Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Riverside Boutique Resort
South of town on the road down to the toll bridge 023
511726,
riversidevangvieng.com
.
The slickest, smartest hotel in Vang Vieng, with prices to
match. Taking styling cues from ethnic groups across Laos, the fresh, cool rooms here edge
a go
rgeous turquoise pool, which is framed by limestone karsts on the other side of the river.
$102
Thavonsouk Resort
023 511096,
thavonsouk.com
.
At the far end of the main river
road, south of the hospital. Mid-range bungalows, some with private balconies, enjoying a
prime location on the banks of the Nam Song. Ther
e ar
e 52 units to choose from, with prices
dependent on the size and quality of the bungalow.
$33
EATING AND DRINKING
Vang Vieng is hardly short of places to eat, but you'll have to search hard to find good
food; most
restaurants
have near-identical menus featuring bland tourist munchies. The rel-
atively lax regulations and low start-up costs associated with the town mean foreign-run eat-
ing and drinking establishments aren't unusual in Vang Vieng, and it's possible to find any-
thing from vindaloos to fish tacos. Budget travellers tend to eat at the sandwich and pancake
stalls around town, or on the main north-south road where there's a whole strip of cheap
(some say depressing) restaurants showing
Friends
and
Family Guy
episodes on an endless
loop. Apart from these places in the centre of town, there are a few decent restaurants over-
looking the river. Now that the clubs on the island in the Nam Song have been closed, parties
tend to happen in the centre of town. There are two main
late-nightvenues
:
Viva Vang Vieng
and Room 101. They're opposite each other on the main drag, and host cheesy club nights
on alternate days. Regardless of which club's night it is, things get lively at around midnight
when the other bars close.
AMDRestaurant
South of the hospital along the main river road 020 5530 1238.
Pint-
sized, family-run restaurant serving some of the best food in town. The tangy
tom yam
soup
(35,000K) is reason enough to make the walk south from the centre, but the tiny open kitchen
also turns out good curries, stir-fries and steaks.
Daily 7.30am-10pm.
CaféZoomSun
3km north of town on the road leading to the Organic Mulberry Farm 020
5610 6536.
Near the tubing start point, this café was set up to help local kids get involved
with wholesome activities like traditional dancing and weaving. For $3, you can get a coffee
and a guided tour of the centre.
Tues-Sun 2-7pm.
ChanPhengXay
Just east of the Green Discovery office on Kangmuong Street 020 2889
0860.
One of the more reliable street-side restaurants in the very centre of town, with reason-
able red curries (meat and veggie versions available) for 25,000K.
Daily 7am-11pm.
Gary's Irish Bar
Just east of Kangaroo Sunset in the centre of town 030 940 7039,
garysirishbar.com
.
Chirpy Irish bar staff and regular live music sessions make Gary's stand
