River bar hop!

Photo provided by Yaz Kanji

Lao is a strange country. It was one of the three countries I visited in Southeast Asia. It is a place that has only recently been getting some hype in the tourism industry, before then it pretty much was unknown. Surrounded by Thailand and Cambodia it has quite the competition. Since Thailand has its beaches and temples and Cambodia its sad history and Angkor Wat they both easily attract any traveler. But Lao has had to make reasons for tourists to come and they have, at least attracted the younger traveler and the place they flock to is Vang Vieng.

 

Vang Vieng is located between Luang Prabang (the northern starting point when traveling through Lao) and the capital of Lao, Vientiane. It is a insanely windy and bumpy road through the mountains to get down to Vang Vieng and the Nam Song river. After being on these roads in a minivan you really appreciate the roads back home because even people who usually don't get motion sickness have a hard time. But once you get down there it is all worth it.

Vang Vieng did not have too much to offer until the town made a reason for anyone 22 or younger to come. I emphasize age here because Vang Vieng is basically a place where you sleep, eat, party and repeat. Hence, your age will likely have a big impact on whether you will enjoy this place longer than a couple of days, unless you are just into that.

Photo provided by Sarah Aves

Because of this Vang Vieng is swarming with young adults and you can't blame them, for what is cooler than bar hopping down a river. Heck! Calgary residents pretty much do the same thing, we just don't have the bars along the river to refill your drink for you. I'm not exaggerating either Vang Vieng is basically famous for a bunch of bars lined up on a river bank, which you have to tube across in order to get to the next bar. Each river bar has its own theme with events like spray paint tattoos (not specifically meant for your skin! Boy was I itchy), beach sports either volleyball or beach soccer, and water slides or ropes which you can fling yourself off of. Liquor is sold by the bucket, which basically means a Micki of either rum or rye and your choice of pop mixed into a sand bucket.

Photo provided by Yaz Kanji

Yes! Doesn't it sound amazing? Drunk kids throwing themselves in the water, bar after bar. Quite safe indeed! Although I've never heard of an incident, oh but I almost forgot the best part, right when they give you your tube they warn you not to float too far down the river because there is a waterfall. This place has death written all over it! That was my first thought too, but really it is a good time as long as you don't go overboard.

So you ask is that all Vang Vieng has to offer? Of course not, after partying all day on the river till the sun goes down you can head back to town and party at the local bars until you can't move anymore! But don't worry if you are hung over the next day you can wake up in the afternoon and either do it all over again or take a little rest first by watching the Friends episodes displayed at every restaurant all day long, it's even in English! They sure know how to get young adults to stay for long periods of time, I personally couldn't do it but lots of people we talked to had been there for weeks already and still having a blast! So there you have it Vang Vieng in a nutshell not much else to do in town however, there is supposed to be some awesome rock climbing right nearby, if drinking is not for you.