Vang Vieng Laos Travel Guide A Vagabond Life
Vang Vieng Laos Travel Guide
Vang Vieng Laos is a popular town on the Nam Song river in central Laos. On the well worn SE Asian backpacker trail Viang Vieng was for many years a serious party town. In late 2012 the government closed many of the establishments in the town and generally cleaned up the drug culture there. Now Vang Vieng is a pleasant stop when travelling through Laos.
Vang Vieng is 6-8 hours by bus from Luang Prabang and 3- 4 hours from Vientiane.
Vang Vieng Table of Contents
Vang Vieng Map
Vang Vieng Laos
Things To See & Do Vang Vieng Laos
Tube the Nan Song River
Tube the Nan Song River
One can still tube down the lovely Nan Song River although gone are the days of the drug fuelled parties of a few years ago. Tubes can be rented in town and a tuk tuk will take you to 3km to the start of the tubing route. There are still a few bars where you can get a beer
Rock Climbing
Rock Climbing
Surrounded by majestic Krast formations Vand Vieng is a popular rock climbing destination. There are a number of outfits in town that cater for all levels of experience.
Tham Poukham (Blue Lagoon)
Tham Poukham (Blue Lagoon)
Located 7km east of Vang Vieng the Blue Lagoon is not big and very touristy with loads of visitors and vendors. A cave sits above the lagoon which is quite nice.There is an entry fee to enter the site.
Caves
Caves
There are a plethora of caves in the surrounding limestone Krasts which are interesting to explore. Here are a few – Xang Cave – a popular cave Xang cave is well lit and has stairs running through it. Nang Oua Kham Cave is on the way to the Blue Lagoon – an interesting cave 8km from VV, the entrance is a little tight but opens up to an easy walk. Tham Loub & Tham Hoi – two less visited caves as 9km from VV with a Buddha guarding the entrance of Tham Hoi. Be prepared to get muddy and crawl into these caves
A Word On High Swings
High Swings
This involves swinging from a high swing into the river and is very dangerous. The river is littered with submerged logs and trees.
Serious injuries are common and death is not unknown.
Vang Vieng does not have medical facilities with the closest major hospital being in Udon Thani Thailand 8 to 10 hours away.
I do not recommend this – do not do it
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