Vientiane

Vientiane, estimated population 140,000 (1990), is the capital of Laos.

The definition of Vientiane includes following districts from Vientiane prefecture;

• Chantabuly
• Sikhottabong
• Xaysetha
• Sisattanak
• Hadxaifong

Vientiane is situated on a sweeping bend on the Mekong river, which forms the border with Thailand at this point. The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, built in the 1990s, crosses the river a few miles downsteam of the city and forms one of the major border crossings between the two countries.

King Setthathirath established it as the capital of Lan Xang in 1560. When Lan Xang fell apart in 1707 it became an independent kingdom. In 1779, it was conquered by the Siamese general Phraya Chakri and made a vassal of Siam.

When King Anouvong raised an unsuccessful rebellion, it was obliterated by Siamese armies in 1827. It eventually passed to French rule in 1893. It became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos in 1899.

Vientiane is located in the Vientiane prefecture (kampheng nakhon Vientiane). There is also the Vientiane province - the prefecture was split off from the province in 1989.

The romanized spelling "Vientiane" is of French origin; another common transliteration is "Viangchan", or occasionally "Wiangchan".