Tubing in Laos

 

You have to hire a rubber ring in town before you go but you only have to put down a deposit at first and pay when you get back. You pay about 55.000 kip (about $7 USD) for the tub and a 60,000 kip deposit ($7.50), which includes a three-kilometertuk-tuk ride to the start of the tubing route. If you return it before 18.00 you get it back. If not - you lose 20.000 kip. And after 20.00 - you lose all. 

 

This is the must do in VangVieng. The tubing it self is slow, taking about 3 to 4 hours floating on Nam Song River. The river is nice, tranquil and not dangerous. You can see local folks fishing and playing as well as peaceful lanscape along the river. The last half of the tubing would be more amazing with karst mountains, gentle rapids, thousands of kayakers and a stunning sunset.

 

If you think that it is too slow and boring, tuktuk drivers are lined up down the river for anyone who wants to skip out early.

 

In the past, this activities is famous for the bars along Nam Song river where people can buy cheap alcohol and enjoying parties with drinkingames. Every year, a few people die while tubing in VangVieng. This is mostly because people get blackout drunk or do mushrooms and then go on the rope swings. That's why many illegal bars that once lined the picturesque Nam Song closed after Lao government’s crackdown.

 

The party might nice and truly be over in VangVieng, but those want to have fun with friends, drink soem Laos beers and experience great scenery should still come to VangVieng. It best suits for the youth.

 

Some tips for you before going to VangVieng:

- Prepare waterproof kits. Be sure that your camera is waterproof.

- Don't get stuck at the bars for too long if you want to actually go down the river.

- Don't take anything valuable with you while tubing. Only our clothes and money and flip flop