Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is mostly known by many tourist because of the tipsy tubing but it is great that it has more to offer then just tubing down the river. Enjoy nature to the fullest in just a few day from the ground or from the air. Do day trips to different lagoons or take it easy in the city by going to a spa etc.
Hot air balloon
Bucketlist thing or not going on a hot air balloon ride in the valley of Vang Vieng is a must do. Vang Vieng is one of the most cheapest places where you can enjoy a hot air balloon ride and the view will not disappoint you at all! The costs for the whole experience is 122 euros and includes pick up and drop off from your hotel/hostel, the hot air balloon ride, a snack/breakfast and a glass of bubbles. You also get a certificate for flying in a hot air ballon which I think is a nice souvenir. Our ride was about 45 minutes long and started with the pickup at 5.30 am. Around 6 am we started our journey and the view of the valley was stunning and breathtaking and we got a full tour with a 360 degrees video. We went to 1,5 kilometers high and I just really enjoyed it.
Get surprised and mesmerized by the breathtaking views but above all enjoy!
Lagoons and how to get there
In the surroundings of Vang Vieng there are 6 lagoons you can visit all different and all a lot of fun. During my time in Vang Vieng I visited lagoon number 1,2,3 and 4. They all have their own things to make it more fun or relaxing. Most places have a restaurant where you can order drinks and food except for lagoon 4. For every lagoon you have to pay 20.000 kip entrance fee which is 1 euro and you can stay as long as you want. enjoy the cold water and jump from different platforms into the water. You can also enjoy different swings or zip lines but the most important thing is cool down from the heat and have fun. You can go to the lagoons with different vehicles, try out a buggy or rent a scooter or mini van. Buggy's are pricey but when you are with two or four people it is affordable and you will have so much fun.
View point
One of the must do's on your list is the Nam Xay viewpoint. It is a nice but also a bit challenging hike up for around 30 minutes and you will have an amazing view over the valley of Vang Vieng. On the top there are two motorcycles where you can make a nice picture with but above all enjoy the view from the top because you earned it! The way down can be fine if it didn't rain before. We had a lot of rain so everything was muddy and slippery and it took us 45 minutes to get down. Just make sure you were sneakers with enough profile so you will have more grip for going up and down. The price for entering the viewpoint is 20.000 kip which is 1 euro.
tipsy tubing
One of the main tourist attractions in Vang Vieng is tipsy tubing. Many young tourist will start with a tube to go down the river. In between there will be two stops where you can enjoy a nice party, some drinking games or just where you can enjoy some good company and weather. The first stop is after 10 minutes and the guides that are joining you along the way will let you know where to get off and when you have to continue. You can't miss the stops though because the music is very loud but you will definitely have a good time. The second stop is after 20 minutes. If you have good guides they will send you away on time and you will make it all the way back to the city. Because the last part is around two hours tubing. Bring some drinks for along the way together with some good company. If you are unlucky like us they will get you out of the water before it gets dark and you have to go back with a tuktuk. Yes they will ask you money for that. The best place to order your ticket from is Nana hostel and the ticket costs 100.000 kip which is around 5 euros. Little side note, if it is really sunny make sure you bring sunblock and maybe a t-shirt to not get sunburned. Also bring a waterproof back for your phone and money, you don't need anything else for the rest of the day. When you finish the tubing just have a nice shower and continue the party with the others at Gary's Irish bar. This is the place to be for the parties in Vang Vieng.
Places to eat
There are many nice places for breakfast, lunch and dinner but I will just give you a few options I loved. First one is Naked Espresso for a great breakfast or lunch. second one is Bamboo Bistro Garden for lunch or dinner, these two are a bit more pricey compared to local restaurants. If you want something a bit more affordable you can go to full moon bar en restaurant or to a restaurant just across from nana hostel. I forgot the name but he food was amazing. It is a guy's name and the second word is Pizza. Either way there are so many more options in this little city. I know for sure you will find a nice place where you can enjoy the local or western food.
Rock backpacker hostel
A cheap but comfortable hostel located in the beginning of the city. It is easy to walk from here to the city centre but also when you rent a bike you are out of the city in no time. There are multiple little mini markets just around the corner and breakfast is included with your stay. They have more then 5 options for breakfast so you won't get bored with that and you can rent a motorbike, buggy or anything else just at the reception desk. You can also arrange different tours here like a hot air balloon ride or a day tour to the different lagoons. I would suggest to book you tickets to go to another place somewhere else because the hostel is more expensive compared to other companies. It is a nice social place but not a party hostel. Meet some new or maybe even old friends and enjoy your stay at rock backpacker hostel for only €4,00 per night.
