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10 Museums in Laos That You Shouldn't Miss
Coordinates: 18°N 105°E / 18°N 105°E / 18; 105
Restaurants in Laos
1. Museum of Phongsaly Ethnic Groups
2. La La Laos
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By FookChoy - Singapore, Singapore
In Lala Laos, when you purchase any of proprietor Sithong's crafted and designed items, you also help in the schooling of poor village kids who otherwise remain illiterate. Browse and chat awhile with Sithong and you will be sure to befriend him and his charming family who man and live in Lala Laos
3. UXO Visitors Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Feenixwest - Fort Collins, United States
A sad place to be to get educated about the results of war which remain to this day in Laos. Educational movie showing the destruction and current attempts to detone bombs in the countryside before they maim and kill farmers and children. Example of cluster bomb with 300-400 destructive bombies inside. Really a must see however sobering.
4. MAG UXO Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
The Mines Advisory Group Visitor Information Centre about MAG's work clearing unexploded bombs in Laos and around the world.
Reviewed By nereag136
We went there because it was recommended by a couple we met in our trip. It's very interesting, it explains how Laos lived the war. I learned many things. You can see pieces of the unexploded bombs. There are photographs and 4 very good short films about cleaning unexploded bombs in the rice fields. They have some games (djenga, darts) to learn. It's free, you can give a donation :)
5. Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 859 reviews
Opened in 2007, TAEC is a museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions about the diverse ethnic groups of Laos. Permanent Exhibitions highlight the Akha, Kmhmu, Tai Dam, and Hmong ethnic minorities. Interactive and immersive, TAEC's newest special exhibition, "Voices of the Wind: Traditional Instruments in Laos" features wind instruments and their role in communication, ritual, and courtship. Through recreations of a Hmong instrument-maker's workshop, a Tai Dam healing ceremony, and interactive video kiosks, visitors can enter a world rarely seen by the general public. The adjacent TAEC Museum Shop features fair trade handicrafts from 12 provinces of Laos supporting over 600 ethnic artisans from all over Laos. Approximately 50% of the price of the products goes back to our village producers. TAEC also boasts a kids activity centre, ethnobotanical garden, and patio cafe with cold refreshments making the museum a perfect destination for children and adults.
Reviewed By marylouisemarino - Washington, United States
If you're curious about the ethnic diversity and cultural heritage in Laos, the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center is the place to go. Their free tour is very informative, their displays are engaging and beautifully curated, their staff always welcoming and their shop is enticing. I have visited TAEC numerous times on my trips to Luang Prabang to ethically source textile accessories and home accents and they are wonderful partners to work with.
6. Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
The Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre is where the fascinating world of Lao textiles comes alive! Set in the grounds of a stunning tropical garden on the Mekong, it's the perfect place to learn more about this unique Lao art. We offer free guided tours where you can meet our weavers, artisans and even the silkworms. We also offer a range of classes in weaving and dyeing, which as our reviews show, are an unforgettable experience. Our Silk Road Cafe by the river is the perfect place to relax and enjoy our "east meets west" inspired menu, or simply enjoy the stellar sunsets with a refreshing drink.
Reviewed By chicnbliss - Hong Kong, China
OCT POP TOK LIVING CRAFT CENTRE BACKGROUND/CONTEXT One of the best ways to explore Laos Culture is through a weaving class at the Oct Pop Tok Living Craft Centre. The place Oct Pop Tok, literally translates to “East meets West” is the This place is founded by two women dating back to 1999, Englishwoman Joanna Smith and Laotian Veomanee Douangdala. They operate base on principles on fair trade and sustainable business, with the mission to elevate the profile of Lao textiles and artisans. Not only that it is created by two unique women, the place is run by women and for the women in Laos. Furthermore, it supports the local villages and Laos artisan community. I was fascinated by the type of textiles that are presented on their website and the classes they have to offer to experience what it’s like to be weaving. So I signed for a half day class. I must say with this experience I have become profoundly respectful of the women who does them daily, and appreciate even more the textile products that are made manually. (Include picture of venue and the gardens) LAOS TEXTILE WEAVING Laos Silk Weaving is an ancient tradition that is passed from mother to daughter for centuries. They start at a very young age, the instructor who taught me started at 3 years old. It is also the dominate form of artistic cultural expression in Laos. Patterns, techniques and colors are intricate and varies from region to region, and ethnic groups. These regions also have different techniques for dye-ing the silk and cotton. In the Central Laos, they are known for using natural indigo dyes and diamond patterns - a symbol of protective the mythical creature naga. At Oct Pop Tok, they also practice natural indigo dyes, ranging in beautiful colors. These includes Sappan Tree that dyes a violet range of colors to Lemongrass and Tumeric for beige to yellow – orange hues. (Include picture) CLASSES For visitors to experience this Lao Weaving Culture, Oct Pop Tok offers a variety of classes, varying from dyeing class, to bamboo weaving to silk weaving class. I was mostly interested in the weaving so I signed up for the half day class experience. It was to weave a placemat. MY WEAVING EXPERIENCE There were two types of weaving classes, a half day which you weave a silk placemat or a full day class where you weave a silk scarf. After contemplation (since it was over 35 degrees that day) I decided to do a half day class. Introduction + Choosing the color They start with greeting you and bringing you to a basket of silks and introduce you to the silks, types, patterns, and then what you will make that day. And then together with your guide you get to pick two colors for the weave, so you will have your customized product at the end of the class. I love the Purple Maroon color, and contrast it with a golden orange. The guide said it was perfect! Spooling the silk You will then be guided to a spooling area where the instructor (a very nice lady at my age) demonstrates how to spool the silk skeins. They then watch you do it and guide you with the techniques. Mind you, I am not the most patient person and this process really do takes patience, sitting there and just spinning the spool just at the right speed!!! It was fun Setting up the Pattern After you do a few the instructor will do the rest as you will then go to the assigned loom to do your weave. For the pattern its very intricate so she will set it up. It is literally hundreds of strings arranged in a very intricate way. Learning the Weave I learn to weave, moving the raft (looks like a little boat with the silk spool in it) left and right in between the loom strings, switching foot paddles, banging it at the end to make it tight. It was fun!!!! They also keep coming to check on you, and bring you lemonade. Two other girls next to me from America are weaving a scarf. Learning the Pattern Weave The challenging part was to get the pattern part where the two colors are being weaved. The technique is delicate, much like playing piano (I play the piano well). For EACH WEAVE, you have to change a string to set the pattern, and for each change of color, there’s a piece that you need to turn up and down for it to work. It was actually very orchestrated, rhythmic, most therapeutic and fun!!!! I enjoyed it very much After 3 hours of weaving, I was finished! (show photo) The instructor helps you to weave in the tassels at the front and end, packing it in a nice recycled paper bag, along with a voucher for 10% discount if you make any purchases in their shop. I got some bamboo straws, they are fantastic and I’ll never have to use any plastic or paper straw again. Tour after class The guide then gave me a tour of the center, showing me the hut with the batik art, the area where their professional weaver women are doing much more intricate patterns on the loom, the silk warm farming, the dye-ing process and sample, as well as the yard where they hang the silk dry after dye-ing It was a a lovely experience. After an afternoon of hardwork I decided to take beerlao and sit by the Mekong River at their Silk Road Café to enjoy the scenery for a bit. HOW TO GET THERE : Free tuk tuk ride back from their shop in the town center to the living craft. That was the day I decided to do more venture so I asked them to drop me off at the entrance of Mount Phousi which the tuk tuk driver did. Was very kind of him. I highly recommend you to take a class or at least a visit to their living craft center, the view itself is already worth the go. But if you can do the class, you will come out feeling accomplished and amazed.
7. MAG UXO Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has been clearing unexploded bombs from the Vietnam War in Lao PDR since 1994. Visit the centre to learn more about UXO clearance in Lao. We have daily film showings, photo exhibits, games and more.
Reviewed By Traveltone1 - Brighton, United Kingdom
There’s a 23 minute video you must watch . Had not realised how much damage the USA had inflicted on Laos and done little or nothing to help clear the mess of unexploded bombs away from the countryside . It a real eye opener and a must to see
8. Icat Gallery
9. Friends Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
The Friends Gallery (previously Friends Visitor Center) has now reopened for guests to learn about Lao Friends Hospital for Children and view exquisite artworks of Laos by world renowned artists. Lao Friends Hospital for Children provides free high quality and compassionate medical care for the children of Laos. All proceeds from the Friends Gallery will go directly to support the children's hospital.
Reviewed By billbE1099YQ
Wonderful space sharing information about the Lao Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang. Sales help support this important service for local families. Easy to find across from the Dara market. Staff is friendly and helpful. A short video tells you more about the hospital and its work.
10. Lao Textile Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Traveltone1 - Brighton, United Kingdom
Even if you not interested in textiles it’s fascinating to see the looms and the silk making process . The way dyes are made from plants is educational and the visit was topped by a cup of blue tea made from a plant of the pea family .
