Vang Vieng, Backpackers Hot Spot!

A few decades ago, only a handful of people knew about Vang Vieng and where it was located. Even though it was only 160km north of Vientiane and 180km south of Luang Prabang; this little town was hardly heard of.

During the Vietnam war, there was an American airfield runway parallel to Nam Song river to serve Air American in Laos. Besides this runway, there is nothing else available to show that this town has been prosperous in the past. Therefore, since the influx of the backpackers from 1980, the town started to change and grow rapidly.

Vang Vieng (Nam Song River)

Vang Vieng

Today this little town is full of backpackers. The main attractions that bring them here is the laid-back country life style, beautiful scenery, white fresh Nam Song river, limestone mountains and caves filled with rock formations.

The activities here include tubing, kayaking or rafting on the Nam Song river are the most popular ones for most backpackers who came here. Along the bank of Nam Song river there are shops, restaurants and socialize decks selling food, Lao Beer and equipments like rope swings and zip lines for river jumping.

Kayaking

Nam Song River

If you like more adventurous activities you can go for rocks climbing or taking part in a trekking tour. For sightseeing you can go and visit the caves, there a lot of caves around Vang Vieng but the two most popular are Tham Phu Kham cave and Tham Jang cave. You also can visit Kmu or Hmong villages which located only few minutes walk from this town.

Tourist Crossing Wooden Bridge

Vang Vieng1

In the village of Phoudindaeng about 4km north of town there is an Organic Farm founded by Thanongsi Sorangkoun, here you have opportunity to help the community by teaching them English. For full detail visit here.

At the main streets of the town you can find hotels and guest houses, bars, restaurants, tour agencies and internet cafes to serve the guests. So if you love party and dancing you find bars and karaoke shops here too where you can sing and dance your night away.

Night-life

Vang Vieng Night Life

Tourist Information

Here are some useful information to help you learn more about Vang Vieng.

Map

View Van Vieng Map in a larger map

Places for your information

BKC Bookshop
Open from 7am to 7pm; here you find new and second-hand books, guidebooks and travel maps.
Post Office
Located beside the old market
Tel: 511009
Phones and Internet
Internet cafes have popped up in every corner of town, and many of the shops are offer international phones services.
Provincial Hospital
Tel: 511604
Treat minor injuries like cuts, broken bones, malaria and now has x-ray facilities.

Money and Banks

The currency of Laos is "Kip". There are no coins in circulation. Notes of Kip are ranging from 50kip to 20,000kip.

Us dollars and Thai Bath are widely accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels. Major currencies and traveler's cheques in US dollars and pounds sterling can be exchanged at most leading banks.

BCEL
Open hours: 8.30am-3.30pm (Mon-Sun)
Tel: 511434
Exchange cash, travelers cheques and handles cash advances on Visa and MasterCard.
Agriculture Promotional Bank
Address: Thanon Luang Prabang
Exchang cash only.

Restaurants

1. B&P Restaurant & Bar
Serve Lao, Thai and Western food.
Friendly staff with a Lao/Dutch management.

2. Jungle Bar
Has great quality food, fresh pizza, pad thai and fruit shakes.
The place is relaxed environment with cheap eats, and the owner name is Jackie.

3. Q Bar and Restaurant
Cheap restaurant, steak+drink for 30,000 kip, curry+drink only 15,000 kip.

4. Nisha Indian Food
This restaurant only open from 2PM. Serves great Indian food.

5. Peeping Som's Bar and Restaurant
Offering a change from most other restaurants in town with the English chef focuses on the quality of dishes. Lao drinks such as Lao Hai, and flavored Lao Lao also on offer.

6. Organic Farm Cafe
A few kilometers away from town, this restaurant offers original and interesting menu. Deep-fried mulberry leaves in honey for 15,000 kip. Goat cheese sandwich for 30,000 kips

Getting There And Away

Buses, minibus, pick-ups and Sungtheo depart from and to vang Vieng bus station 2km north of town daily. So you can leave town whenever you like.

Vang Vieng - Vientiane

Regulary Buses
Deparure: 5.30am, 7.00am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm
Fare: US$2.50
Travel time: 3 to 4 hours (distance: 160km)
Pick-Ups
Leave about every 20 minutes from 5am to 4am
Fare: US$2.50
Travel time: also about 3 to 4 hours
Minibus and Air-con buses
Departure: 9am, 10am and 1pm
Fare: from US$5.50 to US$7.00
Travel time 3 hours

Vang-Vieng - Luang Prabang

Buses
Deparure: Between 11.00am, 8.00pm
Fare: US$7.00
Travel time: 7 to 11 hours (distance: 168km)
Minibuses and Air-con buses
Deparure: Between 9.00am, 10.00pm
Fare: US$9.50
Travel time: 6 to 8 hours (distance: 168km)
All these services stop at Kasi and Phu Khoun for Phonsavan.

Vang Vieng - Phonsavan

There's one bus to Phonsavan
Deparure: Between 9.00am, 9.30am
Fare: US$7.50
Travel time: 6 to 7 hours (distance: 219km)

If you are planning to visit the town, to have fun and enjoy yourself, then it's a good idea to book hotels before you leave home or you can visit here by tour. Booking a hotel online is easy and convenient, saving you time and money. For full details about price comparisons just visit Vang Vieng hotels for more information.