If you are on the same path as many travelers, you will stop over the riverside town of Vang Vieng - a backpacker's paradise. Picture this: bobbing down the river in a rubber tube with the warm sunlight on your face and a chilled drink in your hand. The name of the game is to just relax and enjoy the town as you navigate through the sabai, sabai (take it easy) Lao life.
Vang Vieng is small town between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, notoriously known to be a party central for backpackers in the past. Nowadays, its reputation of breeding the wrong kind of backpacker's culture is slowly replaced by an eco-adventure destination with its natural beauty and outdoor activities. With meandering rivers, rice paddies and towering limestones, it’s a refreshing change from the dreariness of the concrete jungle. Grab your swimming suit, sun block, sun glasses, waterproof bag and slippers, and you're more than ready to explore Vang Vieng.
Day One
After an exhausting bus ride from Luang Prabang, you would reach the dusty town slightly pass lunch time. Throw your backpack into your room and take in some local greasy street food from one of the many eateries scattered around. Grab a french baguette sandwich or slurp down Laotian noodles to calm the hungry beast in you.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the town. Stop by Luang Prabang Bakery for huge ass cookies and large glass display of huge cakes. From cheesecakes, sandwiches, pastries, and more, you can tell how high of an influence the French has on Laos food cuisine.
There are plenty of bars along Nam Song River for you to choose from, and most have a great view for you to get a (or a few) inexpensive Lao Lao based cocktails. Sip on your chilled drink while watching boats cruise up and down the river. Lao culture is centered around pleasures of life: eating, drinking, sleeping and socialising. So make friends while you're relaxing to the view that these bars offer. Tham Keo!
In all honesty, Vang Vieng's dining place is mediocre at best, with most of the popular eateries being of other regions' cuisines. Happy Mango Thai Restaurant is highly raved by most travelers heading to Vang Vieng. Though it wasn't on my list (because who heads to Laos to try Thai food, but ok), this place is always packed. Popular dishes include phad thai, pineapple fried rice and mango sticky rice. The diverse offerings is not only limited to Thai cuisine, but also Beijing duck. Be sure to get the mango drinks!
Pop by the Vang Vieng Night Market, a relatively smaller local markets compared to those in Luang Prabang or Vientiane. If you're around the area, just check it out. However, if you're pressed for time, definitely feel free to skip this market.
Still have loads of energy to spare? Head to the party after dinner at Sakura – for happy hour and free shots at 9pm. Party goers move over to Viva Pub after Sakura closes at midnight and next to Room 101 which closes at 3am in the morning.
Day Two
Baan Na Cafe is my favourite breakfast place (I've been here for three mornings straight). The iced coffee is strong and bitter, in a good way, and simply divine. Sandwiches average at 15,000 kip, egg and avocado toast for 10,000 kip and the coffee is at 25-32,000 kip. Worth every cent. Staff was super friendly and attentive, providing water with your food.
After fueling up, time to go on a hike and take in the panoramic view of Vang Vieng. There are two main viewpoints that are easily accessible by tuk-tuk, ATV, motorbike or even by bicycle. I rented a bicycle for 40-50,000 kip for a day and cycled about 25-40 minutes to the viewpoint's entrance. With rice fields, dragonflies and mountainous backdrop, it sure is a meditative experience to start your day. Tip: Do wear a mask, hat and/or sunglasses when driving/cycling down the roads though as it is extremely dusty.
Vang Vieng’s picturesque landscape is best enjoyed from an elevated vantage point and the highest hill is Pha Ngern Mountain Viewpoint. With three different viewpoints floating above valleys, rock formations and rice paddies, the sweaty ascent is worth it. You can start off early to avoid the afternoon sun and humidity. Remember to bring plenty of water and comfortable shoes. The first viewpoint takes about 45 minutes, and the next viewpoint should be an additional 30 minutes hike away. Entry cost 10,000 kip.
Another hike to choose from would be Nam Xay. You will be rewarded with a stunning view after a steep 20-40 minutes climb up. Be careful where you step as the path can be very muddy and slippery. Thus, do not attempt to hike up when it is raining/just poured. This applies for both viewpoints. With mores rocks/boulders and small clearings than proper steps, wear shoes with good grip and hold on to the bamboo poles when climbing up. Though the hike starts out well paved, towards the end you will need to semi-crawl to reach the top. Remember to bring a torch if you are trying to catch the sunset/sunrise at the viewpoint. Entry point is also 10,000 kip.
I chose this hike because the motorcycle on top of the mountain was screaming "Instagram Worthy" to me. Two motorcycle had been moved up by locals to act as photo props – along with a Laos flag. If you're up for it, why not spend the whole day hiking and head to both!
Chill off at Sae Lao Project for lunch. Sae Lao is a sustainable development project which consists of a community and volunteering centre and a farm-to-table restaurant. The restaurant uses local and organic produce to prepare traditional Lao food and yummy fruit shakes. Lounge on a hammock and just relax after an active morning. All of the restaurant proceeds from the restaurant go to support free English classes for children and adults.
Next to Tham Chang Cave, located at Tham Chang which became the home for migrating people, who settled near the town’s Meuang Xong Village. Cross the orange toll bridge and pay the fee according to your mode of transport. A couple of minutes down will lead you to the entrance of the cave (Entry fee of 15,000 kip). Climb up a steep staircase to reach the cave where you will be welcomed with a huge drop of temperature. It was empty when I was there and I could explore it to my heart's content. Unlike some of the other caves, Tham Jang is actually paved inside and well-lit, also granting access to a small viewpoint. Your ticket includes entry to the swimming hole, the main highlight (well, to me) of the cave is the blue lagoon next to it. Pristine, clear turquoise waters simply inviting you to dip your toes in or even go for a swim. A welcome change to the heat of Laos.
Grab dinner at Victor Place, a local restaurant that seems to be another hot spot. They offers local cuisine, shakes and pizza! Apparently the pizza is one of the best in town but I definitely could not down a pizza by myself. End your day of with a(nother) fruit shake.
Day Three
Take an adventure day trip! Join in a comprehensive, full-day program that includes a visit to the water caves, zipline course, cave tubing and the famed blue lagoon. I've book mine via Klook however you can just book a tour via a tour operator when in town.
Grab an iced coffee and some fruit off the street while you wait for your tuk-tuk pick up. Your adventure will start at Nam Song River where you will kayak through the towering limestone karsts, greenery and traditional houses for around an hour to an hour and fourty minutes to the zipline location. Attempting to navigate through small rapids and the shallow, rocky river is definitely an adventure for a city person. You're also going to bump into other tourists floating along the river in tubes with a beer in hand. Oh and remember to block up!
Refuel with lunch; barbecue with fried rice and a baguette. Pro tip: Slice open the baguette and stuff the skewer as a filling. ແຊບ/Sep! You're welcome. Your lunch buddies may include a couple of extremely adorable puppies. Enjoy an adrenaline rush next as you whizz through 8 courses of zipline! For the last few courses, you will be flying across with the cable clipped to your back. No hands fun!
Make a stop at Tham Xang Cave, famous for its highly-revered elephant head made of stalagmite. This is also where you will tube for 500 metres in the cave. When I say tube, I mean, drag yourself via a rope attached to the side of the cave. Last activity for the day would be the Blue Lagoon. I didn't chose the tour option for the Blue Lagoon as it seems like another crowded public swimming pool to me. Also, I needed to do laundry before heading to Vientiane next.
Alternatively, join a tubing experience via the various operators scattered around town. The number one reason why most backpackers flock to this town is the three hours or more experience where you can grab a tube and just drift down the river while drinking. Travelers can just hop off for a break to fuel up with more drinks or lunch. For 60,000 kip, you will be picked up from your accommodation and dropped off at the starting point. Slowly drift down while stopping occasionally at the bars to play beer pong or dance.
For an affordable and filling dinner, Vela Cafe & Restaurant offers a good variety of Western and Laotian dishes. You'll have your staple Laotian salads, larbs and sticky rice and also Western breakfast, pasta and appetizers. The serving portions are generous, leaving you blissfully satiated.
For a final sunset view, head to my favourite spot. Just across Vang Vieng Sunset, there is a road/alley that leads to "steps" to the river bank where you have an unobstructed view of the mountains and the river while the sun is setting. ລາກ່ອນ, Vang Vieng.
If you have more time...
Kaeng Nyui Water - Take a scenic 20-25 minutes drive to the east side of Vang Vieng where the Kaeng Nyui waterfall is located. You will be greeted by several small waterfalls to swim in before walking for another 10 minutes to reach the main waterfall with a 30m drop. Spend your afternoon frolicking in the cool waters and pack a picnic for your lunch. Entry costs 10,000 Kip.
Rock Climbing - Acclaimed to be one of the best rock-climbing destination in SEA, Van Vieng has rock climbing courses for beginners and experts. Adam's Climbing School is everyone's go-to climb school. Half-fay, full-day and multi-day options are available with day courses start from 15,000 kip.
Caving Adventures - Home to wildlife and riddled with caves, it will be a waste if you miss out this popular outdoor activity. Tham Pou Kham or Golden Crab Cave has several wet rock formations. When you are done exploring, go for a cold dip in the Ka River where it is clean and safe for jumping from trees. Another cave to visit is Tham Pha Daeng. With a cave pool and the best spot to view bats streaming from their caves every sunset. Head west from Maylyn Guest House and you can spot a bunch of hand-painted signs to various caves.
Remember to wear proper shoes, fill up your water bottle and bring a torch as not all caves are well-lit.
Hot Air Ballooning - Watching sunset above the air in Vang Vieng is also a unique activity, much more affordable compared to other countries in SEA. Waking up before dawn is worth the spectacular views of the mist over the mountains and river from the basket of a hot air balloon. This silent and majestic form of transportation offers breathtaking views. Vang Vieng Tours offers both sunrise and sunset flights, but the tours fill up quickly so booking in advance is recommended. Cost for a 30-40 minutes flight is at 90 USD/125 SGD per adult.
Solo Scorecard - 2
(1 - Perfect for Solo Travelling, 5 - Would not recommend for solo travellers)
Again, locals have basic to intermediate level of English proficiency. The compact town is easy to walk around and for further attractions, rent a bicycle, ATV or motorbike. If you are all for that comfortable life, rent a tuk-tuk for a day. And because of how small the town is, finding an accommodation would be less of a stress factor when planning for your trip here. Going on full day tours usually provide pick up at your accommodation as well. Easy peasy.
I was not the biggest fan of the dusty town itself as it lacks identity and local culture. To me, it was just another commercial tourist attraction in the midst of beautiful landscapes. However, take my personal opinion with a pinch of salt, Vang Vieng is still a good (not perfect) place to stop and enjoy nature in Laos. Just make sure that whatever you're doing is "muan"/ enjoyable. ມ່ວນ?
Comentários