Vang Vieng has become another outpost on the backpackers trail. It is filled with restuarants showing movies, and travel agents trying to organize inexpensive activities.
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| Favourite spots: |
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My favorite spot was on the third floor balcony of my hotel overlooking the town with the limestone mountains in the background.
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| What's really great: |
Going caving in Manong Oua cave. There was a guide waiting for business at entrance with lights. He charged about a dollar to give a tour for two people.
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| Sights: |
Hiking or biking in the mountains is very beautiful and popular. The Hmong village is the major hiking destination. A minor annoyance is that to cross each of the two river bridges there is a small tourist tax, which locals do not pay.
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| Accommodations: |
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I stayed at Doukhoun 2 for $3.50 a night. There are many guesthouses cheaper and more expensive. Most of the hotels have just been built to provide for tourist boom in last few years and are clean and nice with hot water and free coffee, tea, or water.
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| Nightlife: |
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The town is filled with places to play chess, backgammon, or cards, watch videos, or just chat with fellow travellers while drinking Beer Lao. I think the biggest danger at night is slipping on muddy street after it rains.
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| Hangouts: |
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There are internet cafes here but the prices are much higher than in Luang Prabang or Vientienne and the connections speeds are very slow.
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| Restaurants: |
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I think Lao food is some of the best in world. At most restuarants you can eat traditional Lao or the Lao version of basic French cuisine. A great baguette with fries and salad costs less than a dollar. There were also two Indian restuarants in town, I had a very nice marsala dosa.
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| Other recommendations: |
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Another popular activity is riding an inner tube down the river which draws mixed reviews. If the river is low it can be very slow boring trip. In Southeast Asia, Bukit Lawang in Indonesia is much better for inner tubing.
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Published on Sunday August 3th, 2003
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11 votes
