Vang Vieng, the once idyllic farming village in Northern Laos, has been completely transformed in recent history. So much so that former Vang Vieng wouldn't recognize its present self. Once a quiet stop along the route from the Laos' capital of Vientiane to its World Heritage Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng was known for its stunning natural beauty and a favorite rest point among travelers. Today, it's popularity has only grown exponentially but for a different reason, tubing. Tubing involved riding a old car inner tube down the river, stopping at bars along the way to party. While this activity now overshadows Vang Vieng reputation, one can still escape this debauchery and find the Vang Vieng of old., the Laos countryside and towering limestone cliffs. Here are three ways to enjoy Vang Vieng that don't involve getting trashed.
Blue Lagoon
Just a short scenic bike ride or quick tuk tuk trip through open farmland, the blue lagoon is easily a favorite place of any visitor. It's impossibly blue waters are the perfect temperature for a dip during a warm Lao afternoon and the surrounding lawn provides the ideal spot to sit back and get lost in a good book. What more could one ask for? A rope swing perhaps? Done. See who can perform the best backflip or just go big and jump out of the nearby tree. Even the Lao children get involved. Once you're thoroughly refreshed, head to the snack bar for a cold drink and perhaps see if you can join in on a game of pickup soccer. Hanging out and having a good time is the name of the game at the Blue Lagoon so quit delaying and head over.
Tham Nam Cave
Vang Vieng is surrounded on all sides by towering limestone cliffs sticking straight out of the landscape. If you have any experience with cliffs like these, then you'll also know that caves are usual in abundance and in this regard, Vang Vieng is no exception. One of the most popular of these is the Tham Nam Cave located just south of town. While there are plenty of caves in the area, this one is different in a very interesting way, it's filled with water. A rope leads the brave at heart into the darkness. An inner tube can be obtained and used to float on as one pulls them self along through the cave wondering when they'll reach the end. Bring a few friends to keep you company.
Rock Climbing
The limestone cliffs in the Nam Song valley provide more than just caves and a great karst landscape for picture taking, they also provide amble opportunities to climb to their peaks. Rock climbing has taken off in the backpacker town and can provide the thrill of a lifetime hanging hundreds of feet up by just your hands and, of course, the safety of a rope. No experience? Not a problem. Many climbing companies operate out of Vang Vieng and can take you to the most popular spots such as Sleeping Wall and Tham Nam Them where routes for all difficulty levels are available.
For more information on Vang Vieng, you can visit http://www.tubinginlaos.com/
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