Quick facts
Vientiane overview
Vientiane (orange) and the other large cities of Laos
Vientiane lies in Vientiane Prefecture in Laos at 17.97°N, 102.6°E, about 174 m above sea level. The local time zone is Asia/Vientiane (UTC+7); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of Laos: the next largest cities are Savannakhet (125,760), Thakhèk (90,800), Pakse (77,900). Together, the three largest cities hold 13.2% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Vang Vieng, about 108 km away, followed by Pakxan (122 km).
Laos as a whole has a live population of 8,004,231 (+1.3% a year) and ranks #103 of 238 countries — see the Laos population page for the full statistics and the Laos atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Vientiane
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Vang Vieng Vientiane | 108 km | 25,000 |
| Pakxan Bolikhamsai | 122 km | 21,967 |
| Borikhan Bolikhamsai | 136 km | 18,354 |
| Muang Phônsavan Xiangkhoang | 176 km | 37,507 |
Largest cities in Laos
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VientianeCapital | Vientiane Prefecture | 840,940 |
| 2 | Savannakhet | Savannakhet Province | 125,760 |
| 3 | Thakhèk | Khammouane Province | 90,800 |
| 4 | Pakse | Champasak Province | 77,900 |
| 5 | Ban Khoan | Bokeo | 65,348 |
| 6 | Xam Nua | Houaphan | 56,900 |
| 7 | Luang Prabang | Luang Prabang Province | 55,027 |
| 8 | Muang Phônsavan | Xiangkhoang | 37,507 |
| 9 | Muang Xay | Oudômxai | 25,000 |
| 10 | Vang Vieng | Vientiane | 25,000 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Vientiane?
Vientiane has about 840,940 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Vientiane the capital of Laos?
Yes — Vientiane is the national capital of Laos.
How big is Vientiane compared with the rest of Laos?
Its 840,940 residents are 10.5% of the 8,004,231 people living in Laos today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Vientiane?
In Vientiane Prefecture, Laos, at latitude 17.97 and longitude 102.6, 174 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Vang Vieng (108 km), Pakxan (122 km), Borikhan (136 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Vientiane Population 2026 — Laos. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/laos/vientiane/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/laos/vientiane/">Vientiane Population 2026 — Laos</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.