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City in Vientiane Province, Laos
Photo: AJ Oswald, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Vang Vieng (ວັງວຽງ), sometimes spelled Vang Viang, is a riverside town in Central Laos. It is the adventure capital of Laos, with a river flowing through the spectacularly wild karst formations, laid-back countryside and many caves. Many outdoor tours are available.
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Across the river a 1.5-km path marked by white flags cuts through the fields towards the limestone mountains. The smallest hill has very rickety ladders, and somewhat dangerous, to aid in climbing to the top. Halfway up the mountain is a cave. Another 1 km along the path past the mountain goes through a small forest and arrives at a cave. A few sleepy Laotians guard the cave's entrance and will only charge 10,000 kip. However, on exit, they'll ask for 50,000 kip for the guide and 50,000 kip per lamp. A couple of men carving reeds with machetes are nearby so negotiation may be difficult.
A spring-fed lagoon at the bottom of "Golden Cave". Nice place to relax, swim and play on the rope swing. The waters are inhabited by a few hundred carp that will eat locally sold fish food out of your hand. The cave above requires a modest 100m hike up a makeshift bamboo ladder. Once inside, there is a short walk to the Sleeping Golden Buddha and glimmering stalactites about 300 m further inside. 10,000 kip entry and 10,000 kip to rent a head-torch, recommended if you go deeper into the "real" cave, past the Buddha. Guides for the cave are advertised at 50,000 kip. A number of imposters claim to be the Blue Lagoon — keep to the main road and you should be OK.
A couple of small shops on scenic hill, selling drinks and simple meals en route to Blue Lagoon and several caves. There is a mechanic shop where you can get air put in your tyres and basic repairs done. Also, this is the starting point for hiking up to Pha Ngeun Peak.
An extremely steep half-hour hike that offers a fantastic 360° view over the surrounding valley and karst mountains. The trail is in excellent condition, with steps, banisters, fences and cables on the more dangerous parts. Bring adequate footwear. Try to be at the entrance at around 16:00-16:30, so you reach the summit on time for the breathtaking sunset.
Decent cave but not worth the 15,000 kip entrance fee plus 2,000 kip per person/3,000 kip per motorbike bridge crossing fee. The cave is well lit and has stairs running throughout that makes it an easy self-guided tour. One part has a really nice view of the farms surrounding the city. If you've been to other caves it's really not worth the money as it's similar but more expensive.
Very nice cave and superior to the one at Blue Lagoon. You might feel the entrance a bit tight at first time but when you get past that most parts are easy to walk. There is mud and water so be prepared if you wish to explore all the cave. Price includes head lamp.
This covers the same part of the river as tubing (and a more untouched part further upriver). Kayaking includes lunch and different caves. Some of the caves takes more than an hour to walk through, with bats and other creatures.
Equal Education For All (EEFA) runs afterschool English classes for local children in Northern and Western villages of Vang Vieng. They are always looking for volunteers who can ideally stay for a month at least, but if you've only got a couple of days they may still want your help. Anyone is welcome to observe the classes, participate and contribute in any way you can. Look for Alex at Vang Vieng Organic Farm or message Equal Education For All on Facebook or @saelaovolunteer on Instagram.
There's an organic farm that offers volunteering opportunities. It is noise-free until about 11:00 and again when the last revelers go back to town at about 18:00 as its location beside the river is also used as the starting point for tubing and the first tubing bars are nearby. If going tubing this is an option for a healthy lunch prior to commencing your tubing adventure. The organic farm has dormitory (30,000 kip), budget and more luxurious rooms for rent. They teach the village children, build mud brick buildings, learn/teach farming, eat organic food and go to sleep at 22:00. The farm has also a kitchen and sells organic food.
Playing on the very high swings over the river and sliding on a slide. Be careful. Perforated eardrums, broken ribs and permanent hearing damage are common injuries resulting from going the wrong way. Also foot injuries from hitting rocks, and sometimes death when going head first or falling off platforms when drunk. The local hospital is not equipped to diagnose or treat these serious injuries. Vientiane has the closest (if Spartan) EMT facility but no English-speaking specialists, so you may have to travel to Udon Thani (Thailand) for treatment. All the rope swings and slides have now been removed for safely reasons.
Look at the magnificent view of the mountains rising directly beside the river. Tubes have to be back by 18:00 or you lose 20,000 kip from your deposit. In winter it gets a bit cold from 16:00, so start early. The Organic Farm is a nice place for lunch before commencing tubing). Beware of tubes getting stolen while stopping at bars, you may lose your deposit and the ride downriver. Tubes get stacked up at each bar so keep an eye on how many are left, especially at the first few bars where lots of people arrive without their own tube. Consider avoiding alcohol completely if entering the water. Otherwise, stick to Beerlao. Due to the risk of methanol poisoning, do not drink liquor. As of 2016, only 2 bars remain open, and both are fairly close to the beginning of the tubing. Consequently, many people stop at the last bar and drink until night-time, then take a tuk-tuk back into town. During rainy season there is more water in the river and eye infections are common. You can hire dry bags (hire for 15,000 kip or buy own nearby for 50,000 kip), but their quality is questionable. If in doubt, don't bring your phone or camera as they will get ruined by a faulty dry bag.
You can visit this organic garden and restaurant just before or after your visit to the Blue Lagoon. They also undertake eco-projects to try to protect the natural environment in the Vang Vieng region, and you can volunteer.
The main attraction is to go tubing into the cave. It is really huge, taking 15-30 minutes to get to the end, and then the same time to get back. There are two ropes inside the cave, be sure to follow both. Water is rather cold, but bearable. There is also a zipline at the cave entrance.
Lots of food options and cheap. Has a small drinks shop on right side when entering, where you can buy beer and soft drinks cheaply, such as big beerlao for 30k kip.
Pan's Place Restaurant
Western-style menu. All-day English breakfast, spaghetti Bolognese, beef goulash, cottage pie, fresh fruit shakes, snacks and drinks. Helpful, friendly staff with Lao/Thai management and English reception.
Korean and Lao (Sindaad) barbecue. Very popular.
Pizza for 50,000 kip.
Large menu with Western and Lao food for decent price. Great for breakfast. Serving can be a bit slow when busy. Great view. Now with a pizza oven by the entrance.
The Irish Bar
Pub food including homemade pies and burgers.
Nice bright air-con cafe with menu options such as cheese on toast with Heinz ketchup or HP sauce. Lovely bookshelf full of kids reading books.
Great food including an all weekend Sunday Roast kiwi style.
Popular backpacker party bar jointly managed by a Lao-Filipino couple. The bar is famous for its 'drink triple, see double, act single' singlets sported by backpackers across Southeast Asia which you can get for free for every purchase of two vodka drinks. It is the busiest nightspot in town with beer pong, dance floor and happy hour promos every night.
Popular backpacker party bar. Gets drunk and wild every night. Free beer pong, cheap drinks, very lively. Closes at midnight, as most bars in town.
Free pool, table football, dartboard and wifi. The beer is a bit more expensive than elsewhere around town (15,000 kip), but this is compensated by the great atmosphere and friendly service. Bartenders Macky and Jaydee have a couple of funny serving tricks. Lao-Lao shots are usually served for free with each purchase, and even without them. Closes at midnight.
The only Irish pub in Vang Vieng. Regular live music, 2 free pool tables and 3 TVs showing live sport. Cold beers and homemade pies. They play music extremely loudly at night; bring earplugs.
In the centre of Vang Vieng and a 2-min walk away from the tubing starting point. It has clean, cheap and safe rooms (doubles, twins, triples & dorms) with safety lockers. Good food available, friendly English speaking staff and big chill out area with table football, dartboard, drinking-related activities, water pipes (shisha, hookahs, nargila) and regular screening of TV shows & live sports. Free Wi-Fi. Note: this venue was implicated in the deaths of 5 guests and the hospitalisation of many others from methanol poisoning in November 2024 when it was known as Nana Backpackers.
Cheap huts on the island downstairs with river view. Friendly local family and traditional-style rooms. Mountain view from the wooden porch with hammock upstairs priced at between 40,000-70,000 kip. Breakfast included, tasty food and free Wi-Fi. Bring insect repellent.
Free Wi-Fi, towel and soap.
High-rise hotel with rooftop bar. All the rooms have a view of the river, with a restaurant right on the river. Good selection of food and beer. Free Wi-Fi.
On the quiet end of Vang Vieng village, but still within walking distance of the town centre with all the party activities. The surrounding views are stunning, the place is quiet and offers comfortable, large rooms, all with private bathroom, hot shower, and either king or queen size beds or twin singles all with innerspring mattresses. All the rooms have a veranda or a secured balcony with mountain views. Also a dormitory is available with free mosquito nets provided. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and throughout the guesthouse. Water, coffee, tea and bananas, pickup service are all inclusive.
Away from the party in a nice location with lovely rooms. Hot water doesn't get hot and some find the owners are difficult to deal with.
Looks gorgeous from the outside. No dorm booking available. The family running the hotel are very helpful. Booking kayaking and other adventures through the manager may be cheaper than some other hotels/agents.
Lao-born Malay's and Norwegian Arne's place. Great view over the mountains from the shaded garden. Free 24-hour Wi-Fi, towel, water refill, in-room safes. Book exchange.
Clean rooms in a quiet location, 300 km from the centre of town and 200 m from the river. Restaurant open from 07:00 till late, snacks and meals, internet cafe, with discount rates for guests. TV room with cable TV and DVDs, Communal balcony with views of the mountains and sunsets, Laundry service, free drinking water. All rooms have fans, comfortable beds and are mosquito-proofed.
Peaceful and serene, an employer of orphans, mountain views. Simple short-term rooms, long-term residences in adobe houses.
This is where the mini buses stop. Therefore this is likely to be the first place to stay you will see.
Biggest bank building in town. Therefore safe bet for ATM withdrawals, especially during bank opening hours. Also offer good rates for money exchange on 2nd floor.
By bus
Vang Vieng is on Hwy 13 between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. By bus (road and bus conditions permitting) about 6–8 hr from Luang Prabang, around 3–4 hr from Vientiane.
By car
Hwy 13 is a sealed, two-lane road that is slowly being resurfaced from south to north.
From Vientiane, buses will drop you off either at the old airstrip (from the Vietnam war, it's now just a giant gravel pad), and the tourist buses will drop you in front of a hotel on the main street in the town.
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Vientiane · International · VTE
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