Vang Vieng Travel Guide

Vang Vieng (ວັງວຽງ), sometimes spelled Vang Viang, is a riverside town in Central Laos. It is the adventure capital of Laos, with a river flowing through the spectacularly wild karst formations, laid-back countryside and many caves. Many outdoor tours are available.

Five high-speed, standard-gauge trains run daily fromVientianevia Phonhong to Vang Vieng (1 hour), then north to Muang Kasi andLuang Prabang(another hour). One train each morning continues to Boten on the border with China, with four hours for border formalities, then onward toKunming(ten hours in all) which has high-speed connections across China. This is by far the fastest, most comfortable way to reach Vang Vieng, the problem has been short booking horizons and sold-out trains. This may ease

From Vientiane, buses will drop you off either at the old airstrip (from the Vietnam war, it's now just a giant gravel pad), and the tourist buses will drop you in front of a hotel on the main street in the town. The airstrip is directly behind the main street, so in either case there is no need to take a tuk-tuk or cyclo if you plan to stay in the main area of the town. The island and bungalows along the river are about a 10-min walk away.

Thousands of tourists pass through Vang Vieng without incident every year, but the combination of outdoor activities, drink and drugs still makes it one of South East Asia's most dangerous destinations for travellers.

Vang Vieng caters for varies accommodation types now, not just for backpackers.