Blogs we like

The Luang Prabang Night Market is one of the must visit markets when staying there. A few local markets are found in the UNESCO town of Luang Prabang including the famous Hmong Night Market, Day Market, Dara Market and also the general local market. The night market is also known as the Hmong Handicraft Market and this place is open daily from 5.00pm till about 11.00pm at night. This amazing market is located at the corner of Sisavangvong Road and Kitsarat Road in Luang Prabang town.


Luang Prabang's Night Market is easily accessible by foot and about 5 minutes walk from the main town area. Just head towards Phu Si Hill and you will see the market. The Hmong tribe people usually start bringing their wares at about 4.00pm onwards where they start erecting tents and laying mats to display the various handicrafts and souvenirs here.


When I stayed in Luang Prabang, I practically visited the market every evening as they had just so many interesting items for sale. Compared to the other markets I have been to, the Luang Prabang Night Market is my personal favourite. You see Hmong vendors selling all sorts of things including the famous Lao Snake Wine in bottles of various sizes and shapes. Prices of these snake wines or whiskeys range from US$3 to US$25 depending on the size and contents.


Once night falls in Luang Prabang town, you see the Hmong Night Market come alive with yellow lit bulbs streaming across stall by stall. Hmong vendors sit by their goods on the ground and wait for eager customers. One thing I must say is that the Lao people are not pushy or fussy. They are actually easy going, friendly and speak decent understandable English.


When you inquire about the prices at the markets, they will gladly tell you and you can bargain with them. If you think it is too high and walk away, they would not chase after you to make that sale like in Bangkok or other countries. In kmost times when I was bargaining, the vendor and me came a a mutual agreement of the items purchased. However, beware of the China-Lao traders that sell so-called antiques. These are not authentic antiques as you think. They may look old, but they are skillfully made to look like antiques and are mainly brought in from China.


At the Hmong Night Market, you will also see a lot of Lao fabrics, scarves, bed comforters, pillows, blankets, lamp shades and even aprons in the traditional Lao Hmong design. Most of them are beautiful and hardly seen in other countries so they are a good buy if you ask me.




I must have spent at least US$500 on the items I purchased at these markets. From paintings, fabrics, pillow cases, bags, silverware and even a comforter which miraculously fit into our luggage bags. The prices after conversion are so cheap that you cannot resist Trust me, once you are there, you will know how cheap they can go.



One of the things that I enjoyed buying were the local paintings sold at the night markets here. I bought about 20 paintings and they are sold frame-less. So you need to buy a hand-made holder (US$3) for the paintings where they roll it up and you carry it back. Paintings here were really a bargain as they are priced from US$3 to US$20 depending on the sizes.


Among the many interesting items sold at the Night Market, the Lao Coffee is one of the items which you should buy as souvenirs or for own consumption. Lao has one of the best coffees in the world if you are a coffee lover.

One thing I did not take pictures of was the silver vendors at the night markets. There were a number of them where each had their own individual designs so going from stall to stall, you would find different designs for earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Silver lovers beware, you will end up buying more that you budgeted.

My conclusion to the Luang Prabang Night Market - A must visit! No two ways about this unless you dislike markets. Child friendly and spacious, located near to main town.