Vang Vieng a dynamic paradise.

Vang Vieng main terminal hub is an ideal transit point for travellers who require a break journey travelling between the two world UNESCO Heritage sites of Luang Prabang in the North and Wat Phou at Champassak in the south.

This new bus terminal uses cement supplied by Lao Cement Company Ltd under the brand "Kating Thong" delivered from Vang Vieng Cement Plant II.

There were snack shops around and I had a baguette with no fillings that cost 5,000 kips.

 To use the washroom pay 2,000 kips.

The main trunk road in front is known as Route 13 which is the highway.

Across the bus terminal were a few rows of shophouses with the main market towards the left.

No highrise buildings were seen so far which might spoil the spectacular view of the surrounding karst mountains.

It was very strange that these kind of limestone karst mountain also has its extension to central Vietnam.

Vang Vieng and Vinh(Vietnam) both has nearly the same latitude.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is one of biggest karst mountains forests in the world and listed on the UNESCO's World heritage site in 2003.

The park borders the Hin Namno Nature Reserve in the province of Khammouane, Laos and Minh Hoa districts of central Quang Binh Province, in north-central Vietnam having 300 caves and grottoes with a total length of 70 km and also protects the ecosystem of limestone forest.

Phong Nha holds several world cave records, as it has the longest underground river, as well as the largest caverns and passageways.





VangVieng market is the main focal point among the locals which opened till late evening.

A very wide range of merchandise were traded here by the various ethnic groups from the local villages.

Fresh organic vegetables and fruits were abundant. Inside the market were couple of food stalls and I had a bowl of noodles (lao:fur) costing 10,000 kips.

Most of the fishes were from the aquaculture farms so seafood is not that easily available.

Kavin College is a small village school behind VangVieng market.

The school's building were all single storey and has only a few blocks.

Another private college is Lao Top College.

VangVieng is full of fresh air,a quiet place to relax,beautiful landscape and a rural paradise.

Vang Vieng has an array of guesthouse,hotels,restaurants,internet cafes and tour agencies.

The first person to start a guesthouse was Mr Alom Thavonsouk way back in 1998 when he started building a bungalow beside the Nam Song River where his family and guests could enjoy as a retreat.

Thereafter more guesthouses and hotels started mushrooming around Thavonsouk Hotel and Resort Bungalow in Ban Viengkeo just opposite a primary school.

Nearby is Villa Nam Song,Le Jardin Organique and Ban Suon Riverside Bungalow.

Accomodations around Vang Vieng Town center area(Ban Viengkeo):  

Guesthouses opposite Lower Secondary school and teachers training college linking a toll bridge--Vilayvong Guesthouse,Vieng Thorra Guesthouse,Villa Vang Vieng Riverside and Thavisouk Hotel.

Sengdeun Guesthouse near fresh market and Wat Simixay Yaram.

Family Guesthouse owned by the Koreans is just adjacent to Wat Si Sow Mong and a short distance from Lima 16 old runway.

Opposite Family is Sengkeo Guesthouse. Just opposite the temple is Savanh Vang Vieng Hotel and Poomchai Guesthouse.

Bee Bee,Phouna,Pany Hotel,Dokhoun II,Laos Haven Hotel and Spa,Tony Guesthouse,Nana Guesthouse,Kamphone Guesthouse,Kiane Thong Guesthouse are at same road as Elephant Crossing Hotel near the main hospital.

The heart of the town has the most cluster of guesthouses:  
Guesthouses in area parallel to old unused runway(Ban Savang)
Mr Chicken,Santi Villa,Vang Vieng,Sisavong,Central Backpackers,Malany Villa,Nazim,Chan Thanom,Babylon,Ngeun Phanith and Intina Hotel  

Guesthouses along lane to tubing platform, Green Discovery office,BCEL Atm machine Vieng Vilay,Chanpa Lao 2,Dok Khoun 1,Dokbua,Sanit Jai,Phoserdxay,Bourphong,Thavisouk,Phou Ang Kham,Phonesaksic  

Guesthouses facing the Nam Song River and Saysong Island starting near Wat That area: d'Rose resort,Spicy Laos,Mountain Riverview,Sunset Home,Nine Noi's,Champa Lao,Champa Lao Villa,Namsong Garden,BounTang,Vang Vieng Orange,Nantha Phone,Souksomboun,Dark Phut,Vang Vieng Orchid,Dorson,Khormthavee,Granview,Saysong and Popular View.

*Bountang Guest House Small, simple fan rooms and Vang Vieng's cheapest dorm; but one bathroom for 12 beds… Address: Th Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng Telephone: 023 511328

*Ban Sabai Bungalows These modern bungalows in a serene riverside setting are a good choice. Some rooms have a bathtub and there are two romantic 'singles' with a double bed and balcony over a pond. There is a riverside bar/restaurant.
Address: Xayoh Riverside Bungalows , Vang Vieng Telephone: 023 511088

Pha Tang Resort It's a full 17km north of Vang Vieng, but the setting here is as dramatic as it gets.
The rooms and bungalows sit on the Nam Song and the karst cliff of Phu Pha Tang rises almost on top of you.
Rooms are simple but attractive and comfortable, and the riverside restaurant is a good place for lunch even if you're not staying.
Telephone: 020 531 9573



Chinese Restaurant along the Route 13 near the bus terminal.

Near Wat That were two other shops offering Chinese cuisines.

Most of the restaurants and eateries in town can be found along the road opposite the old runway.

 Names like Vieng Champa Restaurant,Nongbeat Restaurant,Lucky Restaurant,Ban Lao,DK3 Restaurant and even Korean Restaurant just opposite the Chillao Youth Hostel.

 A steak house is near the riverside opposite the walk bridge. Xoupphak (a salad made with local greens) is a popular appetizer.





Couple of bars to chill out can be found along Saysong Island such as Sunset Bar,Joker Bar,Bucket Bar,Smile Bar and Restaurant and Rock Bar.

 A few guesthouses like Sayphin Guesthouse,Riverside Backpackers Guesthouse,River Hills Bungalow,Riverside Bungalows Guesthouse were on the island.

Viengkham Guesthouse is slightly out of town off the main road across the bus terminal.

Further in towards the riverside was Vangxay Guesthouse that cost around 40,000 kips.

There seems to be something for everyone here. Visitors who don’t want to play in the mud or jump into the river or can simply enjoy taking photographs and taking pleasure in the beauty of the surroundings.

Trekking,tubing,kayaking or rent a bicycle and cycle through the countryside trails can make you busy throughout the day.

There are caves to explore, organic farms to visit, and local culture and traditions to get lost in.

Lao visitors, especially from Vientiane, like to shop at the market for fresh organic vegetables and fruits in the early morning.

Here, one can see the real life of Vangvieng where folks from different villages and ethnic groups sell and buy goods in the market.

Not only are many of the goods for sale here interesting and unusual,they are also cheaper than in Vientiane markets.

Stunning view overlooking the Nam Song River with misty limestone karst mountains in the horizon.

Spending an idylic morning with a cup of Lao coffee or Lao-Lao beer to unwind yourself and fully enjoying the vacation.
The atmosphere is really amazing and incredible.

. Vang Vieng is a wonderful oasis for most city folks to relax and enjoy the difference.

Due to the undulating nature of the topography and hilly,the weather here is slightly cooler towards year end.

From December to February, it is warm at day and cool at night. The highest mountain peak is Phardeang, About 10km north of the town,one can stand on a bridge to gaze at the amazing sight of Phatang mountain.

To explore Tham Phu Kham cave or Tham Jang cave near Vang Vieng, travelers can go by tuk tuk.
Another way is by bicycle or motorbike to travel around.

The Phoudindaeng Farm is 4km down the road on an organic fair trade farm that manufactures organic silk and mulberry shakes.
Phoudindaeng is one new economic zone where there is also a 50 hectares golf course as well.

Finally I had to leave Vang Vieng and my next destination will be Phonsavan-'The Plains of Jars'

I would prefer to go on a more spacious local bus but unfortunately this was unavailable.

Only the 9:30am airconditioned minivan was available with limited seats.Fare was 100,000 kips.

 Little girl with her parents going back to their village in the highlands at Ban Nam-On which has an altitude of close to 1000metres. A big lorry truck is their main means of transportation.