Vang Vieng Solo Trip: 3 Days, 3,000 Baht (and Change) This phrase translates to: "A solo trip to Vang Vieng for 3 days with a budget of 3,000 Baht (and some change)."

Vang Vieng: A vacation destination that will leave you wanting more.

Teew Jonwan Lamhod's Facebook Page

Have you ever felt bored and wanted to escape to somewhere new? If not, you should try it at least once. It's not as scary as you might think, and it can broaden your horizons.

Make new friends.

Go on a trip

Be alone with yourself.

Embarking on an adventure that pushes you beyond your comfort zone can be incredibly rewarding. My recent solo trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand, exemplifies this notion. I rented a motorbike, explored the city on foot, and embraced the unexpected challenges that arose along the way. This spontaneous journey proved to be an unforgettable experience.

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Vang Vieng: A Charming Escape in Laos

Vang Vieng, a small town in Laos, offers an irresistible charm that beckons travelers to explore its beauty. From its stunning natural landscapes to its vibrant culture and diverse activities, Vang Vieng promises an unforgettable experience.

This guide delves into the adventures of a solo traveler in Vang Vieng, showcasing the town's captivating essence.

**Essentials for Solo Travelers**

- This tripod is essential because otherwise there will be no photos.

• A dust mask or a regular face mask to protect against dust while driving.

- Lao SIM card. Buy it for 120 baht and use the internet until your return date.

• Waterproof bag

• Raincoat, hat, sunglasses.

• To ensure safety, valuables should be kept concealed when carried on a motorcycle, especially when riding through forested areas, as they may attract unwanted attention.

***Travel

• Direct bus from Udon Thani to Nong Khai to Vientiane

• Take a bus from Nong Khai to Vientiane, then a van to Vang Vieng.

• Bangkok - Vientiane, then take a van.

• From Udon Thani to Vientiane, you can easily take a van and get off at Vientiane, then take a van to your destination.

***Expenses

• Bus fare from Nakhon Phanom to Vientiane is 65 baht one way and 70 baht round trip.

• Bus fare from Vientiane to Vang Vieng: 350 kip one way, 250 kip return.

• Entry fee: 5 baht for entry, 20 baht for exit.

• Fuel top-up 20,000 kip, approximately 80 baht.

• The car rental fee was 40,000 kip, approximately 160 baht for two days.

- The accommodation fee of 100,000 Kip is equivalent to 380 Baht. It is more cost-effective to pay in Kip, as rounding up to 400 Baht would be more expensive. This is especially true for larger groups.

- Entrance fees: 10,000 kip for the waterfall, 10,000 kip for Pha Ngeun, 10,000 kip for the lower Pha Ngeun (name not specified), 5,000 kip for Tham Jang, and 10,000 kip for the Blue Lagoon (not paid).

• The cost of a meal is around 80 baht, but I don't eat many meals because I'm drunk.

***Total 1930

1000 baht for beer, haha, I saved everything for this.

Note 1: My first night's accommodation is free, so I only spent money on beer.

Note 2: 1 Thai Baht is approximately equal to 246 Lao Kip. The exchange rate can be found at banks.

I embarked on my journey from Nong Khai, physically and mentally prepared, with my passport in hand, ready to take on the challenge.

The journey began with a relaxed attitude, opting not to book tickets in advance. Unaware that through-tickets could be booked online, the traveler assumed that, as in the previous year, booking was not possible. However, upon arrival, the tickets were sold out, leading to the realization that an early morning trip to Vientiane was necessary. Despite the delay, the border crossing was顺利, with no major issues encountered. However, as soon as the traveler stepped onto the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, a light drizzle began to fall, catching them off guard. It was unclear whether the rain was related to the Songkran festival, but it nonetheless presented an unexpected challenge.

Upon arriving at the Lao border, we queued up and hurried through. We tried to stay together and quickly stamped our passports before boarding the bus. The entry fee was 5 baht. I then exchanged money and bought a SIM card. This time, I felt rich because I was carrying half a million kip. Haha.

Hello, are you in Vang Vieng? Hello Vientiane, it's still raining here. I traveled by two buses, one from Nong Khai to Vientiane and then a van. Don't worry, there are plenty of vans, but I recommend not paying in Lao kip. If you do, try to pay the exact amount, as Laotians tend to round up even small amounts. I immediately compared it to the Triyang equation, haha. The van fare is 350 Thai baht. The Lao kip exchange rate is approximately 1 Thai baht to 264 kip.

Rushing to explore, I rented a motorbike without even putting down my bags. The rental cost 40,000 kip, roughly 160 baht. I tried to bargain, of course, and found a good shop to deal with.

Since I arrived late, I had limited time to explore. I headed straight to Pha Ngern, but along the way, I witnessed the local way of life. I stopped as I saw children leaving school – a truly classic sight.

The journey to Pha Ngern is not difficult. Follow the same route as the Blue Lagoon and you will see a sign for a left turn. Once you reach the turn, pay the entrance fee of 10,000 kip and start your hike. The hike is not short, and it can be quite tiring. However, the view from the top is worth it. Unfortunately, my long hike to the top was cut short by a sudden downpour and loud thunder. Imagine being alone on a mountaintop during a rainstorm. I had no choice but to run down the mountain as fast as I could, forgetting all about my exhaustion.

Running down here is a life-threatening experience. Don't be surprised to see people holding their phones at every location I visit; I set up my camera to take pictures everywhere I go, haha. After all, I've come a long way to get here. But it's worth it to come up here. The view is amazing, probably the highest in Vang Vieng. It's normal for unlucky people to have this kind of travel experience.

The heavy rain prevented me from returning downstairs. I waited for a long time, but it didn't stop. I had no choice but to brave the storm and return, getting soaked like a drowned puppy.

How are you, Rain?

After returning the motorbike, I went looking for accommodation. Luckily, I ran into some colleagues from work. Coincidentally, they didn't have accommodation either, so they invited me to stay with them. Of course, I accepted.

This is the accommodation where my seniors stayed. Until now, I haven't paid for their accommodation yet, haha. I have to thank Blue, Ton, Boy, and Yui for making my first night in Vang Vieng not lonely, and even drunk. The Song River at night is another beautiful thing, because the light reflecting on the water is a perfect match.

After saying goodbye to my friends who were returning home that day, I set off on my own as usual. With a wide range of options available, from organized tours to motorbike rentals, I deliberated for a while before deciding to rent a motorbike and visit Tad Kaeng Yui Waterfall. The ride took me to the other side of Vang Vieng, a distance of 7 kilometers. However, the road conditions were treacherous, with loose gravel and potholes that could easily cause a fall and serious injuries. As I was riding alone, I felt a bit apprehensive, but I imagined that the road would be much more lively during the rainy season when the water levels are higher.

The entrance fee is 10,000 kip. I traveled a long way, but the waterfall was not flowing as I had hoped. Oh no, I'm unlucky again! There is very little water in the waterfall. I will definitely come back and try again.

If there is water, it must be very beautiful because it has many levels. But if you love me, come and see me. What are you playing at? See you again at Tad Gaeng Yui Waterfall.

Next, we headed to the other side, which is Tham Chang Cave. This cave has many highlights, including the orange bridge, the cave entrance with its blue lagoon water, and the stalactites inside the cave.

You want a picture? Don't be shy when setting up the camera, just pose naturally as if someone is taking it for you. This cave is very easy to get to, the entrance fee is 5000 kip. Let's go, what are you waiting for?

This is the atmosphere inside and around the cave. It's a must-see for anyone visiting the area. It's incredibly beautiful!

After visiting Tham Luang Cave, I immediately headed to the main attraction, the Blue Lagoon. On the way, I crossed the Song River Bridge. While large vehicles were charged a toll, motorcycles like mine were not. As soon as I crossed the bridge, I had to find a place to park and run to take a quick picture. The view was breathtaking, but I had to hurry to reach the Blue Lagoon. I needed to find a good moment when there were no cars, otherwise I would obstruct traffic.

As mentioned above, the lifestyle here is very charming. They still live their lives normally even though their homes have become popular tourist destinations. On the contrary, they are good hosts and welcome visitors warmly.

Driving along the same route as yesterday, capturing the scenery and snapping selfies. This, I must say, is the epitome of true slow living.

After driving around lost for a while, I finally arrived at the Blue Lagoon. The entrance fee was 10,000 baht, but I didn't have to pay. Maybe they didn't see me, or maybe it was just too late. After parking the car, I was shocked. Not by the view, but by the sheer number of people. It was packed! At first glance, it didn't seem very high, and I thought the same thing.

The water is a beautiful blue lagoon, even with the cloudy sky. The color is still amazing, and there are a lot of people here. I'm wondering how I can get a picture with fewer people. I'll wait and see. While I was waiting, I was lucky enough to meet a group of seniors from Mukdahan University. At first, I thought they were younger students because they looked so young. But as we talked, I realized they were my seniors. We all had to wait, so we opened some beers. Haha! If you guys are reading this, I want to thank you for talking to me. Haha!

The answer is to wait. Wait until the last group returns in the evening, and it will be worth it. I got photos that not many people have. I'm so happy now. Let's take some photos!

I initially thought it wasn't that high, but once I climbed up, it was incredibly high. You can clearly see in the video that I crouched down because my legs were shaking.

However, there were no more tables available. This was my second night drinking beer with my friend Bank, a hotel employee. It was a complete coincidence that we met. Without him, we wouldn't have gotten a table at Sakura Bar. Cheers!

On my way back to my accommodation, the light evening mist was so beautiful that I couldn't resist taking a picture.

As you can see, this is the charm of Vang Vieng. It has a classic feel to it, adapting but not changing from its original form.

Exhausted from sightseeing, I returned to my hotel. As an avid traveler, I couldn't miss the Sakura Bar, conveniently located right across the street. After a few drinks, I stumbled back to my room, feeling pleasantly tipsy. The room cost 100,000 kip, roughly 380 baht, but the friendly Lao owner rounded it down to 400. The hotel, Aang Vieng Boutique Hotel, provided excellent service, even arranging a van for me. After a quick shower, I headed out again, and the night blurred into a haze until 10 am. The Sakura Bar truly lived up to its reputation, offering an unforgettable experience.

The last day has arrived. Due to my leisurely pace, I booked a van back to Vientiane for 1:30 PM at a cost of 250 baht. After making the reservation, I went for a walk. Kayaking is one activity that I deeply regret missing. I'll make sure to do it next time. This time, I missed it because I opted to visit Ha Waterfall. Let's take a leisurely stroll and pass the time.

Following a path, I found myself in the middle of a rice field. I noticed short plants with red flags, which piqued my curiosity. I followed the signs and crossed the Mae Song River bridge, continuing straight ahead. The hill I was aiming for was clearly visible.

As usual, I was the only one on the mountain. Wow, the view is amazing! It's an easy walk and takes only a short time to reach the top. The entrance fee is 10,000 kip. If you want a great view without a long walk or climb, this is the place for you.

She's so beautiful, I want to take her home. Just kidding! I was holding my phone to take a picture of myself. It's so hot today, unlike yesterday.

After packing up, I got on the bus. After a while, I heard a loud screech of brakes. It wasn't good, haha. The driver shouted, "The tire is flat!" I got off the bus and went for a walk while waiting. I came across some Lao people selling forest products by the side of the road. This is the charm of Laos. It's truly fascinating.

The journey was plagued by misfortune, with flat tires occurring repeatedly until the very end. The constant need to change tires became a recurring theme throughout the trip.

I soon arrived in Vientiane and walked to the morning market to catch a bus back to Nong Khai for 70 baht. This marked the end of my journey, which was incredibly enjoyable. I have a newfound appreciation for myself and a deeper understanding of who I am. Most importantly, my world has expanded significantly. I returned home with a positive attitude and a fresh perspective. As you can see, solo travel can be incredibly beneficial. Give it a try, and you might just fall in love with it. To those who have read this far, thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope you find it helpful. Thank you!