Vang Vieng, Ignore the Reputation

Vang Vieng is the most openly avoided city in Laos. Why?

Because tourists were dying. *gasp*

The river through town used to be lined with sketchy rope swings and spring break style wild bars selling buckets of booze. Common sense says binge drinking and rivers do not mix. 

The town has since shut down a majority of the bars, and the rope swings are gone. We find it sad that this reputation overshadows Vang Vieng. Ok, true the town itself could be called ugly compared to the UNESCO designated Luang Prabang, and it is super weird that some restaurants have been playing "Friends" on repeat for years.

However, anyone that claims that the surrounding area is not completely stunning, is a liar or blind.