Chiang Mai And Vientiane

I recently visited Vientiane and I think it compares to Chiang Mai in some ways. Here are my opinions about these 2 cities divided into categories:

Hotels: I think Chiang Mai has more high quality hotels, but I think Vientiane has cheaper prices for comparable quality hotel or guest house.

Restaurants: There are I think pretty good quality farang restaurants, probably since Laos was a french colony and still has many french and italian restaurants. But CM definitely has better Thai restaurants. Lao food is pretty much the same as Thai, esppecially Isaan food.

Tourist attractions: I enjoyed visiting That Luang and the Patuxay arch, and the museum there is interesting but you should first be prepared as it is very anti western, but this is not surprising. It is communist country. However, CM has much more to see and do for tourists.

Transportation: In my opinion, the Lao are more courteous drivers than Thais. I rented bicycle and car drivers actually werre very kind about letting me turn and did not cut me off. There is no motorcycle lane so have to ride in traffic, but traffic moves very slowly. Buses are pretty bad, though, and the samlors and jumbos they have instead of regular tuk tuks are in pretty rough shape. Not so cheap either.

Crime: My friend got ripped off at guest house. It was called Souphaphone guest house and otherwise a nice place, but apparently the maid stole gold clippers from room and also about 2000 baht from pants pocket while he was in shower. This kind of thing also happens in CM and everywhere, though.

Massage: I own massage shop in CM so naturally I say CM massage is number one, but to be honest 2 places in Laos where I went for traditional massage, I was not impressed. They did not help with back pain and actually I suffered next day. However, perhaps there are other massage shops there which are very good.

Medical: Although I did not have need of medicval facilities there, they are reported to be very poor. If you have real problems you need to go to Nong Khai or Udon Thani.

This is only my opinion and I was only in Vientiane a short time, but it is a very nice and relaxed city and I intend to go back and visit again. But for myself, I love Chiang Mai and while I enjoy visiting Vientiane, I would much rather live here.