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Laos > Places & Sights > Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng, located about halfway between Vientiane and Luang Phabang, is a convenient stop on the long overland journey.
The nearby Song River adds to the charm of the small town. The main attraction, however, is the beautiful karst landscape with its numerous caves.
Many caves spread enough that you can easily get lost within them. So make sure that you hire a guide or better two (for safety reasons). Also, bring something to drink and to eat with you. A torch certainly will also come handy.
A group of caves can be found near Ban Naboua, some five or six kilometers from the town. You will have to buy tickets from the Nai Ban (chef du village) who will also give you the keys to Tham Poukham, Tham Phaboua, and Tham Papouak. From the village, the walk takes about 10 minutes. Just inside the cave is a beautiful Buddha.
Along the road to Luang Phabang, there are several caves. About 15 kilometers to the north, just before the village Phatang, cross the bridge to Ban Kor Sat. After the school on the right side of the path, take the first path to the left, where, some 500 meters further, you cross the bridge to the village of Ban Tham Xang. From there it is about 10 minutes to the cave Tham Sina Say.
There is a Buddha just inside the cave. Some 30 minutes walk inside the cave will lead you to a underground source of very clear water. Just nearby is another cave, Tham Xang Thong.
Some kilometers to the West of Vang Vieng is the Hmong village Naxom.
About three kilometers along national route 13 towards Vientiane is Ban Viangxai. This is a good place to buy some textiles and to taste rice wine.
Some 15 kilometers south of the town is the beautiful Lake Nam Ngum.
One of the stranger attractions is a bamboo bridge halfway across the river, which starts and ends in the water. It costs a small fee to cross the bridge. If you want to economize, you can also wade the very shallow river.