Situated halfway along the route between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng prides itself as a backpacker haven which offers visitors a spectacular view of its picturesque natural landscapes with rice paddy fields and limestone karsts dotting the lands. 

Although this Town is probably as touristy as it can possibly get in Laos, it was certainly my favourite stop during my entire trip due to the relaxed atmosphere which emanates throughout the village as well as the multitude of scenic spots and vantage points available to get your ultimate Instagram shot.

Let us find out more about how to get to this little town from the capital as well as various modes of transport available to get around town. 

This quaint little town set along the mountains is not served by any airport, thereby resulting in visitors having to take overland transport from other destinations in the region – with most coming from either Vientiane or Luang Prabang. 

If you are looking for a more authentic travel experience, you may wish to consider commuting to Vang Vieng via local buses which depart from the Central Bus Station and are the cheapest option. However, it is worth noting that these buses are not air-conditioned, possibly leaving you to perspire profusely in the sweltering Southeast Asian heat. 

Additionally, this mode of transport oftentimes makes stops to pick up and drop off passengers and culminates in a considerably longer travel duration. Nevertheless, local buses make up for this by offering a local experience where tourists may have the opportunity to interact with locals on this mode of public transport. 

Almost every accommodation and travel agent located in the capital city will be able to offer travellers various options to make their way up to Vang Vieng, which makes it convenient to head over to this popular town. 

Tourists will have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of land transport choices ranging from minivans to express air-conditioned buses and VIP buses. No advanced booking is required and travellers can feel free to book their transport just hours before departure. Tourist bus options including the express air-conditioned buses and VIP buses are probably the prime option for travellers who wish to enjoy luxurious bus rides with larger leg space and a more comfortable ride. 

However, these buses take a comparatively longer duration to complete the northbound journey and may drop passengers off at Lima Site 6 which was previously used as a top-secret CIA airstrip for the American military in their missions during the Vietnam War. Even though it may be confusing for first-time visitors in the area, they need not worry as this airstrip is just a street behind the main road of the town of Vang Vieng and can easily make their way into town by walking a short distance. (The sandy roads will probably wear the wheels of their luggage though.) 

Minivans are certainly the fastest and probably one of the most convenient ways for visitors to make their way to the quaint town of Vang Vieng. As a result, I decided to give these minivans a go on my trip from Vientiane and booked my journey with my hotel at a relatively cheap price of USD 7. 

I would recommend travellers opt for this option if they are looking to complete the drive within the shortest time possible. Not only does the package include a tuktuk ride to pick travellers up from their accommodation in Vientiane to the minivan, the journey ends right in front of Malany Villa in the middle of Vang Vieng which makes it easy for passengers to walk to their accommodation along the main road. 

Even though the minivan ride was rather cramped and quite uncomfortable, the views certainly made up for it as our van made its way through the urban landscapes in the heart of Vientiane cluttered with shops and houses before entering the rural outskirts where the roads became much more windy and hilly with a number of small huts made of straw and bamboo. 

Peeking out of the window offers travellers a glimpse into the livelihood of the locals living in the mountains who were excited to welcome us into the region. It was quite interesting to see how our driver had tied all our baggage to the top of the minivan and covered the entire pile of luggage with plastic just as one would wrap Christmas gifts. All in all, quite an adventure! 

Given the small size of Vang Vieng, the entire town is easily explored on foot from one end to the other. 

Not only does walking around the town offer opportunities for travellers to slow down their footsteps and enjoy the relaxed ambience emanating throughout the atmosphere, it also evokes memories reminiscent of the olden days with interesting sights such as a communal well which the locals used back then. 

However, I would recommend that visitors consider walking to attractions as far away as Tham Chang Cave and minimally rent a bicycle to visit any other sights further away. 

(I am speaking from experience here, as my walk to the Blue Lagoon and Namxay Viewpoint clocked more than 9 kilometres one-way and was quite exhausting, even though the views were fantastic.)

Cycling 

When visiting attractions which are further away from the town centre, I would highly recommend that travellers rent bicycles which are available at extremely affordable prices – regular bicycles at 15,000 LAK (USD 1.80) and mountain bikes at 30,000 LAK (USD 3.60) per day. 

Given the fact that many of the roads outside of town are dirt roads which are definitely not well-paved, travellers are advised to get the sturdier mountain bikes instead. 

It is crucial to test ride the bicycles before renting them from the shops as some may have been worn out with wobbly tyres or bad brakes that may result in a disastrous bike ride. 

For those who are more adventurous, they may wish to consider renting motorcycles starting at 50,000 LAK (USD 6.00) or even ATV buggies for an entire day to explore dirt tracks outside of the town. However, visitors are advised to be wary of the scam at the gas station nearest to town where the attendants may not reset the pump before filling customers’ tanks which results in a bill being much higher than it ought to be. 

Most of these rental shops will provide a simple map of Vang Vieng and its surrounding area for cyclists and riders to consider visiting, but it may not be a bad idea to check out Hobo Maps that indicates magnificent vantage points and intriguing attractions around the area as well. 

Tuktuks and songthaews only seem to be available in Vang Vieng when travellers are on guided tours that have catered transport, so individuals who intend to explore the outskirts of this area may wish to consider signing up for these tour packages that are readily available at all accommodations for relatively affordable prices with the convenience of being chauffeured around attractions. 

Now that we have made it all the way from the capital of Vientiane to Vang Vieng and are well-versed with the various modes of transport available to get around this little town, we are ready to explore the magic and nature of this beautiful village. Stay tuned as we embark on the most renowned activity that put Vang Vieng on the global map and massively increased the country’s popularity with backpackers!

Looking for a comfortable way of getting to Vang Vieng and being chauffeured to the various sights outside of town without any worries? If so, please feel free to check out Klook which is my favourite place to search for affordable tour options for transport, day trips and guided tours in various cities in the world. Download the Klook app on your mobile device to earn extra discounts and rewards!