• By Thanh Tuyen

1. Highland Tribes’ Brocade

Highland Tribes’ Brocade

A majority part of the country population is of ethnic minorities where they live between the mountains and hills dressing in handmade clothing adorned with traditional patterns. These techniques have been passed down from generation to generation and decade of mastering to the same level to be considered as brocade.

Most of them are being handmade with traditional tools but they are surprisingly cheap despite the amount of work and time being put into them. The price varies depending on the size and the patterns.

► Recommended shops and places for purchase:

• Saoban, 97/1 Chao Anou Road, Vientiane
• Mulberries, Rue Nokeokoummane, Vientiane
• CAMAcrafts, Nokeokoummane Street, Ban Mixay, Vientiane

Finally, if you stop by Vientiane, consider a trip to Lao Textile Museum to acquire a more profound look into the history of one of the most traditional products of the country.

2. Laos National Costume – “Sinh”

Laos National Costume – “Sinh”

Buying a traditional costume is always a good idea whenever you visit a new country. “Sinh” is a type of traditional skirts worn by women with eye-catching patterns. They can be made from all kind of materials such as silk, cotton and are suitable for all occasions.

► Recommended shops and places for purchases:

• Talat Khua Din, adjacent to the Vientiane central bus station
• Talat Sao (morning market) in Vientiane

3. Silks

Silk is also one of the more popular products of Laos

The people in the country especially flourish in the textile business. Silk is also one of the more popular products of Laos. If you plan a visit to Luang Prabang with us we can take you to a village of silk weaving – Bang Xang Khong – on the outskirt of Luang Prabang to witness the process of weaving silk by the local women.

► Recommended shops and places for purchase:

• Ban Xang Khong village, Luang Prabang
• Luang Prabang night market

4. Naturally Dyed Items

Các sản phẩm được nhuộm tự thu hút khách du lịch 

Laos’ hill tribes have their own traditional techniques of producing dyes from organic and natural ingredients. The recipes are excluded to a specific family with vibrant distinct colors (turquoise from leaves, green from new barks and crimson from insects) that sets itself apart from industrial one.

► Recommended shops and places for purchase:

• Night market in Luang Prabang or Vientiane
• Ock Pok Tok Textiles Stores and Crafts Centres, 125/10 Ban Saylom, Luang Prabang, Lao 

5. Silverwares and Jewelleries

Silverwares and Jewelleries in Laos

With the abundant amount of silver mines within the region, Laotian people have been fully utilizing these resources for years and creating a great reputation among the silversmith from all around the globe with their heavy Buddhism influenced style.

Aside from the Buddhism inspired jewelries, silver in Laos are also designed in whimsical details like figures from old tales, animals and combined with many modern motifs creating an elegant and chic set of accessories.

► Recommended shops and places to buy:

• Naga Creation Art Jewelry, Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang
• Talat Sao market, Vientiane

6. Alms Giving Bowls

Alms Giving Bowls - 1 famous object used for ceremonies in Laos

A strange buy at first glance but this is a surprising welcome gift that many travelers have reported that their families and friends loved.

You can buy the bowl from wood, stainless steel to silver and gold. Many are carved and adorned with intricate designs and used in occasions such as alms giving, wedding and baci.

Of course, the bowl will not be used for alms giving or these ceremonies back at your home but it is an incredible decorative addition to your shelves and counters. Additionally, the bowl is perfect as a fruit basket.

7. Wood Carvings

Wooden carved souvenirs are popular with tourists

Due to the fact that half of the country is covered in jungle, the supply for wood in the country is ample. With the seemingly endless flow of wood, the local craftsmen were able to home their skill of wood carvings and passed down to the new generations. They also are able to work on some difficult materials such as bones and precious stones. All of these carvings can be found in many famous tourist destinations like Luang Prabang, Vientiane or Pakse.

8. Special Beer Lao T – Shirt

Lao beer has become a symbol of this country

Beer Lao is so good that it has a whole following from local people to international drinkers. It is an icon of Laos so much so that the people have designed and prints numerous t-shirts to celebrate this beverage. These can be found almost anywhere all over the countries for a very cheap price. 

9. Coffee

Laos’ coffee beans are making its name in the international market

Like the neighboring country – Vietnam, Laos’ coffee beans are making its name in the international market. Gifted with ideal climate and vast area of highlands, hills, jungles, plentiful water resources and nutritious soils, the Arabica and Robusta beans here are some of the top quality ones that are being exported and favored by many brands. Of course, coffees can be bought in any grocery stores and are inexpensive.

The best place to buy coffee products in Laos is in Bolaven Plateau - the coffee heaven of Laos.

10. Saa Paper Products

Saa Paper Products in Laos

“Saa” paper, made from the bark of the Laos originated mulberry tree (“Saa” in Laos), can be found mostly in Xieng Khouang and Luang Prabang. During the colonialized era, these are used to wrapped opium, now it has a new purpose as canvas, notebooks, umbrella, etc.

Although it is plant-based, Saa paper is actually quite eco-friendly due to the fact that the bark of the mulberry tree can be regenerated naturally. The people will shed the bark and then grind and mixed it to a wet pulp and later they will spread the mixture flat on a surface and dry it under the sun. 

Recommended places to buy saa paper products in Laos is Vientiane Night Market and Luang Prabang Night Market. 

11. Organic Cosmetic Products

Laos is the perfect haven for all kind of organic products

With the landscape advantage, Laos is the perfect haven for all kind of organic products. With immense land for herb, fruit and flower to grow and the livestock to roam around, there are various beauty products that are fully organic to help you get a natural approach to your beauty routine. Some of the products are soaps, chapsticks, shampoos, conditioners and others like essential oils and herbal tea.

► Recommended shops and places to buy:

• T’Shop Lai Gallery, Chao Anou Road (behind Wat Inpeng), Vientiane
• Mulberries, Rue Nokeokoummane, Vientiane

12. Pottery & Porcelain

Laos also has handicraft villages that are dedicated to the art of pottery and porcelain

Laos also has handicraft villages that are dedicated to the art of pottery and porcelain like many Asian countries such as Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand. Many of these pottery is inspired by the distinct Buddhism in Laos. These are the ideal gift to bring back home as you rarely find any household items with such uniqueness.

During the trip, you may also find a local pottery house to observe the process of making these detailed oriented products. One of the recommended place is the village of Ban Chan on the outskirt of Luang Prabang. These items can also be found in countless shops around Laos.

13. Souvenir Made from Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Souvenir Made from Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

During the war, there were almost 260 million of bombs thrown into the countries that ravaged the land and the people. Nowadays, it is estimated that only more than a third of them are already detonated while the rest lay dormant underground. In the effort of bomb clearance during the country, local people have also repurpose these deadly weapon into a more welcoming item like keychain, earrings and jewelries in general. With this, not only can you get a gift with a unique backstory but also contribute to the great cause for the safety of the people. 

These UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) can be found in many places in the country. However, it is not reliable to find the authentic ones in a random street vendor. One of the most credible place to find these products is the UXO LAOS Visitor Center in Luang Prabang and Vientiane.

Some Useful Laos Travel Guides for Shopping in Laos

Asides from our recommended sites, souvenirs and gifts can be purchases very easily and conveniently throughout the country especially in the major tourism area.

Some of the items that we suggest you against buying:

• Buddha images: some are potentially stolen from monasteries and pagodas which is illegal in the country.
• Avoid animal-based product (especially endangered ones) such as Lao snake or any exotic animal whiskey, elephant tusks. This will further encourage the entrapment and poaching of exotic, wild animals and potentially damaging the natural eco-system of Laos.

Some local shop and market outside of the center could be a great way to get a great deal. Though many shops have fixed price, the people are quite flexible and you can make some bargain to reach into a final deal.