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Shopping in Laos

02/10/16 00:10 3405

The unique and fascinating handicrafts available in Lao PDR allow visitors to take some special reminders of their travels in this beautiful country.  A rich selection of silk and cotton textiles, exquisite silver and gold jewelry, handmade baskets, intricate carvings and traditional musical instruments and utensils are just some of the delights awaiting visitors on the markets. 

The textiles and fabrics produced in the country are all hand woven on small looms in villages with long traditions in the craft.  Styles, designs and patterns vary according to the area in which they were made.  Hill tribe weavers and textile craftspeople produce distinctive and beautiful fabric and cloth products. 

Carvers work in wood, bone and stone and produce work depicting scenes from both religious stories and everyday life.  The craftsmen make a great variety of goods and are only too happy to produce special order items as well..

Bargaining-although most shops have fixed prices for goods the price of fabrics, carvings and some jewelry may be negotiable with careful, good-humored bargaining.

Tipping is not usual but may be expected at some of the more exclusive hotels and restaurants.

  • Luang Prabang Night Market. The Evening Market is a nightly event that takes place between 17:00 and 23:00 beginning at Wat Mai and runing along Sisavangvong Read More...
  • Vangthong Evening Market. ...
  • The Vientiane Night Market. ...
  • Champasak Shopping. ...
  • Luang Prabang Shopping. ...
  • Savannakhet Shopping. ...
  • Vientiane Shopping.

Related

Public holidays in Laos are days when workers get the day off work. There are 11 public holidays in Laos in 2017.
The official national currency in Laos is the Lao kip (K). Although only kip is legally negotiable in everyday transactions, in reality three currencies are used for commerce: kip, Thai baht (B) and US dollars (US$).
Laos enjoys a warm, tropical climate with two distinct seasons -the rainy season from the beginning of May to the end of September and the dry season from October through to April.Temperatures and rainfall very considerably throughout the year and also according to latitude and altitude.from November February the temperatures are lower and cool breezes bring a pleasant and refreshing change from the humidity of the rainy season. Temperatures drop to as low as 15 C (or well below that in the mountains) in December and January. During this Cool season, rainfall is at its lowest. From mid February the temperatures gradually increase to their highest levels, close to 38 C, in March to May. The rains start towards the end of this hot period too bring a welcome relief to the land.
Laos has no facilities for major medical emergencies. The state-run hospitals and clinics are among the most basic in Southeast Asia in terms of the standards of hygiene, staff training, supplies and equipment.
Many parts of Laos, particularly populated areas, have minimal to no risk of malaria, and the risk of side effects from the antimalaria medication may outweigh the risk of getting the disease. For some rural areas, however, the risk of contracting the disease far outweighs the risk of any tablet side effects. Remember that malaria can be fatal.
You are advised to avoid any protests or demonstrations and follow the instructions of local authorities. Curfews may be enforced and can include roadblocks, spot roadside checks and occasional raids on premises.
Tourist visas are readily available at airports and most land borders for between US$30 and US$42 for one month.
Laos is a very popular stop in South East Asia, although it remains one of the poorest country in the region, relatively isolated and undeveloped. But just has long been popular with the backpacker market, but the country is now attracting a wider range of travellers. It is also busy developing its standing as an eco-tourism centre due to the many hill tribe villages, river communities and unspoilt national parks. These settings all lend themselves to outdoor activities such as trekking, kayaking and caving. The capital, Vientiane, and the other major towns have been spared major modern developments with traditional and colonial architecture still dominant.