Tel: (021) 219-386 | www.nongchanhwaterpark.com

Laos’ only water park is located a few hundred meters from the bus station on Boulevard Khouvieng. It opened it’s doors in July 2008 and has become a nice place to relax with the family or to have fun with friends.

For those with children, the park has several different options of how to spend your time. There are two large shallow swimming pools to wade around in or to splash around with the kids. One is around 4 feet deep and one is only 20 inches deep making it great for toddlers to splash around in.

For those who like slides, Nongchanh offers 4 different types:

• 3 spiral falls
• The twin falls
• A six lane racer
• 1 child slide

The water park also offers the always popular lazy river, where one can freely float away the day.

Walls have been built around the park to shield it from Boulevard Khouvieng that borders it. Surrounding Nong Chanh park helps you forget the hustle and bustle of the traffic awaiting on the outside.

There are two great restaurants located on the water park property: Joma Bakery Cafe and Istanbul Restaurant. Both of these are great options for any meal you may need throughout the day. There is also a nice little play area for kids to play in while parents enjoy their meals.

Entrance Fees:

• Weekdays - 40,000 kip per adult and 26,000 kip per child
• Weekends - 45,000 kip per adult and 30,000 kip per child
• Swim trunks can be rented for 15,000 kip + 10,000 kip deposit.
• Lockers can be rented for 8,000 kip + 2,000 kip deposit.
• Valuables can be kept in special lockers located in the office.

PLEASE NOTE: Nongchanh is currently offer a winter special on entrance fees. Everyone is admitted for a flat rate of 20,000 kip per person.

Open everyday from 10am to 6:30pm

Tel: (021) 252-100 | mblaos@monument-books.com | www.monument-books.com

Monument Toys is the newest toy store in Vientiane. However, it is owned and operated by the same people of Monument Books, which has been around for quite some time.

Monument Toys has the largest building and the largest variety of toys when compared to the other two stores in town, ABC Toys and Xang Noi Books & Toys. The store is the closest you will get to a Toys-R-Us in Vientiane.

The prices are quite reasonable as well. Most of the toys we checked in the store had prices comparable to what you would find on the Internet.

Below are a few items (not a comprehensive list) that Monument Toys carried that we haven’t seen in the other stores:

• Barbies
• Legos
• Hot Wheels
• Plan Toys
• Schleich Figures

To get to Monument Toys, go down Rue Setthethirath and look for the store on your right across from Wat Si Meuang.

Open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 8pm
Sunday from 9am to 6pm

Tel: (020) 750-5190 | Tel: (030) 526-1723 | peothong@yahoo.com

If you have children, it is definitely worth taking a drive over to Rue Khouvieng to check out ABC Toys. Upon entering the store your first thought will be to wonder how they fit so many toys in such a small store.

ABC Toys has one of the largest selections of toys you will find in Vientiane. The store is packed wall to wall with quality toys from Voila, Leap Frog, V-Tech, Bright Starts, Tolo and others.

If you have kids, it will be difficult to leave the store without buying something as the store has good prices. It also runs great seasonal sales such as 15% off everything during the Christmas holidays.

Open everyday from 9am to 8pm

Tel: (021) 219-732 | Mobile: (020) 786-4379

On Rue Samsenethai, look for the blue building across from the New Lao Paris Hotel a little  after you pass Rue Chanthakhoumane. Inside you will find a great little restaurant that has a lot to offer.

Owner Simon Ward has set up a nice place to eat, play and relax. Blue Bananas offers a good variety of European and Asian cuisine as well as a fully stocked bar.

For those with kids, Blue Bananas has a large selection of board games to play while you wait for you food. If you like more interactive games, Blue Bananas also has a full size pool table on the second floor.

One unique aspect of this restaurant is the “Wii room”.  The Wii room contains three large sofas, a furry rug, a large flat screen TV and of course a Wii game console. The room can be rented for 50,000 kip per hour.

So, the next time you’re looking for some good food and some good fun be sure to check out Blue Bananas.

Tel: (021) 312-438 | Mobile (020) 781-8822 | editionsxangnoi@gmail.com

Xang Noi Publishing is by now becoming a familiar brand  in Vientiane. Xang Noi publishes children’s books in Lao, French and English. The books are  sold in several shops throughout the city.

In May 2008, Xang Noi opened its own store on Rue Thadeua. The store sells both books published by Xang Noi  and a selection of quality children’s toys.

Xang Noi is an authorized retailer of Voila boutique-quality wooden toys , made in Thailand. The store also carries fair trade Akkha Biladjo toys and dolls from Northern Laos.

For those children over 10, plastic model cars and model airplanes are also available at Xang Noi.

Open everyday from 10am to 7pm

Going out to eat with the kids can be a bit of a challenge in Vientiane, especially if you have toddlers or pre-schoolers. When they’re babies they’ll sit in their car seat or stroller. If you’re lucky, the waiters may even take them off to visit the kitchen staff for a while. But once they’re toddlers they want to walk all over the place and grab everything in sight, which usually keeps the parents from being able to eat their food while it is still hot.

If this sounds like your family then the Nongchanh Water Park is the place for you. There are two restaurants on the water park grounds, Joma and Istanbul Restaurant. You don’t need to purchase tickets to the water park to eat at either establishment. Both restaurants have outside seating with a perfect view of a small grassy play area with two swing sets. This provides a great place for kids to run around while the parents relax and eat their meal. There is also a large open courtyard that gives children room to roam while remaining safely in sight.

So, the next time you’re planning on going out to eat with the whole family, keep Joma or Istanbul Restaurant in mind. Who knows, you might be able to eat your meal before it gets cold.