MapVivid
Blue Lagoon 1 and around
A day in Vang Vieng · 9:30–12:45 · 3 stops
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mapvivid.com/vang-vieng/itineraries/blue-lagoon-1-and-aroundA walking day around Blue Lagoon 1 and Tham Hoi, with a lunch break nearby and Tham Phu Kham to end the day.
Every stop on Google Maps: open the list
Morning
9:301Blue Lagoon 1 ↗1 hGo early
Turquoise swimming hole under a rope swing, a popular outing from town
- Bring water shoes
- Tuk-tuk or bike from town
↓ 18 min walk
10:452Tham Hoi ↗30 min
Cave with limestone formations near the Blue Lagoon area
- Bring a torch
- Wear shoes with grip
↓ 27 min walk
11:453Large cave with a reclining Buddha, near Blue Lagoon
- Bring a torch
- Wear grippy shoes
Lunch
12:45Lunch break nearby · Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps ↗
Good to know. Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.
Vang Vieng tips
Transportation
- Take the Laos-China Railway: Fast trains connect Vang Vieng with Vientiane and Luang Prabang; the station is outside town, so book tickets ahead and arrange a tuk-tuk transfer.
- Rent a scooter or bicycle: The roads to the Blue Lagoons and caves west of the Nam Song river are easy to explore by scooter or bike, but some stretches are dusty and bumpy.
- Use tuk-tuks for longer trips: Tuk-tuks and songthaews take groups to the lagoons, caves and tubing start point; agree the fare and waiting time before setting off.
Local Hacks
- Float in a hot air balloon: Sunrise and sunset balloon rides drift over the karst mountains and the Nam Song river, giving the classic views of Vang Vieng from above.
- Visit Blue Lagoon early: Blue Lagoon 1 gets crowded with tour groups by midday, so arrive early or head to the quieter Blue Lagoon 2 and 3 further out of town.
- Explore caves with a guide: Caves like Tham Nam, explored by tube on a rope, and Tham Chang are best visited with a local guide who knows the paths and brings headlamps.
Saving
- Eat local Lao food: Noodle soups like khao piak sen and sticky rice with grilled meats at local stalls and the market cost far less than Western cafes on the main street.
- Share tuk-tuks and tours: Splitting tuk-tuk hires or kayaking tours with other travellers from your guesthouse cuts the cost of reaching the lagoons and caves.
- Hike to cheap viewpoints: Viewpoints like Pha Ngern and Nam Xay charge only a small fee or nothing, and give sweeping views over the karst peaks and rice fields.
Security
- Tube and kayak sober: The Nam Song river can be fast after rain, so wear a life jacket, avoid heavy drinking while tubing and get out of the water well before dark.
- Ride with care: Rural roads have potholes, loose gravel and livestock, so wear a helmet, ride slowly and check the scooter for damage before you rent to avoid disputes.
- Secure your valuables: Use guesthouse lockers or safes for passports and cash, and carry a dry bag for phones when tubing, kayaking or swimming at the lagoons.
Cultural
- Dress modestly in town: Swimwear is fine at the river and lagoons, but cover shoulders and wear shorts or a sarong when walking through town, eating out or shopping.
- Respect temples and monks: Remove shoes before entering temples, cover shoulders and knees, and women should avoid touching monks or handing items directly to them.
- Try laap and sticky rice: Laap, a minced meat salad with herbs and lime, is the Lao national dish, eaten by hand with sticky rice from a small woven basket.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack for the heat: Vang Vieng is hot and humid most of the year, especially from March to May, so bring light breathable clothes, sun protection and swimwear.
- Prepare for the wet season: Heavy rain falls roughly from May to October, making trails muddy and the river fast, so bring a rain jacket and shoes that can get soaked.
- Bring water shoes: Water shoes or sturdy sandals are useful for slippery cave floors, rocky riverbanks and lagoons, and nights in the cool season can need a light layer.
Planned with MapVivid. Opening hours change, so check each place before you go. This day, with the map: mapvivid.com/vang-vieng/itineraries/blue-lagoon-1-and-around
Day 2 of 29:30–12:453 stops
Blue Lagoon 1 and around
A walking day around Blue Lagoon 1 and Tham Hoi, with a lunch break nearby and Tham Phu Kham to end the day.
Opens Google Maps with every stop of the day, ready to save to your own list.
Morning
109:30 · 1 hTurquoise swimming hole under a rope swing, a popular outing from town
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Bring water shoes
- Tuk-tuk or bike from town
📷 Photos
18 min walk
210:45 · 30 minCave with limestone formations near the Blue Lagoon area
3 tips
- Bring a torch
- Wear shoes with grip
- Guide recommended
📷 Photos
27 min walk
311:45 · 1 hLarge cave with a reclining Buddha, near Blue Lagoon
3 tips
- Bring a torch
- Wear grippy shoes
- Entry fee applies
📷 Photos
Lunch
Lunch break nearby · 12:45
Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps
Take this day with you
Add the stops to your calendar
Times are local time in Vang Vieng. Apple Calendar adds every stop at once (Outlook too). Google Calendar adds one event per link.
Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.