Vang Vieng is a town in Vientiane province of Laos, lying on the Nam Song River. It is surrounded by karst topography. The town was first settled around 1353 as a staging post between Luang Prabang and the Laotian capital, Vientiane. Originally named Mouang Song after the body of the deceased King Phra Nha Phao of Phai Naam was seen floating down the river, the town was renamed Vang Vieng during French colonial rule in the 1890s. During the Vietnam War, the United States military constructed an air-force base and runway in Vang Vieng, known as "Lima site 6". Since Laos opened up for tourism in the late 1990s, the town has grown substantially due to the influx of backpacker tourism and associated business development. This view of the town and surrounding karst was taken from the top of Mount Nam Xay in June, during the monsoon season.Photograph credit: Basile Morin