{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/laos/vang-vieng","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T21:53:39.888Z","place":{"city":"Vang Vieng","country":"Laos","countryCode":"LA","lat":18.9235,"lon":102.44784},"safety":{"score":65,"level":"MODERATE","answer":"Mostly — take normal precautions","saferThanPctOfCountries":65,"confidence":0.84,"caps":[],"databaseScore":62,"travellerSentiment":{"score":78,"label":"Mixed","summary":"While many visitors report positive experiences with standard precautions, recent incidents and ongoing scams create a sense of caution among travelers.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":60,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":92,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":63,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":78,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":66,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":73,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":3,"label":"Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts","updated":"2026-04-22T15:30:35Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":2,"label":"Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)","updated":"2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/laos"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":6.352122244,"display":"6.4 / 100k","year":"2021","score":60,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":0.5,"display":"0.5%","year":"2018","score":100,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0,"display":"0 recorded","year":"2021","score":100,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":16.4,"display":"16.4 / 100k","year":"2021","score":50,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":75.4201168,"display":"75/100","year":"2024","score":75,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":44.1871968,"display":"44/100","year":"2024","score":44,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":28.0202267,"display":"28/100","year":"2024","score":28,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":40.025976,"display":"40/100","year":"2024","score":40,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":44.8317236,"display":"45/100","year":"2024","score":45,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":31.0998769,"display":"31/100","year":"2024","score":31,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":25000,"display":"25k residents","year":null,"score":92,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0,"display":"0.00 / 100k","year":"2022","score":92,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":31,"display":"US AQI 31 · Good","year":null,"score":93,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"hospitals","label":"Hospitals nearby","value":17.13111099,"display":"17 beds / 10k · country avg","year":"2023","score":65,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":30,"display":"July: highs ~30°C · heavy rain / flooding","year":null,"score":82,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · low seismicity","year":null,"score":100,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":2,"display":"Level 2 — Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)","year":null,"score":72,"source":"Government of Canada"},{"key":"research_robbery_risk","label":"Mugging & robbery risk","value":4,"display":"Low risk","year":null,"score":92,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_pickpocket_risk","label":"Pickpocketing & theft risk","value":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_sentiment_score","label":"Visitor safety sentiment","value":60,"display":"60 / 100 (Mixed)","year":null,"score":60,"source":"City Web Research"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"Vang Vieng is moderately safe for travelers, but requires heightened awareness due to specific risks.","summary":"While Vang Vieng has transitioned from its past as a notorious party town to a more ecotourism-focused destination, significant risks persist, particularly concerning contaminated alcohol and adventure activity safety. Official advisories recommend exercising increased caution.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Low","note":"No specific data on mugging or armed robbery risk to visitors in Vang Vieng, but general caution is advised in tourist areas."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Theft from guesthouses and pickpocketing can occur in tourist-heavy areas, particularly Vang Vieng town center."},"safeAreas":["Accommodation areas across the river"],"avoidAreas":[],"scams":["Methanol-laced alcohol at hostels and bars","Overpriced tuk-tuk rides or taxis","Inflated prices at night markets","Motorbike rental scams"],"zones":[{"name":"Central Vang Vieng","level":"caution","note":"Main tourist area with high activity, requires vigilance for scams and traffic."},{"name":"Riverside Restaurants and Bars","level":"caution","note":"Can be isolated after dark; exercise caution during monsoon season due to potential flooding and strong currents."},{"name":"Accommodation areas across the river","level":"safe","note":"Generally quieter and considered safer, but still requires awareness of surroundings."}]}}