Have you been there? Any good?

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20241126-the-rise-and-fall-of-vang-vieng-laos-notorious-party-town

Went once. 2011. Drove our pickup truck up from Bangkok on the way to Luang Prabang. Stayed at Elephant Crossing Hotel in Vang Vieng. Saw tubers cruising down the river with beers in hand. Rented a long tail boat and driver to take us up river. Enchanting. Saw herds of water buffaloe in the river. Carried on. Turned a corner. Chaos! Zip lines, bars, loud music, smashed teenage backpackers. What not to like? Only learned after about the westerner death toll there. Be careful if you want to live. 

 

I have heard that the local authorities clamped down on the drunk tubing aspect before Covid shuttered everything. They didn't want a Thailand 'Full Moon' type venue.

 

I have heard that it's back on the gap year, backpackers, must do bucket list and may be getting busy again but not sure if the previous rowdiness is allowed.

 

Also, with the new fast train service, it's a lot easier and way faster to get there (and back) from Vientiane.

Stayed there a few days 10 years ago. Lots of trendy sit on the floor restaurant. Seemed like it might turn into opium dens later in the day but we never went back. Lots of backpackers.

On 9/30/2025 at 7:18 PM, Harrisfan said:

Have you been there? Any good?

Ruined years ago by mass tourism. You are about twenty years too late paradise before ruined just like they ruined Pai .

1 minute ago, Mitkof Island said:

Ruined years ago by mass tourism. You are about twenty years too late paradise before ruined just like they ruined Pai .

 

 

Not necessarily ruined for those who have not yet experienced the place.

 

 

 

I was told that I had left 20 years too late to visit Hong Kong. I went and loved the place.

20 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Not necessarily ruined for those who have not yet experienced the place.

 

 

 

I was told that I had left 20 years too late to visit Hong Kong. I went and loved the place.

Enjoy the fantasy!

Watch out for the free shots at the local bars, methanol poisonings not uncommon.