A long, lazy weekend in Vientiane

[tamada]

Just for a change of tempo, ride the train to NK on a Friday, cross over the bridge and spin the wheels with the family for a few days before coming back on Monday.

We haven't been there since maybe 14 years already, so assuming it has changed a lot. Back then, lodging choices were limited and I recall there was a curfew? Tips on places to stay and where to eat. Something for the kids as well? I'll have my passport but Mrs tam and the bairns will be on their Thai ID's so we won't be able to stray too far.

Ta
tam

[trekkertony]

Hi Tamada, my wife wanted to go hot air ballooning at Vang Vieng, so as part of the planning, l printed off the Evisas and submitted same on arrival from NK. The Lao official would not accept the prefilled applications and requested that hard copy handed to us at the border be used. The visa fee can be paid in $US, Baht or local currency. We stayed at the Azalea Parkview Hotel on arrival in Vientiane and on our return from Vang Vieng. The Agoda reviews speak volumes for the hotel. The information supplied is 12 months old so things can change in that time.

[tamada]

Hi Tamada, my wife wanted to go hot air ballooning at Vang Vieng, so as part of the planning, l printed off the Evisas and submitted same on arrival from NK. The Lao official would not accept the prefilled applications and requested that hard copy handed to us at the border be used. The visa fee can be paid in $US, Baht or local currency. We stayed at the Azalea Parkview Hotel on arrival in Vientiane and on our return from Vang Vieng. The Agoda reviews speak volumes for the hotel. The information supplied is 12 months old so things can change in that time.

Excellent tt, many thanks. I was surfing (as you do) and saw the Vang Vieng balloon thing in the dry season and thought that would be a real thrill for the wife and boys. The last time I did that in Thailand, it was a short ride at sunrise that started a fair bit inland from Pattaya and ended up touching down near Naklua before a limo transfer to a breakfast served on a secluded beach. If we do that up-country Laos trip, they'll need passports which I should have time to renew at the office in Udon Thani. How's the trip from Vientiane to Vang Vieng? I read there's train service now but years ago the roads were described as 'rough'.

Savanakhet IO was happy with a pre-filled eVisa paperwork last year but I'll keep that in mind.

I'll check out the Azalea Parkview as well.

[trekkertony]

If going to/from Vang Vieng, make sure it is not the milk run through all the villages. The road was rough and seating was in short supply. We had a great run on good road/transport up and the milk run on the way back.
The air ballooning is run by a French company abovelaos.com
Whilst we were there we also did the kayaking, tubing, caving and swimming in the blue lagoon.
Check out https://www.klook.com/en-AU/city/181-va ... ngs-to-do/

[joepai]

How's the trip from Vientiane to Vang Vieng? I read there's train service now but years ago the roads were described as 'rough'.

[/quote]
Why not try the new(ish) High Speed Train ?

[trekkertony]

The train option is great, it puts Luang Prabang within easy reach.

[FrazeeDK]

the long rough road to Vang Vieng now has a better option, the Tollway/Expressway that's been open for over 2 years. Up to Vang Vieng in a bit over an hour, driving 120kph..

The train to Vang Vieng too is an option, either the "high speed train" at 120kph or the regular train at 100kph..

[tamada]

Checked a few websites and the train schedules and options look good. If there's a tollway/expressway now, that probably makes the minivan option more comfortable.

Since we're travelling to the interior, the wife and lads will need more than their ID cards. We've renewed Thai passports before at Udon not long after they started and I recall it was quite easy and fast. What's the delivery times now, anyone know?

[rick]

About 7 days a year ago, at Central Plaza.

[tamada]

About 7 days a year ago, at Central Plaza.

Ah yes, thanks Rick. I forgot that they'd relocated there. The last time we did it, the office was inside some municipal government building over in central Udon as opposed to Central. Seven days is doable.

[tamada]

About 7 days a year ago, at Central Plaza.

Three days including application day last month at Central Plaza.

Done!

[Brian Davis]

the long rough road to Vang Vieng now has a better option, the Tollway/Expressway that's been open for over 2 years. Up to Vang Vieng in a bit over an hour, driving 120kph..

Drove that road quite recently and it was a joy. Very quiet, even though it was a holiday. BUT, be warned. Absolutely no facilities on the highway itself - no toilets, no gas, no shops. Two large service areas have been built, but completely unoccupied. I got cut short - dodgy eating from night before? It was desperate. Thank goodness for a deep, dry drainage channel and hopefully no cameras.

[Pikolim]

That sounds like a great plan! It’s wild how much NK has changed since I last went, too. When we visited a few years back, we stayed at a newer hotel downtown that was super family-friendly—definitely check that out. The street food there is amazing, and the kids loved trying everything. There are also some nice parks nearby where they can run around and burn off energy. Just make sure to look into the curfew, as it can still be a thing.