Vang Vieng has somewhat of a bad reputation.
It’s known as the party capital of Laos where drunken and drug-induced tourists roam the streets and wreak havoc wherever they go.
But Vang Vieng has changed in the past couple of years.
The government has cracked down on the number of bars that surround the city, more specifically the river where many tourists used to get heavily intoxicated and end up drowning as a result.
Now, Vang Vieng is much calmer and has so much more to offer than just partying.
Here are 5 things to do in Vang Vieng that will cater to any traveler.
1. Tubing in the Nam Song River
Going to Vang Vieng and not spending the day tubing down the Nam Song River would be like going to Rome and not visiting the colosseum.
There are two companies that offer river tubing: The yellow tubing company, and the red tubing company.
The yellow tubing company is more party-oriented and requires a deposit for the tubes, whereas the red tubing company is more relaxing and no deposit is required.
We chose the red tubing company, and we still stopped at 2 floating bars along the way and had an absolute blast.
You can either book it with your accommodation, or you can go directly to the ticket office that is located in front of the Amari hotel.
The cost is 60,000 kip per person, including the tuk tuk ride to/from the river.
The descent, including stops at the bars, will take about 5-6 hours.
2. Renting a buggy for the day
If you’re on a very tight budget, this may not be the best option for you.
But if you can splurge a little bit, renting a buggy for the day is one of the funnest things you can do in Vang Vieng.
We rented our buggy from a place called Green Morning Travel Company. We shopped around for the best price and this place was it.
Our buggy was 660cc and we rented it for 6 hours for 450,000 kip.
It’s the best option to use if you want to leave town and explore the countryside.
Be warned – the roads are unpaved and extremely bumpy. Also, everything you wear will be dirty and covered in a thick layer of dust by the time you get back.
If you can’t afford a buggy, you can always opt for a motorbike instead. Only do so if you’re an experienced rider, though. First-timers shouldn’t ride on the unpaved roads of Vang Vieng.
3. Hiking to the Nam Xay viewpoint
Reaching the top of the Nam Xay viewpoint is one of the most rewarding things to do in Vang Vieng.
I’m not a hiker. Back home, I’m generally opposed to any sort of physical activity.
But being promised a stunning view overlooking the Vang Vieng countryside motivated me to climb a steep mountain in 35+ degree weather.
You have to pay 10,000 kip to climb up.
The climb should take around 25-30 minutes, depending on how often you stop to drink water and to catch your breath.
The last 30-second climb requires you to literally rock-climb using both hands.
Once you get the to top, the view is simply breathtaking. There’s even a motorcycle prop you can sit on that makes for amazing pictures!
4. Swimming at Blue Lagoon 3
There are three Blue Lagoons you can visit.
However, Blue Lagoons 1 & 2 are very crowded as they are the closest ones to town.
If you want a more secluded lagoon, you need to head over to Blue Lagoon 3.
It’s about 45 minutes away from the city and the entry fee is 10,000 kip. You can either take a tuk tuk or you can rent a buggy or a motorbike to get yourself there.
I would suggest bringing a towel and a change of clothes with you if possible.
Vang Vieng is very hot during the day, but Blue Lagoon 3 is shaded by a gigantic mountain so you won’t be able to dry off in the sun.
If you want a more sunny area to swim in, there’s a lovely pond just 3 minutes away that is sunny all day. There are signs for it as you drive toward Blue Lagoon 3.
5. Riding a hot air balloon
Laos offers the cheapest hot air balloon rides in the world.
So unless you have vertigo or a serious fear of heights, you’ve got to try it.
It costs roughly USD $90 per person. Just to compare, it costs upward of $250 anywhere else.
You can choose whether you want to ride at sunrise or sunset. We chose sunset because we did not want to wake up at 5:00am.
Any hotel or tour company will be able to book the hot air balloon ride for you.
It’s definitely one of the most unforgettable and unique things to do in Vang Vieng (or anywhere!), so try not to pass it up.
