Luang Prabang Night Market
History of Luang Prabang Night Market
Luang Prabang Night Market began in December, 2002 with the major aim to creat a Christmas market for foreign tourists in the city of Luang Prabang to get traditional gifts. At that time, despite no electricity in the bazar, all the stalls had to receive the light from candles. Hence, the market was called the Candle Market or the Sails of Luang Prabang Market. According to the original idea, the Night Market only took place a couple of weeks. But in spite of its great success, the Night Market in Luang Prabang still continue trade and is more and more popular.
All the stalls had to receive the light from candles in Luang Prabang Night Market
Things to See and Do in Luang Prabang Night Market
Just before sunset, sellers start setting up their stalls on Sisavangvong Road. Some of them come from nearby Hmong Market. The flea market is usually open daily from 5 p.m to 10p.m. The road is not a dense one with vehicles anymore, turns into a lively walking and shopping street. The majority of products on sale are for tourist consumption. There are more than 300 handicraft vendors selling an extensive variety of hand-made items of local ethnic groups. Many types of goods are displayed such as textiles, ceramics, antiques, paintings, quilts, shoes, silver, bags, bamboo lamps in various shades, sizes and color. The market is full of T-shirts with Luang Prabang’s icons, prints and paintings of the town’s characters. Beside the market vendors, shop-houses at two sides of the road also retail handmade souvenirs, Lao coffee beans, homemade whiskeys, books.
Shop-house retail handmade souvenirs in Luang Prabang Night Market
Food and drinks are always available in this crowded market. A lot of food such as BBQ chicken, sticky rice and a well stocked vegetarian buffet are provided for all visitors. Sidewalk cafés serving drinks like Beer Lao, coffee and tea. In addition, at the end of the bazar, tourists will find the Night Food Market as well as food vendors down the narrow lane.
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A lot of food in Luang Prabang Night Market
A lot of interesting items are only found at the Night Market. However, most of them are fixed price and quite cheap. Because they are hand-made and the traders never charge high prices. It is hard to see haggling in this area. Therefore, you are good at bargaining or not, you will buy something with good value.
Buying any stuff here also means helping the locals earn a living, spend money and encouraging them to further develop their skills. If travellers do not want to buy anything, just leisurely wander among stalls and chat with vendors, it is completely possible and sure that your Lao cultural experience will be enriched.
