A Guide To The Vang Vieng Tubing, Laos [UPDATED FOR 2026]

When you think of backpacking excesses, debauchery, drunkenness and generally the sort of behaviour that gives us more cultured travellers who happen to carry their belongings on their back a bad name the place Vang Vieng won’t be far from a mention.

Over the past decade or so it has built up a reputation for all that is bad with this travelling generation, disrespect, drinking, drugs and damage. Many too have also died in pursuit of these stupid games of one-upmanship.

So why then did we decide to go tubing of all things when we are so against this sort of behaviour!?!

Well, Vang Vieng has made efforts to clean up its reputation, ripping the illegal bars from the edge of the river and taking away the dangerous rope swings and slides.

Now we are here to prove that Vang Vieng tubing can instead be a nice relaxing way to spend the day on this amazing river in the stunning mountainside!

Vang Vieng tubing: A turbulent reputation for all that is wrong with backpacking!

A few years back Vang Vieng was overrun by half-naked (often fully), drunk, drugged and out-of-control Westerners. The farmer who had the simple idea of using the old tractor’s inner tubes as a way for the tourists volunteering on his farm to cool off could never have foreseen the monster he created.

Instead of a peaceful way to drift down the river through this once sleepy mountain village, it became a byword for backpacker excess and Vang Vieng tubing was at the centre of it all!

The Vang Vieng backpacker came with a reputation!

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For all that was wrong with the travelling hordes from the West who came with no desire to see culture or experience the country, they were in.

They cared nothing for the destruction of the environment they left behind, how disrespectful their behaviour was or how the locals felt. They came, they partied and they left a trail of carnage.

At one time this beautiful river would be full of hundreds of tubers and hundreds of bars would line its banks. Instead of the grazing water buffalo and local women washing their clothing, there were buckets on sale and opium freely on offer and the infamous Vang Vieng backpacker taking it all in.

Drinking games and free shots encouraged more and more outrageous behaviour. Swing, jumps and slides were hastily put together so people could show off.

Inevitably young lives were lost here. Wasted to a juvenile idea of what travel was and a child-like desire to fit in and impress a bunch of idiots!! This went on for years, with deaths and injuries unreported and a growing number of angry parents around the world.

Eventually, the Laos government cracked down on the chaos of Vang Vieng tubing. Now we’re no saints but there is fun and there is completely reckless behaviour that affects other visitors’ experiences and more importantly the lives of locals and their environment.

I’ve never really seen the point in this form of “travelling”. Spending a few months drinking your way around tourist towns filled with people from the same place you are. What do you discover or learn?

Spending money and time, wasting an amazing opportunity to just do the same as you would have at home only somewhere a bit warmer and cheaper.

Vang Vieng was a typical example of these people missing so much of this amazing region to just repeat what they did on Pub Street in Siem reap, Khao San Road in Bangkok, the full moon party on the Thai Island … etc!

So we were a little sceptical of the Vang Vieng tubing but also didn’t want to just judge as it also looks quite fun minus the drunken lunatics!

Vang Vieng tubing: Turning over a new page for tourism in Laos and bringing a new kind of Vang Vieng backpacker!

However. Since the ban on these illegal bars a magical atmosphere has once again returned to what was once described as a  “paradise lost”. The birds sing once again, locals wash in the river and the buffalo have come back to drink from the water.

Today it is a serene and peaceful place with only a handful of small bars spread out along its length for those who wish to have a drink. If you want it to be it can still be a little wild and have the classic Vang Vieng tubing party, but without damage to the local villages.

For those who want a nice relaxing float down the river, this is also entirely possible and for us the reason we wanted to do it! Now you can be a responsible Vang Vieng backpacker and take in the real beauty of this region.

Once you pass the first few bars too most of those wishing to stop probably won’t end up back on the water. In the dry season a slow and steady 4-hour float allows you to take in the various beautiful scenes of mountains, rivers, farms and bamboo bridges along the way at a gentle pace. Take with you one of the dry bags available to buy in town and keep your valuables dry!

There is nothing quite like laying back in the warm sun on the bubbling river surrounded by jungle-covered peaks. This feels now like truly exploring Laos and appreciating its untamed beauty.

Our Favourite Backpacks

Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview

We’ve used the Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview for all our backpacking adventures over the past 5 years and highly recommend them!

The main area of the pack opens like a suitcase, which is great for using packing cubes to keep everything organised and they even come with a detachable day pack!

> Farpoint: Buy It Here
> Fairview: Buy It Here

A relaxing day on the river taking in the beautiful scenery

After spending 7 weeks in Vietnam taking in all the culture on offer, seeing places so off the beaten track we didn’t see another Westerner for days, staying with local families and sometimes struggling to even find the smallest meal that was vegetarian friendly…we felt we needed a day to relax and also to indulge in something a bit “touristy!” and so we jumped into this piece of the Vang Vieng backpacker scene!

But you know us, a day of relaxing still needs to include a bit of adventure and excitement! For all the horrors we had heard about the Vang Vieng tubing we actually knew very little of how amazing it could be.

We went with the idea at first as a way to cool off in the river and lie back in the sun for a day without access to a swimming pool as it had been hot and humid during our time in Laos. It turns out Vang Vieng tubing is one of the best things to do in Vang Vieng by far!

But what we actually discovered along the way was that Vang Vieng tubing, as chilled out as it actually is, is the best way to see the stunning scenery that the amazing river cuts right through too. Vang Vieng is a treasure trove of karst peaks and jungle-covered mountainsides.

This meandering lazy river runs a picture-perfect path right through the middle, allowing you to take it all in from base level and all without much effort at all! Perfect and the way the Vang Vieng backpacker scene should be!

Along the way you pass all the versions of this village that exist, there are a few bars and the music occasionally floods the edges of the river for those who want to join the now low-key party. But for those on the lookout for something more authentic local life has returned to the banks of this beautiful waterway, children will shout over and wave and fishermen will wade out for their latest catch. There are even opportunities for some kayaking and ziplining at some stop-off points!

Vang Vieng tubing: How to do it!

Tubing Vang Vieng can now only be done from a handful of places and there is one main “official” rental shop that is right in the centre of town.

• Prices are now set at 60,000 Kip (£6.00) each plus a returnable 60,000 Kip (£6.00) deposit for the tube.

This includes a Tuk Tuk ride over to the tube starting point, you will finish at the back end of the town a 10-minute walk away from the office.

Essential Information:

• You have to get your tube back to the office before 6 pm or you will lose your deposit!
• You should be off the water before it goes dark anyway as it can get dangerous.
• If you decide to come off before the end a tuk-tuk can take you back to town should cost around 10,000. Kip (£1.00) They should be pretty easy to find along the roadside, especially if you are near a bar!
• To make the most of your time you should get on the river before 12 pm ideally as it can take much longer than the time the office quotes to get all the way down the river, especially in the dry season. From the endpoint, it should be a 10-minute walk back to the office.
• Please be respectful and bring your shorts and T-shirt in your dry bag with you so you can slip them back on whilst walking through town.
• Also don’t forget the sunscreen, make regular stops at the riverside to top up or even wear a T-shirt as it can get hot!
• Buy a good quality dry bag to keep all your valuables inside safe and dry!
• Bring along some water but you can stop at some of the bars for a drink but they are mostly early on along the river.
• If you are drinking please be careful, pace yourself and drink water too. If you feel like you’ve had enough then stay off the water and take a tuk-tuk back instead!
• If you can’t swim the tubing centre can also lend you life vests, as always be careful on the water as many parts are isolated.
• Get yourself a waterproof action cam like a GoPro with a floating handle so you can capture your adventure.

Getting Insurance For Your Trip

Whilst things have calmed down here in terms of how wild the tubing gets, it’s still something that shouldn’t be taken lightly and as with anything, there are some risks. Making sure you have good travel insurance with health coverage goes a long way to protecting yourself should anything unforeseen happen. We always recommend Safetywing.

What Are The Alternatives

Tubing isn’t for everyone and honestly, if I was go visit again, I would probably do something else even though I enjoyed it. The problem is two fold. Firstly, in the dry season tubing can be a little slow and you do occasionally stop on rocks in the shallow water. Secondly, it’s still got a bit of a reputation and when people see you tubing they do tend to presume you’re on a booze cruise!

In future I would love to instead to a kayaking tour where things are a bit more energetic and we could also then learn more about the area from a local.

How To Get To Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is well connected on the backpacking trail and can be reached by either bus or train. Transport has improved considerably in Laos since the opening of the railway and it’s one of the best ways to get around.

While the journey isn’t as peaceful as the Luang Prabang and Chiang Mai slow boat, it’s still become a much more enjoyable journey since the arrival of the train.

Mini Bus

The mini-bus is the classic backpacker way to get to Vang Vieng, and also the cheapest. It takes roughly 4 hours from Vientiane and can be pretty cramped. They cost on average around £7 each.

Bus

The larger bus (coach) is a much more comfortable option and offers you more room. They only take 2.5 hours from Vientiane, so quicker than a minibus and cost the same at £7.

Train

The train to Vang Vieng is by far the quickest and most comfortable way to get here. The new bullet trains mean the journey now takes just less than 1 hour. On board, you can walk around, get some food and use the toilet, rather than being stuck on a minibus. The price isn’t bad either, costing just £18 each.

Where To Stay In Vang Vieng

So, you’re gonna need some dig for your time in Vang Vieng, let’s take a look at a couple of my favourite options depending on what kind of experience you’re after.

The Best Backpacker Option: Vangvieng Rock Backpacker Rooftop Hostel

If you’re a backpacker wanting to go full Vang Vieng without, well, going too far, this place hits the spot. It’s got a social vibe… and calendar, plus a rooftop terrace with epic views. At least the beds all have curtains on them!

• Free breakfast
• Rooftop terrace
• Curtains on each bunk
• Chill out area with bean bags and pool tables

The Best Budget Option: Vang Vieng Bungalows

For a little bit extra money, stay in these amazing private bungalows with access to gardens and a pool. Each unit has its own bathroom, plus the use of a kettle. It’s also in a less rowdy area of town.

• Swimming pool
• Private bungalows with bathrooms
• Access to garden and terrace
• Close to the river

The Best Fancy Option: Riverside Boutique Resort

If you’re feeling a little fancy, then Laos is a good place to splash out as you’re money goes much further here. The Riverside Boutique Resort is an ideal location to relax by the pool with great views of the mountains.

• Swimming pool with mountain views
• Onsite restaurant
• Spa and wellness centre
• Balconies in each room

Final Thoughts On Tubing In Vang Vieng

Have you ever had your mind changed about an activity or done the Vang Vieng tubing and had a different experience? I know when we first considered visiting I thought that the tubing meant a constant party along the river. Whilst that is kinda the case if you want it, I loved the fact that it was easy to just use it as a way to experience the river.

Though next time, I might opt for kayaking as it was a little too slow in parts!

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