Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng lies in a bend of the Nam Song under limestone karsts, and is now an outdoor centre for kayaking, caving, ballooning and rock climbing rather than the party town it was in the 2000s. Sunrise hot-air balloons over the karst are the signature image. It is an hour from Vientiane on the fast train.
How long to stay
November to March for clear karst views and balloon flights.
Typical daily budget
No budget published for this place yet
Best time to go
No seasonal guidance published for Vang Vieng yet
Is Vang Vieng right for your trip?
Based on what this guide covers, not a score. This is what Vang Vieng is known for.
Great for
- Nature
- Solo
Less of a focus
- History & culture
- Food
- Nightlife
- Family
- Couples
Build your Vang Vieng trip
Top things to do
Blue Lagoon 3
Entrance $1 · VerifiedVang Vieng
A spring-fed swimming pool below a cave mouth in the karst west of town, quieter than the original lagoon.
Tham Nam water cave
Free entry · VerifiedVang Vieng
A cave you float through on an inner tube, pulling along a fixed rope with a head torch.
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Popular activities
Hot air balloon at sunrise
Dawn flight over the karst towers and the Nam Song.
Kayaking the Nam Song
Half-day paddle between karst cliffs with cave stops.