Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TUBING THE NAM SONG
Love or hate what it's done to the place,
tubing
remains Vang Vieng's premier attraction.
In fact, for some people, it's the very reason they ended up in Laos. What started as an in-
ventive way to spend a lazy afternoon floating down the
Nam Song
rapidly evolved into
an all-you-can-drink party on the river, and by 2011, the town was thronging with back-
packers who came not just to tube, but to party at the clubs that sprang up in town and in
the middle of the river.
These days the tubing - and the partying - is more relaxed. Only a few bars now dot the
river, and illegal drugs (once sold openly on menus) are seldom seen. For many, drinking is
still a big part of the experience, though, with bars offering free shots of
lào-láo
and buy-
one-get-one-free deals on whisky. While the rope swings and slides (which, combined with
an excess of alcohol, led to a number of fatal accidents) have now disappeared, drinking on
the river is still risky, so take care and, if you're a weak swimmer, ask for a
life jacket
.
To avoid getting back after dark, it's best to start tubing early.
Tubes
are available from the
lock-up near the post office. There's no need to book so just turn up, pay the fee (55,000K,
plus a 60,000K deposit) and a tuk-tuk will drive you to the starting point, 3km north of
town near the Organic Mulberry Farm. Tuk-tuks will only depart with at least four people
on board, so on quiet days you may have to wait for others to arrive.
A float back into town should take two or three hours from here, but you could easily
spend the whole day dancing, drinking and playing mud volleyball at the bars along the
way. It's important to leave enough time to get back before dark, however, as it gets cold
and it becomes almost impossible to see where you're going in the fast-flowing water. Ar-
rive back late and you will lose your deposit. A good sunblock is essential if you don't want
to come out looking like a lobster; the tropical sun is powerful, even on overcast days. And
while the tube rental place rents out dry bags, these should not be relied upon to protect
phones and other valuables.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: VANG VIENG AND AROUND
By bus
There are two main arrival and departure points for buses. VIP buses and minivans
from points north and south use the old airstrip just off Route 13, to the east of town and
within walking distance of most accommodation. Hostels and guesthouses around town sell
tickets to destinations across Laos (as well as other parts of Southeast Asia). Prices vary from
place to place, but only by 20,000K or so, and it's likely that wherever you end up booking,
you'll end up on the same bus.
Destinations:
Bangkok, Thailand (2 daily; 12hr); Luang Prabang (7 daily; 5-6hr); Pakse (1
daily; 16hr); Phonsavan (1 daily; 6hr); Savannakhet (1 daily; 10hr); Si Phan Don/4000 is-
lands (1 daily; 11hr); Thakhek (1 daily; 9hr); Vientiane (at least 10 daily; 3-4hr).
