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The beautiful landscape of Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a popular stop on the tourist route from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and for good reason. The village is surrounded by spectacular limestone cliffs and several incredibly beautiful blue lagoons.
More than a decade ago it used to be the party center of Laos, but those days are long gone. After a few too many drunk backpackers died while tubing the Nam Song River, the government decided to put a halt to the party and reinforce regulations.
Today, a lot of backpackers still visit Vang Vieng but the party bars by the river are gone and the atmosphere has become quite relaxed.
Eco-tourism is the new aim for Vang Vieng. Considering all the natural beauty in the area with places like Tham Chang Cave and Kaeng Nyui Waterfall, this can only be encouraged!
Chances are big that, if you enter Laos, you will probably start your journey in the capital city, Vientiane. Getting from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is not hard.
It used to be a strenuous 4-hour bus trip to get to Vang Vieng from Vientiane on non-well-kept local potholed roads. These days are gone since the newly built Vientiane-Boten expressway is in use and the completion of the Boten-Vientiane Railway.
Taking a bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is the most common and convenient way to travel between the two destinations. There are several bus companies that offer daily services, and the journey takes around 2,5 hours, depending on traffic.
Buses and minivans leave for Vang Vieng from the Northern bus station in Vientiane which is about 8 kilometers from the city center. You can take a tuk-tuk or taxi to the bus station but some companies also offer a pick-up at your guesthouse or hotel.
There are two types of buses available: local buses and shared minivans. The local buses are cheaper but can be less comfortable. In general, most travelers will opt to book a seat in a minivan with a pick-up at their accommodation included.
It’s recommended that you book your bus ticket in advance, especially during peak season. You can book your ticket online at 12GoAsia, through your accommodation, or at the bus station. The bus journey is scenic, and you will pass through beautiful countryside and small villages along the way.
The bus station is located 2 kilometers north of the town center and you actually pass by the center on the way. You can try to negotiate with the driver to let you out at the town center but they are not that fond of doing this. I’m not sure why, but I guess they have to stick to certain rules so that the Tuk-Tuks waiting at the bus station also benefit financially from fresh tourists arriving in town.
In December 2021, the Chinese-Lao Vientiane-Boten railway was officially opened. It’s quite a spectacle taking the train in Laos and it actually feels more like you are in an airport than a train station!
Your luggage gets screened and a full security check is carried out to make sure you don’t have any forbidden items with you. Watch out if you have a pocket knife with you. It’s possible that they confiscate it.
The train station in Vientiane is located 17 kilometers north of the city center. While the train is the fastest option to get from Vientiane to Laos, the somewhat distant location of the train makes this a less convenient option.
Recently, Soutchai Travel is offering a combi-ticket for a taxi ride + train ticket on 12GoAsia. At the time of writing this will set you back $ 19 for a second-class seat and $ 22 for a seat in first-class.
You can also ask your accommodation to book the train tickets for you. This will generally involve you having to give your passport to a local who will go and buy the train tickets at the train station in your name. Note that giving away your passport is a risky operation.
Train schedules change regularly but there should be two trains a day leaving for Vang Vieng. Also, note that the train station in Vang Vieng is located 4 kilometers north of the town center so you will have to negotiate a price with a Tuk-tuk to take you to your accommodation.
If you prefer to travel in comfort and style, you can hire a private car to take you from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. This option is more expensive than taking a bus, but it offers more flexibility and privacy.
You can hire a private car from a travel agency or from your accommodation in Vientiane. The journey takes around 1,5 hours, taking the expressway. The price may vary depending on the type of car and the number of passengers but expect to pay around $ 50.
Hiring a private car is a good option if you are traveling with a group or with your family. The car will pick you up from your hotel in Vientiane and drop you off at your hotel in Vang Vieng. You can also make stops along the way to take photos or to explore the countryside.
Don’t book a private car if you are only one person. As a conscious traveler, it’s more eco-friendly to take the bus or train.
Here are the websites I personally use whenever I travel to Laos:
Booking.com: For the best cheap guesthouses, homestays or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in Luang Prabang
12GO and Bookaway: The best transport websites for long-distance buses and train travel in Laos
Loca: Uber and Grab don’t operate in Laos but Vientiane has its own ride-hailing app called Loca!
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Vientiane or Luang Prabang
Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from a Kuang Si waterfall cruise to a private cave and jungle trekking in Vang Vieng!
Get your Visa for Laos online through the Evisa website. Do note that you cannot enter just any border with the Evisa. You can fly with an Evisa into Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse and cross three borders with Thailand. They don’t accept the Evisa when you want to cross a land border coming from Vietnam, Cambodia, or China. It’s best to contact the Laotian embassies in these countries to obtain a visa.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is without a doubt Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Get access to mobile data straight away when entering the country with a Laos E-sim or an Asialink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries.
If you plan to visit Vang Vieng, it’s important to know what your goal is for coming to this location. If you fancy a party, you are better off staying in the upper part of the town near the few party bars that are still left.
However, if you’re here to enjoy the natural beauty of Vang Vieng and prefer to stay in a quiet location then you better stay in the Southern part of Vang Vieng. Here are some suggestions in the southern part of town and some alternatives further away along the Nam Song River.
→ Also read: Vegan in Laos: Everything You Need to Know!
There are so many things to do in Vang Vieng that you can easily spend a week here without getting bored. As a slow traveler, I spend five nights in Vang Vieng and honestly, I could’ve stayed much longer if time would have permitted it.
Kenlon Falls, near Kaeng Nyui waterfall, Vang Vieng
The best things to do in Vang Vieng include a climb to one of the many viewpoints around town, visiting a blue lagoon, hiking to the beautiful Kaeng Nyui waterfall and Kenlon Falls, tubing, and caving.
There are a lot of tours on offer in the town center and online but the town and area lend themselves well to exploring on your own. throughout town, there are companies offering bicycle and motorbike rentals allowing you to get around the sights and attractions at your own pace.
→ Also read: Kuang Si Waterfalls: Heaven on Earth in Laos
Tham Chang Cave
If you like to travel more of the beaten path, as I do, I can highly recommend visiting Blue Lagoon 4 which is located about 15 kilometers north of Vang Vieng. Here, you can find a peaceful blue lagoon without the crowds you’ll find at Lagoons One, Two, and Three.
Another great place to check out is the secret blue pool near Tham Chang Cave. To the left of the entrance of the caves, you can find a small swimming hole, perfect to cool down after climbing the stairs up to the cave.
Behind the swimming hole, you can climb through the rocks where you can find a secret cave rapid that takes you back to the swimming hole.
Kuang Nyui waterfall, with Kenlon Falls located at the same site, is another great place in the area to take a dip.
→ PRO TIP: Read my complete packing list for Laos for conscious travelers!
Traveling from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is easy and convenient whether you choose to travel by bus train or private transfer.
If you have any questions, please let them know in the comments below or drop me a message through my contact page.
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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