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Party Your Socks off Tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos
Published by Deanna Pagnan, Writer
Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic 
The Experience
If you’ve had your fill of temples, treks or museums, or are just plain ready to party, Vang Vieng in Laos is the place to head for. All backpackers on the Southeast Asia route talk about the epic partying that goes on in this surprisingly tiny town. While everyone refers to it as “tubing in Vang Vieng,” there is in fact very little tubing that actually goes on. Instead, the banks of the Nam Song River are lined with bamboo hut bars, pounding speakers and dancing travellers all looking for a good time.
When I first arrived in Vang Vieng, I was taken aback by how small the town actually is. Vang Vieng consists of about three streets filled with restaurants, bars, guest houses and an occasional book or souvenir shop. Having arrived after an eight-hour typically uncomfortable bus from Vientiene, we were ready for a night of rest. Rather than the quiet evening we had planned, we were greeted by loud music, smiling faces and invitations to join the party. In Vang Vieng, such temptations are difficult to resist.
The next day, we headed to the Nam Song River to see what all the tubing hype was about. The river is a short walk from the town, but we hopped on a tuk tuk to be taken upriver where the Nam Song River tubing starts. It wasn’t any later than two o’clock in the afternoon, and the party was going strong under the glowing sun. The atmosphere was perfect: Clear skies, awesome emerald mountains and people from all over the world dancing to the classic party jams.
We were quickly invited into one of the bars by Westerners who work for weeks or months at a time promoting these spots. They often come equipped with coloured markers ready to write clever comments on your body or simply the name of the bar they are promoting. Many of the bars have large platforms along the Nam Song River that partygoers swing from, showing off their tricks for the crowd. There’s even a mud pit behind one of the bars further down the river. It’s mud fighting at its finest.
We chose to tube the Nam Song River on our second day as it was quite shallow, and swimming down would be dangerous at certain parts. The tubes ended up being more of a nuisance as we had to keep a constant eye on them at stops along the river, and we even arranged an early ride back from the river to return them on time.
Once the sun goes down, tuk tuks return to the Nam Song River to collect revellers and take them back to their guest houses. Vang Vieng has many “TV-bars” that play Family Guy and Friends all day for backpackers to enjoy, sprawled out on the cushioned floors. Vang Vieng has a rather strict noise curfew in town, so by midnight, the only few spots left to go are on the river.
There are plenty of other activities to enjoy in Vang Vieng, such as kayaking, rock climbing or exploring nearby caves. I highly recommend renting a motorbike and driving to nearby villages, taking in the rich scenery and culture surrounding the city. With cows, chickens and pigs roaming the streets, the underdeveloped area outside Vang Vieng is quite an eye opener for Westerners. The welcoming, helpful demeanor of the villagers further attests to the gracious nature of Laotians. Maps of Vang Vieng and surrounding tourist sites can be purchased at the local bookstore or some hostels.
If you’d like to enjoy a quiet day relaxing in the sun, there are several hotels nearby that allow use of their pool for a small admission fee. You can dine with a cause at an orphanage on the river that uses its profits from food and drink to cover its daily expenses. There are also several salons to enjoy an authentic Laotian or Thai massage.
When I first arrived in Vang Vieng and voiced my surprise at the boundless party before me, one of the travellers I met remarked, “…this must have been what San Francisco was like in the 60s.” Not quite, but Vang Vieng is no doubt one of the best party destinations I’ve ever been to.
When I first arrived in Vang Vieng, I was taken aback by how small the town actually is. Vang Vieng consists of about three streets filled with restaurants, bars, guest houses and an occasional book or souvenir shop. Having arrived after an eight-hour typically uncomfortable bus from Vientiene, we were ready for a night of rest. Rather than the quiet evening we had planned, we were greeted by loud music, smiling faces and invitations to join the party. In Vang Vieng, such temptations are difficult to resist.
The next day, we headed to the Nam Song River to see what all the tubing hype was about. The river is a short walk from the town, but we hopped on a tuk tuk to be taken upriver where the Nam Song River tubing starts. It wasn’t any later than two o’clock in the afternoon, and the party was going strong under the glowing sun. The atmosphere was perfect: Clear skies, awesome emerald mountains and people from all over the world dancing to the classic party jams.
We were quickly invited into one of the bars by Westerners who work for weeks or months at a time promoting these spots. They often come equipped with coloured markers ready to write clever comments on your body or simply the name of the bar they are promoting. Many of the bars have large platforms along the Nam Song River that partygoers swing from, showing off their tricks for the crowd. There’s even a mud pit behind one of the bars further down the river. It’s mud fighting at its finest.
We chose to tube the Nam Song River on our second day as it was quite shallow, and swimming down would be dangerous at certain parts. The tubes ended up being more of a nuisance as we had to keep a constant eye on them at stops along the river, and we even arranged an early ride back from the river to return them on time.
Once the sun goes down, tuk tuks return to the Nam Song River to collect revellers and take them back to their guest houses. Vang Vieng has many “TV-bars” that play Family Guy and Friends all day for backpackers to enjoy, sprawled out on the cushioned floors. Vang Vieng has a rather strict noise curfew in town, so by midnight, the only few spots left to go are on the river.
There are plenty of other activities to enjoy in Vang Vieng, such as kayaking, rock climbing or exploring nearby caves. I highly recommend renting a motorbike and driving to nearby villages, taking in the rich scenery and culture surrounding the city. With cows, chickens and pigs roaming the streets, the underdeveloped area outside Vang Vieng is quite an eye opener for Westerners. The welcoming, helpful demeanor of the villagers further attests to the gracious nature of Laotians. Maps of Vang Vieng and surrounding tourist sites can be purchased at the local bookstore or some hostels.
If you’d like to enjoy a quiet day relaxing in the sun, there are several hotels nearby that allow use of their pool for a small admission fee. You can dine with a cause at an orphanage on the river that uses its profits from food and drink to cover its daily expenses. There are also several salons to enjoy an authentic Laotian or Thai massage.
When I first arrived in Vang Vieng and voiced my surprise at the boundless party before me, one of the travellers I met remarked, “…this must have been what San Francisco was like in the 60s.” Not quite, but Vang Vieng is no doubt one of the best party destinations I’ve ever been to.
When to Go to Tubing Vang Vieng
The rainy season in Vang Vieng runs from May to October, and it becomes exceptionally hot from March to May, so you may want to schedule your trip during the cooler, dry months of October to February. I visited Vang Vieng in April and enjoyed the hot, dry climate, although the Nam Song River was quite low and some waterfalls in the area were dried up.
If visiting during the high season, try to book accommodation in advance as many guest houses fill up quickly. I found the Hobo Map of Vang Vieng extremely helpful, as it clearly marked all landmarks and roads. You can get one at the bookstore or online.
If visiting during the high season, try to book accommodation in advance as many guest houses fill up quickly. I found the Hobo Map of Vang Vieng extremely helpful, as it clearly marked all landmarks and roads. You can get one at the bookstore or online.
Odds n' Ends
While it is very popular to swing into the river or slide down the giant tube slide while tubing in Vang Vieng, many people get injured doing so. If you are seriously injured, the nearest hospital is in Bangkok, so use caution when attempting any stunts on the Nam Song River.
I noticed a lack of working ATM's in Vang Vieng, so arrive with enough cash to last you a few days. The only way I could take out cash in Vang Vieng was using my credit card.
The atmosphere in Vang Vieng is quite laid back, but be aware that if you are caught using drugs, the police will slap you with a hefty fine: anywhere from US$250 to US$500. If you cannot pay, you will be subject to Lao's strict drug enforcement laws.
I noticed a lack of working ATM's in Vang Vieng, so arrive with enough cash to last you a few days. The only way I could take out cash in Vang Vieng was using my credit card.
The atmosphere in Vang Vieng is quite laid back, but be aware that if you are caught using drugs, the police will slap you with a hefty fine: anywhere from US$250 to US$500. If you cannot pay, you will be subject to Lao's strict drug enforcement laws.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Dok Khoun 1 Guest House
- Clean rooms, internet access, located right in the centre of town near bars, restaurants and a short walk to the river. (Dok Khoun 1 does not have website)
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