Plan your evening
Things to Do in Vang Vieng at Night
How to spend an evening in Vang Vieng, from sunset over the karst mountains to the night market, riverside fire shows and a grand Lao dinner show.
Vang Vieng is famous for its days: kayaking on the Nam Song, caves, lagoons and those dramatic limestone peaks. When the sun drops behind the mountains, the town slows down and a different side of it opens up. Here is how to make the most of an evening.
Start with the sunset
The last hour of daylight is when the karst mountains turn gold and pink. Find a quiet spot along the Nam Song river, or book a sunset hot-air balloon flight a day or two ahead; the balloons go up in the late afternoon and land around dusk.
Wander the night market
As it gets dark, the walking street and night market fill with food stalls, fruit shakes and handicrafts. It is free to browse, easy to snack your way through, and a good place to pick up a hand-woven scarf or a sinh, the traditional Lao skirt.
Watch a fire show by the river
On most nights, fire spinners perform at the riverside bars. The shows are free to watch, and the reflections on the water make them worth a stop.
Spend the evening at Dragon’s Glow
For a full evening in one place, Dragon’s Glow is Vang Vieng’s grand Laotian cultural drum and dining show. Dinner is served at your table while Lao drums set the rhythm, dancers in silk and gold bring village life to the stage, aerialists fly overhead and sparks fill the air.
See show times and prices, or reserve your table in under a minute.
Getting around after dark
The town centre is compact and easy to walk. For anything further, tuk-tuks wait near the main streets; agree on the price before you set off. Some lanes are poorly lit, so a phone torch helps.
Stay safe
- Drink only sealed, branded drinks, especially spirits, and turn down free shots or drinks from unlabelled bottles.
- Stay out of the river after dark. Tubing, swimming and kayaking are daytime activities.
- Keep valuables close in busy bars and markets.
A simple plan for one evening
- Sunset by the river.
- Dinner and the show at Dragon’s Glow.
- A slow walk through the night market or along the river, before or after the show.
Planning your trip? Our guide to taking the train from Vientiane covers tickets, timing and getting into town.
