Deadly alcohol poisoning casts shadow over the Laotian backpacker town

A small town in northern Laos, known as a backpacker haven, has recently garnered attention due to a large-scale poisoning incident that has led to at least six tourist deaths and potentially dozens of injuries. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of tourism in the town.

Earlier this week, news emerged that two Australian teenagers, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowers, became critically ill after drinking alcohol while out in Vang Vieng. They died in a hospital in Thailand, with one case confirmed as methanol poisoning. A British woman has also been confirmed dead. In addition, an American and two Danes have also died, though their exact causes of death have not been released. A New Zealander also fell ill as a result.

New Zealander Neil Familton, who owns a restaurant in the town, said that many tourists have been concerned since the incident, as it is unclear how many people have been affected. The event has also evoked dark memories of the town's past reputation for reckless partying by young backpackers. Despite the tragedy, the town's main strip remains packed with tourists, especially in the evenings, with bars, restaurants, and food stalls bustling with activity.

Frida Swedberg left Sweden five weeks ago to begin her Southeast Asia trip with no clear return plan. She said she heard about the news before arriving in Laos and received many concerned messages from family and friends. Despite this, she still stuck to her original plan to stay in the town for three nights. She found it to be just as beautiful as she expected. She stated, "It's clearly a famous backpacker spot. You go from Luang Prabang in Thailand to Vang Vieng, and then you move on. I just heard it was nice and that it's where most people go."

Vang Vieng was once more dangerous. Laos, a landlocked country and one of the poorest in Southeast Asia, is also a popular tourist destination, especially Vang Vieng. Soutjai Xayphankhaun has been running his Sout Jai guesthouse in Vang Vieng for 17 years. He said the town started to become popular with European backpackers in 2005-2006, who were drawn to the tranquil natural scenery and activities such as tubing. Tourists would float down the Nam Song River on inner tubes and stop at the many bars along the riverbanks to party. Back then, cheap alcohol, illegal drugs, and water activities sometimes turned deadly.

People were fatally injured by drowning or hitting the river after jumping off rope swings. In 2011, the town recorded 27 deaths related to river activities, forcing the government to intervene and introduce regulations. Since then, Familton says Vang Vieng has welcomed a wider range of tourists who enjoy a broader range of activities beyond nightlife. While there are still many young Western backpackers, the town also attracts many Chinese and South Korean tourists. Travel agencies are scattered along the main street, advertising various tour packages including the clear turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon, tranquil mountaintop views, and many different caves. Those who prefer more adventure can try kayaking, zip-lining, paragliding, or hot air ballooning.

Locals are concerned that this incident may hurt tourism. Vang Vieng received over 600,000 tourists in 2023, with even more expected this year. But with the recent deaths of tourists, guesthouse owner Soutjai is somewhat worried. He said, "It's about the confidence of tourists and visitors. The news has spread all over the world. It will definitely have an impact." Swedish tourist Anton Hornkaning said that what happened did affect his experience. "I think it kind of takes away the value of backpacking to some extent. Because everyone is just enjoying the time. Maybe meet some new friends at the hostel and have a drink with people from all over the world. But I wouldn't do that today because of the poisoning."

However, Swedberg said that what happened is unfortunate and shouldn't stop people from coming. "Things can happen anywhere. So I don't think it has to affect tourism. Just be careful." The Nana Backpackers Hostel, where the two Australian teenagers were staying, closed its doors on Saturday. The hostel has not been accepting new guests since the beginning of the week and will accommodate remaining tourists until Friday. The hostel's manager and owner, who are Vietnamese, have been detained by Laotian police for questioning. Methanol is sometimes added to mixed drinks at low-quality bars as a cheap substitute for ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death. It is also a byproduct of poorly made moonshine and may accidentally end up in drinks at bars.

The Lao government officially acknowledged the case on Saturday and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice. This incident has undoubtedly cast a shadow over this backpacker paradise and has also sparked deep reflection on the safety of tourism. It is hoped that the Lao government can find out the truth as soon as possible and take effective measures to ensure the safety of tourists.