The Ultimate Guide to Tubing in Vang Vieng

Sep 9

Anyone who has researched travelling Laos of backpacking Southeast Asia has heard of tubing in Vang Vieng. Yes it’s real and it’s pretty damn cool. Everyone is up for a laugh, you can do it in your own time, and the bars are full of happy, drunk, soaking wet people. Below we have answered all your top questions about tubing in Vang Vieng. Comment at the bottom if you have any more you want answering and we will add it to the article.

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What is Tubing?

Tubing in Vang Vieng is possibly what Laos is most famous for, especially by backpackers. You rent an inner tube from one of the many vendors in Vang Vieng, this is essentially a super tough giant donut ring, and then travel on a TukTuk (with all the rings piled on top) and drive about 3 km to the Nam Song river.

There you all enter the river on a small sloped entry point and float down the river, with beer in hand, stopping at multiple bars on the river bank. As you approach a bar, one of the staff will toss you a rope and pull you in before pointing you in the direction of the alcohol.

How much does tubing in Vang Vieng cost?

Tubing in Vang Vieng is really cheap, you have 3 different costs Tube Rental, Tube deposit (refundable), and a surcharge for the TukTuk ride if you want to leave before the TukTuk is full.

These prices are as follows:

Tube Rental: 60,000 kip per person (£5)
Tube Deposit: 60,000 kip per person (£5). You have to return the tube by 8 pm same day to get your refund.
TukTuk surcharge:. If there are less than four people ready to leave and you aren’t prepared to wait you’ll have to pay 5,000 kip per person, for each person you’re short.

Essentially though, if you are a large group or prepared to wait (if you go at 11:00 am this won’t be long) tubing in Vang Vieng will only cost you a fiver before alcohol.

How long does it take to do tubing in Vang Vieng?

The physical distance you tube is actually really short, and it’s up to you how long you choose to spend at each bar. However for most it’s usually about 4 hrs. The most popular time to start is 11:00 am and then the sun starts to set behind the hills around 3 pm, and the temperature drops considerably.

When is the best time to go tubing in Vang Vieng?

Peak season for tubing is December to may, when the weather is hotter and dryer in Laos. In terms of times of day, the best time to go tubing is around 11:00 am.

How many bars are there on route?

There used to be LOADS of bars on Vang Vieng’s tubing route, until people got far too drunk and things got a little out of hand. The Laos government then stepped in and created new regulations for safety. Now there are 3 bars that are open on the tubing route.

You can also take some of your own drinks with you for the float (we did). Just be careful to not let any river water get into them, and if it does DO NOT drink them.

There are usually also a few cool things going on at each of the bars, including games or sports. One bar had a volleyball court when we went, and another had got so muddy and wet from the rain we basically had a mud wrestling pit, (and yes we did use it)

Can I take my phone?

Technically you can take whatever you want with you on the tube, though I wouldn’t advise it. You are floating down a large body of water, meaning you could easily damage or lose anything valuable. Some people will take waterproof bags and store their belongings in, like this one. Get a dry bag, if you insist on taking one, they float, and they are super reliable. Your group could even use one and keep everything together.

Even though you need to use your passport number to sign a waiver at the Vang Vieng tubing centre, memorise it or take a photo, do not take it with you

Do you need to know how to swim to go tubing in Vang Vieng?

OK, so technically you don’t, you would still be let on the ring and able to float down the stream. However, I wouldn’t advise it, it’s super dangerous to drift in a current and not be able to swim even if you have a flotation device. So please - avoid it.

What should I take tubing in Vang Vieng?

Swimwear
Sun cream
Glasses
A hat - One you don’t mind soaking, or possibly losing
Dry bag
Some beers
Snack to soak up the alcohol (though they do sell some food at the bars)

Is tubing in Vang Vieng safe?

Yes. Previously tubing in Vang Vieng was a must do activity for backpackers in Southeast Asia, but then it started to develop a bad rep for safety reasons. Given the fact there was pretty much no regulation it’s unsurprising. The river has a dozen plus bars along its banks to tube too, with people getting more and more drunk along the way. There was even a rope swing and zip-line - terrible idea in shallow waters when you’re sober, let alone wasted.

Then tubing in Laos went through a re-vamp. The government shut it down and then reopened it with more regulation. Now only 3 bars stay open for tubing on the Nam Song River, all having to abide by certain rules, and there is most definitely no zip line or rope swing.

Tubing in Vang Vieng is still super fun, and welcomes thousands of backpackers every month, it’s just safer. There’s floating, booze buckets and 3 party to dock up at. As always just stay safe on the water when drinking.

You will also be asked to sign a waiver when you arrive at the tubing centre, as is standard procedure with pretty much any sport based activity.

If you have any other questions you’d like us to answer - Comment Below.

P.s Have an awesome time, and be safe!