Vang Vieng

1. The limestone mountains are home to many caves. Some of the popular ones are -

• Nang Oua Kham Cave - It is one of the most famous caves in Vang Vieng frequented by tourists. Located next to Phone Ngeun village, the best way to reach is by hiring a motorbike which costs about 10 USD per day. There is an entry fee of 10,000 LAK per person. Headlamps cost extra. There are water and mud outside the cave, and the path is also slippery in between. So be cautious of your steps.

• Xang Cave - One of the caves in Vang Vieng, which offers excellent views of the nearby villages. Unlike the other caves, Xang is well lit and easy to navigate. The best way to reach is by renting a motorbike. The entry fees are 15,000 LAK along with 2000 LAK per person if crossing the entry by bike.

• Tham Loub and Tham Ho - Twin caves located a little further away from the city of Vang Vieng, which are great places for hiking and exploring amidst mountains. The entry fee is 20,000 LAK, but guide charges are extra. The path to these caves start flat and requires navigating in water after a while to reach the entrance.

• Tham Poukham - popular among the tourists as the Blue Lagoon, it is one of the most visited attractions. It is a small pond, which also consists of a cave. It is a popular place to picnic to swim and relax, enjoying some fantastic views of the mountains. The cave requires some climbing up, where you can find a reclining Buddha along with many other Buddha images. The Blue Lagoon is open between 8 AM to 6 PM. It is located 7km from the city centre, and best reached by renting a motorbike or a mountain bike. The entry fee is 20,000 LAK per person. Hiring a guide and a headlamp cost extra.

2. Nong Nok Reservoir - It is an artificial dam located near Ban Sivilay village. It is known for bird watching including rare species of pelicans, cranes, and wild eagles. There is no entry fee, and the best way to reach is by renting a motorbike.

3. Hmong villages - Small villages located close to Vang Vieng, they are known for ancient monasteries consisting of images of Buddha and carved sculptures from the 16th and 17th centuries.

1. The nights often get cold being a mountain region, especially during the winter in late November and December. It is recommended to carry some warm clothes.

2. ATMs are very few, and you might have to travel far to look out for them. So carry enough money before planning a trip.

3. Beware of party and tubing scams. Drink Responsibly and don't go Kayaking or tubing while drunk.

4. Exploring caves need good waterproof shoes that are not slippery. Also, carry a headlamp for the same.

5. In places where there are signs not to jump off the cliffs along the Nam Song, follow those rules as there are deadly rocks in those places which have caused many deaths of tourists. Carry mosquito repellants, essential medicines, raincoats, a good pair of shoes for hiking and exploring caves, umbrellas and other things you may need. There are limited shops and the prices are relatively expensive.

Vang Vieng had the first records of history during the 13th century when it was home to ethnic groups living in the Karst mountains. In the 1960s, the Americans had established an airbase for Air America, building an airstrip called Lima Site 6. After 2000, the city started witnessing crowds of backpackers from western countries.

These young backpackers began a trend of nightlife in the town, where parties went on until early morning with too much drinking. Tubing, which was an adventure in the river turned out to be a drunken activity. The river became the death zone, where hundreds of backpackers started dying due to drug & alcohol overdose. It had turned into an infamous town until 2012 when the government brought down rave bars and banned the activities.

After losing tourism and foreigners for a while, the town has transformed to attract nature lovers. In the last few years, Vang Vieng has turned out to be the place for hiking, kayaking, tubing and visiting the attractions of the town.

Here Is a 3 Day Itinerary for Visiting Vang Vieng -

Day 1: Spend your first day enjoying the surroundings around the Nam Song river, and go Kayaking or tubing or swimming.

Day 2:  You can rent a motorbike and explore the caves. Spend the evening enjoying a sunset at the Blue Lagoon.

Day 3: If you have a day more, you can take up hot air balloon ride or go hiking to one of the villages.

The riverside location of Vang Vieng combined with its beautiful views, mountains, dense forests, many caves and waterfalls make it an excellent destination for tourists to enjoy. Also, being cheap and affordable, it is popular among backpackers.

Those looking to travel with their family might not enjoy being around party bars, where backpackers are found heavily partying, making it noisy.