Phonsavan places to stay

Phonsavan is the gateway to the Plains of Jars about 435km northeast of Laos capital Vientiane.

The old capital Xieng Khouang was destroyed during the second Indochina War and was replaced by Phonsavan in the late 1970s.

Phonsavan lies in an altitude of near 1100metres above sea level and has a cool climate during winter months of between November to February so remember to carry some warm clothes as well when during the night temperature can be as low as 10 degree celcius.

March and May is the hot season while June till October will be the rainy season with a mean temperature of around 30 degree celcius.

Phonsavanh is home to various ethnic groups, such as the Phuan, whose ancestors once founded the kingdom of the same name, the Hmong, which New Years celebrations in Xieng Khouang are famous throughout Laos, and the Khmu and Tai Dam.

There is also a minority of Laotian Chinese and Vietnamese as well as some international workers and missionaries from Korea and the United States of America.

On arrival from Xieng Khouang Airport from Vientiane which has 4 flights per week,the main road leading to town center is the first sight of a "Welcome to Xieng Khouang" signboard on a beautiful small landscaped garden at a junction just across the Xieng Khouang Hotel(a top end hotel popular among dignitaries) and Post office.

Xieng Khouang province has a border with Luang Prabang and Huoaphanh in the north, Vietnam in the east, Bolikhamxay in the south, Vientiane and Xaysomboune in the west.

There are 8 districts in the Province of Xieng Khouang with a population of mere 264,000 according to year 2004 consensus: 1) Kham 2) Khoune 3) Morkmay 4) Nong Het 5) Paek 6) Phaxay 7) Phoukood 8) Thatom








Lao Youth Travel has been established since 2001 offering quality tours through Laos the Jewel of the Mekong.

The main office Classic Tours is at No:039-05,Fa NgumRoad, Mixay ,Vientiane Capital.
Tel +856-21 24 0931/0939/2802 Fax +856-21 21 3037 Mobile Phone +856-20 5550 7950

Discovery and Barefoot Tours Luang Prabang Branch, 410 Visounarath Road, Ban Visoun, Luang Prabang, Tel : 856-71 253340, Fax : 856 71 253340.

Pakse Office, Ban Sok Am Nouay, Unit 6, Pakse Champasak Province,
Tel/Fax : (856-31) 900405

Xieng Khouang Branch, 204 Road N7, Phonsavanh, Xieng Khouang,
Tel/Fax : (856-61) 211532 Phonsavan has close to 12 hotels and 36 guesthouses.

Sabaidee Guesthouse,my temporary homestay which is off the main Road 7 and less than 5 minutes to the main market right in the heart of Paek District,centrally located. Tel:020-5067990/020-5068174 Mail:Sabaidee2000@hotmail.com

Room rates from 30,000 kips onwards.
A mixed of tenants including some locals as well.Motorcycle and bicycle for rent available. Three star ratings.





The White Orchid Guest House offers 18 comfortable, clean and well-equipped guestrooms that present great value for money in the very centre of Phonsavan.

Room rates from USD10.00 Tel:+856 21 262530 White Orchid Guest House is a large green hotel located on the corner of the main street and Old Airport Road in the centre of Phonsavan town.

It is surrounded by restaurants, shops and tourist facilities and a short walk to the market and post office and just a 10-minute drive from the airport or provincial bus station and 15 minutes from the 1st Plain of Jars site.

From small and simple but good value
Economy rooms for the single traveler on the ground floor to large and spacious Superior and Executive rooms for 3 to 4 people featuring a lounge suite and dining table on the higher floors and everything in between.

White Orchid Guest House provides guests with a wealth of local information together with a laundry service, safe at reception and a restaurant with complimentary breakfast.
Pre-booked guests receive a complimentary airport or bus station transfer on arrival.

Along the side road from White Orchid at the very end is a very huge modern entertainment and convention centre in the midst of construction with nearly 80% completed.

The ultra modern cultural and entertainment stage has already been in commisioned and being used as a musical training center.

This is the old airport of Xieng Khouang land parcel in the Paek District.

The project started in early August year 2010 with the goal of being a trading center for Northern Laos and also tourism promotion.









Golden Mountain Garden Group is the tunrkey project developer of this 12.5 hectares concession rights wholly managed by the Lao citizens.

The exhibition center building has a very large floor space so in time to come this will be the focus of international companies converging here to tap the vast business opportunities in the IndoChina region.

Meanwhile a small night market has already started and the tourists draw is still not up to mark.

Night golfing is available at the far end.

Miss Dam,the cheerful reception of Golden Mountain Garden Resort is on hand to greet visitors who need assistance.

Tel:020-233 45645,061-213 899. Property division reception of Phoukham Group company Limited is near the main entrance.

Tel : (+856-61) 213 899 Mobile : (+856-20) 2234 5645, 2234 5657
This area is in the Phonsavanhxay Village.

Bungalows in Lao traditional style so unique constructed with teak timbers.

This is truly a place to relax in the cool highlands of Phonsavan.

Single room is 80,000kips while double is 100,000 kips.

Meanwhile everything is still new and low occupancy,very dark the whole surroundings at night.

In time to come,the rates will be a five star category so if you happened to be here in Phonsavan why not try having the experience living in a traditional Lao house.

Back to the main street of Route 7,Honsava II market is less than 2km north from town center and this is where the bus terminal is located.

The ticketing counters don't seemed to have anyone around.

It will be best to book bus tickets through your hotels or guesthouse because long distance buses only operated once in the early morning.

Otherwise you'll be entertained by the Vietnamese lady selling baguette.

Chittavanh Hotel same row as minibus and bus terminal Address: No,7Rd, Phone Savanh Tai, Peak District, Xieng Khouang, Laos, Phonsavan

Room rates from USD19 with free Wi-fi, Chittavanh Hotel is a large and bright peach colored hotel with inhouse restaurant, bar and karaoke rooms.




  Houphan Guesthouse is at the very far end of Road 7.
Tel:061-211260/020-2937300

Dok Khoune Hotel,a 4-star hotel is located in the centre of the main street, close to many shops, restaurants, tourist information, and Plain of Jars.

The Dok Khoune Hotel offers clean, comfortable guest rooms with a choice of double, twin or triple beds.

Room rates from 18.00. It has mountain views and featuring an impressive display of old artillery and ammunition left over from the ‘Secret War' behind reception where staff is friendly, inviting and helpful.

 The sister property, Dok Khoune Guesthouse, located across the road has a street front restaurant with a great, diverse and affordable menu with breakfast served here every morning.






Anouluck Kenlao Hotel is a mid-range hotel same row as White orchid guesthouse, The Anoulack Khen Lao Hotel is the only Phonsavan hotel to feature an elevator lift and one of the few with air-conditioned rooms for warmth or cooling.

Anoulack Khen Lao Hotel has a good range of facilities and services including a 5th floor restaurant, cars for rent and free airport or bus station transfer for arriving guests. Tel:06-213599,020-2152499
Room rates from:USd25.00





NamChai Guesthouse same row as Sabaidee Guesthouse. Tel:061-312095,020-2340546,2937744.

List of other accomodations:

1) Vansana Plain of Jars
 Professionally managed hotel with sister hotels in Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Modern, clean and spacious rooms at around 45-55 USD or more. Phonesavanhtai Village, Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province.
Tel: (856-61) 213 170.

2) Maly Hotel Located in the southern part of town. Very good restaurant. The better rooms are much nicer than the basement rooms. Idiosyncratic UXO and local ethnic themed decorations.
The owners are very knowledgeable about recent history.
LAK 150,000-500,000 Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province. Ban PhonsaAathneun
Tel: + 856 61 312 031

3) Xieng Khuang Hotel Free Wi-Fi. Big rooms. Functionalist Vietnamese architecture.
LAK160,000-640,000 Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province, Ban Phonsavansay
Tel: + 856 61 213 567

4) Thien Chaleung Guesthouse Thonghaihin Rd, Phonesaat Thai,towards the intersection with Route 10 near airport and Tourist Information Center. Tel:(+856)61312454 Rates from USd10.00

5) Duangkeomany Guesthouse Phonesaat Village, Paek District,opposite Information Centre office,5 minutes to airport. Free pickup.Rates from USD30.00

6) Banna Plains of Jars House. Road 7, Ban Turn,Paek District Has an impressive display of cluster munitions left over from the war in the lobby. Free pickup.Tel:(061)212 484. Rates from USD10.00

7) Phouxang Hotel Another hill top hotel. Rooms from 10-20 USD. Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province, Ban PhonKham Tel: +856 61 312 097

8) Nice Guesthouse The name tells it all. Popular with backpackers. Located on the main strip. LAK 60.000- LAK 80.000. English speaking staff. Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province. Ban Phonsavankang Tel: +856 61 312 454

9) Vanaloun Guesthouse Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province. City Center. rooms are LAK 50,000 Ban Phonsavan-kang SengTavan Guesthouse Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province, Ban Phonsavannue. rooms are LAK 50,000-60,000
Tel: +856 61 211 131

10) Koukham Guesthouse Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province. Rooms are LAK 50,000-60,000 Ban Phonsavanxay Tel: +856 61 211 216

11) Samphan DouangPaekob Guesthouse Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province Ban Nguay. Rooms are LAK 50,000. Tel: +856 61 212 338

12) Say Pha Souk Guesthouse Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province, Ban nguay. Rooms are LAK 50,000 Tel: 856 20 587 5284

13) LaPhoneKham Guesthouse Paek District, Xieng Khouang Province, Ban Numngum, located on the road to Plains of Jars,opposite the information Center, provincial Tourism Department Xiengkhuang Rooms are LAK 50,000

14) Kong Keo Guesthouse

Vangvieng to Phonsavan by van

Punctually the minivan left Vangvieng bus terminal at 9:30am enroute to Phonsavan.
There were four westerners while the rest were locals and a Lao man in uniform with cap was sitting beside me.
Shortly ten minutes into the journey,the minivan stopped beside a primary school in Ban Huay Songao(km159) to fetch two kids who will be travelling along with their parents.

Km159 is north of Vangvieng where you have the Water Fun Park with giant swing,water slider and river plunge.

That's the tubing starting point and a venue for Wild-Wild West partying but with caution "don't drink and drive" as one is solely responsible for his own action.

Limited guesthouses in the vicinity,Lao Hao Resort,Amy Guesthouse,Greenview Guesthouse and Thavisock Khamsong.

At Ban Phou Dindeng is the Aliya Guesthouse(near Greenview Guesthouse and Organic Farm and Cafe) Km160 is near the river tributary where Nam Song and Nam Po meets.
You have the Phalai Resort here and rock climbing venue.

Between Km162/3 is the river access for kayakers.Off the main road is the ethnic school beside a Buddhist temple,VangVieng Eco Lodge and camping ground.

It will be interesting if one could rent a bicycle and cycle along the river trails in this serene countryside. Km167 is the Phone Ngam Primary School and signboard direction to Pha Tho and Kieo Cave.

Km169 is the final bicycle trail and this area is near the Tham Hoi Tham Loop and Elephant Cave beside Tham Xang Xaylam Temple.

Tham Nam is the water cave where you float inside the cave and see the beautiful rock formations of stalacmites and stalagtites.

Entrance fees:10,000 kips.

10:30am:We arrived in Kasi which is 43km from VangVieng.This small little town with a petrol station is an ideal stopover for the long distance truck drivers.

Somchith Guest House (Nang Som Jit; Route 13) Rooms US$1.50. If you find yourself in Kasi overnight, Somchith, near the noodle stands above a shop house restaurant in the middle of town, offers decent two-bed rooms with shared bath.

11:00am:Ban Phounkham town in Vieng Kham district,lunch break at one Popular Restaurant.A bowl of noodles cost 15,000 kips.


12:00noon:Had a stopover at busy Phou Khoun town,about 44km north of Kasi town.
This is the T-junction between Route 13 and Route 7 going east into Xieng Khouang Province while the north is Luang Prabang.

Muang Phou Khoun was the site of a former French fort. The brick and stucco ruins of what may have been an officers quarters (some say it was an administration office for the construction of Route 13 early in the 20th century) were still visible, overlooking a deep valley.
Each room had its own fireplace, a testimony to the areas often chilly cool-season temperatures.

The 44km section of highway between Kasi and Muang Phou Khoun, which runs along a mountain ridge with excellent views, is an area where rebel attacks have occurred years back but not now.

Farther north towards Luang Prabang the scenery becomes even more spectacular, with lots of craggy mountain peaks and among the highest limestone formations in South-East Asia - a remote and desolate landscape tailor-made for rebels.

 Beginning around Km 228, you'll start getting views of Phu Pha, a craggy limestone peak considered holy to animist hill tribes and Buddhists alike, on your right.

This piece looked like the famous Indonesian layer cake but no it's the agarwood.

Agarwood or oodh (or just agar) is a dark resinous heartwood that forms in Aquilaria and Gyrinops, trees (large evergreens native to southeast Asia) when they become infected with a type of mold.

Prior to infection, the heartwood is relatively light and pale coloured, however as the infection progresses, the tree produces a dark aromatic resin in response to the attack, which results in a very dense, dark, resin embedded heartwood.

The resin embedded wood is commonly called gaharu, jinko, aloeswood, agarwood, or oud (not to be confused with 'Bakhoor') and is valued in many cultures for its distinctive fragrance, and thus is used for incense and perfumes.




These agarwood looked like first grade to me. Agarwood is said to be the most expensive wood in the world with prices over US$10,000/kg for higher quality product.

 The tree has many names including eaglewood, aloeswood, gaharu (Indonesia), ood, oudh, oodh (Arabic), chen xiang (Chinese), pau d'aguila (Portuguese), bois d'aigle (French)and Adlerholz (German).

 Agarwood cannot be traded internationally without a the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) permit .

The main importing countries are Taiwan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Japan .

Prices of agarwood from natural forests can exceed $10,000/kg. Cultivated agarwood from plantation trees is currently retailing at the equivalent of US$5,000/kg.

Oil prices are typically around US$8,000/kg but high quality oil can sell for over US$50,000/kg. Agarwood smoke (from burning agarwood) and oil are used as customary perfume in the Middle East.In Europe, agarwood oil is a key component in the perfume M7 by Yves Saint Laurent.

In the East, agarwood is valued in Aurvedic, Tibetan and East Asian medicine for its ability to treat a range of disorders. Agarwood is also used by Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus as incense in religious ceremonies.

Agarwood essences are used to fragrance soaps and shampoos, and the popularity of highly priced essential oils reinforces the value of agarwood derivatives.

In Taiwan agarwood is an aromatic ingredient in local wines.




  3:00pm:Finally I arrived in Phonsavan's minivan terminal (about 5 hours journey)which was beside a big shopping arcade and about 3km from the main town center,a very straight stretch of wide road.

If you do not have any prebooking hotels or guesthouses like me don't worry.Representatives from the respective hotels and guesthouses will approach everyone on arrival showing their brochures and room rates.

The representatives were very diplomatic and professional leaving guests to make their own choices.Free transport provided.




I have chosen Sabaidee Guesthouse which has a fan double bed room and washroom with hotwater outside.
Room rates is 30,000 kips.

Despite the free pickup,I decided to make a leisurely walk to the guesthouse and locate myself.

The stalls and bazaar has clothings mostly for the cool season prevailing now.
Less than 2km from town center is the bus terminal compound with stalls surrounding it.

Making a survey of the buses timetable is one most important task as a backpacker to plan ahead.

 Phonsavan is the provincial capital of Xieng Khouang Province.

Here they list it as Xieng Khouang to the following destinations: -airbus here denotes non aircon,get outside fresh air.

Vientiane by airbus,110,000 kips available 07:00,08:00,10:30,18:40,20:00(VIP=130,000kips)

 Luang Prabang and Vangvieng ,90,000 kips only one each at 07:30am.

To Xam Neua by small bus at 07:00am.

Xieng Khouang Hotel is the first sight of a modern building on reaching the town centre which faces a T-junction.

Located on the main road. Free Wi-Fi. Big rooms. Functionalist Vietnamese architecture (= very austere, extremely ugly to Western taste). US$24-30, single 150.000 kips including breakfast. Tel:+ 856 61 213 567.

After a row of shophouses with Craters Pub in the middle,a side road towards the right leads to where my planned guesthouse is located.

 Craters caters to Western tastes with a menu of pizza, burgers and other favourites.

It does have a nice interior design compared to the other places in town.

Old bomb shells displayed as ornamental in front of Craters Pub also acting as a fence.

From 1964 to 1973, the U.S. flew 500,000 missions and dropped two million tons of bombs on Laos.

Neither the American people nor Congress were told about the campaign, which began in earnest in 1968, following President Lyndon B. Johnson’s announcement that all air, naval, and artillery bombardment of Vietnam would cease.

Missions were focused on two areas of Laos:
in the north they were directed against the Pathet Lao communist insurgents who were fighting the Royal Lao Army, while bombings in the south targeted the Ho Chi Minh Trail in a futile attempt to cut off supplies being delivered to North Vietnam .

260 million bombies were dropped by the USA during the Secret War in Laos, when the USA tried to secretly and futilely thwart the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.

The Secret War was covertly funded by the CIA and orchestrated by USAID in the American Embassy in Vientiane.

Unfortunately, of the 260 million bombies that were dropped, one-third were left unexploded. They lay quietly to be discovered by unsuspecting farmers trying to make a living, growing rice field and hitting a bombie while preparing their ricefield; or by innocent and naturally curious children who happened to discover a bombie that decides to activate by sudden movement (kids picking it up).

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.