The Best of Cambodia & Laos

Vang Vieng Orchid This is an excellent riverside option. Balconies are very large in
the riverside rooms, which shows some foresight on the part of the builders since the
views are superb. The rooms are bright and well equipped. It can be a noisy in the evening
though since there are a slew of backpacker bars on the opposite island blasting out
techno pop.
Riverside Rd. & 023/511-172. 19 units. 80,000 fan double; 120,000 kip A/C double. No credit cards.
In room: A/C.
Vang Vieng Resort Down a small road, right in the lee of the mountain just across
the river about .5km (.3 mile) from town on the way to Tham Jang cave, the Vang Vieng
Resort is very peaceful. Separate bungalows set in leafy grounds (frequented by a not very
energetic crowd of chickens) make stay here very tranquil. The bungalows are a bit aged
but perfectly acceptable if a little dark.
Next to the bridge to Tham Jang Cave. & 023/511-050. 28 units. 80,000 kip fan double; 120,000 kip A/C
double. No credit cards. In room: A/C, TV.
Vilayvang Guest House This a good-value midrange option with rooms inside the
main building and bungalows outside. The bungalows are very nice, if slightly dark, but
a little far from the river compared to other operations on the same drag. This is reflected
in the price, and we are only talking about a few feet. The staff and management are very
relaxed and friendly.
Riverside Rd., south of town. & 023/511-673. 25 units. $18 resort double. No credit cards. Amenities:
Restaurant. In room: A/C, TV, fridge.
Villa Aekhan This is a new and slightly peculiar hotel. The whole of the downstairs
is a cavernous handicrafts and textiles shop. Upstairs are eight clean, spacious rooms,
which are both airy and well appointed. Only two have river views since the building has
been constructed perpendicular to the river. They are the same price as all the other
rooms, so are a bargain if you manage to get one. There is a balcony at the front of the
building.
Riverside Rd. & 023/511-357. 8 units. 150,000 kip double. No credit cards. In room: A/C, TV.
3 WHERE TO DINE
Whereas Vientiane is memorable when it comes to dining and Luang Prabang can certainly
hold its own, Vang Vieng is known for the fairly mundane quality of its restaurants.
You don’t eat badly in Vang Vieng, it’s just that you don’t eat very well either. If
you have been in Vientiane before enjoying the astonishing range and quality of food on
offer, be prepared to lower your standards a little when in Vang Vieng. In the center of
town most restaurants are attached to guesthouses and are of the cheap backpacker variety
with menus that are all roughly similar. It is the usual mixture of Asian-light, pizza,
and pancakes. The Xayoh right on the crossroads is a little more upmarket, but the food
is nothing special, being rather dreary and insipid. It is a good place to escape the surreal
tyranny of blasting TVs.
Generally when in the center of the town do not order anything on the menu that is
termed “happy” unless you actually want to get high. They also put all kind of things in
the milkshakes. Some of the restaurants here are really not a place to bring the children,
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VANG VIENG & SURROUNDING AREA 12
WHERE TO DINE