Laos Bucket List: Top 5 Things to do in Vang Vieng
Welcome to Vang Vieng, a small town in Laos located on the Nam Song River, renowned for its beautiful picturesque views. This town holds a special spot on my list of favorite places in Asia, thanks to its breathtaking beauty and incredible things to do. After spending nearly a week in this Laos gem, I decided to put together a bucket list of the top 5 things to do in Vang Vieng for future travelers. Whether you are hiking its massive limestone mountains, splashing into its sparkling blue lagoons, or venturing deep into its extensive cave systems, Vang Vieng will leave you with unforgettable memories. So, if you are heading there soon, keep reading to find out what you cannot miss during your epic trip to Vang Vieng.
Find an in-depth Laos travel guide here that includes tips and tricks for traveling around the country.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
top 5 things to do in vang vieng
#1: Cruise Around by Motorbike
The first item on the bucket list of the best things to do in Vang Vieng is to cruise around the town on a motorbike. Vang Vieng is the most picturesque little town that sits on the Nam Song River with massive limestone mountains spread around you. The best way to see it all is with an unobstructed view via motorbike. If you are a confident driver, you can hop on your own motorbike and venture through the mountains and around the beautiful blue lagoons sparkling in the midday sun. Some roads are unpaved with potholes hiding about so be sure to drive safely, wear a helmet, and be confident in your driving abilities. If you are weary of driving on your own, you can always opt for a taxi or tuk-tuk!
I chose to rent a bike, which cost around 130,000-140,000 Kips per day (around $6 USD). Don’t fret when they ask; it is normal to leave your passport as collaterol for the rental owners in Vang Vieng. However, I started opting to leave my driver’s license instead because I knew it would be easier to leave behind if necessary for any reason.
#2: Splash into the sparkling blue lagoons
The next item on the bucket list of things to do in Vang Vieng is splashing into one of its stunning blue lagoons! Vang Vieng is well-known for its turquoise lagoons situated among the mountainside. There are 6+ blue lagoons to explore, depending on how much time you have. If you are limited on time, I recommend exploring lagoon 2, 3, or 4. The fee to enter each of these lagoons is around 20,000 Kip.
Some of the lagoons have stands with food and beverage options once inside. Zip lines, tubes, bamboo rafts, and towers to jump into the water from are just a few of the lagoon activities awaiting you. If you only have time for one lagoon, I would suggest 3 or 4. Both are located near unique caves, making it easier to squeeze in both a lagoon and a cave in one day.
Pro Tip: Do not leave valuables out in the open or unattended!
#3: Journey Into a Cave
Number three on the list of top things to do in Vang Vieng is cave exploration. Aside from blue lagoons, Vang Vieng is best known for its many large karsts to climb into and explore. Tham Chang Cave, Water Cave, Hoi Cave, and Tham Loup Cave are just a few to name. Some are perched up high, offering incredible viewpoints before entering, and others are deep in the ground, requiring a ladder to climb down into. The Water Cave, as the name suggests, involves getting onto a tube and holding a rope to pull you through the cave.
Due to the mineral-rich water and the depth of some of the caves, the stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years are some of the coolest I have ever seen. If you only have time for one cave, I recommend Hoi Cave. It is a cavern sacred to locals that feels as if you are discovering a new cave route for the first time.
Hoi Cave:
The entrance fee to this cave is 10,000 Kip and includes a headlamp. Small donations near the large Buddha at the entrance are required by locals as well. The headlamps and hand lights are necessary – the cave is pitch black! Do not explore alone in case of injury or getting lost. From what I remember, the cave stretches over 3 km each way. It can be quite slippery, with water pools sprinkled about. Crouching low to the clay-like ground and crawling are required at some points.
Alternate Option:
If this cave is a bit too adventurous for you, I would recommend visiting the popular Tham Chang Cave. It is well-lit, secure, and one of the most visited by tourists.
Sustainable Tourism Tip: Caves contain fragile ecosystems that can be easily disrupted by touching or removing formations, and even simply by leaving your waste behind. Please travel respectfully so that generations to come can continue to explore the caves.
#4: Catch a breathtaking sunset
The sunset in Vang Vieng is one of the most mesmerizing sights to see in Laos. An array of oranges and yellows stretches over the many limestone mountains, with hot air balloons sprinkled about. The photos you can capture are like nothing else. I recommend finding a balcony or rooftop in downtown to sit on to watch it.
Pro Tip: If you are short on time, another incredible way to catch the sunset is by motorbike. The sunset is equally as beautiful as you ride through the mountains, and if you time this right, you may even catch some of the hot air balloons readying to land.
#5: Climb to a viewpoint
What better way to take in all of the beauty this town has to offer than by climbing atop a viewpoint, making it the next item on the bucket list of top things to do in Vang Vieng! Silver Cliff Upper Viewpoint, Pha Hon Kham Cave Viewpoint, and Nam Xay Viewpoint are just a few of the best ones to climb atop. If you only have time for one then I recommend the beautiful Nam Xay Viewpoint.
Nam Xay Viewpoint is a famous spot where locals have placed the iconic motorcycle with the Laos flag on the edge of a cliff overlooking the karst limestone mountains. There is a second one available now on the opposite side of the cliff. The viewpoint can get quite crowded the closer the sunset gets, so I suggest going a bit before to have more space at the top and a better chance of capturing a photo of the view without someone's head popping into it.
The viewpoint is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but be sure to check with locals for any changes. The hike takes between 30 to 45 minutes straight up, depending on speed, with locally created steps, so be sure to wear the right shoes—some scrambling may be involved. The entrance fee to climb atop is 20,000 Kip.
BONUS #6: Soar in a hot air balloon
I feel like I really missed out on this one. It is on my bucket list to ride a hot air balloon, and I felt there was no better way to capture yet another viewpoint of Vang Vieng than from floating over the top and through the cliffs. I only felt comfortable booking with the licensed pilots from Above Laos, but they were fully booked. They can book out a couple of days ahead of time so I recommend claiming a spot before you get into town.
It is a bit more expensive ($135 for a shared balloon) but it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience. If you go PLEASE send me some photos so I can vicariously live through you… :)
General Information: Vang Vieng
Where to Stay:
Vang Vieng: The downtown area of Vang Vieng is quite small so staying anywhere on either side of the river is fine. I loved where I stayed: Downtown Vang Vieng Hotel.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler:
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Downtown Vang Vieng Hotel
Best Low-Budget: Confetti Garden Resort
Best Mid-Budget: Sansan Resort
Best Luxury: Riverside Boutique Resort, Vang Vieng
Best Time to Visit:
Late October - Early March.
March and April are usually the burning seasons which can cause smokey air and drier vegetation.
Tip: Some people have told me that the blue lagoon is more brown towards the end of the rainy season—September-early October. I went in January and the lagoons were very blue and vegetation was flourishing. The closer to the end of the rainy season you go the higher the chance you will have to see lush vegetation and running water but this also gives you a greater chance of having brown-blue lagoons so plan accordingly!
How to Get to Vang Vieng:
Vang Vieng lies between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, so I suggest adding it to the middle of your itinerary. There are plenty of options for getting to Vang Vieng from either city, but I recommend the train. (I tried the minivan option, but it was tiny, full, and cramped, even for my 5-foot self.)
For more information on train schedules and pricing click here!
How to Get Around In Town:
Motorbike is the best mode of transport in Vang Vieng, but be sure to be cautious on unpaved roads and potholes. I rented a bike for around 130,000-140,000 kips per day. It is normal to leave your passport as leverage for the rental owners, but I started choosing to leave my driver’s license instead.
ATVs, bicycles, and tuk-tuks are also available for rental. I do not recommend choosing a bicycle as a mode of transport given how far apart some of the places to see are. Tuk-tuks would be the more expensive option, as you would have to hire a taxi for the day.
Vegan Food Options:
Happy Mango (Thai)
Tip: This spot gets busy leading to longer waits around dinner time.
Kiwi Kitchen (Healthy Veggie)
Vela Cafe & Restaurant (Laotian)
Kapphet-Vegan (Vegan)
Naked Espresso (Yummy Coffee)
