8 Fun Things to Do in Vang Vieng, Laos

Once a tranquil farming village, Vang Vieng has evolved into a popular destination for travellers seeking a blend of adventure and natural beauty. Nestled amidst towering limestone cliffs and lush forests, this town in Laos offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

While Vang Vieng’s reputation for wild partying has toned down, the town still maintains a vibrant atmosphere. Tubing down the Nam Song River remains a popular activity, with riverside bars offering a lively ambience and a variety of refreshments. While the availability of illegal substances has significantly decreased, visitors can still enjoy delicious local cuisine, refreshing drinks, and thrilling adventures like rope swings and zip-lining.

For those seeking a more relaxed experience, Vang Vieng’s breathtaking landscapes and natural attractions offer plenty to explore. From hiking to kayaking, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or simply looking for a peaceful getaway, Vang Vieng’s unique combination of natural beauty and outdoor activities makes it a must-visit destination in Southeast Asia.

1. Go on that legendary tubing experience

Vang Vieng may have put it immense effort to clean up its act since 2012, but the party isn’t exactly over. Despite what you hear, tubing hasnotbeen banned in Vang Vieng; it’s the substances which make it life-endangering that have been. If anything, you probably just have less opportunities to kill yourself now as compared to before, and your full sobriety will also allow you to appreciate the countryside’s stunning landscape a lot better than if you were under the influence.

By and large, much of the unadulterated fun still goes on after dark, but for the record, you won’t see many drunken backpackers throwing themselves off ropeswings into the water anymore. And there certainly also haven’t been any tubing deaths since 2011.

2. Embark on a caving adventure

There are at least a hundred caves in the whole of Vang Vieng and you probably won’t want to visit every single one of them, but their jaw-droppingly beautiful formations make at least a couple of them worth the visit. A notable one is Than Nam, a Water Cave made up of a network of rivers running through the mountainside which, incidentally, allows you to go tubing for up to 500m into the mouth.

3. Bliss out in the cold turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon

Iceland isn’t the only country with a legit Blue Lagoon – Vang Vieng’s rendition gives it a good run for its money too, at 1/70th of the price.

The road to Vang Vieng’s Blue Lagoon is quite an adventure in itself and requires a ‘mini-trek’ through a cave before you can even feast your eyes on its pool of soft delicate pale blue; but no one who has come out of this will ever tell you that the extra effort isn’t worth the while. It’s a great way to wile away the afternoon in a surreal, I’m-in-the-seventh-level-of-celestial-heaven sort of way; and can be exceptionally refreshing especially if you’ve just dropped in from dusty ol’ Vientiane.

4. Explore the sweet calm of Vang Vieng in a hot air balloon ride

Everyone’s always on a curiously tight budget when cruising through the span of Southeast Asia, but a 30-60 minute hot air balloon ride in Vang Vieng is a freakin’ steal. Vang Vieng is as quaint and romantic a town as riverside towns can generally get, so what better way to explore it than by floating thousands of feet high in the air above? Don’t expect Cappadocia, but Vang Vieng’s blessed with beautiful rural scenery and gorgeous limestone formations that will make for a pretty darn good view all the same.

As with any other activity in Vang Vieng, be sure to check out the credibility of the company before settling on the lowest-priced deal. A quick Google search will provide you with the reviews you need to confirm its legitimacy; believe it or not, there are still companies who don’t adhere to the basic safety standards despite the nature of risk in hot air ballooning.

5. Indulge in Friends reruns and, ironically, make some new ones

There is a weird phenomenon that goes around all of Vang Vieng, in which scores of uncannily similar bars, restaurants, and guesthouses play endless loops of Friends, Family Guy, and South Park on their overhead TV sets, from day all the way into night. It’s a fantastic place to chill out with free wi-fi and feel a little more at home; not to mention that all that slapstick comedy going in front of you also provides for great conversation starters with fellow travellers and boarders. If you’re unlucky (or lucky, depending on how you look at it) enough to be stuck in bad rainfloods while travelling through this riverside town, be prepared to be lulled into an ultimate couch potato fest, because chances are this is what you are going to spend the bulk of your day doing.

6. Visit the Nam Xay Viewpoint

For a breathtaking panoramic view of Vang Vieng, head to the Nam Xay Viewpoint. Located on a hill overlooking the town, this vantage point offers stunning vistas of the Nam Song River, the surrounding limestone cliffs, and the bustling town below. As the sun sets, the sky is painted with vibrant hues, creating a magical and unforgettable experience.

7. Explore the Vang Vieng Loop

Embark on a scenic adventure by exploring the Vang Vieng Loop. This popular route takes you through the stunning countryside surrounding the town, offering breathtaking views of limestone cliffs, rice paddies, and the Nam Song River. Along the way, you’ll encounter charming villages, hidden caves, and opportunities for swimming, hiking, and cycling. The Vang Vieng Loop is a must-do for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

8. Visit the Tham Chang Cave

Discover the hidden beauty of the Tham Chang Cave, a lesser-known but equally impressive attraction in Vang Vieng. This limestone cave features stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations, creating a mesmerizing underground world. Take a guided tour to explore the cave’s depths and learn about its geological history. As you venture deeper into the cave, you’ll be amazed by the tranquility and awe-inspiring beauty of this natural wonder.

Also read: What Are the Best Remote Destinations in Southeast Asia?

So, whether you’re looking to party, explore nature, or simply unwind, this charming Laos destination has something to offer everyone. From tubing down the Nam Song River to hiking through lush forests and exploring ancient caves, Vang Vieng provides a memorable and unforgettable experience. With its stunning landscapes, friendly locals, and unique blend of culture and adventure, Vang Vieng is a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to Southeast Asia.