Vientiane
Shopping

"Where to shop in Vientiane"

"Vientiane shopping" was last updated on Jan 28, 2012
All information below is subject to change

Wondering about the shopping opportunities in Vientiane?

As with the other towns in Laos, Vientiane houses local markets and shops.

Talat Sao ("Morning" Market) on Lane Xang Avenue is one of them.

It's not really a morning market. It actually stays open until 4 pm. And it's more like a big mall.

Buy textiles, shoes, clothing, pillow covers, wooden guitars, weird stuff like opium pipes, pirate CDs/DVDs, too much jewelry, handicrafts, old coins, silk, watches or FOOD.

New Talao Sao Vientiane shopping Laos Talat Sao Vientiane shopping Laos

Image credits: travel.webshots.com, panoramio.com

I noticed that the prices were more expensive at Talat Sao than in Luang Prabang, so bargain hard! Difficult to bargain though because the sellers know that if you don't buy their products, other foreigners will buy from them.

A tip is to pay 30-50% of the given price!

But also remember that the local sellers are trying to make a living. So, no need to argue over a thousand kip.

T-shirts and scarves start from $2. You should expect to pay $10 for souvenirs depending on the size and material.

Shops around Nam Phou

If you buy some textiles from the market and interested in getting it tailored, there are tailor shops around Nam Phou Fountain.

Another shops you'll find around Vientiane are several second-hand book shops, art galleries, more textile and handcrafts shops and photo shops.

I went to a photo shop and burned my photos on a CD for $1,5. CHEAP!

Vientiane is also known for silk boutiques, where Laotian designers have the opportunity to show off their collections. Here you can get clothes in silk and silk-cotton; dresses, tunics and shirts, just to mention a few.

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T'Shop Lai

This is probably one of my favorite shops in Vientiane. It's a good place to buy decent gifts.

For instance you can get handicrafts from 30,000 kip, soaps from 15,000 kip and pure body oils from 30,000 kip. Their concept is based on environmental friendliness.

Where: Vat Impeng street

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Back to Vientiane?

Looking for a place to sleep? Welcome to Vientiane accommodation

Hungry? Here are some cheap options! (Vientiane restaurant)

Ready for some sightseeing? Click for Vientiane attractions

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