<strong>Welcome to paradise: </strong>Surrounded by green rice fields and towering mountains, Vang Vieng, Laos, is one of Southeast Asia's most beautiful adventure destinations.
Welcome to paradise: Surrounded by green rice fields and towering mountains, Vang Vieng, Laos, is one of Southeast Asia's most beautiful adventure destinations.
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<strong>Total transformation: </strong> Once known as a hedonistic party destination, the town's narrative changed in 2012 when the government shuttered most of the problematic bars.
Total transformation: Once known as a hedonistic party destination, the town's narrative changed in 2012 when the government shuttered most of the problematic bars.
Laure Siegel
<strong>A new leaf: </strong>The town has reinvented itself as a hub of adventure travel, offering a lengthy menu of adrenaline-fueled experiences.
A new leaf: The town has reinvented itself as a hub of adventure travel, offering a lengthy menu of adrenaline-fueled experiences.
Laure Siegel
<strong>Pha Hon Kham Cliff: </strong>Hiking and climbing are popular Vang Vieng activites. The short but steep climb up one of the area's highest peaks, Pha Hon Kham, offers incredible sunrise and sunset views.<strong> </strong>
Pha Hon Kham Cliff: Hiking and climbing are popular Vang Vieng activites. The short but steep climb up one of the area's highest peaks, Pha Hon Kham, offers incredible sunrise and sunset views.
Laure Siegel
<strong>Old-fashioned river fun: </strong>While Vang Vieng has closed its dangerous water slides, one thing hasn't changed: A slow, easy river tubing ride remains the outdoor experience of choice. Travelers can rend kayaks and rafts.
Old-fashioned river fun: While Vang Vieng has closed its dangerous water slides, one thing hasn't changed: A slow, easy river tubing ride remains the outdoor experience of choice. Travelers can rend kayaks and rafts.
Laure Siegel
<strong>Hit the road:</strong> On the western side of the Song River, a 15-mile (25 kilometer) loop of dusty roads leads travelers to several scenic spots, including ethnic minority villages, caves, viewpoints and a series of inviting lagoons.
Hit the road: On the western side of the Song River, a 15-mile (25 kilometer) loop of dusty roads leads travelers to several scenic spots, including ethnic minority villages, caves, viewpoints and a series of inviting lagoons.
Tom Vater
<strong>Blue Lagoons: </strong>A short ride from town, the Blue Lagoons promise turquoise waters in the middle of the forest.
Blue Lagoons: A short ride from town, the Blue Lagoons promise turquoise waters in the middle of the forest.
Laure Siegel
<strong>Up in the air: </strong>Those thirsting for aerial thrills can have a go at zip-lining around the Blue Lagoon area.
Up in the air: Those thirsting for aerial thrills can have a go at zip-lining around the Blue Lagoon area.
Laure Siegel
<strong>Agrotourism on the rise:</strong> Further emphasizing the spectacular scenery, agrotourism accommodations have emerged as an alternative to the guesthouses in town. An agrotourism pioneer, Lao Farmhas long been popular among health- and food-conscious travelers.
Agrotourism on the rise: Further emphasizing the spectacular scenery, agrotourism accommodations have emerged as an alternative to the guesthouses in town. An agrotourism pioneer, Lao Farmhas long been popular among health- and food-conscious travelers.
Laure Siegel
<strong>Riverside bliss: </strong>For those not quite ready to commit to the farming life, the Riverside Boutique hotel is another high-quality option. Sitting on the banks of the Song River, the elegant French-owned resort offers a local touch, featuring design elements from Laos' many ethnic minorities.
Riverside bliss: For those not quite ready to commit to the farming life, the Riverside Boutique hotel is another high-quality option. Sitting on the banks of the Song River, the elegant French-owned resort offers a local touch, featuring design elements from Laos' many ethnic minorities.
Tom Vater
<strong>Tham Chang Cave:</strong> Tham Chang is one of the most popular caves in the Vang Vieng area. Located southwest of the town, its high location offers great views of the outside landscape.
Tham Chang Cave: Tham Chang is one of the most popular caves in the Vang Vieng area. Located southwest of the town, its high location offers great views of the outside landscape.
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<strong>Market watch: </strong>The town's Walking Street -- a market modeled on similar affairs in Vientiane and Luang Prabang -- opened in early 2018. Its many stalls offer textiles, jewelery, souvenirs and street food late into the night.
Market watch: The town's Walking Street -- a market modeled on similar affairs in Vientiane and Luang Prabang -- opened in early 2018. Its many stalls offer textiles, jewelery, souvenirs and street food late into the night.
Tom Vater
<strong>Balloon rides: </strong>Visitors searching untethered views of the spectacular landscape can climb aboard a hot air balloon.
Balloon rides: Visitors searching untethered views of the spectacular landscape can climb aboard a hot air balloon.
Godong/UIG via Getty Images
<strong>Easy access: </strong>Vang Vieng is located between the Laos capital, Vientiane, and Luang Prabang, both of which have international airports that service direct flights from various Asia destinations.
Easy access: Vang Vieng is located between the Laos capital, Vientiane, and Luang Prabang, both of which have international airports that service direct flights from various Asia destinations.
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