Tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos
Backpacker fun on the river
IG: @bethsandland
Floating down the Nam Song river in a giant rubber ring in the glorious Laos sunshine, stopping off at various bars on the banks along the way, isn’t the worst way to spend an afternoon. Tubing is a backpackers rite of passage and Laos’ Vang Vien is a renowned place to give it a go!
Relaxing on the river
Before the rainy season starts it’s a very sedate current, so there’s plenty of time to lay back and relax whilst chatting to other travellers. During or just after the wet season, you can expect a slightly more thrilling adventure! You’ll begin and end at a riverbank bar with a stop off half way through as well. Alcohol is, inevitably, overpriced but plenty of visitors sneakily bring their own in their dry bags!
Getting ready to go
Tubing is a great way to meet fellow travellers, especially when you all cling to each other to get pulled along by the boat! The experience takes a few hours in total including bar stops. Don’t rush to leave; at the final bar you have a chance to zip line over the water, play some volleyball, or drink and dance with your new found friends.
Final bar stop