Oftentimes dubbed as the epitome of picturesque natural landscapes in the Laotian countryside, Vang Vieng is home to numerous natural attractions and phenomena that offer a stark contrast against the party atmosphere in the town centre. 

Even though the route out into the wilderness is not easy and may be rather exhausting, the effort is definitely worthwhile when travellers are treated to a visual feast of the limestone karsts blending with the green rice paddy fields to form one of nature’s most beautiful masterpieces. 

Heading out from the town centre of Vang Vieng towards the Nam Song River which will surely by now evoke memories of their lovely tubing experience, visitors will arrive at a toll bridge which connects the town with the opposite riverbank. 

The toll fees differs for travellers based on the mode of transport they cross the bridge with – LAK 4,000 for pedestrians, LAK 6,000 for those riding a bicycle and LAK 10,000 for motorcyclists. 

There have been online reviews written about free bridges to cross the river on, but the toll fees were relatively inexpensive and affordable so why not just help the local economy? 

After traipsing over the bridge and crossing the Nam Song, travellers will have the opportunity to learn more about the livelihood of the locals in a typical village.

Visitors will also be able to view how the local populace live in their humble abodes constructed out of simple materials such as wood. 

Farm animals such as cattle and fowl including turkeys and chickens can also be found trampling all over the dirt roads in this little village. 

Visitors who live in big cities will definitely have a unique experience getting up close with these adorable creatures on their way heading out into the wilderness to explore Vang Vieng’s star attractions. 

The village will soon give way to a seemingly well-cemented path flanked by rice paddy fields cared for by local farmers. 

Here, tourists can begin to admire the spectacular mountainous landscapes starting to form up and unravel right before their very eyes.

As the mountains begin to appear larger and more impressive than the previous ones, visitors will indulge in a uniquely tranquil, serene atmosphere that seems to loom over the entire area. 

The path towards the major attractions is oftentimes alternating between small local villages and agricultural plantations.

This is testament to the harmonious interaction between the local populace and the natural setting and how well they blend together in this pristine environment of the countryside. 

Oftentimes deemed as a must-do activity when travellers visit Vang Vieng, Blue Lagoon remains possibly the most-visited tourist attraction in this town with its beautiful blue waters flowing peacefully in the pool. 

The lagoon derives its perfect shade of turquoise blue due to the rich deposits of a mineral called calcium carbonate and definitely gives travellers a good idea of what to expect at the majestic Kuang Si Falls in Luang Prabang that also has its blue waters glistening under the sunlight. 

Travellers will have the opportunity to dip in the cooling waters to get refreshed and rejuvenated from the scorching Southeast Asian heat and the exhausting ride out into the wilderness from the town centre. 

As the waters are also home to little fishes, visitors will be able to have a unique mix of swimming and scuba-diving by being able to swim alongside these creatures in the calm waters of the Blue Lagoon. 

In addition, other facilities such as water slides are available for tourists to just immerse themselves in the fun-loving atmosphere of the place, even though a one-time payment is required. 

As for the adrenaline junkies out there who are always looking out for the most exciting things to do, they will be easily satisfied by climbing up massive trees and jumping into the water from varying heights or hopping onto a rope swing from the shore to propel themselves into the water.

Visitors can expect to have quite some time entertaining themselves in the water, be it by taking the plunge into the waters or simply people-watching and seeing other backpackers perform various antics to hop into the Blue Lagoon. 

(Some tourists are also probably made to climb up on a dare and thereafter are too afraid to jump off, which also make for an interesting sight for those who enjoy a tinge of schadenfreude.) 

The Blue Lagoon is probably one of the last remaining relics reminiscent of Vang Vieng back in its heyday as a maniacal backpacker haven ravaged by drugs and alcohol.

The scene can potentially allow tourists to vividly visualise how the Nam Song River must have been with drunken tourists leaping off trees into the river and getting their fixes of booze every single day. 

It is not difficult to see how this must have adversely affected the livelihood of the locals and the atmosphere of the town that must have experienced a cultural shock upon witnessing the influx of tourists from all over the world. 

The place can also get packed with tourists who have signed up with package tours from their hostels that will not fail to dampen the mood by causing long waiting times on the facilities and swimming in an overcrowded pool that takes its charm away. 

As a result, if visitors have an appropriate mode of transport (an ATV buggy will be fancy) or are willing to brave an exhausting ride further out (in addition to the return journey back to the town), I would recommend that they consider heading out to Blue Lagoon 2 or Blue Lagoon 3 instead.

There, they will be treated to a much more massive blue lagoon with that same lovely shade of turquoise but considerably smaller crowds and loads more fun having the entire place to themselves. 

For visitors who found the Blue Lagoon unappealing like me, they will definitely not be disappointed with the Tham Phu Kham Cave (which means the Cave of the Golden Crab). 

Visitors may have the opportunity to spot golden crabs emerging in this cave if they are lucky enough. 

This cave is not only popular with backpacking tourists who have come to visit it together with the Blue Lagoon, but also is very well revered and respected by the locals.

Many locals actually come forward to the cave to pay their respects and make their offerings at the location which they consider as sacred and holy. 

As a result, it is highly recommended that travellers visit and enter the cave in respectable attire before heading out to the Blue Lagoon in their swimwear. 

After heading up a steep ascent up a 200-metre hiking trail just behind the lagoon, visitors will be treated to an intriguing cave that vaguely resembles a labyrinth comprising numerous chambers and galleries. 

The main highlight in the entire cave will be the bronze Thai Buddha statue that lies in a reclining position on a pedestal and is illuminated by the natural light shining into the cave through a hole. 

Travellers will have the opportunity to observe the locals as they perform their religious rites and also marvel at the beautiful sight where the light just falls perfectly on the structure of the Buddha. 

There is even a stone pillar set up in the middle of the cave where the local people stack three pebbles on top of one another as they believe that it brings them good luck, so tourists may wish to participate in this interesting practice as well. 

The various chambers all over the cave are adorned by beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of various sizes and shapes that promise to impress travellers.

In addition, visitors will be treated to a plethora of intriguing natural phenomenon such as the ceiling of the interior dotted with condensation on various stalactites which resemble a night sky scattered with stars. 

Intriguing stone structures can be found throughout the entire cave and allow tourists to imaginatively visualise and think what these stone figures may resemble. 

Results of a rock-fall can be seen at the midway of the cave, reminding us that the formation of these magnificent structures is a result of the culmination of ages of natural phenomena.

Hopefully, we will be able to work towards the goal of conservation of these natural wonders through sustainable tourism so as to prevent such incidences from happening (especially in this holy site for the locals in Vang Vieng).

The authentic travel experience unique to Laos is once again seen here where tourist attractions are left and preserved in their raw, untouched states instead of being excessively pre-packaged and commercialised. 

The cave is interior pitch-black and solely illuminated by the light from the travellers’ headlamps.

This is further aggravated by the fact that there is no designated path inside the cave which means that tourists have to figure their way around the jagged rocks and ascertain the way they are going to traverse whilst moving along in the cave. 

This is extremely hard as some rocks may not offer stable landing points and the rocks are very slippery from the condensation that forms on the surface. 

I would highly recommend that visitors hire a guide to guarantee their safety as these experts can pinpoint specific steps to take when in the cave to avoid any mishaps. 

I am definitely grateful that I hired a guide because I would definitely not have been confident enough to make my way through the dark on the slippery grounds and would have most probably turned back much earlier to return to the light. 

(And even then, I managed to slip and fall twice.)