Located halfway between political capital Vientiane and UNESCO World Heritage site Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng is a backpacker mecca. Famous for river tubing, this small, once sleepy town is home to a stretch of bars, restaurants and hangouts that rivals only Khao San Road.
If you’re searching for a quiet, peaceful destination on the way to or from Luang Prabang, you probably won’t find it here. However, if you’re searching for a fun destination for a few days of parties and adventure, Vang Vieng is mightily tough to beat.
While the open drug sales and reckless danger is no more (the local government shut down all of the riverside bars in 2012), Vang Vieng is still undoubtedly the adventure capital of Laos.
From rock climbing to ATV adventures, Vang Vieng is a rewarding destination for people that love the outdoors. Thanks to its rugged yet beautiful surroundings, this is the perfect town for sweat, adventure and exploration.
Our quick guide to Vang Vieng covers all of the town’s main areas of interest and things to do, as well as the best places to stay, eat and drink in Vang Vieng. We’ve also included the easiest ways to reach Vang Vieng from nearby destinations like Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
Main Areas of Interest in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng © 96006271@N05
- Vang Vieng is a very small town, even by the standards of Laos. Highway 13, which leads to Luang Prabang in one direction and Vientiane in the other, runs across the eastern side of the town, with the old airstrip separating most of Vang Vieng from the highway.
- Almost all of Vang Vieng’s shops and hotels are located between the airstip and Song River, with a select few businesses located across a shallow channel from the rest of the town on a small island known as Don Kang.
- Within the small section of development that is modern Vang Vieng, you’ll find hundreds of tiny guesthouses, hotels and restaurants. You’ll also find a massive selection of bars, ranging from backpacker favourites playing Friends on repeat to surprisingly upmarket hangouts.
- The tourist bus station, which is we’re you’ll likely arrive in Vang Vieng if you’re travelling from Vientiane or Luang Prabang, is located on the eastern side of Highway 13, a short walk away from the town itself.
- All in all, Vang Vieng isn’t particularly rich in things to see. Instead, it’s all about things you can do, from exploring the beautiful countryside on a mountain bike or ATV to exploring the river by kayak or going caving in the incredible limestone mountains that surround the town.
Things to Do in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia for adventurers and lovers of the outdoors. From hiking to mountain biking, you’ll find a huge range of exciting and adventurous things to do, almost all of which are very reasonably priced.
- Tubing
Just a few years ago, “tubing” in Vang Vieng meant endless drinking and reckless stunts, such as the infamous “death swing” and ziplines that ran over the river. Today, local authorities have cleaned up Vang Vieng’s infamous tubing, making it much safer than it once was.
While there’s still the rampant drinking, most of the riverside bars have shut their doors and the dangerous swings and other equipment sit unused. Despite the new rules, tubing in Vang Vieng is still a fun adventure and a great way to get a feel for the beautiful surroundings.
Most tubing adventures in Vang Vieng will visit at least one local cave, the most popular of which is Tham Nam Water Cave.
Check out River Tubing and Tham Nam Water Cave. - Tham Phu Kham Cave and Blue Lagoon
Tham Phu Kham Cave and Blue Lagoon is a popular hangout in Vang Vieng. The lagoon itself is small and filled with rich blue water, but the real attraction here is the fun atmosphere with other travellers from around Southeast Asia and the world. - Kayaking
Kayaking on the Song River is one of the best ways to see the incredible scenery that surrounds Vang Vieng. Businesses like VLT Natural Tours and Kanhya Tours offer kayaking trips along the river with helpful guides, modern equipment and free transportation to and from your hotel. - Mountain Biking
Vang Vieng’s rugged surroundings are perfect for mountain biking, with a variety of trails in the area surrounding the town. Discovery Asia Tours offers guided bike tours around the area, while a variety of shops in Vang Vieng offer bikes for rent for travellers looking to explore on their own. - ATV Adventures
If you prefer motorised transportation (and significantly higher speeds), an ATV is a great way to explore the natural area around Vang Vieng. VLT Natural Tours offers guided ATV tours around Vang Vieng suitable for first-timers and experienced riders alike. - Rock Climbing
Vang Vieng is one of Southeast Asia’s best places to climb, with several limestone cliffs, caves and rock formations. Local climbing companies like Adam’s Rock Climbing School and Central Climbers offer trips to most of Vang Vieng’s climbing areas and training for beginners. - Hot Air Ballooning
Want to see Vang Vieng like no one else? Balloons Over Vang Vieng operates hot air balloon tours of Vang Vieng that give you an unbeatable bird’s eye view of the area’s limestone cliffs, rugged mountains and incredible scenery.
Best Luxury Hotels in Vang Vieng
Riverside Boutique Resort
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Vang Vieng’s only luxury hotel, Riverside Boutique Resort has a great selection of suites aimed at travellers seeking something a little nicer than the town’s guesthouses. The outdoor pool has an outstanding view of the limestone mountains that surround Vang Vieng.
Best Mid Range Hotels in Vang Vieng
- Green View Resort
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Green View Resort is a comfortable mid-range resort located close to the Song River. King and double bungalows are available, offering comfortable beds, air conditioning and great views of the nearby river. - Vieng Tara Villa
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Located in the middle of live rice paddies, Vieng Tara Villa is a beautiful three-star resort with an incredible natural setting. The bungalows here are somewhat spartan but have comfortable and clean furniture, with the quiet and peaceful location the real star of the show. - Vang Vieng Central Park Hotel
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Located right in the centre of Vang Vieng, Vang Vieng Central Park Hotel is a convenient, clean and modern three-star hotel. Rooms are nicely decorated and have plenty of natural light, while the excellent location means you’re never more than five minutes from bars and restaurants.
Best Budget Hotels in Vang Vieng
- Maylay Guesthouse
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Maylay Guesthouse is an affordable two star hotel located right in the centre of Vang Vieng, a short walk from the Song River. Spacious rooms and large windows make this a comfortable, welcoming place to stay, even if the decorating is somewhat on the simplistic side. - Phoom Chai Guesthouse
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With rooms available for as little as $15 per night, Phoom Chai Guesthouse is one of the best budget accommodation options in Vang Vieng. Rooms here are clean and comfortable, albeit not always air conditioned — make sure you don’t accidentally book a fan room in hot season. - Champa Lao The Villa
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Another inexpensive guesthouse near the Nam Song River, Champa Lao The Villa offers a mix of double and twin rooms, as well as a five-person garden villa and six-bedroom house. Rooms here are clean and well maintained, offering great value for money for budget travellers.
Places to Eat and Drink in Vang Vieng
Laab. Beer Lao. Sticky Rice. Typical Lao dinner © 96006271@N05
- IL Tavolo Pizza Italian Restaurant and Delivery
There are several Italian restaurants in Vang Vieng, with IL Tavolo the standout of the lot. This small pizzeria serves a great selection of authentic Italian pizzas, as well as favourites ranging from pasta to classic Italian desserts and limoncello. - Viman Vang Vieng
If you feel like a break from Lao food, Viman Vang Vieng is a great option. This German eatery serves all of the usual favourites, from schnitzel and currywurst to potato salad, kaiserschmarrn and more. - Tifalcony Restaurant
One of Vang Vieng’s most popular bars, Tifalcony is a great place to hang out with friends and meet fellow travellers. Drinks range from local beers (including the famous Beer Lao) to a large selection of cocktails and a reasonable imported beer menu. - Pizza Luka
Another pizzeria, Pizza Luka serves an extensive menu of homemade, wood fired pizzas with a variety of other Italian favourites. If you like thin, crispy pizza like you’d get in Italy, Pizza Luka is a very satisfying alternative to the local Lao food you’ll find in other restaurants. - Amigo’s Vang Vieng
Amigo’s serves tasty, surprisingly authentic Mexican food at very reasonable prices. This small restaurant is almost always crowded with travellers seeing a break from Lao food. One of a few international restaurants in Vang Vieng that offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes. - Offbeat Coffee
Laos is a great place for coffee lovers, but most people tire of the ultra-sweet, condensed milk coffee that’s found in most local cafés. If you’re seeking fresh espresso, Offbeat Coffee has the best brews you’ll find in Vang Vieng.
How to Get to Vang Vieng
Scooters Go On The Roof © 27228302@N04
Although there is an airstrip in Vang Vieng, it’s in a state of disrepair and is no longer used by any airlines or charter operators. The only way in and out of Vang Vieng is by road, with most travellers arriving by bus or private car/motorcycle.
By Bus
- Vang Vieng is located between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, meaning there are two ways to get into the town. Buses from both cities arrive at the Vang Vieng bus station, which is located two kilometres north of the town itself on Route 13.
- From the bus station, you can get to anywhere in Vang Vieng by tuk-tuk for 10,000 to 15,000 kip per person.
- From Vientiane, it takes three to five hours to reach Vang Vieng by bus. Bus tickets are sold in almost all hotels and guesthouses in Vientiane. Local buses are the slowest option, taking just under five hours to get to Vang Vieng at a cost of 40,000 kip per person.
- Express buses, which are a more comfortable option (they’re air conditioned, unlike the local buses), take four hours to get to Vang Vieng and cost 60,000 kip per person.
- The fastest way to get to Vang Vieng from Vientiane, aside from renting a motorbike and driving there yourself, is by minibus. Minibus tickets are priced from 60,000 to 100,000 kip and usually get you to Vang Vieng in about three hours, depending on traffic.
- From Luang Prabang, you can buy bus and minibus tickets from the Southern Bus Terminal. It takes six to nine hours to get to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang, depending on the traffic and weather.
As always, minibuses are the fastest and most expensive option. However, if you’re susceptible to motion sickness, it’s usually worth travelling on the slower express bus, as the slower speeds make the winding road through the mountains much easier to tolerate.
By Motorbike
- Vang Vieng is easy to travel to by motorbike, although traffic is Laos is definitely not ideal for beginner motorcyclists. From Vientiane, travel along Route 13 and you’ll eventually arrive in Vang Vieng after two to four hours. This road continues all the way to Luang Prabang.
