What is really going on in Vang Vieng

There is a lot of misinformation, not just here in the Thorn Tree, but also in other online sources. Not even major press sources have got it all. I have been in Vang Vieng since before and now during all the changes that are taking place. As a resident and business owner here, I am going to lay out all the changes. Those who wish to continue reading posts by twits that are not here or from those who find some joy in spreading misinformation or their negative take on VV, enjoy. Here are the FACTS (As well some of my own musings on the subject):

1. All the bars/restaurants on the river had their business licenses revoked.
2. The bars/restaurants within 10-15 meters (need clarification here) have either been completely torn down, or moved back to fit with the governments "new" regulations. * Note: the land along the river within 10-15m of the rivers bank belongs to the government and was sold illegally to those who purchased it. Now of course this has been going on for years and the government has only stepped in now (go figure). There will be bars and restaurants along the river in the future, but if the regulations hold, they will be 10-10-15 meters back from the rivers edge.
3. All the bars on the "island" were shut down and have been torn down. What the future of late night revelry on the "island" will be remains to be seen. Or those days may be gone.
4. I am not sure on the numbers, but some businesses have been shut due to insufficient paper work (ie operating illegally)
5. The government has been here enforce, from various departments to inspect businesses for safety, cleanliness and to make sure all the businesses papers are in order.
6. Tubing never stopped! But now it is about a relaxing day taking in the scenery. Not about an over the top party.
7. No one REALLY knows whether all this will hold after the ASEAN summit, but one thing does seem certain, "The Party" is over until at least that time.
8. Vang Vieng is AMAZING period. If tubing and getting trashed on the Nam Song was the only reason you wanted to come here. Then we don't need you. There are loads of wonderful things to do here and the Laos people are some of the friendliest people the world over.
9. There are a lot of different things being said by people working for the government to different business owners. Some things are certain, but some less clear. They seem to be nit picking. Suffice it to say its a bit confusing/frustrating.
10. Tourism is Lao' 2nd biggest industry. So I would imagine if the crackdown renders less tourists, that in time all this will be forgotten and VV will once again take off into a party town.

**The tubing stations are operated as a collective, with villages surrounding VV sharing in the profits. This provides extra income to these villages and allows more children to go to school, more food etc. The less people tubing . . . (I shouldn't need to explain this further)
**September is always a slow month for Lao, but this September has been especially bad so far. Many people working in the tourism sector in VV are going to lose their jobs at the end of this month.
**Speaking to travellers coming from Vientiane and Luang Prabang, these centers for travellers are suffering as well.
**October/November will be the true test. Most business owners in VV are VERY worried and VERY angry. And if the tourism numbers don't start picking up in the next 2 months I wouldn't want to be the government. Cleaning up VV was inevitable, but to shut it down so suddenly, might not have been the wisest decision.

We who live here continue to bide our time and hope this will all be for the best.
I think the hope is that VV will become a great Eco-travel destination and that even more people will come here in the future for its amazingly beautiful landscape.

Come to Vang Vieng. You'll love it. I promise.