Floating Above Laos - A Hot Air Balloon Ride in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is known as one of the cheapest places in the world to take a ride on a hot air balloon, but is it still worth it on a backpackers budget? Read all about our flight above the limestone karsts and blue lagoons of Vang Vieng Laos. Our complete guide has all of the practical information on operators, prices, booking and what to wear as well as answering common questions and worries about ballooning: Sunrise or sunset flights? Is it Scary?
The Laotian backpacker town of Vang Vieng is famous for being one of the cheapest places in the world to take a hot air balloon flight. Wherever you are in town, in the morning or at sunset, you can see the stately balloons drift overhead. The scenery around Vang Vieng is stunning, with craggy jagged mountains, turquoise blue lagoons and chequerboards of paddy fields. It is the perfect place to take a hot air balloon ride.
We had tried to go ballooning in Vang Vieng on our first trip to Laos in 2018 but failed due to the weather. Now on our 3rd time in the country we were determined to float above the countryside of Laos. This is our guide to the hot air balloons of Vang Vieng, our experience of the flight, practical information and how to book your own hot air balloon ride.
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Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. We will earn a small commission from any purchases made through these links. We have not received any discount, gift or financial incentive from "Above Laos Ballooning" to write this article. We had such a great time on our flight we decided to share our experiences as they would be a useful guide for others looking at taking a hot air balloon in Vang Vieng.
Hot Air Balloons in Vang Vieng, What to Expect - Our Sunset Flight with Above Laos Ballooning
Our evening in the skies started on the ground at our hostel (the lovely Lily Backpackers) where we were picked up by minivan and driven down Vang Vieng's dusty, bumpy roads to the "Above Laos" HQ. We were dressed to impress as not only were we treating ourselves to a hot air balloon ride but we would be indulging in our favourite Vang Vieng pizzeria - Pizza Luka, after our flight. We were hoping to celebrate finally getting to ride in a hot air balloon!
We had tried to go ballooning in 2018 with no success and, earlier that week, our flight had been called off due to bad weather. We were hoping that today we could finally get off the ground. The champagne stacked behind the counter at the ballooning HQ was an encouraging sign.
The weather was beautiful, the skies were still and clear - the flight was going to go ahead! We were given a reassuring briefing, told how to brace in case of awkward landings and split into our respective ballooning parties. Then it was back in the vans and off to the launch site.
On a dry paddy field three balloons were laid out. We don't think we had quite realised how big a deflated hot air balloon was. Wicker and leather baskets the size of small cars sat next to metres and metres of carefully laid out material. It looked like some giant washed up deep sea creature, a deflated monster. As we watched, the baskets were tipped on their sides and huge fans wheeled in to start pumping air into the balloons.
As the balloons, well ... ballooned, the team of pilots fixed them to the baskets and tethered them in place. Then they fired up the burners. We did not expect the flamethrowing burners to be so loud but they roared like indignant dragons, fire streaming into the open mouths of the sideways balloons. Slowly, as they filled with the hot air from the fires, the balloons began to rise. As the balloons filled up they rose from the ground and dragged the tethered baskets upright. It was time to board our flight.
Small steps had been woven into the sides of the enormous baskets and we clambered into the balloon, each couple had a small "pod" or section within the basket. We were right next to the driver, and right under the burner! John, wearing long trousers for the first time in months, was already sweating under the heat of the flamethrowers.
Around us the other balloons were already rising into the clear blue afternoon sky. Our pilot was expert in their control of the fire, keeping the balloon filled and upright, but still on the ground until it was our turn to launch.
It was such a strange feeling taking off in a hot air balloon. It was like being in a stately elevator, the basket rose with no jolt or wobbles, it was perfectly still but the ground fell smoothly away from us. It almost didn't feel like we were moving at all, the hot air made us lighter and lighter until it just tipped the balance and we were lighter than air.
The smoothness of our take-off had definitely reassured some of the more nervous flyers. The girl next to us had been a ball of anxiety about flying. Her bravery was being highly rewarded though, as beneath us Vang Vieng fell away and the landscape of Laos unrolled around us.
The town of Vang Vieng is not exactly beautiful, it contains beautiful temples and a beautiful river, but the town is a jumble of buildings and concrete, hotels and bars. A mess of development and little planning. The area around Vang Vieng however is stunning. Crystalline blue lagoons, winding rivers and impossibly creased and craggy mountains. If all you know of Vang Vieng is parties and tubing you are really missing out. The landscape and countryside around the town are amazing.
From our vantage point, around 3000 feet above, this beauty was everywhere; paddy fields gold from the recent harvest carpeted the valley floors beneath the spiralling jagged limestone karsts that punctured the region like black and grey teeth.
After our initial ascent our pilot (driver, balloonist?) demonstrated his skill by hovering over a lake, then descending just enough to brush the basket on the waters surface before rising away up and over the surrounding mountains. They clearly knew what they were doing!
The ‘Above Laos’ pilots were very skilled in flying their balloons!
We drifted over mountains and fields, over lakes, lagoons and farmhouses. Our balloon passed over the viewpoints we had climbed up on the rocky karsts. It was a serene and beautiful ride. The calm zen only being broken by the roar of the burners as our driver adjusted our altitude.
Our driver was in constant communication with the other balloons, they knew where he was and he knew where they were floating to. There were apps and instruments showing altitude, wind and our projected direction / destination. Ballooning is an old method of flight, its first success being with the Montgolfier brothers in 1783, and the basics have all stayed the same. In the skies above Laos we were glad of the modern touches but loved the simplicity of the balloon - add heat until you are lighter than air and simply float off.
At one point we were soaring high, the highest we rose to on the whole flight, when we looked over the baskets edge and saw, far below, the other two balloons. Beneath them the whole of the Vang Vieng countryside was spread out like a map. It was a fantastic perspective, one impossible to replicate without a balloon.
Who needs a drone when you can take photos from a hot air balloon!
We had set off in the late afternoon and the setting sun was turning the whole landscape gold, from this high up we could see the curvature of the world and the mountains of Laos looked positively small. It was simply beautiful.
As the sun began to sink below the mountains, we too began to descend. Slow and gently our balloon drifted down. Our landing site was to be a large flat field next to a road. On the ground already, our minivan waited alongside a flatbed truck for the balloon and basket.
Our basket was caught and tethered by waiting members of Above Laos. It was expertly guided until it came to hover over the flat bed of the truck. One by one everyone got out of the balloon as the hot air escaped and the canvas deflated. Soon it was only John left aboard.
They used him as ballast, we cant think why...
After touchdown we were ferried back to the HQ and celebrated our amazing flight with champagne, fruit and a little certificate to take home.
Ballooning had been incredible, lighter than air flight is a thing all its own and has to be experienced to be understood. It was like floating or levitating rather than flying and had been the perfect vantage point to appreciate the incredible landscapes of Vang Vieng.
Hot Air Balloons in Vang Vieng - The Practical Guide
Choosing a Company For Your Hot Air Balloon Ride - Prices, Companies and How to Book
There are many different operators offering balloon rides throughout Vang Vieng. We would urge you to do your research and not just book based on price. We are two thrifty long term budget backpackers, but if we are going to treat ourselves to something as pricey as a hot air balloon ride, we are going to do it right!
You can book a flight on a hot air balloon through any of the travel agents in town (they are on every corner, you cannot miss them), or directly with the operators online. We chose, for the many reasons below, Above Laos Ballooning you can book them online here.
All of the operators fly different "routes", this is something worth considering and checking. We had spent many sunsets in Vang Vieng at the Pull Mind Cafe watching as the hot air balloons floated over. We noticed that several of the operators seemed to simply take off from one side of Vang Vieng town and land on the other. This seemed like a bit of a waste as of all the beautiful things and scenery Vang Vieng has to offer, the town is not really the most picturesque. However in the distance we could see other balloons floating over the gorgeous countryside - it was going to be one of them for our trip.
We checked around and settled on Above Laos Ballooning for our hot air balloon ride, they are one of the more expensive (only by around $10) operators but they flew the route we wanted and had impressive reviews and records. I'm sure you have seen the Tik Tok's of the hot air balloons accidentally landing in the river - this was not with Above Laos!
Our Vang Vieng hot air balloon flight with Above Laos Ballooning cost $145.00 per person.
If you read our experience on the hot air balloon above we think you will agree that we made the right choice. Obviously we only went ballooning once and cannot compare operators fairly, but Above Laos were exceptional in everything we experienced. From the prep and the flight itself, to the pickup and champagne after landing it was a fantastic trip.
Above Laos Ballooning and we presume the other operators as well, offer private balloons for groups and even a smaller balloon for a romantic private flight. Above Laos even offered a proposal package....
If Above Laos Ballooning are sold out or you fancy combining your ballooning with other activities, check out Get Your Guide for some other options.
Should I Take a Sunrise or Sunset Flights
This is totally up to you, we went for sunset as we are lazy and didn't want to have to get up early in the morning. Also we love sunsets and Vang Vieng, its horizon of jagged mountains, gives fantastic sunsets. That being said the sunrise flights will be more "reliable", the weather in the mornings (at least when we visited at the end of the dry season in November), is clearer and less prone to rain than the afternoon / evenings. The choice is yours!
Is Hot Air Ballooning Scary?
We have to preface this with the fact that neither one of us has a fear of heights, if you have vertigo your experience may be very different to ours.
We found the Vang Vieng hot air balloons to be completely non-scary! It was like being in an elevator when it rose and fell. The basket was level, stable and never wobbled. There was no real feeling of rising or falling, hot air balloons really are not like any other type of flight we have tried!
The safety rail was high enough to make us feel completely secure and the pilots were fully and confidently in control of the balloon. We did have perfect weather and a perfect landing - you may have a slightly less stately landing if there are stronger winds. However, if you go with a good company they will not set off in any adverse conditions and will fully brief you so you know what to do if the landing is going to be bumpy!
More fire!
How Long is the Hot Air Balloon Flight?
Our flight lasted a little over 45 minutes. Flights can be a little shorter or longer depending on the weather, time of day and the season. Our pilot told us anything between 30 mins and 1.5 hours is possible.
How Many People Are in the Hot Air Balloon
With Above Laos we shared the balloon with 6 other travellers plus the pilot - 9 people in total. The balloon basket was divided into two person sections and we had enough room to turn around and didn't feel cramped.
As we mentioned, for those with deep pockets (well outside a backpacking budget), you could hire a private balloon for your group. Or (again at quite a bit of an expense) you could hire a couples balloon…with a driver (the ultimate 3rd wheel).
Cancellations - What Happens if it Rains?
A hot air balloon is very weather dependant. We had our first attempt at ballooning in 2018 scuppered by rain. Then again on this trip, our first flight was cancelled. If there is a chance of bad weather they will call off the balloon flight. If you think about it, this is just as well. Our balloon operator told us: “We would rather you be unhappy on the ground than in the sky”
If weather cancels the flight then they will attempt to reschedule you with another departure date. If you cannot make the new date they will refund you. Obviously if you cancel or don’t show up to a flight this wont apply!
We cannot speak for all companies but this was the policy with the operator from 2018 and with Above Laos Ballooning.
What to Wear When Ballooning - What to Bring With You on Your Flight
On our flight it got very warm in the balloon, particularly if you are under the burners. So maybe don't be like John and wear your only pair of posh jeans and a long sleeve shirt! According to our pilot it is always warm in the balloon because of the burner so even if you are going for a sunrise flight don't dress for the arctic. If you are very sensitive to heat consider a hat to protect yourself from the flying flamethrower!
Most of the companies will ask you to wear closed toe shoes, this is because you will likely be setting off and landing in farmers fields and they don't want you stumbling around in your flip-flops.
As with anywhere in Laos, make sure you sun-cream up as you don't want sunburn to be your souvenir from the flight.
As for what else to bring - cameras, Go-pros and/or your phone to record your flight! How will hundreds of online strangers know about your YOLO ballooning experience otherwise? Seriously it is incredibly beautiful in the skies above Vang Vieng, you will want a memento. Most operators will be able to loan you a Go-Pro at a cost if asked in advance.
Hot Air Balloons in Vang Vieng - Is it worth it?
The hot air balloon ride in Vang Vieng was one of the most expensive things we have done on our whole backpacking adventure - and we would do it again in a heartbeat! It was fun, beautiful and unlike anything we have done before. Ballooning is a completely different experience than climbing a mountain or looking out from a sky-scraper viewpoint, it is literally flying! The stunning, mountainous countryside of Vang Vieng spilled out below us from a viewpoint so high that no ladder, path or stairway could ever reach us, it made for a unique and amazing afternoon. How else could you stand, no seat-belt or harness, in the fresh air, 3000 feet above the ground- all in perfect safety?
Yes hot air balloons rides are expensive, but ballooning in Vang Vieng is one of the cheapest available anywhere in the world. Sometimes you have to pay for the good things in life and Vang Vieng allowed us a fantastic experience soaring through the skies of Laos in a hot air balloon.
If you are in Vang Vieng and have enough wiggle room in your budget, hot air ballooning truly is a ‘bucket list’ experience!
Thanks for reading,
John and Ellie x
#adventuresofjellie
Make sure you check out our guide to Vang Vieng town and what else there is to do.
Paramotoring / Paragliding
If this has whetted your appetite for flight, Vang Vieng offers a whole host of other airborne options. You could zoom about on zip lines or even fly in a paramotor. Let us know in the comments if you do either of these, we would love for some recommendations for next time we are in Vang Vieng!
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Vang Vieng - The Best Places to Eat and Drink
Vang Vieng is an essential stop on any Laotian itinerary, but what should you eat after a day out tubing? Where can you find the best coffee? Where is a good spot for a sunset beer? Read our guide for all our recommendations on the best places to eat and drink in the backpacker capital of Laos.
With everything from traditional Laotian barbecues to sushi and sandwiches, Vang Vieng has a plate to offer no matter what food you are craving. From comfort foods for backpackers missing home, to delicious Laotian cuisine, there is something for everyone to eat in Vang Vieng.
Sitting between the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang and the Laotian capital of Vientiane, Vang Vieng is an essential stop on any trip to Laos. Famous for its stunning scenery, tubing and adventure activities you’re sure to work up an appetite in this backpacking town. We have spent over a fortnight eating our way around the town and this is our guide to the best places to eat, drink and grab a coffee in Vang Vieng.
In our guide to the best food and drink of Vang Vieng:
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. We will earn a small commission from any purchases made through these links.
If you haven’t read our guide on what to do and where to stay in Vang Vieng, make sure you check it out here:
The Best Places To Eat In Vang Vieng
During our stay in Vang Vieng our tastes varied wildly. One day we would be in the mood for sticky rice and Laotian barbecues the next, we’d be craving a cheesy pizza. Luckily for us, Vang Vieng has something to offer every palate.
Laos Cuisine and Asian Restaurants
Banking BBQ Restaurant
(location)
Our favourite restaurant in Vang Vieng!
You’ll know you have arrived when you see the street-side BBQ roaring and flaming away and the smell of roasting meat filling the air. We ate at Banking BBQ Restaurant several times and highly recommend their special Vang Vieng Grilled Duck as well as their delicious pork belly. Their side dishes are also great; make sure you check out the stir-fried Chinese cabbage and eggs.
We always went for pork belly or duck with sticky rice, a side plate and a serving of their amazing som tam salad.
The restaurant is very reasonably priced with cheap beers. The service is a little chaotic and very much Asian style - food comes whenever it's ready and not all at the same time!
Street-side Sticky Rice, BBQ Meat and Som Tam Street Food Stalls
(location)
During the day, you can find small street food stalls with charcoal grills serving up sticky rice, meat and som tam salad. Our favourite stall was located just off the edge of the airstrip. The lovely lady here served incredibly cheap, incredibly rich pork and a seriously spicy papaya salad!
A lunch for 2 people - sticky rice and BBQ meat cost us 50,000 kip - a great backpacker bargain!
There are a couple of seats outside her stall or she can box it up for takeaway. If you’re planning a viewpoint hike this would be a great portable lunch choice.
Chaixi Noodles
(location)
This one came as a recommendation from some fellow travellers we met in Muang Ngoi and they were spot on! We love Chinese dumpling noodles and Chaixi Noodles was perfect.
Plump wontons swimming in a garlic studded, comforting and super addictive broth. Everyone knows crispy pork makes everything better and this soup is no exception! Make sure you grab some beansprouts, cabbage, lime and fresh chilli from the table near the kitchen to customise your bowl.
Again this is a very backpacker budget friendly restaurant, with crispy pork, wonton soup coming in at 45,000 kip a bowl.
The restaurant also serves some dim sum and other noodle dishes.
Ban Lao
(location)
Another great choice for those looking for yummy wontons, Ban Lao is located in the heart of Vang Vieng. You can easily spot this restaurant by the towers of steaming dim sum baskets outside. Serving red pork noodles, wontons, crispy pork and dim sum, Ban Lao is quick, hearty and very reasonably priced.
We ordered a selection of dim sum that were steamed to perfection and started at 10,000 kip per basket.
The wonton bowls were also very reasonable at 40,000 to 50,000 kip per bowl.
Street Food Restaurant
(location)
Sometimes you just need a simple plate of fried rice and the Street Food Restaurant (that’s its actual name) cooks up a fantastic one. Full of great wok smoked flavour, stuffed with vegetables and in our case, roast pork, its everything you want from a fried rice. Our dish came with a side serving of a delicate, pork soup - a great accompaniment to the rich fried rice.
Don’t miss out on their excellent chilli oil, John is (or thinks he is) a chilli oil connoisseur and this was his favourite of Vang Vieng’s offerings.
It is always good to have a reliably great fried rice spot and “Street Food” became ours.
Ladi Restaurant
(location)
Possibly Vang Vieng’s most popular restaurant with backpackers, Ladi Restaurant was open from early morning to late at night serving all the backpacker favourites. Pad krapow to pad thai, sandwiches to burgers, whatever you fancied was somewhere in the pages of their menu.
Normally the above would worry us - a ‘jack of all trades’ restaurant usually means a ‘master of none’ but happily this was definitely not the case at Ladi.
We came here multiple times and all the food we ate was great and well priced - very occasionally it does pay to follow the crowd.
ຮ້ານເຂົ້າ ອາເຮຍ - Pork Leg Rice
(location)
Thai comfort food at its finest, we’ve fallen in love with pork leg rice during a food tour in Chiang Mai and always seek it out wherever we go. We weren’t expecting pork leg in Vang Vieng but can confirm it's here and it's delicious.
A huge plate of steamed rice topped with meltingly soft pork leg in the famous sweet and tangy sauce - delicious!
This restaurant also serves all the standard SE Asian favourites including a very good pork and yellow noodle soup.
Vang Vieng Walking Street & Night Market
(location)
As night falls, all along Vang Vieng’s Walking Street stalls pop up selling everything from the ubiquitous elephant pants to local souvenirs and crafts. Wherever you get a market you’ll also find food.
Dotted throughout the night market are small stalls and sit down eateries offering hot pots, grilled meat and sticky rice as well as sweet treats, including the backpacker favourite of banana pancakes / roti.
If you’re up for trying a traditional Lao street food snack we would highly recommend the grilled sticky rice covered in yellow egg yolk. It’s nutty and, if you get the chilli glaze, deliciously spiced.
Home Comforts - Western Food in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng Sandwiches
(location) - found all over town but these were our favourite
We didn’t know which section to put these in but they are an absolute staple of the backpacker scene in Vang Vieng. Available from dozens of stalls on almost every street corner are Vang Vieng’s famous sandwiches. Made famous by social media these are not just a craze but a hearty and cheap way to fill your belly.
You can get a sandwich with pretty much any combination of fillings you may want. Chicken to bacon, egg to beef, vegetables to cheese, whatever you fancy, you can get. We always opted for a meat feast: a baguette would be cut in half, then toasted on a flat grill and stuffed with fried chicken, melted cheese, bacon, onion and an omelette. It was massive, tasty and very filling.
The stalls also serve more traditional burgers as well as pancakes. If you’ve had a late night, these are the perfect hangover cure! In fact most of the sandwich stalls will stay open into the early hours of the morning to soak up any remaining Beer Lao.
Just some of the famous “Vang Vieng” sandwich stalls!
Pizza Luka
(location)
This one is a treat, not in the everyday backpacking budget but definitely within the ‘treat yourself range’.
Full story - Pizza Luka (in its old location) was one of our favourite meals when we visited on the fateful 2018 holiday - the one that cemented our dream and convinced us to start planning our long-term travel (read all about that here). The pizza had lived in our memories ever since and we knew that even on our backpacking budget we had to go back.
Pizza Luka has upgraded itself to a posh new garden restaurant since the last time we visited, however the pizza is still the same - completely excellent! We ordered two thin crust pizzas, topped with premium local mozzarella and the best imported anchovies, olives and goats cheese. It was fantastic!
The two pizzas, extra olives and a couple of beers cost us a little over 600,000 kip - not an everyday expense but worth it as a treat. We celebrated our successful ballooning adventure with a meal at Pizza Luka’s and it was the perfect treat to end a fantastic day out.
Hom Coffee
(location)
This is one we should (but don’t) feel guilty about - sometimes you just need a Full English Breakfast. Hom Coffee serves an absolutely fantastic Full English. Heinz beans, proper bacon, hash browns, black pudding, the works - they even have proper tomato ketchup!
You just can’t beat a Full English Breakfast!
If you’re after some home comforts in Vang Vieng, you really can’t beat Hom Coffee. There are few things in this world quite as rejuvenating as a Full English Breakfast and it's very handy to have a good one in a town like Vang Vieng.
The cafe serves lots of different Western plates as well as very good coffee.
Golden Bamboo
(location)
If you’re in the mood for something “fresher” than a Full English then the falafel and hummus plate at Golden Bamboo is an essential try.
A huge portion of homemade falafel is served with fluffy pita bread, salad and dips, all surrounding a massive dollop of rich, oil-laced hummus. It’s a little more pricey than the street food options on this list, but well worth the expense. Go hungry, the portions are massive.
Golden Bamboo also serves buddha bowls, salads, noodles and a range of vegan options. If you’re feeling fancy it also has a selection of wines on the menu.
Green Restaurant
(location)
If you’re looking for a fantastic sunset spot for dinner, head to Green Restaurant and its huge veranda overlooking the mountains. Serving wood-fired pizza and all the Asian staples, it's a very popular restaurant. Make sure to get there early if you want the best seats!
7-Eleven
(location)
Okay we hate ourselves for this one but we can’t leave this off the list! Sometimes you just need a cheese toastie - we’re just weak okay!
Laos has very few 7-Eleven’s and Vang Vieng is home to one of them. If you’re really missing your sushi triangles, cheese and ham toasties and the chocolate lava cake, you can pick up any of the convenience store staples up here in the heart of Vang Vieng.
Just some of our 7-Eleven favourite snacks - aka “tell me your hungover without telling me your hungover!”
The Best Coffee Shops in Vang Vieng
Finding the perfect caffeine fix in the backpacker capital of Laos
Whatever your coffee needs are Vang Vieng can provide. From high end air-conditioned craft brews to unexpected roadside treats there is a caffeinated cup for every budget.
Pull Mind Cafe
(location)
In the early evening as the sun starts to set, Pull Mind Cafe becomes the unofficial common room for the backpackers of Vang Vieng. With front row seats overlooking the dramatic mountain peaks, and sitting directly underneath the flight path of most of the hot air balloons, Pull Mind Cafe is a fantastic sunset spot.
Serving coffee, smoothies, tea, Italian sodas and beer, the cafe also offers food including fried rice, papaya salad and summer rolls. Pull Mind Cafe became our go to for a couple of beers at sundown. It and the Green Restaurant really are unrivalled for Vang Vieng’s sunsets.
Like Green Restaurant above, if you want to get the best seats for sunset make sure you get to Pull Mind early.
Kiwi Coffee
(location)
On the road between Vang Vieng and the lagoons is this tiny little coffee shop. Don’t let its small size fool you, this place punches well above its weight in coffee and food.
We enjoyed some excellent iced Americano’s after a hot and sweaty climb up the nearby viewpoint (read all about that here).
The sandwiches also looked fantastic, let us know if they are as good as they look in the comments.
Naked Espresso
(location)
Probably the “poshest” coffee shop in Vang Vieng. Naked Espresso has the massive advantage of being gloriously air-conditioned.
If you want a really good, Western style coffee in a comfy, cool, chilled out environment, Naked Espresso has you covered.
A little bit more expensive than other options on this list, Naked Espresso is well worth the extra. Make sure you splash out and try a slice of their lime cake - you won’t be disappointed!
The Mini Cafe
(location)
Sitting on the opposite bank of the river to the main town of Vang Vieng you’ll pass by the Mini Cafe if you’re driving towards the blue lagoons and viewpoints. We stopped in here multiple times for a caffeine fix on our way out of town. Serving great iced coffees at reasonable prices, this stylish cafe appears to be an Instagram hotspot with the local youth. Behind the cafe is a winding wooden path leading out to a selfie spot amongst the rice paddies.
Honestly, we’re not sure why it’s called the Mini Cafe as it’s one of the biggest coffee shops in Vang Vieng!
The Bars of Vang Vieng - the Best Place for a Drink
Vang Vieng is known, for better or worse, for being a party town. This is true and false in equal measures - If you want a party you can 100% find one but if you just want a chilled out drink no one is going to drag you into a shots contest! There are parties but they do not take over the town and you are not “missing out” if you skip them.
We are (very very slightly) past the point of 3am beer pong and kings cup games - we like good music, vibes and a few cold beers in good company - Vang Vieng was great for this!
Bars and Pubs in Vang Vieng - Where to Get a Beer
Gary’s Irish Bar
(location)
Everywhere you go you’ll always find an Irish Bar. Gary’s was fantastic - our go to for a good night out. Beer aplenty, great music, free pool table and fantastic backpacker vibes, Gary’s is an easy recommendation.
We had quite a few late nights in Gary’s Irish Bar, it is always busy and welcoming. We would say it was our favourite bar in Vang Vieng just for its relaxed and fun vibes.
Also, if you’re feeling naughty, they serve really good home comfort food and snacks. A few beers down and we absolutely loved their cheesy chips and gravy!
Jaidee’s Bar
(location)
A Vang Vieng institution that manages to be both famous and infamous. Jaidee’s Bar is a riot of neon, drapes, stuffed animals and hippy chic. Always popular, the bar is open late into the night and is a hub of the Vang Vieng party scene.
Jaidee’s Bar in the evenings tows the line between chilled and party, with great music, free pool and plenty of spots to lounge around. If you’re in the mood for a party, it really kicks off later in the night.
The Big Easy
(location)
If you’re looking for a chilled beer and riverside views, then the cavernous Big Easy has you covered. A laid back bar with a pool table, cold beer and a relaxed atmosphere, the Big Easy is a great spot for an afternoon drink.
We’ve only just scratched the surface on what Vang Vieng has to offer. In our two weeks we ate and drank fantastically in this backpacker haven but we didn’t get to try nearly half of what Vang Vieng had in store. How was the sushi? What about the hot pot? If we have missed anywhere off this list that you would recommend, let us know in the comments!
Thanks for reading,
John & Ellie x
#adventuresofjellie
You’ll never go hungry in Vang Vieng - wherever you look there’s plenty of food!
All our Vang Vieng travel guides
If you’re planning a trip to Vang Vieng, check out all our guides to the town below:
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The Complete Guide To Vang Vieng, Laos
Vang Vieng is the backpacking capital of Laos. With budget friendly hostels, a lively bar scene and plenty of things to do, Vang Vieng is an essential stop on any Laos itinerary. Read our backpackers guide on what there is to do. From the famous ‘Tipsy Tubing’, swimming in the turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoons to climbing viewpoints or even taking a flight, our travel guide covers everything!
Sitting on the banks of the Nam Song River and surrounded by towering mountain peaks, Vang Vieng is the adventure capital and backpacking heart of Laos. For backpackers, Vang Vieng has everything you could want with lots of cheap hostels, plenty of things to do, cute cafes, street food and a lively bar scene.
Vang Vieng has a reputation for late night parties and the infamous ‘tipsy tubing’. The party scene and the river tubing helped put Vang Vieng on the map - sometime for all the wrong reasons. However, if you’re worried that Vang Vieng is just drunken backpackers, neon bars and late night raves, we’re happy to report it is emphatically not!
As you head into the countryside, leaving the towns dusty streets, mis-matched buildings and ramshackled shops behind, you’ll be greeted with some of the most incredible landscapes Laos has to offer. Paddy fields stretch out as far as the eye can see whilst all around huge, jungle-clad mountain peaks rise up out of the flat valley floor. The countryside is where Vang Vieng’s beauty lies - it is simply stunning! It is here, outside of the town, where you’ll find the jaw-dropping viewpoints, natural swimming pools and deep caves. If you’re a backpacker with a sense of adventure, Vang Vieng is an absolute essential stop on any Laos itinerary.
In this Vang Vieng Travel Guide
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By bus
By train
By air
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The town of Vang Vieng has always been a popular stop on the Southeast Asian ‘Banana Backpacking trail’ with thousands of backpackers braving Laos’ very bumpy roads each year to reach it. Nowadays, the journey to Vang Vieng has become even easier with the recent opening of the Laos / China high speed railway connecting the town with the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang in the north and the capital of Vientiane in the south.
For backpackers, Vang Vieng feels like some kind of vortex. A place where it’s too easy to get sucked into its laid back charm. It’s a town where you’ll plan to stop for just a few days, but when it comes to check out, time will have run away from you and you’ll realise you’ve stayed for nearly a fortnight - we’re speaking from experience here!
During the day, the town is super relaxed with backpackers chilling in the cafes and bars. Then as the sun goes down, the population of the town swells as people flock to riverside bars to watch the sunset over the mountains.
Vang Vieng is the type of town you really hope to find on your backpacking travels. One where you can do whatever you want, be whatever you want to be and there’s no pressure to do anything. If you fancy spending the whole day in a hammock you can, if you want to be energetic and explore the surrounding countryside, you can, or if you’d like to party until the sun comes up, you could do that as well.
For us, Vang Vieng felt a bit like a border town. One of those towns you’d expect to stumble upon in the Wild West where anything goes. There are so many places in this world that used to be on the ‘traditional backpacking trail’ that have now lost their identity. At the moment (we can’t say it will forever), Vang Vieng is still clinging on to its charm.
Just head out of Vang Vieng town and you’ll be greeted by some spectacular views!
If you’re a backpacker and looking for chilled out vibes, late night bars and adventurous activities, then Vang Vieng is a must. With cheap swimming holes, amazing viewpoints to climb and riverside activities, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. We have been lucky enough to visit the town twice now and have stayed for nearly a month in total. This is our guide on everything there is to do in Vang Vieng - Laos’ backpacker haven!
Before we go on with this article, it’s time for a little Adventures of Jellie backstory.
Vang Vieng will always have a special place in our hearts, for it was here, many years ago, that we decided to make our travel dreams a reality. Rolling back the clock to 2018, we were visiting the town during a 3 week holiday we had managed to grab off of work. Constrained to a tight itinerary, we only had a few days in the town and couldn’t do everything we wanted. Frustrated and annoyed, we knew we couldn’t keep travelling this way, we needed more time. Sipping on our ice cold Beer Laos and watching a fiery sunset, we knew we needed to travel the world. It was in a bars garden in Vang Vieng we hatched our long term travel plans.
After a few years of saving, planning and a worldwide pandemic thrown into the mix, the Adventures of Jellie was finally born. To find out all more about our backpacking backstory, click here.
Where is Vang Vieng?
Vang Vieng is located in northern Laos in the province of Vientiane. The main town of Vang Vieng spreads away from the eastern banks of the Nam Song River and is completely surrounded on all sides by towering, limestone peaks.
Vang Vieng sits around a 2 hours drive, or short train ride (130 km) north of the Laotian capital of Vientiane.
North of Vang Vieng is the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang, a 5 hour (183 km) drive (or again a short train ride) away.
The town can also be known as Vang Viang and is often written down as VV for short. Vang Vieng in Laotian is written as ວັງວຽງ.
The town of Vang Vieng has a big mix of everything from cheap hostel dorms to high-end luxury hotels, street food stalls & barbeques to air-conditioned restaurants, late night bars to chilled out cafes. Whatever type of backpacker you are, Vang Vieng can provide.
How to get to Vang Vieng?
The town is extremely well connected by both road and rail and you can easily reach Vang Vieng directly from Luang Prabang, Phonsavan, Vientiane or Thakhek. If you’re coming from Nong Khiaw, Pakse or Don Det then there are a few direct bus routes operating, but it will be easier to change in the larger transport hubs of Vientiane or Luang Prabang, jumping on either another bus or connecting to the high speed railway line.
For those heading to Vang Vieng from Thailand, you can get a direct train from Bangkok to Vientiane and then switch to the high speed rail or a bus - we did this ourselves passing through Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Read more about this later.
Getting to Vang Vieng by bus
The cheapest and most backpacker friendly way to reach Vang Vieng is by bus. Regular buses and minivans run daily from Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Phonsavan.
For those heading to Vang Vieng from Nong Khiaw, you will need to take a bus to Luang Prabang and then change to a bus or train to Vang Vieng there. To reach Vang Vieng from Pakse or the far south, you’ll need to catch a bus to Vientiane and then change buses / train there. Some hostels may sell “direct tickets” but these will still involve a change in the capital or in Luang Prabang.
You can book tickets from a tour agency, at the bus station or online via 12Go. Just remember that buses can sell out extremely quickly, so plan accordingly and always head to the bus station with plenty of time to get a good seat!
Both times we’ve visited Vang Vieng we have travelled there by bus. The first time we were travelling from Luang Prabang (when the high speed rail was only just being built) and were dropped off at the bus station 6 km north of the town, located here. From here we jumped into a songthaew and were dropped at our accommodation. If you arrive at this bus station, you can hop into a songthaew to take you into town. The songthaew should cost you 25,000 kip per person.
On our most recent visit we were dropped off on the edge of the old airstrip that dominates the eastern side of town (located here). From there it was only a short walk to our hostel that was located on the main strip. If you’re staying further afield there were plenty of songthaews available to take you to your hostel.
Book your bus tickets to Vang Vieng via 12Go here.
The drive to Vang Vieng (especially from Phonsavan or Luang Prabang) is stunning!
A word of warning - Laotian bus rides are not for the faint of heart. Getting anywhere takes a long time as the Laotian road network is very poorly maintained. The roads are littered with potholes and deep crevices and any journey you take will be extremely bumpy!
The buses themselves are usually very old and even if you have bought a ticket, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will get an actual seat. It’s not uncommon for the bus to be overstuffed with passengers and additional “beer crate” seats added to the aisles. We have 12 seater minivans with 24 people + babies on board!
If you’re booking a bus journey in Laos, our advice would be to get to the bus station early and prepare yourself for a very rough ride!
To read more about travelling by bus in Laos, check out our article where we went off the normal tourist trail and spent a hair-raising 13 hours travelling overnight from Nong Khiaw to Sam Neua. Read more here.
Getting to Vang Vieng by train
The newly opened Laos China Railway (LCR) has helped to put Vang Vieng firmly on the tourist map. Vang Vieng Railway Station sits between Vientiane and Luang Prabang and from both places, you can reach Vang Vieng within an hour!
To put into context just how speedy the railway is: before (or now if you’re cheap backpackers like us) travelling by road between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng would take 8 hours. By high speed train, the journey time is only one hour!
If you’re on a short trip and don’t mind splashing the cash for the luxury of time, travelling by train to reach Vang Vieng is a no-brainer.
Tickets can only be purchased 3 days in advance and sell out extremely fast. To ensure you get a ticket as soon as they’re available to buy, we’d recommend booking your tickets online and in advance.
Vang Vieng’s Railway Station is located 4 km (10 minute drive) north of the town’s main strip (here). Once you arrive at the station there will be plenty of tuk tuk’s and songthaews waiting to take you to your accommodation. To reach town, it’ll cost you 40,000 kip per person.
Book your Laos China Railway tickets via 12Go here.
If you purchase your train tickets via 12Go, train tickets can be “booked” ahead of the 3 day window giving you a good chance to be first in line for tickets.
If you do buy your tickets online you may need to collect the tickets in advance either at the station or from a tour agency nearby. Make sure you read the booking conditions when you purchase your tickets.
For those who are coming to the end of their visa in Thailand then it's very easy to travel from Thailand to Vang Vieng by train. We did this ourselves, travelling from the Thai capital of Bangkok all the way to Vientiane, then taking the high-speed train, via Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Both train journeys were seamless and super comfy. If you’re looking for a cheap and budget friendly way to get between the two countries, taking the train is a fantastic solution. Read all about our experience on the Laos China Railway here.
Getting to Vang Vieng by air
If Vang Vieng is your first or last stop in your Laos itinerary, the nearest airport to town is Wattay International Airport in Vientiane. The airport has direct flights to Bangkok in Thailand, Hanoi in Vietnam, Phnom Penh in Cambodia plus lots more. The airport also has connections within Laos with flights to Luang Prabang and Sam Nuea in the north and Pakse and Savannakhet in the south. From the airport you’ll either need to arrange a taxi to take you onto Vang Vieng, or head into Vientiane to jump on a bus / train.
To imagine what it must be like to fly over the peaks of Vang Vieng just head to the top of the Pha Honekham Viewpoint!
What to Do in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is an outdoor enthusiast's wet dream, with everything from ziplining to spelunking on offer. Whether you’re a sky-bourne junkie or more of a waterbaby, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Read on to find out how to fill your time in Vang Vieng.
Tipsy Tubing
We couldn’t write this article without mentioning the famous ‘tipsy tubing’ of Vang Vieng!
Tipsy tubing has been a popular activity to do in Vang Vieng for years. The concept is easy. Head upstream and jump in the river. Sit in the middle of your huge, inflatable inner tube, open a beer, float down the Nam Song River and drink some more beers. As you approach the riverside bars prepare to get lassoed in, have some more beers, dance a little and have some lao-lao shots, get back in the river and continue.
Repeat this process again and again until you reach the town of Vang Vieng.
The wild days of ‘tipsy tubing’ have long gone. In 2011 after a spate of tubing related deaths, the Laotian authorities swept in and closed down a lot of the riverside bars. Today, ‘tipsy tubing’ continues, but it's a much more subdued affair with only a couple of bars still in operation along the river. Despite this it’s still a very fun way to spend an afternoon.
Most backpackers head out to the Nam Song River in the mid to late afternoon to reach Vang Vieng in time for sunset.
To book an afternoon tubing, just speak to your hostel or arrange a trip with one of the tour agencies in town. Tubing will cost you 60,000 kip for the trip plus a 60,000 kip deposit for the tube. This will include pick up and drop off at the river as well as rental of a floaty inner tube.
Head out and be prepared to get wet - just make sure you don’t get too tipsy!
We’re not advocating drinking or anything, but if you are heading out for an afternoon tubing, make sure you buy something that has a lid or can be held easily. Unless you want to neck your drink in one go, beer and river water is never the greatest tasting combo! For this reason, you’ll see bottles of soju being a very popular choice in town.
Also it goes without saying, especially after recent events in Vang Vieng, to be especially careful with any free shots / drinks at the bars containing any of the local spirit. Our advice would be to stick with a bottle of the trusty Beer Laos in the bars.
The Vang Vieng viewpoints
Outside of Vang Vieng, the countryside is ringed by huge jagged, limestone karsts. Many of these mountain peaks have viewpoints to climb up giving you panoramic views over the amazing landscape below.
Unlike the trails in Nong Khiaw, we found the hikes in Vang Vieng to be a lot shorter and a lot easier. If you were only in Vang Vieng for a few days you could easily combine a few of these hikes in one day.
Pha Nguen Viewpoint
The Pha Nguen Trailhead and Viewpoint is the closest mountain peak to town. If you’re short on time and want to get a slice of Vang Vieng from the air, this would be a perfect choice.
When we climbed the mountain, we actually walked to the viewpoint base from town but in hindsight we’d actually recommend heading here via scooter, bicycle or tuk tuk. The walk from town to the base of the hike is along a very dusty road which is full of traffic and has little shade along the way. We arrived sweaty and were still at ground level!
When you arrive at the start of the hike there’s a small ticket office and parking area for scooters. Tickets for the trailhead cost 20,000 kip per person and 5000 kip to park your bike. Once you’ve bought your tickets, take the road that forks to the right where you’ll find a small shop selling snacks, water and soft drinks. Behind this shop is where the fun begins!
The hike started off very steeply with big stone steps carved out of the rock. We naively thought it would be an easy hike, but after about 10 minutes of panting and sweating under the hot Laotian sun we were questioning our stamina. We’d like to blame it on the heat, but the real culprit was more likely to be the late night and many beers at Gary’s Irish Bar the night before!
Just a small glimpse of the view from the top of Pha Nguen viewpoint!
Rehydrated with lots of water and a small cookie we continued upwards. After about 20 minutes or so, we reached the shaded part of the hike. A dusty path full of tree roots and small boulders which wound its way through the jungle - it felt like we were walking up the spine of the mountain. Around the halfway mark we reached a small wooden viewpoint. The break in the trees gave us a little insight into what lay in store for the view above. A quick stop and we continued on our way winding up through the jungle. The final part of the hike (around 10 minutes) involved some scrambling and pulling ourselves up ropes over huge carved rocks. One final pullup and the summit of Pha Nguen opened up in front of us.
At the top there is a huge 360 degree wooden platform that gives incredible views over the surrounding craggy mountain peaks, paddy fields and turquoise waters of Blue Lagoon 1. You can even see the viewpoints of Silver Cliff and Nam Xay and the landing field of the Above Laos Balloon HQ!
The main highlight of this viewing platform is the huge red, metal ATV parked on top of one of the rocky points - we dread to think how they got this up here!
There is a small shop selling snacks, drinks and pot noodles at the viewing platform as well as plenty of benches to relax and take in the view. We spent a good while relaxing, snapping ATV selfies and soaking up the panoramic view.
If you’re heading back to town after climbing this viewpoint we’d recommend stopping at Kiwi Coffee for a caffeinated pick me up!
Pha Nguen Essential Information
Entry fee - Tickets cost 20,000 kip per person plus 5000 kip to park a scooter.
Opening times - The viewpoint is open everyday from 5 AM until 5 PM.
How long does it take to climb Pha Nguen Trailhead Viewpoint?
The walk up took us just under an hour to reach the top and 45 minutes to get back down.
The hike is very easy unless you’ve been on a bender the night before! At the start, the hike is very steep but quickly levels out to a gentle incline. The final 10 minutes does involve some scrambling over rocks but there are always ropes to haul yourself up with. The hike is clearly marked and there is no need for a guide.
Silver Cliff Viewpoint
The Silver Cliff Viewpoint sits on the next mountain over from Pha Nguen peak - in fact you can see its viewing platforms from Pha Nguen itself.
To reach the parking area for the viewpoint just follow the dusty, sandy road that leads off of the main road. At the fork, follow the yellow sign to the left that brings you past a couple of farmhouses and fields until you reach the base and ticket office of Silver Cliff Viewpoint.
Despite being just one peak over, the base of Silver Cliff was completely different to Pha Nguen. A huge green field was dotted with only a few trees and lots of cows - if you didn’t look up, it felt like we could almost be in an English country meadow.
Once we had bought our tickets (20,000 kip each) it was time to begin our hike up 650 metres! The start of the trail is very pretty and leads up stone steps through a small rocky garden full of herbs, plants and bushes. A wooden stile takes you into the jungle where the whole trail follows a dusty path that gently climbs and winds its way up the mountain.
There are a couple of points where you need to clamber up some stone boulders, but they always had ropes or tree roots to pull yourself up with. The walk through the forest was beautiful. We were climbing during the late afternoon and the sun rays basked everything in a beautiful golden light. We were also extremely lucky as we didn’t see another person on the trail, we had it all to ourselves! As we neared the peak, the trees disappeared and the mountain views started to reveal themselves. As we got closer to the viewpoint, the dusty path was replaced with stepped and spiky limestone rocks.
The view from the Silver Cliff Viewpoint was incredible. In front of us sat a patchwork of golden paddyfields surrounded by jagged, deep blue mountains. At the top of this peak there is a small covered hut and a motorbike, balanced precariously on the rocks - complete with a huge Laotian flag that fluttered in the breeze. We spent a good half hour taking in the view and snapping many photos whilst posing on the motorbike. Compared to the queues of people waiting for photos at Nam Xay Viewpoint (see later on) it was just us, a motorbike and a huge 360 degree view over Vang Vieng!
As we turned to leave we could see a second viewpoint hiding in the jagged mountain peaks. We followed the path back and found a small fork in the rocks that wound up to the left. We followed this and came to the second viewpoint of Silver Cliff, another stunning panorama. A few photos later and it was time to descend. The way up and down to this second viewpoint involves a lot more scrambling up and over sharp rocks. It doesn’t look as though this route is as well maintained as the main Silver Cliff viewpoint.
The second Silver Cliff Viewpoint hides on a separate craggy outcrop.
Silver Cliff Viewpoint Essential Information
Entry price - Tickets cost 20,000 kip per person. Parking our scooter was free when we visited.
Opening times - The viewpoint is open everyday from 8 AM until 6 PM.
How long does it take to climb Silver Cliff Viewpoint?
The walk up took us around 40 minutes to reach the first viewpoint and took us about 30 minutes to go back down, including the second viewpoint.
We found this viewpoint to be very easy. It was more of a gentle climb that switchbacked its way up the mountain than a vertical hike. The route was extremely well shaded.
The ticket office had a couple of snacks / soft drinks to buy but we’d recommend packing your own.
Nam Xay Viewpoint
The Nam Xay Viewpoint was definitely the most popular trail we climbed in the whole of Vang Vieng. We arrived at the base of the viewpoint around lunch time and expected it to be quiet at the peak of the midday sun but we were definitely wrong! The whole car park was rammed with parked scooters, minivans and tuk tuks - it looked as though the whole of Vang Vieng was in this car park. Hoping the trail would be quieter, we naively bought our tickets (20,000 kip each) and started the hike up.
As soon as we began our trek up we were immediately thrown into a throng of people ascending and descending the peak. From the very start, the trail is super steep with huge rocks and boulders to clamber over. Where there was a path, it was just dust and tree roots and basically vertical. There were handholds and ropes to help pull you up, but these were often more hassle as there were always people in front or behind you. We’ve climbed all the viewpoints in Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi and so far in our Laos travels, this was definitely the most heavily used trail. The footholds and steps were worn smooth from all the people climbing up.
As you reach the tree line, there’s one final climb over near vertical rocks before the path opens out to an amazing panorama. The viewpoint is extremely impressive. Perched on the top of two jagged peaks, a huge, covered wooden platform gives 360 views out across the plains. There are two motorbikes one on either side of the mountain, giving different views over the valley. Our favourite motorbike was the one which looked out to the northwest over Pha Honekham mountain. The mountain looked like a giant green dragon snaking away behind the bike! It was busy but it was beautiful.
At the bottom of the mountain there is a small restaurant / shop serving small plates, snacks, smoothies, soft drinks and water. We were very much in need of lunch after sweating our way up two viewpoints that morning so ordered some pork fried rice. Topped with some chilli oil, the fried rice was a perfect energy booster!
The Nam Xay Viewpoint is an extremely popular sunset spot. We’re not going to say it wouldn’t be worth it, but if you are planning to climb around sunset make sure you bring a torch. As soon as the sun sets behind the mountain peaks it gets dark extremely quickly. The route down from the viewpoint is full of giant boulders, deep crevices and extremely smooth rocks that are very slippery. We’re going to be boring and say don’t wear flip flops, wear trainers instead and be careful - you really don’t want to break your ankle in Laos!
Nam Xay Viewpoint Essential Information
Entry price - Tickets cost 20,000 kip per person. Parking our scooter was free when we visited.
Opening times - The viewpoint is open everyday from 5 AM until 5 PM.
How long does it take to climb the Nam Xay Viewpoint?
It took 40 minutes for us to climb up to the top and 30 minutes to get back down. The signs when you buy your tickets recommend allowing 30 minutes to get up and down, but as it was so busy when we visited, there was a lot of waiting around on the trail and queuing for the selfie spots at the top.
If we can be honest, from our perspective, we thought this was our least favourite trail in Vang Vieng. The constant flow of people going up and down the mountain peak meant that we were forever stopping and starting. Although the view from the top was incredible, the queues of people waiting to take a selfie really took a little of the magic away. It may have been our fault leaving it to the middle of the day to climb and maybe it would have been better first thing in the morning. Let us know in the comments if it's quieter when you visit.
Pha Honekham Viewpoint
The Pha Honekham Viewpoint is the hike furthest away from town, but was arguably our favourite trail we did in the whole of Vang Vieng.
After we bought our tickets (20,000 kip each) we followed a rocky, stone path that wound its way up into the jungle. It was a beautiful start to the walk. As we climbed higher, small windows opened up through the jungle to give us views over the farmers fields below. After 10 minutes of climbing we reached a junction in the path. The right hand path would take us to the “Pegasus” and the left hand path would take us up to the “aeroplane” viewpoint.
A lot of the Google reviews suggest just picking one viewpoint and heading there. We’d disagree and say go to them both. The views are completely different from each other and it's not a hard walk between them both.
We decided we’d head to the aeroplane first and followed the left hand route as it climbed higher and higher above the treeline. The jungle path was soon replaced with stone corridors made up of huge boulders. As we picked and squeezed our way through these stone guardians, we could see the wings of the aeroplane overhead. Eventually we pulled ourselves up one final stone which revealed the viewpoint. A small metal propeller plane sat on the jagged peak as if it was waiting to take off into the valley below.
Sitting in the airplane, the view was spectacular! Down below, the road to Vang Vieng slithered away with one side surrounded by dense green jungle / craggy grey rock and the other side a mosaic of golden paddy fields - it was beautiful! From this viewpoint you could also see the bright white pegasus statue, sitting with its wings outstretched in stark contrast to the dark jungle surrounding it.
After taking a few photos of us in the plane we decided to head to the pegasus. We thought we would need to double back to the junction at the bottom of the rockline, but as you descend down the boulders there is another path that follows the spine of the peak and leads you back up to the pegasus. We followed this route, undulating our way through the trees before climbing up a couple of rocks and coming face to face with the pegasus!
We have absolutely no idea who came up with the idea or how they came about constructing this mega beast on the viewpoint but we do admire them. We expected it to be made out of fibreglass but Mr Pegasus was solid concrete!
After some photos with Mr Pegasus (we called him Eugene), we headed to the viewpoint and took in the sights. Despite being on the same mountain as the aeroplane, the views from the pegasus observation deck were completely different. From here we could see further west, out over small farming villages. Wooden houses rose up out of the valley floor, whilst streams of golden fields wove in and out of forest. It was stunning.
The Pha Honekham Viewpoint also has a cave and a shrine to visit. From the outside the cave looks just like a small opening in the limestone cliff but as we delved deeper, the cavern opened up to huge stalactites and rocky boulders, all lit by holes carved into the mountain above. To reach the shrine we needed to crawl under a rocky crevice which led to a seated buddha wrapped in an orange scarf - well worth the extra time!
Phan Honekham Viewpoint Essential Information
Entry price - Tickets cost 20,000 kip per person. This included entry to both viewpoints, the cave and shrine. Parking for our scooter was free when we visited.
Opening times - The viewpoint is open everyday from 5 AM until 5 PM.
How long does it take to climb the Pha Honekham Viewpoint
We decided to visit both viewpoints first and then the cave and shrine on our way back down. To reach the aeroplane viewpoint from the ticket counter, it took us 15 minutes to climb. From there it was a 15 minute walk across the spine of the mountain to reach the pegasus viewpoint. It took us 30 minutes to get back down the mountain but that involved stopping at both the cave and shrine.
As the viewpoint is located only a short drive away from Blue Lagoon 3 we’d recommend combining a climb / swim together.
Which viewpoint to hike in Vang Vieng?
For us, our favourite viewpoint to hike and the one we’d recommend seeking out is the Pha Honekham Viewpoint. The trailhead to the top of this peak had a bit of everything and for the price of entry, there was so much more to see than just the view from the top. The climb was easy and for most of the walk you’re hiking through a shaded forest. The two viewpoints (the aeroplane and the pegasus statue) gave two completely different views over the valley. If you can only climb one viewpoint, we’d have to say this would be the best. After your climb, it’s only a short drive to Blue Lagoon 3 for a swim.
‘Eugene’ the pegasus standing proudly on top of the Pha Honekham viewpoint!
The majority of travellers seem to flock to the Nam Xay Viewpoint. When we visited and whenever we passed the car park, it was absolutely rammed with other travellers. It seems to be the viewpoint that most of the organised day trips bundle in, so if you are doing any organised tour you may well be climbing it anyway!
If you can and you’re lucky enough to have time on your side, we’d recommend spreading out the viewpoints over a few days. All 4 of the hikes we’ve listed above were fantastic and all had an incredible view over the countryside. Our recommendation would be to hike a viewpoint in the morning and then head to one of the Blue Lagoons in the afternoon for a refreshing dip - trust us, you’ll want a cold swim after sweating up these steep mountainsides!
What to wear to climb the viewpoints?
Comfy, breathable athletic wear and trainers / hiking shoes. Each of the viewpoints involves a lot of scrambling up over sharp and jagged rocks, so good shoes are a must. We wouldn’t recommend attempting the hike in flip flops.
Before you climb, make sure to douse yourself in lots of bug spray as there are lots of mosquitoes just waiting to feast on you!
Also bring lots of water with you - it’s extremely hot and humid and dehydration is no joke.
If you’re planning to hike the viewpoints at sunset, bring a torch for your way down. As soon as the sun sets behind the karsts it gets dark extremely quickly and the routes themselves are not lit.
Cool and comfy is the way to go!
Can you climb all the viewpoints in one day?
Yes, absolutely! If you’re short on time, you could easily climb all the viewpoints in one day. It would be an early start to a challenging day, but it would be easily doable. In fact on our last day in town, we decided to challenge ourselves to our very own ’Vang Vieng 3 Peaks Challenge’. We only decided on 3 peaks and not 4 as we had already climbed Phu Nguen Viewpoint earlier in the week.
Our day of hiking started just after breakfast and we drove straight to Pha Honekham Viewpoint. From there we headed to Nam Xay Viewpoint and then finally finished our day of hiking at the Silver Cliff Viewpoint. We were planning to go for a dip in one of the lagoons at the end of the day, but decided a beer and sunset views would be a better way to celebrate our mini hiking challenge!
If you are short on time and like a challenge we would really recommend climbing all the viewpoints in one day. It’s an extremely fun challenge and feels like you’ve really accomplished something by the end. As we’ve said above, none of the hikes are super difficult and, depending on fitness levels, we’re sure some of you could much climb quicker than us. We reached Pha Honekham at 10.30am in the morning and were back down from the top of the Silver Cliff Viewpoint at 15.30pm which means we could have easily climbed Phu Nguen in the same day. We didn’t rush ourselves climbing and spent a good amount of time at the peak of all the viewpoints taking photos. If we had left earlier in the morning and arrived at Pha Honekham at opening time, we could easily have climbed all 4 viewpoints and easily have fitted a dip in one of the lagoons after.
Before heading to Laos we would recommend downloading an offline copy of Maps.me. For hiking, it’s a lot more useful than Google as it marks out the hiking trails, the ticket offices and much more. It also seems to be much more up to date than Google’s offerings on the map front!
Swim in the Blue Lagoons
Dotted around Vang Vieng are gorgeous, huge, natural swimming pools. Sitting under the limestone karsts, the pools are named the ‘Blue Lagoons’ due to their vibrant blue and turquoise waters.
Currently there are 5 lagoons open for swimming, with Blue Lagoon 6 temporarily closed. The most popular sites to visit are Blue Lagoon 1, Blue Lagoon 2 and Blue Lagoon 3.
Blue Lagoon 1 is the most popular and can get extremely busy with tour groups. Most of the day trips and hotel packages out of Vang Vieng will include a visit to this lagoon. We didn’t visit it as everytime we passed by, there was always a traffic jam of minivans and ATVs trying to get into the carpark. During our time in Vang Vieng we visited Blue Lagoon 2 and 3. Next time we’d like to visit them all.
Blue Lagoon 2
Blue Lagoon 2 is stunning. A huge park with two natural pools of blue green water sitting amongst massive limestone karsts. Surrounding both the lagoons are plenty of huts, benches and trees to laze on or under. This lagoon sits in prime position and keeps the sun all day, so it’s a perfect lagoon to head to if you’re planning a day lounging in the sun.
The pool to the right has a jumping off platform and a slide (that wasn’t in use when we visited) and the pool to the left has a zip line running into the centre of the lagoon. Both lagoons are big enough for you to swim in without ever feeling cramped or crowded.
We enjoyed a few afternoons basking in the sun, taking a dip in the water to cool down and swimming across the huge lagoon. We absolutely loved this site as it was so pretty. Both lagoons were surrounded by huge trees and the atmosphere was so laid back with everyone sunbathing, swimming or reading books.
Blue Lagoon 2 always felt a lot quieter than Blue Lagoon 3 and we never struggled to get our own little corner to ourselves. The pools themselves were also a lot quieter with only a small handful of people swimming in each pool at any one time.
Ticket prices: Entry to Blue Lagoon 2 costs 20,000 kip per person.
Opening times: Lagoon 2 is open everyday from 9 AM until 5:30 PM.
Blue Lagoon 3
Blue Lagoon 3 is the furthest lagoon away from the town and seems to be the unofficial hostel common room for most of the backpackers in Vang Vieng.
A huge rectangle natural pool sits underneath a towering, jungle clad cliff face. The lagoon is bright turquoise and there is plenty of space to swim or float on the bamboo rafts in the cool waters. For the adventure seekers, there are jumping off platforms, a balance beam, a swing and a zip-line.
There is also a cave at the lagoon site that carves its way into the limestone peaks. As we didn’t fancy a crawl underground in a dark narrow passage - according to some travellers we spoke to the tunnels get very narrow - we decided against it. If you are into your hidden, underground caverns, you can rent torches from the shop on-site for 10,000 kip. The cave has a circular route that takes you through some caverns, before spitting you out at a viewpoint overlooking the lagoon.
We had an amazing couple of afternoons just relaxing in the water, attempting to zip-line across the pool and enjoying delicious plates of steaming fried noodles all whilst chatting to other travellers. Blue Lagoon 3 is a very sociable place.
The drive to Lagoon 3 was a highlight just in itself. As we travelled further and further away from Vang Vieng town, the road became quieter and the landscape even more stunning. We passed through small villages, past herds of cattle and crossed over crystal clear rivers. As we reached Lagoon 3, we turned off the main road and headed down a dirt track surrounded on both sides by farmers tending to their rice paddy fields and buffalo wallowing, all under the shadow of the terrifyingly tall limestone karsts - Laos never ceases to amaze us with its beauty.
Ticket prices: Entry to Blue Lagoon 3 costs 20,000 kip per person.
Opening times: Lagoon 3 is open everyday from 8 AM until 6:30 PM.
As the lagoon sits directly underneath the limestone cliffs, Blue Lagoon 3 gets very little sunlight. By mid-morning, it’s completely in shadow. We didn’t feel the cold too much as when we visited the temperature was well over 30 degrees celsius but if you’re planning to sun-bathe we’d recommend Blue Lagoon 2 over Blue Lagoon 3.
Which Blue Lagoon to visit?
This is a tricky one as we loved our time at both Blue Lagoon 2 and 3 equally, but if we had to choose our favourite one, it would have to go to Blue Lagoon 3. Despite being the most popular lagoon we visited, it still had a great chilled out vibe. We loved soaking up the laid back atmosphere with the other backpackers, swimming in the lagoon itself and watching everyone swing and zipline over the water. If you were a solo traveller, this would be the best place to meet other travellers as it was full of backpackers.
If you are looking for some downtime in the sun, swimming and a book, Blue Lagoon 2 would be the obvious choice. You could easily spend a full day relaxing on the lawns, taking a dip and just enjoyed a day in the sun.
If you can, our best advice would be to visit them both as they’re only a short drive away from each other. If you’re already at Blue Lagoon 3 then to get back to town means you’ll literally be passing by the entrance to Blue Lagoon 2.
Take a sunset or sunrise flight
The best way to see Vang Vieng is from above, and we don’t just mean viewpoints! From the town you can choose to take a hot air balloon or a paramotoring flight and get a birds eye view over the dramatic landscape.
Hot air balloons of Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng boasts being one of the cheapest places in the world to take a hot air balloon ride.
There are plenty of balloon operators in town offering sunrise and sunset flights but we would recommend checking out Above Laos Ballooning who we chose to take us on an amazing ride at sunset. We've written a whole guide to hot air ballooning which covers everything including which company to choose, what to expect and our experience riding in a hot air balloon over Vang Vieng. Read more below:
If Above Laos Ballooning is sold out for your dates, check out this hot air balloon flight package on Get Your Guide here.
Paramotoring
If you'd rather fly with a motor than with flame, then why not give paramotoring a go. Paramotoring flights take off all day from sunrise to sunset and a flight is around 30 minutes.
There are plenty of operators in town offering a ride, or you can book this trip in advance with Get Your Guide here.
Both hot air balloon and paramotoring flights sell out extremely quickly, so if you're planning to ride above the clouds, book your slot well in advance.
Also note that both activities can be cancelled at short notice if there's bad weather. We had to reschedule our flight once due to this during our recent stay and on our first trip to Vang Vieng our hot air balloon ride was cancelled all together.
Watch the sunset
If you’ve been avid readers of our blog or have followed us on Instagram then you’ll know that we love watching a good sunset. Vang Vieng was no exception. The town sits facing west and the sun sets directly over the Nam Song River and mountains creating an incredible fiery display.
Our favourite spot to watch the sunset was from the Pull Mind Cafe (location) where we could get front row seats to watch the hot air balloons take their sunset flights.
If you’re on a budget, you could easily head to one of the fields outside of town and watch the sunset from there.
Other Things to Do in Vang Vieng
For those who want a taste of Vang Vieng’s infamous ‘tipsy tubing’ but don’t necessarily want to spend the whole afternoon floating slowly downstream; why not rent a canoe or kayak and paddle your way down the Nam Song River. You’ll still get to see the same river views, but you’ll just get back to town that much quicker.
If the underworld is more your thing, then there are plenty of other caves to explore than just the one at Blue Lagoon 3, why not check out the Tham Nam (water cave) or the Angel Cave. If you’re planning your own spelunking adventure, just remember to pack a torch - in all of the Laotian caves we’ve visited we’ve found our mobile torches to be pretty useless in the pitch black!
For those who want a taste of flying but who cannot justify the cost of a hot air balloon or paramotoring experience then there are a few places to zipline outside Vang Vieng. The most popular spot is at Blue Lagoon 1 but there is also another zipline at the Angel Cave in Namsong or further north still, a zipline course with TCK zipline co.
If you’ve had your fill of adrenaline and want to swim in a more lux-ey environment, then you could spend the day swimming in an actual pool. The Silver Naga Hotel in town offers non-residents the chance to use their pool for 100,000 kip per day. We stayed at the hotel on our first visit and can vouch that their pool is awesome with a beautiful view out over the river and mountains. We were very tempted on our stay this time to splash the cash and spend a lazy afternoon splashing in their pool.
For those who really want to chill out, why not relax with a Laotian massage! Dotted all over the town are massage parlours offering everything from neck, leg to full body massages. Just shop around to see which place takes your fancy. We really regretted not getting a massage ourselves. We had a minor backpacking fail and planned our 3 peak hiking challenge on the last day of our stay in the town. A massage the next day would have been the perfect cure for our aching muscles!
If you’re planning a day relaxing in town, Wat Si Sou Mang, Wat Kang and Wat That are worth a visit. The temples are all very different, showcasing intricate red and gold carvings, golden Buddhist statues and colourfully tiled naga statues. If you’re planning to visit any of these temples, just remember to dress respectfully!
Day Trips and Tours in Vang Vieng
If you are on a shorter backpacking trip and have only a few days in Vang Vieng, you could easily combine a lot of the attractions into just one full day of sightseeing. You could do this independently by hiring a scooter, or if you’d prefer to have someone else sort everything out for you, then there are plenty of day tours available to book in town.
Our advice would be to speak to your hostel or head to any of the tour agencies in town to see what’s on offer. We saw plenty of day trips advertised that combined a hike up a viewpoint, a swim in one of the Blue Lagoons as well as a cave visit, kayaking and much, much more. Each tour agency seemed to offer a whole menu of different activities which could be combined in full or half day tours. Depending on how long you have in the town, what you want to do and how many activities you want to pack in, there are a whole host of different tour combinations for you to choose from. We’d recommend shopping around to see what suits you best and to get an idea of prices.
Most of the out-of-town attractions in Vang Vieng are a good distance away and are not really walkable. If you are not confident riding a scooter then a tour will save you money on taxi fares!
If you’re really short on time and would prefer to have everything booked in advance, then why not check out Get Your Guide who offer a whole host of different tours. Click here to book a trip.
Getting Around Vang Vieng
All of Vang Vieng’s attractions are located a short drive away from the main town so you will need your own wheels.
If you’ve booked a tour through an agency in town or on Get Your Guide, it will almost 100% of the time include a pick up and drop off at your hostel / guesthouse.
Renting a bicycle in Vang Vieng
If you can’t drive a scooter and want to save money on hiring a driver, then hiring a bicycle would be a good way to get about the countryside of Vang Vieng.
In town we passed by several different bicycle rental shops hiring out everything from high-end mountain bikes full of gears to the bog standard bikes found the world-over. From our window shopping in town, it looked as though prices varied from one shop to the next, with full day rentals priced at between 60,000 kip to 90,000 kip per day.
If you’re planning to rent a bicycle, we’d recommend shopping around to find the best bike / price for your needs.
The roads around Vang Vieng are very flat, but are definitely not the smoothest roads you’ll ever encounter. They are littered with potholes, deep crevices, sand and mud and are full with minivans, ATVs, scooters and songthaews blowing up dust. If you’re hiring a bike make sure to wear sunglasses as it can be a very dusty ride.
Renting a scooter / motorbike
Hiring a scooter is by far the easiest and cheapest way to see the best of Vang Vieng. There are plenty of scooter rental shops in town and the majority of hostels will rent you a bike.
Whenever we needed a scooter, we rented one from our accommodation, Lily Backpacker’s Hostel, for 150,000 kip for the day.
If you are planning to rent a scooter, make sure you check the bike beforehand, request helmets for all passengers and ride sensibly. The roads in Laos are not for the weak - they can get extremely busy, there’s often animals and children to contend with and they’re littered with potholes.
We wouldn’t recommend renting this scooter!
The quickest way to get across the Nam Song River is via the ‘Old Bridge’ located here. If you’re on a scooter we really cannot recommend this route. The bridge can only be described in two words - ‘super sketchy’! Even just walking across the bridge has you questioning whether you’re going to make it to the otherside.
The bridge “repairs” look like someone's school project that’s been thrown together at the last minute, There are large holes in the bridge, planks and logs just thrown down to cover gaps and where they have attempted to nail the wood down, there’s huge, centimetre long nails just sticking out. It’s sketchy enough to walk over the bridge on foot, let alone on two wheels.
We saw plenty of scooters struggling to get across and plenty of backpackers questioning their choice of route. We’d say if you are planning to take this route, make sure you’re super confident on the bike and if you have a passenger, maybe ask them to get off and walk over whilst you try and navigate the moving logs!
If you don’t take this route, there’s an easy 5km detour that takes you out of town, past Vang Vieng’s local market and over the Nam Xong Bridge located here.
It doesnt look so bad at the start…..
Hiring an ATV
As soon as you’ve crossed the Nam Song River you’ll see plenty of bright red ATVs zooming along the dusty roads. These open-roofed ATVs looked great fun to get around. You can choose to hire an ATV for 2 or 4 people, so it would be a great choice if there was a group of you.
We were very tempted to hire an ATV but as we’re on a strict backpacking budget we decided to stick with our trusty 2 wheels.
To rent an ATV, prices start at 300,000 kip per hour. Not a deal breaker if you’re on a holiday, but expensive if you’re backpacking.
There are also multiple tours and activities that include an ATV ride / drive.
Maybe don’t try to do the viewpoints in the ATV!
Gettting around by tuk-tuk / Songthaew
Parked outside the hostels and found throughout town are plenty of tuk tuk and songthaew drivers waiting to take you to wherever you want to go.
These drivers can take you to wherever you need to go and you can even hire them for a whole day to wait for you whilst you swim / hike.
If you’re planning to hire a driver, just remember to negotiate the price. If you can get a group together from your hostel, the cost to hire a driver will obviously be a lot lower than if you are on your own.
Where to Stay in Vang Vieng - Hostels, Guesthouses and all Other Accommodation
Whatever your backpacking style, Vang Vieng has no shortage of accommodation choices with plenty of cheap, budget friendly hostels and guesthouses to choose from.
We had a fantastic stay at Lily Backpackers Hostel where we stayed in a private en-suite room with a balcony. Our room was small, but was perfect for our needs, with a comfy bed and just enough space to store our backpacks. We loved the view from the balcony which overlooked the town and the mountains beyond. Our cheap stay even included breakfast every morning.
The hostel has plenty of dorm rooms to book, a pool table and big common room to relax in. The staff were also super helpful for booking onward transport or day trips. They arranged our bus tickets for the best price we found in town (pickup included!).
Book your stay at Lily’s hostel here.
Our balcony view from Lily Backpackers hostel!
If you’re after a more sociable hostel, we’ve heard great things from other backpackers about the Mad Monkey Hostel and the Vang Vieng Rock Backpackers Rooftop Hostel.
There are plenty of hostels on offer around town, some with swimming pools and some with their own cafe / bar - check out all the hostels available to book in Vang Vieng here.
On our first stay in Vang Vieng, when we weren’t on a tight budget, we had a fantastic stay at the Silver Naga Hotel located right on the banks of the Nam Song. We had a super comfy double room with views over the swimming pool, river and mountains beyond. The price of the room was obviously a lot more than what we paid at Lily’s but if you’re after a little bit of luxury, it’s a solid choice.
To book your stay in Vang Vieng and to see all the accommodation available. Check out the map below.
Where to Eat and Drink in Vang Vieng
There’s one thing we’ll guarantee and that is that you’ll never go hungry in Vang Vieng! Despite being a small town, Vang Vieng is packed to the rafters with places to eat. From sushi to pasta, banh mi to croissants and fried rice to barbecued meats, whatever you fancy and whatever your budget, there’ll be something to suit your cravings. There’s even a 7-11 store for those backpackers missing their cheese and ham toasties!
Check out our Vang Vieng food and drink guide where we share some of our favourite places to eat in the town, including where you can get a delicious wonton noodle soup and possibly the best Full English breakfast we’ve eaten outside of the UK.
Is Vang Vieng Still a Backpacker Destination?
Vang Vieng is definitely still a popular backpacker destination, in fact during the whole of our three years of travels, we’d say Vang Vieng was the place we saw the most backpackers - Pai (Northern Thailand) being a close second. The town is still very much orientated to backpackers, with plenty of hostels, budget accommodation, cheap street food and bars a plenty.
We can’t say things aren’t changing though. Compared to our first visit in 2018, things have changed a lot. Loads of new large hotels have been built, new cafes and restaurants have opened up and it looks as though there is a growing trend in Vang Vieng towards catering to other kinds of tourism apart from just the backpacker scene. It seems the opening up of the railway has opened Vang Vieng to the older tourist. During our stay there seemed to be lots of tour groups focussed on older travellers.
To answer the original question though, we would say yes, Vang Vieng is still a backpacker destination. If you’re looking for a cheap stay, full of budget friendly activities and a place where you can meet other travellers like you, Vang Vieng ticks all the boxes. Every hostel we passed was packed to the rafters with other backpackers and wherever you looked, there was always a new stream of heavily laden travellers arriving.
Even with all the development that has taken place in Vang Vieng over the years, there are still cheap, budget friendly stays to be found!
Is Vang Vieng Just a Party Town?
We couldn’t write this article without acknowledging this question.
Vang Vieng has always had a reputation of being a party town and if you do a quick search of the town on Google, it’ll bring up plenty of newspaper articles referring to the town as a notorious party town full of cheap, unregulated alcohol, drugs, and late night raves. For years now, the town has had this image of being ‘the dangerous party town’. Whilst there are parties and all the other late night debauchery associated with young backpackers, there is so much more to the town than this.
For those of you who are party animals, there’s definitely still a party scene in the town, but if you’re not a raver, fear not, the town has plenty of quiet and relaxing places to stay and hang out. From our perspective we’re definitely not late night ravers, but we still had some great nights out in the bars of Vang Vieng.
If you’re not into parties, loud music and dance floors, make sure you do your research on where to stay in the town. From our accommodation (Lily’s Backpackers Hostel) in the south of the town, we were a good 10 minute walk away from the late night bars so didn’t have any trouble with noise. There are dedicated “party hostels” so do your research and book what suits your style!
Is Vang Vieng Safe?
We hate to answer this one, but following the recent headlines it’s probably the most Googled question. Is Vang Vieng safe?
Yes - Vang Vieng is safe!
Obviously, like anywhere in this world, things can happen but this isn’t a specific “Vang Vieng problem”. The stories circling the media following the methanol poisonings in 2024 seemed to suggest that if you’re a backpacker heading to Vang Vieng then you had no choice but to down shots and take drugs. This is far from the case.
According to the media Vang Vieng is some kind of debauchery filled drug den. Some lawless town, full of shady bars and dangerous criminals. This is not the case. Vang Vieng is a backpacker town through and through. You can clutch your pearls at the “happy menu” in some of the bars but the media view of Vang Vieng is not reflective of reality. Yes there are free shots, yes there are some questionable offers in some of the bars but honestly it is no different to what you’ll find the world-over. If you put young people near bars there will always be a bit of drunkenness and the occasional tragedy, but Vang Vieng is no more dangerous than a Thai island, Sydney or a night out in London.
Nobody is going to force you to drink or do drugs, it’ll always be your choice and as with anywhere in this world, just exercise common sense and your usual caution.
The tragedy with the methanol poisonings is that it can and does happen to anyone, anywhere in the world, it is not a uniquely Vang Vieng issue.
It’s our second time in Vang Vieng and it’s still big smiles all round!
Where to go After Vang Vieng?
From Vang Vieng you basically have three choices - head north, head south or cross the border into Thailand.
Heading directly north will take you onto the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang - full of temples, a busy night market and the beautiful Kuang Si Falls. From there, you can head even further north to the mountains of Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi or take the world famous slow boats up the Mekong river to Huay Xai on the Thailand border. For those into their history, you can take the lesser traveller route and head north east to see the mysterious ‘Plain of Jars’ at Phonsavan.
For those wanting to head down to Southern Laos, the next obvious stop on any backpacking itinerary is the sleepy Laotian capital of Vientiane. Beyond this, lies the famous motorbike loops of Thakhek and the Bolaven Plateau at Pakse. Further south still, lie the 4000 Islands at Don Det and the Cambodian border.
If you’ve reached the end of your visa, you can easily head into Thailand crossing the Laos / Thailand border at Thanaleng just outside of Vientiane. From there you could head into Isan or catch a bus / train all the way south to the Thai capital of Bangkok.
For those who don’t mind a long journey you can even catch sleeper buses to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in Cambodia or to Hanoi, Vinh, Danang and Hue in Vietnam.
Wherever you decide to go after Vang Vieng, to book your bus or railway tickets just speak to your hostel, a tour agency or book online in advance via 12Go.
Is Vang Vieng Worth a Stop?
Absolutely 100% - if we didn't think so we wouldn't have written this travel guide!
We were a little sceptical about visiting this time round - we had great memories from our first trip here and were worried things would have changed too much. But, honestly, we loved our time here. There was so much to do, the viewpoints were amazing and the Blue Lagoons were a perfect spot to unwind in.
No-one can ever say that the town of Vang Vieng is a looker, but the town itself isn’t why you’re there - it’s the countryside around it. As you leave the droves of tourists, 4x4s and minivans behind and head a little deeper down the valley, you’ll find empty roads, beautiful paddy fields, small villages and towering limestone cliffs. The views over the countryside from the top of the viewpoints are amazing and worth a trip to Vang Vieng just by themselves.
We have absolutely loved both our visits to Vang Vieng and can easily see us being drawn back to its laid back charm again. It’s an obvious stop on any Laotian backpacking itinerary, and it’ll always have a special place in our hearts.
Thanks for reading,
John & Ellie x
#adventuresofjellie
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Vang Vieng is known as one of the cheapest places in the world to take a ride on a hot air balloon, but is it still worth it on a backpackers budget? Read all about our flight above the limestone karsts and blue lagoons of Vang Vieng Laos. Our complete guide has all of the practical information on operators, prices, booking and what to wear as well as answering common questions and worries about ballooning: Sunrise or sunset flights? Is it Scary?