Vang Vieng back in the day was known as a hard party town, heavy drinking, drugs and jungle were what drew backpackers back in the day. But luckily for us, those days are history. You can still get the party vibe if that's what you want but it's much more about embracing the landscape and adventure activities that draw people here now. Vang Vieng is definitely not to be missed on your tour of Laos 

Things to do in Vang Vieng

Where to start?! Vang Vieng is the adventure capital of Laos. From endless limestone caving opportunities to hiking, tubing, rock climbing, hot air ballooning and kayaking when you stay in Vang Vieng for several days you can make the most of all the activities on offer. When you are done with the hot and steamy activities cooling off in the blue lagoons is a perfect way to end your stay.

To get a taster of what you can experience, here's the low down on my two-day stay in Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng in two days.

There is a lot to do around Vang Vieng so I spent a few days rummaging around the internet on various sites planning prior to arriving. As with all travel experiences I had planned more than I could actually do but hey ho it was still an unforgettable experience and worked well on my backpacker budget.

Day One: River adventure and exploring caves

I woke up this morning, the sun just peeking through the curtains of my hotel room overlooking the Nam Song River. Today was the day I'd be exploring the famous caves of Vang Vieng. I'd booked a full-day adventure tour, and I couldn't wait.

After a traditional breakfast of khao piak sen (a delicious noodle soup) and delicious fresh fruit, I met up with some of my tour mates. It was a free day on our Laos tour, and those who weren't scared of the dark were up for exploring some of their world-renowned caves.

Kayaking along the Nam Song River

Our guide took us six miles up the river to where we picked up our kayaks. Gliding down the river you get a fantastic taste of domestic life in Laos as well as rice fields and the green, green landscape off into the distant mountains.

Cave tubing in Tham Nam Cave

We arrived at Tham Nam Cave, donned our helmets and headlamps, and ascended into the depths of the caves. The caves were a labyrinth of stunning rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. It was like stepping into a hidden world of silence and mystery. I had chosen this tour specifically for the unique opportunity to float along on a tube through the 500-metre cave. It was a magical experience and one I will always remember.

Zip lining through the jungle

The highlight of the day, however, was the zip line. We soared through the lush jungle, the wind whipping through our hair. The views from above were breathtaking. I could see the entire valley, the Nam Song River winding its way through the landscape.

Sunset vibes

As the sun began to set, I headed to the riverbank. The sky was ablaze with colour, a stunning display of orange, pink, and purple. I watched as the locals gathered to fish, children played in the water, and couples strolled along the river's edge. It was a peaceful and idyllic scene.

There were a handful of people on our tour who were energetic enough to hike up to the Nam Xay viewpoint to catch a glimpse of the sunset. Looking at their incredible pictures it was definitely one for the next visit to Vang Vieng

Day Two: Hot air balloons and motorbike adventures

I woke up before dawn, excited to take on my next adventure: a hot air balloon ride over Vang Vieng. As the balloon rose higher and higher, the landscape unfolded beneath me. I could see the limestone karsts, the rice paddies, and the winding river. It was a truly magical experience. As the sun rose, surrounded by a handful of other balloons it was a spectacular view.

The open road and blue lagoons

After the balloon ride, I hired a motorbike and set off to explore the blue lagoons. My first stop was Blue Lagoon 4, a serene spot surrounded by lush greenery. Thirteen kilometres out of Vang Vient Blue Lagoon 4 is slightly quieter than the other lagoons and it's a great place to relax. One thing I found out after jumping in the water is next time go out there in the afternoon. It was definitely refreshing and I made the best of my time zip-lining into the pool and sunbathing to warm up and left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Blue Lagoon One

Next, I rode through the countryside past friendly local kids, and cattle hanging out along the roadside to Blue Lagoon One, a larger and more popular blue lagoon. I found a spot on the shore and relaxed, soaking up the sun and the atmosphere. There's a zip line and a giant tree overhanging the water to jump from for entertainment when you need to cool off as well.

If you are limited with time this one is the closest one to the town so you can just as easily come here for the lagoon experience however driving in Laos is an experience in itself so I don't regret any of my choices today!

One thing to be aware of is there is an entrance fee for the lagoons so don't do without some kip otherwise you will be disappointed.

As the day drew to a close, I treated myself to a delicious meal by the Nam Song River. I ordered a plate of laap, a spicy Laotian meat salad, and a cold Beer Lao. As I savoured my meal, I reflected on the past two days. Vang Vieng had exceeded my expectations. It was a place of natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation.

Other places & activities to scope out:

Vang Vieng tubing - this is what a lot of tourists come for and has had a certain reputation in the previous decades for any party-loving traveller to tick off. It's basically travelling on a tube down the river visiting endless bars along the way. Back in the day, it was pretty epic - think banging bass, and endless drinking and drugs in the many bars along the riverside. Today you can still partake but it's been toned done to hopefully make it a safer experience for both locals and travellers.

Caves, caves and more caves - there are so many wondrous caves in Vang Vieng from Phu Kham Cave, Tham Chang Cave, Tham Loup & Tham Hoi Caves. You can make it a bucket list to tick them off but I am more than happy with my choice.

Rock climbing and Hiking- with the countless mountains here it's an easy choice for hikers, rock climbers and adventure seekers.

Does Vang Vieng sound like your vibe?

Ready to get your adventure on? Vang Vieng Laos is definitely an epic town to find some affordable experiences that will rock your world. As part of a small group tour travelling through Laos with Stray, we stay in Vang Vieng for a couple of days so you can experience some of the highlights for yourself.

We travel from Vientiane and Luang Prabang over 11 days with local guides exploring this incredibly special country. Learn more about the all destinations on our Laos tour itinerary