Nam Ngum Reservoir, Vientiane Overview

The Nam Ngum Reservoir is a hydroelectric dam located on the Nam Ngum river close to the capital city Vientiane in Laos. It was the first hydroelectric dam built in the country on the Nam Ngum, which is a tributary of the Mekong. It is a recommended half-day attraction for tourists visiting Vientiane to take boat trips on the river, which also takes through local villages and sunset viewpoints.

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Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Nam Ngum Reservoir is early in the morning so that you can enjoy all the activities around the lake.

Nam Ngum Boat tours

In the lake overlooking the dam, there are boat trips organised by local operators. These trips take you around various islands, including local villages that you can tour to know about countryside life of these fishermen and craftsmen. No fishing is allowed in the lake, but swimming can be done. Depending on your time and preferences, you can choose from many types of boat tours - sunset boat tours, village tours and Kayaking trips. These can be directly booked from the locals at the lake if you don't want to go via tours. The tours take between 1 to 3 hours and cost between 50 to 150 USD per person. They also usually include lunch and beverages or snacks, depending on your time of the boat trip.

The Nam Ngum Reservoir History & Significance

The Nam Ngum Reservoir was constructed in three stages, which took more than 20 years, getting completed in 1984. The Mekong commission implemented the design and construction of this reservoir in collaboration with various government bodies, international organizations and banks for funding and support.

How To Reach Nam Ngum Reservoir

The Nam Ngum Reservoir is located near Thalat, about 90km from Vientiane city. It takes about 2 hours to reach the dam. The best way to reach there is by renting a car, which costs about 200000 LAK to 300000 LAK for a group roundtrip. You can also book day tours directly through your hotels or guest house or book them online. It costs about 90 to 100 USD per person, which includes snacks and beverages and rarely lunch or dinner. These tours take about 6 to 7 hours where they also additionally stop at some viewpoints.