Casino directory
Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort & Casino
A lakeside casino-and-resort property on Nam Ngum Lake, Vientiane province — the most scenic of the Lao casinos, with golf and outdoor activities alongside the gaming floor.
Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort & Casino is a Malaysian-developed lakeside resort on the shore of Nam Ngum Lake, roughly 90 km north of Vientiane in Vientiane province. It opened in the early 2000s and is the smallest of the three Lao casinos by floor area, but compensates with a quieter, more scenic setting and a broader resort offer that includes golf, watersports and weekend-getaway packages aimed at Thai and Vientiane-based visitors.
Where it is
Vientiane province, Lao PDR, on Nam Ngum Lake. About 90 km north of Vientiane city by road — roughly 2 hours’ drive. The setting is lake-and-mountain, away from urban centres, which makes the resort feel more like a destination property than a transit casino.
What is on site
- A modest casino floor with slot machines, baccarat and a small selection of table games
- Hotel accommodation in lakeside chalets and a central building
- An 18-hole golf course with lake views
- Restaurants and bars including a poolside venue
- Swimming pools and gardens
- Watersports on Nam Ngum Lake (boating, fishing)
- Spa facilities
Who can play
Foreign passport holders only. The customer base is a mix of Thai visitors, Vientiane-based expats, and Chinese visitors travelling through Vientiane. Currency on the gaming floor is typically Thai baht and US dollars; Lao kip is accepted at the resort but not at the cage.
Why people choose it
Dansavanh is less about gaming volume and more about the resort experience. The combination of lakeside scenery, golf and a more sedate pace makes it an option for visitors who want a weekend getaway with some casino time built in — rather than a pure-play gaming destination. Tour operators in Vientiane offer 1-2 night packages including transfer, room, meals and chip credit.
Getting there from Boten
Take the China-Laos Railway south from Boten to Vientiane (~4 hours), then arrange a 2-hour transfer by road to Nam Ngum. Best done as a 2-3 day add-on combining Vientiane sightseeing with a lake stay.
→ See also: All casinos in the region · History of Boten