhist and Hindu figures, offering something completely different from the traditional temples found in the city.
For a quieter and more local feel, Wat Tha Chang provides a peaceful setting that reflects everyday spiritual life outside the main tourist areas.
For those looking to escape into nature, La Foret offers shaded walking paths and forest surroundings, while Nam Pien Yorla Pa adds a lakeside stop where you can relax, swim, or enjoy a meal with a view. Both provide a refreshing contrast to the heat and pace of the city.
Adding a meaningful dimension to the loop, the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife is well worth a visit. This rescue and rehabilitation centre cares for animals affected by the illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss, offering insight into the challenges facing native species and the work being done to protect them.
As the loop naturally brings you back towards the Capital, there are also great places to unwind after a day on the bike. Mekong Garage Bar 2 is a popular riverside stop with a relaxed, social atmosphere, while Kating Craft Beer Brewery & Restaurant offers locally brewed beer and good food — an ideal way to finish the ride.
This motorbike loop is ideal for riders who want to experience more than just the city without going too far. With a mix of culture, nature, conservation, and social stops, it captures the essence of riding around Vientiane – relaxed, varied, and full of small highlights along the way.