First time visitors to Laos inevitably make their way to Vang Vieng, four hours north of the capital Vientiane.
Vang Vieng is nestled at the foot of magnificent limestone mountains scattered with caves and underground streams that funnel in from Southeast Asia’s mighty Mekong. Within the scenery, visitors can enjoy caving, kayaking, cycling and trekking for a fraction of the price of similarly breathtaking countries in Europe. But adventure sports are not the main attraction here.
Another Place to Party for Backpackers in SE Asia
Characteristic of those on the islands of Thailand, central Vang Vieng is filled with western restaurants serving burgers and re-runs of Friends, which you won’t be able to take your eyes away from despite cringing on the inside. Funny as he is, Ross’s crazy antics are not the town’s draw card.
At dusk, when you’ve finished eating your Lao noodles (and hopefully not pizza), visitors start to realise where Vang Vieng’s backpackers have been all day. The town officially comes alive when half-naked sleepy-eyed twenty-somethings can be seen wandering back into town after some hardcore partying.
Vang Vieng is famous for its tubing. Elaborate rope systems, flying foxes, slides and bars have been built between and on the leafy banks of Southeast Asia’s lifeblood to provide entertainment for anyone who’s game. Walking through the pristine rice paddies on the east side of the river, one would hardly believe that on the other side of the trees, where the water rushes past, are wooden platforms and bamboo bungalows swarming with inebriated guys and girls dancing, mud-wrestling and floating from bank to bank on their way back to town.
Organic Tourism at the Mulberry Farm
At about this time, those who prefer a more meaningful connection with Laos may make their way downstream to the Organic Mulberry Farm, where the beat from the tubing bars becomes but a dull hum.
The farm is bordered on one side by a long dirt track which leads to the main road, a row of thatched bungalows overlooking the river and mountains opposite, and a mulberry tree plantation.
Guests at the farm will be greeted at some stage by the farm’s owner Thanongsi Solangkoun, who began operating the farm in 1996. The farm grows mulberry trees which produce organic tea, the leaves of which are fed to silk worms to produce silk.
Strictly organically grown, the uniquely sweet-flavoured mulberry green tea is harvested, withered, curled, fermented, dried and sorted by hand on site. Guests here are encouraged to volunteer on the farm, either for long of short periods which is a great way to enjoy the magnificent surroundings.
If relaxing is more your style, you have the pleasure of waking up to fresh organic mulberry tea and mulberry pancakes in the restaurant that’s touted as one of the best in town. The mulberry wine is certainly one of the best reds you’ll ever taste.
When the 10pm curfew kicks in, the music stops and the humming of the crickets takes over. Beside the rushing of the river and the rustling of tea leaves, the Organic Mulberry Farm is an oasis and a must for visitors to Vang Vieng.
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