The setting is undeniably beautiful but despite its natural assets there’s no sitting on the fence when it comes to opinions about Vang Vieng . To the backpacking fraternity it is simply heaven; for the true cultural traveller it is an example of how damaging tourism can be to local society. The once sleepy riverside town, perfectly located to break up the journey between Vientiane and Lunag Prabang, is now overrun with cheap guesthouse and noisy bars. However, you can escape the hustle and bustle by hiring a bicycle and heading out of town to explore the peaceful countryside and quiet villages, all with a backdrop of stunning karst mountain scenery.