Not boasting world heritage sites and huge tourist attractions like Luang Prabang or Vientiane, Vang Vieng instead charms visitors with its majestic mountains and pristine beauty. Unlike other sites, the hiking trails leading up into the mountains here haven’t been spoiled by excessive tourism.
The path leading to the peak of Pha Ngeun is a typical example. 4km down the road from Mayline Guesthouse, you will see the wooden board guiding you to a village of the H’mong people. Park at the toll station and begin your journey. For those who love trekking, it’s only a 25 minute hike to the top of Pha Ngeun. A great panoramic view of the neighboring mountains is the reward for your toil.
Travellers of Vang Vieng are advised to be careful for three reasons: a lot of parties with the large amounts of alcoholic beverages, underwater rocks, and the range of outdoor activities.
That said, there’s something for every thrill seeker whether you are into cycling, trekking, kayaking, climbing, or enjoying the zipline, hot air ballooning, or – the most special one – tubing.
Tubing in Vang Vieng
This riverside town in Central Laos may be one of the few places in Southeast Asia where you can go tubing. In 1999, a farm owner had an idea for how volunteers could relax on the river, floating on rubber innertubes. Tubing soon became one the most popular tourist activities in the area and no visitor to Vang Vieng should miss out. Tubing is simply lying on a donut shaped buoy as you are carried down a river. Get on a tuk-tuk to the assembly point, and you can float along the river with a rental float and a waterproof bag. The best time to go tubing is from noon til 4pm. The Tubing center might not be open earlier and it is unsafe to float at night.
The town is small enough to walk across. If you want to visit villages of the Laos, Kmou, and Hmong people or explore the mountains and hidden caves, you can rent a bicycle or motorbike. And if you are planning to spend a day here, then Tham Poukham – Blue Lagoon is the best and safest choice. Just 7km away from the town center is a lake, a zipline for those who’re not afraid of heights, and some hidden tracks inside Tham Poukham Cave.
Vang Vieng is located 150km north of Vientiane. It takes about 4 hours to travel there by car.
Source: Vietnam Travellive
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