Overview of Vang Vieng’s Blue Lagoon 3

Despite being South East Asia’s only landlocked country, Laos pulls out a few watery surprises. While tubing (and drinking) down Nam Son River is popular,  the Blue Lagoon 3, Vang Vieng was a stunning highlight of the half sleepy – half party orientated town.

While Vang Vieng’s other Blue Lagoons (numbers 1 & 2) are wider known – and thus much busier, I was more than content in spending my time at Blue Lagoon 3. With zip lines, balance beams and tubes it was a fun day trip from Vang Vieng. Plus, being surrounded by stunning limestone cliffs, it was also relaxing. There were even a couple of kayaks resting against the shoreline – it would’ve been a great way to practice on such smooth water, though you wouldn’t go too far as the lagoon isn’t too large.

Personally, I spent my time trying – and failing – to do backflips off the zip line. The spring mechanism would shoot you loose and hurtling towards the turquoise water.

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How to get to Blue Lagoon 3, Vang Vieng, Laos

Driving to the Blue Lagoon 3 is the easiest way to visit this beautiful Laos attraction. Hiring a motorbike in Vang Vieng is easy. There are so many shops offering rentals you have a wide range to pick and choose from, and I suggest you do. My group hired two bikes and both had issues, one even caused me to run off the road. Make sure you check your bike and helmet thoroughly and even then take the drive slow.

Another option, for around $100 USD you can rent a dune buggy style vehicle. Once in Vang Vieng, you will see them everywhere. This mode of transport is popular with Korean tourists, as reality T.V. show “Youth Over Flowers” visited Vang Vieng and three singers hired buggys. They do look fun!

Whatever you choose, take this road carefully, especially if it has been raining! Sections can be rocky, muddy and slippery, plus livestock roamed the quiet rural streets.

As for the directions, they are incredibly simple – I included a map at the bottom of this post to make it even easier to navigate. There are however a few small things worth mentioning.

Vang Vieng’s Blue Lagoon 3 is directly west of the tiny town, though the only road to it begins a little south. It’s not too hard to find once you cross the bridge in Vang Vieng, as it is the only way to get to the other side of Nam Song River.

To cross the fast flowing Nam Song River there is a toll bridge. For 10,000 KIP ($1.16 USD) return, you get to cross the bridge via thin wooden planks. Keeping a little bit of speed here makes it a lot easier to keep straight. Ever tried to ride a bicycle really slow? Same idea here.

There are a few little turns needed in rural Vang Vieng, but nothing too major. Faded colorful signs are posted every now and then. The roughly 20km is estimated by Google Maps to take 50mins, but I can assure you, it took a lot longer than that. Stopping to admire the beautiful Lao scenery was common, as the lush jungle giving way to majestic mountains was just incredible.

 

Hiring A Motorbike To Blue Lagoon 3, Vang Vieng

While there is a definite possibility of hiring a taxi to take you along the dirty, rock-filled road, it isn’t the most cost-effective. Just walking the streets makes it easy to find a taxi, if you would rather be driven to Blue Lagoon 3.

Once out of Vang Vieng, this road is almost always clear of traffic. You can go as slow as you want – and I highly suggest taking this road only at speeds you can stop on a moment’s notice.

Like usual, to hire motorbikes in Asia, a passport was requested as deposit. Usually, I suggest renting through a hostel affiliated company, however, it was not an option for the accommodation I chose. And of course, the only time I crashed was in Vang Vieng…

My group of three hired two bikes, and neither made the journey without issue. My bike’s steering suddenly locked up and sent me veering into the shoulder of the road, where the current monsoon created a nice little stream. Unfortunately, my partner, who was on the back of my bike was the only one injured, by way of the famous “Saigon Kiss” – tailpipe burn on her calf. As for our friend driving the other bike, as we were on the return leg back to Vang Vieng, it began to accelerate completely on its own.

Even though we checked both our bikes prior to leaving Vang Vieng, shit happens. It’s one of the risks of renting a motorbike in South East Asia. If you’re found at fault for any damage (even if you return it as you hired it), your passport will most likely be held at ransom for a stupid amount of money – often for much more than a brand new bike costs! Be cautious, be suspicious, and check your bike thoroughly before driving it away from the rental shop.

A story of how little things are so easily missed, in my friend had no fuel tank cap on our hike in Ao Nang, Thailand! Weird, right!? It’s hard to know a hired vehicle is roadworthy in Asia, going over it with a fine tooth comb could help a lot of these situations.

 

Vang Vieng Blue Lagoon 3 – Information

• Crossing the Nam Song River is done via the toll bridge. At the time of my visit, this fee was 10,000 KIP ($1.16) return.
• Entrance fee to Blue Lagoon 3 is 10,000 KIP ($1.16 USD). Food and drinks are available at the little shop here. Try the skewers at the little restaurant here, they are amazing!
• A general piece of information about Vang Vieng. If you’ve visited this unique town after 2014, you might’ve noticed a substantial number of Korean visitors. While I was there in 2017, many were driving “dune buggy” style vehicles. This location became a bucket list item for many after a Korean reality T.V. show “Youth Over Flowers” saw three popular actors visit the area and do a wide range of activities. Apparently, so I’m told, they drove these buggies while they were here?

 

Vang Vieng Blue Lagoon 3 – Tips

• Checking your motorbike before riding it is essential to minimize the chance of being scammed. This includes and dents or scratches. Indicators, brakes and horn are also a must to make sure they work. On blind corners, a short beep from a horn is a common way of signaling oncoming traffic of your location.
• Take it slow on the rocky and muddy road. I visited in monsoon season and the road was difficult to drive in sections. Driving slow will let you take in more of the beautiful scenery too!
• If you enjoy whiskey, I recommend giving Lao Whiskey a try! One can easily turn into 4 or 5, they seem to get rougher the more you do. Nearly every bar or restaurant in town has it, but they are cheap and always create great conversation.
• If you would like to learn more about Laos’ troubled history (it is the most heavily bombed country in the entire world, per capita), Phonsavan is home to the Plain of Jars and information centers detailing the effects of explosives that are daily concerns of the locals here. I highly suggest check the small town out, if you have the time to spare.
• Looking for a great place to stay in Vang Vieng? Check out some hostels and guesthouses.
• You can book tours and shuttle buses to various places around this small town in Laos.

 

Vang Vieng Blue Lagoon 3 Highlights

• Though I failed hard, trying to backflip from the zip line, it was fun!
• The scenery of the road is beautiful, and as the road is quiet. It is easy to enjoy as you drive.

 

Blue Lagoon 3 – Vang Vieng Map

 

Have you visited any of Vang Vieng’s Blue Lagoons? What did you think? What was your favorite? Let me know in the comments below, along with any questions or suggestions!

 

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