Vientiane Province (also known as rural Vientiane) (
Lao ວຽງຈັນ) is a
province of
Laos, located in the northwest of the country. As of 2004 the province had a total population of 373,700 people. Vientiane Province is a large province, covering an area of with 10 districts in mid north-western Laos. The province borders
Luang Prabang Province to the north,
Xiangkhouang Province to the northeast,
Bolikhamxai Province to the east,
Vientiane Prefecture and
Thailand to the south, and
Xaignabouli Province to the west. The principal towns are
Vang Vieng and
Muang Phôn-Hông. Several kilometres to the south of Vang Vieng is one of Laos's largest lakes,
Nam Ngum. Much of this area, particularly the forests of the southern part, are under the Phou Khao Khouay National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area. The principal rivers flowing through the province are the
Nam Song River, Nam Ngum River and the Nam Lik River.