Vang Vieng

About

Though it’s been settled since the 14th century, Vang Vieng isn’t a historical attraction. Instead, this riverside city is a contemporary basecamp for exploring the region’s famed karst mountains. A party hotspot for backpackers during the 1990s, things have since mellowed out, and the town center is gradually becoming more refined, with better restaurants, shops, and accommodations emerging to cater to their new clientele. However, the famed river tubing experience is still the main activity in town, though it’s now a much more relaxed affair, with a focus on sitting back, and soaking in the lush surrounding (though there’s still a few bars you can stop at along the way).