Visit Vang Vieng: Top 5 Best Things To Do & See

Vang Vieng is a small town in Vientiane province, 150 kilometers from Laos’ capital. Vang Vieng is famous for its peaceful countryside and pleasant, fresh climate. Despite not having diverse cuisine and entertainment activities seen in other places, Vang Vieng remains a popular tourist destination, particularly for nature lovers and adventure travelers.

Vang Vieng has retained the tranquil, simple charm of a countryside community to this day, providing tourists a sense of comfort, intimacy, and familiarity when they visit Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng is definitely a must-see on your trip through Laos.

Let Hanoi Voyages accompany you to explore and visit Vang Vieng!

Best time to visit Vang Vieng

The tourist town of Vang Vieng has a cool climate all year round. Therefore, you can visit Vang Vieng at any time and feel comfortable. However, Vang Vieng is a town surrounded by green mountains and forests, visitors can refer to the information below before deciding.

Dry season (november to march)

This is the peak tourist season in Vang Vieng due to pleasant weather. The weather is cooler, and the skies are generally clear, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and exploring the natural beauty of the area. This is a great time to go if you want to avoid heavy rain and experience comfortable temperatures. December and January are particularly popular months, but they can be crowded, so book accommodations in advance.

Shoulder season (april to may)

This period is warm and starts to get quite hot towards the end of April. It’s a good time for outdoor activities if you can handle the heat, but be prepared for occasional rain showers. This is also the start of the agricultural burning season, which can lead to poor air quality in some areas.

Wet season (june to october)

This is the rainy season in Vang Vieng, with the heaviest rainfall typically occurring in July and August. The landscape is lush and green, but activities like tubing, kayaking, and swimming may be affected by high water levels in rivers. The area can be less crowded, and accommodations may be more affordable during this time. Be prepared for sudden downpours and occasional flooding in low-lying areas.

In summary, the best time to visit Vang Vieng for most travelers is during the dry season from november to march when the weather is comfortable, and outdoor activities are at their best. When you visit Vang Vieng in this time, you will have the best experience.

Things to do in Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng town

Vang Vieng Town is the center of the Vang Vieng district and the hub of most recreational activities.

When visitors visit Vang Vieng, they will not be surprised by the visions of colorful air balloons drifting in the sky, creating a poetic spectacle. Visitors can easily observe the entire sunrise in Vang Vieng by exploring hot air balloons for about 3,2000 LAK/person (about 155 USD). Hot air ballooning is organized by a professional international team that always ensures safety for each customer when experiencing it. This will certainly be an unforgettable memory for visitors.

Cycling on the town’s paths is also a good option for people looking for a relaxing and gentle experience. Cycling around the town when you visit Vang Vieng not only helps you exercise, but it also allows you to appreciate the beauty of the green rice fields, the Nam Song river, and the people’s tranquil pace of life. You can rent a bike from shops that provide bicycles for tourists or some homestays even provide them for free.

Nam Xay viewpoint

Nam Xay Viewpoint is a fantastic spot in Vang Vieng, Laos, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The viewpoint is accessible by a short but relatively steep hike. Enjoy a scenic trek through the lush jungle and limestone karsts to reach the top. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and carry plenty of water.

Moreover, the area is home to various bird species. Birdwatchers can bring their binoculars and enjoy spotting the local avian fauna. Or if you’re into yoga and meditation, Nam Xay Viewpoint offers a tranquil setting to practice mindfulness and find inner peace amidst the stunning natural surroundings.

Nam Song river

When visitors think of Vang Vieng, one of the first images that come to mind is the Nam Song River. The Nam Song River’s clean and refreshing waters provide an ideal spot for swimming and cooling off on a hot day. And you can explore the river’s gentle rapids and beautiful scenery by renting a kayak. It gives you more control over your journey and allows for a closer connection with the surroundings. This is really a wonderful experience when you visit Vang Vieng.

Blue lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is 7 kilometers from Vang Vieng town, so visitors can take a tuk-tuk or rent a bicycle to get there. All three lagoons have lovely pure blue water surrounded by verdant tropical jungle and provide a variety of water activities like chair lifting and ziplining. There are water slides, life jacket rentals, and a little cafe, so you can spend the day enjoying water activities while sipping your favorite drink.

Vang Vieng night market

When you visit Vang Vieng, the night market will be your final destination of the day. That is the moment when you can freely select appealing foods or freely purchase clothes and souvenirs. Traditional and handmade items will undoubtedly be excellent choices for your relatives on your trip to Laos. The market is located on one of Vang Vieng’s main streets and is open from 6pm to 8pm, making it highly convenient for travelers to attend.

Local foods and restaurants in Vang Vieng

Local foods and drink

Ping Pa ( Grilled fish)

This is one of the traditional and favorite dishes in the country of a million elephants. After cleaning, fresh fish will be marinated with spices and clamped on a bamboo stick to grill on a charcoal stove. The finished product is a delicious, firm grilled fish dish served with vegetables and dipping sauce.

Pizza

You’ll find a number of places offering pizza, and some of them have unique toppings influenced by local flavors. Wood-fired pizza also creates a difference between Western cuisine in this town compared to other regions.

Street Food

You can find street vendors selling a variety of snacks anand quick meals, like grilled meats on sticks, fruits shakes, and fried rice.

Beerlao

Don’t forget to try the local Beerlao when you visit Vang Vieng, which is the most popular beer in Laos.

Restaurants in Vang Vieng

Restaurant du Crabe d’Or

Restaurant du Crabe d’Or, named after one of Vang Vieng’s most famous caves. It provides a variety of culinary options and a romantic dining experience.To accommodate the different demands of each customer, it has both indoor and outdoor seating places.

Happy Mango Thai Restaurant

Happy Mango Thai Restaurant serves affordable, flavorful meals with popular dishes including pad thai, pineapple fried rice, and mango sticky rice. However, the restaurant seems busy so it is not suitable for those who like a quiet space.

Gary’s Irish Bar & Restaurant

As the name suggests, this is an Irish-themed restaurant and bar. You can enjoy pub-style food, as well as Lao dishes. The atmosphere is lively, and it’s a good place to meet fellow travelers.

Bamboo Tree Restaurant

Bamboo Tree is known for its affordable and tasty Lao cuisine. They serve traditional dishes like laap, green curry, and fried noodles. The restaurant has a pleasant garden setting.

Best hotels in Vang Vieng

Riverside Boutique Resort

Riverside Boutique Resort provides 2 luxurious riverside suites and 32 generously sized rooms, all enveloped by verdant gardens, just a stone’s throw from the serene Nam River. Drawing inspiration from the skilled artistry of different Lao ethnic communities, the resort harmoniously merges the rustic allure and heritage of the local area with attentive hospitality and modern guest amenities. The price ranges from 180 USD per night.

Inthira Vang Vieng

Inthira Vang Vieng is one of the most popular hotels in Vang Vieng. In particular, this place attracts many Western tourists because of its hot tub service and spacious outdoor swimming pool. Room prices here fluctuate depending on the time of year, averaging about 114 USD per night.

Mountain View Riverside

As the name suggests, Mountain View Riverside offers numerous bedrooms featuring scenic mountain vistas, making it an ideal choice for nature enthusiasts who wish to appreciate Laos’ mountainous and forested landscapes. Furthermore, the hotel provides a tour service, making it convenient for guests to explore various tourist attractions. Room prices range from 49-122.5 USD per night on average.

Amari Vang Vieng

Amari Vang Vieng is an upscale hotel situated approximately 2 kilometers away from Tham Chang Elephant Cave. The hotel provides an extensive array of contemporary facilities, including a gym, a bar, a restaurant, and an outdoor pool. Furthermore, guests have the option to enjoy breakfast served in their rooms. This luxurious experience is available at a rate of $110 per night for a room.

Transportation in Vang Vieng

While Vang Vieng may be a small town, there are various transportation options available to make sightseeing and getting around more convenient for you to visit Vang Vieng.

Remember to wear helmets on motorbikes or scooters, and select transportation that suits your preferences and comfort level for your Vang Vieng tour.

How to get to Vang Vieng

Vientiane to Vang Vieng

Mini Buses and vans are a popular and convenient way to travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. They depart from various locations in Vientiane and typically take around 3-4 hours to reach Vang Vieng. Minibus or van services typically cost between 10 to 15 USD per person.

In addition, you can take a public bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. The ride may be less comfortable compared to a minibus or van, and the schedule may be less frequent. Buses usually take around 4-5 hours. You just pay $5 to $10 USD to travel by public bus.

Bangkok to Vang Vieng

The distance between Bangkok and Vang Vieng is about 612 kilometers. The only way to get from Bangkok to Vang Vieng is by Bus. The earliest departure starts at 16:00 and has a trip duration of 23 hours and 30 minutes. There will be 3 departures a day. The starting price is about 52 USD.

Hanoi to Vang Vieng

Traveling by plane from Hanoi to Vang Vieng is the fastest way to travel, but quite expensive. After landing in Vientiane, you continue to catch a bus from the airport and travel about 150 km to reach Vang Vieng. The Noi Bai – Vientiane flight lasts more than an hour, with a price of 100-300 USD.

Phnom Penh to Vang Vieng

The fastest way to get to Laos from Cambodia is to take a flight from Phnom Penh International Airport to Wattay International Airport in Vientiane. There are several flights available on this route, and the flight duration is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours with the cost from 150-300 USD for Economy class. Then you continue to take the bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.

Remember to respect the environment and follow any rules or guidelines set by the local authorities to preserve the natural beauty when you visit Vang Vieng.