Vientiane · With kids

On Road 13 North at Dansi Village in Naxaiythong District, roughly half an hour out of the centre. Slides, pools and shallow zones for small children alongside an ethnic village, exhibition hall and animals, plus a restaurant on site.

Moved in 2017 to a large purpose-built hall on Kaysone Phomvihane Avenue about 6km out. Open 8am to 4pm on weekdays and 9am to 4pm at weekends; 30,000 kip for foreigners, 5,000 kip for Lao nationals. Air-conditioned, which matters in April.

The former secret Soviet-era compound on the city's southern edge, with the leader's preserved house and a small museum. The vehicles, bunkers and jungle-camp setting hold children's attention far better than another temple.

The riverfront park in the late afternoon, before the night stalls take it over around 5pm: open paved space, fountains, kite sellers and room to run, with the Mekong and the Thai bank in front of you.

The big dammed lake about 90 minutes north of the city, where local families hire longtail boats out to the islands and eat grilled fish at the shore restaurants. A full day out, and the closest thing to a beach Vientiane has.