Laos is Southeast Asia's hidden gem, offering ancient Buddhist temples, pristine waterfalls, and serene riverside towns. From the UNESCO-listed streets of Luang Prabang to the adventure hub of Vang Vieng and the mysterious Plain of Jars, Laos rewards travelers seeking authenticity and natural beauty.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Hand-woven Sinh (wrap skirt)
Traditional Lao silk or cotton wrap skirt woven by hand on backstrap looms. Each design reflects the weaver's ethnic group and village. Available in Luang Prabang's Hmong market and weaving villages.
Price: $15-80
Where: Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre, Luang Prabang Night Market
Silk Scarves and Shawls
Luxurious hand-woven silk scarves featuring traditional geometric patterns and natural dyes. Mulberry silk produced in Laos is renowned for its quality and sheen. Perfect gift item.
Price: $20-100
Where: Phaeng Mai Gallery, Talat Dara Luang Prabang
Lao Silver Jewelry
Handcrafted silver jewelry featuring hill tribe motifs, coins, and intricate filigree work. Ethnic minority silversmiths in Luang Prabang produce unique necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Authentically hallmarked pieces available.
Price: $10-150
Where: Sisavangvong Road shops, Hmong market Luang Prabang
Saa Paper Products
Paper made from the bark of the mulberry tree (saa), used for cards, lampshades, and art. Handmade in cottage workshops around Luang Prabang using traditional methods passed down generations.
Price: $5-30
Where: Ock Pop Tok, night market stalls, Old Town artisan shops
Lao Coffee (Bolaven Plateau)
Premium Arabica and Robusta coffee grown on the fertile Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos. Sold whole bean, ground, or as instant sachets in souvenir packaging. Rich, earthy flavor unique to the volcanic soil.
Price: $8-25
Where: Joma Bakery, Saffron Coffee, Talat Sao Market Vientiane
Lao Lao Rice Whisky
Traditional Lao rice whisky distilled in rural villages for centuries. Available plain or infused with herbs, roots, and honey. Ban Xang Hai whisky village near Luang Prabang is the most famous source.
Price: $5-20
Where: Ban Xang Hai village, Talat Sao Market, duty-free shops
Bamboo Handicrafts
Intricate baskets, sticky rice containers (katib), and decorative items woven from bamboo and rattan. Essential Lao kitchen item and popular souvenir. Luang Prabang morning market offers widest selection.
Price: $5-25
Where: Luang Prabang morning market, Vientiane Talat Sao
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Luang Prabang Night Market
Laos' most famous night market stretching along the main road of old town. Hundreds of stalls sell textiles, jewelry, lanterns, paintings, and handicrafts. Relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere with artisans working on site.
Where: Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang
Hours: 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM daily
Luang Prabang Morning Market (Talat Dara)
Authentic local market where vendors sell fresh produce, live animals, herbs, forest products, and prepared foods. Monks and locals shop here at dawn. A window into everyday Lao life far from the tourist circuit.
Where: Kitsalath Road near Post Office, Luang Prabang
Hours: 5:30 AM - 11:00 AM daily
Talat Sao (Morning Market)
Vientiane's main covered market spanning multiple floors with electronics, clothing, textiles, and Lao souvenirs. Well-organized with fixed prices on many items. Good place for Lao silk, silver, and coffee gifts.
Where: Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane
Hours: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily
Hmong Market (Luang Prabang)
Daytime market run by Hmong hill tribe women selling embroidered bags, clothing, and handmade decorations. Traditional Hmong needlework panels and bags are unique and affordable gifts directly from artisans.
Where: Kitsalath Road, Luang Prabang
Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily
Khua Din Market
Large local wet and dry market with fresh food, spices, and household goods. Less touristy than Talat Sao. Browse alongside locals for authentic market experience and local snacks and ingredients.
Where: Khua Din area, Vientiane
Hours: 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang
Main street through old town UNESCO heritage area lined with boutique shops, galleries, and craft stores. Highest concentration of quality souvenir and textile shops in Laos. Day and evening shopping possible.
Best for: Quality textiles, galleries, upscale souvenirs
Talat Sao Mall Area, Vientiane
Cluster of covered markets and modern shopping centers around Lane Xang Avenue. Mix of traditional market stalls and air-conditioned shops selling local crafts, electronics, and fashion.
Best for: Everyday goods, electronics, local fabrics, coffee
Setthathirath Road, Vientiane
Upscale street in central Vientiane lined with designer boutiques, art galleries, and quality craft shops. Higher-end Lao silk, jewelry, and artisan products. French colonial buildings add atmosphere.
Best for: High-end crafts, Lao silk, art galleries, jewelry
Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre
Award-winning weaving centre showcasing Lao textiles with fair-trade ethos. Watch weavers at work on traditional looms and purchase directly from artisans. Workshop classes available for visitors.
Best for: Premium silk textiles, weaving demonstrations, ethical shopping
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Talat Sao Mall
Vientiane's main multi-story market-mall hybrid with hundreds of stalls and shops. Air-conditioned sections sell electronics and fashion; open sections offer traditional goods and food. Essential Vientiane shopping destination.
Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily
ITECC Mall (International Trade Exhibition & Convention Centre)
Modern multi-story mall on the outskirts of Vientiane with international brands, cinema, supermarket, and food court. Best option for familiar brands and air-conditioned shopping experience in the capital.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
Vientiane Centre
Mixed-use complex in central Vientiane with shopping, restaurants, and a supermarket. Popular with expats and locals for international goods, clothing, and a food hall with diverse dining options.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected in markets and from street vendors but not in shops with fixed price tags or malls
Start your counter-offer at 50-60% of the asking price and work toward a price both parties accept
Smile and remain friendly throughout — aggressive bargaining is considered rude and counterproductive
Be willing to walk away; vendors often call you back with a better price
Buy multiple items from one vendor for better overall discount
Avoid bargaining if you genuinely intend to buy — it's poor etiquette to haggle then not purchase
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques and Buddha images cannot be exported without official permits — strictly enforced at customs. Items over 500 years old require Ministry of Information and Culture approval.
Tax Refund: No VAT refund scheme for tourists exists in Laos. Prices quoted in shops are final.
Duty Free: Travelers may bring in 500 cigarettes, 2 bottles of spirits, and 1 bottle of wine duty-free on arrival.
Shipping: International shipping available at Vientiane post office and through DHL/FedEx agents. Allow 2-6 weeks for surface mail. Express shipping 5-7 days from Vientiane.