Vang Vieng (Vientiane Province)
Vientiane Province
Karst mountains, lagoons, caves and the Nam Song river. The adventure and nature capital of central Laos, and our home town.
Recommended stay: 2–4 days
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Cities, provinces, activities and practical advice — all free. Anything that can change is marked to verify before you travel.
Try: waterfalls near Pakse · things to do with kids in Luang Prabang · hiking in Vang Vieng · 3 days in Nong Khiaw
Region
Theme
Duration
Level
Destination
Vientiane Capital (Vientiane Capital)
Vientiane Capital
The calm riverside capital: golden stupas, French-era streets, museums, night markets and Mekong sunsets.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Vientiane Province (Vientiane Province)
Vientiane Province
Between the capital and the mountains: reservoirs, hot springs, rural villages and the road north to Vang Vieng.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Xaysomboun (Xaysomboun)
Xaysomboun
A young, mountainous and rarely visited province. Rural landscapes and Hmong villages, with very little tourist infrastructure.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Luang Prabang (Luang Prabang)
Luang Prabang
UNESCO World Heritage town at the meeting of the Mekong and Nam Khan: temples, monks, waterfalls, crafts and food.
Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Nong Khiaw (Luang Prabang)
Luang Prabang
Dramatic limestone cliffs over the Nam Ou river: viewpoints, trekking, caves and slow village life.
Recommended stay: 2–3 days
Muang Ngoi (Luang Prabang)
Luang Prabang
A small riverside village reached mainly by boat, with caves, rice fields and a very slow rhythm.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Luang Namtha (Luang Namtha)
Luang Namtha
The ecotourism hub of the far north: community treks, ethnic villages, cycling and the Nam Ha protected area.
Recommended stay: 2–4 days
Oudomxay / Muang Xay (Oudomxay)
Oudomxay
A northern crossroads town surrounded by hills, caves and villages — a practical stop between Luang Prabang, Namtha and Nong Khiaw.
Recommended stay: 1 day
Phongsaly (Phongsaly)
Phongsaly
The most northern province: high mountains, tea plantations, Akha villages and cold mornings.
Recommended stay: 2–4 days
Xieng Khouang / Phonsavan (Xieng Khouang)
Xieng Khouang
The Plain of Jars plateau: UNESCO archaeological sites, war history, wide grasslands and rural villages.
Recommended stay: 2 days
Sayaboury (Sayaboury)
Sayaboury
West of the Mekong: agricultural valleys, elephant conservation work and a famous annual elephant festival.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Thakhek (Khammouane)
Khammouane
A relaxed Mekong town and the start of the famous Thakhek Loop through karst mountains, caves and lagoons.
Recommended stay: 1 day in town, 3–4 days for the loop
Khammouane (Khammouane)
Khammouane
One of the great karst regions of Asia: caves, underground rivers, turquoise pools, climbing and rice-field villages.
Recommended stay: 2–4 days
Kong Lor (Khammouane)
Khammouane
A village at the mouth of one of Southeast Asia's most spectacular river caves, in a valley ringed by cliffs.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Savannakhet (Savannakhet)
Savannakhet
A colonial-era Mekong town with a sleepy old quarter, dinosaur museum, temples and a Thai border crossing.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Pakse (Champasak)
Champasak
The southern gateway: a lively Mekong town and the base for the Bolaven Plateau, Champasak and the 4000 Islands.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days as a base
Champasak (Champasak)
Champasak
A quiet riverside village below Vat Phou, the UNESCO-listed pre-Angkorian Khmer temple complex.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Bolaven Plateau (Champasak)
Champasak
A cool green highland of coffee farms, ethnic villages and some of the biggest waterfalls in Laos.
Recommended stay: 2–3 days
Si Phan Don / 4000 Islands (Champasak)
Champasak
Where the Mekong spreads into hundreds of islands: hammocks, bicycles, waterfalls, rare river dolphins and sunsets.
Recommended stay: 2–4 days
Don Det (Champasak)
Champasak
The liveliest of the 4000 Islands: riverside bungalows, bicycles, sunset bars and easy boat trips.
Recommended stay: 1–3 days
Don Khon (Champasak)
Champasak
Quieter than its neighbour, with the old French railway, Li Phi falls, dolphin-watching points and shaded lanes.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Don Khong (Champasak)
Champasak
The largest island of Si Phan Don: rice fields, old temples and a flat road that is perfect for cycling.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Sekong (Sekong)
Sekong
A remote southern province of waterfalls, rivers and ethnic minority villages on the edge of the Bolaven Plateau.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Attapeu (Attapeu)
Attapeu
The far southeast corner: rivers, forests, remote villages and roads towards Vietnam.
Recommended stay: 1–2 days
Salavan (Salavan)
Salavan
Northern edge of the Bolaven Plateau: coffee and tea land, waterfalls and rural markets, rarely on tourist routes.
Recommended stay: 1 day
Activities · 53
Blue Lagoons
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
Several turquoise swimming spots around Vang Vieng, with tree jumps, shaded picnic areas and small food stalls.
2–4 hoursEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Vang Vieng caves
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
A network of limestone caves around town: dry walking caves, Buddha shrine caves and water caves you float through on a tube.
1–3 hoursModerateGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Kayaking the Nam Song
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
Paddle the Nam Song between karst cliffs and rice fields, often combined with a cave or a village stop.
Half a dayEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Tubing on the Nam Song
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
Drift down the river on an inner tube, the classic Vang Vieng float.
2–3 hoursEasyNot for young childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Karst viewpoints
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
Steep short climbs such as Nam Xay, Pha Ngern and Silver Cliff, ending on rock ledges above the valley.
1–2 hours climbHardNot for young childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Hot-air balloon flight
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
A sunrise or sunset flight above the karst peaks, rice fields and the river.
About 1 hour in the air, plus transfersEasyGood with childrenPrice to check with the operator
Information can change — verify before you travel
Paramotor flight (when available)
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
A short powered-paraglider flight over the fields and river, with a pilot.
15–30 minutesEasyNot for young childrenPrice to check with the operator
Information can change — verify before you travel
Rock climbing
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
Bolted limestone routes for beginners and experienced climbers, with local schools offering courses.
Half or full dayModerateNot for young childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Elephant visit (our own service)
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
Observation-based elephant visit with hotel pickup and return in Vang Vieng — the only paid service of this website. All travel information stays free.
Morning slot 09:30–11:00 or afternoon slot 16:00–18:00EasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Countryside and village ride
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
A loop through rice fields, buffalo, small bridges and farming villages around the town.
2–3 hoursEasyGood with childrenFree
Sunset photography spots
Vang Vieng · Vientiane Province
Riverside bars, the bridge and the rice fields west of the river for the evening light on the karst.
1–2 hoursEasyGood with childrenFree
Historic centre walk
Luang Prabang · Luang Prabang
The UNESCO-listed peninsula: wooden shophouses, monasteries, riverside lanes and colonial architecture.
2–3 hoursEasyGood with childrenFree
Wat Xieng Thong
Luang Prabang · Luang Prabang
The most famous temple in Laos, with its sweeping roof and the tree-of-life mosaic.
45–60 minutesEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Mount Phousi
Luang Prabang · Luang Prabang
A stairway of around 300 steps to the hilltop stupa in the middle of town.
1 hourEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Royal Palace Museum
Luang Prabang · Luang Prabang
The former royal residence, now a museum with royal apartments, gifts and the Pha Bang shrine.
1–2 hoursEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Kuang Si waterfalls
Luang Prabang · Luang Prabang
Turquoise limestone pools under a tall main fall, with a bear rescue centre on the path.
Half a dayEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Mekong sunset cruise
Luang Prabang · Luang Prabang
A slow boat along the river at the end of the day, often combined with the Pak Ou caves.
1–3 hoursEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Pak Ou caves excursion
Luang Prabang · Luang Prabang
Two river cliff caves filled with thousands of Buddha statues left by pilgrims.
Half a dayEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Night market & morning market
Luang Prabang · Luang Prabang
Handicraft stalls after dark on the main street, and a fresh produce market at dawn.
1–2 hoursEasyGood with childrenFree
Weaving & handicraft villages
Luang Prabang · Luang Prabang
Silk and cotton weaving villages, paper making and silversmiths around the town.
2–3 hoursEasyGood with childrenPrice to check with the operator
Lao cooking class
Luang Prabang · Luang Prabang
Market visit followed by cooking laap, sticky rice, jeow dips and steamed fish in banana leaf.
Half a dayEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Nong Khiaw viewpoints
Nong Khiaw · Luang Prabang
Steep forest climbs (Pha Daeng and the 100-waterfalls side) to cliff platforms above the Nam Ou.
2–4 hours returnHardNot for young childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Village trekking & homestay
Nong Khiaw · Luang Prabang
One to three-day guided treks between Khmu and Hmong villages, with homestay nights.
1–3 daysModerateNot for young childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Nam Ou river boat to Muang Ngoi
Nong Khiaw · Luang Prabang
A one-hour longtail boat trip upstream between cliffs, sandbanks and fishing villages.
About 1 hour each wayEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Caves, rice fields and villages walk
Muang Ngoi · Luang Prabang
A flat walk from Muang Ngoi to caves used as wartime shelters and on to farming hamlets.
3–5 hoursEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Nam Ha protected area trek
Luang Namtha · Luang Namtha
Community-based one to three-day treks in a protected forest, with village guides and homestays.
1–3 daysModerateNot for young childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Valley cycling loop
Luang Namtha · Luang Namtha
A flat ride through rice fields, Tai Dam and Lanten villages and small temples around the town.
3–5 hoursEasyGood with childrenPrice to check with the operator
Plain of Jars
Xieng Khouang / Phonsavan · Xieng Khouang
UNESCO-listed megalithic sites where thousands of stone jars stand on the plateau.
Half to a full day for several sitesEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
War history & UXO visitor centres
Xieng Khouang / Phonsavan · Xieng Khouang
Exhibitions explaining the bombing of Laos and the ongoing clearance work.
1–2 hoursEasyGood with childrenFree
Information can change — verify before you travel
Rural plateau excursion
Xieng Khouang / Phonsavan · Xieng Khouang
Hmong and Tai villages, hot springs and rolling grassland around the plateau.
Half a dayEasyGood with childrenPrice to check with the operator
The Thakhek Loop
Thakhek · Khammouane
A roughly 450 km circuit through karst valleys, caves, lagoons, a flooded forest and Kong Lor Cave.
3–4 daysHardNot for young childrenPrice to check with the operator
Information can change — verify before you travel
Kong Lor Cave boat crossing
Kong Lor · Khammouane
A 7 km boat passage through a mountain, along an underground river, with a lit formation chamber.
About 2 hours for the return crossingEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Karst caves & lagoons
Khammouane · Khammouane
Tham Nang Aen, Buddha caves, blue lagoons and swimming caves in the cliffs around Thakhek.
Half a dayEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Green Climbers Home area
Thakhek · Khammouane
A well-known bolted climbing area in the karst south of Thakhek, with routes for all levels.
Half day to several daysModerateNot for young childrenPrice to check with the operator
Information can change — verify before you travel
Colonial old quarter
Savannakhet · Savannakhet
A square of faded French-era buildings, a cathedral and Lao-Vietnamese shophouses.
1–2 hoursEasyGood with childrenFree
Dinosaur Museum
Savannakhet · Savannakhet
A small museum showing fossils found in the province.
1 hourEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Vat Phou (Wat Phu)
Champasak · Champasak
A pre-Angkorian Khmer temple complex rising in terraces towards a sacred spring, UNESCO listed.
Half a dayModerateGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Bolaven waterfalls
Bolaven Plateau · Champasak
Tad Fane, Tad Yuang, Tad Lo and others: high falls in the highland forest, some with swimming pools.
Half to a full dayEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Coffee farm visit
Bolaven Plateau · Champasak
Walk the rows of arabica and robusta, see processing and taste the local roast at the source.
1–3 hoursEasyGood with childrenPrice to check with the operator
Information can change — verify before you travel
Mekong riverfront & temples
Pakse · Champasak
Riverside promenade, Wat Luang and the golden Buddha viewpoint above the town.
1–2 hoursEasyGood with childrenFree
Island cycling
Si Phan Don / 4000 Islands · Champasak
Flat dirt tracks across Don Det, Don Khon and Don Khong through rice fields and villages.
2–4 hoursEasyGood with childrenPrice to check with the operator
Information can change — verify before you travel
Li Phi falls & Khone Phapheng
Don Khon · Champasak
Two very different Mekong rapids: Li Phi on Don Khon, and Khone Phapheng, the widest fall in Southeast Asia.
1–3 hoursEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Irrawaddy dolphin boat trip
Don Khon · Champasak
A small boat to the deep pool near the Cambodian border where rare river dolphins are sometimes seen.
1–2 hoursEasyGood with childrenPrice to check with the operator
Information can change — verify before you travel
Mekong sunset & island life
Don Det · Champasak
Hammocks, riverside terraces and fishermen against the sunset on the west side of the island.
1–2 hoursEasyGood with childrenFree
Don Khong temple loop
Don Khong · Champasak
A flat cycling loop around the biggest island, past old temples and fishing hamlets.
Half a dayEasyGood with childrenFree
Pha That Luang & city temples
Vientiane Capital · Vientiane Capital
The golden national stupa, plus Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew in the centre.
2–3 hoursEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Patuxai monument
Vientiane Capital · Vientiane Capital
The victory gate on Lane Xang Avenue, with a stairway to a rooftop viewpoint.
1 hourEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
COPE Visitor Centre & museums
Vientiane Capital · Vientiane Capital
An exhibition about UXO survivors and prosthetics, alongside the city's national museums.
1–2 hoursEasyGood with childrenFree
Information can change — verify before you travel
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
Vientiane Capital · Vientiane Capital
A riverside sculpture park of concrete Buddhist and Hindu figures, including a giant reclining Buddha.
2 hours plus travelEasyGood with childrenPaid activity
Information can change — verify before you travel
Mekong promenade & night market
Vientiane Capital · Vientiane Capital
Sunset walkway along the river with a large evening market and food stalls.
1–2 hoursEasyGood with childrenFree
Lao food tour
Vientiane Capital · Vientiane Capital
Khao piak noodles, foe, grilled meat, baguettes and Lao coffee across the capital's neighbourhoods.
2–3 hoursEasyGood with childrenPrice to check with the operator
Around the capital: Nam Ngum & hot springs
Vientiane Province · Vientiane Province
The Nam Ngum reservoir, its islands and boat trips, plus rural villages north of the city.
Full dayEasyGood with childrenPrice to check with the operator
Information can change — verify before you travel
Elephant conservation experience
Sayaboury · Sayaboury
Observation-based visits and conservation centres in the province historically known for its elephants.
Half to full dayEasyGood with childrenPrice to check with the operator
Information can change — verify before you travel
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Popular topics
Getting around
Minivans, the Vientiane–Vang Vieng–Luang Prabang train, buses and tuk-tuks.
Vang Vieng activities
Blue lagoons, caves, kayaking, hot air balloons and viewpoints.
Money & budget
LAK cash, ATMs, typical daily costs and tipping habits.
Food & culture
Lao dishes to try, markets, temples and local etiquette.
Visas & entry
Visa on arrival, e-visa, border crossings and typical documents.
Safety & health
Water, sun, motorbikes, insurance and pharmacies.