There are a handful of stunning blue lagoons in Vang Vieng just waiting for you to explore. And, of course, you want to pick the best lagoons to enjoy for an afternoon in this stunning part of Laos.
Therefore, I’ve put together this insider travel guide to give you all of the best information so that you can get the most out of your trip to Vang Vieng. Besides, there is plenty that you need to know before getting ready to jump on the road to reach the lagoons.
Finally, I’ve created travel maps, listed all the best lagoons, shared the best ways to reach the lagoons and other activities to enjoy in Vang Vieng. So, let’s dive in!
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Where Is Vang Vieng?
Vang Vieng is one of the smaller towns in Laos, but it still attracts a mass amount of visitors every year. Moreover, Vang Vieng is between Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
You would be looking at just under 2 hours of travel time if you are to travel between Vientiane and Vang Vieng.
How Many Blue Lagoons Are There in Vang Vieng?
There are a total of six lagoons and all of which are numbered from one to six. Therefore, there are no special names for each location, you can simply search ‘blue lagoon’ followed by a number and end up at one of the lagoons.
However, no doubt you want to choose a couple of the best lagoons. Fear not, I go into further detail on what to expect at each location so that you can choose the best spots to visit!
How to Get to the Lagoons
There are a couple of ways in which you can explore the lagoons for the day. First, by scooter and second by taxi or tuk-tuk.
Personally, I rode a scooter to all of the lagoons and honestly, I’m not entirely sure I would recommend it, especially for those travelling in the rainy season.
Moreover, the roads weren’t necessarily dangerous, but we had to drive through heaps of deep and muddly puddles making the ride feel uneasy. Nonetheless, if we were to fall, we wouldn’t really hurt ourselves as it was only a small puddle to fall in. But, still not an ideal situation!
However, if you are riding during the dry season, I don’t think you’d have much of a problem riding along the roads. But, take it easy as they are mostly gravel and dirt making them easy to slide and lose traction.
Therefore, I’d highly recommend going with a group of friends. A great way to see all the lagoons is to jump on scooters with a bunch of friends and slowly tour your way around to all of the locations. Moreover, this gives you the freedom to explore at your own leisurely pace.
Alternatively, I recommend considering a taxi or tuk-tuk to take you around. This is a much safer and faster way to get to the lagoons, and if you go in a group, the price of the taxi will be much less.
Weather Impacting the Lagoons
A major factor that you need to consider prior to visiting the lagoons is the weather. Moreover, if there has been a lot of rain around (rainy season), it’s highly likely that the lagoons may become discoloured.
This in turn changes the lagoons to a shade of brown from the runoff of dirt and sediment washing into the lagoons.
I think it’s important to keep this in mind as you wouldn’t want to be disappointed upon arrival. And, after a lot of rain, it can usually take a few days for the lagoon to return to a pretty shade of blue.
Therefore, if you have the time, try and plan it around the weather and aim to visit when there isn’t a lot of rain hanging around.
Entrance Fees and Opening Hours
For the most part, you will be looking at an entrance fee of around 10,000 Kip ($1 AUD) for each lagoon visit which gives you access to all the activities, deck chairs and cabanas onsite. I think this is an excellent deal and it ensures that all the lagoons are looked after and well-maintained.
Finally, in terms of opening hours, they are typically open from 9 AM to 5:30 PM daily. However, be sure to check for public holidays as this may impact opening schedules.
Nonetheless, this is plenty of time to explore a number of the lagoons and a very cheap daytime activity!
The Best Blue Lagoons in Vang Vieng
Blue Lagoon 1
We are off to a strong start here with the stunning Blue Lagoon 1. This lagoon is typically one of the most populated with heaps of tourists and locals flocking to the area to cool off for the day.
The lagoon features a stunning natural space, with large and beautiful trees sitting around the edge of the water and some cabanas to relax in.
You can use the rope swings to swing and jump into the water making it the perfect spot for some afternoon fun.
Additionally, if you’re up for a little adventure, feel free to check out the ziplining course and head up to Phu Kham Cave to do some further exploring.
Blue Lagoon 2
Next up on the list is Blue Lagoon 2. And, this is another favourite location among travellers and locals. There are a few different pools you can swim in, and they are reasonably large.
Moreover, you can enjoy a ride on the ziplines, hang out on the swings or simply enjoy a float in the refreshing water. Additionally, there is some nice grass around the outskirts of the lagoon, so you can perch up in one of the spots and sunbathe.
This is definitely an idyllic lagoon and is really one of the prettiest. I recommend adding this one to your list as it’s set in a stunning location!
Blue Lagoon 3
Another well-loved blue lagoon in Vang Vieng is number three. Moreover, this one sure packs a punch with a few fun activities to enjoy while spending time in the refreshingly cool water.
However, this is the most remote lagoon and is the furthest from Vang Vieng. So, take note that it will take you around an hour of travel time to reach this location.
Unfortunately, when I visited, a lot of rain had turned the water brown, but it was still a really great place to hang out for a couple of hours.
Moreover, the zipline is a lot of fun and you can jump into the water below. Also, there are multiple diving boards and there are bamboo rafts to float on the river.
Finally, the small restaurant makes some delicious and cheap food, and they also sell snacks, drinks and beer. So, this is the perfect spot to perch up and enjoy some fun in the sun.
Check out some reviews of Blue Lagoon 3 here.
Blue Lagoon 6
Of all of the lagoons, blue lagoon 6 was my favourite. Well, I suppose this would have to do with the fact that the lagoon was actually blue!
Moreover, there is a diving board so that you can jump into the water, inflatable tubes to relax on, canoes to zoom around the lagoon and other fun activities to enjoy.
I recommend enjoying some lunch here and then spending some time floating around in the cold and refreshing water.
Finally, you can relax in the little shelters, order some drinks and enjoy the absolute beauty of the location. This is my favourite hangout location in Vang Vieng and is an absolute must-visit for tourists!
Blue Lagoon Tour
I have created a blue lagoon tour so that you can see the best route for getting around to the lagoons. Moreover, you can save this map to your Google account and then pick the lagoons you wish to visit.
This is an easy and convenient way to get around to the lagoons. Feel free to use the link when getting ready to visit the lagoons!
Besides, this is the best route that I have found to take when wanting to squeeze in all of the best spots on a day trip.
Do I Recommend Visiting the Blue Lagoons?
The blue lagoons in Vang Vieng are an excellent daytime activity for exploring the outskirts of the town. They are absolutely worth a visit, and you can choose to visit even just a couple of them.
So, I recommend that you decide on two after considering my travel information and make your way to them.
On the other hand, if you would like to go with a guide, consider checking out one of the tours below. These are an excellent way to explore the lagoons without having to worry about navigating or riding a scooter by yourself.
Additional Activities in Vang Vieng
There are so many great things that you can do while spending time in Vang Vieng! Here are some of the activities that I recommend checking out:
- Hot air balloon rides
- Hike up to Nam Xay’s viewpoint
- Visit Kaeng Nyui waterfall
- Pha Ngern viewpoint
- Bamboo Bridge
Read more: Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Ride: The Ultimate Experience in Laos
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, these are all of the best blue lagoons in Vang Vieng. Besides, they are all fantastic to enjoy for a quick dip or an afternoon of lounging.
They are an excellent way to refresh yourself from the Laotian heat. And, I recommend allowing plenty of time to enjoy these lagoons to the fullest.
Finally, my favourite blue lagoon in Vang Vieng is definitely number six. However, a lot of people tend to love number three. Nonetheless, this is the perfect chance for you to explore the lagoons and decide on your favourite one.
Also, if you would like to learn more about Laos, feel free to check out this section of my blog where I post plenty of content frequently.
Read more:
10 Reasons to Visit Laos: Including Travel Tips
Backpacking Laos: 2-Week Itinerary Map, Costs, and Travel Tips
