Spend an extra day in Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng?

Hi!
We have found an extra day in our itinerary to spend in Laos and are now tossing up between spending it in Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang. We already have 4 days in LP and 3 in VV...where would you recommend spending the extra day and why?
Thanks in advance,

Luang Prabang, lots to see and do in the charimg setting,

VV- 2 days is enough.

I would only stay an extra day in Luang Prabang if you have not gone to see Kuang Sii Waterfall. It is a very lovely setting with the waterfall and pools and the bears and tiger. You will be able to pet the tiger as well. (All the animals were rescued as orphans.)

Most people just tend to go for a day trip for a few hours, but I would consider spending the night in the village too if you have the time. The following day there will be enough mini vans that someone will have an empty seat for you to hitch back to Luang Prabang.

Otherwise if you did not need to go to Kuang Sii I would leave Luang Prabang and spend the extra day in Vang Vieng. Go tubing or go see Phukham Cave or Tam Jang.....I'd just recommend the extra day in Vang Vieng.....

I like #2's idea of finding a "tourist-ignored" village (or a one-night trek to a hilltribe village - can be arranged in LP). Have a cultural experience with the people who actually live the way most Lao live. If you had to choose two places most influenced by tourism (and most un-Lao-like) in Laos, LP and VV are it.

Check in on how the the other 99.99% of the people live.

My vote goes to Luang Prabang. Rent a cheap Chinese made bike, head toward the old bridge on Nam Khan, cross the bridge, turn left at the end of the bridge, and you will be in (Ban Phan Luang) a normal working residents of Luang Prabang not many tourists venture to.

Take the bike on a boat cross the Mekong and explore the small villages in both directions, some great views of the LPB town from the Wat up on the hill as well.

VV is a hellhole in comparison.

Sorry Nang....

I agree with Hacky, Luang Prabang is filled with wonderful places and things to do if people would just get off the main strip. My vote is Luang Prabang. I still find fabulous new places and sights every time I go there.

Thanks so much for all the advice. On the small(er) villages note...what about flying from LP to Phonsavan and spending a day at the plain of jars? Is it worth it for one day? Or do you need more time there?

My two cents about the smaller village thing. It’s well worth the effort zeph, and no need to fly all the way out to Phonsavan. There’s a beautiful town no one goes to just a couple hours out of Luang Prabang right on the Mekong called Thadua, it’s on the road to Xayabouli. Beautiful scenery getting there, you’d probably have the place to yourself. Someone asked me about it recently, sounded like a great idea. She has already gone or I wouldn’t mention it.

If I had to characterize Vang Vien I’d call it Luang Prabang without old temples. Fun for what it is, but still a the second most touristed towns in Laos. Eighty something guest houses and counting.

PS I've heard they are extending runway in Luang Prabang to accept Boeing and Airbus, now that would be loud. Chinese loan, ten to complete.

Thanks for that somsai..I'll read up on Thadua. Is it easy to get to? It would be nice to get a bit off the beaten track!

Plain of Jars can be done in day if you can time the flights, you still spend 1 night. When I was there the electicity was from generators so hot water was very limited and the town went dark at night. That was a few years ago. The Jars were interesting, some were bombed by the US, some have trees growing thru. From the air you can see bomb craters, and people have bomb casing for fences and BBQs. Around there are rice fields, friendly local people. I went to a village and saw young people in traditional clothes playing catch with a ball, girls on one side boys on the otehr, a courting game I was told, they chat and get to know one another. Wonderful people. Also saw a few militia with rifles.

If you really want to see a small town then just get off the bus when you see a guesthouse sign in the middle of nowhere. Sounds silly, well probably but it is how you will find the places that no one else goes to. The thing is, there are no guarantees. Some places we found doing this were magical and we spend days there, other places refused to let us stay and we would have to catch the next bus out. It is, however, all part of the adventure.

thanks for all the suggestions! Now i have heaps more to think about hehe. I'm kinda tempted to go for Phonsavan...the jar's sound pretty interesting.