Nam Song River bamboo bridge

Vang Vieng is a small but growing town located in the middle between Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

Backpackers around the world will never miss Vang Vieng in their itinerary as this is one of the country’s most popular ecotourism destinations.

Here, the Nam Song River is the center of life. People from around the globe travel to Vang Vieng to enjoy kayaking, tubing, fishing, caving, and trekking along the river and its surrounding limestone cliffs.

While local tourism and agriculture businesses thrive off the pristine waters of the Nam Song, villagers rely on the river for their main sources of protein: fish and aquatic insects.

 Local communities’ livelihoods and the success of the ecotourism industry in Vang Vieng are inextricably linked to the river’s health and surrounding ecosystems.

Kayaking and tubing along the Nam Song River is among the most popular outdoor activities.

After renting your tube or kayak,a songtheaw will transport everyone 8km away from town upstream near the river edge.

Upon arrival, each “tuber” is presented with a cloth-band, generally adorned around the arm or head, and the first shots of the day Lao-Lao whiskey being offered.

As one floated along the Nam Song River,the beautiful surrounding landscape adds to the transquility.

It’s all good fun, drinking and dancing by the river, but when you add the free whisky, tubing and slides, it’s really dangerous so a slight discipline is necessary.

The concept of health and safety rules around here is lacking.You'll noticed that no life jackets were provided for 'tubers'.

As for the kids here jumping from the bamboo bridge,it was a daily affairs in the late evening where they had their bath in the Nam Song River.

Village boy cleaning body with soap.
There is no such thing as clean water showers or washbasins.

A two lane bamboo bridge over the Nam Song River.This was around 17:30peak hours with heavy usage,a non-tourist area.

Luckily I was here an hour earlier otherwise I would be caught in a difficult balancing situation. Imagine there was nothing to lean nor anything to hold onto,the most I could do was yell at them to stop and let me walk first.

Lady carrying a child walking along the bamboo bridge with ease.

 Young boy getting ready to jump.

Supporting structures of the bridge using sandalwood I guess.












Motorcyclist zooming through .

Having a funfilled dip at riverside.































Kids playing with muddy sandbank.

  Lao boy playing with rocks.

Drifting leisurely on a huge truck tube.

Bamboo species of good quality used in bridge construction.

Hot air balloon ride to get a birds eyeview of the hidden gems of Vang Vieng.

See the terrain surrounding Nam Song River priced at USD70(adults),USD40(children) for a 30-40 minutes flight.

Operates 3 times per day,sunrise (06:30),sun rise(07:30) and sunset (16:30)

During wet season between May till October no services.





Under the bridge.


If you’ve played your cards right, you have kept a close watch on your tube, and can return it to town to receive your deposit back.

But for most, your tube has been stolen, the sun has dropped behind the mountains and you’re struggling for breath as you swim down the river to the closest set of stairs.

With little to no lighting, and obnoxious amounts of alcohol in your system this is no easy task.

 Songtheaws will be available at this point in the event tubers wish to abort completing the finishing line either due to the hot weather or it's getting dark.

Meandering Nam Song River.