Vang Vieng, Laos, Mass Poisoning Case: 6 Dead, Scores Injured

A little town known as a backpacker paradise in northern Laos has come under the spotlight for a mass poisoning case that has killed at least six tourists and potentially injured scores of others.

The Laotian government on Saturday officially acknowledged the case and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.

News broke earlier this week that two Australian teens became critically ill after a night out drinking in the town of Vang Vieng. They died in Thai hospitals, with one confirmed case of methanol poisoning. A British woman was also confirmed dead. An American and two Danes also died, though their exact causes of death have not been released. A New Zealander has been sickened.

Since then, many tourists have become worried as it’s unclear how many have been affected, said Neil Farmiloe, a New Zealander who owns a restaurant in the town.

Vang Vieng Used to Be More Dangerous

Landlocked Laos, a one-party communist state, is one of Southeast Asia’s poorest nations and a popular tourist destination, particularly Vang Vieng.

Soutjai Xayphankhaun, who has run his Sout Jai Guesthouse in Vang Vieng for 17 years, said the town back in 2005-2006 started to become popular among European backpackers, who were attracted by serene nature and activities like river tubing, where tourists sit on a tube and float along the Nam Song River, stopping to party at many different bars on the banks.

It could get rowdy with cheap booze, illegal drugs and river sports sometimes turning deadly. People drowned or took a fatal blow after jumping into the river on a rope swing. In 2011, the town recorded 27 deaths related to river activities, forcing the government to step in with regulations.

Locals Worry the Incident Could Hit Tourism

Vang Vieng received more than 600,000 tourists in 2023, and expected to see even more this year, the state-owned Laos News Agency quoted the district governor as saying earlier this year.

But with the latest tourist deaths, guesthouse owner Soutjai is a little worried.

“It’s about tourists and the confidence of tourists. The news was all around the world. There will definitely be an impact,” he said.

The Impact on Tourism

After that, Farmiloe said Vang Vieng has been receiving much more eclectic groups of tourists who enjoy a wider range of activities aside from nightlife. There are still a lot of young Western backpackers, but the town is also visited by many Chinese and South Koreans.

Tour agencies scattered along the main streets advertised a range of packages offering the clear turquoise water of the Blue Lagoon, serene mountaintop views and many different caves. Those more adventurous try kayaking, zip line, paragliding or hot air balloons. Tubing is still there, but with far fewer riverbank bars to visit than in the past.

Conclusion

The mass poisoning case in Vang Vieng has raised concerns about the safety of the town and its reputation as a backpacker paradise. While the incident is a setback, many tourists still plan to visit the town, but with caution.