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| Blue Lagoon |
1. Tubing
Tubing in Vang Vieng is still great for those seeking to have fun with friends, drink a few beers and experience some amazing scenery. But the serious party on the river is over. “Tubing” was once a synonym for backpacker debauchery: the Nam Song river was lined with illegal bars brazenly selling bucket drinks and drugs. At its peak, more than 400 people a day would tube down the river – and fly into the river via makeshift swings, slides and zip lines.
2. Blue Lagoon
It’s crowded these days, but Blue Lagoon is a great spot to relax and cool off, especially as a reward after a hot sweaty bike ride on bone jarring dirt road. Tourism is a double-edged sword and this stunning natural idyll attracts dozens, perhaps even hundreds of visitors a day that all contribute to its qualification. The lagoon is a stunning turquoise blue, clean, refreshingly cold and filled with an abundance of fish but now there are rope swings, ladders and crowds gather to watch as friends goad each other into jumping from in from the top of a tree. Vendors have popped up renting life jackets and tubes, and there is a big plastic slide and ugly wood huts with tin roofs along the water to enjoy beer and food. And this is why Vang Vieng can’t have nice things.
3. The Water Cave
Cave, floating on an inner tube, a river and great scenery: the Water Cave seems to combine aspects from all of Vang Vieng’s main attractions into one special experience. Jump in the cool water, head to the very low mouth of a cave, grab the rope and pull yourself hand-over-hand up the underground river for 500 meters. The tunnel is narrow and very low in parts, with eerie formations on the ceiling. Though the water is not so deep, the darkness and disorientation makes for an exciting experience. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the end before having to turn back.
4. Other caves around Vang Vieng
The stunning limestone mountains that tower over Vang Vieng are riddled with caves of all kinds. Some are large with spectacular stalagmite and stalactite formations, while others are so small you can barely squeeze inside. While the Water Cave may be the main attraction, there are plenty of other caverns worth exploring.
5. Kayaking and boat tours
Now that Vang Vieng is attracting a different sort of traveller (the kind that aren’t interested in tubing), kayaking has exploded in popularity and trips down the river, ranging from an hour to a full day, are offered by several tour companies in town. Whatever vessel you choose, a trip on the river is a must while in Vang Vieng. A popular full day trip usually includes the Water Cave 14 kilometres north of town, lunch and a paddle down. It’s a great day out that combines a few of Vang Vieng’s highlights without having to charter a tuk tuk yourself, but know that it will be you and dozens of others bumping tubes in the Water Cave, with screams of delight bouncing off the walls. A cool off-the-beaten track experience this is not.
6. Rock climbing
Vang Vieng’s dramatic limestone karst make it an exciting place to learn outdoor rock climbing year round. Established in 2004, Adam's Climbing School offers half- and full-day courses that can be extended to two or three days for higher-level training, all done under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor or Mr Sangthong (aka Adam) himself, who speaks Lao, English and German.
Whether you are a beginner or have prior experience, a half-day course costs 180,000 kip, a full day 260,000 kip. If you want to really progress in skill and difficulty, do the two-, three- or five-day course (US$100, $165, $225). The instruction covers different areas and levels of skill from basic knots and belay techniques to absailing and multi-pitch climbing. Those who are climbing pros can rent equipment or arrange advanced trips.
7. Pha Poak
Pha Poak is a small limestone hill located to the west of town, visible from the western banks of the Nam Song thanks to a flag on top. Climbing Pha Poak is a popular activity for many who visit Vang Vieng and it’s an easy walk to the base though more difficult climb to the summit. It’s a 30-minute climb from the base of the hill to the summit. The path is steep with sharp jagged rocks, making the going quite tough, especially when wearing flip-flops — shoes are highly recommended. Along the way you encounter makeshift ladders built from bamboo and wood, which aid in the climb but they can be unnervingly rickety.
8. Kaeng Nyui Waterfall
It’s a challenging bike ride (or come by songthaews, lazypants) to Kaeng Nyui Waterfall on a hot day, with lots of rocks and hardly any shade along the route. But at the end you’re greeted with three cascades, including Kaeng Nyui itself with a 34-metre drop, and a pleasant swimming hole at the base of Kenlon falls. All of this is almost bone dry in dry season and not worth the trip during this time. A 10,000 kip admission is collected by the village who maintains the forest trail between falls and cleans up the rubbish. Drinks and snacks are also available here and you can dine and relax in huts along the river.
9. Cycling and motorbiking around Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng town itself can be an eyesore but it only takes 10 minutes on a bicycle to get out and find yourself surrounded by rice paddies, karsts and people planting rice by hand. In Vang Vieng, the line between the have and have nots is clear, with many living a rural way of life in very basic conditions. The town continues to prosper from tourism yet roads remain unpaved. Bicycle daily rentals start at 10,000 kip for street bikes or from 20,000 kip for mountain bikes. You will definitely want a decent mountain bike with gears if you are hitting a dirt road, which essentially means anywhere outside of town. Renting a motorbike for a full day starts around 50,000 kip, an automatic for 70,000 kip and up. The gas station closest to town where everyone fills up are ripping tourists off with an old scam: ensure the attendant resets the pump before filling your tank or you end up paying a lot more than you should. A basic motorbike should cost no more than 25,000 kip to fill.
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