Laos is a popular place for a perfect backpack trip in Southeast Asia and people who are expats usually visit Laos to make Luang Prabang their base and hence they only explore that region. However, Vang Vieng in Laos is a scenic town that can quickly steal your heart and not many people know that there are so many great things to do in Vang Vieng.
Like a beautiful scene from a painting, Vang Vieng is a small town located on the riverside of Nam Song River. It lies in the perfect location, halfway between Luang Prabang and Vientiane. With the backdrop of serene limestone cliffs and a vast spread of vivid green paddy fields, it really is a paradise to relax and soak in the views.
Things to Know Before Visiting Vang Vieng
1. Since there is no airport in Vang Vieng, the only way to get here is by road from Luang Prabang or Vientiane. Fly into any of the 2 cities and take a Visa on arrival which is available in Laos for most nationalities and US dollars and Thai Baht are widely accepted in cash for the visa fee.
2. There is no atm machine or currency exchange counter before immigration at the airport so bring some converted cash beforehand. The Laos visa-on-arrival fee varies between about 30 USD to 60 USD depending on your nationality.
3. You can get a local Laos SIM card at the airport for cheap, and internet connectivity is surprisingly good here.
4. The currency is the Lao Kip and there are plenty of places to exchange money in town. There are also ATMs where you can withdraw money.
5. The best time to visit Vang Vieng is during the dry season from around November to March. The summer months from March to May can be miserable with heat. May to October is the wettest month but that means green lush rice paddies that are beautiful to photograph. I went in the first week of October for 3 days and had a full day of rain.
6. Vang Vieng is a fairly small town but you will have no shortage of options for food. If you love local cuisine then it will be a lot cheaper for the budget. One place that is not cheap but lives up to its standard is Luang Prabang bakery in Vang Vieng and I highly recommend visiting here.
Is Vang Vieng Worth it?
Hell yes!! If you are a nature lover then the natural beauty of Vang Vieng will surely mesmerize you. But sadly this charming place wasn’t known for its beauty or views of mountains and rivers.
It had a bad history and its reputation wasn’t very good. In the past, Vang Vieng was the little party town in Laos and whoever went there was not invited by the nature and serenity of this place rather by the unlimited alcohol along with the riverside and adventure stuff.
Tubing and zip lining were the top things to do in Vang Vieng that took so many lives because of the bars alongside the river that were serving unlimited alcohol and the carelessness of people.
Due to the international outrage, the Laos government had to step in and all the life taking illegal activities along with many bars were closed in 2012 and finally, Vang Vieng got its chance to showcase what it truly should be known for, it’s astonishing beauty.
So yes, once synonymous with tubing and partying, Vang Vieng now is more focused on Nature and Beauty. You can easily spend 4-5 days here without getting bored and will still get enough time to relax. If you don’t have that much time then 2 days in Vang Vieng are also enough.
How to Get to Vang Vieng
As mentioned before there is no airport in Vang Vieng so you will be arriving at either Luang Prabang or Vientiane. Depending upon where you arrive, you can take a bus/minivan or rent a car for the whole journey.
By Bus/Minivan
Getting to/from Vang Vieng is relatively easy. You can choose to take a large bus (AKA “VIP bus”) or minivan from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng or from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. Buses run from both locations every day. You can also hire a private van if you prefer a more comfortable journey.
The travel time will vary on the mode of transportation you choose and the starting destination but the whole journey should take you around 6-8 hrs. The VIP bus is not what it sounds like but it is moderately comfortable and the minivan is packed with people and can get really uncomfortable.
For detailed information and to book tickets, click here.
If sharing is not what you are comfortable with then a private transfer between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng is the best option.
By Rented Car
I took a self-drive car from AVR Laos from Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng falls halfway between Luang Prabang and Vientiane which I thought would be perfect for a road trip as I wanted to cover all 3 destinations.
The distance from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng is between 183km – 228km depending upon the route you decide to take. There are 2 routes to go to vang Vieng. One is longer than the other. I chose the shorter distance route which is also the safer route. The roads are good and there is no problem with the navigation on the road.
While driving through Luang Prabang Province, the views are ordinary but as soon as you stepped into Vang Vieng Province your eyes will be wide open and a constant smile will stay on your face. The whole journey is so scenic and surprising. Some parts of the road trip would give you Jurassic Park vibes with the striking limestone and lush greenery.
The journey from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng is around 4 hours but it took me more than 5 hours with all the stops that I made in between because of the splendid views. I suggest keeping 1-2 hrs aside if you are self-driving. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
How to Get Around Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a small town so it’s easy to get around on foot. The main area where most of the hotels are located has well-maintained roads but some parts across the bridge are dirt roads.
Bicycle – Bicycles are a great way to explore Vang Vieng. You can rent a bicycle in lots of different shops in town, and sometimes your accommodations might have them too. The best is to opt for a Mountain bike since there are a few dirt roads too in neighboring areas.
Motorcycles – Many of the bicycle rental shops also has an option of Motorcycles to rent.
Tuk Tuk – You can also hire a tuk tuk around the town that can get you anywhere. Also, these tuk-tuks are available to hire for a full day too.
ATV – If you are up for a real adventure and want to do some off-roading? Rent an ATV! ATVs are very popular in Vang Vieng and you will see a lot of them especially in the countryside. It’s one of the best ways to see the stunning countryside around Vang Vieng.
Things to do in Vang Vieng
What to do in Vang Vieng depends on what you are after and what kind of traveler you are. Vang Vieng offers both peace and adventure so you can have a balanced vacation. There are different kinds of activities that you can fit into your Vang Vieng itinerary.
1. Hiking In Vang Vieng
As Vang Vieng is surrounded by limestone mountains and paddy fields, hiking is the best way to have a 360° view of the beautiful scenery. There are 2 popular hikes in the region and one of the best things to do in Vang Vieng.
Nam Xay Viewpoint
Nam Xay Viewpoint is one of the most breathtaking spots in Vang Vieng to have an unbeatable view of the limestone cliffs, lush forests, and rice fields.
Once you reach the parking lot, you have to pay 10,000 Kip as an entrance fee for the hike. The hike usually takes 20-30 mins for a fit person who hikes regularly but for people like me who only do the hikes when traveling, it will take around 40-45 mins depending upon the stops you take in between.
This is an intermediate hike but it’s very steep and requires crawling rocks and boulders at the end. Be prepared to sweat like a pig. Once you reach the top, the views are rewarding and worth every drop of sweat. It is so serene, calm, and breathtaking to look at the views. You will certainly forget every worry of yours.
Travel Tip: No matter what time of the day you choose to do this hike, you are guaranteed to be in awe but I recommend 1-2 hrs before sunset. Make sure to hike down before the sun sets as it becomes completely dark super soon and if you are not comfortable hiking in dark then it can be scary. It’s a legit hike so wear good shoes, no flip-flops.
Phangern Viewpoint
Another viewpoint that will take your breath away (literally) is the Phagern viewpoint. The hike to this one is even steeper and difficult but well paved. There are 2 viewpoints of this hike and the second one provides panoramic views across the fields and mountains. The entrance fee is 10,000 kip and I recommend doing this hike at sunrise. Also, give yourself enough time to do this one if you are doing it at Sunrise or Sunset.
2. See the Rice fields of Vang Vieng
Outside the main town, there are a lot of rice fields with a view of limestone cliffs. Take some time to explore the stunning countryside whether on foot or by bicycle and you will find many areas where you can sit back and relax to enjoy the beauty.
3. Explore the caves
There are quite a few caves in and around Vang Vieng which you can explore if you are a cave lover but these 2 are the most popular ones.
Tham Chang Cave
Tham Chang Cave or Tham Jang Cave is a beautiful cave across the Nam Song Pedestrian Bridge and is the most famous tourist spot in town. It is the most visited because of its close proximity to the main area and due to the fact that it was used as a bunker during the invasion. This picturesque cave also has a spring inside, in which you can swim and the best part is that you may not find anyone here as not many people know about this spring.
If you haven’t seen a cave with rock formations hanging from the ceiling before then I highly recommend visiting this place. Tham Chang Cave is open from 8 am – 4 pm and the entrance fee is 15,000 Kip.
Tham Phu Kham Cave
Located near the village of Ban Na Thong in the west of Vang Vieng town, Tham Phu Kham Cave is well visited by both tourists and locals because of its close proximity to Blue Lagoon 1 which is the most crowded blue lagoon in Vang Vieng. A steep hiking trail equipped with handrails at certain sections on the forested hill leads to the Phu Kham cave’s entrance.
The first chamber of the main cave contains a large reclining bronze Buddha which is the highlight of the cave and people visit here to pay their respect to Buddha. The cave goes deep to further explore the other chambers with no proper signs to follow and after a while it there is no light in the cave. Make sure to carry a flashlight with you.
Though you will find people renting torch at the entrance of the cave for 10,000 Kip if you don’t have one. The path is uneven and slippery which can be dangerous if you are not wearing proper shoes. There are signs at the caves to take a guided tour if you are interested in exploring the cave and it may cost around 50,000 Kip.
Tham Phu Kham Cave is open from 8 am – 4 pm and the entrance fee is 10,000 Kip.
4. Enjoy the scenic Long-Tail boat ride
One of the staples of Laos is a long-tail boat and you will see plenty of them in the Nam Song river. A long-tail boat trip up the river and back is a wonderful way of seeing the beautiful scenery around the river. The ride cost 80,000 kips for 30 mins and it’s worth it. You get to see the mountains closely and also some areas that you probably would have missed, if on the road.
5. Take a Hot Air Balloon ride
In recent years a number of tour companies have been offering hot air balloon rides around Van Vieng. This is a great activity to do if you want to see Vang Vieng from a different perspective. The morning light on the limestone cliffs and rice paddies make the whole setting so stunning. Even the sunsets are gorgeous to do this ride.
6. Swim in Blue Lagoons
Vang Vieng is filled with natural beauty and has around 6 Swimming in Blue lagoons is one of the top things to do in Vang Vieng for both locals and tourists. People travel from all over the world here to swim in these turquoise waters and cool themselves off so they are filled with people.
There are around 6 blue lagoons in Vang Vieng but only 3 lagoons are known to people and easily reachable from the town. The farther the lagoon, the less-visited it is. Also, in the rainy season, the water in the lagoons is brown, not blue.
Blue Lagoon 1 is the most popular and known spot in Vang Vieng and hence it is the most crowded. It’s easily reachable from the town and is also close to the Tham Phu Kham Cave which makes it even more crowded.
The Blue Lagoon 2 is located about 7 km southwest of Blue Lagoon 1 and has a number of different pools to swim in. It is the least visited lagoon in the area and the entrance fee is 10,000 Kip.
Blue Lagoon 3 is the most fun with a number of swings, ziplines, and a bamboo raft. Also, because of the fact that it is the lesser-visited lagoon than the others so I recommend visiting here if you only have time to visit one lagoon.
7. Go Kayaking in Vang Vieng
Nam Song River is the heart of Vang Vieng and a few activities like Tubing, long-tail boat ride, and Kayaking are focused around it. If you love a good outdoor adventure then definitely don’t miss out on Kayaking.
There are various different tours in town but I recommend booking online because these tours come with pickup and drop-off facilities. The duration of these tours is different so book depending on your requirements. The best is a full-day adventure that includes kayaking, zip-lining, and tubing in a cave. In case you are interested in a half-day adventure then you have that option as well.
8. Try Ziplining
If you are after some adventure and want to do an adrenaline-pumping activity in Vang Vieng then you can sign up to go zip lining. There are a few tours that offer this adventure and it would only take half a day. I recommend booking a Zip lining adventure with cave exploration as you have to travel to Tham Nam, also known as the water cave to reach the Zip lining base camp.
There are 9 Ziplines in Vang Vieng and all of them vary in distance, the longest one being 147 meters. You clip to one Zip and then unclip when you reach the end of that line. You may also have to manage your own braking system while doing Zip lining. It’s easy to do as you only have to pull a brake in order to slow down when you are reaching towards the end of one line.
If you have never done Zip lining before then I recommend wearing comfortable clothing that’s not loose and wear good sneakers. This adventure is one of the best ways to get a view over the green forest canopy and river below that surrounds Van Vieng.
9. Go Tubing while Exploring a Secluded Cave
One of the crazy touristy things to do in Vang Vieng once involved Tubing. It is one of the activities that made Vang Vieng famous and gave it a bad name because of all the drinking and death involved but it doesn’t mean that it’s fully closed. I highly advise to not drink while you go tubing, it’s very irresponsible. Instead try go tubing but with safety while you explore a secluded cave.
If you are going zip lining then you have to reach this water cave as it’s the base of Zip lining but in case you are not interested in that adventure then visit the marvellous 1,640-foot-long Tham Nam cave and learn about its importance in the second Indochina war. You will be provided a tube and then you have to drag yourself by pulling the rope making your way out of the cave.
10. Visit the kaeng Nyui Waterfall
Located on the eastern side of the town of Vang Vieng around 25 mins away is a hidden gem that not many people know about, Kaeng Nyui Waterfall. The hike to the waterfall is easy but the trail is not well maintained so wear anti-slippery footwear. This 30 m waterfall is full of natural beauty and you can hike to the top of the cliff from where you can get a panoramic view of Vang Vieng. Kaeng Nyui gets very powerful during monsoon season so it’s best to avoid visiting it during that time.
Travel Tip: The price to enter is 10,000 Kip and it is best to reach here early in the morning as locals love this spot and it gets crowded.
11. Attempt Rock Climbing
If you are feeling a little more adventurous then try your hands at rock climbing. The karst rocks in Vang Vieng are beautiful and are perfect for rock climbing. There are a few schools where you can take training in rock climbing before you actually go climbing. Adam’s climbing school and Green Discovery Laos are 2 known ones.
Other Not to Miss Vang Vieng Attractions
1. Pha Tang bridge and Wat Pho Karm Chai Mong Kol
One of the most iconic scenes of Vang Vieng that you will see in many paintings in the market is the view from Pha Tang Bridge. This place is 30 mins outside of the town of Vang Vieng and the best way to see and photograph it is during your road trip from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng if you are self-driving.
If you have chose public transportation to reach Vang Vieng then rent a scooter from the town and put Wat Pho Karm Chai Mong Kol in google maps. The view is iconic and beautiful.
2. Nam Song Pedestrian Bridge
This beautiful pedestrian bridge is quite popular because of the setting it’s situated in. The vast green landscape and stunning limestone peaks in the background and an orange color suspension bridge in the foreground make for a beautiful photo spot. Nam Song Pedestrian bridge is more popularly known as Orange bridge and to reach here, you will have to pass through a resort and there is a small fee of 2000 kip to access the way inside.
It can be crowded most of the time of the day because this bridge is the way to reach the nearby Tham Jang Cave so make sure you come early if you only wish to take pictures here.
Where to Stay in Vang Vieng
When it comes to accommodation in Vang Vieng, there are so many beautiful properties to choose from. Some of them comes with a view of mountains and rivers while the others with beautiful paddy fields. It’s really difficult to decide where to stay.
I consider the hotel as a part of the experience when the place is serene and relaxing hence I booked 2 small boutique hotels during my 2.5 days in Vang Vieng. The 2 hotels that I stayed in are Inthira Vang Vieng and Silver Naga Hotel.
I highly recommend staying at Inthira (Pictured below). The staff is very welcoming and sweet, the food tasty and the rooms are well kept and sophisticated. A lot of rooms come with a view of the river and mountain making your morning views stunning.
Another hotel I stayed in was Silver Naga Hotel. The staff at Silver Naga was not very welcoming and I didn’t like the old washrooms in the rooms. It didn’t give me the feeling of staying in a boutique hotel. The only good thing was the pool on the first floor (Pictured below) with a direct view of the river and mountain. They also have a few rooms with this view so whenever you book with them, make sure to request those rooms.
There are a few other properties to look out for that include Amari Vang Vieng, Riverside Vang Vieng, Vieng Tara Villas. All of the properties mentioned here start from 80AUD per night.
Map of all the places to visit in Vang Vieng
Final Thoughts
I highly recommend not missing out on the beauty of Vang Vieng when planning a trip to Laos. It’s a beautiful region and it’s not extremely touristy too. Away from the hustle-bustle of cities, it is a perfect place to unwind, relax and soak in the beauty of nature. Whether you choose to see the beauty by exploring or by relaxing in one of the many amazing hotels in the region, the choice is yours and you can’t go wrong with either.
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Beeeeautiful area Suvarna!
I love your dedication to getting to such pretty locations in gorgeous dresses! I have to admit, I wouldn’t be anywhere close to you on the glamour-scale in that humidity, but I would looove to hike up to the Nam Xay Viewpoint.
Aww, thank you so much. I am so happy to hear that. I love creating beautiful content. Nam Xay was the most beautiful hike in Vang Vieng. I hope you do soon someday.
Vang Vieng was my favourite town in Laos!
Mine too. It’s so beautiful.
Love the pictures and very informative post. It’s great that you are honest about the place you stayed in and the hours for photos! haha Thank you!
Thank you so much for the lovely comment. I think it’s my responsibility as a blogger 🙂
A very helpful post with such amazing poatcard perfect pictures. Would love to visit this place someday.
I hope you do. It’s so worth it and my favourite place in Laos.
This looks like such a great place to visit. I will have to put it on my bucket list. How do you travel with those dresses?
It really is an amazing place and my favourite in Laos. I love dresses and stuff as many as I can and also I am not a backpacker 🙂
I want to visit Vang Vieng so badly!! I was planning to visit in 2020 before covid19 hit….we’ll see when I make it now!! But I will definitely have to revisit this detailed guide when I do!! 🙂
Oh, that’s sad how the virus has affected all our plans but I hope you can go there in future.
Despite being really ill during my time in Vang Vieng I still loved the unique landscape, especially the karsts!
Oh, that’s sad but yes the scenery surely makes a place in your heart.
Vang Vieng looks truly beautiful. All your photos make me wanna go there so badly 😍
You will love it Alina. It’s a stunning place.
I never made it to Laos and am not regretting it. So much wanderlust right now!
Hehe.. definitely feel you there. I want to go everywhere too.
I am so impressed by the views and the rice terraces! Looks like a very cool place to visit!
It surely is very impressive.
Your pictures are AMAZING – You really captured the natural beauty of Vang Vieng!! It was my favorite town in Laos – and now I want to go back!
Thank you so much. I am glad to hear that and It’s my favourite in Laos too.
I loved this guide, although it made me miss Vang Vieng and want to go back! I particularly love the photo of the orange bridge 😉 Hehe.
Hehe, I love that orange bridge picture too Sophie 🙂 I feel like going back as well so take me whenever you go.
The view from Nam Xay viewpoint is mindblowing! I really want to visit Laos 😀
Yes, It totally is and in fact, it is my favourite hike for views till date.
Gorgeous photos! I visited the region 15 years ago but missed Laos – clearly I’m going to have to go back! Not sure I can manage to look as elegant as you though!
love the honesty, and those pics were worth the effort! Laos is on the bucket list for sure!
I had to bump Cambodia off of my favourite countries list to make space for Laos. I was there for exactly 30 days (until my visa expired). Loved it so much! Will certainly return, especially to VV. Thank you for these awesome memories! 🙂
I want to visit to rice fields so baldly! it’s so far from Canada though, hard to tell whether or not I will have the courage to face the flight!
This is such an informative guide! Laos is definitely on my travel list and I’ve always wondered what the name of that viewpoint is! Thank you for sharing!
Someone was just telling me today that I needed to get to Van Vieng! Your post just confirmed that I totally want to do this trip in 2021! Your photos are magical and this is such a helpful guide! 🙂
The hotel you stayed in is gorgeous! I love SE Asia, but I would love to go to Laos! Great tips!
Vang Vieng does look like a beautiful place to visit with a lot to do. It’s good to know that the city has cleaned up in recent years and is more known for its beauty than for being a party town. I bet it would be beautiful to take a hot air balloon ride there!
Wow, the viewpoint hike looks incredible! I would love to do that once and see this incredible view with my own eyes!
Nam Xay viewpoint is my favourite hike to date. You will love it for sure.
Your photos of this place are soooo stunning!! I had no idea Laos was this beautiful!! It reminds me a little of Ninh Bin in Vietnam!
Thank you Charlotte. Means a lot coming from you. Well, I can’t say about the whole Laos but Vang Vieng is really beautiful. Vietnam is still on my list.
I have wanted to go here for so long! Still hoping I’ll be able to go sometime this year. It looks like such a cool place to visit, especially those hikes! As always, your photos are stunning! 😁
Thank you so much Jen. This year definitely looks doubtful but I am sure you can go next year. You will be amazed by the beauty.
I’ve wanted to go here for a while! The hiking looks amazing there. Love your photos, especially the sunset one! 🙂
Thank you, Lora. I hope you can go soon.It’s really a beautiful place.
It is a beautiful areA and you photos are amazing. I’m slight gutted that the tubbing has gone we had such fun there in 2006. But I can totally see how it was getting out of hand.
(Ps my daughter names are savannah and aurora.)
Your photos are amazing! Thanks for sharing this super helpful and detailed guide!
This was so informative, thanks for all the info. Laos sounds amazing and it’s def been added to my bucketlist !
Laos is so much more incredible than I thought! And your photos are seriously amazing 🙂
Wow, this blog is a treasure trove for Vang Vieng adventurers! From floating in a tube through hidden caves to catching epic views from a hot air balloon, it’s like you’ve packed all the best adventures into one go-to guide. Plus, those extra tips on rice fields and scenic bridges… beautiful