Luang Prabang: The Night Market

7/2/2018

A view of the Luang Prabang Night Market from the rooftop bar at Indigo Cafe. Laos.

A view of the Night Market from the rooftop bar at Indigo Cafe.

Lined with both market and food stalls, the Night Market is a top attraction in Luang Prabang and is always busy with locals and tourists.

The famous Night Market in UNESCO Heritage listed, Luang Prabang.

Open daily from 5 pm to 11 pm; you will find Luang Prabang's famous night market located alongside Mount Phousi, on Sisavangvong Road in the commercial centre of town,

- Scroll to the bottom for market tips and area map -

Lined with both market and food stalls, the Night Market is a top attraction in Luang Prabang and is always busy with locals and tourists.

About to enter the Luang Prabang Night Market. Laos.

About to enter the market.
Watch out if you're tall, you may be clotheslined several times.

Food stalls.

Fruit shakes. Luang Prabang Night Market, Laos.

Fruit shake stall.

Like most markets, the wares are varied. Clothing, accessories, weaved towels and carpets, handmade crafts and souvenirs, etc. You will also find Snake whiskey (Snake wine), an alcoholic beverage found throughout Asia that is produced by infusing snakes in rice wine or grain alcohol - *insert horrified look*.

Keep searching, however, and you will find something very unique sold at this market...

Walking through the night market.

Walking through it won't be long before you stumble across market stalls selling spoons, jewellery and other trinkets made from recycled metal collected from the bombs dropped over Laos during 580,000 bombing missions throughout the Vietnam war. If you're anything like me, you will buy these items. Selling re-purposed products is an unconventional way for Lao locals to make money out of something that decimated their country between 1964 and 1973. However, always ask how manufacturers have sourced the metal before making your purchase.

The recycled items purchased though the peaceBOMB project by Article 22. A bottle opener, spoon and elephant trinket. Night Market, Luang Prabang, Laos.

The recycled items I purchased though the peaceBOMB project by Article 22. A bottle opener, spoon and elephant trinket.

The information received with my recycled items purchased though the peaceBOMB project by Article 22. Night Market, Luang Prabang, Laos.

The information received with my purchase.

Many children and workers collecting the metal for artisans are being injured or killed, today; 45 years later, by disturbing the many unexploded bombs (UXO's) spread throughout the country. It is crucial you purchase from a vendor selling ethically sourced materials.

To read more about the artisans visit Make Spoons, Not War.
To read more about the project and ethically sourced materials, visit Take Part and view and article that highlights the work being done by Article 22.

Sisavangvong Road.

The night market.

When purchasing at a market, unless an item is blindingly a rip-off, I am not a fan of haggling when I travel. I understand some travellers thrive on getting great bargains at markets, and each to their own. Personally, I never buy anything more substantial than fits in my small suitcase, and I don't feel comfortable haggling down the price of small items worth $5-$10 when all it takes is using my eyes to look around the location I am in to see if every cent helps. The market stalls here are the owner's livelihoods and primary source of income. It isn't worth it to me to save $1 when I know that $1 is going towards supporting the workers and feeding their families.

In saying this - I do still love a bargain. Who doesn't? And I bought a tonne of items I didn't even know I needed at the Night Market in Luang Prabang, so of course, included within the list of tips below is also some advice on how to receive the best price possible, without having to haggle (too much).

- Keep scrolling for further information -

The entrance to the Luang Prabang night market at sunset.

The entrance to the market at sunset.

A fruit stalls at the beginning of Food Street/ Street Food Market.

Crêpe and shake.

LUANG PRABANG NIGHT MARKET TIPS

Never buy from the first stall you visit. There is always another vendor selling the same item cheaper, even without having to haggle the price down.
The fruit shakes are a must.
Pair that shake with a crêpe!
You will always save money if you buy two items from the same vendor (standard market rule).
There is a 4-storey restaurant/ hotel called Indigo located near the entrance to the Night Market near Kitsalat Road. On the top floor, there is a rooftop bar where you can order dinner or just drinks, and you'll get a great view of the Night Market below.
If you strategically do your shopping between 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm (around pack up time), you will score better deals.

LUANG PRABANG NIGHT MARKET LOCATION

Sisavangvong Road - between Kitsalat Road and Sisavanvatthana Road.
Main entrance: Kitsalat Road (but you can enter from anywhere along the street).

Open 7-days: 5 pm to 11 pm (pack up from 10:30 pm approx).