Hiking to the Nam Xay Viewpoint in Vang Vieng (Laos)
The Nam Xay Viewpoint in Vang Vieng was an absolute highlight of my backpacking adventure through Laos. Requiring a short hike to the peak, you will be rewarded with unforgettable, 360-degree views of striking karst rock formations, lush forests and expanses of rural land and rice fields. With a viewing platform and a curiously placed motorbike at the summit, the viewpoint is a fantastic place to take in the best of Laos’ beauty and capture some epic photographs.
Curious about experiencing Nam Xay for yourself? Check out the contents page below to discover everything you need to know about how to visit Nam Xay for your next visit to Vang Vieng!
About Nam Xay Viewpoint
The Nam Xay viewpoint is one of Laos’s most iconic viewpoints. There’s a chance you have come across it on Instagram with people posing on motorbikes at the summit!
Where is Nam Xay Viewpoint?
The Nam Xay viewpoint is located approximately 7.5km west of Vang Vieng in the north of Laos.
Nearby landmarks include Blue Lagoon 1 and Phu Kham Cave and Pha Ngern Silver Cliff.
How to get to Nam Xay from Vang Vieng
The easiest way to get from Vang Vieng to the Nam Xay viewpoint is by road. You will need to cross the Namsong Bridge exiting Vang Vieng which costs a fee of $0.50. You pay on exit, but this also covers your return journey.
There are plenty of places to rent a motorbike in Vang Vieng. Most of these cost around £5-£10 per day (from 50,000 kip).
Alternatively, you can do what I did which was rent an ATV Dune Buggy for the day! It takes just as long as a moped to drive, but you will get less dusty on the rural roads (which are more like bumpy dirt tracks in places).
There is a free car park directly opposite the entrance to the Nam Xay viewpoint trail.
If you don’t want to drive, you can get a tuk-tuk from Vang Vieng. A return journey will cost you around 100,000 kip, though you won’t have to pay the bridge toll.
TOP TIP: Watch out for
Nam Xay Viewpoint Elevation/Height
Standing at a height of approximately 403m (1322ft) the Nam Xay viewpoint is by no means the tallest karst structure in the region. However, this standalone structure towers over the surrounding flatlands.
The elevation of the hike is approximately 130m (426 feet). You start at around 270m and reach a maximum height of just over 400m.
Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike: What to expect
How long does it take to hike Nam Xay Viewpoint?
The Nam Xay viewpoint hike doesn’t take long at all. The total distance is around 0.6km with 130m of elevation gain.
When I visited, I was keen to arrive before sunset (and was running slightly behind). I climbed up in just under 25 minutes, though most people climb up in 45 minutes or less.
The way down takes a similar amount of time, meaning the total hike time for Nam Xay is around 1.5 hours. Maybe slightly longer if you visit at sunset and get stuck in the crowd.
NOTE: Make sure you factor in enough time at the top to enjoy sunrise/sunset.
Nam Xay Viewpoint Difficulty
The Nam Xay viewpoint hike is best described as intermediate level.
The trail is easy to navigate via the thin winding path which is marked with for the majority of the route. During crowded times (i.e. sunset), you can simply follow the person in front of you!
It’s not particularly technical and there are bamboo handrails or trees to hold on to in certain sections if needed. Many visitors also find it easier to use their hands on the rocks to scramble up the steeper sections near the top.
Dirt steps and rocks make up the majority of the terrain. You need to be careful of your footing as some rocks are covered in dust making them slippery, and steps are very uneven. Given that the steps can be rather big, people with longer legs definitely have an advantage! (Lucky me!)
In terms of physicality, whilst the hike itself only takes 30-45 minutes. The karst structure means that it’s a pretty steep gradient – it feels like you’re climbing straight up through the trees which can be a challenge, particularly given the temperature and humidity!
If you’re an experienced hiker, Nam Xay should be no trouble at all. If you’re not, then this might be a bit of a challenge, but it’s still doable. Either way, it’s a short, intense burst of energy which is well worth the view!
You do not need a guide to hike up to Nam Xay viewpoint.
TOP TIP: The way down is where most accidents happen because of tired legs, darkness, lack of concentration, and any consumed drinks at the summit. Take your time when returning!
Nam Xay Hike Route
You will follow the same trail up and down.
Check out the route map below.
Nam Xay Viewpoint Summit
When you reach the top, there is a wooden viewing platform with metal sheets to act as shelter. This is a great place to sit down and catch your breath in the shade.
You can move around the viewpoint over the jagged rocks to take in the view from every angle.
There are loads of options for photos! You will find the curiously positioned motorbike just below the peak which you can climb down to for an awesome photo! Or there are plenty of Laotion flags scattered around the viewpoint.
Tips for visiting Nam Xay Viewpoint
When is the best time to visit Nam Xay?
Best time of year
The best time to travel in Laos is from November to January, during the early stages of the dry season. These months are the generally coolest and dryest, making hiking tolerable and roads safe. These are the ideal conditions to visit Nam Xay!
You should try to avoid visiting during the latter half of the dry season (March-May). This is because slash-and-burn season takes place when farmers burn any vegetation left over from harvest. In affected areas, this can mean poor air quality and bad visibility. Also, since little rain will have fallen over the previous few months, the land will become more arid and less beautiful.
From June to October, it is Laos’s wet season. During these months, the rural roads become slower and more difficult, whilst hiking trails (particularly up to Nam Xay) become slippery and dangerous. I wouldn’t recommend visiting Nam Xay during this time.
It’s worth checking the weather in Vang Vieng before you go, just to make sure you’re not caught out on the trail!
Best time of day
The Nam Xay Viewpoint opening hours are 6AM until 6PM.
NOTE: They won’t allow you to climb up at 6pm as it’s already getting dark.
I would try to avoid climbing Nam Xay during the heat of the day. Whilst it will be quieter at the top, the heat can be really intense!
Try to go during the cooler hours of the morning or late afternoon. Sunrise and sunset at Nam Xay are both popular options as golden light shoots across the landscape. Sunset is the most popular time and can get crowded. It gives you time to explore during the day and stop by the viewpoint on the way back to Vang Vieng. The sunset here also couples extremely well with a beer!
That being said, you’re almost guaranteed to be the only people at the viewpoint if you go at sunrise.
How much is entrance to Nam Xay viewpoint?
The entry cost for Nam Xay viewpoint is 10,000 kip per person. This equates to approximately $0.50 USD or £0.40 GBP.
When budgeting, don’t forget to factor in the cost of your vehicle rental, as well as the bridge-crossing fee at Namsong Bridge ($0.50 USD).
What to bring to hike Nam Xay?
Given how short this hike is, you really don’t need much! I would normally recommend hiking clothes, but wear whatever you are comfortable wearing and don’t mind getting sweaty and dusty!
The essentials are cash for entry, water (one bottle should be enough), and some reasonable walking shoes (i.e. not flip flops). Trainers are fine, though walking shoes are preferable. Some backpackers ditched their flip-flops to walk barefoot… You can rent shoes at the bottom if you want, as well as buy water.
Sun cream and insect repellant are also helpful. As well as a small towel to mop yourself up with. The humidity of the jungle along with the steepness will cause anyone to get a sweat on!
If you are going for sunset, I recommend bringing a headtorch. It gets dark very quickly on the trail because of the tree cover, making it quite treacherous.
Other things to do near Nam Xay Viewpoint
Since the hike doesn’t take up much of your day, here are a few suggestions for other things to do nearby.
- Blue Lagoon 1: This is the nearest lagoon to the viewpoint. Costing 20,000 kip per person, it’s a great place to cool off post-hike or relax during the day with swings, jumping platforms and more.
- Tham Phu Kham Cave: Right next to Blue Lagoon 1, this cave is very impressive and is included in the 20,000 kip price for Blue Lagoon.
- Blue Lagoon 2 and 3: These two lagoons are the next closest to the viewpoint and can also be explored. In my opinion, Lagoon 3 is the best.
- Pha Ngern Viewpoint: This is a longer walk to the viewpoint than Nam Xay (takes 1-2 hours total). The entrance fee is 20,000 kip. I’m not sure what it is about Vang Vieng, but they love putting vehicles at the top of viewpoints – here there’s a plane at the top so once again there are more opportunities for cool photos here.
NOTE: These activities will depend on when you visit Nam Xay viewpoint. For example, if you go at sunrise, then you would be able to go river tubing or go in a hot air balloon later in the day.
Alternatively, check out my Vang Vieng 4-day itinerary.
Before you go
Thank you for reading my travel guide on visiting the Nam Xay viewpoint in Laos. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
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Happy hiking!
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