5 Places to Visit in Vang Vieng That Aren’t the Blue Lagoon
Because Vang Vieng is a paradise for nature and adventure lovers! Read on for what to do in Vang Vieng and where to stay in Vang Vieng.
Vang Vieng is one of the best places to visit in Laos, but before Vang Vieng became a hub for adventure and outdoor sports it was famous for hosting drunken tubing excursions down the river.
After a government crackdown led to the riverside bars being shut down, the town has worked on rebranding itself (although you will still be able to join bar crawls a few nights a week!); places like Yoga in Vang Vieng have opened up and the focus has been shifted to promoting the incredible natural caves, waterfalls and lagoons in the area. Believe me when I say that there are a plethora of beautiful places to visit and exciting things to do in Vang Vieng!
The most well known hot spot in Vang Vieng is the “Blue Lagoon”, a swimming spot famous for its aquamarine water…except much like the Kuang Si Waterfall in Luang Prabang, it is not so blue during rainy season from June to August.
It also tends to be extremely crowded (and isn’t even the only blue-coloured lagoon in the area – there are more than 3 that are all named “The Blue Lagoon”!), which is why you need to know about some of your other options for amazing places to visit in Vang Vieng, especially if you are visiting during the off-peak season. You can also read this article on 14 things you should do in Vang Vieng!
Things to know before you visit Vang Vieng in Laos
✈️ You can get to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang or Vientiane. It is possible to apply for a visa on arrival in Laos at both airports for most nationalities – bring 1 passport photo and US dollars for the application fee. The Laos visa-on-arrival fee is 40 USD, and in general the Laos tourist visa is good for 30 days. You can also apply for your Laos e-Visa ahead of time here, however the fee varies according to nationality and takes several days to process.
📱 You can get a local Laos SIM card at the airport for very cheap, and internet connectivity is surprisingly strong.
🗺️ Before you travel to Vang Vieng, make sure you download these maps to your phone from Hobo Maps: Vang Vieng town map, Vang Vieng area map & Vang Vieng north map. Most places in town will sell hard copies of the map but you can access them for free online.
💱 The currency is the Lao Kip, and the exchange rate varies from approximately 18,000-20,000 LAK: 1 USD these days (when we visited a few years ago it was 8,000 LAK: 1 USD). There are plenty of places to exchange money in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng itself, and there are also ATMs where you can withdraw money. Vang Vieng is a fairly small town but has plenty of restaurant options and minimarts where you can find most of what you need.
🌤️ The best time to visit Vang Vieng is from around October to March (you can even go hot air ballooning over Vang Vieng during this season). The summer months can be miserable with torrential downpour, but it does mean that the rice paddies are lush and beautiful to photograph during this season! If you are hoping to go tubing or kayaking you will want to avoid visiting during the thick of rainy season as the Nam Song River becomes very rough.
Looking for more Southeast Asia travel tips? Click here for 10 things you should know before you visit Southeast Asia!
Where to stay in Vang Vieng
Riverside Boutique Resort is the crème de la crème when it comes to boutique hotels in Vang Vieng. This stunning property features traditional Lao-inspired artwork and furnishing, in an incredibly classy and laid-back setting. The pool with mountain views is to die for, and the on-site restaurant serves up some of the best food I had in Laos. Click here to check availability and rates at Riverside Boutique Resort.
Inthira Vang Vieng is a newer boutique hotel in town that offers spacious and tastefully decorated rooms, bathrooms with wonderful water pressure and helpful staff. Make sure you budget some time to lay by the pool and enjoy a delicious cocktail or two while you watch the sun go down! If you are looking for a more upscale and modern hotel in Vang Vieng, click here to see current rates at Inthira Vang Vieng.
The Silver Naga Hotel also sits right on the Nam Song River and has a variety of room options, an infinity pool and is home to Yoga in Vang Vang. I would recommend the pool view rooms with a balcony so you can watch the sun go down behind the mountains. Click here to book your stay at the Silver Naga Hotel!
How to get to Vang Vieng
🚅 As of 2023, the quickest and most comfortable way to get to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang or Vientiane is to take the new Laos-China high speed rail. There are several daily fast trains which will take you to Vang Vieng from Vientiane or Luang Prabang in approximately 1 hour. The trains and stations are brand new and very punctual, however you won’t be able to bring any aerosols, e-cigarettes and other prohibited items on board.
Tickets can be purchased 3 days in advance from the LCR Ticket app, the official app of the railway company (more details here) but you need a Laos SIM card. Alternatively, save yourself some time and energy and get in touch with Discover Laos Today which has an office next to the Silver Naga hotel – you can Whatsapp them at +856 20 93 445 358 and ask them for updated train schedules (the timings can and do change periodically) and purchase your ticket on your behalf. They will need a copy of your passport, and then they will send you a QR code to board the train.
Alternatively, you can also purchase your Laos train tickets online via 12go.asia, however you will need to pick up your tickets from a restaurant near the train station. Read more about what to expect aboard the high speed train in Laos.
🚌 You can also take a large bus (AKA “VIP bus”) or minivan from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, or you can take a bus or minivan from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. Buses run from Vientiane (drive takes ~4 hours) and Luang Prabang (drive takes ~5-7 hours) every day. Get your hotel to book your bus ticket for you, or simply walk into any travel agent in Luang Prabang or Vientiane to purchase your ticket – prices are fairly standard across the board. Here is the Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng bus schedule and Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang and Vientiane bus schedule (times and prices may vary slightly, make sure you double check once you are in town)
The VIP bus is not as luxurious as the name might suggest, but it ain’t that bad either. The bus makes a few stops midway for a toilet and food break, but you’ll want to make sure that you go to the bathroom before you hop on. However, things can go sideways if the bus breaks down – during our last trip, the bus broke down 3 times and our 6-hour bus ride turned into the 13-hour journey from hell.
I have not taken the shared minivans in Laos, but from what I hear they are packed like sardines and can be extremely uncomfortable, especially if you are prone to motion sickness – your best bet is to stick to the high speed train or VIP buses.
The buses travel along fairly windy roads and the bus journey can take an extra hour longer when it rains, so pop a Dramamine tablet before you hop on. Buy your ticket at the local bus depot or from one of the many tour agencies around town.
Once you arrive in Vang Vieng, you can hop in a shared tuk tuk to get to your hotel.
🚗 You can also hire a private van for approximately US$75 from Vientiane or US$150-200+ from Luang Prabang. Enquire directly with your hotel or Discover Laos Today.
Visiting Luang Prabang before or after Vang Vieng? Head on over here for 9 of the best things to do in Luang Prabang (and what you might want to skip!)
How to get around Vang Vieng
You can easily get around Vang Vieng town on foot, but if you’re hoping to get over to the rice paddies, blue lagoons and waterfall then you’ll want to rent a bicycle or scooter. Alternatively, you can also rent a desert buggy.
You can expect to pay approximately 180-200,000 Kip (~US/Euro 9-10) to rent an e-scooter for the day, a little less if you are hiring a petrol scooter. I recommend popping into Discover Laos Today to enquire about renting an e-scooter, or this shop to rent a regular scooter/motorbike.
There are lots of tuk tuks that are available for hire – just make sure you agree on a price before you hop in.
Unmissable places to visit in Vang Vieng
1. Kaeng Nyui Waterfall
After being slightly disappointed that I wasn’t able to swim at Kuang Si Waterfall in Luang Prabang, I quickly Googled whether there was a waterfall in Vang Vieng I could frolic in. I was still slightly skeptical about visiting Kaeng Nyui Waterfall just 1 week later – during rainy season.
Kaeng Nyui is a super scenic 20-25 minute drive away from the center of town on the east side of Vang Vieng. While Kuang Si was roaring during rainy season, Kaeng Nyui was at its best (it tends to be a trickle during the dry season) with the heavy rain flow that we experienced the days leading up to the visit.
A leisurely 5 minute walk later, you reach the first of several smaller waterfalls which you can also swim in.
Keep walking for another 10 minutes and you will reach the Kaeng Nyui Waterfall where you can marvel at the water rushing down the 30-meter drop. The crystal clear water collects at the base where you can spend a few hours frolicking. Entry costs 10,000 Kip.
As of early 2024 you may encounter a road sign that says the road is under construction until August 2024 – recent visitors have reported that you can still enter beyond that sign but you will need to drive cautiously.
Looking for more travel tips on visiting Laos? Head on over here!
2. Phangern Mountain Viewpoint
Looking for an amazing Vang Vieng viewpoint? Head to Phangern Mountain – hiking to the top is one of the best things to do in Vang Vieng. The entrance for Phangern Mountain can be a little difficult to spot. From Vang Vieng town, cross the wooden bridge (you have to pay a toll, prices vary depending on what type of vehicle you have) and head west.
About 3 KMs in, you will see a large blue wooden sign on the right for “Primary School Phone Ngeun Village”. Turn right down this path and keep driving around 200 meters to get to the starting point of the hike. The hike up is not well paved so you will need to wear proper shoes. There are signs that say the hike takes approximately 20 minutes, but it took us closer to 40-45 minutes each way with plenty of breaks – it was HOT!
There are two viewpoints at Phangern – once you’ve reached the first one, keep walking and follow a set of steps up to the summit where you are greeted with 1) a snack stand with icy cold beverages, and 2) panoramic views across the rice paddies and Avatar-like mountains.
Honestly, I wanted to shoot myself half way up the mountain as it is not an easy hike (and I do not enjoy hiking), but the views made the trip worth it! Entry costs 20,000 Kip. Tell the tuk tuk driver that you want to go to “Phangern”, “Pha Ngern”, “Phangeun” or “Silver Cliff” viewpoint – they’ll know what you’re referring to.
Ready to book your Vang Vieng trip? The Riverside Boutique Resort is my top pick for a luxury hotel in Vang Vieng. The stunning and perfectly clean rooms offer a balcony or terrace, and the restaurant serves up amazing food. Click here to check rates and availability at Riverside Boutique Resort.
Stay at Inthira Vang Vieng for modern rooms (select one that has a balcony) and a pool overlooking the Nam Song river and karst mountains. Click here to see current rates at Inthira Vang Vieng.
Alternatively, you might also look into availability down the road at The Silver Naga Hotel. It is one of the original hotels in Vang Vieng and also boasts a riverside location. While the rooms are a little more dated, it also has an infinity pool and outdoor terrace with a view, as well as daily Yoga classes. Click here to book your stay at The Silver Naga.
3. Nam Xay Viewpoint
If you ask someone where the best viewpoint in Vang Vieng is, you’ll get a number of differing opinions: Nam Xay viewpoint is another stunning place to check out Vang Vieng from above. In comparison to the Phangern hike, Nam Xay is slightly easier and shorter and will only take you approximately 20-25 minutes to get to the top. Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with 360-degree views.
Though the hike starts out well paved, towards the end you will need to crawl on all fours up boulders and rocks. Be careful where you step as the path can be very muddy and slippery.
Entry costs 20,000 Kip. Tell the tuk tuk driver that you want to go to “Nam Sai” viewpoint, or tell him to drive towards Blue Lagoon 1 and take a left at the fork in the road instead of the path on the right which will lead you to the lagoon.
Ready to book your Vang Vieng trip? The Riverside Boutique Resort is my top pick for a luxury hotel in Vang Vieng. Click here to check rates and availability at Riverside Boutique Resort.
Stay at Inthira Vang Vieng for modern rooms and a pool overlooking the Nam Song river and karst mountains. Click here to see current rates at Inthira Vang Vieng.
You might also look into availability at The Silver Naga Hotel just next door. It is one of the original hotels in Vang Vieng and also boasts a riverside location. Click here to book your stay at The Silver Naga.
4. Tham Jang/Chang Cave
Vang Vieng is home to dozens of caves – some spectacular, some not so much. If you only visit one cave while you are in Vang Vieng, make it this one! Tham Jang is well known for its history as a bunker during an invasion in the 19th century, but many people skip it and visit the Tham Phu Kham Cave next to the Blue Lagoon instead. It’s extremely easy to get to and will take just 10 minutes on a bicycle from Vang Vieng town.
To get to Tham Jang Cave, head south from Vang Vieng town until you get to a fork in the road where you will see a sign for Jamee Guesthouse (KA272 on this map). Turn right down the dirt road and keep going until you reach the gate for Vang Vieng Resort. You’ll have to pay a small entry fee here to get in.
Keep going until you see an orange bridge (it has since been repainted blue) and park your bike. Cross the bridge and turn left, and the entrance to the cave will be about 200 meters ahead. Entry is 15,000 Kip, but also grants access to a small Vang Vieng viewpoint here. Granted, the view is not remotely as picturesque as wall-to-wall rice paddies from the top of Phangern Mountain, but it’s still very beautiful (and much easier to get to).
Once you are in the cave, the temperature drops significantly (a welcome change in the summer months) and you can wander around and explore the cave to your heart’s content.
Unlike some of the other caves, Tham Jang is actually paved inside and well-lit.
Another bonus: there is also a blue lagoon here that you can swim in! Head there in the morning to beat the crowds during peak season. No entry fee!
Looking for even more things to do in Vang Vieng? Head on over here for 14 must-do’s in the adventure capital of Laos!
5. Blue Lagoon 3 or 4
Ok, ok, so I know this list is supposed to include places in Vang Vieng that AREN’T the Blue Lagoon, but Blue Lagoon 3 and Blue Lagoon 4 deserve a spot because it is nowhere near as crowded or busy as Blue Lagoon 1.
Both are approximately an hour away from town by tuk tuk, but during the peak season the water is beautiful and offers far few tourists as well as a number of fun swings and zip lines.
If you only have time to visit 1 blue lagoon in Vang Vieng, make it one of these! Entry costs 20,000 Kip at #3 and 10,000 Kip at #4.
Read more about the different blue lagoons in Vang Vieng here, including the differences between them and why I love Blue Lagoon 3!
Ready to book your adventure in Vang Vieng? Check into Riverside Boutique Resort for stunning rooms and a luxury stay. You can also consider Inthira Vang Vieng for modern rooms and a pool overlooking the Nam Song river and karst mountains. You might also look into availability at The Silver Naga Hotel just next door – it also boasts a riverside location as well as daily Yoga classes.
Where to eat and drink in Vang Vieng
There are plenty of restaurants in Vang Vieng to choose from. Here are some of the best places to check out.
Restaurant du Crabe d’Or: The in-house restaurant at Riverside Boutique Resort is top notch, offering a huge range of Lao and western-style dishes. You really can’t go wrong with this – especially when your lunch comes with this view.
Khop Chai Deu: This is the in-house restaurant at Inthira Vang Vieng which is best known for its traditional Lao-style food. The outdoor area is gorgeous and the cocktails are fantastic too.
Chaleun: A laid-back local restaurant with almost every possible dish on the menu. Try the chicken satay, morning glory and pad thai. Oh and did I mention your meal comes with a free fruit shake?
Naked Espresso Vang Vieng: A small Australian-owned coffee shop next to the Silver Naga Hotel.
Gary’s Irish Bar: Every town has an Irish pub, and Vang Vieng in Laos is no exception! Decent food (try the fish and chips) and good service with a quiet 2nd floor terrace. They also have a ping pong table if that’s your thing.
And don’t forget about the dozens of sandwich and fruit shake roadside stalls! $3 for a loaded sandwich in a baguette bun? Yes please!
There are plenty of accommodation options in Vang Vieng, from hostels to boutique hotels. If you want a perfect view of the Nam Song River and karst mountains then I recommend staying at Riverside Boutique Resort, Inthira Vang Vieng, the Silver Naga Hotel or the Elephant Crossing Hotel. All three hotels are located in the heart of Vang Vieng town.
Told you there were great things to do in Vang Vieng besides the Blue Lagoon! Have you visited Vang Vieng in Laos? Tell me all about your stay in the comments section below!
You might also enjoy these guides:
- Here are some of the top things to do in Vang Vieng for adventure lovers
- Heading to one of the Blue Lagoons in Vang Vieng? Here are my thoughts on Blue Lagoon 1, 2 and 3
- Read this first if you’re planning to visit Luang Prabang before or after your time in Vang Vieng
- Spending a few days in Vientiane during your time in Laos? Read my guide on the best things to do in Vientiane here
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My stay at Inthira Vang Vieng was hosted; however, no compensation was received for the review, and as always, the opinions on Yogawinetravel.com are (and always will be) my own!
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As I sit and write this, my daughter and I are looking west across the river at a stunning mountain range. We climbed to the Thang Jang (sp?) earlier today, and the view back east was amazing. The cool air as you enter the cave is so refreshing, because I was sweating profusely after climbing those stairs!
If I could just rip up my plane tickets home…
Those stairs are brutal! I hope you enjoy the rest of your time there, Stuart. If your thighs aren’t burning tomorrow I would recommend climbing Phangern Mountain as well!
Looks like a beautiful country!
I think I’m going to enjoy the hiking in this area, let alone the waterfalls and food
Laos is such an incredible place!! the surroundings of Vang Vieng are just too beautiful! when i went to vang vieng it was to go tubing so we could have seen so much more than we did!! your post makes me want to add it to my list all over again and see it all again 🙂
Bee you have to go back! I have a feeling I’ll be going back to Vang Vieng time and time again <3
Thanks so much for sharing this. I have been put off Vang Vieng because of tales of drunk backpackers, but I am so happy to see there are lots more things to do. That waterfall looks stunning! Vang Vieng is definitely on my itinerary for SE Asia – when I finally make it there!
It’s super easy to avoid drunk backpackers! You’ll have a great time!
Gosh I loved Laos so much. Vang Vieng was one of my favorite spots in the country for it’s chill but adventurous vibes. I wish I had known about that view point hike because the view definitely looks amazing! Maybe next time 🙂
Definitely revisit! I’m sure it will have changed the next time you are in town but the views should be just as amazing!
Wow just wow. I’m planning to visit Laos next year before heading to Chiang Mai. And checking if I could visit this. Thanks for the tips will surely have our own maps too.
Ferna you must stop in Vang Vieng! It’s between Luang Prabanag and Vientiane so is the perfect place to stop for a few days.
What a great and comprehensive guide!
Thanks for checking this out Tara!
The times I went through Vang Vieng the drunken tubing was at its peak but outside of the centre there were so many amazing and mostly deserted things to explore. We went to these caves as well as some others another amazing cave that was an army hospital. It’s an amazing area to explore.
Isn’t it just? For such a small town there is so much to see and do! And it’s right between Luang Prabang and Vientiane which makes it the perfect spot to stop for a few days!
Your blog post was a great inspiration to me. I’m thinking about going to Laos soon and am looking for some inspiration beyond Luang Prabang.
Thank you so much Ricarda! Laos is so amazing – I hear great things about the south as well. Hope your trip goes well!
Laos looks amazing! I have never been, but I sure would love to go there someday. Your photos really inspired me to add it to my travel bucketlist. And what a great post! You have so much helpful information. I will have you talk to you whenever I am able to plan a trip over there 🙂
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Kristen! Vang Vieng is seriously amazing – in fact, Laos has completely blown my mind!
‘Yes I am Pancake’ gave me a chuckle – haha! Vang Vieng looks like an incredible place to visit 🙂
Haha just make sure you ask for no butter as they tend to cook with oil AND butter so it’s super greasy!
Never realised just how gorgeous Laos is, your photos look amazing – it looks so green and lush! And that cave looks epic, like something straight out of The Goonies. Will be adding it to my ever-growing travel wish list!
It is more than anything I ever imagined! Definitely add it to your travel bucket list 🙂
What a fantastically detailed post. I love the waterfall and of course the ‘blue’ lagoon. This posts makes me want to jump on a plane to Laos immediately!
Oh Allison it’s such a great country to visit! Thanks for taking the time to read my article!
I would definitely love the waterfall and the cave
It’s a fantastic place!
This guide is incredible and I will definitely be using it! I’m book marking it for later. Even during the rainy season Kaeng Nyui Waterfall looks incredible! Tham Jang is definitely on my radar for early morning of no crowds, incredible pictures and perfect scenery!
Gina you have to visit Tham Jang! It’s seriously awesome – when we went a few days ago there was noone in the swimming hole except for 12 child monks – none of them could have been over 12, 13 years old. We waited for them to finish playing and leave before we got in (we had bikinis on). It was really lovey to hear the sound of their laughter!
This place looks absolutely stunning! I’d only ever thought of the area of that tubing, partying, crazy-house. So glad to see that they have found a new way to attract us backpackers! And that blue lagoon you pictured, next to the cave, looks amazing!
Danielle you definitely have to visit! There are still lots of bars around but I’m glad they diversified!
Thanks so much for sharing this, I am hoping to make it to Laos next summer, eek! This past 2 years we have been able to take 3-4 weeks off and travel, so I am hoping we get to do this again next year and I plan to hit up Laos & Thailand…how long would you recommend to spend in Laos?
Oh wow Hannah! That sounds like such a fun trip. I would say it depends on how much ground you want to cover – I was teaching for a month so didn’t travel down south to Pakse and the islands. If you’re hoping to hit up the main towns then I would say 2 weeks in Luang Prabang/Vang Vieng/Vientiane and perhaps Pakse would be good!
Wow! Vang Vieng looks beautiful! I would love to get to Laos. It seems like one of those countries that is still not overrun with tourists.
Oh Rachel, you have to visit Laos! It has completely blown my mind – it has waterfalls, rice paddies, temples galore, amazing people and an incredibly rich culture!
Stunning! I have only been to Luang Prabang and fell in love with Laos. I have yet to explore more of this country. Your photos are incredible! Phangern Viewpoint looks absolutely stunning – that view…wow! I can’t believe there are several places called Blue Lagoon – that must cause a lot of confusion! Thanks for sharing, I am saving this for my next trip to Laos!
Laos has completely and utterly blown my mind! The people are amazing and the culture is so rich. I will definitely be back! It’s hilarious that there’s a Blue Lagoon I, II and III haha. But my favorite swimming spot is definitely at Tham Jang Cave!