Anyone who has been to Thailand will no doubt have haggled in Khao San Road, or in a market in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, or even in MBK Center Mall. However, haggling or negotiating isn’t always welcome.
For instance, you wouldn’t haggle in a restaurant or a shop where prices are clearly marked on items. And, Laos isn’t Thailand.
While you can certainly try to get a better price in the main market and the surrounding shops, for most of the places in town, the price is set.
So, how do you get by in Vang Vieng when you are on a short budget? And, not look like a cheap Charlie?
I can’t tell you the amount of times I have seen tourists complaining about a price in a shop and saying they have seen it somewhere else cheaper. This won’t get you anywhere. If you’ve seen your favourite cigarette brand cheaper in another shop, go there instead.
Also, don’t try to pay the sandwich sellers less than the advertised price. These (largely) women work long hours, often up to 2am or later, and have to deal with drunken tourists. Don’t be a cheap Charlie, just pay the price.
That said, there are places and times that you can negotiate prices down.
There is usually some wiggle room on tours and transport. If you are booking a tour for one then don’t expect to get a big discount. These shops work on commission only, and that includes us. Yet, you can ask for a discount when booking multiple tours or if there is a small group.
For instance, you want to book a hot air balloon ride and a bus to Vientiane together. There is nothing wrong with asking if you can get a slightly better price. This also includes us, Discover Vang Vieng are happy to try and give a better rate when it is possible.
Always, always, always, set the price of your journey before you get into a tuk tuk. This isn’t to say that the drivers are unscrupulous, it just makes sense to know what the price is before you set off. And, now is the time to try and get the price down.
Be aware though, gasoline prices have shot up in Laos due to inflation following Covid, so do a little research first on what the normal cost is to the Blue Lagoon, or Interpark, before you start haggling.
In low season it’s often quite easy to get a better price on your stay in a guesthouse, especially if they are largely empty. Guesthouse owners will drop their prices during the low season anyway, but if you are staying for a few days or a week, or you are in a group, then you may find room to negotiate.
Often, the best way to get a lower price is to pay in advance. Don’t expect to pay day by day for a better rate as guesthouse staff know full well that many people will promise to stay for a while then check out a day or two later after getting a preferential rate.
Also, don’t ask for a discount the second you arrive at reception without first saying how long you want to stay. If the first words out of your mouth are “can you give me a discount?” then the answer might not be what you are hoping for. Cheap Charlie!
Again, long term rentals or group bookings can yield discounts. Explain how long you wish to rent a bike for and ask what the price is. There is almost certainly room to lower the price if you are taking a bike for a week, or less in low season.
If you’re not happy with the price you are given then try another shop. There are numerous bike rental shops in Vang Vieng, including Two Wheels in town near La Cigale. Or, if you are over the river then try Kiwi Kitchen or Kiwi Villas.
As mentioned in the introduction, haggling in the main market is largely fine. Exceptions would be at the food stands where there are set prices, and perhaps also the fresh produce sellers. Vegetables, fruit, fish, and meat are sold by weight so the price should in theory be the same for everyone.
However, where you might go back and forth in Khao San or Silom, things tend to work a little differently here. The sellers in tourist areas of Thailand often ramp up the prices so there is plenty of wiggle room and haggling is expected.
The prices in Vang Vieng’s market are often close to what the seller wants, and you will likely only be able to negotiate briefly. The second price you are given will often be the final one. Aggressive haggling is also not expected here, and it probably won’t get you anywhere.
Buying a few items from one seller will often result in a discount being offered without asking, but if you are spending a reasonable amount of cash then it doesn't hurt to ask politely for a better price.
Nowadays it seems that everyone uses their smartphone to book everything ahead of time. This isn’t always the best option, especially for accommodation.
Sites such as Agoda and Booking.com add on hefty charges for the use of their platforms. And, these charges are often added on to the guest’s bill.
You will usually find cheaper rooms by looking around after you get to town. Check out travel forums such as Travelfish for instance and ask fellow travellers for their recommendations.
Dorms aren’t for everyone, but they tend to be the cheapest options, and they let you enjoy the guesthouse’s amenities while paying less than a private room.
Alternatively, look for homestays or reputable volunteer projects. Be aware, some so-called volunteer projects actually charge for the rooms and expect you to sign up for at least their minimum stay. And work of course.
In the past it was expected that every bar would have some form of free drinks or options for cheap alcohol. This often involved showing a flyer or something similar before a certain time to claim a free bucket of whisky or Lao vodka.
In practice this sounds great for tourists. But, for business owners it perhaps wasn’t so good. And, eventually these promotions largely finished.
However, there are still plenty of ways to lower your drink bill without expecting a hard working business owner to give their booze away for nothing.
Elephant Crossing and Silver Naga both have offers for cocktails late afternoon for those who want to watch the sun set over the Nam Song and mountains. Gary’s Irish Bar does a Happy Hour with 3 cocktails for the price of two. And, Beats and Bites, Lime Lounge, and Full Moon, also have their own versions of Happy Hour for customers to take advantage of.
For more choices, try our article on where to drink in Vang Vieng.
To put this simply, eat local. If you want to eat pizza or burgers every day then you will have to pay for it. But, there are plenty of places that serve food that won’t stretch your budget, but will be just as tasty.
In the morning there are several places around town that serve khao piak sen LINK and rice soup (khao piak khao). These dishes are both filling and cheap. Expect to pay 15,000 to 20,000 kip per bowl.
Pho and khao piak are served throughout the day and night in Vang Vieng, and every local has their favourite spot to go to. You can find duck, chicken, pork, beef, and crispy pork noodle soup very easily. But, prices range quite a bit. Noodle soup tends to be charged anywhere between 20,000 kip to 40,000 kip. So, look around and find your own favourite place.
On the main street there is a crossroads that leads to Route 13 over the old airstrip. In the daytime there are a few stalls here selling grilled fish, sticky rice, grilled pork, and other choices. Prices are very reasonable.
If you venture over the airstrip and turn left onto Route 13 you will find two more stands selling barbecue pork, chicken, sausages, sour vegetables (som pak), and sticky rice. For 30,000 to 40,000 kip, two people can share crispy pork (moo gop) or barbecue pork (bing moo) and sticky rice for an extra 10,000 kip. If you want to splurge, ask for som pak too at another 10,000 kip. That’s about $2.70 for lunch for two people.
Opposite Vang Vieng Rock Backpacker Hostel, several tables are set up every day around 5pm. These tables are stacked with everything from fried rice to grilled sausage to stuffed bamboo.
Just point to what you want and tell the vendor how much you want to pay. You can get a portion of fried rice for 10,000 kip and while it won’t be the biggest meal you can buy, it is great value. No seating, it’s takeaway only.
You’re not limited to soup and rice though. There are many small local restaurants, especially on Route 13 between the southern market and the northern bus station. There is also an excellent small restaurant next to Lao Telecom on the crossoads in town.
You will find pad kra pao, laap - the national dish of Laos - papaya salad, spicy noodle salad (tham khao poon), and the ubiquitous sticky rice among many other dishes. Prices vary.
You will find sandwich stands in Vang Vieng from morning to late into the night without any difficulty. Typically you will pay around 40,000 kip for a sandwich stuffed with your choice of fillings although some sellers put their prices up later at night.
Some sandwich sellers are more generous with their fillings than others, so you may need to try a couple before you find the one for you.
You can also find some restaurants and stands selling baguettes for as little as 20,000 kip. But, you get what you pay for. For this price expect to get one filling plus salad whereas the more expensive stands will likely put in three or four different fillings along with tomato, lettuce, cucumber and onion.
Rotis, pancakes, and burgers are also available at most of these stands. While the rotis are tasty, they aren’t nearly as filling as the baguettes, and neither are the burgers.
While it’s true that prices are much higher than before the pandemic, it is also true that the exchange rates for tourists are far better.
Laos is not the richest country in Southeast Asia, and by and large, tourists can enjoy a holiday here with a reasonable budget especially if they are coming with US dollars, British pounds, or euros.
With a little searching around, you will find cheaper accommodation than online, and some great little restaurants and tasty food for far less than you would back at home.
Haggling is fine in certain places but don’t go overboard. Locals are having to cope with huge inflation and a cost of living crisis and many people are reliant on tourists coming to town.
It is quite easy to find good places to sleep while saving cash, and also tasty local food that won’t break the budget. You don’t need to be a cheap Charlie to have fun and enjoy Vang Vieng.
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