LS 6 Airfield

The airfield was closed following the end of the Laotian Civil War (the 'Secret War') and the victory of the Pathet Lao. Its primary operator, the CIA and its proprietary airline Air America, ceased all operations in Laos with the withdrawal of the United States from the region. The airfield's function was entirely tied to the war effort, and it had no commercial purpose at the time, leading to its immediate abandonment after the conflict.

The former runway is no longer used for aviation and is not maintained as an airfield. The site has been largely integrated into the town of Vang Vieng. While the distinct, long, flat outline of the runway is still clearly visible, it is now a public space used for various local activities. Its most prominent and well-known current use is as the primary launch and landing site for the popular hot air balloon tours that provide tourists with scenic views of Vang Vieng's famous karst landscape at sunrise and sunset.

Lima Site 6 (LS-6) was a crucial clandestine military airstrip operated by the CIA during the Laotian Civil War (c. 1959-1975). It was one of over a hundred 'Lima Sites' scattered across Laos, which formed the backbone of a secret air support network. LS-6 was a vital logistical hub for Air America, which flew STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft like the Pilatus PC-6 Porter, Helio Courier, and larger C-123 Providers. These flights delivered personnel, weapons, ammunition, and humanitarian aid to support the Royal Lao Government and anti-communist Hmong guerrilla forces (led by General Vang Pao) in their fight against the Pathet Lao and their North Vietnamese allies. Its strategic location in Vang Vieng, situated on the main route between the royal capital of Luang Prabang and the administrative capital of Vientiane, made it essential for controlling central Laos.

There are no plans to reopen the original Lima Site 6 airfield. The site is now surrounded by urban development, is too short for modern commercial aircraft, and serves as an important local public space and tourist attraction. However, due to Vang Vieng's growing importance as a tourist destination (further boosted by the Laos-China Railway), the Lao government has periodically announced plans to construct a new, modern international airport in the greater Vang Vieng area. These plans involve a completely new site, likely in the Phonhong District south of the town, and are not related to the restoration of the historic LS-6 strip. As of now, these plans remain in the survey and development stage.