VANG VIENG

A few words about Vang Vieng

When we arrived in this town, we had absolutely no idea what to expect. We had read online that Vang Vieng was famous among young travelers looking for wild adventures and party vibes - and as it turns out, that used to be true.

Vang Vieng has quite a notorious past. It was once known for dangerous and unhealthy activities like tubing down the river with alcohol and drugs, or jumping off high cliffs into the water. Fortunately, things have changed. The shift in Vang Vieng’s image came after numerous accidents and deaths caused by reckless behavior under the influence. In response, the Lao government took serious action - introducing stricter alcohol regulations and shutting down or redesigning the most hazardous attractions.

That’s how Vang Vieng transformed from a hub of extreme sports and wild nightlife into a beautiful, peaceful little town that now offers nature, culture, and a more laid-back kind of entertainment. Well… at least at first glance ;)

As we quickly noticed, plenty of young people still come here to have fun in bars that stay open late into the night. Many Europeans run their own businesses here - cafés, bars, clubs - where themed parties are held regularly. On a casual evening out, you’ll see groups of tourists sipping (suspiciously) only water, and on weekends, young Chinese crowds spill out of bars, inhaling laughing gas from balloons - since it’s undetectable in drug tests when they return home ;)

Luckily, if that’s not your scene, it’s easy to avoid. Just skip the clubs, avoid backpacker hostels, and if you plan on going tubing - maybe don’t go looking for party buddies ;) Apart from these few negatives (which exist almost everywhere), there’s really nothing to complain about.

Because the town itself is stunning. Photos can’t capture its charm. The atmosphere here is absolutely unique. The people are noticeably kinder than in the capital or up north (at least in our experience). They’re not as cautious or distant - maybe because they speak better English, which you can feel right away. Vang Vieng has everything you might need: laundries, shops, cozy cafés, restaurants, street food, markets - all open late, which was perfect for night owls like us who could easily grab something to eat even after midnight.

Traffic isn’t bad either, so getting around on a scooter is easy - and we took full advantage of that, riding almost every day. It quickly became our favorite activity in Vang Vieng.

Fresh mountain air, magical sunsets, and the majestic limestone peaks surrounding the town - it was exactly what we needed. We didn’t visit many of the so-called “must-see” attractions, though. We didn’t climb to the viewpoint, sit on the famous motorbike or plane, or wave the flag from the top - maybe that’s our excuse to come back!

Mostly, we just explored at our own pace. Our favorite part of each day was the morning - coffee at the café downstairs and long conversations. We truly rested here. We spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Vang Vieng, and since it was the holiday season, we decided to slow down, enjoy the views, take walks, and reflect on the past year.

It was here, in Vang Vieng, that we made the decision that next year… we’re not going back to Poland.

What to do in Vang Vieng?

Blue Lagoons

Vang Vieng is home to several Blue Lagoons - natural pools of crystal-clear water surrounded by lush greenery. Entry costs around 10 000 LAK (approx. 4 PLN) per person. Blue Lagoon 3 and Blue Lagoon 4 are less visited but highly recommended over the popular Blue Lagoon 1, which is always packed with tourists, especially large groups of Chinese visitors. Swimming in Lagoon 1 feels more like bathing in a “tourist soup” than enjoying the beauty of nature. You can reach the lagoons by renting a scooter, taking a tuk-tuk, or joining an organized tour.

Nam Xay Viewpoint

It’s no surprise this is the most popular viewpoint in Vang Vieng. We didn’t make it there ourselves, but our Instagram friends - onionsontheroad - did! Just look at their stunning shot. Click the photo and give them a follow - the pictures Lori and Konrad take are absolutely incredible!

The trail begins near Blue Lagoon 1, and getting there by tuk-tuk from the town center takes just a few minutes. The entrance fee is 20 000 LAK per person (about 4 PLN). It’s open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The hike is fairly steep but not too long - reaching the top should take around 30 minutes. In the morning, the area is often covered in mist, so many people recommend visiting in the late afternoon (between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM), when the sun sits lower and the mountains glow beautifully in the golden light. Start heading down around 5:00–5:30 PM to make it before sunset - or bring a flashlight. Aside from the stunning panorama, Nam Xay is famous for the two motorbikes and Lao flag at the top - a fun and iconic photo spot. It’s a must-see if you want that slightly wild, unforgettable shot from Laos, just like onionsontheroad.❤️ Before you head out to this or any of the other viewpoints (like Pha Ngern Silver Cliff View Point or Big Pha Ngern View Point Top), make sure you’re well prepared - check the trail difficulty, wear proper shoes, bring water, snacks, and a small first aid kit.

Tham Chang Cave

Tham Chang Cave is one of the most popular and easily accessible caves in Vang Vieng, located less than 2 km from the town center. You can reach it on foot, passing through scenic landscapes and crossing a wooden bridge over the river - one that looks like it could collapse at any moment, adding a bit of thrill to the walk. A more solid bridge once stood here but was destroyed by flooding. To enter the cave, you’ll climb about 200 steep steps, and from the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the valley. Inside, you’ll find impressive rock formations. Entrance costs 15 000 LAK (approx. 3 PLN), but before that, you need to pay an additional 5 000 LAK (about 1 PLN) to access the entire green area, which once appeared to host a ropes course and various attractions - now mostly abandoned. The cave also has historical importance: in the 19th century, locals used it as a shelter from Chinese invaders.

Tubing on the Nam Song river

Tubing is essentially drifting down the Nam Song River on an inflatable tube - a relaxing way to take in Vang Vieng’s beautiful scenery, particularly popular among young travelers and backpackers.

The cost of renting a tube is about 100 000 LAK (approx. 20 PLN), including transportation to and from your hotel. You’ll find plenty of companies offering tubing experiences everywhere around town, and most hotels can help you arrange one.

A few years ago, tubing was the ultimate backpacker experience - a wild mix of river drifting, meeting new people, and non-stop partying. Bars lined the riverbanks, serving alcohol (and sometimes drugs), with rope swings, ziplines, and slides turning the river into a giant playground. Unsurprisingly, combining alcohol and water led to numerous accidents - even fatalities. As a result, many attractions were removed, and tubing was temporarily banned.

Today, tubing operates under stricter regulations. Only four bars can open at a time. You probably won’t find drugs anymore, but you can still buy bottles of local Lao-Lao whisky for just a few dollars. While modern tubing is now relatively safe and tame, it still attracts adventure-seeking backpackers. If that’s not your vibe, simply keep your distance - you’ll still have a great time. We didn’t quite believe our own advice, so in the end, we skipped it 😂 You can read more about how tubing used to be - and what it’s like now.

Exploring by scooter

This was hands down our favorite activity in Vang Vieng - and we couldn’t recommend it more. The roads are fairly quiet, and with just basic riding skills you can easily explore the stunning countryside on a scooter. Electric scooters are also available for rent - a clever workaround that helped reduce the number of police stops for tourists. Interestingly, you didn’t need a motorcycle license to rent an electric scooter (at least that was the case when we visited Laos at the end of 2023 - can’t guarantee it still is!). With a scooter, you can reach viewpoints, lagoons, and many hidden gems worth discovering. We highly recommend getting a little lost along the way - you’ll stumble upon countless beautiful spots.

Kayaking or boat ride on the river

Where there’s a river, there are water activities - and Vang Vieng is no exception. You can book a 3-hour or full-day kayaking tour, often including rest stops along the way. Prices range from 15 to 30 USD per person.

Some tours also include cave exploration, which makes them slightly more expensive. You’ll find example tours linked below.

For groups, renting a private boat is also a great option. Local rentals offer various types, including larger motorboats that can accommodate up to 8 people. Prices start at around 250 000 LAK (approx. 48 PLN) per boat. You can rent them for a few hours or the whole day, depending on your plans.

Vang Vieng is one of the cheapest - and most beautiful - places in the world to take a hot air balloon ride. Some might argue you can do it for less elsewhere - sure, but not with these views! It’s a magical experience and absolutely worth the 110 USD per person. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off. We treated ourselves to this experience on New Year’s Eve, and it was worth every single cent. You can catch glimpses of our flight on our Instagram!

Hot air balloon ride in Vang Vieng

We chose a sunset flight, which turned out to be a great decision - the sky was painted in incredible colors. You can also opt for a sunrise flight, though mornings tend to be quite chilly. Don’t worry though - the flame from the balloon will warm you up (sometimes a bit too much). The flight lasts around 30 minutes, and it’s pure magic from start to finish.

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