Hello, dear readers. I'll introduce myself as a black monkey. This trip might not be considered a full-fledged review, but rather an experience sharing, as I have relatively few photos (due to the rain). First of all, the reason for this trip was simply my desire to travel. However, upon checking my wallet, I found only a little over two thousand baht. Many destinations popped into my head, but most were near Bangkok, and I had already visited most of them. So, I tried searching with Google and found reviews of Vang Vieng and Penang. I immediately grinned. Could I really go abroad with just over two thousand baht?! In the end, I chose to go to Vang Vieng because it was July, the rainy season, and I wanted to be in a lush, green environment that would be soothing to my eyes and ears. Alright, let's start the journey! Let's go!!!

Our journey began at Hua Lamphong Railway Station, where I embarked on an adventure with four companions. We opted for the free train service, specifically train number 133 traveling from Bangkok to Nong Khai (departing at 8:45 PM and arriving at 8:35 AM). Be warned, the seats may not be the most comfortable, and you might end up with pressure sores! (I must apologize in advance for the image quality, as it may not be the best. We used a combination of phone and camera photos from various members of our group to create this review. If it doesn't meet your expectations, please forgive us.)

The train was sparsely populated, as it was a weekday. However, upon closer inspection, one could observe something peculiar that was not a human head.

This is the owner of the small footprints from earlier. He is a young foreign man traveling alone, also heading to Nong Khai.

After chatting with friends and strangers sitting next to me, I fell asleep and woke up in Khon Kaen. A chicken vendor was selling grilled chicken for 60 baht each or 100 baht for two. There were five of us, so we bought two skewers. The chicken was huge, and we even took it with us to eat in Vang Vieng.

We arrived at our destination station around 9:00 AM. The delay was minimal. After using the restroom, we gathered and walked to the checkpoint at the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. It's not far, actually, only about ten minutes away. However, if you don't want to walk, you can take a tuk-tuk. It's up to you.

After passing the checkpoint, we bought tickets to cross the bridge for 15 baht each. There is no need to take a tuk-tuk or van. This option is cheaper. However, if you are traveling in a large group, you may want to calculate which option is more cost-effective.

Upon arrival at the Laotian checkpoint, we filled out the necessary paperwork and purchased a transit card. During official hours, the card costs only 5 baht per person, but outside of these hours, it costs 50 baht per person. (Official hours are from 08:00 to 16:00.) I exchanged currency at the Laotian checkpoint, and I recommend doing so at a bank, as a Thai person advised me. Counterfeit Laotian banknotes are becoming increasingly common. For this trip, my friends and I contributed 1,500 baht each, resulting in a total of 7,500 baht. We received over 1.8 million Laotian kip in exchange. We felt quite wealthy!

After passing the checkpoint, we continued our journey to the morning market. I don't have many photos of this area, so I will describe it.

1. After exiting the Lao checkpoint, walk straight ahead. You will see a white and green bus that will take you to the morning market for 30 baht per person. It is recommended to use Lao Kip as it is cheaper. Alternatively, you can take a shared taxi, but be sure to negotiate the price beforehand. My friends and I opted for the shared taxi, which cost around 40 baht per person and was significantly faster. (It is advisable to choose either a tuk-tuk or a shared taxi. Do not agree to a price exceeding this amount. If the driver asks for more, inform them that you have previously paid this price. If they refuse, simply decline the ride.)

2. There are two ways to get to Vang Vieng:

2.1 You can take a van from the morning market directly to Vang Vieng for 70,000 kip (approximately 280 baht). I chose this method because I didn't have to transfer multiple times. If anyone is interested in this method, take this business card (picture below). If you take a shared taxi from the Lao border, show this picture to the driver (if you get a van from another pier, use the same trick, I used to get this price, if not, it's okay).

2.2 Alternatively, you can take a bus to the Northern Bus Terminal. I am unsure of the price for this leg of the journey. Once you arrive at the Northern Bus Terminal, you can take a van to Vang Vieng for 50,000 kip. (This method is convenient for those who want to visit Vientiane first, as the Northern Bus Terminal is located in Vientiane city.)

It took us about three and a half hours to reach Vang Vieng (we left the morning market around noon and arrived around 3:30 pm). The van dropped us off in the middle of town. We didn't have a hotel reservation, so we walked around until we found "Vang Vieng Guesthouse." The price was 40,000 kip/night/person. For two nights, it was 80,000 kip per person, or about 320 baht. The room was okay. It had a bed, a glass table, a private bathroom, and strong wifi. It was also close to the pubs. We just needed a place to sleep, so it was good enough.

After settling into our accommodation and unpacking our belongings, we refreshed ourselves with a shower. Around 5 pm, we began exploring the surroundings, observing the natural environment and the local people's way of life. To be honest, it was quite similar to our own. We could understand the language to some extent, and the overall atmosphere was quite refreshing.

No further explanation is provided. Instead, a series of images are presented for your viewing pleasure.

True green, looking natural and refreshingly abundant.

Turning around, I saw a balloon floating around. Wow! I read in other reviews that there are no balloons during the rainy season. Anyway, consider it a blessing. If anyone wants to go up, it's not expensive, only $80.

This path leads directly to Samae Beach Resort, which is stunning but also heavily populated with mosquitoes. If you'd like to enjoy a beer while watching the sunset at the resort, feel free to do so. The atmosphere is pleasant, and the prices are reasonable. Unfortunately, I didn't capture many photos in this area.

After walking back to my accommodation, I came across a street vendor selling "snow white" snacks. Don't be confused, these are actually "khanom krok," a traditional Thai coconut pancake. A pair of these delicious treats cost 1,000 kip, which is roughly 5 Thai baht. While they were tasty, they lacked the fragrant coconut aroma of their Thai counterparts.

Driven by hunger, we didn't put much thought into choosing a restaurant. We opted for a casual eatery, prioritizing filling our stomachs over a fancy ambiance. We ordered a variety of dishes and shared them amongst ourselves. This satisfying dinner cost around 75,000 kip, roughly equivalent to 300 baht. My personal favorite was the "Khao Piak" dish.

While strolling, I stumbled upon a stall selling "Cha Siu Mai Kiew" (wonton noodles with roasted pork). Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. The broth was surprisingly tangy, though not unpleasantly so. It might appeal to those who enjoy a sour flavor profile. The cost was 15,000 kip (approximately 60 Thai baht).

Upon arriving in Laos, we couldn't resist indulging in a local beer. The price was surprisingly affordable, and while we didn't drink much, we couldn't resist using the cans as props for a photo. The total cost was around 80,000 kip, which is roughly equivalent to 320 baht. (I wonder if I'll get in trouble for taking a picture with alcoholic beverages?) Goodnight from Laos, and sweet dreams!

Good morning everyone. Our program for the second day is to watch the monks receive sticky rice alms in the morning. The tradition is similar to that of our northeastern people. If you don't know where it is, you can ask the locals. Or if you want to offer alms, you can buy sticky rice and sit with the uncles and aunts. It's very chill.

I particularly appreciate the way the aunties wear the traditional Thai silk wrap-around skirt and blouse (pha nung and sabai).

Behold! Prepare to receive blessings!

After completing the alms-giving mission, we went to find something to eat. It cost another 72,000 kip, or about 290 baht. As usual, we ordered many dishes and shared them. If you think we didn't eat our fill, you're wrong. We were stuffed. I'm only posting one picture, so please don't scold me. I don't want you to waste your 3G.

Our next mission was the Blue Lagoon. We rented two motorbikes, which the locals call "xe jak," from our accommodation for 50,000 kip (200 baht) each. We then filled up the tanks with 15,000 kip (60 baht) of petrol per bike.

This is a map to the Blue Lagoon. You can get it from your accommodation. They will give you a brief explanation of the interesting places to visit. The highlights are Blue Lagoon Pool 1, Blue Lagoon Pool 3, and Tham Chang Cave. Let's go!

The first bridge crossing costs 10,000 kip per vehicle. Be sure to keep your receipt, as you will be fined if you cannot produce it upon your return.

The distance to Blue Lagoon Pool 1 is approximately 7-10 kilometers. Don't worry about getting lost, just follow the other tourist vehicles. The views along the way are worth it, truly beautiful. Drive and park, the rain is coming, enjoy it!

Let's cut to the chase and head straight to the first lagoon. The entrance fee is 10,000 kip per vehicle. After parking the car, we eagerly anticipated the crystal-blue water we had envisioned. Did we finally arrive? It must be breathtaking! Hellooooo, Blue Lagoon! Oh, wait, it's actually a Brown Lagoon! Hahahaha! (It's the rainy season, so the water tends to be brown, which is normal. We were half-expecting it.) But hey, no worries, there are other white things to see that make it worthwhile.

The first pond also features the Pu Kham Cave, where visitors can climb to admire the beautiful scenery and pay respects to the Buddha. Trust me, it's a must-see! The interior is stunning, as you can see from the pictures.

After descending from Tham Pu Kham Cave, we were ready to travel to Bo 3. Bo 3 is a place for jumping, hanging, and eating. It's not particularly impressive, but the scenery along the way is worth noting. I enjoyed observing the local way of life and interacting with the villagers. As I rode my motorbike, I greeted children playing, and they responded with friendly smiles. The adults were equally welcoming, demonstrating genuine warmth towards everyone. This genuine hospitality truly touched me. Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures at Bo 3 due to heavy rain, which forced us to store our cameras and phones. However, I captured some images of the surrounding landscape and the children playing. Let's take a look.

Following this photo, the rain began to pour heavily. We waded through the water, taking off our shoes and enjoying the experience. It was a different kind of fun. If you go during the rainy season, be sure to prepare rain gear. As for us, we were fully prepared, but we used it to wrap our camera. Haha! Our camera's waterproof case was back at the hotel.

We left the third pond around 3:30 PM. On the way back, we waded through mud and other obstacles because we took a different, more roundabout route. We missed the Jang Cave, which closes at 4:00 PM. So, we decided to return to our accommodation to shower and prepare for dinner.

While exploring Vang Vieng, my friends and I stumbled upon a great place to exchange currency for souvenirs. "Roong Pim Vang Vieng" offered the best rates we found, and the owner, a friendly woman with a Thai husband and a beautiful daughter (don't judge!), was a pleasure to chat with. We ended up purchasing bus tickets to Vientiane for 40,000 kip (approximately $200) each. In the morning, we were picked up at our accommodation and taken to the bus station. The journey was direct, with a 20-minute rest stop for bathroom breaks.

A member of our group suggested having "jim jum," so we decided to try Lao-style "jim jum." We ordered two sets, one with pork and one with seafood, for a total of 120,000 kip (approximately $480). We also had some drinks (the seafood is not pictured yet). Many people might think that our meals are small, but they are not. We are all full after every meal.

After a delicious meal of "jim jum," we purchased a set of burgers and sandwiches generously topped with cheese. The total cost was 60,000 kip, which is roughly equivalent to 240 baht. We were pleasantly full after this satisfying feast.

After a satisfying dinner, it is not advisable to go straight to bed. This practice can be detrimental to one's health. Instead, engaging in physical activity is highly recommended. We suggest trying out an aerobics class, conveniently located right here!

*** Sakura Bar and Viva Pub ***

- Sakura Bar Free Drink 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

- Free drinks at Viva Pub from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM. (Thai-owned)

There is no table opening fee.

Note: This review may be read by minors, so it is not possible to share media and images related to the two locations (although the work is good). Parents should provide guidance to children and young people under the age of 10.

We spent most of our time at these two locations until 1 a.m. without saying much, just observing the foreigners and Koreans. Haha. Let me clarify that we didn't go to these places to get drunk; we went to learn and explore. Traveling is about experiencing new things and accumulating knowledge. Okay, we're on the same page, right?

The scene cuts to us boarding the bus. I won't bore you with the details of the morning. Our bus departed around 10:00 AM. A small van picked us up from our accommodation at 9:45 AM and took us to the bus. The journey to Vientiane took two and a half hours.

Upon arriving in Vientiane, I found myself disoriented as the bus dropped me off at an unknown location. Determined to reach the Patuxai monument, I inquired about directions but to no avail. Eventually, I opted for a tuk-tuk ride for 100,000 kip (400 baht), visiting both Patuxai and Pha That Luang, as shown in the images.

Change location.

The Great Stupa

The two beautiful ladies struck a pose, looking absolutely stunning. Their poses were so hot, it's hilarious!

After that, we asked the driver to take us to the morning market to find a ride to the Lao border. Upon reaching the market, we took a tuk-tuk for 40 baht each (the bus was 30 baht but slower). Once at the Lao border, we followed the usual procedure: filling out the departure form and purchasing a crossing card (which cost 50 baht on the way back because we arrived outside of official hours, haha!). After clearing the border, we bought tickets to cross the bridge for 20 baht each. At the Thai border, we completed the exit formalities, and our trip was complete. Oh, I forgot to mention that the return train was free, train number 134 from Nong Khai.

The train departs from Bangkok at 6:35 PM every day. Thank you for reading. I apologize if the writing is not good or detailed enough. Please feel free to provide feedback. Thank you. (Summary of expenses below)

Day 1:

- Train fare to Nong Khai - Free

- The toll for crossing the Thai-Lao border is 20 baht per person for the outbound journey.

- The bridge toll is 15 baht per person.

• The fare for a tuk-tuk to the morning market is 40 baht per person.

- The bus fare from Talat Sao to Vang Vieng is 280 baht per person.

- Accommodation cost for 2 nights: 320 baht per person on average

Total for Day 1 = 675 Baht

Day 2:

• The total car rental fee is 400 baht, which averages 80 baht per person for a group of 5.

• The total cost of fuel for both vehicles was 120 baht, with an average cost of 24 baht per person for a group of 5.

- The total cost of entrance fees for all locations is 240 baht, with an average of 48 baht per person for a group of 5.

Total on the 2nd = 152 baht

Day 3:

- The bus fare back to Vientiane is 160 baht per person.

• The cost of a tuk-tuk ride to visit tourist attractions is 80 baht per person.

- The cost of a tuk-tuk ride to the Lao border is 40 baht per person.

- Lao checkpoint fee: 50 baht per person

- The bridge toll is 20 baht per person.

Total price = 350 Baht

*** Total for 3 days, approximately 1,200 baht per person. ***

This cost summary may not include food and beverage expenses, as these can vary depending on individual and group preferences. However, based on my group's inquiries and data collection, the average cost per person, including food, is 2,200 baht (starting from Bangkok). Thank you.