Surrounded by limestone mountains and caves, Vang Vieng is a colorful town along the Nam Song River in the Vientiane Province, about four hours by bus from the capital of Laos. In recent years, Vang Vieng has pivoted to adventure tourism, departing from its reputation as a party town on the Laos backpacker circuit. This rural town boasts of endless pastoral fields, centuries-old monasteries, unique rock formations, mysterious caves like the Tham Poukham and Tham Nam, and the so-called Blue Lagoons.
Seven kilometers west of Vang Vieng lies a sacred cave that contains a bronze statue of a reclining Buddha and a lagoon with crystal clear, turquoise waters. The entrance to Phu Kham cave is reached through a hiking trail that climbs up 200 meters to a limestone cliff . The cave leads to a labyrinth of chambers and galleries ripe for exploration. The Tham Phu Kham cave and its famous Blue Lagoon can be found near the village of Ban Na Thong and is accessible by tuk tuk or bicycle.
Tham Chang is one of the most elegant caves in Vang Vieng and one of the most visited attractions in town. Located in Meuang Xong Village, the cave is fairly close to the town center and entails a 30-minute climb up the Vang Vieng mountains. From the entrance, there is a small pool with warm water that visitors can dip into before proceeding to explore the different pathways and chambers filled with fascinating stalactites and stalagmites. Tham Chang cave served as a bunker during various conflict periods in Laos history.
Wat That is the most maintained temple is Vang Vieng and is relatively larger than the other major Buddhist temple in town, Wat Kang. The main prayer hall is the most ornate out of all the buildings in the complex and is frequented by the temple’s resident monks. Wat That has a chedi, just like other Buddhist temples, and a smiling seated Buddha enshrined in a green-colored pavilion. The temple is less than a two-kilometer walk from Vang Vieng Southern Bus Terminal.
Wat Kang is one of two Buddhist temples in the heart of Vang Vieng. The ordination hall is the main building in the complex and is decorated with paintings, with four small Buddha statues and a chedi in front. It is a perfect example of how Laos temples in small towns usually look like if it’s founded without royal patronage. Wat Kang has both a seated Buddha and a reclining Buddha resting in individual pavilions. The temple is less than a kilometer walk from Vang Vieng Southern Bus Terminal.
Nam Xay Viewpoint is one of the more developed observation areas where people can get to see and appreciate the town of Vang Vieng. It’s challenging to get to the summit and there are only crude bamboo rails to hold on to when you ascend. There are viewing platforms and bamboo huts at the very top for visitors to use. The Nam Xay Viewpoint trailhead starts at a parking area located around 10km away from the town center, which can be reached by taxi, motorbike, or bicycle.
Boasting of the best panorama of Vang Vieng, the Pha Ngern View Point is located west of the toll bridge crossing the Nam Song River. It takes about an hour’s walk from the town center to get to the starting point of the hiking trail leading up to three viewpoints. The Pha Ngern View Point hike is quite challenging but the fantastic views of the Vang Vieng mountains and its towering karst cliffs are well worth the effort.
Nam Song River is a very popular venue for Vang Vieng kayaking, tubing, and other water activities. It is a small river that flows through the entire town and is surrounded by amazing limestone mountains and unique karst formations. Connecting the eastern (Vang Vieng town proper) and western areas (most tourist attractions) of the river is the Namsong Bridge. This toll bridge is the only one in Vang Vieng that can support the weight of passing motor vehicles and bicycles, the rest are for pedestrian crossing only.
Tucked away on the eastern part of Vang Vieng is a 30-meter waterfall beloved by locals and tourists alike. The Kaeng Nyui Waterfall is less than 7km away from the town center and can be reached by car or by motorbike northward via Highway 13. From the trailhead of the waterfall, visitors need to hike through the Houay Nyui and Nam Lao streams, then past Kenlon Falls before reaching Kaeng Nyui.
The Vang Vieng Walking Street is a vibrant night market that comes alive everyday from 5:00pm to 12:00am. It is situated just off the town’s main road and is close enough to walk from most of the accommodations in Vang Vieng. There are a lot of stalls selling Laotian- style clothes and bags, souvenirs and trinkets. There are also snacks stalls with outdoor seating for visitors to enjoy some street food with Lao beer and cocktails.
Tham Nam is a 500m-long cave located around 15km north of Vang Vieng’s town center. Visitors have to rent an inflated inner tube to float and then pull through a system of ropes to get through the entire length of the river within the cave. The water depth is usually from knee to waist level and during the dry season, visitors can wade in the shallow parts. It takes around 20 minutes or so to reach the end of the cave before having to turn back.
Halfway between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng is famous for its karst mountains, caves, underground rivers, and incredible sunrise and sunset views. This laid-back town has reinvented itself to become a haven for adventure seekers, offering visitors a myriad of outdoor activities. Cycling, rock climbing, tubing, kayaking, caving, and hot air balloon rides are just a few of the top things to do in Vang Vieng.
Dry season is the ideal time to go to Vang Vieng because there is less rain and the temperature is mild from late October to March. The lengthy and rainy wet season occurs from April to October, peaking in July, rendering the supposedly “blue” lagoons brown and murky. Tourism is fairly slow during these months because of the weather so there’s a higher chance to book low-priced accomodations.
Vang Vieng is a small town and there are plenty of options available, from budget hotels to luxury resorts. The city center (Ban Viengkeo) is lined with hostels that you can book even without a reservation prior to the stay date. You can also opt for agritourism accommodations, geared towards health- and food-conscious travelers, instead of the usual guest houses.