Blue Lagoon is a popular attraction in Vang Vieng, with many travellers visiting every day. In fact, I noticed that Blue Lagoon gets too over crowded with tourists, making it unappealing and hard to enjoy. However, Tham Phu Kham Cave definitely makes up for it.
How to get there
First things first, you need a bike. Head to any rental shop to pick one of these bad boys up. We paid 25,000 kip for ours.
Cross the bridge by Vanphaxay restaurant and take a left turn going along the river. From here, the road is pretty rocky and you might see cow poop, so watch where you're biking. Head down the river until you reach the fork in the road. Keep right at the fork and cross the bridge. Look out for signs if you get lost.
From here, continue on the dirt road. Along the way, you'll bike past villages and the countryside with beautiful mountain views. There will be signs along the way for different caves, so feel free to check those out if you're up for it. Please keep in mind that you may be required to pay entrance fees at each one (10,000 kip). The bike ride is fairly easy since it's mostly flat with a bit of uphill and downhill. However, the roads are not well-maintained and the bikes aren't too great either. It might be wise to wear sunglasses to cover your eyes from the dust.
The bike ride is approximately 7 kilometres one-way and takes about 30-45 minutes, depending how often you stop for pictures. Once you get there, there's a entrance fee of 10,000 kip.
Blue Lagoon
We didn't really like this. It's a crowded river that's a beautiful shade of blue. There's also a tree you can jump off of too, which is pretty refreshing after the bike ride. However, we didn't stay very long.
Tham Phu Kham Cave
This cave is spectacular and you should see it if you're in the area. Before you head up to the cave, there's a stand where you can rent a headlamp for 10,000 kip.
Head up the steep rocky stairs to reach the mouth of the cave. Be careful as you make your way around because it can get slippery. There will be orange arrows to guide your way to the back of the cave. Once you get there, turn off your lights and take it all it. It's very serene, but scary if you're alone.
NOtes:
- Be careful of people trying to guide you in the cave. They expect a hefty tip.