Vang Vieng river tubing — The fullest guide for tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos
The majority of visitors that visit Vang Vieng in Laos do so for the same reason: tubing. A few years ago, a slew of youthful visitors descended on this interesting location to hop in a tube (tire) and float down the Nam Song River. Now, let’s go tubing in Vang Vieng with our expert guide. Vang Vieng river tubing (Vang Vieng Tubing) – The most comprehensive guide to tubing on the Nam Song river in Vang Vieng, Laos is provided here.
Vang Vieng river tubing is enjoyable; you may play with friends, drink beer, and take in the lovely environment. However, since 2012, it has been illegal to party all night on the river.
A brief history of Vang Vieng river tubing
Tubing is also used to describe to the backpacker tourism of the Nam Song River, which has been overrun with illicit bars selling illegal substances and alcohol.
During its peak, Nam Song attracts over 400 visitors each day who lower themselves into the river with a tube, swing on swings, play a slide, or experience the thrill of a zip line.
However, stimulants are usually disguised in the accident, and it happens extremely frequently, year after year, with 27 deaths in 2011. By 2012, the death of a teenage tourist while tubing drew global attention, forcing the Lao government to intervene and order the closure of all illegal stores along the river.
Vang Vieng has now been turned into a lovely town where visitors may engage in a variety of activities such as mountain climbing, river kayaking, cave exploration, and discovering blue water lakes.
At the same time, the river’s shore bars were reactivated, and tubing began to resurface. However, just two bars are open on a daily basis. Tubing in Vang Vieng is something you wouldn’t expect to find in a small and quiet nation like Laos.
Vang Vieng river tubing tips: Some things to know when playing Tubing
The majority of individuals begin tubing about 1 p.m. Before renting a tube from a local office, you must first sign a risk agreement, and the rental business will not be held liable for any consequences. Furthermore, they will write a number on your hands with a pen so that if something awful happens, people would know who you are.
You pay 55,000 KIP (about 6.5 USD) for the tube rental and 60,000 KIP (approximately 7 USD) for the deposit. You should not bring too many items with you. A little sum of money, a waterproof camera, vigilance, and a happy demeanor are all required. For the rest of the journey, you’ll either be soaked or lost.
You will be driven four kilometers upstream by tuk-tuk car from the town. Then, from your starting location, you slowly glide in your tube to the number one bar. When you hear loud music and know the distance is not far away, it will only take you a few minutes to get there.
You can now exit the tube and begin drinking anything you want. It may appear to be simple to leave your tube in the flowing river, but it is not. Don’t worry, the river bar’s group play will utilize the rope to draw you in.
There will be lots of intriguing things to do and follow once you have “settled” in the first bar. Aside from watching the beer and crate being tossed on the floor, there are several more enjoyable activities. Depending on whatever bar is open on the day you visit, you may play volleyball, swing on the waterfall, dance, play in the rain, and, of course, drink beer.
Each bar will have a variety of drink games, such as the famous Sakura bar, you will see the sentences “drink triple, see double, act sing” on their shirt. They drunk and are not aware of their actions) easily caught in your eyes.
After a few hours, everyone returns to their tube to float to the second bar, which is around 100m away. Nonetheless, the classic picture on both sides of the river is reproduced. There are still two hours floating to the terminus from the second bar.
When you participate in drinking games, you will find it hard to get to the end of the day. Most people usually leave a deposit. But, that’s a great experience, and you will get a priceless smile.
The opportunity to view the lovely green highlands, limestone mountains, and spectacular sunsets from a river tube will leave you with many unique memories. So, before you come to Vieng Vang, make sure you have as much free time as possible to appreciate the magnificent landscape on this tube.
Best Vang Vieng river tubing operators
Yellow Tubing Operators
- Tube rental and deposit (Vang Vieng Tubing Price): Tubing operators running the original northern route (now called the yellow route) rent tractor inner tubes for 55,000 kip with a deposit of 60,000 kip (~$7.2). Return the tube by 8 pm or you lose your deposit.
- Tuk Tuk Up-charge: The rental price includes the tuk-tuk ride to the start of the tubing point if there are at least four people. A tuk-tuk to the start of your riverine adventure costs +5,000 kip each if only 3 people, +10,000 kip each if only 2 people, +20,000 kip if only 1 person.
- Hours: 9am-8pm
Red Tubing Operators
- Vang Vieng Tubing Price: The new red tubing route is billed as a safer, more family-friendly option than the yellow route (though there are still a few bars). A tuk-tuk drops you 4km south of town for a 4km float through a slightly less scenic (though infinitely more serene) stretch of the Nam Song. Tube rental costs 55,000K and there is no deposit necessary.
- Tuk Tuk Up-charge: A tuk-tuk to the starting point costs 10,000K per person for two people.
- Phone: 020-99223339
- Hours: 9am-7pm
