City: Laos
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Things to do in Laos, Laos: The Best Flea & Street Markets
Coordinates: 18°N 105°E / 18°N 105°E / 18; 105
Restaurants in Laos
1. Khua Din Market
2. The Morning Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 355 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
My wife and I enjoyed a short 5 day Wendy Wu “Laos in Focus” private tour in January 2020 as part of an 18 day Asian adventure to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The tour incorporated three nights and two full days in Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Luang Prabang Province in northern Laos. Heralding in our second day in this charming city was our participation in the moving and humbling Takbat Buddhist Monk Alms Ceremony very early at sunrise. This was followed by a most enjoyable one hour stroll through the renowned Morning Market located right in the heart of old Luang Prabang, on the lanes surrounding Wat Mai, just off Sisavangvong Road. It was also just a short walk from our historic boutique hotel (the Victoria Xiengthong Palace) where we enjoyed a well earned later breakfast after the market visit, before embarking on our Mekong River Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves. The Morning Market is a ‘must do’ when in Luang Prabang. There is so much local colour and excitement and a chance to mix it with the locals as they go about buying their daily fresh food produce. The various vendors go to much trouble to attractively present their various food items for sale and they all seem happy and friendly as they go about their trading. Most choose to set up on the ground rather than utilising tables. This makes for an easy and efficient means to set up and then pack up afterwards. Notable exceptions were a butcher that used tables to display the meat cuts and a few vendors selling tourist handicrafts that found tables easier to display their wares. The food produce on offer was many and plentiful and included rice, fresh vegetables and herbs and fresh fish and meat including pork and poultry all without refrigeration which was a bit disconcerting to western tourists like us who are not accustomed to such marketing practices. There were also a range of live animals for sale. Then there were the novel local foods such as serpents, frogs, rats, bats, live beetles, and various grilled insects for sale that revolted us, even though we had to accept that this is very much part of the Lao cultural scene. Because this is a morning market there are quite a number of vendors selling interesting “street food” breakfast snacks. We did notice a number of tourists giving this local food a try; however we, being more conservative travellers and conscious of potential health risks, chose to not partake of what looked like very delightful local fare. Adding much colour to the market were the beautiful fresh flower arrangements especially made for leaving in the temples as offerings. Some vendors included these amongst their fresh vegetables as added extras. We were happy just soaking up the atmosphere created by this very Lao food marketing experience; enjoying the friendly interactions between vendors and local buyers; being fascinated by the unusual items on offer for sale and capturing lovely photographic images to remember the experience.
3. Phousi Day Market
4. Luang Prabang Night Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,445 reviews
Reviewed By Steve32Yorkshire - Wakefield, United Kingdom
Refreshing change from the usual tack and trinkets available at these markets. It offers a great selection of clothing eg elephant pants and T shirts for only a couple of dollars, beautiful locally made silks and shawls, artworks as well as souvenirs. It is very safe and the people are lovely
5. Morning Market
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By DannyS43 - Baku, Azerbaijan
It’s great typical Lao style market , lots of stuff from food to electronics. But the most beautiful are silk scarves , shawls and phenomenal silver section on the 2 nd floor. Everting is not expensive, but still bargain up to 50 off.
6. Vientiane Night Market
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 430 reviews
Reviewed By Shrinkingworld - Brisbane, Australia
It’s not just a night market it’s a social hub where locals meet up for a variety of things. Situated in the park on the waterfront the market has everything you might be looking for. Around the area there is music booming from the variety of exercise classes that are taking place. Beside the market, great place for people watching
7. Salavan Market
8. Vang Vieng Walking Street
9. Nakharath City
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 1 reviews
