Shopping in Laos
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Pathana Boupha Antique House
In an impressive old French mansion, Pathana Boupha carries antique statuary, jewellery, silverwork, Royal Lao government currency and old photos, mostly from the Lao owners’ private collection. It also sells high-quality textiles from various ethnic groups. The late patriarch designed many of the costumes and ornaments used in the former Royal Palace.
reviewed
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Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles
Lao Textiles sells high-end contemporary, original-design fabrics inspired by older Lao weaving patterns, motifs and techniques. The American designer, Carol Cassidy, employs Lao weavers who work out the back of the attractive old French-Lao house. They are internationally known, with prices to match.
reviewed
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Kopnoi
This shop targets the discerning shopper with east-meets-west clothing in natural fabrics and dyes, designer jewellery, homewares and handicrafts, books on Lao cuisine, architecture and crafts, packaged spices and teas and local art.
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L’Etranger Books & Tea
New and used books about Laos and Southeast Asia, plus book rental and books bought for cash or trade credit. Art is showcased on the 2nd floor, which doubles as a tea lounge.
reviewed
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Handicraft Night Market
Every evening this market assembles along Th Sisavangvong from the Royal Palace Museum to Th Kitsarat, closing this section of the street off to motor vehicles. It’s one of Luang Prabang’s biggest tourist lures. Low-lit and quiet, it’s devoid of hard selling and is possibly the most tranquil market in Asia. Tens of dozens of traders sell silk scarves and wall hangings, plus Hmong appliqué blankets, T-shirts, clothing, shoes, paper, silver, bags, ceramics, bamboo lamps and more. It’s incredibly cheap and because you’re injecting currency directly into the local economy you have to feel good about spending dosh here.
reviewed
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Baan Khily Gallery
This beautiful old building carries a collection of unique and carefully selected Lao crafts, including handmade sǎa (mulberry bark) paper. This gallery started the revival of sǎa arts in Laos. There are books on the region, artworks, an upstairs gallery with rotating exhibits, a knowledgeable owner and an upstairs veranda ideal for tea-sipping.
reviewed
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Fresh Market
The Fresh market stocks exotic fruits you won't typically see elsewhere in Laos, such as Chinese pear. Other local delicacies include nok ąen dąwng (swallows stored whole in jars until they ferment), and hét wâi (wild matsutake mushrooms), which grow wild around Xieng Khuang and fetch high prices in Japan.
reviewed
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Phaeng Mai Gallery
To see Lao weaving in action, seek out the weaving district of Ban Nong Buathong, northeast of the town centre in Muang Chanthabuli. The Phaeng Mai Gallery here is in a white, two-storeyhouse. It sells Lao textiles and is out past the National Circus – most tuk-tuk drivers know it and will charge about US$2 one way.
reviewed
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Hmong Market
About 30km east of Phonsavan en route to Muang Kham (northern side of the road) is Nong Pet, a Hmong village with a picturesque spring surrounded by rice fields; it’s said to be the source of the Nam Ngum. A sizable Hmong market is held here every Sunday.
reviewed
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Thithpeng Maniphone
Thithpeng crafted silverware for Luang Prabang royalty before 1975 (Thailand’s royal family are now some of his best customers). He has 15 apprentice silversmiths but still does the most delicate work himself. To get here follow the signs opposite the Maison Souvannaphoum.
reviewed
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Talat Sao
Vientiane’s biggest market is a sprawling collection of stalls offering fabrics, ready-made clothes, jewellery, cutlery, toiletries, bedding, hardware and watches, as well as electronic goods and just about anything else imaginable.
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Fresh Produce Market
It is a colourful market that fills the street between Th Sisavangvong and the Mekong in Ban Pakam. You can watch locals stock up on leafy greens, eggs, dried shrimp and live frogs. It’s very photogenic and best in the early morning.
reviewed
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Talat Thong Khan Kham
This market north of the centre in Ban Khan Kham is open all day, but is best in the morning. It’s one of the biggest in Vientiane and has virtually everything, including good food. Nearby are basket and pottery vendors.
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Handicraft Products of Ethnic Groups
Beside the PTT office and opposite Talat Sao, this market-style place sells handicrafts from around Laos. The quality is variable, but at the least this is a good place to get an idea what is out there and how much it costs.
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Mixay Boutique
One of the stores on Th Nokeo Khumman worth a look, is the upmarket Mixay Boutique, which stocks silk clothes and weavings from Xieng Khuang Province, plus some bed and cushion covers in striking Hmong-inspired designs.
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Naga Creations
Specialising in jewellery, Naga Creations produces individual masterpieces using a variety of precious stones and silver. All items are hand crafted and you can see the jewellers at work in the store. Suits all budgets.
reviewed
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Camacrafts
One of the stores on Th Nokeo Khumman worth a look is Camacrafts which stocks silk clothes and weavings from Xieng Khuang Province, plus some bed and cushion covers in striking Hmong-inspired designs.
reviewed
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Fibre2Fabric
This nonprofit gallery curates three exhibitions annually and promotes textiles from the diverse ethnic minorities of Laos. The quality is superb and the products are an education in Lao culture in themselves.
reviewed
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T’Shop Lai Galerie
This beautiful shop is well worth a look if you’re interested in modern and traditional art in a range of media, furniture and interesting handicrafts. The owner is committed to promoting fair trade products.
reviewed
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Phimphone Market
This store near Nam Phu has a wide selection of imported goods, including canned and frozen foods, magazines, personal hygiene and women’s products such as tampons. There’s more wine upstairs.
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Panfa Art
This small textiles shop on the main street sells some truly stunning scarves and wall hangings made from raw silk. It’s all locally crafted and the workmanship of some of the pieces is quite bamboozling.
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Satri Lao
This tastefully presented three-storey shop has an eclectic range of local and imported handicrafts and clothes – from miniskirts and bikinis made from Hmong weavings to lacquer portraits of Ho Chi Minh.
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Chinese Market
West of the main strip, the chinese market is over two storeys tall and sells plenty of plastic tack and souvenirs, although you can also get some decent gold and silver.
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Talat Phosy
Talat Phosy is a huge warehouse-like structure built by the Chinese, encompassing the biggest market for fresh produce, meats, herbs and just about any other basic requisite of Lao life.
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Talat Sao
Huay Xai’s main morning market, Talat Sao attracts traders from numerous ethnic backgrounds and is situated at the southern end of town near the bus terminal.
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