Tham Nam

Vang Vieng


Tham Nam is the highlight of the cluster of caves north of Vang Vieng. The cave is about 500m long and a tributary of the Nam Song flows out of its low entrance. As with other caves in the area, there's a zipline and basic restaurant.

In the dry season you can wade into the cave, but when the water is higher you need to take a tube from the friendly woman near the entrance; the tube and headlamp are included in the entrance fee. Dragging yourself through the tunnel on the fixed rope is fun.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Vang Vieng attractions

1. Tham Loup

0.23 MILES

Tham Loup, located a few kilometres north of Vang Vieng, is a large and delightfully untouched cavern with some impressive stalactites.

2. Tham Hoi

0.25 MILES

Located around 13km north of Vang Vieng, the entrance to Tham Hoi is guarded by a large Buddha figure; reportedly the cave continues about 3km into the…

3. Tham Sang

0.46 MILES

Tham Sang, located a few kilometres north of Vang Vieng, is a small cavern containing Buddha images and a Buddha footprint, plus the (vaguely) elephant…

4. Tham Jang

3.54 MILES

The most famous of the caves around Vang Vieng, Tham Jang was used as a bunker to defend against marauding jęen hór (Yunnanese Chinese) in the early 19th…

5. Wat Si Vieng Song

7.74 MILES

Located at the northern end of town, Wat Si Vieng Song is an active Buddhist temple.

6. Wat Kang

7.92 MILES

A Buddhist temple in Vang Vieng.

7. Tham Phu Kham & Blue Lagoon

7.95 MILES

Located west of Vang Vieng, the vast Tham Phu Kham is considered sacred by Lao. The main cave chamber contains a Thai bronze ­reclining Buddha, and from…

8. Wat Si Suman

8.35 MILES

One of a handful of Buddhist temples in Vang Vieng.