[2] On a curve of the Mekong River, and bordering Thailand, the prefecture covers an area of 3,920 km2 (1,510 sq mi).

[5] Most of the land to the west and northwest of the main urban centre is forested and hilly in parts with the peaks of Phu Sang (1,666 metres (5,466 ft)) and Phu Khao Khuay (1,039 metres (3,409 ft)), and an area in the northeastern part at the rim of the forest protected by the Phou Khao Khuay National Biodiversity Conservation Area.

[5][4] The protected reserves in the prefecture are the Houay Ngang Forest Reserve and the Phou Phanang National Biodiversity Conservation Area (which covers most of the forest in the west), while Phou Khao Khuay NBCA borders the northeast.

A nature trail in the reserve is used for a day tour where the Ban Pako ecolodge is available overlooking the Nam Ngum River.

[5] The Laotian epic, the Phra Lak Phra Lam, claims that Prince Thattaradtha founded the city when he left the legendary Lao kingdom of Muong Inthapatha Maha Nakhone because he was denied the throne in favor of his younger brother.

[7] 1 day, a 7-headed Naga told Thattaradtha to start a new city on the east bank of the river opposite Maha Thani Si Phan Phao.

[9] In 1354, when Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang, Vientiane became an administrative city, even though it was not made the capital.

[9] When King Anouvong tried to assert himself as an independent kingdom, and raised an unsuccessful rebellion, it was obliterated by Siamese armies in 1827.

[14][11] The Siamese routed Anouvong and razed the city leaving only Wat Si Saket in “good shape”.

[15] The French rebuilt the city and repaired Buddhist temples such as Pha That Luang, Haw Phra Kaew, and built colonial buildings.

By a decree signed in 1900 by Governor-General Paul Doumer, the province was divided into 4 muang: Borikan, Patchoum, Tourakom, and Vientiane.

2 years earlier, men from these 4 muang were responsible for building a house for the first administrator of Vientiane, Pierre Morin.

[16] During World War II, Vientiane fell to Japanese forces, under the command of Sako Masanori.

[17] In August 1960, Kong Le seized the capital and insisted that Souvanna Phouma, become prime minister.

In December, General Phoumi then seized the capital, overthrew the Phouma government, and installed Boun Oum as prime minister.

[19] In 1993, the Vientiane Urban Planning Committee (VUPC) became the highest decision-making organization in the prefecture; it was governed by a chairman, deputy chair, and 8 members.

[19] The St. Paul Foundation built in 2001 and a Vocational School for the Disabled in Ban Sikeud in Vientiane Prefecture.

The market has shops where Lao antiques, textiles, souvenirs, handicrafts, jewelry, and other imported goods are available.

The gold colored central image inside the stupa is in the shape of a curve of an extended Lotus bud.

[2] The Xieng Khouan Buddha Park, built in 1958, has Buddhist and Hindu sculptures placed in the gardens and trees.

[28][29] Suan Wattanatham Bandapao (National Ethnic Cultural Park) is 20 km (12 mi) south of Vientiane city close to the Khau Midthaphab (First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across the Mekong).

[2][30] Wat Si Muang Temple in the Ban Simuang village on the Sethathirath Road has the foundation pillar of Vientiane.

According to legends, God assisted in the construction of this pagoda by assuming the forms of an old wise man and an old white monk.