Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, Laos Part I
Vang Vieng is one of the principal town of Vientiane Province in Laos, a landlocked country located in Indochina or also known as Mainland Southeast Asia, a continental portion of Southeast Asia. It is three to four hours drive from Vientiane, the capital of Laos which name was gained during French Colonial Era. The town lies on Nam Song River and surrounded by striking karts rock formation, a landscape made up of limestone making the place remarkably awe-inspiring, impressive and stunning.
Nyinditonhab Viang Vang - Welcome to Vang Vieng, a previous traditional farming rural community in Laos until lately became the backpacker party capital of South-East Asia but every rise has its own fall until recently, its government cracked down some activities as its reputation has hurt-ed the town, its people and culture.
It was because intoxicated travelers had been roving the streets and the riverbank like lost festival-goers and the same scene has overwhelmed the old life.
In previous years, the launch of inner-tubing with a bucket of cold Lao Beer along Nam Song River, partying day and night on their shorts, trunks and two-piece, bar line-up built on wooden platforms over the river, zip lines, swings and air balloons became big business and considered the major tourist attractions for travelers in Van Vieng. It was so popular until it became wild and rampant. People were reported to have died on its river where casualties were so drunk while tubing resulting to tragedies however whether it is for the better or the worse depends on individual's perspective. Those had prompted Lao goverment to tighten up on some tourists activities but it seems that music beats and whiskey are there to stay as long as backpackers keep visiting and the Nam Song River keeps flowing.
Nyinditonhab Viang Vang - Welcome to Vang Vieng, a previous traditional farming rural community in Laos until lately became the backpacker party capital of South-East Asia but every rise has its own fall until recently, its government cracked down some activities as its reputation has hurt-ed the town, its people and culture.
It was because intoxicated travelers had been roving the streets and the riverbank like lost festival-goers and the same scene has overwhelmed the old life.
In previous years, the launch of inner-tubing with a bucket of cold Lao Beer along Nam Song River, partying day and night on their shorts, trunks and two-piece, bar line-up built on wooden platforms over the river, zip lines, swings and air balloons became big business and considered the major tourist attractions for travelers in Van Vieng. It was so popular until it became wild and rampant. People were reported to have died on its river where casualties were so drunk while tubing resulting to tragedies however whether it is for the better or the worse depends on individual's perspective. Those had prompted Lao goverment to tighten up on some tourists activities but it seems that music beats and whiskey are there to stay as long as backpackers keep visiting and the Nam Song River keeps flowing.
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The peace and quiet of appealing Vang Vieng village is gone, but the charm that nature brings haven’t stopped the flow of tourists daily and me and my wife are no exemption.
I came to know the town through an uploaded travel guide in youtube for Laos and on October 2014, its landscape and scenery have led us to arranged a domestic flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani Province in Thailand and had a subsequent van ride from Udon Thani crossing Laos-Thailand border heading to Vientiane, the country's capital.
From Viantiane, we had almost three hours taxi ride going to our pre-arranged accommodation-the Riverside Boutique Resort in Vang Vieng. Its dramatic scenery of tree covered limestone karsts along the river provides a melancholic perfect shot and made the same the best hotel in town. Considering its rural location, the resort was surprisingly superb.
As my wife and I roamed around the place and as our eyes brought into focus towards features and products of the earth, someone can considered nature not only a place to visit but a home where comfort awaits.
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
I came to know the town through an uploaded travel guide in youtube for Laos and on October 2014, its landscape and scenery have led us to arranged a domestic flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani Province in Thailand and had a subsequent van ride from Udon Thani crossing Laos-Thailand border heading to Vientiane, the country's capital.
From Viantiane, we had almost three hours taxi ride going to our pre-arranged accommodation-the Riverside Boutique Resort in Vang Vieng. Its dramatic scenery of tree covered limestone karsts along the river provides a melancholic perfect shot and made the same the best hotel in town. Considering its rural location, the resort was surprisingly superb.
As my wife and I roamed around the place and as our eyes brought into focus towards features and products of the earth, someone can considered nature not only a place to visit but a home where comfort awaits.
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
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We arrived at the hotel past one o'clock in the afternoon on October 19 , 2014. I must admit that the hotel is the best place in town, probably in Laos. Peaceful, classy and provides good service but what makes this place really stand out is the friendly and helpful staff showing a really genuine hospitality.
After a quick lunch at the resort's restaurant, my wife and I decided to walk crossing the small wooden bridge heading inside the remote village behind the resort until we have passed by a local bar who also offers tour packages as per their signage along the street. We immediately had an inquiry and the same became much easier owing to my wife's thai language skill. The sun was about to set when the next day's itinerary was finalized coming-up into a certain amount as payment.
With much anticipation of the pre-arranged next day tour , we have decided to continue walking but this time towards downtown Vang Vieng. At seven o'clock in the evening the community was so quite except for some western backpakers whom we have seen drinking beer and whiskey inside the bar located along the street. We have tried searching for a place to spend our dinner but no establishment has satisfied our taste hence we decided to walked back to the hotel for dinner after which spent the rest of the night inside our room overlooking the peaceful serene having in mind the awaited next day activity as we mingle with nature again.
After a quick lunch at the resort's restaurant, my wife and I decided to walk crossing the small wooden bridge heading inside the remote village behind the resort until we have passed by a local bar who also offers tour packages as per their signage along the street. We immediately had an inquiry and the same became much easier owing to my wife's thai language skill. The sun was about to set when the next day's itinerary was finalized coming-up into a certain amount as payment.
With much anticipation of the pre-arranged next day tour , we have decided to continue walking but this time towards downtown Vang Vieng. At seven o'clock in the evening the community was so quite except for some western backpakers whom we have seen drinking beer and whiskey inside the bar located along the street. We have tried searching for a place to spend our dinner but no establishment has satisfied our taste hence we decided to walked back to the hotel for dinner after which spent the rest of the night inside our room overlooking the peaceful serene having in mind the awaited next day activity as we mingle with nature again.