What to expect when visiting Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a small Laotian town set in the midst of tranquil cliffs and rich green rice fields — just like a scene from an Asian painting. Formerly a party destination, the picturesque town reinvented itself to become Laos’ adventure capital.
Adrenaline-hungry travellers can enjoy many exciting activities in Vang Vieng — from rock climbing and caving to hiking and river tubing. When you want to relax, take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoons or just ride a motorbike across Vang Vieng’s rugged roads and lush green fields.
3 ways to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Vientiane to Vang Vieng by bus (2 to 4 hours), minivan (1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours) and train (1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 1 hour 30 minutes to 4 hours and the quickest way is by minivan. The lowest priced tickets start from $8 (176,000 LAK) for the minivan.Where to stay in Vang Vieng?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Vang Vieng at the bottom of this page.
Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Minivan
Vans also operate on the Vientiane to Vang Vieng route. The advertised travel time with a van is a bit faster at around 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours.
However, vans often don’t leave town until they are full. There have been complaints of travel time taking up to 3 hours because of van drivers making several stops to pick up passengers before going on their way to Vang Vieng.
Also, vans aren’t as spacious as buses. So it can be a bit problematic when you’re carrying a lot of luggage.
Departure and arrival station
Vans depart from Vientiane Northern Bus Stop, located some 9 km north of Vientiane city centre.
They arrive at Vang Vieng Bus Terminal, which you can find some 2 km north of Vang Vieng town centre.
Minivan schedule from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
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Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Bus
With the opening of the new Vientiane-Boten Expressway, travel time from Vientiane to Vang Vieng has been significantly reduced from 4 hours to 2 hours.
Not all bus companies take the expressway, though. If you want a quick bus ride from Vientiane to Vang Vieng, we recommend travelling with Chitpasong Bus. A ticket costs $12 (263,000 LAK) – more expensive than other companies because of toll fees.
If you prefer budget over speed, you can travel with Thavisouk or Soutchai. They still take the toll-free route. Fares start from $9 (198,000 LAK) for the 4-hour bus ride. Note that these buses pass through some rough roads so the trip can be a bit bumpy.
Departure and arrival station
Chitpasong and Thavisouk buses depart from Vientiane Northern Bus Terminal, located some 9 km northwest of Vientiane city centre. You can get there via tuk-tuk for around $3 (66,000 LAK).
They arrive at Vang Vieng Bus Terminal, some 2 km north of Vang Vieng town centre. A tuk-tuk ride should cost about $1 (22,000 LAK) per person.
As for Soutchai Travel, it departs from its office in Vientiane and parks at its own terminal in Vang Vieng.
Bus schedules from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
You can buy your bus tickets at the bus station. But for guaranteed seats, we recommend booking them online beforehand through the booking links provided above.
Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Train
In December 2021, Laos officially opened the Laos-China Railway, which is directly connected with China’s train system. The last time we checked (July 2022), the Laos-China border remains closed. But the new railway system has paved the way for easier travel in northern Laos.
The train is definitely the fastest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. There’s only one tiny issue, train stations in both cities are located well outside the town centre.
Step 1: Vientiane City Centre to Vientiane Railway Station
Vientiane Railway Station is located some 15 km northeast of Vientiane city centre. The most convenient way to get there is via the City Bus with fares from $1 (22,000 LAK).
Take Bus #28 from Vientiane Morning Market. This departs every morning at 06:10. You will arrive at the train station after 40 minutes, with plenty of time to catch the trains going to Vang Vieng.
Alternatively, you can take a 30-minute taxi with fares from $17 (373,000 LAK).
Step 2: Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Train
Most trains depart in the morning, so be ready to make an early start.
A train ride from to can take as fast as 55 minutes. A ticket costs $16.20 (356,000 LAK).
Departure and arrival station
Trains depart from Vientiane Railway Station. You are to get off at Vang Vieng Train Station.
NOTE: This new train system is very popular with locals so tickets sell out really fast. To ensure a seat, try to book your ticket online at least a few days in advance.
Also, even with a ticket on hand, it’s best to arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes prior to departure time.
Step 3: Vang Vieng Railway Station to Vang Vieng City Centre
Vang Vieng Railway Station is located about 4 km north of Vang Vieng town centre. From there, the most convenient way to reach your hotel is through a tuk-tuk.
These popular Southeast Asian open-air vehicles are usually parked outside the train station. A tuk-tuk ride to town costs about $2 (44,000 LAK) per person. The trip takes around 10 minutes.
Best places to stay in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng Diamond Resort - Budget Friendly
It’s not easy to find a resort for $23 a night, so when you find one like Vang Vieng Diamond Resort, you should snap it up! This place has a huge outdoor swimming pool, an onsite restaurant that serves a range of cuisines and nice areas to relax in.
The rooms are clean and spacious, offering great views of the mountain and surrounding areas. The resort is slightly out from the city centre, adding a bit of piece to your stay in Vang Vieng.
- Great value for money
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Onsite restaurant
- Mountain views
Private rooms start from $23 per night.
Vang Vieng Champa Hotel - Budget Friendly
Vang Vieng Champa Hotel recently opened, so everything feels clean and modern. Plus, they’re cleaned every day with fresh water provided every day. The host, Ben, goes out of his way to make sure you have a fabulous stay. He’s so incredible, many people have ended up extending their stay.
He wants to make you feel at home which includes providing a free breakfast every morning! The location is great, within walking distance of most attractions.
- Modern and clean
- Amazing host
- Free water
- Free delicious breakfast
Private rooms start from $25 per night.
Sunset Nam Ngum Resort - Mid Range
Sunset Nam Ngum Resort is situated 50 minutes south of Vang Vieng, but it offers a unique and unforgettable stay. You’ll be staying on one of the islets in Nam Ngum Reservoir, surrounded by water.
The place has just been renovated offering stunning and modern rooms that overlook the water. This is the perfect escape from the world. And don’t worry about the distance to Vang Vieng, the resort offers a free shuttle.
- Unique stay
- Surrounded by water
- Modern and luxury rooms
- Free shuttle to Vang Vieng
King rooms start from $40 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vientiane to Vang Vieng
What is the distance from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
The distance from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is 150 kilometers (93 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
The fastest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is by minivan and takes 1 hour 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
The cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is by minivan with ticket costs starting from $8 (176,000 LAK).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Routes from Vang Vieng
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
You definitely should update this for 1. the new high speed railway (opened December 2021) going from Vientiane all the way north to the border of China, including stops in vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. Cuts the vang Vieng to Luang Prabang journey to 1-1.5 hours. And 2. The new highway they built that runs roughly parallel to the train line, cutting the driving time from Vientiane to Vang Vieng to less than 2 hours Vs 4 previously.
Hi, Stephanie! Thank you so much for your very valuable input. We had made additional research and have now updated this route with the latest details. We’re always grateful for readers like you who help us keep our pages up-to-date. Thanks again and safe travels!