Vang Vieng is a haven for backpackers in Laos. This small town flanked by spectacular limestone rock formations is known by many as a party town. However, because of the natural beauty Vang Vieng has to offer, the town’s reputation has grown in recent years, making it a must-visit place for those visiting the beautiful country of Laos.
This article will give you the top 7 things to do when you visit so you can make the most of your time here.
Top 7 things to do in Vang Vieng
1. Take a swim in one of the many “Blue Lagoons”
The mountainous countryside surrounding Vang Vieng is home to a number of these Blue Lagoon attractions. Whilst the water may not always be turquoise blue depending on the season you visit in, they’re extremely fun places to spend half a day. The entrance cost is only 20 thousand kips (slightly more than an euro)!
Cool refreshing swimming pools with elaborate swings and slides, with deck chairs to sunbathe on. They also offer hot food and drinks, and one even has a cave you can explore (just make sure you bring suitable footwear unlike me!).
We rented a motorbike and spent some time at these blue lagoons during our stay here. For us Blue Lagoon 1 and Blue Lagoon 3 were our favourites. You can combine a day trip here with one of the impressive viewpoints in the area. Read on below to learn more.
2. Hike up Nam Xay viewpoint
Nam Xay viewpoint is a popular trekking route in the area around Vang Vieng. This hike will take you around an hour to reach the top, but offers 360 degree views of the countryside. There is even an old motorbike on the top, which has become an iconic Instagram spot for the area.
The hike takes between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on your fitness. For an added challenge go up at sunrise or sunset for one of the best scenic spots you’ll find in all of Laos.
3. Go tubing down the Nam Song river
You may have heard horror stories about the “tipsy tubing” in Vang Vieng, the descent down the river in inflatable boats in groups, stopping at various bars along the river for drinks. However, these days it’s a far more toned down affair. Most hostels, hotels and tour offices in the town can organise this experience for you, and will take you to the start of the river and supply you with a rubber ring. You then spend a few hours floating down the Nam Song river at a leisurely pace, stopping off at some of the riverside bars for a drink (alcoholic or not).
As someone that doesn’t drink alcohol I was unsure whether I would enjoy this experience, but it was actually a lot of fun! Cheap drinks, loud music and many other revellers alongside you, this was one of the most fun things we did during our time in Vang Vieng.
We booked our experience through our hostel, Vangvieng Rock Backpacker Hostel. It cost us around 9 euros for the half day experience.
4. Eat and shop at the Vang Vieng night market
The Vang Vieng Walking Street is open every day from 6pm to 10pm, and features a number of street food vendors and local crafts and souvenirs. Whether it’s Pad Laos, fried rice or a coconut smoothie, you’ll find something delicious (and cheap) to eat here. This is the cheapest place to eat good street food in Vang Vieng, and the plethora of options means that even the pickiest eater will find something they like.
There are also a number of clothing and souvenir stalls that fill up the streets selling everything from local art to bracelets and gifts for your loved ones back home. Don’t forget to haggle for the best deals!
5. Go thrill seeking with a zipline tour
Whilst we didn’t have time ourselves, there are a number of options for thrill seekers in Vang Vieng. One of these is a half day zipline tour! Surrounded by beautiful green forests and mountains, this experience is not to be missed for those seeking some adrenaline. You can also add on an optional tubing or cave exploration experience!
6. Explore some of the local caves
There are a number of epic caves around Vang Vieng you can explore. One of these is the Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam water caves, where you can kayak through the cave yourself. This experience can be booked as a full day tour with operators in the area and will have you spelunking through the caves on a kayak. You can read more about this experience here.
7. Rent a motorbike and explore the local area
If you want to see any of the things we listed above, the best way is by motorbike. There are a number of rental shops in town, and most hostels will also rent you a motorbike for the day. We paid around 8 euros for a full day for a 125cc Honda Scoopy with helmets, and you can go off on your own adventure and see everything the area of Vang Vieng has to offer. Why not stop off at a cave, spend some time at one of the blue lagoons then finish the day with a sunset hike up to one of the viewpoints!
How to get to Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is well connected by bus to the rest of Laos. There are multiple options per day either from Luang Prabang in the north, or Vientiane in the South.
These options range from comfortable VIP buses, smaller minivans or the cheap local buses. You can expect to pay between 5-15 euros from either direction depending on which option you choose. Buses usually take around 4-6 hours with a toilet / lunch break halfway through. You can check bus prices and times here on 12go.asia.
There is also the new option of using the high speed rail system, which considerably reduces the travel time. Just expect to pay slightly more for the privilege. Check train times and prices here.
Where to stay in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng has accommodation options to satisfy all tastes and budgets. We stayed in a variety of accommodations during our 4 days in the town, and these are our top recommendations depending on your budget.
Hotels in Vang Vieng View all
Best time to visit Vang Vieng
The best time of year to visit Vang Vieng is between October and February, where the temperatures are manageable and the humidity is lower. The rivers and waterfalls should be in full flow during this period after the rainy season, and it is comfortable enough to go on hikes and explore the countryside.
The rainiest part of the year is between July and September, and conditions are considerably hotter and more humid. You can find great deals on hotels and tours in the off season, but be prepared for some downfalls.
Where to visit after Vang Vieng
Heading north you can reach the beautiful, historical capital of Luang Prabang. Buses take around 3-4 hours and only cost a few euros. Check out our full guide on Luang Prabang here.
Travelling south you can reach the the capital of Vientiane in 3-4 hours by bus. Check bus times and prices here on 12go.asia.
Planning a trip to Laos? Check out our Ultimate Laos travel guide for more information. This guide covers everything you need to know from places and attractions, saving money and staying safe.
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