Vang Vieng is one of those places that just has a little bit of everything. Stunning views? Check. Thrilling adventures? Definitely. Unique spots that feel like you’ve stumbled onto something special? You bet.
No wonder it’s called the adventure capital of Laos.
This guide rounds up the absolute best things to do in Vang Vieng, from classic spots that you just can’t skip to local highlights that’ll make you feel like you’re truly discovering something unique. Trust us, these are the experiences you don’t want to miss!
1. Hike to Nam Xay Viewpoint for sunset
It was an epic photo of someone sitting on a motorbike at the top of a mountain, holding a Laotian flag, that first got us curious about Laos. I mean, how could a place like that actually exist?! Well, it does! It’s called Nam Xay Viewpoint, and it’s the most perfect spot to catch the sunset in Vang Vieng.
The hike to the top isn’t exactly easy, it’s a steep, rocky climb that’ll definitely get your heart pumping. As you reach the summit, the iconic motorbike (complete with flag) is there, waiting for you. The views are also surreal, with the dirt road below surrounded by karst mountains and rice fields.
Note: we visited Laos during the burning season, which runs from February to April in the Northern part of the country. If you visit during a different period, you’ll have a much greener view from up here.
Tip: Pha Ngern viewpoint, also has a motorcycle on top, and it’s way less crowded. The view is not as epic as Nam Xay, but it’s another great sunset spot.
2. Tube down the Nam Song River
This one is controversial. 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 drugs are on the menu.
It got so wild back in 2012, that tubing was banned entirely due to safety concerns (aka several tourists died or got severely injured while tubing). Since then, it has made a comeback but in a more controlled environment, meaning you now have a guide but drugs are STILL on the menu and beer STILL costs cents.
That all being said, it’s an awesome and unique experience! We opted to do it substance-free: no alcohol and no drugs, and still had an absolute blast. The riverside bars play good enough music, and we even ended up playing a random but super fun game of volleyball with our group at one of the stops. It’s a very social way to enjoy the Nam Song River.
We recommend joining Nana Backpacker Hostel’s tubing tour, which includes transportation, a guide to ensure everyone stays safe and on track, and a great atmosphere. It’s around 150,000 kip per person (roughly 6-7 euros) and worth every penny.
Note: so many people love this hostel due to its party vibe, but we heard so many horror stories from it. And they keep happening.
If you’d rather enjoy the Nam Song River at a slower, more peaceful pace, kayaking is an excellent alternative!
3. Visit one of the Blue Lagoons
Blue Lagoons are also a big reason why Vang Vieng is such a popular destination in Laos, and to be fair: they live up to the hype.
There are several lagoons scattered around town, and they’re numbered to keep things simple:
Blue Lagoon 1 is the most popular among locals, but it’s the busiest of them all. Still, it’s a fun spot with lots to offer, including Tham Poukham Cave, which is definitely worth a visit. The fish barbecue here is delicious, and we’re pretty sure the water flows from an underground spring because it felt like jumping straight into a freezer (in the best way possible!).
Blue Lagoon 2, 3, 4, and 5 are amazing in their own ways. Number two can get a little crowded, but if you head to 3, 4, or 5 in the morning, they’re super quiet and chill. Most of them have wooden platforms, rope swings, zip lines, and even tubes to float around on.
Our personal favorites are numbers 3 and 5. Number three is stunning, and number five is an actual natural lagoon. Just a heads-up: it’s shallow, so skip the jumping here.
As for Blue Lagoon 6, let’s just say it’s seen better days… it’s completely abandoned and dry now.
Note: All the lagoons have an entrance fee of around 20,000 kip, and it’s cash-only, so be sure to bring some with you!
4. Go on a Hot Air Balloon ride
Hot air ballooning is always an incredible experience, but there’s something truly magical about floating above Vang Vieng’s karst mountains and rice fields as the sun rises or sets. The peacefulness of the moment, with only the sounds of nature and the occasional whoosh of the burner, makes it feel like time has slowed down.
The views are absolutely breathtaking. As the golden light spills across the landscape, everything seems to glow: the mountains, the river, the fields… it’s the kind of beauty that feels almost unreal.
The ride lasts about 30 minutes to an hour and is surprisingly affordable, making Vang Vieng one of the best places in the world to experience hot air ballooning. Even if you’re on a budget, go watch the balloons as they drift across the sky, it’s just as stunning from the ground. Either way, this is something you don’t want to miss!
5. Climb to Tham Chang Cave
Tham Chang Cave, also known as the “Great Escape Cave”, has a rich history as a refuge during times of conflict. In the early 19th century, during the Chinese-Ho invasion, locals used the cave as a bunker to protect themselves from invaders. Nowadays, it’s a must-visit spot for its incredible stalactites and stalagmites.
The cave sits on a hill, so getting to the entrance is a bit of a climb, but the views of the countryside and the cool, refreshing air inside the cave make it 100% worth it.
Getting to the cave is easy: it’s just 2 km from Vang Vieng town center, and you can bike, rent a motorbike, or take a quick tuk-tuk ride to the cave. There’s a small entry fee of 5,000 kip to access the surrounding area and an additional 15,000 kip to enter the cave itself.
The whole experience takes about 1-2 hours, including the climb, exploration, and taking in the views from the top.
Tip: there used to be a bright orange bridge crossing the river to the cave, but it’s been taken down recently. Now, a simple wooden bridge gets you across.
6. Visit rice fields at Vieng Tara Resort
Picture this: endless green fields surrounded by karst mountains, with wooden pathways leading through the paddies. That’s Vieng Tara Resort! Although staying here is most likely outside of most backpacker’s tight budget, you can still visit it for the day to grab a coffee or a meal at their restaurant and enjoy the views from the terrace.
Hot tip: the rice paddies completely dry up during the dry season, so keep this in mind when planning your visit for the best views.
7. Explore Ban Pha Tang Village
This area doesn’t always make it onto the must-see lists, but it absolutely should! Ban Pha Tang is a small, charming village about a 30-minute drive north of Vang Vieng, and it’s absolutely worth the trip.
One of the highlights here is the bamboo bridge that’s built across the river every year. The bridge itself is simple, but the setting is what makes it so special: a quiet stretch of river framed by huge karst mountains.
The bamboo bridge is seasonal, though, and gets taken down before the rainy season starts to avoid being swept away by the rising waters.
Even if the bridge isn’t up when you visit, Ban Pha Tang is still worth your time. Walking through the village gives you a peek into traditional Laotian life, and the natural beauty of the area is just incredible.
8. Visit Kaeng Nyui Waterfall
Kaeng Nyui Waterfall used to feel like a hidden gem, but it’s definitely on its way to becoming a full-on tourist attraction. The peaceful jungle hike has been replaced with a road leading to the waterfall, and there’s ongoing construction to add a parking lot, restaurants, toilet facilities, and who knows what else. The official opening has been delayed a few times, and it’s likely the entrance fee will increase once everything is finished.
For now, the waterfall is marked as “temporarily closed” on Google Maps, but you can still get in (you might just need to slip the guard a little cash). The waterfall itself is about twenty meters high and surrounded by nature. The pool at the bottom isn’t great for swimming, more of a spot to dip your legs and cool off, but it’s still such a relaxing place to hang out and take in the views.
The 30-minute drive to get there is actually one of the highlights, passing through little villages and rice fields. It’s a great chance to see more of the countryside, even if the waterfall experience has changed a bit.
Hot tip: the best time to visit is during or right after the rainy season (May to October) when the water flow is at its strongest and the whole area is lush and green. If you visit during the dry season, the waterfall might be completely dried up, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
