Visit Vang Vieng Sustainably & On a Budget
My first visit to Laos, and Vang Vieng, was back in 2016 doing some serious budget travel in Asia with my cousin. Although I always cared about the environment and having genuine cultural experiences, our agenda resembled the “pack in as much as we can” style. Fast forward nine years to when Kyle and I spent a month in Laos in February of 2025, and it was all about sustainable travel and responsible tourism.
If you’re thinking about travelling to Laos, I highly recommend you spend some time visiting Vang Vieng sustainably. As digital nomads who have spent time in many destinations in Asia, we can tell you that this is one of the best places to visit in Laos. And, we can help you implement some eco-friendly practices into your trip, even if you’re on budget. We hope you enjoy the following Vang Vieng travel guide!
Jump Ahead:
Green Accommodations in Vang Vieng
Sustainable Transportation Options
Low-Impact Adventure Activities
To Keep in Mind When You Visit Vang Vieng Sustainably
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why you should go Backpacking in Laos
When it comes to backpacking in Asia, almost every avid traveller I know has been to Thailand, with Vietnam being a close second. But when given time constraints and the inability for slow travel, most skip out on Laos and Cambodia. I consider this to be a mistake. We’ll get to Cambodia in another article, but let’s discuss why we think the things to do in Vang Vieng make it worth visiting (sustainably, of course!)
First, when visiting more off-the-beaten-path destinations, we avoid over-tourism, which can cause harm to the environment and the economy. Although Laos welcomed almost four million tourists in 2024, Thailand received a whopping 35 million! If you’re looking to get away from the crowds and experience some genuine ecotourism in Southeast Asia, Laos is the place.
Second, Laos offers a great mix of adventure tourism, opportunities for cultural immersion, and is very budget-friendly. These reasons alone make Laos one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia. If you have the time we’d recommend slowing your travel down in Laos to allow for deeper connections with destinations.
With responsible travel practices, eco-friendly tourism in Laos is very possible. Keep reading for tips on how you can visit Vang Vieng sustainably and economically.
transportation to vang vieng
Whether you arrived by air to Vientiane, or by slow boat or bus to Luang Prabang, getting to Vang Vieng is fairly easy and economical. Make sure you check the Laos visa requirements specific to your citizenship before you book any travel!
Train
We were travelling from the capital city of Vientiane, and opted to take the relatively new Laos Railway train, as it was faster than the bus. Unfortunately, you either have to buy the tickets at the railway station itself, or by using a third-party provider like 12Go. There are others out there, but this is the one that we used and found that they offered the best prices. Tickets range from approximately $15-$28, depending on the class of seating and whether the ticket includes a van/taxi to your accommodation.
We did find one place to buy physical train tickets in Luang Prabang here, but you couldn’t do so until two days before your travel. When we travelled from there to Vientiane, we decided it was worth paying the extra dollar or two service charge to 12Go than worry about getting the train time we wanted and spending the hour or more going to the kiosk. The train ride takes about one hour either way and is very scenic from Vientiane – if you’re coming from Luang Prabang you will spend most of the ride in tunnels.
bus, Shared Vans, & Taxis
12Go also provides tickets for other kinds of transportation like buses, shared vans, and taxis. Prices range from $7-$89 depending on what type of transport you want and how luxurious and/or door-to-door you want it to be. Keep in mind that since they are a third-party site, each ride is carried out by a different company, so it would be wise to read individual reviews if you’re worried about comfort or timeliness. The drive will take on average around six hours from Luang Prabang and two hours from Vientiane, depending on the transport type you choose. I highly recommend making sure your ride has air conditioning.
Affordable Eco-Friendly Accommodations In Vang Vieng
Undoubtedly, where you choose to stay can have an impact on how sustainable your trip is. Opting for accommodations that already employ sustainable practices encourages the tourism industry of the area to follow suit. Staying near the activities in which you hope to partake will cut down your need for transportation aside from your feet. Choosing somewhere more remote helps alleviate congestion in the center and can offer you a relaxing connection with nature.
You could hop over to our article “How to Choose Sustainable Accommodations” for some tips about choosing lodgings in and around Vang Vieng that prioritize sustainability, OR, you could consider one of these options we’ve already vetted for you.
Silver Naga Hotel
Starting at $65 a night, this eco-friendly accommodation includes buffet breakfast, with yoga classes on site for an extra fee. Reviewers rave about the pool and terrace with river and mountain views. Although not super-low budget for Laos, the amenities, free breakfast, proximity to town, and location right on the Nam Song River are well worth it. You can find this eco-certified sustainable accommodation here on hotels.com.
Sanctuary Nam Ngum Beach Resort
If staying in a more remote and tranquil area sounds heavenly, this eco-certified sanctuary may be for you. Kyle and I contemplated staying here, but in the end decided we wanted to be closer to town. Starting at $51 for superior bungalow, this one is a little friendlier on the wallet than Silver Naga. The amenities include a pool, restaurant, and free bikes for guests to use. But the real star is the location right on the water of the Nam Ngum Reservoir. The resort is a fifty minute drive from town, so you want to factor that into your decision making.
Vang Vieng Savanh Sunset view resort
Even though this hotel doesn’t have any eco-certifications (to our knowledge), this is how we chose to visit Vang Vieng sustainably on a budget. We then employed our own practices to make any accommodation more eco-friendly. The prices were very modest, starting at just $25 a night for a room with a balcony overlooking the pool. A fairly good breakfast was included in the already stellar price, and they had scooters on site to rent for $7 a day. Savanh Sunset View Resort was close enough to the centre at about twenty minutes walk, but far enough to be quiet at night.
Amari Vang Vieng
Not so worried about cost, or just want to throw the backpacker budget out the window for a couple of nights? This eco-certified accommodation is the best bang for your buck. Starting at $95 a night, this smoke-free, green hotel offers an absolutely incredible pool with swim up bar and a gym. Guests gush about the views and recommend booking a room with a riverside balcony, which will also overlook the pool. Treat yourself for once and visit Vang Vieng sustainably at Amari Vang Vieng!
Aiming for even more low-budget? Solo and looking for something more sociable? There are a plethora of hostels in Vang Vieng. On hotels.com you can filter the property type for “hostel/backpacker accommodation”, but at the time of publishing there weren’t any eco-certified hostels to be found. Hostelworld allows you to filter to “sustainable hostels,” and you can also use the “hostels” filter on Trip.com. The lowest price we saw when investigating was $7 a night for a bed in a mixed dorm.
Best local eateries in Vang Vieng
Whether you’re after authentic Laos cuisine or something more familiar to your palate, you can find it in Vang Vieng – even on a budget! To visit Vang Vieng sustainably, opt for restaurants that are family owned and operated, use locally sourced ingredients, and offer genuine experiences.
Kapphets Vegan Restaurant
We ate at this 100% vegan restaurant three times during our ten days in Vang Vieng. The first time we visited, we met the owner, who sat and chatted with us for a while. Turns out he lived in Canada for quite some time before moving back to Laos to start a family! He told us that all of their ingredients were locally sourced, and when our food arrived we could tell how freshly made everything was. I tried a bite of Kyle’s veggie burger and the bun was to die for! I decided I would get one the next time, even though I am wheat-intolerant. The average dish was approximately $US3.50, and at roughly US$4, the burger was well worth it.
Organic Farm Restaurant
Kyle and I stopped at this place right on the river near the end of our biking adventure, which you can read about below. The location was a little far from Vang Vieng centre, but well worth the tranquility and river views. Even though it was only 8:00am, I couldn’t resist trying a $2 glass of their wine made from organic mulberries grown onsite. We also shared a baguette with homemade goat cheese, which was delicious. But, the three little puppies there definitely stole the show.
MittaPhap Restaurant at Sae Lao Project
The mission of the Sae Loa Project is “to provide a holistic model for sustainable development in order to manage natural resources in an efficient, effective, and equitable manner.” They have a small organic farm, a community centre that provides daily English classes, and a volunteer project for international visitors. All proceeds from the restaurant are used to pay staff wages, fund new projects on site, and help continue English classes. Therefore, dining at MittaPhap is an excellent way to support sustainability in the community. Since it’s right beside Blue Lagoon 1, you can easily work it into your itinerary when you visit the lagoons for some swimming as Kyle and I did. Find out more about the Blue Lagoons below.
Buy fresh produce at the market
Nothing says sustainable like purchasing fresh produce grown in the region from a local market vendor. Kyle and I did this so that we could snack on fresh fruit during the day and make healthy salads for dinners at the hotel. *Hot tip – pack some reusable containers or bags and cutlery to do this anywhere. Plus, this makes it really easy to visit Vang Vieng on a budget!
How to travel sustainably in Vang Vieng on a budget
There are many options for getting around Vang Vieng once you’ve arrived and settled in. Here are some different ways you can navigate sustainably using public transportation to visit Vang Vieng.
- Use your feet! – Our very best Vang Vieng budget travel tip is to walk, everywhere. The centre is small and quite walkable. Nothing says thrifty travel like no-cost transport.
- Rent a bicycle – There were many places to rent bikes, so finding a shop that has what you need at a price you want is easy. We paid under $3 for a whole day for each bike.
- Take a shared tuk-tuk truck – There are many that will start in the centre and go to all of the big tourist spots around town. Just listen for the place you want being called out or check out the sign on the truck. Sharing rides is a great local transit option to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Rent a scooter – If you want to hit multiple sites in one day, this is likely the most time-saving and economical way to do so. Scooters are very fuel-efficient and cost between $5-$10 a day in Vang Vieng. Make sure you get a helmet and ride responsibly!
Top sustainable budget adventure activities in Vang Vieng
Focusing on sustainability means seeking experiences that conserve the environment and support local communities. There are plenty of opportunities for adventure tourism, and engaging with local traditions and communities. We hope the following information helps you create a budget-friendly itinerary for eco-conscious travel in Vang Vieng.
Hiking & Leave No Trace principles
Whether you want something short, long, challenging, easy, or you’re searching for a view, you can find it in Vang Vieng! Hiking is one of the best activities to do while travelling on a budget. We did three hikes during our ten days in Vang Vieng:
Pha Nguen Trail
Behind and above the popular Pha Ngern Silver Cliff Viewpoint, this hike offered two amazing viewpoints over the surrounding fields with few people. The trailhead is only about three kilometres from town, so you could walk there, as Kyle and I did. The trail itself was under three kilometres return, but don’t underestimate this steep climb. On Google maps the trailhead is marked as Pha Nguen Trailhead. On AllTrails it is called Silver Cliff Upper and Lower Viewpoint Trail.
Phaphoungkham viewpoints
Kyle and I rented a scooter one day so we could hit a few different spots outside of town, this being one of them. There are two viewpoints on this hike, but you will need to descend a little from the first to hit the second. At the top of one is an old airplane that you can actually climb into for a photo, and the other hosts a large Pegasus statue. There are also some caves that you can visit if you have the time. Both viewpoints clocked me at just one kilometre in length, but once again, the climbs make it feel like more! On Google maps the trailhead is marked as Phaphoungkham Cave and Viewpoint.
Nam Xay Viewpoint
Although it was the busiest, this was probably my favourite hike of the three for the views and the trail itself. The last leg of the climb was like a jungle gym for adults, with ladders and ropes helping trekkers reach the top. The trail was about one kilometre return, but trust me when I say you’ll still work up a sweat! We did this on the same day that we visited the Blue Lagoon and the Phaphoungkham viewpoints. You can find this hike easily on Google maps as well.
Some other hikes that I looked into but we didn’t have the time for were: Num Bor Keo Cave hike, and the Snail Cave, Water Cave, and Elephant Cave Loop. Note that most (if not all) hikes will have a nominal entrance fee (around $2 per person.) Remember that visiting Vang Vieng’s natural attractions responsibly involves practicing the Leave No Trace Principles!
Hot Air Balloon Viewing
Nothing says thrifty like a no-cost activity! Every morning and evening around sunrise and sunset, dozens of hot air balloons take off over the town. Heading out to watch them float past the beautiful mountain backdrop is one of the best budget-friendly things to do in Vang Vieng. Kyle and I went to take in the show a few times, and here are my recommended spots for viewing:
- Any of the bridges in town over the Nam Song River will offer great views of the balloons and the water simultaneously.
- Zai Lao Rooftop Restaurant is on the top floor of a hotel and offers fantastic views of the balloons with the mountains in the background. We arrived about half an hour before sunset and were the only ones there. The food wasn’t anything to rave about, but why not grab a drink while you take it all in?
- If you want to watch the balloons getting set up, inflated, and the take off, you can head over to this spot. But be sure to arrive at least an hour before sunset or you’ll be too late!
Renting bicycles to explore beyond town
One of my favourite adventure activities that we in Vang Vieng was an early morning 25 kilometre bike ride. As mentioned, we rented bikes for about $4 each, picking them up in the late afternoon so we could leave by sunrise the next day. I had found this recording on AllTrails that seemed doable, so we thought we’d give it a shot. We planned on cutting out all the little offshoots of the map to shorten the ride, as we had also read that the waterfalls were closed at the time anyway.
The first 45 minutes or so of the ride was on a nice, paved road through rice field and past homes. It was very picturesque. Once we reached to fork to turn left to continue the loop away from the waterfalls, the “road” became more of a rocky dirt lane with some gentle hills. Needless to say, we ended up walking some of it.
*Hot tip – if you plan to do this loop, make sure the bike you rent has a FULL set of working gears! Even though it wasn’t easy going, this part of the experience was by far my favourite in terms of views and feeling like we were seeing a little bit of the “real” countryside.
If this seems a little too adventurous for you, there are plenty of other places to ride your bike. Perhaps you might use it to take you to one of the following other economical activities.
Other Sustainable & Budget-Friendly Activities in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng has fully embraced adventure tourism, taking advantage of their hidden gems to cater to outdoorsy types.
- Visit Vang Vieng sustainably on foot – explore the temples, cute cafes, bars and restaurants. Don’t forget to cross the river as there are some good finds on the other side (not to mention the numerous bridges are all very special and unique in their own right.)
- Blue Lagoons 1, 2, and 3 – Blue Lagoon 1 is the closest to town and probably the most popular. If you’re feeling energetic, you could bike there to make your commute more green. I had already visited in 2016, so Kyle and I chose Blue Lagoon 3 based on reviews. We combined this with two of our hikes when we rented a scooter to be more economical and cut down our vehicle use to just one day out of ten.
- Caves – there are so many caves to explore that you might have a hard time choosing. We didn’t visit any of the major ones as we prioritized other activities, but some of the most popular ones are Tham Chang Cave, Tham Phu Kham Cave, and Num Bor Keo Cave.
- Kayaking – another super eco-friendly recreational activity in Vang Vieng is kayaking. This is a great Vang Vieng tubing alternative if you’re not looking for the social or “party” scene. I saw some very wallet-friendly prices for tours at basically every operator in town.
- Rock climbing and hot air balloon ride – if you want to splurge a little bit more, try one of these options!
- Cooking classes – you won’t have to search far to find one on offer in town, so shop around to find the one within your budget that seems appealing. Since Kyle and I did a cooking class in Nam Dong Park outside of Luang Prabang (recommended!), we skipped doing another in Vang Vieng.
- Tubing – although (thankfully) gone are the days of getting dangerously drunk and swinging from ropes into the river, tubing is still possible in Vang Vieng. Kyle and I opted not to do this as we are not big drinkers and exposing ourselves to three plus hours of sun on a tube didn’t sound too appealing. It is an inexpensive activity though, so if you want to experience the views from the river, you might consider it.
- Morning runs – as a runner, I went out several times in the early morning to avoid the heat. I found the best place to run was on the road across the river that leads out of town towards the Blue Lagoons and viewpoint hikes. It was a rare treat to see the town waking up, and, running is totally free for us backpackers on a budget!
- Activities to avoid in Laos (or anywhere, really) – do your research when booking tours or visiting lesser known areas. Approach anything that involves animals skeptically and inform yourself first. Although ethical elephant tourism in Laos is possible, doing your due diligence before partaking is imperative if you want to ensure you are travelling responsibly.
Please make sure that you are engaging with local communities in Vang Vieng responsibly while enjoying these activities. Be polite, so hello (“sabaidee”) with a small nod or bow, don’t take photos of people without permission, and wear appropriate and respectful clothing when in a place of business or visiting temples.
Packing essentials & other tips for a sustainable trip to Vang Vieng
Travelling sustainably also means packing eco-friendly gear and supplies. As it can get very hot in Laos, you will want some light weight clothing that also offers coverage from the sun. A hat, sunglasses and a reef-friendly SPF should absolutely be items in your sustainable luggage. For a complete list of eco-friendly travel items, check out our article “What to Pack for a Year of Sustainable Travel.”
One thing you should definitely never travel without is insurance. Laos is likely a long way from home, and taking a risk with your health and safety is never your best bet. The first time I was in Vang Vieng I sprained and split my big toe open – playing volleyball if you can believe it! Two companies that we like are Visitors Coverage and World Nomads.
There are some handy apps that you should download when travelling to Laos. Loca is their version of Uber or Grab taxi, and it also provides a feature where you can input your credit card and then use it to pay at certain merchants using a QR code. We would also recommend getting an eSIM rather than a physical SIM card, both for the convenience and because it means zero plastic! We have used both Airalo and GoMoWorld in Southeast Asia without issue. *Hot tip – download a whole city or region on Google Maps to use offline for navigation to save data!
Check out our article here for more than a dozen other sustainable travel app recommendations!
Other things to keep in mind when visiting laos
If you have the time, we always recommend slow travel. Spending more time in each place makes your trip more sustainable. There is plenty to do in Vang Vieng, so why not stay a while? Creating deeper connections with destinations through extended stays is what travel is all about, isn’t it?
Before you visit any place, it’s important to learn about any social or conservation issues going on at the time of your travel. Keeping socially informed allows you to be mindful and considerate when it comes to respecting and interacting with locals and knowing what is expected of you in terms of behaviour, dress, etc. Being aware of any environmental concerns can help you learn and employ practices that help you support local conservation efforts while visiting Vang Vieng.
To learn more about slow travel and social sustainability while travelling, check out our Ultimate Guide: Sustainable Travel here.
there you have it – how to visit vang vieng sustainably & on a budget
With so much to do in one small place, you’ll never get bored in Vang Vieng! Sustainable travel in Laos is attainable with the right mindset and practices.
We hope this guide was helpful in planning your trip, if you have any other suggestions or comments about what we’ve recommended here, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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