Tubing in Vang Vieng: Is Laos’ Famous River Ride Still Worth It?

Before I started traveling, I pictured Laos as a remote, war-torn, poverty-stricken country hidden somewhere deep in the jungle. Yes, I can be spectacularly ignorant sometimes.

As it turns out, this landlocked Southeast Asian nation has long been a favorite among backpackers.

Although not as popular as neighboring Thailand (or perhaps because of that), it’s the favored option for backpackers who wish to escape the more commercialized side of Southeast Asia.

One of the places that put Laos firmly on the backpacker map is Vang Vieng, a stunning riverside town about 80 miles (130 km) north of Vientiane.

Surrounded by towering limestone karsts, caves, and the Nam Song River, it became world-famous in the late 2000s for one thing: river tubing.

At its peak, tubing in Vang Vieng was even compared to Thailand’s legendary Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan.

Thousands of backpackers descended on the town every year, floating from one riverside bar to the next in what became one of Southeast Asia’s most infamous party experiences.

Tubing in Vang Vieng

So, what exactly is tubing, and why did it make Vang Vieng famous?

Tubing is exactly what it sounds like: floating down a river on a giant inflatable tube.

In Vang Vieng, that means drifting along the Nam Song River while taking in spectacular views of towering limestone karsts, lush forests, and the occasional cave dotting the landscape.

Even without the party scene, it’s an incredibly scenic way to spend an afternoon.

But let’s be honest. The scenery wasn’t the main reason Vang Vieng became legendary.

What really put the town on the backpacker map were the riverside bars.

Back in its heyday, tubing was less about quietly floating down the river and more about hopping from one bar to the next, drinking your way downstream.

During the dry season, when the current was slower, the journey could take up to four hours, giving backpackers plenty of time to stop for drinks and the occasional life-threatening decision.

Why was tubing in Vang Vieng dangerous?

Back in the day (before 2012), Vang Vieng’s tubing scene was at its peak.

Hundreds of backpackers floated down the Nam Song River every day, stopping at riverside bars for cheap drinks, loud music, and adrenaline-pumping attractions like rope swings and makeshift zip lines.

As you can probably imagine, alcohol, drugs, fast-moving water, and risky stunts were a recipe for disaster. Safety standards were minimal, and life jackets weren’t always worn or properly enforced.

Many of the reported deaths weren’t caused by tubing itself, but by intoxicated tourists diving into shallow water, hitting submerged rocks, or drowning after drinking heavily.

The exact number of fatalities has been difficult to verify, but reports suggest that at least 20 tourists died each year, with 27 deaths recorded in 2011 alone.

The growing number of accidents eventually attracted international attention and put increasing pressure on the Lao government to take action.

In 2012, authorities launched a major crackdown on Vang Vieng’s party scene. They shut down most of the illegal riverside bars, cracked down on drug use, tightened licensing requirements, and introduced stricter safety regulations.

The infamous all-day booze cruise was effectively over, and Vang Vieng began reinventing itself as more of an adventure and nature destination than a backpacker party town.

What is tubing in Vang Vieng like today?

The Vang Vieng of today is very different from the one that made international headlines over a decade ago.

After the government crackdown, visitor numbers dropped significantly as most of the riverside bars were shut down and stricter safety regulations were introduced.

Tubing never disappeared altogether. It has gradually made a comeback, but in a much more laid-back form.

Today, only a handful of licensed riverside bars operate along the Nam Song River, and the atmosphere is far more relaxed than it used to be.

Gone are the days when hundreds of drunken backpackers floated from bar to bar every afternoon.

These days, most people come for the spectacular scenery, a leisurely float down the river, and perhaps a drink or two along the way.

If you’re expecting the legendary party scene of the early 2010s, you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re looking for one of the most scenic river floats in Southeast Asia, tubing in Vang Vieng is still well worth doing.

Best time to go tubing in Vang Vieng

Tubing is available year-round, but your experience can vary depending on the season.

The best time to go is during the dry season, generally from November to March, when water levels are lower and the current is gentler.

The slower flow means you can take your time and enjoy the dramatic limestone scenery.

During the rainy season (roughly May to October), the Nam Song River flows much faster due to heavier rainfall.

While tubing is still possible, stronger currents can make the ride shorter and less relaxing, especially for first-time tubers.

My experience tubing in Vang Vieng

I visited during the dry season, so there hadn’t been any rain for a while and the river was incredibly calm. You could almost fall asleep as you drifted lazily downstream.

Despite the gentle current, the Nam Song River was much deeper than it looked. I found that out the hard — or rather, the embarrassing way — when halfway through the ride, my tube started deflating.

In hindsight, that faint hissing sound I’d been hearing should have been a clue.

Before long, my tube was steadily losing air, becoming softer and softer until it was little more than a sad, floppy piece of rubber. So much for my relaxing float.

Rather than panic or die of embarrassment, I tried to act as if everything was perfectly under control, even though a few fellow tubers seemed rather entertained by my predicament.

This video was taken before my tube decided to give up on life:

The guide was too far behind for me to get his attention, but luckily I wasn’t alone. I casually grabbed onto my partner’s tube and floated along as though that had been the plan all along.

I was also incredibly grateful to be wearing a life vest.

Once the guide realized what had happened, he swam over, swapped my tube for his, and then headed toward the next riverside bar, where he helped pull us ashore.

I’m not sure whether it was because we started so late (around 3 p.m.), but only one bar was open that day. We stayed for a while, had a few drinks, and watched people taking turns on the rope swing.

I have to admit, I was surprised they still allowed it, considering how many accidents it had been linked to before the government’s crackdown.

After about half an hour, the temperature started to drop. The sun disappears behind Vang Vieng’s limestone mountains surprisingly early, and it gets chilly fast.

Before long, we climbed back into the vehicle and headed back to town.

 

Tips for tubing in Vang Vieng

• Renting a tube is straightforward. Simply head to a tubing rental office in town, pay the rental fee and a refundable deposit, and you’ll be driven to the starting point a few kilometers upstream. The transfer is included in the fee, which is now 60,000 kip (USD 3) plus a 60,000 kip deposit.
• Make sure you return your tube before the stated deadline (around 6 pm) to avoid losing part of your deposit.
• Do check the clock at the rental office before you set off. Some travelers have claimed that the office clock was set about 15 minutes fast, causing “late returns” and deposit penalties.
• Try to start your tubing adventure before noon. The ride itself can take anywhere from two to four hours, depending on the water level, how often you stop, and the strength of the current. Starting early gives you plenty of time to relax without having to rush back.
• Wear the life jacket provided if you’re not a confident swimmer. The river may look calm in places, but it can be deep, and the current changes throughout the year. A life jacket is a lot less embarrassing than having to be rescued halfway down the river. Trust me.

• Bring as few valuables as possible. While dry bags are available to rent, there’s no guarantee that they’re completely waterproof. If you need to bring your phone or camera, it’s safer to bring your own high-quality waterproof bag or phone pouch.
• If you plan to stop at the bars, drink responsibly. Tubing in Vang Vieng earned its infamous reputation because of excessive drinking, drugs, and risky activities like rope swings. Those wild days are largely over, but common sense is still your best safety gear.
• If local kids help drag your tube onto the riverbank at the bars, it’s customary to tip them a small amount for their help.
• Keep an eye on your tube whenever you stop along the river. Tubes occasionally go missing, whether by accident or because someone decides to “borrow” one. Losing your tube also means losing your deposit.
• Don’t forget your waterproof sunscreen. Even on cloudy days, you’ll spend hours floating under the tropical sun.
• Bring a waterproof action camera with a floating hand grip, if you want to capture the experience without worrying about dropping it into the river.
• The tubing route ends about a 10-minute walk from the rental office.
• If you decide to end your trip early, you can easily catch a tuk-tuk back to town from one of the riverside bars. The fare is inexpensive, although it’s always a good idea to confirm the price before getting in.
• Please be respectful when walking back through town. Pack a T-shirt and shorts in your dry bag so you can change into them before leaving the river.
• Finally, take a moment to inspect your tube for leaks before setting off.

Should you get travel insurance?

Tubing in Vang Vieng is much safer than it used to be, but it’s still an adventure activity, and accidents can happen anywhere.

A slippery riverbank, an unexpected fall, or simply losing your phone in the water can quickly turn a fun afternoon into an expensive one.

Before any trip, I always get travel insurance that covers adventure activities and medical emergencies.

Just make sure you read the policy carefully, as not every insurer automatically covers adventure activities like tubing or other water sports.

Read: Is travel insurance really necessary for backpackers?

Where to stay in Vang Vieng

Whether you’re here for river tubing, outdoor adventures, or simply soaking in the stunning limestone mountain views, there are plenty of accommodation options ranging from budget-friendly hostels to comfortable riverside resorts.

Budget

• SaBai Backpacker Hostel
• Vangvieng Rock Backpacker Rooftop Hostel
• Vang Vieng Chill House

Mid-range

• Sunrise Mountain View Resort
• Sky Hotel
• Vang Vieng Sky Mountain View Hotel

Luxury

• ViengTara VangVieng Resort
• Riverside Boutique Resort
• Tmark Resort Vangvieng

Final thoughts

Tubing in Vang Vieng has come a long way from its infamous party days. The wild, alcohol-fueled river scene that once made international headlines is mostly a thing of the past.

Today, the experience is much more relaxed, with travelers coming mainly to enjoy the beautiful Nam Song River, the dramatic limestone mountains, and the slow pace of floating through one of Laos’ most scenic landscapes.

If you’re visiting Vang Vieng, I still think tubing is an experience worth trying. Just don’t go expecting the legendary backpacker chaos that people talked about years ago.

Instead, think of it as a laid-back afternoon adventure with a little bit of excitement, a little bit of nature, and perhaps a drink or two along the way.

Most importantly, remember that the river deserves respect. Keep your alcohol intake in check, don’t take unnecessary risks, and maybe don’t pick a tube that makes a hissing sound.

This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated periodically to reflect the most current travel information.

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