Natural beauty of Vangvieng main draw for tourists

I recently found myself back in Vangvieng district of Vientiane province along with old friends, who eagerly participated in leisure activities such as exploring caves and kayaking.
 On our second day in Vangvieng, I realised there was something else we just had to do – making it to the top of Pha Ngeun hill.

The tranquil Xong River passes through a mountainous region in Vangvieng district of Vientiane province.   --Photo provided to Vientiane Times

The height of this hill, located four kilometres from the centre of Vangvieng and across the Xong river, is 650 metres. It is on the path that leads to the Blue Lagoon and Poukham Cave.
For me, it was tough walking up the hill because I had not done any warming up. But it was a rare chance to escape the stresses of the city and bask in the arms of nature.
Five of us took more than half an hour to reach the peak. Some of us were very tired, but the reward was the magnificent view from the top.
We caught a glimpse of paddy fields in a valley, and it was as if we were in a dream or sitting in an aeroplane and looking out through the windows.
Mrs Pock, one of my friends in the group, was a little scared of heights. But after I reached the top of the hill, I had no fears at all. Instead, it was a joyful trip and a worthwhile experience in this laidback region.
“From now on, I will try to climb other hills as I got rid of my fear of heights in Vangvieng,” she said with a smile.
Many people tell their friends that if they want to see a lot of foreign tourists, they should go to Vangvieng, but the Covid-19 pandemic has changed things and the visitors have largely disappeared.
Vangvieng’s reputation as a riverside idyll has spread around the world and its name is increasingly recognised among younger travellers.
Before the pandemic, foreign tourists gathered in large groups by the Xong river, even during the traditional low season.
In the past, Vangvieng attracted a lot of foreign tourists every year, mainly from the Republic of Korea, Thailand and China. Now, they are gradually coming back again following the easing of Covid-19-related travel restrictions.
There has been an increase in foreign visitors coming to Laos, thanks to the country’s culture and natural beauty. At the same time, tourism must be developed in a sustainable manner.
Laos, especially Vangvieng, has many fascinating attractions, but Pha Ngeun hill is a good challenge for climbers looking to prove their fitness.
As for me, I plan to return to the top of hill so that I can once again enjoy the fresh air, the sense of freedom and the magnificent views over the landscape below.
Despite the vagaries of nature and unpredictable global events, this small riverside town, the placid river and the surrounding mountains continue to entice and enchant visitors.
Sitting there, I felt no need to go anywhere else, and others nearby were clearly as contented as I was. We sat and watched groups of kayakers go past and I sensed a youthful spirit in myself.
Conveniently situated about an hour along the expressway north out of Vientiane, Vangvieng boasts a wide range of activities, such as tubing, kayaking, climbing, cycling, trekking, caving, boat trips, quad bike riding, and village visits.

Tourism in Laos was on the rise before the pandemic and the sector is expected to witness a revival when the peak season arrives later this year. More than 4.1 million people came to Laos during Visit Laos Year 2018, an 8.2 percent increase over 2017, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

Tourists enjoy taking pictures at the top of Pha Ngeun in Vangvieng. (File photo)	Kayaking has long been one of the most popular activities for visitors to Vangvieng. (File photo)

(Latest Update August 25, 2022)