Things to see and do Vang Vieng

Located about 18 km from Vang Vieng, it is the most remote lagoon. Two different roads lead to the lagoon, allowing you to cross different small villages. Many signs indicate the access to different caves, waterfalls, or hiking trails. The Blue Lagoon 3 is located at the foot of a large karst mountain with a zip line for diving, big buoys and a basic but nice bar-restaurant. Ideal to relax for a morning or an afternoon. Nearby are two small caves without real interest.

One of the most beautiful viewpoints of Vang Vieng. Take the road towards the Blue Lagoon, after a few kilometers, on the right, a sign will tell you to turn. You will arrive at a hut where young Laotians will make you pay the entrance fee. The ascent is rough and in some places is like climbing. Not to be done if you are afraid of heights or if you are accompanied by children. Once at the top, the reward is great: the view on the rice fields and the surrounding rocky peaks is simply magnificent.

The triangle of Tham Sang, about 13 km north of Vang Vieng, consists of 4 easily accessible caves: Tham Sang, Tham Hoi, Tham Loup, and Tham Nam. You will be able to discover this group of caves close to each other during a half-day excursion.

To get there, follow the road for about 15 minutes and watch for the sign on the left. Follow a dirt track for a little less than a kilometre to the bridge and cross over to the other bank. Leave your bike or scooter in the parking lot before crossing. In the rainy season, the crossing is done by pirogue.

Tham Sang is on the right, inside the temple of a centenary village. It is high, but shallow (40 m) and above all sacred. Inside, one can distinguish a stalactite in the shape of an elephant's head, which gives the cave its name, and another in the shape of its body, a "footprint" of the Buddha, a dragon's head, and so on. Statues of Buddha are scattered there.

From Tham Sang, you can walk to two caves located in the red sandstone cliffs; which can be seen behind the rice fields (about 15 minutes walk). The first one, located at ground level, is Tham Hoi. The holiest of the caves welcomes you with a Buddha's head at the entrance. It is dark and very deep (several kilometers), so you will need a flashlight, provided on site, to visit it. As the lamps are not always very powerful, it is recommended to bring your own, or to use the light of your mobile phone. Allow a good hour's walk. Quite impressive. Just above, is at the top of a very difficult path (you have to climb in some places) in the heart of tropical vegetation, the Tham Loup. This second open-air cave is famous for its stalactites.

Tham Nam. South of Tham Hoi, to find your way, follow the music! Indeed, the place is very busy, especially by groups on organized tours who take their lunch break there. It is also the arrival point of a large zip line circuit. It is usually visited after visiting Tham Sang, Tham Loup and Tham Noi. This concludes the excursion. It is 500 m long and can be explored on foot during the dry season; during the rainy season, you will explore it on board an inner tube (remember to bring a headlamp, although you will normally be provided with one at the entrance). You will visit the cave holding a rope...

Located 25 km west of Vang Vieng, on the other side of the Nam Song River, Pha Puak Cave is surrounded by the Pha Daeng Mountains, large karst formations. Its access is somewhat difficult because the cave is high up. This small cave, 20 meters long, is supposed to have sheltered a hermit talking with the spirits. It is possible to go there by scooter or bicycle for the brave ones. If Tham Pha Puak is nothing special, the walk to reach it is pleasant, it is a good place to picnic and to swim.

The Nam Xay Top View is the most famous viewpoint of Vang Vieng, and therefore the most frequented. The ascent, which takes about half an hour, is relatively easy, except for the last few meters which require some climbing. At the top, platforms have been installed to enjoy the spectacular view. What makes the place so popular is the installation of a big motorcycle on each side allowing to make absolutely amazing souvenir pictures! If you have time to visit only one viewpoint, this is it!

Not far from the Blue Lagoon 1, the Blue Lagoon number 2 is a large pool in the middle of vast green spaces, with tables and benches, suitable for picnics. A diving board located at a height of about 5-6 meters allows visitors to have a little thrill. There are some basic food stands at the entrance to the park. Blue Lagoon 4, 5 and 6 are more remote than the others, have fewer structures, and are open seasonally. You will have to cross dirt roads to get there.

The road leading to it crosses beautiful landscapes of rice fields and karst structures. This cave seems slightly larger than others in the area and there are fewer facilities. It is high-ceilinged and very long; it houses a gilded bronze Buddha in a reclining position. The locals gather here for the Lao New Year. A swim in the cool Blue Lagoon 1 is recommended before a snack under the shade of the trees.

This cave can be reached by going through a Hmong village. About 2 km deep, this dark cave looks like a long tunnel strewn with stalactites and stalagmites, a flashlight is necessary. A basin formed by an underground river is about 800 meters from the entrance. It is best to visit it at the end of the rainy season when the level is ideal for swimming. Keep in mind that you will often have water up to your waist as you walk through the cave. It is advisable to be accompanied by a guide, as it is easy to get lost.

These 2 caves are located 4 km from the city, on the road to Tham Phou Kham. Tham Ang Ngeun is a narrow cave where you sometimes have to crawl. Bring a lamp. At 20 minutes from the entrance of the cave, there is a small lake full of catfish. To reach nearby Tham Jinally, you have to climb about 20 m to reach this cave, which is quite high but shallow. The rocks are shaped like animals: pythons, elephant heads... Bats have taken up residence there.

This easily accessible cave is located southwest of the city, just after the second bridge. Its particularity is that it was used as a bunker during the Chinese invasion at the beginning of the 19th century. The gallery extends over 4 km but it is only illuminated for 800 m. A spring is located about 50 meters after the entrance. Outside, it is possible to swim in the lake, from where you can access another cave. Nearby is another small cave with a sitting Buddha.

This mountain offers different climbing circuits to be reserved for the most adventurous. To reach the summit and the Lusi cave, you will have to climb many walls with the help of rocks or frail bamboo ladders... It is a high-risk climb that we strongly advise against. If you want to do it with full knowledge of the facts, you should check out the climbing clubs in the town, which offer professional supervision and adequate equipment.