Overview

The largest capital city of Laos is Vientiane, nestled on the banks of the Mekong River at the Thai border. The city is steeped in legend and history and is home to the massive gilded stupa, Pha That Luang, a national symbol of the country. The charming capital retains its French colonial architecture alongside authentic Buddhist temples and landmarks that stretch along the riverbanks. Tree-lined streets are decorated with cute cafes, vibrant riverside markets, traditional silk shops, street food stalls, and noodle shops. A good base for day trips to the popular Buddha Park, which is home to over 200 giant Buddha statues. Vientiane is the perfect place to enjoy dinner and sunset views over the mighty Mekong River.

Things to see and do

Go tubing down the Nam Song River! This is the biggest attraction and leisure activity in Vang Vieng. Rent a tube and enjoy the afternoon floating lazily down the river, passing picturesque landscapes and limestone cliffs towering above. 

Visit the picturesque collection of blue lagoons in Vang Vieng. There are several of these inviting natural pools in the area. The pools and their surroundings boast stunning natural beauty and a chilled-out atmosphere, a great place to spend the day relaxing in the soothing waters. Blue Lagoon 1 is the most popular, featuring swings, platforms, and tubes in the tranquil deep turquoise waters. Home to the Phoukam cave. Blue Lagoon 2 is another popular one, a bit bigger with several swimming pools boasting platforms and slides, and the nearby Thang Cham cave. 

Check out the caves around Vang Vieng, there are several of them. The Golden Cave (Tham Phu Kham) is one of the most popular and accessible caves located at the Blue Lagoon. The aquamarine lagoon is inside the cave, a great place to cool off with a swim. The Tham Chang Cave is reached via a suspension bridge. Phoukam Cave is a small cave with a Buddha statue inside, located near Blue Lagoon 1. Phapoungkam Cave is a large, wide cave filled with stalagmites. Tham Nam Water Cave is a popular cave where you can also go cave tubing in the dry season with ropes to pull yourself along. 

Check out some of the spectacular Vang Vieng Viewpoint, another popular pastime in the region. There are many areas in town to climb up and soak up the breathtaking surrounding scenery. The Pha Ngern viewpoint also leads to the Silver Cliff viewpoint via a 2-hour hike and a steep staircase. The rewarding vistas are breathtaking, especially during sunrise and sunset when the colors are sensational. Nam Xay Viewpoint is known for the two motorcycles you can find at the top, and it is spectacular at sunset. It takes around a 40-minute climb to reach the top, where beautiful mountain views surround you. 

Go on a hot air balloon ride in the picturesque hours of dawn or dusk and watch the sunrise or sunset. Gliding in the air gives you a whole new perspective of the astounding landscapes of mountains, rivers, and villages that fill Vang Vieng.

Shopping

Shopping in Vang Vieng offers visitors some unique experiences, from vibrant night markets to unique local shops selling handicrafts and souvenirs. There are numerous exciting shopping opportunities here in town for shoppers to check out and pick up interesting gifts, mementos, and souvenirs. The Vangvieng Shopping Market is nestled in the heart of town, a great shopping destination and place to immerse oneself in the local culture and fashion of Laos. The lively marketplace showcases a wonderful, diverse selection of clothing featuring traditional Lao garments to contemporary styles. Vibrant colorful stalls and enthusiastic welcoming vendors are sharing their unique products. Shopping around Vang Vieng allows visitors to absorb the rich heritage of the region and shop for an assortment of handmade garments and accessories. The craftsmanship and attention to detail of the handmade carvings, woodwork, and art on display are pretty impressive. Local artisans are passionate about their work. A few classic things to pick up when shopping in Vang Vieng are traditional Lao textiles, handmade jewelry, artwork, phaa sin (sarongs), ropes, hand-woven shirts, handmade baskets, bamboo items, hand-embroidered items, Lao coffee, and tea.

Dining

The food in Vang Vieng is very flavorful, and there are many different traditional local eateries to enjoy delicious mouth-watering dishes. The dining scene here is made up of many small-town family-run restaurants boasting laid-back atmospheres and friendly staff. Lao cuisine is the most popular, but you can also enjoy Thai, Chinese, and Indian food as well as Western cuisine. There are some great street food stalls in the town of Vang Vieng where visitors can sample some tasty snacks and treats like larb (a minced meat salad), sticky rice (a staple), kaipen (riverweed), grilled river fish, and tam mak hoong (spicy green papaya salad), a few local favorites. The food here is really good, no matter what you try, and one great way to try the delectable cuisine is by taking a cooking class, a great way to get to know the food and culture.

Lao dishes are made with a mixture of spicy, savory, and sweet flavors with a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients and unique regional specialties. Staple ingredients may include lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, mint, fish sauce, tamarind, and chili peppers to name a few. Some classic Lao dishes include Laap (minced meat salad), Khao Piak Sen (rice noodle soup), Khao Niaw (sticky rice), Mok Pa (steamed fish), Sai Oua (Lao sausages), Luang Prabang salad with a zesty dressing, Jaew a dipping sauce, and more adventurous options like rat stock based Khao Soi Soup, which is a local specialty. A few popular dishes to be sure to try include Khao Niaw (sticky rice), often served with grilled meats, fish, salads, or omelets.

Nightlife

Vang Vieng has been known for its vivacious nightlife for being such a small town!! It's got some stories from back in the day, but has become a lot more tame these days. Backpackers still flock here, and there are many bars, pubs, and clubs to check out for a chill night on the town. Theres live music playing most nights of the week with beers flowing and late-night dancing opportunities. Beerlao is served in most of the Vang Vieng restaurants, which is a popular drink in Laos. And buzz buckets are a big thing in this town! A plastic bucket filled with ice, liquor, and a soft drink. Vang Vieng's nightlife is legendary and considered among the best in all of Southeast Asia, with some banging pubs and clubs. There is a wide selection of bars to choose from, from cozy to wild, and a lot of the bars in town can be found along the Nam Song River with great views to accompany the laid-back vibe. A lot of the riverside restaurants and bars boast hammocks to chill out and relax in, swinging with a tasty rum cocktail in hand is the ultimate vacation vibe.