One of the most popular things to do in Vang Vieng is to visit the blue lagoons outside of town. With six blue lagoons in Vang Vieng, there’s plenty to see and explore! Plus, swimming in beautiful clear, turquoise water is a great way to beat the Laos heat. I visited blue lagoon 1 and blue lagoon 2 in Vang Vieng, which is what this post will largely focus on.
If you’re visiting Laos, don’t miss:
History of the Blue Lagoons in Vang Vieng
Blue Lagoon 1
The stunning blue lagoons near Vang Vieng, Laos, were initially off-the-beaten-path gems, known for their vivid blue waters and picturesque surroundings. Over time, these lagoons became popular among travelers seeking relaxation and adventure, drawn by their refreshing waters and natural beauty. However, their increasing popularity led to more developed infrastructures and amenities in the area to cater to the influx of tourists. While this brought about changes to the area, the lagoons continue to enchant visitors seeking a tranquil escape.
How to Get to the Blue Lagoons
The closest blue lagoon from Vang Vieng is blue lagoon 1, and it’s only about six miles southwest of town. Blue lagoon 5 is the furthest from town, 12-miles northwest from Vang Vieng. The further out of Vang Vieng you get, the fewer tourists there will be.
BY MOTORBIKE
The most flexible option when it comes to exploring the lagoons is to rent a motorbike and do it on your own. This is a great option if you feel comfortable driving, but some of the roads aren’t paved and can be difficult to navigate so I would only do this if you have motorbike experience.
Renting an automatic motorbike costs about 120,000 LAK for a 12-hour rental period. (Keep in mind, you’ll also have to spend a couple of dollars on gas). I rented from Udon and would highly recommend them. Udon is a restaurant but the owners also have bikes (in great condition) that they rent out to tourists.
Visiting both blue lagoon 1 and 2 on motorbike was pretty easy, however the reason I didn’t travel to blue lagoon 3 was because I heard that it was a dirt road and very hard to navigate. I feel good on a motorbike, but not good enough to drive a long distance on a bumpy, dirt road.
BY TUK-TUK
If you don’t feel comfortable driving a motorbike, your next best option would be to take a tuk-tuk. Unless you pay extra to have a private tuk-tuk, you’ll be at the mercy of everyone else in the car so this can sometimes be disappointing if you want to stay somewhere longer or leave earlier. However, its affordable and allows you to see the lagoons.
Depending on the number of people in the tuk-tuk, you can expect to pay about 40,000-60,000 LAK/person.
BY BUGGY
Your third option is to rent a buggy to visit the lagoons. When searching for a buggy rental, simply walk around Vang Vieng keeping an eye peeled for buggy advertisements. To my knowledge, this is the best way to rent a buggy.
Should You Join a Tour to the Blue Lagoons?
If you’re traveling solo and unsure if you want to visit the lagoons by yourself, you could also consider joining a tour. Or maybe you don’t feel comfortable driving a motorbike on the roads (they can be scary at times). The good thing about joining a tour is that generally, these tours also include other aspects of Vang Vieng like zip lining or kayaking. But you’re also showing up to each place with a group of people, which is a downside if you’re wanting to avoid crowds. Here are two tours I would recommend if you do want to join a tour…
TO STAY SAFE WHILE TRAVELING, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING TRAVEL INSURANCE
The Best Time to Visit the Blue Lagoons in Vang Vieng
Blue Lagoon 2
Rainy season in Laos lasts from May-October. The best time to visit the blue lagoons is after rainy season has ended allowing the pools to settle and the turquoise waters to return (around November). Each lagoon opens at different times, so keep this in mind when deciding what time to visit. Overall, I would recommend to visit as early as possible because in my experience, the lagoons just get more crowded as the day progresses.
What to Pack for a Day Visiting the Blue Lagoons
Blue Lagoon 2
If you’re visiting the blue lagoons, here’s a list of what I’d recommend bringing with you!
- Backpack
- To put your belongings in; however I also travel everywhere with this backpack and love it!
- Mosquito spray
- Sunscreen (face and body)
- Water bottle (there will be places to buy water if you forget one)
- Comfortable shoes to walk around
- Swimming suit
- Cover up
- Sunglasses
- Water shoes (the ground is rocky)
- Goggles
- The water is very clear and beautiful so you might want to consider taking goggles with you to see underwater
- Waterproof phone case (if you plan to swim)
- Even if I don’t plan to take photos in the water, I like to keep my phone on me at all times in case my bag were to get taken. I also keep my money and credit card in this pouch while swimming.
- Quick dry towel
- Lock for your bag
- AirTag
- In case your bag were to get taken, I recommend putting an AirTag in it so that you can track it.
Don’t miss:
Blue Lagoon 1 – Everything You Need to Know
Opening Hours/Cost to Enter
Blue Lagoon 1 is open from 8:30 am-5:30 pm. The cost to enter is 20,000 LAK and parking is free.
I arrived right at opening at 8:30 am and by 9 am the lagoon was incredibly crowded. I assume there was at least 100 other tourists there and it kind of put a downer on the entire experience. For this reason, I don’t think that visiting blue lagoon 1 is worth it.
Food & Drink
Because this is the closest lagoon to Vang Vieng and sees the most tourists, they’ve really commercialized the lagoon. You can get food and drink (including alcohol) at many places inside and outside of the lagoon. Plus there are tables everywhere to sit and enjoy your meal.
Seating
While there are tables with seating everywhere, there isn’t anywhere to “lay out” (not that you’d get any sun because the lagoon is covered by trees).
Swimming/Activities
You can swim in the lagoon and one thing that I like about this lagoon is that not only can you rent tubes to float in (cost is 20,000 LAK/hour), but you can also rent a locker so that you can lock up your belongings (cost is 10,000 LAK). You’re also able to rent lifejackets if you’re not a strong swimmer.
Additionally, there are a couple of swings and ropes in the lagoon and an area to jump in.
Another thing to note is that this lagoon has many fish. It’s something that surprised me when I showed up, but the fish don’t really bother you while you’re swimming.
Phu Kham Cave
With the ticket to blue lagoon 1, you can also access the Phu Kham Cave. Once you pass the lagoon and walk over the bridge, continue to walk and you’ll arrive to some steps leading up to the cave. The climb is pretty challenging so make sure you have good shoes and water. Once you get to the top, the cave is pretty big so you can spend quite a while exploring.
Blue Lagoon 2 – Everything You Need to Know
Opening Hours/Cost to Enter
Blue Lagoon 2 is open from 9 am-5:30 pm. The cost to enter is 20,000 LAK and parking is free.
I arrived around 10 am and there were very few people around. Once I left around 11 am, it was more crowded, but not overwhelming. Plus, blue lagoon 2 is much larger than blue lagoon 1 so even with an influx of people, it doesn’t seem quite as crowded.
Food & Drink
There is one restaurant located outside of the lagoon where you can get food and drink.
Seating
There are a few wooden lawn chairs at blue lagoon 2 where you can lay out. Once those were filled, most people were setting up camp on the grassy area. There was much more limited seating options here versus blue lagoon 1, and there weren’t any lockers to lock up your stuff.
Swimming/Activities
Just like blue lagoon 1, you can also swim in blue lagoon 2. There are not options for tubes or lifejackets so make sure that you’re comfortable swimming before getting in. If you want to hang out in the water near the shore, there are rocks you can sit on in the water which is a nice option to cool off.
Also like the first lagoon, there is a platform to jump in and there’s also a slide to go down.
Which Blue Lagoon Should You Visit?
-
- Blue Lagoon 1
-
- Blue Lagoon 2
Having visited only blue lagoon 1 and blue lagoon 2, I can say without a doubt that you should make it a priority to visit blue lagoon 2. In fact, I disliked blue lagoon 1 so much, I wouldn’t even bother visiting. It’s way too crowded and commercialized and not at all worth it.
Speaking with other travelers that were brave enough to visit blue lagoon 3, it does sound like that one is a fan favorite. So if you’re up for the challenge of getting there (or you’ve found a tuk-tuk driver to take you), I would also recommend visiting blue lagoon 3.
Other Important Information About Vang Vieng
If you’re planning on visiting Vang Vieng, here are some other important things to know about the town and getting to town.
How to Get to Vang Vieng
The two most popular routes to Vang Vieng are from Vientiane and Luang Prabang. From either town you can take a bus or train to Vang Vieng (I personally would recommend the train).
- Train from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng – 50 minutes – book tickets here
- Bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng – 4.5 hours – book tickets here
- Train from Vientiane to Vang Vieng – 1 hour – book tickets here
- Bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng – 2 hours – book tickets here
READY TO TRAVEL TO VANG VIENG? BOOK TRANSPORTATION HERE!
If you’re traveling from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, don’t miss:
Where to Stay in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng has tons of accommodations from hostels to nicer hotels. I stayed at the Confetti Garden Hotel and would recommend it. The rooms are comfortable, there’s a pool, and you’re close enough to town to walk (about 5-10 minutes) but far enough away that its quiet at night.
For more accommodation options in Vang Vieng, I’d recommend…
BOOK YOUR STAY IN VANG VIENG HERE!
Other Things to do in Vang Vieng
Aside from lagoon hopping, other popular things to do in Vang Vieng include…
- Tubing down the river (this used to be much more popular but has become more tame after several tourist deaths – be careful if you choose to partake in this activity)
- Zip lining
- Hike up to the Nam Xay viewpoint
- Yoga at “Yoga in Vang Vieng”
- Hot air balloon riding
- Exploring caves
Laos Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Laos
TRAVELING THROUGH LAOS
- The easiest way to book bus & train tickets in Laos is through Bookaway or 12Go
- To book a flight to Laos, I recommend this booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options (if you’re from the US, sign up for Going to receive free cheap flight alerts)
- Laos does require a visa, you can purchase one through iVisa
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through Laos – I use and recommend SafetyWing (read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for 5% off
ACCOMODATION IN LAOS
- To easiest way to book hotels in Laos is through this booking platform
TOURS IN LAOS
- For tours and activities in Laos, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
WHAT TO BRING TO LAOS
- Don’t forget a Laos guide book to help plan your travels
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to keep your water cold on hot days and to cut down on plastic waste
- Don’t forget to travel with bug spray and sunscreen (face, body)
- If you’re planning to visit the waterfalls in Laos, I recommend bringing water shoes, a quick dry towel, and a waterproof phone case
- This is my favorite luggage for traveling
- This is my go-to travel backpack
I loved spending time in Vang Vieng and thought that the lagoons were so unique to the area. If you’re visiting Laos, you can’t miss the chance to participate in lagoon hopping through Vang Vieng!
If you like outdoor adventures, don’t miss:
For more information on things to see and do in Vang Vieng, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinlaos” or under my highlights for “Laos”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Laos” highlight
Pin Me!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no cost to you. Passports and Preemies is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees.
Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
