Laos is an ideal suggestion for those who want to explore a new country while still saving time and budget. Traveling to Laos is extremely convenient for Vietnamese travelers as there is no visa required. If traveling by air, it only takes a little over 1 hour to start an exciting journey.

In this article, let's explore useful information about Wattay International Airport - one of the largest international airports in Laos with Vietjet!

1. Does Vientiane, the capital, have an airport?

As the capital of Laos, Vientiane not only possesses rich cultural values that attract tourists but also has modern infrastructure. To serve the air travel needs, Vientiane has 2 airports, including 1 domestic airport and 1 international airport. Among them, Wattay International Airport, also known as Vientiane Airport, is one of the 2 international airports in Laos. It is also the largest airport in Laos. Foreign tourists, including those from Vietnam, will land at Wattay International Airport when purchasing tickets to Vientiane.

You can refer to the information and details about Wattay International Airport below.

See more: What does Vientiane, the capital of Laos, have: All the information

2. Introduction to Wattay International Airport, Laos

According to statistics in 2011, Wattay International Airport welcomed 1.3 million international passengers in 2017. It is expected that by 2025, this number will reach about 2 million passengers per year.

• Full name: Wattay International Airport (Wattay International Airport)
• Address: Sikhottabong District, Vientiane Province, Laos
• Airport code (IATA): VTE
• Number of terminals: 3
• Time zone: UTC+7

3. The formation and development process of Wattay International Airport

Wattay Airport was officially put into operation in 1999, marking an important milestone in the development of air transport in Laos. Since then, the airport has undergone many phases of upgrading and expansion to meet the increasing demand of Laos's tourism and economy.

Some important historical milestones in the development of Wattay International Airport:

• 1999: Wattay International Airport was put into operation.
• 2005: The international passenger terminal at Wattay Airport was first renovated with non-refundable aid from the Japanese Government.
• Expansion phase: In July 2011, a project to expand and upgrade the airport was initiated with a total investment of up to 37.68 million USD. The project included extending the runway by an additional 260m, developing parking lots, renovating the drainage system, and upgrading the roads. The parking area at the airport was also expanded by an additional 78,000m2 to accommodate larger aircraft. Additionally, new office buildings for the Lao Civil Aviation Authority and LAA were constructed. After the project, the old domestic terminal was expanded to reduce congestion.
• 2015 - 2018: During this period, Wattay International Airport continued to expand the international terminal, build a new domestic terminal, and improve facilities.

Thanks to continuous upgrading and expansion efforts, Wattay International Airport has now become a modern airport, well meeting the needs of travelers and the Laotian economy. The airport plays an important role in connecting Laos with other countries around the world, contributing to the promotion of tourism and economic development.

4. What flights are available at Wattay International Airport?

At Wattay International Airport, a variety of domestic and international flights are operated. According to statistics, there are about 202 regular international flights and 270 domestic flights arriving and departing each week at the airport.

4.1 Domestic flights

Wattay International Airport serves as a hub for Lao Skyway, Lao Central Airlines, and Lao Airlines,... The airport operates many domestic flights to destinations such as Phonsavan, Luang Prabang, Ban Hat Tai,...

4.2 International flights

With increasing investment and expansion, Wattay International Airport operates a variety of international routes to several countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, China,...

From Vietnam, you can purchase tickets to Wattay International Airport, Vientiane from many airlines. Among them, buying tickets from Vietjet is an optimal choice for travelers.

Vietjet currently operates a variety of direct flights to Vientiane with a frequency of up to 4 round trips per day. The flight time is just over 1 hour, helping you save travel time. Additionally, Vietjet offers reasonable prices, saving travelers money. Ticket prices start from 240,000 VND (depending on the time of booking and class). Especially, to help you save costs optimally, Vietjet offers extremely attractive promotions. The flash sale program for Vientiane tickets is only 0 VND - applicable when purchasing Vientiane tickets on Fridays. See details HERE.

5. Overview of Wattay International Airport

5.1 Scale, runway area

Wattay International Airport has a paved runway of 3,000m long. The runway allows various types of aircraft to operate such as ATR, Boeing B737, Airbus A320,...

5.2 Terminals

Wattay Airport currently has three passenger terminals, including an old domestic terminal, a new domestic terminal, and a new international terminal. The total floor area reaches 11,930m2.

• Old domestic terminal: Serves domestic flights.
• New domestic terminal: Built in 2018, this terminal is modern and more spacious, serving domestic flights.
• International terminal: Built in 2015, this terminal serves passengers of international flights.

5.3 Amenities at the terminal

All 3 terminals at Wattay International Airport are equipped with many amenities to enhance the travel experience of domestic and international travelers.

• Duty-free shopping area: Selling items such as perfumes, cosmetics, electronics, souvenirs,...
• Currency: There are ATMs from various banks at the terminal. Additionally, currency exchange and cash withdrawal services are also available for travelers.
• Restaurant: Although the dining services at Wattay Airport are not as diverse as many other international airports, there are still many dishes served, giving travelers some dining options to enjoy before and after their flights.
• Lounge: Lounges are available in all three terminals, providing comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and snacks. Additionally, there is a VIP lounge at the airport's international terminal, offering higher-end services such as private seating, free Wi-Fi, snacks, and drinks,...
• Service counters: Service counters are ready to assist passengers with luggage issues. Additionally, at the terminals, you can also book a taxi to move to the city center at the service counters.

6. How to get from Wattay International Airport

Wattay International Airport is less than 3km from the city center, making it very convenient for tourists to travel from the airport. There are many ways to get to the center of Vientiane. Depending on your needs and budget, here are some popular options:

6.1 Getting from Wattay International Airport by taxi

This is the fastest and most convenient means of transportation. You can easily catch a taxi right at the arrival hall of Wattay Airport. Taxi fares from the airport to the city center range from 57,000 - 66,000 Kip/trip (approximately 75,500 - 88,000 VND).

You can hire a taxi at the service counters in the terminal. The taxi counters are located near the exit of the arrival hall.

6.2 Getting from Wattay International Airport by bus:

The bus is the most economical means of transportation to the center of Vientiane. The shuttle bus service operates between Wattay International Airport and the Central Bus Station with stops at several hotels in the city center. The one-way ticket price is 40,000 Kip (approximately 46,000 VND).

6.3 Getting from Wattay International Airport by tuk-tuk

Tuk-tuks are a popular mode of transport in Laos. You can also use this service to travel from Wattay Airport to the center of Vientiane. The fare for a tuk-tuk ride is quite affordable, around 15,000 Kip per trip (equivalent to 20,000 VND). You can catch a tuk-tuk outside the domestic arrivals area.

6.4 Getting from Wattay International Airport by shuttle service

Some hotels and travel companies offer shuttle services from the airport to hotels or the city center. You can choose this service for convenience. However, the shuttle service is usually more expensive than taxis or buses.

See more: What’s hot in Laos tourism 2024?

We hope the information about Wattay Airport in Vientiane above will be helpful for your upcoming trip to Laos. Don't forget to hunt for flights to Vientiane with Vietjet for just 0 VND! The program takes place every Friday. See details HERE!