Vang Vieng is a lovely town, located about 4 hours north of the capital of Laos. The town is filled with so much to do and you could spend days enjoying the nature, river and the local town…enough to keep you busy day in, day out.
So here are 10 of my recommended things to do in Vang Vieng:
Table of Contents
River and Cave Tubing Nam Song River
Choose between getting on a tube and going down the lazy Nam song river or you could explore the darkness of caves. Both are equally fun activities, and I would recommend doing both if you can. Follow the long rope along the wall with other tubers and explore the flooded cave system. Sign up for a local tour, and you would be given a headlamp and inner tube. It is truly a great opportunity to experience the true darkness of the caves on the Nam Song River.
Swim in the Blue Lagoon
This is one of the most popular swimming holes in Vang Vieng. Watch the delicately pale blue of the river flow out of the jungle and get deep in the middle to create that perfect lagoon for you to swim. Get on any of the branches of the tree that grow right over the river and use them as your diving platform. Just relax in the little slice of paradise with your family and friends.
Check Out the Caves
There are different spots and options available in Vang Vieng where you can go caving. Just decide on the level of difficulty you are looking for, and you are off on a tuk-tuk. Wear swimsuit and a pair of good shoes as you will come across the water at some point in most of the caves. Tham Nom, Tham Phu Kham, and Tham Jang caves are the most popular. As a word of precaution, do not go caving alone, as it can be dangerous.
Thinking of doing more travel in Laos? Check out my recommended 13 Things to do in Luang Prabang.
Rock Climbing
Climb the Limestone Mountains of Laos. You will discover that they are perfect to hone your rock-climbing skills as they carry lots of crags that are just ideal. If not too confident, you can take courses on tope-rope climbing, belay techniques, and basic climbing techniques. Just join one of the many rock climbing groups in Vang Vieng that run trips for the veterans as well as first timers. You can opt for four-day courses or just go for half-day tours.
Kayaking on the Nam Song river
Kayaking is a great way to explore the river and see the stunning scenery around the area. You can kayak down the river for a few hours, and stop along the to enjoy great food and beer, shop around, and explore the area. You can easily get a full or a half day tour for a little over $10.
Hot air balloon tour
Vang Vieng is a great spot to enjoy a stunning hot air balloon tour because you’ll get to see Laos’s iconic karst landscape in the early morning mist, or hover in those Balloons during the afternoon to see the sunset from above. Pick from sunrise, afternoon, or sunset trips according to your preferences.
Check out Local Farms
If you are looking for a slow and relaxing holiday in Vang Vieng, you can head for its local Organic farms that produce mulberry juice and goat cheese. Help out with daily tasks, feed the guinea pigs and assist classes at the community center.
Bars and Nightlife
Vang Vieng is also loved for its nightlife. Sakura bar is one of the most popular, which even offers free whiskey drinks every day. Another thing you might also notice is the number of tank top shirts worn by many people – basically many bars offer them for free if you buy two vodka drinks. Visitors are spoilt for choice as there are a number of riverside bars to choose from. If you are looking for a party then the Weekly Jungle Party is also a big hit with the tourists.
Rent a bicycle
Another fantastic way to explore Vang Vieng is on a bike. Explore the town and surrounding areas comfortably and at your own pace. There are tons of trails to pick from, and they take you right into the mountains where you can explore the region and come across stunning views. It is super cheap to rent a bicycle, and they come with free maps.
Dirt Biking
Yet another fun activity to do in Vang Vieng is dirt biking. I chose to go dirt biking through Uncle Tom’s tours, because ovang vienf all it’s great reviews on Tripadvisor. I must say, they did not fail to impress me. ‘Uncle Tom’ was so patient as he taught us how to drive and handle the bike, I couldn’t ask for a better teacher. It was such a fun way to explore the natural beauty around and drove amidst the mountains and valleys.
Looking for a few more things to do in Vang Vieng? Check out these 3 places you must visit in Vang Vieng that aren’t the blue lagoon.
This post has been writing by the lovely Jo from Wander with Jo.
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Hi, I'm Jo, a passionate globetrotter, wildlife enthusiast, thrill seeker and writer. I love to explore new places and inspire others to travel. I love traveling far and wide, and then writing all about my escapades. Are you looking to uncover that secret drinking hole? Get your adrenaline pumping? Well check out my tales of adventure over at Wander with Jo. 8 Comments on 10 Things to do in Vang Vieng (Laos)
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Oh woe you made so may cool things! I want to visit the lagoon and dirt bike:)
Fantastic guest post! Vang Vieng is such an amazing destination, I was fortunate enough to spend a month there this summer teaching yoga and loved it! There’s plenty to do – can’t wait to go back one day!
The place seems to be a travelers paradise and the blue lagoon is just amazing
All you had to do was say “lazy river” tubing and “blue lagoon” and I was down (not so much with the hot air balloon, though, as I don’t like hikes). This sounds like the perfect mix of adventure and chill, which I’m all for. Thank you for the info!
There is so much to do in Vang Vieng .Would love to do swimming in the blue lagoons and try out some adventure activities like kayaking, rock climbing and cave exploring.
Love how there are pictures with you doing the large majority of the things you suggested! Do you have an idea how much the air balloon trip costs?
I didn’t really like Vang Vieng but then again I only did one of these 10 things… oops… maybe I should give it another chance on my next visit to Asia, it has been about 10 years since I’ve been to Laos. The dirt bike riding looks fun, as does the kayaking, even if the river looks a little murky 🙂
So many interesting things to do. Cannot choose one over the other. I am really enamoured by the blue lagoon, it looks so surreal. I would love to jump in right away!