Vang Vieng was a freakin’ blast! We heard a lot of conflicting opinions about this debauturous outlet town but needed to check it out ourselves. They told us that opium was on restaurant menu’s (true), that it felt like “Spring Break” everyday (true), that it was just a lot of rowdy youngsters watching “Friends” re-runs while sipping on mushroom shakes (not un-true), that the “tubing” was an alcohol soaked mess, and that it was a great place to get injuried (definitely true).

 

We didn’t know what to expect and never could have dreamed that our three days on the river would be so wild. Would I do it again if givin’ the chance ... ? ... I’m not sure. But we had a great time and don’t regret a minute of it.

 

Note: Rachel would like to make it very clear that she regrets slipping off the MudBar swing and smashing into the Mekong River. I’ve also been told that, “It’s not funny.”

 

Note 2: We didn’t get any pictures of the tubing because it isn’t “camera-friendly.” One of the guys we hung out with (Andy) got some, so we’ll try to get some off Facebook when he posts them   :)

What We Learned

 

- You shouldn’t have any problems finding a good spot to stay. Everybody we met was happy with their place.

 

- It may be tempting to get invovled with the drug scene in Vang Vieng but I wouldn’t recommend it. Everything is illegal in Laos and the local cops have set up a lucrative business of busting tourists. The restaurants will sell it, rat you out to the police, and then get a kickback from the the $600 fine you’ll pay.

 

- Q-bar stays open the latest and the night owls tend to congregate there when other places start to close down around midnight.

 

- Rent a bike for a day of recovery and check out the amazingly beautiful surroundings.

 

- There were two ATM’s in town.

 

Tubing Guidelines

 

- Summon your inner Buhdda and experience Laos inefficiency at whichever tubing outfit has been governmentally decreed to manage your transport and rental on the day you go. (Tube Rental + Ride = $7 plus $7 deposit on the tube)

 

- Don’t worry about keeping “Your” tube, just manage to have “A” tube by the end of the day.

 

- A lot of people make the mistake of blowing by the bars at the beginning of the circuit to find out that there aren’t many left.

 

- The third bar on the left side of the river, “Banana Bar,” has great Mojito-ish buckets.

 

- Try all the swings and slides but be mindful of the current and depth.

 

- A couple of guys in our group, and I, had to rescue a fit young kid who got knocked out by the impact of hitting the water and Rachel got the wind knocked out of her, a bruised chest, and a huge bruise on her leg. There aren’t any lifeguards out there and it’s ironic that you usually have to buy a bucket of alcohol before you can get on the swing at any given bar. Be careful.

 

- I’d suggest staying out on the river past 6pm. You’ll lose some of the deposit on your tube ($3) but cruising under a sky full of stars, alone, under moonlit cliffs is priceless.

 

- Also, check out the bars further down the river. A lot of people just float by and miss out. We had some of our best memories at those places.

 

- We met loads of people who were freaking out because it was dark, they were alone, drunk, lost, and clueless about what to do next. Some people go off barefoot into rice fields only to get puched by farmers.

 

- Stay on the river. It’ll take awhile. Enjoy the experience. When you get to the city, you can’t miss it. It’ll light up on the left and the river will split. There is a large shelf at the fork where you can stand up, get out and ask for directions back to the tube rental place.

 

- Be very suspicious of lone, flashlight wielding weirdos along the way who are apparently trying to beckon frightened tubers into the darkness. Who knows what happens out there.

 

- Don’t let anything I’ve said dissuade you from tubing. We did it three times. It’s Great!