Must-Visit Attractions in Vang Vieng, Laos

Hurling yourself into this little turquoise lake – set in green forest just outside town – has long been a Vang Vieng ritual for travellers. There are numerous ways to do it – from the shore of the lake itself, from platforms in the trees, from a waterslide or a rope swing. What do you do afterwards? Not much; laze in the sun with scores of other backpackers, soak in the water; or for something a little more exhilarating, zip line through the trees.

Less crowded than Blue Lagoon 1 – not to mention a longer and bumpier tuk-tuk ride from town – Blue Lagoons 2 and 3 let you in on a slightly quieter alternative to their more famous counterpart. Still, there are plenty of zip lines, slides and swings to get you plunging into the water.

It’s within a short walk of Vang Vieng town – across a bamboo river bridge and rice paddies – and yet Lusi remains one the region’s least spoilt caves. You’ll need a guide if you’re up for the challenge as there are no lights and paths are difficult to see, even with the aid of torches. Most people come for the swimming which – as ever in Vang Vieng – is in a freshwater river lagoon. Mind you, here it’s in the pitch black, with fish nibbling at your toes whether you need a pedicure or not.

There may be more spectacular views over the Vang Vieng landscape – for instance, from Nam Xay and Pha Ngern – but only the Pha Poak outlook is both reachable on foot from the town centre and easy to climb. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the trailhead – on a path leading across the bamboo river bridge and the rice fields – and another 30 to scramble up rocks and ladders to the flag at the top. The views, over jagged hills and rivers, are blissful.