Vang Vieng Travel Guide

Vang Vieng (also Vang Viang) is a riverside town in Central Laos.

Once no one could ride a bus changing stations on the long haul between Vientiane at the Thai border and the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. It has managed to become a destination in its own right. Still not much more than three streets and a bus station.

The main attractions are the river, laid back countryside and cave-filled rock formations. To anyone who's been travelling anywhere in South East Asia, you've no doubt heard about "Tubing", an activity that dominates the town and its visitors.

Originally opened up by hedonistic backpackers, the city's predominant ambiance is one of lethargy by day and debauchery by night.

Tourists sprawl out in the pillow-filled restaurants, termed "TV Bars", watching re-runs of US sitcoms, Friends and Family Guy episodes until the sun goes down, and then party heavily until the early hours.

Nevertheless, there is a growing number of more sedate foreign sightseers. The breathtaking views are definitely worth a trip - we even have Vang Vieng listed on our top list, despite the party.