News.com.au have an article about the impact of tourism on Laos, and in particular Vang Vieng.
Doesn’t seem like there’s much news to me there. It was the same 3 years ago when I first went to Laos.
I like Vang Vieng a lot. It’s scenery is really nice. There are a lot of “Falang” idiots, but they tend to congregate together. If you just head away from the “tubing” river it can be quite scenic and quiet. In my personal experiences I haven’t seen anyone too badly behaved. It’s definitely a place worth checking out. Hey, even the “tubing” is pretty fun. It’s pretty amusing to see people axe themselves on the giant swings.
April 16, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I had a great time in Vang Vieng
July 31, 2011 at 11:56 am
If you want to avoid the falang idiots just cross the river by the toll bridge. I highly recommend mango and nono guesthouse.
September 28, 2011 at 10:59 pm
I really couldn’t abide Vang Vieng. The missus and I had a 5 day booking, but we gave up after 3 (even though we couldn’t get a refund on the unused nights). The land surrounding the town is beautiful, but the young, loud, constantly drunk and stoned idiots who flock there are insufferable. I’m only 30, but nowhere else on earth have I ever felt so old.