In spite of it's stunningly beautiful scenery and the fact that we managed to have a good time we will not recommend this location. Vangvieng is not your typical Laos Community. This place is devoted to the backpackers party scene and there seems to be a complete disregard for Lao customs and traditions. Laos is a very conservative and traditional country from your arrival at the airport there are signs posted everywhere stating no public displays of drunkeness or affection, no bare chests or bikinis,etc.. In Vangvieng anything goes. Picture A lovely afternoon of tubing or kayaking down the river but on both sides of the river are bars with too many people breaking the rules. While we were there a young man from Sweden was killed because he was drunk dove into the river, hit a rock and life over. Another fellow seriously cut his knee that got infected and he had to be flown to Bangkok for treatment. in spite of the above we had a good time, met some good friends, hiked, walked, kayaked and enjoyed delicious food.
45 km Bike Ride - Don Khong Island
Pathway to our hotel - Villa Muong Khong Hotel
Temple - Don Khong Island, Laos
Girls and Guys get together!
Laos girls on our early morning bike ride - Only 61% of children go to school.
We left Vangvieng for Vientiane and this bus ride was not the tortuous ride we experienced getting to Vangvieng from luang Parbang. We feel that it is important to use land travel but for only 6-7 hours or less. You do see a lot as you travel the countryside. One error in planning was not giving Vientiane more time. We were only there overnight and in retrospect 3 days would have been a much better choice. We flew from Vientiane to Pakse and the 4000 Islands more on that later.
Trip at a glance
Accommodation - Popular View Guesthouse - Vangvieng - very good - $25/night
Aroon Residence Hotel - Vientiane - excellent - $30/night
Meal costs - $4-$20
Weather - continues to be hot and sunny! Sorry to hear about your snow...
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