Exploring Vang Vieng’s Blue Lagoons: Which One Is Best?
Which Blue Lagoon? 1,2 or 6?
Discovering the perfect Blue Lagoon in Vang Vieng can feel overwhelming – especially when you’re trying to make the most of your limited time in this stunning Laotian paradise. After spending 9 unforgettable days exploring every nook and cranny of Vang Vieng’s lagoons, caves, and viewpoints, I’m here to help you make that choice easier.
Picture this: I found myself drifting down the Nam Song River, watching limestone karsts pass by in slow motion, knowing that hidden among them were some of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful swimming spots.
But which one should you choose? Blue Lagoon 1 might be the most famous, but is it really the best? What about the less crowded alternatives?
In this guide, I’ll share my firsthand experience visiting Blue Lagoons 1, 2, and 6 (spoiler alert: number 6 surprised me the most).
I’ll break down everything you need to know – from entrance fees and crowd levels to safety considerations and the best times to visit.
Whether you’re a solo adventurer or travelling as a couple, I’ll help you pick the perfect lagoon for your Vang Vieng adventure.
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Map Of Vang Vieng’s Blue Lagoons
Getting To Vang Vieng
There are a couple of ways to get to Vang Vieng.
When we visited, we took a shared minivan from Vientiane, the capital, to Vang Vieng.
It was surprisingly comfortable and took about 2 hours. We paid $9.50 per person. I’m happy to recommend this way to travel.
You can also take the bus or train, which runs all the way from Kunming in China down to Luang Prabang and then Vang Vieng.
Read about my experience going from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang by train.
Our experience on the train was comfortable but a little strange; the staff were very direct and unfriendly.
You can purchase train or bus tickets below.
How To Get To The Blue Lagoon
So there are a few ways you can get to any of the blue lagoons inVang Vieng.
I suggest you take an electric bike to the Blue Lagoons. Why, you may ask? Well, it’s not as loud as a motorbike or buggy. Those vehicles roar all day long, so you won’t get a headache.
Additionally, you’ll travel at a slower pace, and while I understand you may want to maximise your time, the leisurely trip means you can enjoy the scenic limestone cliffs, rice fields, and other beautiful sights along the way.
If you don’t fancy that idea, you can rent a tuk-tuk, motorbike, buggy, or join a group tour.
By walking through the streets of Vang Vieng, you’ll find many transportation options, just ask people on the street or check with your hotel reception.
Visiting the lagoons is one of the best things to do in Vang Vieng.
Guided Tour Of The Blue Lagoon
Take all the hassle away with a group tour.
We did a number of group tours from Vang Vieng and honestly, it saved us so much time, hassle, and questions.
We visited Blue Lagoon 1, found a reclining Buddha in a temple, went tubing in a cave, and went kayaking down the river. We also went ziplining through the treetops and enjoyed an included lunch.
I felt this was great value for money.
And this is just one of many tour options available.
You can meet people along the way and have so much fun in a group, experiences you might miss when going solo or as a couple.
Vangrong: Zipline, Rafting, 2 Cave Hikes, Kayaking, Lagoon 4
From Vientiane: Vang Vieng 2-Day Tour with Blue Lagoon
Vang Vieng: Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch
Where To Stay In Vang Vieng
There are some outstanding accommodation options in Vang Vieng and its surroundings.
The west side of the river puts you closer to the blue lagoons, but this doesn’t matter too much.
There is a fun walk or bike experience across the famous rickety Vang Vieng bridge if you stay on the east side, like we did.
We stayed at the Annecy Hotel, and it was the best accommodation I stayed in during my month in Laos.
The hotel offers a superb buffet breakfast and amazing mountain view rooms. Here’s my pro tip: head to the roof for brilliant 360-degree panoramic views of the town. When it rained, it looked like a sci-fi world, and that’s no exaggeration.
But you can judge for yourself.
Other great places to consider include Confetti Garden Hotel, Riverside Boutique Resort, Vang Vieng and Khampaseuth Hotel.
Blue Lagoon 1
This lagoon, as epic as it is, attracts the most tourists.
It’s the closest lagoon to the town of Vang Vieng. It’s often included in group tours that visit Pha Ngern Viewpoint of Nam Xay Viewpoint as well as other lagoons. Still, it’s very beautiful and a fun way to spend some hours in Vang Vieng.
The entrance fee is 20,000 KIP, and there are many places to eat. While it feels more commercial than the other blue lagoons, this has its advantages.
You can park right outside the entrance if you come by motorbike or buggy.
There’s also the amazing Phu Kham Cave to explore, which sits calmly 120 meters above Blue Lagoon 1.
When we visited, it was a challenging but fun experience. Just watch your step because it can be slippery even in the dry season.
Rent a flashlight at the bottom for a reasonable fee of 15,000 Kip for about an hour of exploring. Once back in the lagoon itself, we had so much fun.
We swam with countless fish and watched people dive from the board into the water. It was a blissful few hours of fun, relaxation, and adventure. One thing to note is that large group tours frequently visit here, so it can get super busy during different parts of the day.
Both times I visited, we encountered large groups who monopolised the diving areas and ropes hanging from the trees.
Overall, I highly recommend visiting. The gorgeous water and variety of activities more than make up for the bus crowds, and the cave is an incredible bonus.
For its natural beauty, the cave and water quality I would rate this lagoon 7 out of 10.
Don’t miss out on Angel Cave in Vang Vieng for another epic experience.
Blue Lagoon 2
Blue Lagoon 2 is another gem found close to the town of Vang Vieng.
Why do I recommend you visit? Well, there are actually three pools of water here that are interconnected.
You can laze around out of the sun in the wooden seating areas or lie your towel on the grass, protected from UV rays by the natural limestone cliff that covers most of the lagoon.
It’s honestly a stunning place to visit – even if there were no lagoon here.
There is a restaurant and a place to buy drinks, so you can refresh and recharge after diving or ziplining right into the pristine water.
While Blue Lagoon 1 was packed with fish, this one seemed to have much less when we visited.
Probably because they were scared of the people crashing and diving into the water. All jokes aside, it’s a proper adventure spot to come and enjoy the very best of the Laotian countryside.
Even when it started to get busy, people just lay out on the green grass with towels over their heads and took in the sun.
What I loved to do here was walk around the whole premises. We found ourselves all alone on the east side of the lagoon. The seating areas lay empty as most people went in search of the main lagoon pool with the best water and main diving board.
I recommend staying here for at least a couple of hours because of its distance from the town of Vang Vieng. Still, do whatever you want to do and feel right in the moment.
It costs 20,000 KIP per person to enter.
I would have paid 5 times that amount. Due to its amazing cliffs and beautiful water, I would score this lagoon 8 out of 10.
Blue Lagoon 6
Now we come to my favourite lagoon – 6.
We had to exit the main ring road for about 1.5 kilometres. It was muddy and slippery and not easy to get there.
However, it was all worth it as we mostly had the lagoon to ourselves.
Keep in mind we visited in June, and it wasn’t the high season. There was only one other couple when we entered, and they kept to themselves. We could explore upstairs at the reception in what looked like a restaurant.
I would NOT recommend going up there as it didn’t look safe when we visited.
The water was emerald-coloured, and again, a huge limestone cliff overlooks the lagoon. It doesn’t even feel like Earth anymore after seeing this.
I can only dream of what this oasis would be like when it’s tidy and well-maintained. I’ve heard from other travellers that it has since been improved in terms of upkeep, so you will likely have a different experience than we had in June.
We didn’t have to pay because there was nobody around.
In high season, it costs 20,000 KIP per person.
Watch My Vang Vieng Blue Lagoon Vlog
Safety Wing Travel Insurance
You will probably take part in adventures like ziplining, cave exploration, viewpoint trekking, kayaking and other fun things.
I suggest you use Safety Wing for your insurance provider.
It came in handy in Kazakhstan when an operation was needed.
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
Vang Vieng is famous for its blue lagoons.
In fairness, they are a brilliant way to spend some time. Cooling off from the heat or climbing to the caves around it.
There are still three more lagoons that I did not get to and therefore cannot comment on. If these lagoons I mentioned don’t seem like what you’re looking for, why not explore another blue lagoon for yourself?
I doubt any of them would disappoint.
Laos is beautiful, and the lagoons are just another reason why I urge so many people to give this adventure town a try.
Make sure you pack all you need for Southeast Asia, where I compiled a list of the essential and non-essential items.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
How Do I Get From Vang Vieng To Blue Lagoon?
You can easily get to any of the blue lagoons via tuk-tuk, motorbike, e-bike, buggy, or group tour. We travelled with an e-bike and took part in some group tours, all of which went very smoothly. Blue Lagoon 5 is the furthest away from Vang Vieng at 26 kilometres. Again, you can visit as part of a group tour or make your own way there. Just enjoy nature along the way.
Is 2 Hours Enough At The Blue Lagoon?
Yes, after exploring Blue Lagoons 1, 2, and 6, I think 2 hours should give you enough time to walk around, familiarise yourself with the lagoon, swim, climb, and even eat. Some people spend just an hour while others make a full day of it at any of the blue lagoons. Just make sure you have enough time to get back before dark, otherwise it becomes much more difficult.
Which Blue Lagoon To Visit In Vang Vieng?
If I could only visit one lagoon in Vang Vieng again, I would choose number 6. It felt the most raw. The water was magnificent, and there were kayaks and ziplines, plus it was abandoned. The experience felt unique, but you may not have the same experience as I since it has reopened for high season. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with Blue Lagoon 1, 2, or 6.
