Floating Above Laos - A Hot Air Balloon Ride in Vang Vieng
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.
In this Article
(click to skip to the section)
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!
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not save the pin below?
If you’re found this blog helpful, entertaining or you just fancy supporting us, please click the button below!
