Vang Vieng surprised us.

We went in expecting a party town with a wild reputation, but between the blue lagoons and the insane mountain views, it turned out to be a dream destination for budget travelers and adventure lovers alike.

This post covers everything we learned, spent, and loved while we were there. And, of course, everything you need to know before you go.

Best Time to Visit

November to February is generally the best time to visit most of Laos, including Vang Vieng. The weather is dry, cooler, and perfect for outdoor adventures. We visited in March and April, and by then it was already uncomfortably hot, and the usually lush landscapes had started turning brown.

May to October is the rainy season. Expect frequent downpours, muddy paths, and a higher chance of disrupted plans. Unless you don’t mind the constant rain, we’d recommend avoiding this time of year.

How Long to Stay in Vang Vieng

To truly enjoy Vang Vieng, plan to stay at least 3 days. That gives you enough time to explore a couple of lagoons, go tubing down the river, and fit in a scenic hike or two. If you prefer a slower pace (or just want more time to soak it all in), 5 to 6 days is perfect for a more laid-back experience.

Also read: Vang Vieng: BEST Things to Do

Also read: What to Do in Pakse, Laos: Top 9 Activities You Can’t Miss

How to Get to Vang Vieng

🚆 By train from Vientiane or Luang Prabang: thanks to the newly built Laos-China Railway, you can now reach Vang Vieng in about one hour from the other two main cities in the country. Tickets cost around 20-25 euros and can be purchased here.

🚌 By bus from Vientiane or Luang Prabang: buses and minivans run daily from both cities’ bus stations. They’re a budget-friendly option, costing about half the price of a train ticket, but the journey is longer, taking around 4 to 6 hours on often bumpy roads.

Book your transportation to Vang Vieng here >

Getting Around Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng isn’t a large town, but most of its best attractions are spread out in the surrounding countryside, so renting a scooter is the easiest (and most fun) way to get around. Rentals are affordable, typically costing €6-8 per day.

Don’t ride? No worries. Tuk-tuks are easy to find for quick rides (just be sure to agree on the price beforehand). Guided tours are also a great option if you prefer a more structured experience.

Also read: Don Det: Must-Do Activities, Top Stays, and How to Get There

Where to Stay in Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a small town stretched along the Nam Song River. Pretty much anywhere in town is a convenient location, and the closer you are to the river, the higher the prices tend to be.

Here are our top accommodation recommendations:

Find more accommodations in Vang Vieng here >

Important: you’ll hear a lot of backpackers recommend Nana Backpacker Hostel (now renamed simply to Backpacker Hostel) for its lively party vibe, but we’ve heard one too many horror stories about this place (and they seem to happen year after year).

Things to Do in Vang Vieng

💦 Visit one of the Blue Lagoons: Vang Vieng’s lagoons are famous for a reason – and yes, they live up to the hype! They’re numbered to keep things simple (1 through 6), with Blue Lagoon 1 being the busiest, and 3 and 5 our personal faves. Expect rope swings, wooden platforms, and crystal-clear water.

🛵 Sit on a motorbike at the top of a mountain: the hike to Nam Xay Viewpoint isn’t exactly easy, but as you reach the summit, the iconic motorbike is there, waiting for you and it’s the most perfect spot to catch the sunset in Vang Vieng!

🎈 Go on a Hot Air Balloon ride: Vang Vieng is one of the cheapest places in the world to do it, and the views are absolutely unreal. Floating over limestone mountains, rice fields, and the Nam Song River at sunrise or sunset is just pure magic.

🛟 Tube down the Nam Song River: simply put, tubing down a river is supposed to be a very chill activity. But in Vang Vieng, you make several stops at riverside bars along the river where beer costs cents and the party vibe is nonstop.

Hot tip: For an in-depth guide on what to do in Vang Vieng, check out our Vang Vieng: BEST Things to Do guide, which includes all the activity costs, links to book them, and personal recommendations!

Vang Vieng on a Budget

🏠 Accommodation: the cheapest accommodations start at €5-7 a night for hostel dorms and €10-15 for budget private rooms.

🍔 Food: street food or small local restaurants range between €1-3 for dishes like fried rice, noodle soup, or sticky rice with grilled meat. Western dishes range between €4-8.

🚗 Transport: if you’re renting a scooter, you should consider €6-8 per day. Bikes are €2-3 and tuk-tuk trips for out-of-town spots (e.g., Blue Lagoon, viewpoints) range between €5-10 (always agree on the price beforehand).

🎟️ Activities: we recommend doing at least the tubing (roughly 6-7 euros) and visiting the blue lagoons & the Nam Xay Viewpoint (€1-3 entry fee each).

Note: we visited Vang Vieng on a budget in March 2023. We managed to stay on a budget of around €22 per person per day.

Tips for visiting Vang Vieng

• The only hospital in town is the Vang Vieng Provincial Hospital. It can handle basic medical care and minor emergencies, but in case of emergencies, you’ll be transferred to Vientiane.
• Travel insurance is a must. Especially if you’re doing adventure stuff.
• There is limited service in some areas, so we recommend downloading offline maps (like Google Maps) and keeping important info accessible without service.

Important note for solo female travelers: if a stranger puts something on you, remove it immediately and stay alert. This is a tactic used in some human trafficking cases to identify vulnerable targets.

Important: Drugs are strictly illegal in Laos, but so many bars still offer happy pizza, magic shakes, or special items that contain weed, mushrooms, or other drugs. Getting caught ordering or in possession of drugs can lead to huge fines, jail time, or even deportation. And it’s a very common set-up scam here.

Plus, drugs offered to tourists are often low quality or laced, leading to nasty reactions or hospitalization. And remember: the local hospital has limited capacity for treating overdoses or poisonings.