Shopping in Luang Prabang
Where to Shop in Luang Prabang
Much like Vientiane, Luang Prabang trades in handicrafts,
art, textiles and jewelry. Be sure to explore the night
markets such as Thalat Sonpao or Thalat Dalat, where the
Northern ethnic hill-tribe people sell handicrafts and creative
textiles such as hand-sewn bedding, bags and many other
distinctive souvenirs.
The numerous gift shops around the town are good for picking
up couture-style textiles and quaint household objects.
For fresh produce like meat, vegetables and herbs, drop
into the Thalat Naviengkham market. The market culture of
Laos, unlike more raucous Thailand, is devoid of hard selling
so don't expect badgering and bartering of the same degree.
The Night Market
The Night Market is a nightly event that takes place between
17:00 and 23:00 near Wat Mai along Phothisarat Road at the
town center. The street is closed off to vehicles and the
hill-tribe traders emerge with their various apparels, ceramics,
bamboo, lamps, blankets, handicrafts and silk scarves.
Kopnoi
Kopnoi produce handmade fabrics from natural materials.
Meaning 'little frog', it took the eco-conscious company
over four years to develop the eco-dyed cotton apparel and
put it on the market. The range includes clothes, jewelry,
silk, accessories, spices and delicacies. Situated in Ban
Aphay on the back side of Mount Phousi by the Nam Kham River,
Kopnoi follow an ethical and tangible ethos, respecting
the principles of fair trade.
CAMA Crafts
CAMA Crafts is a non-profit, self-help project that markets handicrafts made
by Lao artisans, providing a sustainable method of income
for village women that may otherwise be unavailable.
The products are handmade using traditional patterns and
techniques, which helps preserve the traditional needlework
skills of Hmong and Lao women such as applique, cross stitch,
embroidery and batik.
Lisa Regale
Lisa Regale Fusion Gallery sells silk garments that are an original fusion of Lao traditional patterns and European styles. The shop opened in 2003 and was inspired by the beauty and potential of the silk Laos has to offer. Across from Wat Khily near Wat Xiengthong
Ban Lao Natural products
Situated on the Mekong River front, Ban Lao Natural Products,
produce hand-made silks, handicrafts, clothing, and naturally
made soaps and beauty products, like many of the local traders
Ban Lao promise fair trade with its local producers to help
increase sustainable development.
Laos is an excellent destination for anyone interested
in picking up elaborate handicrafts. Hill-tribe silk, arts,
crafts, home-furnishings, jewelry and couture-quality textiles
dominate the market. Although many of these products are
available in Thailand, some of the things listed above are
unique to Laos and its hill-tribes. In buying traditional
crafts such as silks and carvings, tourists are invariably
helping to support an young and fragile economy.
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