Let's start the first review here. Vang Vieng, a city of nature, with stunning scenery of mountains. From what I've researched, there are many reviews of Vang Vieng, each with a different style, from budget-friendly to relaxed or comfortable living. Let me share my review in my own style.

#Passport

As Laos does not require a visa, travel is easier. You only need a passport or a temporary border pass. However, the temporary border pass is only valid for Vientiane. If you want to go to Vang Vieng, you need a passport.


#Travel

There are many vehicles to choose from, but the most popular are:

Flight from Don Mueang to Udon Thani and then take a bus from Udon Thani Bus Terminal to Nong Khai - Vang Vieng.

Buses from Bangkok to Udon Thani and onward to Nong Khai - Vang Vieng


#Finance

If you want to exchange money, you can do it at the Lao border. The rate will be better than exchanging it in Vang Vieng. You can also use Thai baht.


#Social Network

No worries, you can buy a SIM card at the Lao border or in Vang Vieng. If you buy it at the border, you can use it on your way to Vang Vieng. However, for Thai networks AIS and DTAC, the signal disappears after you cross the Lao border. As for TRUE, the signal goes much further after you pass the border.


#Local language

Communicating in Thai and Lao is no problem at all. The languages are very similar, so you can be sure you'll understand every sentence.


Here's the plan for each day:

June 18, 2016

Don Mueang - Udon Thani Flight at 8 PM

Stay at Charoen Hotel Udon Thani

June 19, 2016

Udon Thani - Nong Khai - Vang Vieng by bus

Stayed at the Silver Naga Hotel for 3 nights, located right on the Song River.

June 20, 2016

Day trip to Tham Nam, Tham Chang, and kayaking (join group)

June 21, 2016

Day trip to Tham Luang, Pha Ngern, Blue Lagoon, and a hill tribe village (private)

Ride a balloon

June 22, 2016

Vang Vieng - Nong Khai - Udon Thani by Bus

Udon Thani - Don Mueang Flight at 4 PM


Total cost (per person)

Roundtrip flight from Don Mueang to Udon Thani with additional baggage allowance (promotion) is approximately = 600 baht

The cost of staying at the Jeranin Hotel for 1 night = 465 baht

The cost of staying at the Silver Naga Hotel for 3 nights is 2050 baht.

Roundtrip transportation from Udon Thani to Vang Vieng costs approximately 700 baht per person.

One-way ticket (only for Saturday, no charge on weekdays) = 55 baht

Daytrip Tham Nam, Tham Chang, Kayak about 150,000 kip = 600 baht

Daytrip Tham Jang, Pha Ngern, Blue Lagoon, and a hill tribe village for approximately 150,000 kip = 600 baht.

Balloon per person 78 us or approximately = 2900 baht

The taxi fare from the airport to the Charoen Hotel is 50 baht per person.

The taxi fare from Central Udon Thani to the airport is 35 baht per person.

Other expenses in Vang Vieng = 2400 baht


Total 10455 Baht

Wow!!! Just went to Laos, a neighboring country, and spent a lot of money. I'm still confused myself, haha.

Whether you have a big or small budget, you can still have fun traveling. Don't be stingy with your money when you're traveling, haha.


Photography equipment

Canon 60D

GoPro Hero4


This trip was a total of 4 people, 2 men and 2 women. It doesn't sound like a lot, right? You might ask if it's fun to go with a small group. The answer is yes, it's a lot of fun because if there are a lot of people, there are a lot of problems. Going with a small group is the best. Let's go!

[ DAY 1 : June 18, 2016 ]

No need to rush to wake up because the flight is at 8 pm, lol. But I still arrived at the airport around 6 pm, not in a hurry, lol. 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Haha, do you think this is a lot of luggage for 2 men? 55+

Nothing to do, so I picked up the camera and took pictures.

It's time to board the plane, go go go



Around ten o'clock at night, I flew to Udon Thani.

After exiting the airport, we took a taxi for 50 baht each to our booked hotel, the Charoen Hotel, which was not far from the bus station. Along the way, the driver chatted with us, asking where we were from and where we were going. He then asked why we were staying at the Charoen Hotel, wondering if we were attending a wedding. We replied that we chose it because it was close to the bus station. The driver then mentioned that people usually stay there for weddings. We just agreed with him and continued the conversation. Upon arriving at the hotel, we checked in, left our belongings, and went out to eat at the Chay Si Mee Kiao restaurant across the street from the hotel.

Then I went back to the hotel and went to sleep. I have to wake up early tomorrow morning to book a bus ticket.


[ DAY 2 : June 19, 2016 ]

They woke up really early. They rushed to book tickets at 6:30 AM. There was only one bus leaving at 8:30 AM. The ticket price was 350 baht. There were plenty of tickets left, probably because it wasn't a long weekend, so there weren't many people. 55+

After purchasing the tickets, we took a walk around the city of Udon Thani.

and walked back to the hotel for breakfast and checked out.

Judging from the people in the hotel, most of them are mothers and aunts. I guess they're here for the wedding, just like the taxi driver said. - -

8.30 ก็พร้อมขึ้นรถ แต่ช้าก่อนเรายังไม่ถ่ายรูปรวมกันเลย ขอสัก shot

8.30 We are ready to get on the bus, but wait, we haven't taken a group photo yet. Let's take one shot.

The bus we took was a Thai bus, which sometimes alternates with a Lao bus.


There are not as many people as I thought, there are still plenty of seats available.

While waiting for the departure time, the staff will distribute both Thai and Lao immigration forms. Please complete them carefully.

It takes almost an hour to reach Nong Khai Bus Station. Pick up passengers. But if the bus is full from Udon Thani, it may not stop. Then everyone has to get off at the Thai checkpoint and get their passport stamped.

As for the bus, it will drive to wait after the checkpoint is finished, then get on the bus to the Lao checkpoint. Now, at the Lao checkpoint, you have to buy a one-way ticket per person, which is used to enter and exit Laos. If you come on weekdays, you don't have to pay for this card. If it's Saturday or Sunday, you have to pay 55 baht per person. As for those who want to exchange money, you can exchange it at the checkpoint. The rate is better than exchanging it in Vang Vieng. So I exchanged 2,000 baht per person and got about 1.8 million kip. I'm rich!

Similarly, internet SIM cards can be purchased at the border. However, we did not buy any, so we did not have internet access during the journey. We just slept. 55+ It is forbidden to take photos at both the Thai and Lao border checkpoints.

Along the way, I don't know what this is, I just took a picture.

Around noon, we will reach the halfway point. The bus will stop for a 30-minute break. There are restrooms available here.

Shop

Driven by hunger, we each ordered a plate of rice at a local restaurant. It was our first time paying in kip, and we had a good laugh trying to figure out the bill.

From here on, the road will be uphill. For those who get carsick, please prepare a plastic bag or take motion sickness medication. But if you really vomit, it will be the rice you just ate, haha. But if you don't fall asleep, you can enjoy the scenery along the way.

At three o'clock, we arrived at Vang Vieng Bus Station.

We then bought our return tickets from Vang Vieng to Udon Thani for 90,000 kip each, which is a little over 300 baht. We paid in kip at the time. The staff told us that a car would pick us up from our hotel and take us to Vang Vieng bus station at 8:30 am.

From Vang Vieng Bus Station to the city center, you don't have to pay for the bus. Because they have a free shuttle bus from the bus station to the city center. It's a shared taxi, so just wait for the bus.

The car is here, let's run! Haha, or maybe we can just walk.

She's in no hurry at all.

After getting off the shared taxi, I walked to find the accommodation I had booked.

The Silver Naga Hotel's sign is not very big, so you have to look carefully.

The hotel is located on a road parallel to the Song River, with the hotel itself right next to the river. The view is beautiful, the atmosphere is good. After checking in, I rested for an hour.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, I went out to find the Nam Tip Tour shop (located at the three-way intersection) to buy a day trip in a join group to Tham Nam, Tham Chang, and kayaking for 120,000 kip per person. The owner made an appointment for tomorrow at 8:30 am to meet here.

And I contacted Vieng Vila (next door) to book a balloon ride because there were no balloons at Namthip, so I had to find another shop instead.

Waiting for the owner, she's busy with another customer. This is the owner of the shop.

The price is 78 USD per person. You can pay in cash or by credit card. The balloon ride will take place in two sessions, morning and evening. We booked the morning session. One of my friends was too scared to go up, no matter how much we tried to persuade him. So, three of us went up. We arranged the time and date. On the 21st, at 5:40 am, the car will pick us up at the hotel. That's it for the day trip and balloon ride.

It's time to find something to eat. I'm here at the intersection, there are a lot of restaurants.

And then I went to find a sim internet I don't remember the price. But it can be used for 1.5 gb/7 days. I got the sim at M mart.

The hand is blocking the SIM card.

Then I went back to the hotel and took some pictures of the surrounding area to share with you.

A picture of a person with a tattoo.

There are also beautiful corners to play with the sunlight. You can find beautiful patterns to take pictures of.

Around 7 pm, I went out to find some food at a local restaurant in the same alley as Sakura Bar.

And here's the bill... Not too expensive, huh?

The four of us didn't go to Sakura Bar because the team leader, or สาย L, didn't come. It was a shame, but we made up for it by buying a can of Lao beer each. 55


[ DAY 3 : June 20, 2016 ]

Have breakfast at the hotel and walk to wait at Namthip Tour.

The fun is about to begin, there must be a group shot.

(Don't forget to wear sunscreen! Kayaking in the afternoon sun is great, but I'm worried about everyone's skin. 55+)


Today's tour group is full of Koreans. There are two cute Korean girls. Hehe.

Our group's guide is named Gui. He is very friendly and helpful, and he is always happy to answer our questions. We are ready to go!

The first stop is the Tham Nam cave, which requires a 300-meter walk from the car park.


I came across a cow while walking. Be careful, there are landmines. 55+

Float on a rubber ring into the cave (you can actually walk, it's not deep at all).

Each person wore a headlamp, held a rope, and walked in a line into the cave. It was super tiring. I didn't bring a camera, so I don't have any pictures. - -


After the cave, we had lunch that the tour arranged for us. Fried rice, a large bread, and bananas.

Two Korean girls (bottom left) hehe

Then walk to the elephant cave

The guide said that there was a rock that looked like an elephant (behind the last female friend), so it was called the Elephant Cave.

While we were talking about renting a motorbike to go to Pha Ngern and Blue Lagoon the next day, the guide overheard us and offered to take us himself (not through a tour). He said he would take us to Tham Jang, Pha Ngern, Blue Lagoon, and a local village for 150,000 kip. We could go wherever we wanted and whenever we wanted. We were interested because we realized that the roads weren't very good and we were worried about what would happen if we had an accident. So we decided to go with the guide (but if you're not worried, you can try driving yourself).

Walk back to the car to prepare for kayaking (following the two Korean girls)

Arrived at the pier by car.

Before boarding the boat, the guide will explain how to paddle and what to do in case of an accident.

The Korean man on the right also came alone. I wouldn't even dare to travel alone, haha.

Kayaking on the Song River, 8 kilometers long, let's go!


2-3 people per raft. The person who knows how to paddle or paddles well should sit in the back.

Splashing water at each other while paddling is fun.

8 kilometers, no wonder I'm tired. My arms are so sore from paddling.

The scenery on both sides of the road is amazing.

Around three in the afternoon, we arrived at our accommodation by boat. I told the guide that we could just get off at the hotel. 55+ That was the end of our day trip.

And also paid a deposit to the guide of 200,000 kip for a private day trip tomorrow at 9:30 am.

Go back to the room to rest Zz..


Around half past four, I walked to take pictures at the bridge over the Song River.

And then walk to the opposite side.

View from the middle of the bridge


I saw a restaurant with tables set up on the Song River. It looks nice.

The view and atmosphere are amazing. I must say that since I arrived in Vang Vieng, it hasn't rained a single drop. It's really good, so I got this set of pictures with the model (my friend who came with me) 55

During that time, a foreigner walked over, seemingly drunk, and asked my friend to take a picture with him. We obliged and took one shot. He then asked what time it was.

After that, I went to eat "sai si mee kiew" again. 55+ The first day I ate Thai food, today I'm eating Lao food.


After counting the kip, I realized it wouldn't be enough because I still had to pay 400,000 kip for the day trip tomorrow. So I went to exchange more money, exchanging 500 baht each. I got a rate of 1 baht = 228 kip, so I got a total of 456,000 kip.

Then back to the accommodation. Tomorrow, 3 people will have to go up in a balloon, which is scheduled for 5.40 am. I wonder if I will wake up.


[ DAY 4 : June 21, 2016 ]

I woke up early, showered, got dressed, and waited in the lobby. Someone came to pick me up at exactly 5:40, and the car picked up another 5-6 people. For the balloon, if you go up in the morning, it seems like they will take you along the Song River.

And then we arrived at the hot air balloon launch site.

The officer said to wait until the wind died down, because if the wind was strong, the balloon could not be lifted. So they took pictures for fun first.

We waited for almost an hour, then the staff came and told us that we couldn't take the balloon up. Oh my god!!!! So what now? We had to change it to the evening. They made a new appointment time, which was 4:40 p.m. And then... what was the point of waking up early and waiting if we couldn't go up? I'm so bummed. 555+ As for the friends who didn't go up in the balloon, they were sleeping soundly at the hotel.


Back at the hotel for breakfast and getting ready for the day trip that was scheduled for 9:30. We were right on time.

The first place I went to was Tham Chang Cave. The entrance was dusty.

It's the orange bridge that people like to take pictures of.

Walking further inside is Tham Chang Cave. At the entrance of Tham Chang Cave, there is a waterfall with crystal clear water that is inviting to swim in.



Those stairs leading up to the cave aren't that bad, easy peasy.

It made me sweat too, lol. 55+

At the top of the stairs, you will be greeted with a view like this.

Let's go into the cave.

Walk through the cave to the viewpoint.

Then we went back down and took a car to Pha Ngern.


Although the sign at Pha Ngern says it takes 20 minutes to reach the viewpoint, is it really 20 minutes?

Two female friends said they couldn't climb from the beginning, so my friend and I tried to convince them to climb. It wouldn't take long, and they wouldn't get tired, or so we thought. 55+ In the end, they agreed to climb. Along the way, some children from the mountains, probably Hmong or something, followed us, so we gave them money and snacks.

But after about 200 meters, we stopped abruptly. Two of our female friends asked to withdraw. 55+ The path was steep all the way, so my friend and I let our friends wait at the car. It really didn't look good. My friend and I were still tired and sweating profusely.

Should I be happy to see a sign that says 400 meters to go?

Oh, there are stairs too.

Until we reach the resting point, the view is really good.

And then walk on until you reach the top of the silver cliff. There is a pavilion to rest and avoid the sun.


The view is amazing.

It's worth the view.

After resting for a while, I walked back down. When I got there, I told my friend who was waiting, "It's a good thing you didn't come up, or you would have died for sure." 55+


After that, we went to Blue Lagoon for lunch. Grilled chicken, papaya salad, sticky rice. Oh, so delicious!!!

How could you miss out on playing in the water? Go jump in the water with a splash or two, that's enough. 55+

The water is still clear during the rainy season because it hasn't rained. If it did, we wouldn't see this color for sure.

It's really good to come during the low season, there are fewer people.

It's a pity I didn't get to go to Tham Pu Kham, but that's okay. The caves are probably all the same anyway. 55+ Then we headed back to catch the balloon at 4:40 pm, but we took a different route that went through a hill tribe village. The view was vast and beautiful. I managed to capture some of it on camera.

Riding in the car for a long time, I haven't seen any hill tribe people yet, only cows. And the road is bumpy, sometimes bouncing, sometimes falling into potholes. 55+

I arrived at the hotel at around 3 pm and still had time to go for a swim in the hotel pool.


The view of the swimming pool is amazing.


As the time approached, I went to take a shower and get dressed, ready to go up in the balloon. The car arrived at the hotel right on time.


To the hot air balloon launch point, which is different from this morning's.

We're getting the balloon ready. I've never seen anything like it before. Just to let you know, there's no safety equipment or insurance of any kind. All we have is our guts. Are you up for it? 55+

The basket will have a gas tank and a lighter on top. When the officer lights the balloon,

Those who are near the point will be very hot (actually everyone is hot, you know). It's like being burned.

Let's go see the atmosphere up there.

The girl next door

And Bird eye view perspective

And below is the point where we took the balloon.

The path that the bus took, as far as the eye could see.


That's the Song River where we kayaked. I can't believe we kayaked all the way here.

At times, it would fly low, almost hitting the roof of the house. 55+

Upon reaching the destination, the staff will throw a rope down to the ground for someone to pull the balloon down. When exiting the basket, passengers must exit one at a time, and the next passengers to board the balloon will take their place. This process is repeated until everyone has had a turn, in order to maintain the balloon's balance.

And let's take a group photo as a souvenir.

After the new balloon went up, combined with the angle of the sun setting, it was a very beautiful sight.

Then I took a car back to the hotel, found something to eat, and passed out on the bed Zz...

[ DAY 5 : June 22, 2016 ]

I woke up as usual today, no urgent tasks. I had breakfast (I've been eating it for 3 days, it's the same every day, lol). I checked out and waited for the car to pick me up. Vang Vieng Bus Station As I said, I've been in Vang Vieng for several days and it hasn't rained. It started raining on the day I was leaving, so I got soaked on the way to the bus. Lol.

After waiting for the car to leave, I will travel back to Thailand.

Thank you for reading this far. I hope it will be helpful for those who are planning a trip, even if it's just a little.

Some photos are beautiful, some are not, some are edited in different tones, but whatever, haha.

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