Introduction In this beautiful town, there were only 3 to 4 guesthouses in 1998 In 2000, there are 23 guesthouses, and the number is still rising.
It's main attraction is its beautiful setting next to the Nam Song river and the surrounding Karst mountains. There are also a lot of tunnels and caves.
Accommodation Once you arrive in the center of town, just walk east and you'll pass along a lot of budget places.
Kamphone guesthouse: a nice place with a patio in front where you can have coffee or tea the whole day. we payed 10.000 Kipp pp for a double + fan + bathroom. It's clean and friendly. You can find it on the S part of town where it's more quiet.
If you want a more romantic place, they were building a guesthouse near the river just before the ferry crossing.
Restaurant A lot of guesthouses serve breakfast: eggs, toast and jam.
For self catering, you can find fresh products on the market in the center of town. You can find a lot of Chinese garage style restaurants with cheap noodles and rice-curry dishes (example Kampangh restaurant). They are good and cheap, expect to pay around 10.000 Kipp pp including beer.
On the main road, there's a restaurant which is very hip now. You can't miss it. they play jazz music all night and food is great.
What to do This can be the place to relax. Enjoy the beautiful atmosphere, read your book, talk to the locals, relax...
You can make beautiful walks in the area. Just take the ferry to the other side of the river (2000 Kipp pp), and you can explore nature and caves. There are a couple close by: Tham Pha Puak, Cave Lucy, Tham Phra Jao.
To the caves further away like Nathong and Nasom, you can walk (very hot, take water) and return by tractor (2000 Kipp pp). You can also rent bikes in town and take them with you on the ferry. You can ask local children to guide you around in the caves (1000 Kipp).
Another popular activity is cruising down the river on a truck tire for a couple of thousand Kipp. You can hire guides for a more expensive cave tour. Prices are around 30.000 Kipp for half a day.
There's an internet connection near the market.
Getting out You can find buses to Vietnam in front of the market. Buses to Luang Prabang leave from the Nang Bot restaurant in the morning, and takes around 6 to 7 hours. Price is 25.000 Kipp pp. Come early because buses fill up quickly. The trip is on a good road, but you'll pass some mountains, so take your jacket if you're on an open bus.
Changing money There's a bank on the main road, right across the school. It's in an old building.
Changing money on the black market is best done in your hotel or guesthouse. On the open air market, you can also find people changing money in the back of their stores.
UPDATE 2001
Transportation
Bus Vang Vieng - Vientiane: Bus 10.000 Kip, pick-up 8.000 Kip
Lodging, food and drinking
· Bountang Guesthouse. 25.000 Kip for a room with own shower and toilet, it’s easy to bargain to 20.000.
· For only 15.000 Kip is the Vanvieng GH the cheapest … and the most dirty one.
· Xayoh Café & Restaurant. In the mainstreet. A chain - also near the revolutionary museum in Vientianne – with also Western food.
· Keomani Restaurant. +/- Opposite Xayoh. Fot the best pizza of Laos, go to "Miss Keo" !
Sights
· For the caves, take the bamboobridge aside the Nam Song Hotel, 1000 Kip/person to cross the bridge (also for the Lao !)
· De Phou Kham Cave, 6000 Kip, is most known cave, with Boeddha. If you have seen one cave, you have seen them all !
· Floating on the river in a inner-tube. Just close your eyes and relax !
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