VANG VIENG
TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF VANG VIENG
Vang Vieng is located in central southern Laos about a 4 hour bus ride north of the capital city of Vientiane or about 7 hours south of the town of Luang Prabang. If you enter Vang Vieng by bus you will be dropped off on a huge gravel runway on the edge of town. A brisk several minute walk across the runway will bring you to the main part of town. Signs for guesthouses or restaurants call out from almost every single building. You know you are in Vang Vieng when you see the dull rusted corrugated metal roofs of the buildings in stark contrast to the brightly colored 3 wheel Tuk-tuks lined up along the streets. This is a truly a backpackers city – businesses that cater to backpackers are everywhere. Ccafes, guesthouses, bars, massage parlors & trekking companies all greet your arrival with welcoming arms. These are all fairly new establishments as backpackers haven’t always stayed in Vang Vieng. It is only within the past 5 or 6 years that Vang Vieng has seen such an influx of tourists.
1.THAMNAM
Tham Nam has the claim to fame of being one of the most important and pretty caves in Vang Vieng. The inner chamber runs for some 500 meters and the Nam Song River has a small offshoot that trickles through the cave. If you visit during the rainy season you can tube inside the cave, although in the dry season the water levels are usually too low to do this. As you go through the cave you can check out the stalagmites and stalactites, rock crystals and cave dwelling critters.
2.GO TUBING
One of the activities that Vang Vieng is most famous for is the chance to go tubing down the charming Nam Song River. Once at the riverside, you can pay a small fee to hire a rubber tube and then float down the river which is also lined with cafes and places to stop off along the way. You can also just tube in front of a number of restaurants which means that you don’t have to stray too far and you can happily spend the full day floating around and enjoying the majestic yet serene surroundings.
3.THAM LOUP
Tham Loup, or Tham Loub as it is also known, is one of the more rustic caves which has hardly been touched inside, and this is the reason why many people choose to come here. The cave is also known for its large collection of stalactites and if you are looking for a more serene and unhurried cave experience then this is a good pick in Vang Vieng.
4.THAM JANG
Tham Jang is one of the best known caves in Vang Vieng as it was an important spot in the history of Laos. This cave was actually the spot of an army bunker when the Chinese invaded Vang Vieng in the 19th century, so history buffs should make sure not to give it a miss. To get into the cave you will have to walk up a steep set of steps but it is more than worth the additional effort.
5.GO ROCK CLIMBING
Vang Vieng is surrounded by scenic limestone outcrops and eerie karst formations. This means that rock climbing is a common pastime here, although you will need to have some level of rock climbing experience and a good level of physical fitness in order to do this safely in Van Vieng. If you want to go on a rock climbing adventure, then make sure you do so with one of the established rock climbing schools in town. Also insist on the proper safety equipment and inspect this before you set off on your climb.
6.TRY THE GRILLED MEATS
If you are looking for something local to eat in Vang Vieng then consider checking out the grilled meat vendors that set up along the water front in the evenings. They usually sell what is known as beeng moo which is basically barbecued pork or you can also try the naam kow which are balls of rice which are mixed with toothsome pork sausage. As is the custom with Laotian food, all the food is served with plates that are heaped with local salads, herbs and other aromatics so that you can customize your meal.
7.GO KAYAK ON THE RIVER
The main artery running through Vang Vieng is the river and with that in mind many of the activities in town center around this majestic waterway. If you want to do something a little more exciting than tubing and are looking for an adventure, then you can have a go at kayaking. One of the main kayaking tours will take you to some of the caves around Van Vieng, and you can kayak up the river and then continue directly on into the mouth of the caves. There is usually also time to get out of the kayak and go for a swim which will help you cool off after a long day paddling.
8.TRY ZIP LINING
If you want an adrenalin pumping afternoon in Vang Vieng then you can sign up to go zip lining. This is a fairly new activity in the region and you can travel to Tham Nam, better known as the Water Cave and then whizz through the air on a zip line. This is also one of the best ways to get a look out over the jungle canopy that surrounds most of the caves in Van Vieng.
9.GO HOT AIR BALLOONING
In recent years a number of tour companies have been offering hot air balloon rides around Van Vieng. If you have a head for heights then hop in a basket and float over jade hued rice paddies and past looming limestone outcrops. This is a great activity if you want to take in Vang Vieng from a completely different vantage point, especially if you plan a ride to coincide with the gorgeous sunsets.
- Journey along Vang Vieng’s Famous Caves
- Kayaking in the Nam Song river
- Visit Laos’ most famous Blue Lagoons
- Trek to the heart of the jungle
- Soar up high in a Hot Air Balloon
- Climb to Vang Vieng’s mountain tops
- Tubing along Vang Vieng’s rivers
- Look out to the city from the top viewpoints
HOW TO GET VANG VIENG
There is no airport at or near Vang Vieng, which is kinda what makes it a tad more remote and cool. Here’s the skinny on how to get to Vang Vieng:
Vientiane to Vang Vieng
If you’re coming from Vientiane, you have a few options. Catch a local from Da Laat Sao, a local market in Vientiane. It’ll take you around 4 or 5 hours to get there and cost you 40,000 Kip. Buses depart at 6am, 7am, 9am, 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm daily and will drop you at the Northern Bus Station, you’ll need to catch a Tuk Tuk to get into town, around 10,000 Kip. You can also catch a Thavonsouk Bus Company or Malany Bus Company ride, departing from near the National Cultural Hall and setting you back 60,000 Kip with a 4 hour travel time. It’s pretty easy to book your tickets through local vendors in Vientiane. Your final option is to splash out for a private minibus through a tour operator.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
You can catch a minibus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng daily at 9am or 2pm or hop aboard the VIP bus which departs at 9:30am. The ride takes around 6 1/2 hours or so and will drop you at the Northern Bus Station. You’ll need to hop a short Tuk Tuk ride to get into town, which should cost you 10,000 Kip or so. You can book your bus tickets easily through local vendors in Luang Prabang and it should cost you between 100,000 and 200,000 Kip.
Pro tip: The ride via bus will take you through extremely windy terrain. If you even get the tiniest bit bus sick, you’re going to need to load yourself up with travel sickness medicine. Take it before you get on, get yourself a seat up the front of the bus and try to sleep.
WHAT TO BRING
Light, breathable clothing like shirts, singlet tops, shorts and skirts – it gets DAMN hot so make sure you dress in a way that doesn’t make you feel like you’re going to get heatstroke and die
One pair of comfortable shoes and one pair of sandals, flats or flip-flops
You’ll definitely need your swimwear, towel, sunscreen; hat and anything else you need to swim and avoid sunburn
Take one or two nicer outfits for dinner and/or drinks
Definitely, pack medicine for an upset tummy and bug spray. I guarantee you will need both
You should also have hand sanitizer and tissues with you at all times for the bathroom.
WEATHER OF VANG VIENG
On average, the temperatures are always high.A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the month of: May, June, July, August and September.
Vang Vieng has dry periods in January, February, November and December.
The warmest month is April with an average maximum temperature of 33°C (91°F).
The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 28°C (82°F).
August is the most wet month. This month should be avoided if you are not a big fan of rain.
December is the driest month.
WHERE TO EAT AND MUST TRY FOOD
Here are my picks on where to get some great grub in Vang Vieng:If you haven’t tried it before, be sure to try the mango sticky rice at one of the local restaurants, like A.M.D
Love to party? Get raging drunk at local hotspot, Sakura, an absolutely famous local spot that dishes out free whisky from 8-9pm (AVOID) and balloons filled with nitrous
For sunset drinks with a less wild flavour, head to Smile Bar
If you really need some familiar food to quell the cravings, try dining at Amigos Mexican
Grab sunset beers and pizzas from Pizza Luka
Be sure to have at least one fruit shake from a roadside vendor, mango is my favourite
Also, you might want to try a pancake or roti from a street side vendor (perfect after-booze food)
Another great spot for food your tummy may be craving is Gary’s Irish Bar #WhosYourPaddy?
Fancy a healthy bite? Head to Earth Recycled.
