Hot Air Ballooning over Vang Vieng
I did almost no research ahead of time for my trip to Laos. So imagine my delight when I learned that there was an attraction so new that it had yet to hit the guidebooks: hot air ballooning over Vang Vieng. Is there a more romantic way to explore a place than by floating thousands of feet high in the air above it?
Balloons over Vang Vieng offers this experience at the bargain price of $70USD per person. While my trip was a gift from a friend I would have happily paid that price — it’s almost a third of what most operators around the world charge. Flights depart at 7:00am, 7:40am, and 4:30pm. As you might be able to tell from my I Hate My Alarm Face below, I went on the 7:00am departure.
Watching the balloon being blown up was fascinating and definitely reason alone to go on the first flight of the day — never mind getting to watch the sunrise over the famous Vang Vieng limestone karsts! But the set-up was quite the production as well as a reminder that I was taking part in a fairly adventurous activity, considering Southeast Asia’s motto: Safety Seventh! It may not be an official motto considering I am the only one using it, but trust me — it applies.
As always, click to enlarge
Seven or so of us shoved our way into the tiny basket and laughed nervously as the burner burst to life with flames. We adjusted to the heat of the fire as it lifted us slowly but surely away from land and towards the sunrise.
As we crawled higher we gained a completely unique perspective over the limestone mountains that Laos is known for. They push up harshly out of an otherwise flat valley, rough angles pushing upwards towards the clouds.
And at their feet lies the small town of Vang Vieng, population 33,000. Vang Vieng might not be much to look at while at eye level, but from above the collection of candy colored roofs looks almost quaint.
And of course, running through it all is the infamous Nam Song River, a portion of which is Ground Zero to tubing tourism.
But none of that insanity is visible from up in the clouds. Up there it’s all mountain, rivers and rice paddies.
I watched in awe as a tiny machine clipped to the side of the balloon recorded our height climbing up to 900 meters, or 3000 feet! I don’t have any deep fear of heights but reading that number and having zero grasp of the science behind how we were being suspended so very high above the ground was a pretty exhilarating feeling.
what happens when you hand a DSLR to someone else: fuzzy photos
Although the rides last a full forty minutes, it seemed like only seconds before we were descending back to Earth again.
I was absolutely kicking myself the entire time for bringing the wrong memory card and being unable to shoot video, but the feeling was at its worst as we brushed slowly and calmly though the treetops. I can’t think of a more cinematic moment in my life.
We steered close along the river, trying to come to a slow and controlled landing.
Of course, the landing is always the most dramatic part of hot air ballooning. We were passing along the river for so long I thought that surely we were going to drop down into it, when suddenly we made whip-lash inducing contact with the riverbank. We bumped and dragged and stumbled along for a bit until we came to an anti-climactic pause.
Unless you count a quick journey up in a tethered balloon over Angkor Wat, this was my first real experience hot air ballooning. It was one of the highlights of my trip to Laos! Between this and the caves and lagoon that I featured previously, I think it’s clear that Vang Vieng is a worthwhile stop for anyone passing through Laos, regardless of their desire to spend the day at a riverside rave.
As we drove back towards our guesthouses and watched the second flight of the day pass overhead, I couldn’t help but think that there was no better start to a day than this.
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I'm a New York native who left my home to explore the world slowly and thoroughly. I love photography, scuba diving, and reading guidebooks to countries I have no immediate plans to visit. Read more on my 
Oh my gosh, Alex!! I’m soo jealous! The photos are amazing! I plan on doing this in a couple of months when I’m in Montenegro, although, I’m afraid I’m going to be too terrified to take pictures
Tiffany @ theUnimaginedLife recently posted..The Ultimate Swiss Train Challenge. Part 1.
Thank you Tiffany! There were definitely a few people in my basket who were pretty terrified of heights. I’m glad that’s one phobia that seems to have passed me by!
I think I’m going to adopt your SE Asia motto.
Jeff recently posted..Complaint Warning: The Boryeong Mud Festival
Ha, it’s pretty appropriate based on everything I’ve observed!
super cool. and great photos. especially the last few.
Annie recently posted..Weekly Photo: Tonle Sap, Cambodia
Thanks Annie!
I love it! Cool photos and the scenery is beautiful!
crazy sexy fun traveler recently posted..MAGICAL VIEWS FROM THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
Thanks! The setting could not have been better. Beautiful place.
I love hot air ballooning. If I recall correctly Mom shares my enthusiasm.
You were my very first ever hot air ballooning buddy back in Cambodia!
This is incredible! Hot air ballooning has been on my bucket list forever.
Sarah recently posted..Lake Living
Me too! Funny thing is I was trying to decide between going to Laos or Burma and one of the main reasons I wanted to go to Burma was to hot air balloon over Bagan. Little did I know what was waiting for me in Laos!
Wow, it looks beautiful from up there
What a fantastic experience!!
Dani recently posted..Notes from the beach house: Week 3
It definitely is on my list of “coolest travel experiences!”
WOW!! Absolutely adding this to my list! Amazing views
Lindsey recently posted..The Trip That Wasn’t – On Postponing Travel
This is definitely a bucket-list worthy adventure, Lindsey! Thanks for reading!
This looks amazing–and I’ve never heard of people doing it in Laos (mostly New Mexico, California or Turkey). I feel like lately I’m the only person I know who HASN’T been up in a hot air balloon! Shows you what kind of people I hang out with/follow online, I suppose =)
Camels & Chocolate recently posted..Santa Cruz: Where Volcanoes and Desert Collide
Seems like indeed, you have pretty cool friends
I LOVED hot air ballooning and this only made me want to it even more in places like Turkey, Australia, etc.
Oh this looks amazing… this is the 1st time I am hearing of Hot Air Balloons in Vang Vieng. So much is written about that place, but it’s always negative post. I will be in SEA soon and if my budget allows I will do this as well. I did a HAB ride in Luxor Egypt and it was amazing. Such a cool experience. Love the photos.
Jaime recently posted..A love story with an expiration date.
You know, I have mixed feelings on Vang Vieng. I had a great time but it was definitely a guilty pleasure, emphasis on the guilty! It definitely helped to mix up the tubing with some more back-to-nature activities like caving and soaring above the clouds
Wow – incredible photos Alex. I didn’t know you could go ballooning in Laos so I’m excited to try it when we’re there
Hannah recently posted..The truth shall set you free
I was so excited to do it! Like I said elsewhere in the comments, I had almost gone to Burma rather than Laos and a big part was that I wanted to hot air balloon over Bagan…. so I’m so excited I got to do it anyway!
Woah! THis is so cool. Thanks God I got to read this before I go to Laos this October. I really thought Vang Vieng was all about tubing and mount climbing. Thanks for this.
jipp recently posted..Boobs
You’re welcome! It definitely seems to be a newer attraction.
[...] beautiful Laos — I love the way this photo from my hot air balloon ride uses shadow to show several shades of [...]