you have a few extra hours or a few extra days?
I assume your business will mean that you are in Vientianne, the capital.
I like shooting along the Mekong river and also the national monument Pha Thaat Luang
Victory Gate (Patusai, cant remember spelling) is another good place to visit.... Champs Elysses equivalent of Laos .... be careful of the traffic, its heavy at peak hours
Visitng the main local market is a must as well as the main bus terminal
If you have a few extra days on your hands..... fly up to Luang Prabang (try not to take bus unless you want to stop along the way and explore, the ride is wrenchingly painful and uncomfortable with lots of potholes and bad roads) ..... really beautiful place and a UNESCO World Heritage listed site.... lots and lots of temples and caves ... weather very pleasant , rooms are very cheap and can rent a motocycle to ride around and shoot
Temple monks in long rows walking around town early morning daybreak collecting alms is a very common sight and an almost must shoot.... but must get up BEFORE daybreak
Best to visit this site which I think have listed down most of the above and maybe more with a good collection of photographs that will give you an idea of what to expect
http://www.laosphotolibrary.com/gallery_213185.html
good luck !
p/s I reached Laos via Bangkok.... take an overnight train with bed..... reach early next morning at Nong Khai , Thailand that is bordering Laos across the Mekong. Hordes of motorcycles will hustle you to apply for visa and send you across the border. Can get chilly in the mornings and nights so bring a windbreaker or similar