This small idyllic town en route from Vientiane to Luang Prabang is popular with backpackers for an activity called tubing. They sit themselves down in giant rubber tyres and float down the Nam Song river, making stops along the way at little riverside makeshift bars for some cheap Beerlao, making visits to caves where there are, and jumping off swings and cliffs.

Near several large complexes of caves you can explore.

Don't miss the bike ride you can take off into the hills and local villages. A 10k circuit going past the caves (with the pool with the swing and the huge fish). Beautiful.