The Best Things to Do in Vang Vieng (2024)

Vang Vieng: Laos’ Adventure Capital

This article will go over the best things to do in Vang Vieng so you won’t miss anything when planning your itinerary! The addition of the high speed railway from Luang Prabang and Vientiane as well as the notorious tipsy tubing has made this a fairly popular destination in Laos. Visitors come from all over the world to indulge in the nature and adrenaline activities that Vang Vieng offers. If you fancy a hot air balloon ride, tipsy tubing, and stunning nature, Vang Vieng is the place for you! Let’s get into the best things to do in Vang Vieng!

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The 11 Best Things to Do in Vang Vieng

1. Hike Up Nam Xay Viewpoint

The Nam Xay Viewpoint is an absolute must do on your trip to Vang Vieng – it’s the famous spot where you can get a picture of yourself on a motorcycle on top of the mountain! The trail is steep and moderately difficult, but it’s a quick hike that takes around two hours round trip. Upon reaching the summit, you’ll experience breathtaking vistas of the various farmlands and the surrounding karst mountains – this was one of the most beautiful views we’ve seen from a hike!

2. Go on a Hot Air Balloon or Paramotor Ride

If you like adrenaline activities and seeing beautiful places from above, then consider doing a hot air balloon ride or paramotoring adventure in Vang Vieng. Drift above Vang Vieng’s stunning limestone cliffs and vibrant green fields and get a unique perspective of this picturesque town. You can choose whether you want to go at sunrise or sunset, and make sure you book a couple of days in advance!

3. Get Tipsy on a Tube

Dive into the lively atmosphere of Tipsy Tubing along the Nam Song River, where you can leisurely float downstream while enjoying the company of fellow travelers. You’ll have mandatory stops at riverside bars to have a few drinks (don’t forget to bring some money with you!) and dance to the music! The riverbanks boast stunning scenery which guarantees a truly memorable tubing experience.

There have been deaths and injuries while Tipsy Tubing, so watch your alcohol consumption and stay away from the rope swings. Many of these are closed now and there are certain guidelines in place to mitigate risk, but make sure you take precautions! Also, be extremely careful with cocktails and liquor. In November of 2024, 6 backpackers died and more were seriously injured after their drinks were poisoned at Nana Backpacker hostel in Vang Vieng.

4. Explore the Blue Lagoons

Explore the many blue lagoons scattered around Vang Vieng, such as the popular Blue Lagoon 1 and Blue Lagoon 3. These natural swimming pools offer beautiful blue water, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains, providing a perfect setting for relaxation and enjoyment. All of the people we met said that Blue Lagoon 3 is the best lagoon to visit, but it was closed while we were visiting. Keep in mind that these are hard to get due to the sketchy bridges, dirt roads, and gravel roads, but some of the roads were being paved as of November of 2023, so hopefully conditions are better now!

5. Stroll through the Vieng Tara Rice Fields

While in Vang Vieng, take some time to visit the beautiful Vieng Tara Rice Fields, where expansive fields and a beautiful mountain backdrop create a serene landscape. You’ll need to buy food or drinks from the resort’s restaurant to walk out on the raised foot bridge over the rice fields, but it’s definitely worth it. You can also opt to stay at the hotel – they have some beautiful bungalows!

Vieng Tara Rice Fields Vang Vieng Things to Do

6. Go Ziplining

Experience an adrenaline rush by zip-lining through the treetops, available at Inter Park or on a tour combined with a visit to the Than Nam Cave. Embrace your adventurous side as you zip through lush landscapes, adding an extra thrill to your Vang Vieng adventure!

If you like ziplining, make sure to add The Rock Viewpoint to your itinerary!

7. Relax with Yoga on the Rice Fields

Indulge in yoga sessions set against the backdrop of rice fields, offering a serene and rejuvenating experience. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a beginner, practicing yoga in this natural setting provides a unique and calming escape. Silver Naga Hotel offers yoga with a complimentary dip in their pool after your yoga session!

8. Shop the Vang Vieng Night Market

At night, don’t miss visiting Vang Vieng’s vibrant Night Market, where you can sample local street food, shop for some souvenirs, and soak in the lively atmosphere after sunset. It’s right downtown; you can find the street by searching for “Night Market” on Google Maps.

9. Unwind with a Traditional Lao Massage

After a day of exploring Vang Vieng’s breathtaking scenery, what better way to unwind than with a traditional Lao massage? This is the perfect way to soothe your muscles, revitalize your senses, and delve into a unique cultural practice. There are lots of places that offer massage services – we recommend just wandering around town and keeping an eye out for signs or asking your accommodation host!

10. Dine with a View

Savor a delightful dining experience with a view at one of Vang Vieng’s scenic restaurants. Whether perched along the riverbanks or overlooking the karst mountains, these establishments offer a perfect combination of delicious cuisine and picturesque surroundings. The photo below is from the Green Restaurant, which we recommend visiting!

Also, though the Happy Mango Thai Restaurant doesn’t have a view, I would be remiss to not recommend that everyone visit it at least once!!

11. Explore Than Nam Cave

Navigate the scenic beauty of Than Nam Cave by kayak or tube, discovering the wonders of this natural cave system. With its fascinating rock formations and underground river, it’s a unique adventure that combines the thrill of water activities with the intrigue of cave exploration.

If you’re interested in a day of kayaking, tubing through the cave, and ziplining through the forest, check out this tour!

Best Time to Visit Vang Vieng

The best time to visit Vang Vieng is from October to February. Though the dry season runs from October to April, the later months can be extremely hot and uncomfortable for exploring, so we definitely recommend avoiding those months (it’s hot enough from October to February as it is!).

Where to Stay in Vang Vieng

The best place to stay in Vang Vieng is definitely near the downtown area, where you’ll have access to the town’s restaurant and bar scene as well as the night market. This is also where you’ll be able to get ATV or scooter rentals, so it’s the most convenient spot to base yourself.

Vang Vieng Accommodations

Riverside Boutique Resort

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How to Get to Vang Vieng

When you’re planning your Laotian trip, you’ll likely be coming to Vang Vieng either from Luang Prabang or Vientiane, which both have large international airports and are connected to the Laos-China Railway.

Vang Vieng is super easy to get to from both of these locations, and the easiest way to reach it is with the high speed train that runs from Kunming in China all the way down to Vientiane. Not only are these trains comfortable and fast, the rides are also incredibly scenic!

The train is definitely the best route if your traveling from Luang Prabang, but buses are a cheap alternative if you’re traveling from Vientiane.

How to Get to Vang Vieng by Train

From both Luang Prabang and Vientiane the train takes about one hour to reach Vang Vieng. There are a few options on 12Go to book a transfer to and from the train stations, which I definitely recommend doing as the train stations in these cities are further outside of the city and you’ll need to take either a pre-determined transfer or a tuk tuk to get to and from the stations. When you get off the train at your destination, there will be tons of tuk tuks waiting. However, be aware that they will pack these with as many people as possible, and they tend to charge inflated prices because they know you need a ride.

Be advised that you need to buy your train ticket at least 3-4 days in advance, even more if possible. Train tickets sell out quickly!! You also need to arrive at the train station around an hour in advance; you have to go through security to get into the station and you never know how long that will take! Tickets are cheaper if you buy in person, but if you cannot, book your tickets in advance on 12Go – expect to pay around 20 USD per ticket for a one way journey.

How to Get to Vang Vieng by Bus

As mentioned above, the train is the best option if you’re coming from Luang Prabang because the bus ride takes 4-6 hours and typically only costs slightly less than the train.

However, if you’re traveling from Vientiane, a bus is certainly the cheaper way to travel; a bus ticket will cost around 9 USD, which is about half the price of the train. Additionally, it only takes about 1.5 hours which is very similar to the train time (especially if you add in the transportation to get to and from the train stations). Buses are also more convenient for those who like to buy transportation tickets the day before.

Purchase your bus tickets on 12Go

How to Get Around in Vang Vieng

There are various places to rent a motorbike, although the prices are a bit higher than other places in Laos since Vang Vieng is a big tourist hotspot.

Be advised that the roads in Vang Vieng are not very good at all, and it honestly felt pretty dangerous to be driving around parts of it on a motorbike, especially the bridge you have to cross to get to popular spots such as the blue lagoons and the Nam Xay Viewpoint. If this will be your first time renting a motorbike, be extremely careful. If you don’t feel comfortable driving a motorbike, we recommend renting a buggy or ATV which will do much better on the choppy dirt and gravel roads.

A Note on Vang Vieng

There is no denying that Vang Vieng is gorgeous and has a lot of fun activities to do, but we feel it’s important to mention that it can feel quite touristy. It is also pricier than other Laos towns, though eating at smaller, local restaurants and staying in hostels is a great way to keep costs down. Just be aware that Vang Vieng certainly won’t have that small town, undiscovered feel that other spots may have, but we still think it’s worth visiting because of all the activities it offers.

However, if you’re interested in exploring a quieter town that also has incredible scenery and hiking, we urge you to check out Nong Khiaw, which is located north of Luang Prabang. We absolutely loved it there and it definitely has that undiscovered feeling (though it is also harder to reach and has less tourism infrastructure – it really just depends on what you’re looking for!).

Check out the Best Things to do in Nong Khiaw!

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Our Favorite Travel Resources

Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.

Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.

Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.

Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.

International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.

eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.

Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!

The Best Things to Do in Vang Vieng