The Best of Cambodia & Laos

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VIENTIANE
11
SHOPPING
FOOD
Talat Khua Ding, near Talat Sao Bus Station, is the main market for fresh food. If you
get the urge to put together your own meal or feast on bread, cheese, and wine on the
balcony of your hotel, head to the Phimpone Market (Setthathirath Rd.; open daily
7:30am–9pm) and Phimpone Market 2 (on the corner of Samsenthai and Chanta
Khoummane; open daily 8am–8:30pm). They have entirely different owners and Phimpone
2 has less variety and is more expensive. Both sell a range of wines, cheeses, and
other fancy delicacies from far away. They also sell practical items such as stationary and
shampoo.
MARKETS
There are a number of covered markets in Vientiane selling everything from handicrafts
to car parts. They tend to open early at about 8am and close early at 4pm. By 5pm they
are all but deserted.
Handicraft Products of Ethnic Groups You’ll find this shop beside Talat Sao, the
main morning market. They sell handicrafts from all over the country. If you aren’t traveling
farther afield, this is a good place to discover what is on offer in different regions.
Morning Market (Talat Sao) Full of surprises around every corner, the Morning
Market is the hub of local commerce and really where the action is. Here you can
find anything from the Thai version of a Britney Spears CD to a Buddhist keepsake from
one of the tourist shops or trinket salesmen. Great deals can be found on Lao silks if you
bargain hard. This is the Laos version of mall culture, and sometimes the everyday tool
department or stationery area gives a special glimpse into daily life. Enjoy a good wander
and hassle-free shopping. While we were here the whole place was being renovated. There
is also a shopping center to the south of the main market. There are few touts, but, as
always in crowded places, mind your valuables.
On Talat Sao Rd., off Lane Xang Ave. Daily 8am–4pm.
Talat Thong Khan Kham This market is north of the center of the city and like
Talat Sao covers all the bases in terms of shopping whether it is silks, pottery, or footwear.
SHOPS & BOUTIQUES
Carol Cassidy Established in 1990, this is both a textile factory and a shop in
an old French villa. The studio and gallery creates woven art. Specializing in 100% handwoven
silk, they produce wall hangings, scarves, shawls, and custom furnishing fabrics.
The work of this gallery is displayed in a number of museums in the U.S. including the
Textile Museum in Washington, D.C., the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the
Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. They have established quite
a name for themselves exporting worldwide and producing goods to order. The manufacturing
goes on in the building and you can witness the weavers at work or take a look
at the goods on offer front of house. Open Monday to Friday 8am to noon and 2 to 5pm,
Saturday 8am to noon. 84–86 Nokeo Khoummane Rd. & 021/212-123. Fax 021/216-205. www.
laotextiles.com.
Couleur d’Asie A very upmarket shop and fashion house specializing in high-end silk
haute couture, fabric furnishings, and clothing. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm,
Saturday and Sunday 10am to 7:30pm. Nam Phu Sq. & 021/223-008. www.couleurdasie.net.