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With the slow and peaceful pace of life in Laos, when sunset arrives, it’s time for people to relax after work. You won’t be surprised to find that local markets and shopping centers usually open from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. However, in Laos, there are famous night markets like the Vientiane Night Market and the Luang Prabang Night Market that stay open later and attract many tourists curious about the local nightlife and activities.
Let’s explore the two most famous night markets in Laos and see what makes them special!
The two most famous night markets in Laos (Cre: VYC Travel )
Read more: Laos tours 5 days
Night markets in Laos aren’t noisy or chaotic, even though they can be quite busy with tourists. The two most famous night markets in Laos are the Luang Prabang Night Market and the Vientiane Night Market. Both offer a variety of activities and attract many visitors.
The Vientiane Night Market stretches 300 meters within Chao Anouvong Park, adjacent to Rue Pangkham and the Mekong River. This night market is a shopping spot in Vientiane, open only in the evening (5 p.m - 10 p.m daily) and specializes in Lao food and drinks.
The market attracts many tourists and locals with delicious dishes such as grilled chicken, grilled fish, sticky rice, papaya salad, etc. Additionally, the prices here are quite affordable, making it a must-visit place when you’re in Vientiane.
The Vientiane Night Market stretches 300 meters within Chao Anouvong Park (Cre: Mekong River Cruises)
Luang Prabang, a famous tourist city in Laos, has a peaceful, old-world charm and is loved by visitors worldwide for its convenient services. Anyone visiting Luang Prabang won’t miss the city’s night market. The stalls are set up only in the evening (from 5 p.m to 10 p.m), while the area remains clear and open during the day with normal traffic.
A special highlight of the night market is a small alley dedicated to food and drinks. While the souvenir stalls are not too crowded, this small alley is often packed with tables.
The food here is very diverse, from grilled meats to noodle soups, vegetarian buffets, seafood, and more. You can even find distinctive dishes from Laos and other Southeast Asian countries.
The Luang Prabang Night Market attracts many tourists (Cre: Vecteezy)
Both the Vientiane Night Market and the Luang Prabang Night Market attract many tourists, especially from Europe. It is estimated that Laos welcomes millions of tourists each year, and European visitors particularly enjoy exploring these night markets.
The markets are located in spacious and beautiful areas, making it easy for you to explore the streets.
Located along the Mekong River and near popular places like the National Museum and Haw Phra Bang, you can enjoy the open atmosphere and scenic river views while exploring these night markets.
Even if you’re not shopping, it’s a great chance to watch the streets and local life at night and interact with vendors to learn about their culture.
The markets are located in spacious and beautiful areas (Cre: Vietravel)
The Lao Night Market is a food lover’s paradise. Every evening, locals and tourists gather to enjoy authentic Lao cuisine at unbeatable prices.
In addition to Lao specialties, you’ll find an interesting mix of flavors from neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.
At the Luang Prabang Night Market, the food area is at both ends, offering a variety of self-serve dishes and local specialties. It’s always busy, with many tables filled.
The Vientiane Night Market is more relaxed and less crowded. It mainly sells simple items like shoes, clothes, and souvenirs. At one end, there’s a food section with small stalls serving snacks and drinks, mainly for tourists and locals enjoying Chao Anouvong Park.
The Lao Night Market is a food lover’s paradise (Cre: Lux Travel DMC)
The flavors of some dishes will amaze you, such as grilled skewers, papaya salad, laap, sticky rice, and Lao sausages. These will be memorable experiences when you visit Laos and will leave a lasting impression of Lao cuisine.
Both markets have a central area filled with small souvenir stalls. Here you will find a treasure trove of handicrafts that showcase the incredible skills of the locals.
Vientiane Night Market is a shopper’s paradise, offering an interesting mix of handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing and accessories. Silks and jewelry are particularly popular. Luang Prabang Market, on the other hand, is famous for its arts and crafts, traditional clothing and unique souvenirs. You will also discover everyday items such as colorful handkerchiefs, ornaments and beautiful ceramics.
The markets offer a wide range of goods in different materials and styles, giving visitors lots of options. Handicrafts like paintings, embroidered bags, and woven baskets are especially popular with visitors.
Both markets have a central area filled with small souvenir stalls (Cre: Travelers & Dreamers)
Laotians use a variety of materials to reflect the heritage of their country, including historical sites, festivals, temples and local people. Visiting night markets in Laos is a unique experience and it is not uncommon to spend hours exploring these fascinating places.
Some tips for visitors when traveling the night markets in Laos (Cre: Bookaway)
Exploring the vibrant night markets is a great way to experience the vibrant life in Laos. When the sun goes down, these markets come alive with a variety of food, crafts and energy that attracts both locals and tourists.
Shopping at these markets not only satisfies the senses but also supports the local community by supporting skilled artisans and boosting their livelihoods.
A visit to the night markets of Vientiane and Luang Prabang is a must for anyone traveling to Laos!
Read more: Laos tours 7 days
