Picture by Stéphane P. ROUSSEAU
Picture by Ben and Debs Blench What Vang Vieng is famous for: tubing in Nam Song River
Picture by JonasPhoto
A lot of traffic on the river
Tubing in Vang Vieng - this is about fun among halfnaked young people, bars, drinks, bumping music, dancing, sometimes drugs, hangovers - and sometimes accidents: People jump into the river and break their bones on rocks or people drink too much, cannot swim and drown. It's about the same things as every where on the world, where young people go for fun and partying. Read how Adventurous Kate sees it. And she writes about Death and Dangers. See also the restaurant menue with opium tea and mushroom magics, documented on Blog of the Morning Calm. Then see this video on youtube.com about a broken skull. On Global Post an article asks: Vang Vieng, Laos: backpacker mecca turned disaster magnet? and offers a lot of insight. For example: The Vang Vieng region had 90 hotels/guesthouses in 2003; in 2009 there were 222. More insights on guardian.co.uk: Vang Vieng, Laos: the world's most unlikely party town
Vang Vieng: By discoveryindochina.com
Hotels and Resorts in Vang Vieng
Riverside Boutique Resort: Pool with amazing view, balconies with view of the scenery, breakfast with many options according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.
Amari Vang Vieng: Balconies with stunning view of Nam Song River and the mountains. Largest hotel in Vang Vieng with good service and also a gym and a good restaurant according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.
Diamond Gold Hotel (Formerly Thavonsouk Hotel and Resort): "One of the most beautiful locations", according to tripadvisor.com. See a video about the early morining view from the porch of a ropm by Prince Roy.
Picture by Prince RoyView from the porch of the riverside room
Picture by madaboutasiaVansana Vang Vieng Resort: Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com
Guesthouses in Vang Vieng
Domon River Guesthouse: Spacious rooms with balcony looking over the river towards the mountains. No breakfast. Can be noisy until early in the morning because bars are around. See pictures on tripadvisor.com
Kamphone Guesthouse: Phone (023) 511 062. "The location at the north end of town is far enough from the party that it's quiet at night, but thin walls mean you can hear your neighbours", comments travelfish.org
Malany Villa 1: Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com
Happy Riverview Hotel: Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com
Picture by careybaird
Nana Guesthouse:
Pan's Place: Rooms and bungalows, run by a Lao lady and an old hippie from New Zealand. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com, it's quiet. See view from Pan's Place on flickr.com
Phoubane Guesthouse: "If you want cheap accomodation this is what you get", notes one review von tripadvisor.com
Saphaothong Guesthouse: "Like many of the other aging guesthouses in town, Saphaothong's fixtures and fittings are fading fast compared to the shiny new developments", a guest comments on travelblog.org.
Sisavang Guesthouse: From 8 USD.
Thavisouk Hotel & Resort: A main building and bungalows. Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com
Viengvilay Guesthouse:
Villa Nam Song: Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com
Stay outside Vang Vieng
Inthavong Guesthouse: Has a swimming pool - "not maintained and dirty", notes one guest on tripadvisors.com about the pool.
Maylyn Guesthouse: From 40 000 Kip. On the west side of Nam Song River. A twenty minutes walk from town (you have to cross a toll bridge for 4000 Kip). 15 bungalow rooms in a lush garden full of butterflies. "The slightly wild gardens, teaming with gorgeous butterflies (particularly in the early morning hours) hold charmingly basic wooden bungalows and bamboo terrace rooms", notes travelfish.org. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com. Bicycles can be rented. See video by mrbund
Picture by Sven&MoniekMay Lyn Guesthouse
Vang Vieng Eco Lodge: From 29 USD. Ban Viengsamay. The Ecolodge is just past Viengsamy, 8 kms north of Vang Vieng and a 15 minute drive from the town centre. Basic rooms in bungalows with fan, no aircon. The restaurant on a deck overlooks the Nam Song river. Kayaks can be rented. "The staff can arrange a tuk tuk to city centre for about 40.000 kip (one way). Back the prices are a bit higher, maybe 50.000 kip", notes Bosbreur on tripadvisor.com. A quiet location for people, who want to join Lao local life. Small shop in the village nearby. See a video by Hennephof of youtube.com
Join the organic experience in Vang Vieng
Organic farm: 4 km north of the town in the village of Phoudindaeng. Vangvieng Organic Farm promotes the use of natural materials and traditional methods for growing its crops and raising its animals. It offers accommodation for visitors and volunteers and operates an organic food restaurant. The Farm is located in the village of Phoudindaeng, about 4 km north of Vangvieng on the banks of the Nam Song river. Organic Farm was founded by Thanongsi Sorangkoun in 1996 with the goal of introducing organic farming methods in an area where chemicals and deforestation were ruining the land. The farm produces mulberry trees, mulberry tea and mulberry vine as well as banana liquor, organic fruits, vegetables, poultry and goat cheese.
Picture by thomaswanhoffGuest house at organic farm
Picture by thomaswanhoffMulberry plantation
Discover the limestone caves in Vang Vieng
Tham Phu Kham: About six kilometres south of the town, half an hour bei Tuk-Tuk. Climb 600ft up boulders and the rockface, to get to the entrance, then climb down into the cavern with its reclining Buddha (see picture). Read laos.eegc.org.
Picture by juliansong
Tham Chiang: Also: Tham Jiang, Tham Chang. In the Vang Vieng Resort complex. Easy to access. It was used by the local people as a bunker in defense against the Jiin Haw (Yunnanese Chinese) in the early 19th century. At the base of the cave its possible to swim 80m into the cave. Beautiful views of Vang Vieng from the entry. Read more on laos.eegc.org
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Picture by GusjerThe path towards the mountain, where Tham Chiang cave is inside
Picture by Rory OBrien
Picture Rory OBrienPretty river for swimming near the entrance of Tham Chiang cave
Tham Lom: About 3 km from the town. Read more on laos.eegc.org
Tham Nam Xang (Elephant Cave): At km 48 on Route 13. Near Tham Xang village. Head towards the river, cross the bridge and about 100 m ahead is the cave. You find here an sanctuary, over 300 years older than the Lane Xang Kingdom: 5 large pink sandstone sculptures and 2 huge Buddha images. Read more and on laos.eegc.org
Picture by PigalleTham Hoi: Read more on laos.eegc.org
Tham Loup: Read more on laos.eegc.org
Day tour to caves by greendiscoverylaos.com
Read more about on tubing down a cave
Tham None: One of the biggest caves in Vang Vieng, it served as a rescue shelter during the Second Indochina War. Today it is home to a bat colony and The Magic Stone of Vang Vieng.
Climb the limestone carsts
The limestone carst landscape around Vang Vieng attracts rock climbers. Green Discovery and Adam's Climbing School offer half- and fullday courses with their instructors. More informations on summitpost.org
Go kayaking
Kayaking is offered by Green Discovery Laos and often starts at Viengsamay, a Khmu village about 10 km north of Vang Vieng and goes down Nam Song River, see video on youtube. But there is also a day trip to Nam Lik, a very scenic river. Also Vang Vieng Tours offer kayaking trips.
Go for birds on Nong Nok
Nong Nok (bird lake) at Ban Sivilay Village, a community-managed birds sanctuary with hundreds of ducks and egrets roosting here.
See Vang Vieng Area Map by Hobomaps.
