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Many tourists have since become concerned because it is not clear how many have been affected, said Neil Farmiloe, a New Zealander who owns a restaurant in the town.
The incident brought back dark memories of a city once known for its reckless partying involving young backpackers.
But despite the tragedy, the city, especially at night, was packed with visitors in the main quarter, which was full of bars, restaurants and food stalls. During the day, numerous kayaks floated down the river, and tourists shouted and splashed each other with water.
Frida Svedberg left Sweden five weeks ago for her big trip through Southeast Asia without a firm plan to return. She said she heard the news just before she arrived in Laos and was bombarded with messages from worried family members and friends.
She still went ahead with her original plan to spend three nights in town. She found him as beautiful as she had expected.
“Obviously, it’s a well-known place for tourists. You go from Thailand Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng and then continue. I’ve only heard good things about it and it’s where most people go,” said the 24-year-old.
Vang Vieng used to be more dangerous
Landlocked Laos, a one-party communist state, is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia and a popular tourist destination, especially Vang Vieng.
Soutjai Xayphankhaun, who has been running his Sout Jai Guesthouse in Vang Vieng for 17 years, said that in 2005-2006, the city began to become popular among European backpackers, who were attracted by the peaceful nature and activities such as river tubing, where tourists sit on underground tubes and float along the Nam Song River, stopping to party at various bars on the shore.
It could get rowdy with cheap booze, illegal drugs and river sports that sometimes turn deadly.
People have drowned or been fatally shot after jumping into the river on a rope swing. In 2011, the city recorded 27 deaths related to river activities, forcing the government to step in with regulations.
After that, Farmiloe said that Vang Vieng receives a lot more eclectic groups of tourists who enjoy a wider range of activities besides nightlife.
There are still a lot of young Western tourists, but the city is also visited by many Chinese and South Koreans.
Travel agencies scattered along the main streets advertised a range of packages that offered the clear turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon, peaceful mountaintop views and many different caves. The braver ones can try kayaking, zip line, paragliding or balloons.
Tubing is still here, but with far fewer riverside bars to visit than in the past.
Locals worry that the incident could affect tourism
Vang Vieng received more than 600,000 tourists in 2023, and more are expected this year, the state-run Lao News Agency quoted the district governor as saying earlier this year.
But with the latest tourist deaths, the owner of the Soutjai guesthouse is a bit worried.
“It’s about tourists and tourists’ trust. The news went around the world. There will definitely be an impact,” he said.
Swedish tourist Anton Honkanen said what happened affected his experience.
“I think it kind of ruins the value of backpacking. Because everyone is simply enjoying this time. Maybe meet some new people in the hostels, have a drink with different people from all over the world. And now I won’t do it today because of the poisoning,” he said.
Svedberg, however, said that what happened was unfortunate and should not stop people from coming. “Things can happen anywhere, everywhere. So I don’t think it has to affect tourism. Just be careful.”
The Nana Backpacker hostel, where two Australian teenagers were staying, closed its doors on Saturday. Since the beginning of this week, he was not allowed to receive new guests, and until Friday he received the remaining visitors. Its manager and owner, who are Vietnamese, have been detained for questioning by the Lao police.
Methanol is sometimes added to mixed drinks in seedy bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but it can cause serious poisoning or death. It is also a by-product of poorly distilled home liquor and could accidentally be found in bar drinks.
On Saturday, the government of Laos officially acknowledged the case and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.
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