Best things to do in Vang Vieng: Blue Lagoons, Nam Xay Viewpoint, and hot air ballons
Oh baby, I’ve been WAITING for this one.
Out of all 22 destinations I hit during my three months in Southeast Asia, Vang Vieng in Laos was by far my favorite. Not to mention, it was the only place that I left, backtracked, and returned to because I knew that I simply wasn’t done.
…Part of that had to do with a Vietnamese Visa that didn’t arrive and a rescheduled flight, but that’s beside the point okay?? (and I was actually happy about that LOL - more time to spend in my favorite place:)
Why did I love Vang Vieng so much? Well, it probably had a lot to do with the people I met and got to know there, but there are so many more reasons.
There are approximately one MILLION different activities you can do, there are so many gorgeous blue lagoons scattered all over Vang Vieng, it has the most beautiful landscapes I’ve literally ever seen in my life, and I even celebrated my birthday there tipsy tubing down the river with friends that I would end up traveling with for the rest of my backpacking adventure.
I have genuinely never been somewhere so picturesque; it took everything in my to not snap a picture at every corner.
The landscapes are absolutely unmatched.
If you ever have the pleasure of visiting Vang Vieng in your lifetime, I promise you, you won’t regret it.
How many days should you spend in Vang Vieng?
If I’m being honest, I could’ve stayed in Vang Vieng for weeks. There’s so much to do, and I hate rushing things - especially if you want to truly enjoy everything and not feel guilty wasting an afternoon away floating in one of the many blue lagoons Vang Vieng has to offer.
I was there a total of 9 days - way longer than the average traveler - but I think you should stay at least 3 or 4. There’s honestly a never ending list of things to do in this cute little Lao town, and I will constantly sing its praises. 2 days in my opinion is not enough, but to each their own.
Additionally, most of the attractions and things to do are either spaced pretty far apart or take up quite a bit of your day. Give yourself enough time to travel in between blue lagoons, lazily tube down the river, enjoy the views at Nam Xay Viewpoint or from a hot air balloon, and get a tan.
Well, you probably won’t get much of a tan if you get weather similar to what I had - LOL.
Where to stay in Vang Vieng
There are quite a few STUNNING hotels and boutique resorts in Vang Vieng that I would’ve killed to stay in - but my backpacker budget simply didn’t allow it.
The Riverside Boutique Resort is on my hotel bucket list, and if you get a chance to stay there I’m beyond jealous of you. It looks absolutely stunning, and I’ve heard amazing things!
The Vieng Tara Resort is also a hotel I would die to stay in. The little houses positioned directly over the rice fields are absolutely gorgeous, and you simply can’t beat the backdrop of the limestone karsts that Vang Vieng is known for. I wanted to come here simply to snap a few pictures, but due to an unfortunate incident where I knocked my tooth out falling off of a motorbike, I was unable to (LOL)
Be sure to click through the link above to see pictures, it’s such a unique resort that I’m still hoping I get the chance to stay in one day!
If you’re backpacking like me, I have one recommendation and one recommendation only for you: Nana’s Backpackers.
This was by far the most fun hostel I’ve ever stayed in. The owner’s name is Pikachu (i KNOW), and if you beat him in pool twice, you get a free night (you won’t though). He not only facilitates all the fun activities for you, such as tubing, four wheeling, trips to the blue lagoonsn, or even sunrise hot air balloon rides, but he also runs a service that can help you with your Vietnamese visa, which is something that can actually prove quite challenging to get.
The hostel restaurant is amazing, the vibes are immaculate, and I would highly recommend.
Best things to do in Vang Vieng
Tipsy Tubing
Vang Vieng is first and foremost known for one activity in particular - Tipsy Tubing, and this is commonly listed as the best thing to do in Vang Vieng. My post is no different; tipsy tubing is simply the best thing to do in Vang Vieng hands down.
I know what you’re thinking: “Emma, I can go tipsy tubing just about anywhere. What makes this any different?” Also probably “Drinking and floating down a river with a strong current in a town that doesn’t have a hospital sounds like a HORRIBLE idea.”
And I’m not gonna lie - it was pretty dangerous for a while! Travelers definitely died back in the early 2000’s (yikes) , but it’s since been much more regulated and there’s only like three bars allowed to be open along the river at once! Before, it wouldn’t be uncommon to hit 6 or more in a day, and there were jumping platforms and ropes that all contributed to reckless behavior.
There’s still plenty of reckless behavior going on, don’t get me wrong, just not as many opportunities for ~amplification~ of such behavior - LOL. We also had a guide from our hostel and he made sure that no one got swept away in the current, regardless of swimming capabilities! He was a gem.
Let me tell you. I KNOW tipsy tubing sounds a little lame, but when I tell you I went THREE separate times… it’s genuinely some of the most fun I’ve had in my whole life.
It’s definitely more fun if you go in a group, and for that reason I would recommend staying in a hostel so that you have a big bunch of people to ramp up the vibes. I ran into a couple from my slow boat that was staying in a private hotel and decided to go tubing alone, but they caught up to my group and tailed us the whole way, getting in on the aggressive karaoke and the spare soju we all brought. The more the merrier!
Every day, Nana’s Backpackers would host a tubing trip, and up to 70 of us would squish into tuk-tuks piled HIGH with tubes and head to the river. We would all stock up on soju, sunscreen, and (faulty) drybags beforehand, hang a Bluetooth speaker from the top of the tuk-tuk, and get the vibes going.
The current was WAY stronger than we all expected, and so the day was filled with shrieks and laughter as we all tried to hold on to one another while frantically paddling and hoping we wouldn’t float past the bar.
We went to three bars total - all of them run by local families and consisting of little more than a refrigerator, a tarp, and a karaoke machine.
I mean - what else could you ask for?
Ft. Me and Curtis - the only two Americans in the whole group - absolutely shredding it on the karaoke. The songs were “Humps” and “All I Do is Win”, respectively. In case you were wondering.
We all sang our little hearts out and danced until the sun finally set over the river. After a noisy ride back to the hostel, everyone promptly jumped in the pool and kept the party going.
As rowdy as it is, it’s hard not to just be in awe of the landscapes as you’re floating down the river. I truly will never get over the beauty of Vang Vieng, and even if you decided just to have a chill, sober day on the river, it would be well worth your time.
2. Nam Xay Viewpoint
One of the most iconic things to do in Vang Vieng is to hike up to the Nam Xay Viewpoint. It’s not very long, but it is extremely steep and muddy, so come prepared to get a workout in.
The view at the top is so perfect you won’t believe your eyes. Like, how in the world does nature DO that??
This hike has a special place in my heart. When I was 14, I came across an epic photo of a couple standing at the top of a mountain, holding a Laos flag, next to an old school motorbike.
I had so many questions: “What kind of place has landscapes like this?”, “What country does that flag belong to?”, and of course, “How did they get a motorcycle up there????”
The search for answers led me down a rabbit trail of Southeast Asia travel itineraries, and I knew that I had to make a trip like this happen one way or another (14 year old Emma would be proud:).
To answer the most pressing question - the locals hauled two separate motorbikes up to the viewpoint, drilled into the rock to secure them, built a viewing platform, and all it took was for one Instagram photo to go viral and make this an unmissable tourist destination.
Like, you can’t deny that this is an epic photo.
Don’t zoom in. You’ll see my swollen lip and tooth that’s hanging on for dear life.
We stayed up there until just before the sun set (don’t watch the sunset! It will mean hiking down in the dark, and you do NOT want to attempt this hike in the dark), and it was stunning. I kept saying that I simply could not believe my eyes.
Landscapes like these blow my mind. I highly recommend the Nam Xay viewpoint - it’s one of the best, most iconic things to do in Vang Vieng.
3. Blue Lagoons Vang Vieng
Now, Laos might be landlocked, but be sure to pack your beach towel and your bathing suits, because there are 6 epic Blue Lagoons in Vang Vieng.
While they are a little bit like glorified swimming pools, they are SUCH a fun way to waste away an afternoon.
I only had the pleasure of visiting 3 (I know - with 9 days there you would’ve thought I’d have made it to all 6), but I can tell you that if you only had time for one, it should be number 3.
It has plenty of platforms to jump off of, the best rope swing, and even a zip line. I came here multiple times during my week in Vang Vieng, just because it was one of the easiest ones to get to and the fact that we always had so much fun there.
The most picturesque out of the 3 that I went to, however, was Blue Lagoon 6. I went with one other person and we had the entire thing to ourselves, which baffled me. Just LOOK at how beautiful it is!! I had such a relaxing day spent swimming around, kayaking (the water was quite cold at this one), and sunbathing. I don’t know why this one isn’t talked about more!
The only one that I went to that I didn’t love was Blue Lagoon 2. It did have a super high platform to jump off, and it was still stunning, but it felt a little more touristy and not as “natural beauty” as the other ones did.
There are plenty of excursions that you can book through places like Viator if you don’t want to haggle and arrange transport yourself, and you can check them out here!
4. Hot air Balloon
Tispy tubing, Nam Xay Viewpoint, and Blue Lagoons - Vang Vieng is clearly known for many things - another of which is being home to the world’s cheapest hot air balloon ride!
At $90 USD for one person, it’s still not cheap by any means, especially as a budget backpacker who was living on $35 a day, but with how obsessed I was with the landscapes of Laos, I knew that I would regret it if I didn’t pull the trigger.
Luckily it was my birthday that week and since my parents couldn’t exactly ship me a gift or bake me a cake, it was actually them who pulled the trigger for me- Thanks Mom and Dad! Best birthday present ever.
And let me tell you: if you’re on the fence with this one, DO IT. I have never been so in awe of anything in my life.
We initially planned for a sunset ride, but due to wind speed, they pushed it back to the following sunrise. Obviously, we were not thrilled, but since we had already paid, we decided to just bite the bullet and set our alarms for 4:30.
We were up in the air just as the sun crested over the limestone karsts, and it was so much more magical than I’d imagine a sunset would be. When you go is totally up to you, but I would plan it for the start of your time in Vang Vieng just in case weather conditions push you a day or two later.
4. Tham Chang Cave, Pha Thang Bridge, and motorbiking around the area!
There are so many more things to do in Vang Vieng, but I (SO unfortunately) had a small little incident where I knocked my front tooth out (lol), and so a lot of my big plans got cancelled. I obviously still want to share them with you, so I tracked down a few photos from my friends.
The first thing you can do if a day is particularly hot is head to Tham Chang Cave. From what I’ve heard, it is a bit of a hike up, but the views are well worth it. You also get to cross the river, and a lot of people go just to take a picture on the iconic orange bridge that leads to the trail.
Spoiler alert: The bridge got washed away during a particularly rainy season, so if that was your incentive to go, unfortunately you’re out of luck.
The caves are still gorgeous, however, and there is a new bridge crossing the river, but it’s not as picturesque.
Additionally, one of the best things to do in Vang Vieng is to simply rent a motorbike and drive around. There are so many views of the river to be had, rice paddies to explore, and landscapes to see. One of the more scenic areas is a small town a bit outside of Vang Vieng, called Ban Pha Tang.
Most people come to take a photo on their iconic bridge (that hasn’t gotten washed away yet to my knowledge!), and it’s a good destination to put into your google maps if you don’t want to just drive your motorbike around aimlessly, as the views on the way to this small village are to die for. (I can attest - because I was actually on my way here when I had my small little accident … LOL.)
There’s a small Buddhist temple there that you can also walk through, which makes Ban Pha Tang the perfect little daytime excursion for when you want to have a chill day driving around.
If you choose to spend a day this way, consider stopping by Vieng Tara - It’s actually the resort I mentioned at the beginning of the post! They have a restaurant that you can eat at that will get you access to their gorgeous, Insta-worthy wooden boardwalks that weave over the rice paddies.
In true Vang Vieng fashion, the limstone karsts in the background make for the most beautiful, scenic walk, and although I didn’t make it here for a picture, I envy everyone who does.
*** If you come during the Lao dry season, the rice may look short, brown, and ugly - so before you make the trip to this resort just check to make sure that there will actually be rice growing! Google says that this will be between June and August, but I’m not positive.
Where to eat in Vang Vieng
As I spent most of my time eating at the Nana’s Backpackers restaurant, I only have a few recommendations for you.
For breakfast and coffee, I recommend the very confusingly named Luang Prabang Bakery. We’re definitely not in Luang Prabang, but if you read my post about that city, you’d be aware that they have a surplus of cafes that remained long after Laos gained independece from France - so maybe that’s the reason for the name?
Either way, they have hundreds of pastries to choose from, and I loved starting my day here.
Gary’s Irish pub is a backpacker essential, but the veggie burger did give me and one other unfortunate victim food poisoning, so maybe steer clear of that one.
The only other recommendation I have for you is going to sound a little sketchy - but I just need you to trust me on this one.
It’s a noodle shop whose name I am completely unaware of - but it is RIGHT next door to Nana’s Backpackers. If you’re coming out of Nana’s gates, turn to the right, and it’s like three steps away. Literally next door.
I know it looks kinda grim but PLEASE just give it a chance.
Idk what these ladies put in their noodle soup, but is is like crack. They have dumplings and crispy duck, and I have never ever, not once in my life, had soup that compares. I’m a die-hard pho girlie, but I would gladly rescind my right to eat pho if it meant I got to eat this soup every day of my life.
I always inhaled it before I could remember to take a photo, so you’re going to have to make do with that terrible picture one of my traveler friends screenshot from an archived instagram story when I reached out in desperation.
It IS the best noodle soup I’ve ever had though, and despite not knowing the name and not having cute aesthetic photos, I thought it would be a disservice to not let you all know the sorcery that is happening at this noodle shop in Vang Vieng.
That’s all the best things to do in Vang Vieng!
If you’re running on limited time, I recommend you spend your days at the Blue Lagoons of Vang Vieng and hiking to Nam Xay Viewpoint - those were my favorite activities! Not to be repetitive, but I recommend spending as many days as possible in Vang Vieng. I’m absolutely obsessed with it.
There are a million more amazing things to do in Vang Vieng - go Kayaking, ziplining, rock climbing, paragliding, rent out four wheelers, or even just waste away an afternoon getting drinks by the river. I promise you’ll never get tired of the views.
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