Laos Shopping

Laos shopping will bring you some information about what to buy and where to buy in Laos.

What to buy

Handmade wood carving products

In Laos, wood carving is a traditional art with high collection value, and it is also very suitable as a souvenir to bring back to your country. It can be made into various shapes, which can be placed on the table or hung on the wall, all of which are chosen from the best materials, with exquisite carving and realistic finished products.

A variety of artwork

Laos has a variety of artwork that may keep you coming back for more. Hand-painted paintings, rattan and bamboo baskets, small dolls, bamboo umbrellas. And perhaps the most common is the paper lampshade, where flower petals or leaves are dried and made into a lampshade and painted with a special Laotian design, which is particularly beautiful. It may cost less than a few dollars to bring home these handmade artworks with Southeast Asian characteristics.

Textiles

Laotian textiles are well made, affordable and popular with locals and tourists alike. The morning market in Vientiane has many finished products made of textiles, such as hand-woven scarves, appliquéd blankets, ethnic hanging bags, clothing and so on.

Lao coffee

Lao Dao brand coffee and Vientiane coffee are the most famous coffee in Laos, with instant coffee, coffee powder and coffee beans, etc. They have a delicate taste and aroma, are inexpensive and easy to carry, and are very suitable as special gifts for family members.

Natural spices

The geographical location of Laos determines that it has a wide variety of tropical herbs and spices, including benzoin, sumac, cinnamon, purple gum, incense, sand, etc., which are fragrant, have various effects and functions, and are inexpensive.

Essential oils

Many local handicraft stores or night markets in Laos sell essential oils, with a soft texture, fragrant aroma, and excellent moisturizing effect on the skin, especially favored by women. Massage oil, essential oil soap, hair care oil, etc., there is always one that you need.

Gold and silver jewelry

Laos is also famous for its gold and silver jewelry, with a wide variety of necklaces, ethnic bracelets and earrings, all made from locally sourced raw materials. They are usually available at the morning and night markets in each region.

Where to buy

Morning/Night Markets

Hmong Night Market: A few hundred meters away from the Mekong River, there are seven or eight streets horizontally and vertically. During the day, it is a quiet street, and after night, stall owners have set up tents, mainly selling paper lanterns, wooden products, fabrics, gold and silver jewelry and paintings, etc. The prices are basically between US$1 and US$20, and you can bargain in moderation. The snacks at the night market are also worth tasting, with a wide variety and affordable prices. Lao sticky rice, Lao spring rolls, natural fruit juices and vegetarian buffet, etc., a variety of food and a wide range of goods that make you feel like falling into another world.

Address: Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang
Opening hours: daily from about 16:30 PM onwards

Vientiane Morning Market: A free market of sorts, the market is divided into many areas with simple but well-stocked facilities, attracting many tourists to experience the local flavor. From pots and pans, handicrafts, textiles, gold and silver jewelry to household electrical equipment, there is almost everything, and the prices are very low. The Lao people in their pajamas and flip-flops freely walk through the market, which is also a beautiful scenery of the morning market. There are also a lot of local products, so you can buy Lao coffee, sweet corner candy, etc. to take home. Next to the market is a modern shopping complex, Talat Sao Shopping Mall.

Address: Lane Xang Avenue
Opening hours: 7:00-17:00 daily

Luang Prabang Night Market: Luang Prabang's night market is not to be missed by tourists from all walks of life, it is worth shopping. It sells a variety of handicrafts, hand-loomed cotton and linen scarves, clothing, fabrics, handmade paintings, various colors of paper lamps, tea, coffee, etc. They are not expensive, but exquisite, with a strong Lao flavor, and very suitable as a token. It opens from 18:00 to 22:00 PM or so.

Shopping Mall

Wanjialong Shopping Mall: A large supermarket in Luang Prabang, run by Chinese, so it sells Chinese goods as well. There is a wide variety of goods on the shelves, and the famous Lao Dao coffee is often swept away, while the sweet corner candies made from plant sweet horns and the various flavors of Dao dried fruit are not to be missed.

Address: Diagonally opposite Luang Prabang Stadium, next to the Chinese Market, opposite the South Bus Station
Opening hours: Daily 8:00-22:00

SKY SUPERMARKET Vientiane: A newly opened large shopping mall in Vientiane with a large venue and spacious shopping space, unlike the local morning market which is crowded with shoulders. Fruits and vegetables, household goods and home appliances are all available, making it convenient for Laotians and providing one-stop shopping for tourists.

Address: ITECC, T4 Road, Vientiane, Laos

Shopping Tips

Shop around: It is recommended to shop around when buying goods, bargain appropriately, and buy expensive gold and silver jewelry with caution.
Do not buy ivory products: Try not to buy ivory products in the local area, such behavior should be resisted for the protection of wildlife, and may not be allowed when entering China.

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