Fabrics
Laos is famous for its woven silk and cotton which are found in varying designs throughout the country. Each area has its own specific design. Most products eventually find their way to Vientiane and can be found in the Morning Market – a rainbow of colours of silks and cotton. If you do not find what you like when travelling round the country, make sure that you visit the morning market in Vientiane before you leave.
Lao women wear the traditional phaa sin – a wraparound skirt, worn by all government and office workers and school and university students. The sin is worn with a silver belt. A huge choice of phaa sin, shawls, bags and wall hangings can be found in the morning market and around Vientiane. As well as traditional Lao weavings, you will find hilltribe embroidery and quilts that can be used as wall hangings.
Baan Khily Gallery - Lao stars and other little paper wonders
Camacrafts - Hmong and Lao locally made handicrafts
Couleur d'Asie - Celebrating the meeting of east and west
Lao Handicraft Group- Preserving Lao Handicrafts for the Modern World
Nikone Handicraft - pret a porter - for the home
Phaeng Mai Studio - traditional hand woven fabrics
Art and Antiques
Doris Boutique- A most unique shop located in the Lao Plaza Hotel
Phixay Art Gallery -Original rural Lao scenes on bawsa paper located in Vang Vieng
Oot-Ni Boutique / Yenkham handicrafts - Ornaments, paintings and antiques
Satri Lao Silk - A complete line of Lao cultural art, paintings and antiques
Gold, Silver and Gems
Upstairs in the morning market you will find gold, silver and antiques. Thai tourists flock into Vientiane to buy gold which is cheaper than in Thailand. The gold found in Laos is 99.99% pure and is sold at a set price per gram. To many westerners, the colour of Lao gold seems almost artificial, a bit brassy – but it is true 24 carat gold. Silver is a more reasonable and traditional Lao product – silver is also sold by the weight. Look for bowls and jewelry in all shapes and sizes. The most interesting is made by hill tribes, who favour chunky, simple designs.
Lao Handicraft Group- Preserving Lao Handicrafts for the Modern World
Watches
Thakral (Indo-China) Pte Ltd - a great selection of Seiko and Rado watches
 |
.gif)
Shopping
