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Vang Vieng

Like a rural scene from an old Asian silk painting, Vang Vieng (ວັງວຽງ) crouches low over the Nam Song (Song River) with a backdrop of serene cliffs and a tapestry of vivid green paddy fields. Thanks to the Lao government closing the river rave bars in 2012, the former party scene has been driven to the fringes and the community is rebooting itself as an adrenaline-fuelled adventure destination.

Across the Nam Song lies a rural idyll; spend a few days here – hire a bike, zipline, climb a cliff, go tubing or trekking – and soak up one of the country's most stunningly picturesque spots.

Explore Vang Vieng

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Tham Nam
Tham Nam is the highlight of the cluster of caves north of Vang Vieng. The cave is about 500m long and a tributary of the Nam Song flows out of its low…
Tham Jang
The most famous of the caves around Vang Vieng, Tham Jang was used as a bunker to defend against marauding jęen hór (Yunnanese Chinese) in the early 19th…
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Tham Hoi
Located around 13km north of Vang Vieng, the entrance to Tham Hoi is guarded by a large Buddha figure; reportedly the cave continues about 3km into the…
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Tham Loup
Tham Loup, located a few kilometres north of Vang Vieng, is a large and delightfully untouched cavern with some impressive stalactites.
Tham Phu Kham & Blue Lagoon
Located west of Vang Vieng, the vast Tham Phu Kham is considered sacred by Lao. The main cave chamber contains a Thai bronze reclining Buddha, and from…
Tham Sang
Tham Sang, located a few kilometres north of Vang Vieng, is a small cavern containing Buddha images and a Buddha footprint, plus the (vaguely) elephant…
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Wat Si Vieng Song
Located at the northern end of town, Wat Si Vieng Song is an active Buddhist temple.
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Wat Si Suman
One of a handful of Buddhist temples in Vang Vieng.
W
Wat Kang
A Buddhist temple in Vang Vieng.

T
Tham Nam
Tham Nam is the highlight of the cluster of caves north of Vang Vieng. The cave is about 500m long and a tributary of the Nam Song flows out of its low…
Tham Jang
The most famous of the caves around Vang Vieng, Tham Jang was used as a bunker to defend against marauding jęen hór (Yunnanese Chinese) in the early 19th…
T
Tham Hoi
Located around 13km north of Vang Vieng, the entrance to Tham Hoi is guarded by a large Buddha figure; reportedly the cave continues about 3km into the…
T
Tham Loup
Tham Loup, located a few kilometres north of Vang Vieng, is a large and delightfully untouched cavern with some impressive stalactites.
Tham Phu Kham & Blue Lagoon
Located west of Vang Vieng, the vast Tham Phu Kham is considered sacred by Lao. The main cave chamber contains a Thai bronze reclining Buddha, and from…
Tham Sang
Tham Sang, located a few kilometres north of Vang Vieng, is a small cavern containing Buddha images and a Buddha footprint, plus the (vaguely) elephant…
W
Wat Si Vieng Song
Located at the northern end of town, Wat Si Vieng Song is an active Buddhist temple.
W
Wat Si Suman
One of a handful of Buddhist temples in Vang Vieng.
W
Wat Kang
A Buddhist temple in Vang Vieng.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Vang Vieng.

See
Tham Nam
Tham Nam is the highlight of the cluster of caves north of Vang Vieng. The cave is about 500m long and a tributary of the Nam Song flows out of its low…
See
Tham Jang
The most famous of the caves around Vang Vieng, Tham Jang was used as a bunker to defend against marauding jęen hór (Yunnanese Chinese) in the early 19th…
See
Tham Hoi
Located around 13km north of Vang Vieng, the entrance to Tham Hoi is guarded by a large Buddha figure; reportedly the cave continues about 3km into the…
See
Tham Loup
Tham Loup, located a few kilometres north of Vang Vieng, is a large and delightfully untouched cavern with some impressive stalactites.
See
Tham Phu Kham & Blue Lagoon
Located west of Vang Vieng, the vast Tham Phu Kham is considered sacred by Lao. The main cave chamber contains a Thai bronze reclining Buddha, and from…
See
Tham Sang
Tham Sang, located a few kilometres north of Vang Vieng, is a small cavern containing Buddha images and a Buddha footprint, plus the (vaguely) elephant…
See
Wat Si Vieng Song
Located at the northern end of town, Wat Si Vieng Song is an active Buddhist temple.
See
Wat Si Suman
One of a handful of Buddhist temples in Vang Vieng.
See
Wat Kang
A Buddhist temple in Vang Vieng.

Guidebooks

Learn more about Vang Vieng

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