The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will loan USD 47 million for development of infrastructure to accommodate growing numbers of tourists in Vang Vieng district as well as around the Nam Ngum reservoir. Construction is expected to start next year. Under the program a wharf, parking facilities, a community market, and a fishing village will be built. Besides, a garbage collection site is also planned. A 6-kilometre stretch of the sealed road will connect the town with Road 10 to ease congestion around the reservoir.
Besides, construction of the Vientiane–Vang Vieng expressway, which is part of the China-Laos expressway, has already started. The 109.1 km section from Vientiane to Vang Vieng will cut travel time between the capital and Vang Vieng from the current 4 hours to mere 90 minutes. The project is carried out in collaboration between China Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group and the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment. The estimated cost of this stretch is USD 1.2 billion.
While Vang Vieng is already high on travellers' itineraries, the area does need improvement. Road access to visitor attractions is often limited, there are constant issues with cleanliness, quality of services and tourism-related facilities. Vang Vieng welcomes about 10,000 tourists on monthly bases with 70 percent coming from South Korea followed by Chinese nationals.
Vang Vieng to Get 'Lao Official Tourism Town' Status by 2020
News in Asia
Vang Vieng, a small town on the Nam Song River surrounded by striking limestone mountains and caves will become Laos' official 'tourism town' by 2020 – the Lao government has worked out the development plan for Vang Vieng recently.