| Town: | Vang Vieng |
| Location: | Asia > Laos |
What’s Plugged?
Reviews & Amenities
Top Descriptions
| Vang Vieng has more than a whiff or recent legend to it and some backpackers in Laos are still very much chasing that dragon. While some might come purely to explore the myriad caves, pools and viewpoints of the impressive limestone-karst surroundings, most classic travellers have no doubt heard of the hedonism that’s been on offer here since the turn of the millennium. And that hasn’t changed much, regardless of the 2012 crackdown. Bars flying reggae colours still serve up a healthy menu to the right customer and late-night parties are still fairly easy to find. But the pace of things and the breed of traveller that visit the region are undoubtedly now somewhat different. Ever since Korean TV focussed its sights on Vang Vieng a few years back, South Koreans have been flooding into the town in ever increasing amounts. Their impact is obvious not only in the food now on offer and the signage that litters the town, but also in the increased congestion and joviality at famous sight such as the Blue Lagoon. One thing’s for sure, for the most part it’s a more wholesome crowd that now enjoys the many splendours of scruffy Vang Vieng. |
| If you’ve written a description for Vang Vieng you’d like to share with the community, send it to [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
Top Tips
| There’s little point in heading to the Bus Station if you’re departing the town. Most hotels and tour agencies can book you a seat on the more falang-oriented buses that depart there and circle Vang Vieng for a LAK10,000 markup. |
| To really make the most of your time here you’ll need to get out into the countryside. Rent a motorbike and do the Vang Vieng Motorbike Loop. Jang Cave, Lusi Cave and the Pha Poak Hill Viewpoint can be easily walked to from anywhere in the town, and you can even walk to the Blue Lagoon in about an hour and a half. |
| It’s not unheard of for there to be a late-night bribe-driven police presence here, so do be cautious. |
| If you’ve never sampled good Korean food (most Korean restaurants in the west don’t let you cook for yourself), give Korea Garden Restaurant a try. |
| If you have a tip about Vang Vieng and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The Location
What should we know?
| Name in local script: | ວັງວຽງ |
| Also known as: | Vang Viang |
| Tour operator(s): | Add Data |
| Rental operator(s): | Jacky Adventure Climbing School |
| Port(s): | Add Data |
| Station(s): | Vang Vieng Bus Station |
| Terminal(s): | Add Data |
| Environment type: | cave, hill, jungle, karst, limestone, river, mountain |
| Location type: | rural, town, village |
| Religion type: | Buddhism |
What can we see or do there?
| Events: | Add Data |
| Services: | Add Data |
| Shops: | Add Data |
| Animals: | Add Data |
| Birds: | Add Data |
How much will it cost us?
| Currency: | Laotian Kip (LAK) |
| Average daily budget: | LAK230,000 |
When should we go there, and for how long?
| Average time taken: | 7 nights |
| High season: | November to March |
| Low season: | Add Data |
How can we get in contact?
| Language(s): | English, Korean, Lao |
| Timezone: | UTC+07:00 |
| Country calling code: | 856 |
How can we get there?
| Coordinates: | 18.95077, 102.44802 |
| Geographical feature: | Nam Song River |
The Directions
| If you know how to get to Vang Vieng and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The Directions
| If you know how to get to Vang Vieng and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The Directions
| If you know how to get to Vang Vieng and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
What are the numbers and averages?
| Number of attractions visited: | 10 |
| Travel time to attractions: | 35 minutes |
| Travel time to next location: | 5 hours |
| Size: | Add Data |
| Altitude: | 239m |
What else would be good to know?
| Wikipedia: | Vang Vieng |
| Wikitravel: | Vang Vieng |
| Tripadvisor: | Vang Vieng |
| Local tourism: | Add Data |
| Emergency service(s): | Add Data |
| Travel advisories: | UK Government |
| Healthcare: | Add Data |
| Weather: | AccuWeather |
| News: | Add Data |
| Public holidays: | Time and Date |
Local Availability
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beer (multinational) | 500ml | LAK11,000 |
| Beer (national) | 500ml | LAK11,000 |
| Fizzy drink | 1 litre | LAK10,000 |
| Fruit juice | 1 litre | LAK20,000 |
| Gin (multinational) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Gin (national) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Milk | 1 litre | LAK15,000 |
| Oil | 1 litre | LAK16,000 |
| Rum (multinational) | 1 litre | LAK100,000 |
| Rum (national) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Vodka (multinational) | 1 litre | LAK100,000 |
| Vodka (national) | 1 litre | LAK20,000 |
| Water | 1 litre | LAK5,000 |
| Whisky (multinational) | 1 litre | LAK145,000 |
| Whisky (national) | 1 litre | LAK10,000 |
| Wine | 1 bottle | LAK80,000 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds | 100g | Add Data |
| Apples | 1kg | Add Data |
| Bananas | 1kg | Add Data |
| Bell pepper | 1kg | Add Data |
| Bread | 1 loaf | Add Data |
| Carrots | 1kg | Add Data |
| Chillies | 1kg | Add Data |
| Chocolate (multinational) | 1 bar | LAK9,000 |
| Chocolate (national) | 1 bar | LAK2,000 |
| Coconut milk | 1 can | LAK8,000 |
| Cucumber | 1kg | Add Data |
| Eggs | 1 dozen | Add Data |
| Garlic | 1kg | Add Data |
| Ginger | 1kg | Add Data |
| Honey | 1 jar | Add Data |
| Ice cream | 1 unit | LAK10,000 |
| Jam | 1 jar | LAK15,000 |
| Onions | 1kg | Add Data |
| Oranges | 1kg | Add Data |
| Pasta | 1kg | LAK36,000 |
| Peanut butter | 1 jar | LAK35,000 |
| Peanuts | 100g | LAK2,500 |
| Potatoes | 1kg | Add Data |
| Raisins | 100g | Add Data |
| Rice | 1kg | LAK14,000 |
| Sandwich | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Tomatoes | 1kg | Add Data |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal shampoo | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Conditioner | 1 bottle | LAK35,000 |
| Condoms | 1 pack | LAK12,000 |
| Deodorant | 1 can | LAK33,000 |
| Floss | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Hand sanitizer | 1 bottle | LAK20,000 |
| Laundry soap | 1 bar | Add Data |
| Razors | 1 pack | LAK25,000 |
| Sanitary towels | 1 pack | LAK5,000 |
| Shampoo | 1 bottle | LAK20,000 |
| Soap | 1 bar | LAK5,000 |
| Tampons | 1 box | LAK45,000 |
| Toilet roll | 1 unit | LAK2,000 |
| Toothpaste | 1 tube | LAK5,000 |
| Washing powder | 1 box | LAK5,000 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antiseptic cream | 1 tube | Add Data |
| Bandages | 1 pack | LAK16,000 |
| Chapstick | 1 unit | LAK6,000 |
| Contact lens solution | 1 bottle | LAK50,000 |
| Headache tablets | 1 pack | LAK27,000 |
| Ibuprofen | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Mosquito repellent | 1 bottle | LAK19,000 |
| Nail clippers | 1 set | LAK10,000 |
| Plasters | 1 pack | LAK2,000 |
| Sun cream | 1 bottle | LAK55,000 |
| Sunglasses | 1 pair | Add Data |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | 4-pack | LAK8,000 |
| Chilli powder | 100g | Add Data |
| Cigarettes (multinational) | 20-pack | LAK17,000 |
| Cigarettes (national) | 20-pack | LAK7,000 |
| Coriander | 100g | Add Data |
| Cumin | 100g | Add Data |
| Fuel | 1 litre | LAK8,105 |
| Internet | 1 hour | LAK20,000 |
| Lighter | 1 unit | LAK2,000 |
| Matches | 1 pack | LAK1,000 |
| Paprika | 100g | Add Data |
| Travel multiadapter | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Travel plug | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Turmeric | 100g | Add Data |
| Stock | 1 pack | Add Data |
Local Cuisine
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Baked potato (meat) | LAK29,000 | |
| Baked potato (vegetarian) | LAK26,000 | |
| Bibimbap (비빔밥) | LAK60,000 | |
| Bolognese | LAK25,500 | |
| Breakfast (continental) | LAK25,000 | |
| Breakfast (cooked) | LAK37,000 | |
| Bruschetta | LAK20,000 | |
| Burger | LAK30,500 | |
| Burger (cheese) | LAK27,333 | |
| Burrito (meat) | LAK55,000 | |
| Burrito (vegetarian) | LAK45,000 | |
| Carbonara | LAK25,500 | |
| Cereal | LAK17,000 | |
| Chilli con carne | LAK40,000 | |
| Coq au vin | LAK31,000 | |
| Curry (Southeast Asia – meat) | LAK27,000 | |
| Curry (Southeast Asia – vegetarian) | LAK24,667 | |
| Cutlet (beef/chicken) | LAK28,500 | |
| Dakdoritang (닭도리탕) | LAK120,000 | |
| Eggs (how you like) | LAK15,333 | |
| Fajitas (meat) | LAK60,000 | |
| Fajitas (vegeteble) | LAK50,000 | |
| French fries | LAK18,000 | |
| Fried (fish) | LAK29,000 | |
| Fried rice (meat) | LAK19,667 | |
| Fried rice (vegetable) | LAK19,000 | |
| Fruit salad | LAK17,000 | |
| Full English breakfast | LAK49,000 | |
| Gamchatang (감자탕) | LAK100,000 | |
| Garlic bread | LAK9,500 | |
| Grilled (chicken) | LAK35,500 | |
| Grilled (fish) | LAK50,000 | |
| Guacamole | LAK35,000 |
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Kebab | LAK29,000 | |
| Khao poon | LAK21,000 | |
| Kimchi Jigae (김치 찌개) | LAK40,000 | |
| Laap | LAK33,000 | |
| Mashed potatoes | LAK16,000 | |
| Nachos | LAK45,000 | |
| Noodle soup (meat) | LAK16,000 | |
| Noodle soup (vegetable) | LAK15,333 | |
| Noodles (meat) | LAK21,333 | |
| Noodles (vegetable) | LAK17,667 | |
| Nuts | LAK15,000 | |
| Omelette | LAK17,333 | |
| Pad Thai | LAK19,500 | |
| Pancake (loaded) | LAK19,000 | |
| Pancake (simple) | LAK15,500 | |
| Pasta (meat) | LAK27,000 | |
| Pasta (vegetable) | LAK22,000 | |
| Pizza (loaded) | LAK51,667 | |
| Pizza (simple) | LAK36,000 | |
| Pork chops | LAK32,000 | |
| Quesadilla (meat) | LAK35,000 | |
| Quesadilla (vegetables) | LAK30,000 |
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Salad | LAK24,500 | |
| Salad (meat) | LAK30,500 | |
| Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) | LAK60,000 | |
| Samgyetang (삼계탕) | LAK130,000 | |
| Sandwich (basic) | LAK11,333 | |
| Sandwich (loaded) | LAK17,000 | |
| Shrimp | LAK45,500 | |
| Skewers (meat) | LAK29,500 | |
| Soup (vegetarian) | LAK28,667 | |
| Spring rolls | LAK17,000 | |
| Steak | LAK54,333 | |
| Stew (meat) | LAK35,000 | |
| Stir fry (meat) | LAK27,667 | |
| Stir fry (vegetable) | LAK20,500 | |
| Sweet and sour (meat) | LAK27,000 | |
| Sweet and sour (vegetarian) | LAK25,000 | |
| Tacos | LAK40,000 | |
| Tom Yum | LAK46,500 | |
| Wraps | LAK47,000 |
| Beverage | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Alcoholic mixed drink | LAK23,000 | |
| Beer (multinational) | LAK35,000 | |
| Beer (national) | LAK10,400 | |
| Bucket | LAK40,000 | |
| Cider (bottle) | LAK35,000 | |
| Cocktail | LAK20,250 | |
| Coffee | LAK6,000 | |
| Fruit juice (fresh) | LAK9,000 | |
| Gin (shot) | LAK30,000 | |
| Ginger tea | LAK5,667 | |
| Iced coffee | LAK9,000 | |
| Iced tea | LAK8,000 | |
| Martini | LAK25,000 | |
| Milkshake | LAK9,250 | |
| Red Bull | LAK5,000 | |
| Rum (shot) | LAK22,500 | |
| Soft drink | LAK7,200 | |
| Soju | LAK40,000 | |
| Tea | LAK4,500 | |
| Tea (herbal) | LAK5,000 | |
| Tequila (shot) | LAK20,000 | |
| Tonic water | LAK7,500 | |
| Water (2L) | LAK9,100 | |
| Whisky (shot) | LAK9,750 | |
| Wine (bottle) | LAK150,000 | |
| Wine (glass) | LAK24,750 |
Vang Vieng Forum
Please use this forum to tell us about any new or out-of-date information about Vang Vieng or to ask or answer any questions specific to this page. Or join our World Forum for more general information.
