 Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos, on the Mekong River in the north western part of the country, near the border of Thailand. The population was 176,700 in 1973, and grew to 730,000 in 2006. Vientiane is the major port and commercial center in Laos, serving the surrounding agricultural area. The city maintains air links with Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Most of the buildings are wood and bricks, typical of Laotian architecture. Vientiane became the capital in 1563, when the government was moved from Luang Prabang under pressure of a threat from Burma. The city was sacked by the Thais in 1828. The French established their administrative capital for Laos in Vientiane in 1899. After independence in 1953, Vientiane remained the administrative capital while Luang Prabang served as the royal capital. With the Communist takeover in 1975, however, the kingdom was abolished and Vientiane became the sole capital. |
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