Tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos information

The national sport of backpackers in Laos is tubing (and boozing) down the river. There is only one operator and they charge a fixed price of 55000 kips (or 5 euros) and you also have to pay 60000 kips for a deposit of the tube. Then the price includes a one-way tuk tuk ride to the starting point where a few bars are more than happy to welcome you to the riverside with a free shot of local whiskey. (Doesn't taste anything like whiskey but is really good and costs 8000 (eight thousand) kips per 0,7l in a store so the price-quality ratio is definitely there).

There are a lot of bars in the beginning and I suggest you do most of your boozing there as when you go downstream the bars get a lot quieter and scarce. The last 30 minutes of floating there are practically no bars and it gets a bit chilly after the sun sets behind mountains (3pm-4pm).

There are a lot of things to do for small-time adrenaline junkies like zip lines and swings where you jump off from around 15 meters and just hold on to a rail. And jump down to the river when you feel like it. Most activities are free when you first buy a beer or some food from the bar.

There are a ton of backpackers there and peace and quiet is something that might be harder to find nowadays. The start is all loud dance music and if you want to party, it is definitely the place to go during the daytime in Vang Vieng. Further downstream you can just sit back, relax and look at the amazing mountainous scenery. The tubing is really far from rafting as the speed averages on about 2-4 km per hour. And as the route is about 4km long, it takes 1 to 2 hours depending on the current.

The exit isn't really clearly marked but it is fairly recogniseable. There are some local kids annoyingly willing to help you and beg for money for that so it is hard to miss. But generally when there seems to be two ways to go and some bamboo huts in the middle, that is the place to get up and return the tube. It is a few minutes walk back to the official tube rental.