Vientiane
/ˌvjɛn.tiˈɑːn/noun
The capital city of Laos, situated on the Mekong River.
Did you know?The name is commonly explained as coming from a Lao form ultimately meaning the 'city of sandalwood,' though its exact historical path is debated and filtered through French transliteration.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Modern Lao
Lao
Viang Chan
“A Lao place name referring to the city/settlement of Chan; often interpreted as 'city of sandalwood' or related to lunar imagery in local tradition.”
16th–18th Century
Lao
ວຽງຈັນ
“The Lao name for the settlement and later major city on the Mekong.”
19th Century
French
Vientiane
“French transliteration of the Lao name into colonial spelling.”
Modern English
English
Vientiane
“The standard English name for the capital of Laos.”