Here’s the best Vang Vieng guide, without renting a motorbike.
This is a tried and tested guide as I explored Vang Vieng for 3 full days without a motorbike. This guide includes places not to be missed such as:
- Nam Xay Viewpoint – the viewpoint with the motorbike at the peak!
- A tubing adventure
- Visits to blue lagoons
Getting onto the motorbike at Nam Xay Viewpoint for the gram
You may be tempted to rent a motorbike, as the price is significantly cheaper than hiring a tuk-tuk driver. However, without much experience riding, learning to ride a motorbike in Vang Vieng, Laos, is not a good idea.
Laos is known for having poor roads. Thus, I did not rent a motorbike because I prioritised my safety during my travels. It is not as inconvenient as you think it would be!
DISCLOSURE
Some of the links here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. I hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.
Where is Vang Vieng?
Vang Vieng is one of the best towns in Laos for adventurers. Vang Vieng is located between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Although Vang Vieng is a town of 25,000 people, there is plenty to do.
Vang Vieng is a party town, visited mostly by backpackers. However, over the years, there has been an increasing number of boutique hotels and organized tours to Vang Vieng.
If you are thinking twice about visiting Vang Vieng because you are not confident about riding a motorbike, this Vang Vieng guide is for you!
Restaurants along Nam Song River
Related Posts while Travelling in South East Asia:
The Best Vang Vieng Guide: Without Renting a Motorbike
I did some planning on my journey from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. To ease your planning, follow this Vang Vieng Guide. None of the activities requires you to ride a motorbike.
Sit back and enjoy the views of Vang Vieng while someone else drives you!
Included in this Vang Vieng guide, I have included estimated costs to help you with budgeting your visit.
Day 1: Enjoy the best ambience of Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is best enjoyed from the Nam Song River. Opt for a tubing adventure to enjoy the calm environment of Vang Vieng.
Most tubing adventures start at 1:00 PM. It may be in the middle of the afternoon. However, the sun’s rays were just right to keep you warm while floating down Nam Song River.
My friends and I signed up for a tubing adventure tour. The tour included pick up from our accommodation and dropped us off at the starting point of the tubing adventure. At the starting point, the tour lead briefed us on the important safety precautions to prevent accidents.
Getting ready for our tubing adventure at the starting point
After the briefing ended, we hopped onto our respective tubes and floated effortlessly down the river. Our tour guide tagged along on a kayak to ensure that all safety precautions are practised.
The river water cooled us off from the heat. We stopped at two riverside bars. We enjoyed some drinks and danced to the music or enjoyed some conversations.
Enjoying some drinks at one of the riverside bars
Between stops at the riverside bars, we enjoyed peaceful moments. Birds were chirping. We also witnessed hot air balloons up in the air, which was a great way to indicate that we were towards the end of the tour.
Chats while drifting down Nam Song River
After returning the tubes at the designated stations, we headed to our accommodation to change to a dry pair of clothes. It was a short 10 to 15-minute walk.
My tip for you to thoroughly enjoy the tubing experience:
- Bring yourself and only your phone and cash in a waterproof case
- Go barefoot as there is nowhere for you to leave your slippers to pick up after the adventure
- Purchase drinks in advance as they will be significantly cheaper than at riverside bars. However, respect the riverside bar owners too.
Sunset at Nam Song River
Starving, we enjoyed local street food at the Vang Vieng night market.
Estimated budget:
- Tubing adventure: 150,000 kips (USD 6.90). This includes tube rental and pick-up service from the accommodation. Drinks at riverside bars are excluded
- Drinks at riverside bars: 60,000 kips (USD 2.80)
- Dinner at Vang Vieng night market: 100,000 kips (USD 4.60)
Day 2: Explore Nam Xay Viewpoint and Blue Lagoons 2 & 3
My friend and I opted for a private tour by searching for a tuk-tuk driver to bring us to Nam Xay Viewpoint and Blue Lagoon 2 & 3.
We did not opt for a group tour as the price per pax is very similar and we were looking for flexibility throughout the day.
We woke up early to search for a tuk-tuk driver to bring us to Nam Xay Viewpoint and Blue Lagoon 2 & 3. We met a tuk-tuk driver. He offered us a good deal. Immediately, we hopped onto the back of his tuk-tuk and headed to Nam Xay Viewpoint.
My friend and I at Nam Xay Viewpoint
Nam Xay Viewpoint is also described as the viewpoint with the motorbike at the peak. This is an absolute must! I recommend going early in the morning to avoid the crowd and heat. It gets very hot towards midday as the peak has a minimal shaded area.
Despite the slightly challenging 25-minute hike to the peak, the view was worth the climb! We stayed at the peak for about 30 minutes to enjoy the view and take some photos. Remember to bring water and wear sturdy shoes to make the climb easier.
The hike to Nam Xay Viewpoint
Our tuk-tuk driver brought us to Blue Lagoon 2. It was just what we needed to cool down after the sweaty hike at Nam Xay Viewpoint. The water was cold but refreshing. Some thrill-seekers zip-lined across the lagoon and backflipped into the lagoon.
Cooling off in the clear water with the fishes after the hike at Nam Xay Viewpoint
There is a cave at Blue Lagoon 2. I explored the cave with a Dad and son visiting from Australia. Equipped with 3 torches, we made our way through the cave cautiously. It was cold and dark in the cave.
In the cave, just with our head torch
Then, my friend and I headed to Blue Lagoon 3. Blue Lagoon 3 is located slightly further from town. However, I felt more at ease as there was ample green grass to lie down under the sun and it was less crowded.
Getting the courage to take a zipline ride
My tip when visiting the blue lagoons in Vang Vieng:
- Blue Lagoon 1. If you are looking for a more crowded blue lagoon experience
- Blue Lagoon 2. If you are looking for a mini cave exploration experience and a swim. Many benches are available for people-watching.
- Blue Lagoon 3. If you are looking for suntanning on the grass and a swim.
- Blue Lagoon 4. If you are looking for a blue lagoon slightly away from the city and itching to ride a scooter for 40 minutes.
Blue Lagoon 2
We headed to Vang Vieng town as my friend had pre-booked a hot air balloon sunset tour. Afraid of heights, I opted out of the hot air balloon tour. If you are searching for a hot air balloon experience, go for it! Vang Vieng offers the cheapest, if not the most affordable hot air balloon ride in the world.
Hot air balloons from one of the rooftop of my accommodation
After a long day out, we settled for a cosy dinner at a restaurant. I enjoyed a pork laap with steamed rice. This dish is my favourite in Laos!
Estimated budget:
- Tuk-tuk hire: 450,000 kips for 2 pax (USD 20.70)
- Entrance fee to Nam Xay Viewpoint: 20,000 kips (USD 0.90)
- Entrance fee to Blue Lagoon 2 or 3: 20,000 kips (USD 0.90)
- Hot air balloon tour: 500,000 kips (USD 23) and up
- Dinner at a local restaurant: 150,000 kips (USD 6.90)
Day 3: Relax and people-watch at Nam Song River
After the hike yesterday, our muscles were aching.
We strolled around Vang Vieng Morning Market to check out the local produce. It was just like any market I visited in Southeast Asia. The roads were calm and peaceful in the morning and got busier with time.
Fresh fruits at one of the stalls at the market
I walked across a bridge, built by the locals for pedestrians and motorbikes only. I found a cute restaurant at Nam Song Riverbank and ordered a drink and a salad to enjoy while people-watching.
The cute restaurant along Nam Song River, which I enjoyed my time at
It was a slow day, but a much-needed one after a slightly tiresome day on Day 2. This was also an opportunity for my friend and I to plan our onward journey in Luang Prabang.
Only motorbikes and villagers travelling on foot are allowed onto this bridge
I enjoyed more street food at Vang Vieng Night Market on my last evening in Vang Vieng before leaving for Luang Prabang.
Estimated budget:
- Restaurant at Nam Song Riverbank: 150,000 kips (USD 6.90)
- Dinner at Vang Vieng night market: 100,000 kips (USD 4.60)
Vang Vieng Guide: Without Renting a Motorbike Alternative Activities
Kayaking on Nam Song River
Kayaking is an alternative to tubing to enjoy the calmness of the Nam Song River. The breathtaking experience is very similar to the tubing adventure.
This is great if you do not want to change into your swimwear or get wet!
Calm, relaxing atmosphere along the Nam Song River
Tubing in the Cave
Opt for tubing in the cave to admire the unique stalagmites and stalactites formed naturally from the deposition of minerals over many years.
This will be an enriching experience.
Through other travellers who opted for this adventure, they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Although the cave is dark and cold, there are guiding ropes to ensure you stay on the same route as the rest of the tour group.
This adventure is part of a full-day tour that includes kayaking, ziplining at a Blue Lagoon and a lunch at a local restaurant. Tour prices range from 650,000 kips (USD 30) to 980,000 kips (USD 45).
A pork laap with steamed sticky rice at a local restaurant
I opted out of this adventure as I was keen on experiencing the tubing adventure while witnessing the sunset from the Nam Song River.
Rock Climbing
Vang Vieng is a popular climbing spot in Laos. The various outdoor climbing routes are suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced levels.
Many schools have beginner lessons to guide you with the right climbing techniques.
A half-day climbing course is priced between 550,000 kips (USD 25) to 650,000 kips (USD 30). This includes climbing equipment and guided climbs.
Beautiful landscapes of Vang Vieng
How to get to Vang Vieng?
There is no airport in Vang Vieng. Here are the two options when travelling from Luang Prabang or Vientiane.
- Train
Travellers can opt for the train journey as it is a comfortable travel experience. Purchase your ticket as early as 2 days before your planned travel date. This is the earliest that you can purchase your ticket.
I recommend purchasing your ticket as soon as possible as the tickets run out quickly!
If you have a local Laos, Thai or Chinese phone number, you may purchase it via the LCR app independently. Alternatively, request assistance from a local travel agency to purchase on your behalf. Remember to take the ticket with you as you will need that for proof of purchase of the train ticket.
A train ticket from Vientiane or Luang Prabang costs 434,000 kips to 480,000 kips (USD 20 to USD 22) depending on the coach type selected. The train journey takes 1 hour.
First class train seats on the Lao-China Railway
- Minivan
Local minivans are an alternative to the train if you cannot get a train ticket.
Road conditions are not the best. Therefore, the journey may sometimes take longer than expected.
The journey from Vientiane to Vang Vieng takes 1.5 hours and a ticket costs 150,000 kips (USD 6.90).
The journey from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng takes 5 to 6 hours depending on traffic conditions. A ticket costs 220,000 kips to 330,000 kips (USD 10 to USD 15).
So, train or minivan to Vang Vieng?
To reduce the analysis paralysis:
From Vientiane, opt for the minivan. This will involve fewer transfers and less travel time no additional time is needed to travel to and from the train station.
From Luang Prabang, opt for the train, if budget is not a constraint. This will save you a day’s worth of travelling on the road.
Vang Vieng at sunrise
Conclusion
There you go!
This is the best Vang Vieng Guide for you, without renting a motorbike. The guide is designed for a more relaxing trip to Vang Vieng to prevent travel burnout. Consider joining more tours as suggested for more adventures.
Vang Vieng is a paradise for adventurers, so I am sure you will have a great time visiting.
Local Laos selling quick to-go food