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Backpackers tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos. Photo: Nick Hewson / Flickr
When we’re away from home, it’s tempting to cut loose and forget our inhibitions. A recent piece in The Guardian UK points out the dangers in partying: Vang Vieng, Laos: the world’s most unlikely party town.
The article explores how the small Lao town has blown up into a hotspot on the Southeast Asia backpacker trail. While revenues and amenities have increased, safety measures have not. The reporter warns of injuries sustained by backpackers who failed to take the proper care.
“Tubing” is a popular pastime in Vang Vieng. This involves riding down the river in an inflatable tube. Along the river are a strip of bars and pubs to cater to thirsty travelers. A quote from the piece is sobering:
Frequent tragedies occur as a result of mixing alcohol with tubing, and other river stunts. Vang Vieng’s tiny hospital recorded 27 tourist deaths in 2011 due to drowning or diving head first into rocks, including that of a 23-year-old Dorset man, Benjamin Light. A senior doctor at the hospital, Dr Chit, says the overall figure is higher because “many fatalities are taken straight to Vientiane”.
The Lao government seems hesitant to confront the issue. The writer mentions that many of the bars are owned by powerful interests who have a strong stake in keeping the tourist dollars flowing. Any bad press could put a damper on that. At the same time, backpackers seem unaware of the potential risks in drinking and tubing.
How do you stay safe while partying abroad? Please share your tips and stories in the comments.
April 10th, 2012 at 8:35 am
Wow, I remember when Vang Vieng was just starting out as a party destination in the late 1990sl it was known as a fairly mellow stopoff between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. That statistic on tourist deaths is startling, and underscores the fact that banal bad judgment (often under the influence of alcohol) can be more of a personal danger on the road than crime or political violence. I’ve always said that in the context of renting motorcycles or getting lost late at night, but I guess now I can add swimming/diving while partying to that equation as well.
April 10th, 2012 at 9:53 am
I cannot believe how many people go to Laos only to see Vang Vieng. I’ve even heard that Vang Vieng is the “ONLY good place in Laos!” There are so many incredible places there…Laos is actually one of my favorite countries in SE Asia.
April 11th, 2012 at 8:22 am
Thanks for the info. Will DEFINITELY make sure I bypass Vang Vieng on my travels. Sounds awful.
April 11th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Its a pity that so many people go to SE Asia with the primary objective of getting shit faced and partying on the cheap. My fellow Aussies are prime offenders
They miss out on a lot of what’s on offer in these countries and don’t exactly endear themselves to the locals. Great article.
April 14th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Vang Vieng does have a bad rap as a party town where tragedy strikes. However I really don’t think it’s up to the Lao government to resolve this issue. It’s a matter of travelers being more responsible, and realizing that alcohol and water (as in the Nam Song river) just don’t mix!
I stopped off in Vang Vieng for a couple of days en route to Luang Prabang. I rented a bike to explore the countryside, kayaked down the river, stopped at a riverside bar and checked out their home made waterslide. Interesting, fun, and pretty safe when sober!