To be honest with you, Beau and I don't know how we ended up in Vientiane for 7 days.  We just stalled out.  We went to Vientiane as a transition spot planning on seeing the few tourist sights fast and move on the 4,000 Islands.  After a little cold, some good food, and serious internet posting we realized we had been in Vientiane for a week and nothing to show for it.  We've become stationary like this before in Jodhpur, India but we got a lot work done.  There is something humorous about where our stall outs happen.  Why can't we extend our stay at a majestic beach or clear our mind in a pristine mountain village?  Not that Vientiane is bad.  Any place that has a JoMa bakery and little waffles with fillings (at the market) is good in my book.     After we found our heads and got back to our routine, we visited Pha That Luang (the gold temple on Laos' money), Haw Phra Kaew, and Wat Si Saket.  At every location we met wonderful sweet Laotians,  That reason in itself is worth coming to Vientiane!