The mountainous region shrouded in mist became a trending topic for a while.

Vang Vieng: A Popular Tourist Destination in a Neighboring Country

This sentence describes Vang Vieng as a popular tourist destination in a neighboring country.

Both Thai and foreign tourists have come today to experience the hype for themselves.

Where to travel today? With a review of Vang Vieng without buying a tour, no cave exploration.

How exciting it is to ride a motorcycle together. Let's go see.

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For our journey from BKK to UD TOWN, we opted for traveling by bus.

To avoid wasting time, take the 22:00 bus from Mo Chit in Bangkok to Udon Thani.

Arriving in Udon Thani around 7:30, I rushed to buy a bus ticket with my luggage in tow.

To travel directly to Vang Vieng, the Udon Thani - Vang Vieng ticket booth will open for booking at 8:00 AM.

With tickets in hand, we sought sustenance, stocking up on provisions from 7-Eleven, as we were to embark on a journey aboard a tour bus.

From Udon Thani to Vang Vieng: A 6-7 Hour Journey (UD TOWN -> VANGVIENG)

You might be wondering why the journey takes 6-7 hours. Well, this is the condition of the road, full of potholes.

The rain poured throughout the journey, forcing us to shift left and right, yet we still couldn't reach our destination.

Who will recommend you to download 3 series? The tour bus will have another car to pick you up.

To get us to the city center, once we arrive, those who have booked accommodation should contact their hosts to pick them up.

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Accommodation options here are abundant, offering a wide variety of styles to suit different budgets. Walk-ins are welcome.

(If you come on a long weekend, it's best to book in advance just in case.) I stayed here for 3 nights and changed my accommodation every night.

Starting with Vieng Tara Villa at 2,000

Next, Champalav Bungalow @1,800

And finally, we end at the "Heuan Phak Suk Sampun" resort for 290 baht.

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Before embarking on our journey, we set a challenge for ourselves to explore the following tourist attractions:

If we don't want to buy a tour, don't want to explore caves like others, and don't want to be restricted by rules about where we can go,

How many minutes, how many hours? I want to live slowly wherever I want. So it's the starting point that

We won't be buying a tour, but we'll be exploring Vang Vieng on our own.

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Food

While I won't go into excessive detail, based on other reviews, the following food items are likely available:

French bread is a staple food that you must try, like a landmark. Check in, or you won't be here.

However, eating it every day is not an option. On the first day, I was so hungry that I devoured Korean pork.

The side dishes were plentiful, the restaurant was full of Koreans, and the owner was also Korean. The food was delicious.

Spending 200 baht per person is better than eating baguettes every day, which cost 80-100 baht each.

Most of the time, we go to the old airport to eat. Most of the people there are locals.

The atmosphere resembles a night market, with vendors selling various goods every evening.

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Let's get started!

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Tara Villa

If you are looking for accommodation, …

To use to relax when waking up to meet with

Lush green rice fields lie ahead.

With the backdrop of mountains

And the mist that lingers here, is always present.

The newest Blue Lagoon

Yes, it is a newly discovered water source.

The appearance is different from the original Blue Lagoon.

Due to the lack of awareness among the public,

"Perhaps it's because the entrance is so difficult to reach. After all, to get to this point…"

The road is terrible, and it's far away. It takes about half an hour to drive in, passing houses, rice fields, heat, cold, rain, and herds of cows. It's a life experience. I almost gave up several times, but I persevered and finally found this place.

The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful, and it comes with a free raft and sling to swing down into the water. There are no additional costs (you only pay the entrance fee). If you're planning to visit, give it a try. It offers a completely different experience compared to the old Blue Lagoon.

It's like we've been trekking through the wilderness for days, and then we stumble upon a perfect oasis to rest and replenish.

Floating, letting the water flow over my body, in an inner tube.

Listening to the sound of birds, the sound of flowing water, drifting along peacefully.

This is a natural spa.

Let me tell you, it was no joke.
The road conditions were like this the entire way, for almost 45 minutes,
on our journey to the new Blue Lagoon.

The old Blue Lagoon, the same good people we know.

Fortunately, we arrived at 10 am.

The tour hasn't started yet. The Korean aunties and oppas haven't arrived yet.

This seems to be a place where we have dominion.

There is also a fish spa.

Crystal clear water.

Arriving early is like this...
This place is ours. Hehe.

Early morning is like this ..

This is ours. ;)

Leaving the Blue Lagoon, we stopped by...

"Let's explore the Tham Chang cave."

However, it was too late in the evening to cross to the other side.

No problem, just take a walk around the bridge. Because I think today is full of blue water at the Blue Lagoon.

Besides the eye-catching orange bridge view,
we can also sit with our legs dangling, enjoying the view of the flowing river,
taking a break from all the fun we've had here all day.
as well.

After a while, a boat from the Nung Tho will come to show off the drift.

After chilling at Tham Chang Cave, we stopped by Smile Beach, a small bar by the river. We arrived in the late afternoon, and the atmosphere was fantastic.

Live music and songs for a chill atmosphere. Late nights could include a bonfire gathering.

Judging from its appearance,

As mentioned, we change our sleeping place every night. Tonight, we moved to Champa Lao Bungalow. See the small hut on the far right? That's where we're staying tonight.

In the lobby's late-night ambiance, the owners gather to sip beer and share life experiences and stories. This welcoming space fosters new connections and friendships.

Entering the bedroom, a sense of romance permeates the air. The white mosquito net adds to the ambiance. Be aware that there is no air conditioning in this room, only two fans. However, as night falls, you will likely find yourself reaching for a blanket.

This morning, we have an appointment at Pha Ngern, a cliff with a height of approximately 400-500 meters. However, when we actually walk, it seems very far away.

The steep incline demanded a slow and steady pace. We set off from the foot of the mountain at 7:30 AM and reached the summit by 8:45 AM, utterly exhausted. However, the breathtaking view from the top left us speechless.

The mist that clings to the mountaintop, and the cool atmosphere above.

The view of Vang Vieng stretches far into the distance, as far as the eye can see.

Who knew it would be this beautiful?
Letting go of time and worries, releasing emotions,
soaking up the atmosphere,
sitting and admiring the scenery to relieve fatigue,
taking a deep breath of fresh air,
and then slowly climbing down.

Drenched in sweat from the morning climb,
Let's wash ourselves with cool, clear water.

At "Kaeng Yui Waterfall"

The entrance to the waterfall is challenging, with potholes and uneven terrain, similar to the Blue Lagoon before its renovation. The signs along the way offer false hope, claiming that the waterfall is close when it is actually still far away. However, perseverance is key, as the reward is worth the effort. Once you reach the toll booth, you know you are close. After paying the entrance fee, walk a short distance to witness the magnificent waterfall.

This is the real Kaeng Yui Waterfall.

The waterfall is incredibly tall and magnificent.

The water is crystal clear and flows rapidly, providing a refreshing experience.

It helps to alleviate the fatigue from climbing the mountain earlier.

The water cascading down from above is truly breathtaking.

Flowing down to the bottom, standing right under the waterfall curtain, it was a relaxing and calming experience.

If you're visiting Vang Vieng, make sure to add this place to your itinerary. Don't miss it!

Vang Vieng is a place with much to see. It still retains a high degree of natural beauty. As you walk around, you may encounter butterflies. (Actually, there are many of them, but I could only capture this much.)

Today we checked out of Champalaow Bungalow
to move to another accommodation.
And this is the view from our new bedroom.
At a price of 290 baht from Huen Phak Suk Sampun.

It's very good, very chill.
Plus, it's affordable, with air conditioning and hot water, located before reaching

Champasak Bungalow, Laos

Here are the photos of the potholes I mentioned earlier.

Now you understand why it took so long to travel. There was standing water, a steep uphill climb, and it rained the entire time.

A must-visit landmark, the ubiquitous baguette can be found everywhere, similar to our local street food stalls.

Korean BBQ, as advertised.
If you're tired of baguettes, give this a try.

Authentic Korean, surrounded by Koreans.
Buffet is 250 baht per person, I think. Eat as much as you want.

The set includes crab soup, rice, and other dishes, as well as plain water.

The total cost for this trip, including good food, good accommodation, and all the fun you can handle (including alcohol, cigarettes, and snacks), is per person. This price includes everything from the motorbike taxi from your doorstep to the return train ticket.

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Please take care of me.