More than just Tubing!
Tubing is a backpacking phenomenon and what’s made this sleepy little riverside town infamous all over South East Asia! Haven’t heard about it yet? Just where have you been! For those of you who don’t know…in short, it’s floating down a river in a rubber tyre getting slowly hammered out of your face as you stop at little bars along the way. But that’s only the half of it, there’s mud baths, volley ball, happy shakes, potent buckets, soaring zip wires and mental slides. Tipped as one of the best places to party on the backpacking circuit, Vang Vieng ‘Tubing‘ is a little Full Moon Party every day of the year! Experience it and get the Vest. Need more…
And though many travellers don’t stick around long enough to find out, believe it or not there are other things to do in Vang Vieng! The scenery around the town is nothing short of spectacular and just a five-minute bike ride outside of the main strip you’ll find untouched countryside, local villages and a way of life that’s been unchanged for years. As buffalo graze in the fields around and local children run from nearby houses to say hello and practice their English with the strange foreigner, you’ll quickly realise there’s a lot more to this magical place than can be glimpsed from a rubber ring. Adventure awaits everywhere…
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Things to Do
- Tubing! Epic, awesome, crazy, wild. Find out more about ‘tubing’ here.
- Mountain biking - There are many great routes around the town that can be tackled in a day from Vang Vieng. Pick up a local map from any travel agent that hires bikes in the town and you can plan a great day out amidst the gorgeous karst landscape. Once away from the tourist enclave, you can get into the real countryside of Laos, as you cycle over rickety bamboo bridges spanning flowing rivers, watch local farmers at work in the fields and be constantly impressed by the beautiful countryside that surrounds you on all sides.
- Rock climbing - The karst landscape of Vang Vieng makes it paradise for rock climbing enthusiasts. Jutting out of the flat land, the magnificent limestone crags just beckon to be climbed. Book a day climbing in Vang Vieng and scale the heights to experience real adventure on offer in Laos. Views over the Laos countryside are guaranteed to be amazing.
- Visiting caves and lagoons - Go deeper underground and visit the many wondrous caves in the area around Vang Vieng, where you can navigate secret corridors and gaze in wonder at the unusual rock formations of stalagmites and stalactites formed over thousands of years in the deep realms. From the main cycle trails, you’ll spot intriguing signs pointing down bumpy tracks, indicating caves in the area. If such a sign is followed, like magic, you will encounter a young guide who knows routes through the caves like the back of his hand and will guide you through the darkness with a flash light to appear at the other side, occasionally pointing out huge spiders lurking in the darkness! A few of the caves have underground lakes and some open up into impressive lagoons where you can swim. Obtain a map in town to find out the spots.
- MORE Adventure - Green Discovery is an eco-tour company with an office in the main town of Vang Vieng that can open up even further adventure amongst the awesome countryside in Laos. Rafting, kayaking, trekking, mountain biking, climbing, caving and even motorbike adventures are available with the help of an English speaking guide with great local knowledge of the area. Get off the beaten track, explore hidden trails even the locals don’t know about, visit ethnic minority villages and delve into the adventure that Vang Vieng has to offer the energetic traveler!
Getting there
Vang Vieng is situated on the main road between Luang Prabang and Vientiane. From Luang Prabang it’s an 8 hour bus ride south, passing through windy roads of beautiful countryside. From Vientiane it’s a 5 hour bus trip north.
Where to go next?
Vientiane: Many people head South to the capital Vientiane, hungover and dazed from too many buckets. It’s around a 3 hour bus journey to get there.
Luang Prabang: The beautiful UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang is around an eight hour bus journey north.
TIP! If you are heading to Vientiane from Vang Vieng and fancy an alternative way of getting there, check out the option of kayaking. There’s a company in Vang Vieng that offers trips down to the capital along the beautiful Nam Song River taking around half a day; it’s a fabulous way to continue your onward journey.
