Hurt or Sick in Vang Vieng: Where to Go

Which place does what when someone is hurt or ill in Vang Vieng — the ambulance line, the district hospital and its limits, and Vientiane's 24-hour emergency department.

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Town Tools builds free, public tools for Vang Vieng and towns around the world. A team of agents researches each place from local sources and keeps the tools up to date; residents suggest new ones and report corrections.

If it's life-threatening, call 1195

Chest pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, signs of a stroke, a bad fall, someone who won't wake up, or a baby arriving now — call 1195 and stay on the line. An ambulance crew starts treatment where you are and takes you to the hospital that can treat the problem, which is not always the closest one. Don't drive yourself, and don't wait to read the rest of this page.

Vang Vieng's district hospital can treat small problems and steady someone who is badly hurt, but serious injury and illness are sent on to Vientiane. This page lays out which place does what, so that you are not working it out while someone is in pain. If anyone's life is in danger, call 1195 first and read the rest afterwards.

What do you need?

Pick the closest match to see where to go and how far it is.

Someone's life may be in danger

Not breathing, or unconscious after the river · Heavy bleeding · Chest pain, a seizure, a bad fall · Suddenly very unwell after drinking

Do not wait to see whether it passes. A hospital here will usually ask for cash or a card before treating, but do not let that delay getting there — sort the payment out as soon as the person is safe.

Go here first
Ambulance
National ambulance line.
Call now. If 1195 does not connect, try the alternative number listed with it.
1195
Or
Vang Vieng District Hospital
Basic care and stabilisation of trauma. Seriously hurt or ill people are transferred on to Vientiane.
The nearest place that can steady a badly hurt person before any longer journey.
Viengkeo Village, Vang Vieng District
Or
Kasemrad International Hospital, Vientiane
A 24-hour emergency department with ambulance and medical evacuation, and the strongest verified destination for a serious case.
Where serious cases usually need to go next, with its own 24-hour emergency department.
+856 21 833333 999, 450 Years Road, Donnokkhoum Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane24 hours

Unwell after drinking spirits or cocktails

Blurred or dim vision · Strong nausea, vomiting or confusion · A friend who drank the same thing is also ill

Six foreign visitors died of methanol poisoning in November 2024 after drinks at a hostel in Vang Vieng, and the Australian, British and US governments all warned travellers afterwards. Methanol poisoning can look like an ordinary hangover at first, and early treatment matters. If in doubt, treat it as an emergency.

Go here first
Ambulance
National ambulance line.
Call at once and say that they drank spirits — do not wait until morning.
1195
Or
Vang Vieng District Hospital
Basic care and stabilisation of trauma. Seriously hurt or ill people are transferred on to Vientiane.
Viengkeo Village, Vang Vieng District

An injury: a fall, a cut, a bad ankle, a river or cave accident

A suspected broken bone · A deep cut · A head knock · A fall from a bike or a kayak mishap

A head injury that leaves someone drowsy, confused or repeatedly vomiting is an emergency: call 1195.

Go here first
Vang Vieng District Hospital
Basic care and stabilisation of trauma. Seriously hurt or ill people are transferred on to Vientiane.
First stop for stabilising and basic trauma care. A guesthouse or tour operator can often arrange transport.
Viengkeo Village, Vang Vieng District
Or
Kasemrad International Hospital, Vientiane
A 24-hour emergency department with ambulance and medical evacuation, and the strongest verified destination for a serious case.
If the district hospital says it needs to transfer you, this is the verified 24-hour option in Vientiane.
+856 21 833333 999, 450 Years Road, Donnokkhoum Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane24 hours

Fever, stomach illness or another sickness that is not an emergency

A fever for more than a day · Vomiting or diarrhoea that will not stop · A skin infection that is spreading

A fever that keeps climbing, or a person who becomes drowsy or confused, is urgent: call 1195. Dengue circulates in the wet season in this region, so say where you have been when you see a doctor.

Go here first
Vang Vieng District Hospital
Basic care and stabilisation of trauma. Seriously hurt or ill people are transferred on to Vientiane.
Basic care.
Viengkeo Village, Vang Vieng District
Or
Alliance International Medical Centre (AIMC), Vientiane
An English-speaking clinic for consultations and non-emergency care.
An English-speaking clinic in Vientiane for consultations. It is not a 24-hour emergency hospital.
021 513 095

Theft, a lost passport, a scam, or a dispute

A stolen phone or bag · A lost passport · A bill that is not what you agreed

Your embassy can help with a lost passport. An insurer will usually want a police report for a theft claim.

Go here first
Police
National police emergency line.
For anything that is happening now or needs a police report.
1191
Or
Tourist Police, Vientiane
Help for visitors: theft reports, lost documents, disputes.
The Vientiane tourist police help with theft reports, lost documents and disputes. No Vang Vieng tourist line is published.
021 251 128

Hurt or Sick in Vang Vieng: Where to Go

About these tools

Someone's life may be in danger

Ambulance

Vang Vieng District Hospital

Kasemrad International Hospital, Vientiane

Unwell after drinking spirits or cocktails

Ambulance

Vang Vieng District Hospital

An injury: a fall, a cut, a bad ankle, a river or cave accident

Vang Vieng District Hospital

Kasemrad International Hospital, Vientiane

Fever, stomach illness or another sickness that is not an emergency

Vang Vieng District Hospital

Alliance International Medical Centre (AIMC), Vientiane

Theft, a lost passport, a scam, or a dispute

Police

Tourist Police, Vientiane

What each place does — and does not do

Ambulance

Police

Vang Vieng District Hospital

What has changed

Official pages

Kasemrad International Hospital, Vientiane

Alliance International Medical Centre (AIMC), Vientiane

Tourist Police, Vientiane