Aimed primarily at tourists, the Night Market sets up each evening along a few blocks of Thanon Sisavangvong. Lining both sides of the street, with a section down the middle, stalls offer a plethora of souvenirs, from cotton shopping bags and handicrafts to silk scarves, brightly colored lamps, and silver jewelry. There are also food stalls on the side streets, offering a place to refuel between purchases. Even if you’re not in the mood to buy anything, strolling up and down the market aisles is a pleasant, interesting way to pass an evening.
Night Market under the Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang
age fotostock
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Night Bazaar, Luang Prabang, Laos.
Full disclosure - I don’t shop often. I just don’t see the point of traveling halfway around the world to buy stuff that I don’t have much room or space for in the first place. Now, I know that few people share my view - my own travel companion is probably raising an eyebrow in my direction as I write this - but I’d rather spend my time, money, and energy on seeing and doing things I can’t do at home. That being said, I’m a sucker for markets, and Asia is home to some of the best in the world. You can really get the pulse of a place by visiting a market, and while the Night Bazaar in Luang Prabang really was designed with tourists in mind, it has become something of a gathering place for any and all folk in the region. So long as you know that you’re buying stuff you can get anywhere else on earth, it’s fun to check out the colorful umbrellas, the handcrafted art, the blankets, scarfs, postcards, and one million other trinkets for sale. The bazaar is also bubbling with a lively energy, and it’s location to the food market makes it a nice place to start an evening stroll. If you visit Luang Prabang - and you should, as it is one of the most charming towns in all of Asia - you’ll be drawn to this place. In the end I even broke down and bought some stuff... though I won’t tell you what that was.
Night Market in Luang Prabang
Chances are, if you’re headed to Luany Prabang, the night market is probably on your list. If not, be sure to check out the local handicrafts and artisans that set up shop in the afternoon and go well into the night. For the best pictures, go around dusk and photograph the changes that come to the market at night (including perhaps having trouble identifying what you might be buying).
famous night market
there are a number of well known night markets in Asia but the one in Luang Prabang may be among the most lovely. Lots of handicrafts as well as food and drinks make this market a great way to spend an evening in town. While in Luang Prabang if you are looking for quiet and upscale we can highly recommend La Residence Phou Vao. An on-site restaurant gives options for those weary from a day of temples and touring.
Everything for Sale on Sisavangvong Road
The streets of Luang Prabang turn into a human-powered shopping mall at night. Vendors fill Sisavangvong Road with Laotian handicrafts - particularly colorful are the textiles and metal crafts. If haggling turns you hungry, walk down one of the side streets for food stalls that are set up like buffets.
Perusing the NIght Market
In the evening I return to Sisavangvong Road between Mount Phousi and the Royal Palace Museum to visit the Ethnic Craft Night Market. Silk purses, Beer Lao t-shirts, towels. Silk purses, Beer Lao t-shirts, towels. Silk purses, Beer Lao t-shirts, towels. The inventory here is a little redundant and I feel badly for the vendors (especially their children) who sit here night after night competing with one another for a few dollars. Luang Prabang & Bangkok trip report: http://bit.ly/17Q0Cup
