Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng was first settled around 1353 as a staging post between Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Originally named Mouang Song after the body of the deceased King Phra Nha Phao of Phai Naam was seen floating down the river, the town was renamed Vang Vieng during French colonial rule in the 1890s.[1][2]

Significant expansion of the town and its infrastructure occurred during the 1964-1973 Vietnam War when the US constructed an air force base and runway that was used by Air America. The airstrip was then called "Lima site 6".[3][4] The runway has not been built on and can easily be seen via aerial or satellite images located between the main street and the national highway (Route 13). American plane hangars also remain in the area.

Since Laos opened up for tourism in the late 1990s, the town has grown substantially due to the influx of backpackers and associated business development. The town became popular with tourists due to the opportunities for adventure tourism along the Nam Song River and in the spectacular limestone karst landscape surrounding the town.

^ "Vang Veng Staying Longer Spending More". STDP Laos. August 2009. Archived from the original on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011. ^ Phouangsava, P (n.d.). "History of Vang Vieng". Visiting Muong Lao. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2020. ^ The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. 2011. p. 629. ISBN 9781851099610. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023. ^ Jeff Cranmer; Steven Martin (2002). The Rough Guide to Laos. Rough Guides. p. 125. ISBN 9781858289052. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.