4 Days 3 Nights in Vang Vieng - Vientiane: A Super Chill City with Million Dollar Views

Vang Vieng: A laid-back town with million-dollar views.

Hello, Vang Vieng

If we are weary, let us walk into the forest.

At least I don't have to meet.

You heartless person... Here comes the song, lol. 555

Let's take a backpack trip and relax during the long Buddhist Lent holiday.

Let's take a slow-paced approach to reviewing this.

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Embark on a journey

Day 1: July 25, 2018

We departed by plane from Don Mueang Airport to Udon Thani Airport.

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We got round-trip tickets for a little over a thousand baht. We arrived in Udon Thani at 7:15 AM.

There are several ways to travel to Vang Vieng, including:

Take a bus from Udon Thani to Vang Vieng.

2. Take a bus or van to Vientiane, then transfer to a van, tuk-tuk, or bus to Vang Vieng.

3. Or you can hitch a ride with someone, haha.

Upon arriving at Udon Thani Bus Terminal, we immediately headed to the ticket booth in the orange building. We inquired about a bus to Vang Vieng.

The staff member said, "It's full." Oh no, what should we do? Plan change!

We need to take a bus to Vientiane.

We immediately rushed to buy tickets to Vientiane. We got the 8:00 AM slot.

After purchasing the tickets, I headed to 7-Eleven to stock up on snacks for the journey and in case I couldn't find food after crossing the border. Instant noodles, of course, are the easiest option.

Our breakfast

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The bus departed for the Nong Khai checkpoint to cross the border into Laos. The bus staff provided us with border crossing documents to fill out in advance to save time. The journey took approximately 30-45 minutes to reach the checkpoint.

Upon arrival at the checkpoint, have your passport and border pass ready. Disembark and purchase a One Day Ticket (5 baht on weekdays, 50 baht on weekends).

To obtain a stamp in your passport, please join the queue. Once completed, proceed straight to collect your One Day Ticket. Insert the ticket into the slot, similar to entering a BTS station.

Walk back to the original car to go to the immigration checkpoint.

Disembark and proceed to the queue for facial scan and passport stamping. It is recommended for Thai nationals to use the automated channel, which is faster. Staff will be available to assist.

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After passing through customs, you can use the restroom, exchange currency, or purchase a SIM card at this location.

The tour bus we were on dropped us off at this point to transfer to Vang Vieng. The staff contacted a van for us and told us it was 400 baht per person. We agreed (not knowing if it was a good price). We unloaded our luggage and moved to the van.

We asked the driver to buy us a SIM card because we were addicted to social media. We bought a SIM card and topped it up for 80 baht.

After finishing, we returned to the van to continue our journey. However, when the van started moving, the driver told us to switch to a songthaew. We were confused. Was this a scam? We started to get frustrated.

The driver said the van will wait at the gas station ahead. Huh? Why do we have to wait there?

Upon arriving at the gas station, I saw a bus. I thought to myself, "Where is the van?" I wondered when I would arrive in Vang Vieng.

Alright, at this point, 400 baht for a bus ride isn't bad. It's a bit spacious (consoling myself).

Recommendation:

If you are taking a bus to Vientiane to transfer to another bus, it is recommended to get off at the Morning Market or Vientiane Bus Station. This will allow you to get a cheaper price.

However, if you are not concerned about saving money or convenience and are willing to pay a premium, that is your prerogative.

Fell asleep on the long car ride. zzZZ

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The journey takes approximately 1 to 1.30 hours, with a 30-minute stop for a meal and restroom break.

This is my first meal in Laos. 555 Roasted pork is amazing!

We'll be there in about 2-3 hours.

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It rained the whole way, making for a thoroughly soaked journey.

We have arrived. You may wake up now.

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Upon arrival at Vang Vieng Bus Station, it is advisable to purchase your return ticket immediately to avoid potential unavailability.

The staff will ask us what day we will return and where we will stay last, so that the car can pick us up at the accommodation.

The return ticket costs 200 baht. We returned to Vientiane in the same car as before. Hmm!

Why is it half the price of the outbound flight? I just realized I've been scammed. T_T But it's okay, haha.

Upon purchasing our tickets, a complimentary shuttle service was offered to transport us to Vang Vieng town. While the distance was walkable, we opted for the convenient free ride, especially as a light drizzle had begun. Alternatively, passengers could choose to support local residents by taking a taxi at their own expense.

The car dropped us off at the designated parking spot, and we then walked to our pre-booked accommodation.

We have arrived at our first accommodation, Nice View Guesthouse, which costs 840 baht. We booked it through a website.

Check in, leave your belongings, and relax at your leisure.

The atmosphere in front of our accommodation tonight

Admire the view, take photos, rest, and listen to the incessant sound of falling rain.

As the rain subsided, it was exactly six o'clock in the evening. Feeling hungry, we decided to take a stroll in the alley near our accommodation to find something to eat. We also bought raincoats and sandals, as we hadn't brought any with us.

Most shops here are open from the evening until midnight. Today, it is raining and the tourists are not as lively as usual. We are the only ones wearing raincoats and holding umbrellas to walk in the rain. 555

After a long walk, we finally found some food. (We were starving!)

After a satisfying meal, let's rest and listen to the soothing sounds of the rain together.

Sweet dreams. zzZZ

Day 2: July 26, 2018

Waking up early to walk through the Vang Vieng morning market, located right in front of our accommodation. It's a market where locals sell their own goods.

And there are monks walking for alms. It's still raining today.

Morning market atmosphere in Vang Vieng.

This morning, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast of "khao piak" (rice porridge) with fish maw and fried buns. We finished off with a hot cup of Ovaltine at our accommodation.

I apologize if my review is not up to par. Please forgive any errors.

Next stop, please wait.

Let's continue.

After a satisfying meal, we discussed our sightseeing plans for the day. Due to the rain, we decided to hire a car and visit only the specific locations we were interested in photographing.

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We inquired about car rentals from the staff at our accommodation. The staff were very kind and helped us negotiate a price.

Arrange for the pre-booked tuk-tuk to pick you up at your accommodation.

Scenic View Along the Way

The main places we visited were...

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• Orange Bridge

• We did not climb the steep stairs to the Tham Chang cave.

• Blue Lagoon with its stunning turquoise waters (as seen in reviews).

On the way back

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The water should actually be green and blue, but it's cloudy like this because of the rain. Haha. After walking around and taking some photos, we got ready to go back.

The driver took us on a tour himself.

The kind uncle told us that we could ask him to stop anywhere we wanted.

The tuk-tuk driver suggested we go to "Blue Lagoon 3," but the road was rough and far. He asked for an additional 400 baht, but we negotiated it down to 300 baht. He agreed.

We agreed to go, but I wondered if it would be worth it.

After a short ride, the breathtaking natural scenery along the way left me in awe. It was truly an unforgettable experience.

We stopped to take pictures along the way because it was truly beautiful.

The distance is quite far, and the road is indeed rocky, earthen, and rough, just as your uncle described.

It's definitely worth more than the 400 baht that the uncle asked for. I'm so happy, haha.

The view before entering the Blue Lagoon is truly breathtaking, like a million-dollar vista.

Upon arrival, we disembarked from the vehicle. The view and atmosphere were truly breathtaking.

The water was green. It was drizzling when we went, making for a truly natural experience.

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We arrived around noon and were already feeling hungry.

It's time to grab a bite to eat, isn't it? 555

There is a restaurant here that sells made-to-order dishes, so we stopped by to look at the menu.

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The dishes available for tasting include Pad Kra Pao with pork, chicken, and Lao papaya salad.

Damage cost 270 baht (not including beer).

We were so hungry that we ordered a lot of food, but we couldn't finish it all. Haha.

We sat and enjoyed the view, taking photos. However, we didn't swim because we didn't bring a change of clothes. The place wasn't crowded, mostly with Korean tourists, some Thai people, and Westerners. We really liked it here; it was truly amazing. We sat there watching handsome Korean guys. They were really good-looking! 555

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After enjoying the atmosphere for a while, it was time to [return to get the items left at the accommodation to check in for the second night. For us, it was really worth it. It was a lot of fun (it would have been even more fun if we could have played in the water)].

On the way, we had a thrilling encounter with a gang of adventurers driving by. However, we were splattered with mud! Oh well, orange mud, haha.

"On the way to each destination, we can ask the uncle to stop and take pictures as needed. If anyone is interested in renting a tuk-tuk for sightseeing, please feel free to contact us."

Name: Uncle Boon, Phone: 02055689184

The kind uncle took us on a non-touristic trip, which we planned ourselves.

"Our initial plan was to purchase a one-day tour package, allowing a guide to lead us to the designated locations. However, due to the persistent rainfall throughout the day, we decided to change our approach. We agreed among ourselves to rent a car and explore independently, which offered greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness. This approach allowed us to linger at scenic spots for extended periods, indulging our artistic inclinations. We encourage others to consider this option, especially if they share our love for spontaneous exploration. Alternatively, if the weather permits, motorbike enthusiasts might enjoy a leisurely ride through the picturesque landscape."

Upon returning to our accommodation to retrieve our belongings, we politely requested the kind uncle to drop us off at our lodging for the second night. Despite the short distance, easily walkable, the generous uncle agreed to our request.

To be continued...

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EN: On the way

Here it is, the final chapter.

Check in at Malay Great House, which we booked online for 1200 baht per night for 3 people.

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Check in, change clothes, and relax at your leisure. Get ready for tonight's adventure...

After a good rest, let's go out and find something to eat.

We stopped by a coffee shop called Prince Coffee and ordered different drinks: iced cocoa, iced espresso, and pineapple milk smoothie.

After relaxing for a while, we had the idea to go take photos at "Wiang Tara".

We walked 1.2 km from the shop (round trip took 1 hour).
Let's walk together, in the same direction as the Blue Lagoon, across the Song River Bridge. I wish we had stopped by in the morning. T_T

Upon arrival, a sign read "Guests Only." Despite the distance traveled, we inquired about lodging and requested permission to take a brief photograph.

If I have the opportunity, I will definitely stay here again. The atmosphere is amazing.

And then walk back the same way, let's exercise, haha.

We walked past the walking street, but we didn't stop because it wasn't open yet. We arrived early.

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The Sakura Bar is not yet open. It opens at 7:30 PM.

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Let's head back to our accommodation first. We still have instant noodles left that we brought along. 555
Sipping hot water, enjoying the atmosphere of the pouring rain.

After filling our stomachs, we sat around waiting for the time to go and try Lao beer tonight...
When the time came, we went out to Sakura Bar and bought a bottle of Lao beer each to try. The damage was 80 baht per person.

The taste is similar to Chang beer in Thailand. This place is like a chill-out bar in our country. There are many tourists who come here to visit. Between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, there will be free beer for us to drink. We picked up a glass to try it, but it didn't taste good. 555 So we ended up with Lao beer as usual.

This venue features a central stage where tourists can dance. At night, the stage is packed with people, and some even throw Kip banknotes. We're not sure if this is a local custom or not.

After sitting for a while, we decided to return to our accommodation due to stomach pain and sore feet. We showered and went to bed.

Tomorrow, prepare to wake up early to make merit at the temple for Asalha Puja Day.

Sweet dreams tonight.

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Day 3: July 27, 2018

Waking up early to prepare for making merit at a temple near the accommodation. It is within walking distance.

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We purchased dry goods. The act of offering food to monks is similar to our own traditions.

However, today's offering includes dry food.

Approximately between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

We are done packing, so let's head back. We have a car scheduled to pick us up at our accommodation at 9:30 AM.

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Let's go to the bus station to catch the bus back to Vientiane.

After returning from the temple, we had breakfast at the accommodation.

Our menu allows you to choose your desired dishes (a menu is provided).

The menu we chose is:

- The egg sandwich was delicious. The bread was soft and the fried egg didn't have a fishy smell.
- The scrambled eggs were also delicious and looked appetizing.
- There were two fried eggs.
- There was also a piece of bread for each person, but I didn't eat mine. There was also tea, coffee, and fruit available.

After finishing our meal, we packed our belongings and waited for the car to pick us up.
It was time to hit the road again. We had a long drive ahead of us, about 4 hours. We slept most of the way.
We woke up intermittently and finally arrived in Vientiane. We felt that the return trip was faster than the trip there. 555

After getting off the bus, we started looking for a place to stay. We had actually already booked accommodation, but we suddenly felt like changing it. As we walked around looking for options, we started feeling the need to use the restroom, so we stopped by a coffee shop first...

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We each ordered a drink, asked the shop owner where the restroom was, and then continued walking to find our accommodation.
As we walked, we still couldn't find a place we liked... We were starting to get hungry!
Let's stop for some noodles... shall we?

Full and satisfied, we continued our search for accommodation. After some deliberation, we decided to check out the place we had booked in advance.

We walked to a guesthouse called New Laos Paris. When we arrived, we felt a sense of unease.

Why is there no one here? I walked inside and there were only two employees.

The service was completely unprepared, as evidenced by the lack of basic amenities. While we were aware that the facilities were somewhat outdated based on reviews, we were not anticipating such a significant level of deterioration.

We thought the exterior might look old, but the room might be okay since we're just sleeping there.
Checked in and paid. "The staff said they would bring us towels."

My heart sank as I realized the towel was missing from the bathroom. I tried to convince myself that it was nothing, but a nagging feeling of unease wouldn't leave me.

Upon entering the room with the key provided by the group member, the occupants were met with a shocking sight. The room's condition was far from the depiction in the sales photos. It was exceedingly dilapidated, raising concerns about both safety and hygiene. Exposed electrical wires posed a significant hazard, further adding to the occupants' dismay.

We agreed to find a new place, so we went down to ask the staff why it didn't look like the picture they posted. The staff replied that the room we were supposed to get was closed for renovation, so they gave us this room instead.

We expressed our concern about the safety of the situation and requested a cancellation. The staff informed us that a 50% cancellation fee would apply. We decided to find a safer alternative and informed the staff of our decision. They apologized for the inconvenience.

We did not take pictures of the room because we were not thinking straight. We were very upset. After leaving the hotel, we searched for new accommodation and walked around looking for it.

Found accommodation called Mixok Inn for 840 baht including breakfast for 3 people. The room is decent. Let's stay here tonight.

Check in, settle in, and relax before deciding what to do next (because the initial disappointment dampened the mood).
After a short nap, it was time to go out for a walk and take some photos.

After taking photos for about an hour, we walked back to our accommodation to prepare for the candlelight procession at the temple opposite our accommodation (I forgot the name of the temple, haha).

After completing the candlelit procession, we returned to our accommodation, showered, and relaxed. May you have a good night's sleep.

Day 4 (July 28, 2018)

We woke up early as usual today, showered, packed our things, and went downstairs for breakfast.

We left our belongings with the staff before heading out to take photos.

Let's begin today...

Sri Sa Ket Museum

Strolling and taking photos.

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The Emerald Buddha Temple Museum

Strolling and taking photos along the way, passing by the morning market and Vientiane Bus Station.

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We decided to ask about the bus schedule back to Udon Thani. There were many buses available, so we booked the 11:30 AM bus. However, we realized we had forgotten our passports. Fortunately, we still had plenty of time.

We walked to the Sai Gate.

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After finishing taking photos, we hired a skylab car to go back and get our belongings. We then returned to the Vientiane Bus Terminal to board our bus. We had booked a ticket for the 11:30 AM bus, but it arrived at almost 12:00 PM.

**Vientiane, for us, is a crowded capital city with lots of traffic and a somewhat chaotic atmosphere. Children and adults often approach asking for money, similar to beggars in our home country. We found several aspects of the city to be less than ideal.**

After boarding the bus and heading to the checkpoint, we purchased a One Day Ticket for 50 baht (valid on Saturdays and Sundays) at the checkpoint.
We queued to have our passports stamped and then walked over to insert our One Day Tickets to board the waiting bus.

Upon arrival, the bus will stop at the immigration checkpoint. Passengers should disembark with their luggage and proceed to the passport stamping queue. After passport control, passengers will have their luggage inspected by officials. Once cleared, passengers can board the bus to continue their journey.

Translation:

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Done, traveling to Udon Thani next.

This trip to Vang Vieng was truly memorable for us. We were captivated by the atmosphere, the people, and the tourists. We believe Vang Vieng possesses a unique charm that sets it apart from other destinations. If given the opportunity, we would definitely return for another visit.

This journey would not have been possible without the immense gratitude I extend to myself and my fellow travelers. Despite encountering a few setbacks, we found joy in every step of our adventure. The path we traversed presented us with countless experiences, and the beauty of the destination paled in comparison to the richness of the journey itself. It is the stories we create along the way that truly matter. : )

See you again on our next trip.

Goodbye...

Love : )
Miss Patcharaon
01.08.2018

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