Backpacking Vang Vieng Guide
Are you an adventurous person? I bet you are, as you are researching destinations in Laos!
Well, you have come to the right place: Vang Vieng is a paradise for all nature-lovers and adrenaline-seekers.
If you want to ride in a hot air balloon, paramotor with your friends, swim in beautiful natural pools, or hike up to challenging but amazing viewpoints, look no further!
In this Travel Guide, I will focus on the best things to do in Vang Vieng. Of course, I will also cover the best places to stay, how to get around, where to eat, and everything else you need to know to have the best time in this stunning town.
Why you should visit Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is among the best spots in Laos. We had such an amazing time and even extended our stay.
Let’s be honest – the city Vang Vieng in itself is nothing special – it is a town with a river and a few nice restaurants but without any nice architecture or special infrastructures. BUT the surrounding scenery is simply amazing. Wherever you look, you will always have a beautiful view of the green mountains around you.
Also, Vang Vieng is the perfect spot for adventurous people, as there a many activities like hiking, kayaking, paramotoring, riding a hot air balloon and more.
General Advice
What is the best time to visit Vang Vieng?
In general, the best time to visit Vang Vieng is during the dry season, meaning between November and March. Of course, you can also visit during the rainy season, but keep in mind that some activities won’t be as enjoyable in the rain.
How to get to Vang Vieng?
There are 2 main options for getting to Vang Vieng: Either by train or by minibus, though I definitely prefer the train, as it is faster and more comfortable without being more expensive.
You will most likely come from Luang Prabang or Vientiane. Both cities have a train station, so you can just buy a train ticket from there. Make sure you book the second class, as it is way cheaper than first class and you will still have a very good experience.
They do sell out quick, so you should buy them as early as you can. You can purchase these tickets via the official App “LCR Ticket”, directly at the train station, or with your guesthouse.
How to get around Vang Vieng?
The best way to get around Vang Vieng is by scooter. If you are not comfortable riding a scooter, you can also rent a bike, or pay a Tuktuk-driver to drive you around.
What to do in Vang Vieng
Disclaimer: Quite a few activities in Laos, especially in Vang Vieng, involve alcohol. I am not including any of those, as I do not support overconsumption of Alcohol, and there have been recent cases of methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng (Nov 2024). If you want to party, drink alcohol, or anything else, please be careful. Watch what you drink and only drink alcohol if you know where it came from. (freshly opened bottles of beer or wine). Stay away from homemade hard alcohol.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
One of the top activities in Vang Vieng is definitely a Hot air balloon ride. There is amazing scenery, and Vang Vieng might actually be the cheapest place in the world to ride a Hot air balloon. So, if you have ever wanted to try it, Vang Vieng is the perfect place! Im my opinion, you just have to do it when you are here!
You have two options: You can either start very early in the morning, to do a Sunrise tour, or start in the late afternoon for a Sunset tour. Either way, you are guaranteed to have a very nice experience.
The duration of the Hot air balloon ride is around 30 minutes, at least from our experience. I believe it is similar for every tour, as all the hot air balloons follow the same route.
The price for this adventure is around 135 USD. On the day of your tour, you will be picked up by a Tuktuk, pick up other participants, and then head to the starting point. Here you can watch how the hot air balloons are prepared before you start into the sky yourself.
You can easily book the Hot air balloon ride with your guesthouse or hostel, as this experience is the main thing to do in Vang Vieng and all the guesthouses sell those tours.
- Starting time: Early morning (sunrise) or late afternoon (sunset)
- Duration: Around 30 minutes
- Price: Around 135 USD
- How to book: Via your Guesthouse/Hostel or a street vendor
- Pick-up will be from your accommodation (Tuktuk)
Tip: Many people connect their Laos adventure with a trip to Cambodia. Check out my blog post on the best activities in Cambodia to find out how to make the best of your trip to Cambodia.
Paramotoring
Do you want to see Vang Vieng from above but want to do something even more exciting than riding a hot air balloon? Paramotoring might be what you are looking for. The Paramotors are a lot faster and fly longer ways than the hot air balloons, so you might get even better views!
Paramotoring is similar to paragliding, but instead of relying on the wind, you have a motor as a backpack that helps you soar through the skies. Of course, you will not be the one steering the motor, as you have a professional with you who does it for you.
The Paramotors often start in groups of 3, so if you want to do this experience with friends, you absolutely can!
The Blue Lagoons
Laos is landlocked, so there is no way that you can swim in the ocean during your stay in Laos. BUT in Vang Vieng there are the Blue Lagoons: Some very beautiful, blue natural pools in amazing scenery.
In total, there are 6 Blue Lagoons, but I would recommend you visit just Blue Lagoon 3 or Blue Lagoon 1 (Blue Lagoon 3 is definitely my favorite though).
From Vang Vieng, the scooter ride to Blue Lagoon 3 takes about 30 minutes, but it does not feel that long as you have amazing views of the mountains the whole time. Honestly, this is an experience in itself.
Once you arrive at the Blue Lagoon, you can swim, jump off of one of the two ziplines, or battle with your friends on a wooden plank. It is so much fun to be there and so refreshing, especially in the hot Laos weather.
Roadtrip through the countryside
On our first day in Vang Vieng, we just wanted to explore the surroundings of the town a little bit, which is why we decided to just drive north with our scooter until we didn’t want to anymore.
This was a very good decision! We drove through lots of local towns where we were able to see the ‘real’ way of living in Laos. Additionally, it was just a nice ride in general. We can really recommend doing this if you have some spare time! Just be careful of the potholes!
Hike up to amazing Viewpoints
There are two main Viewpoint hikes that travelers do in Vangvieng:
- Nam Xay Viewpoint
- Silver cliff Viewpoint trail
The Nam Xay Viewpoint is definitely the most popular one. You can see pictures of the viewpoint all over Instagram: It is the one where you sit on a motorbike, swinging the Laos flag, with a nice mountain-range, jungle and rice fields in the background. The entry costs 20,000 Kip.
The hike up to the Nam Xay Viewpoint is not the easiest, as it is quite steep, but it is doable. The way down is harder though and you need to be precise where to place your foot. It’s not too bad, it just takes some time.
Another popular Viewpoint hike is the Pha Ngern Silver Cliff Viewpoint. This hike offers a completely different perspective: Showcasing breathtaking panoramic views of limestone karsts, beautiful rice fields, and lush green landscapes.
The trail to Pha Ngern is slightly more challenging compared to Nam Xay. It takes about 30-40 minutes to reach the top, with steep and uneven sections, particularly near the summit. Luckily, there are steel wire handrails along the trickier parts to help you maintain balance.
The entrance fee for Pha Ngern is 20,000 Kip, and it’s worth visiting either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a camera to capture the incredible scenery.
Rock climbing
Vang Vieng is renowned for its stunning limestone karsts, making it a premier destination for rock climbing enthusiasts. The area offers a variety of climbing experiences suitable for both beginners and seasoned climbers.
You have a few options where to go climbing:
- Sleeping Wall: Located approximately 2 km north of Vang Vieng, near Tham Non Cave, this area is accessible by crossing the Nam Song River. It features multiple routes catering to various skill levels.
- Pha Daeng (Red Cliff): Situated east of town towards the Blue Lagoon, Pha Daeng offers a range of routes amidst picturesque surroundings
If you don’t feel confident going on your own, there is Adam’s Rock Climbing School. It was established in 2005 and provides guided climbing experiences, equipment rentals, and courses ranging from half-day to multi-day sessions. Adam is a local climber with international experience and he ensures a safe and enjoyable climbing environment.
Where to eat in Vang Vieng
There are a few nice restaurants in Vang Vieng that serve some very delicious food. There is a variety of Lao-, Thai- and western-restaurants, as well as some Indian restaurants.
These were our favourte Food spots:
- Happy Mango Thai Restaurant (Thai food)
- Green Restaurant (Lao food)
- Viman Vang Vang (German food)
- Il Tavolo Vang Vieng (For some amazing Pizzas)
- Naked Espresso (Coffee and Western breakfast)
Where to stay in Vang Vieng
There are lots of guesthouses in Vang Vieng, making it hard to decide where to stay.
Here are some good on-a-budget options for you:
- Vang Vieng Global Guesthouse – this is where we stayed and we liked it a lot!
- Vang Vieng Chill hostel
- Golden Dragon House
- Vang Vieng Rock Backpackers Rooftop Hostel
Tip: If you want to go to the gym during your time in Vang Vieng, check out the Vang Vieng fitness center!
Enjoy your time while Backpacking Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is just an amazing place. I’m sure you will enjoy your time in Vang Vieng, especially if you follow the tips I have just given you! 🙂
Are you considering a trip to Laos? I would love to hear about your plans in the comments below.