The Best of Cambodia & Laos

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LUANG PRABANG & NORTHERN LAOS
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FAST FACTS: LUANG PRABANG
Kopnoi At the corner of Phommathat Road and Phousi Road is a warehouselike
shop full of handicrafts of all kinds. Kopnoi is closely associated with an NGO called
Stay Another Day. This NGO connects travelers with organizations that help to preserve
local culture and heritage, and supports community projects benefiting local people and
initiatives that counter tourism’s negative environmental impact. Taken from the Lao
language, Kopnoi means “little frog,” a universal symbol for balance in the environment.
The goods are varied and superb, including silk clothing and accessories, designer jewelry,
and home furnishings, as well as gift boxes, spices, and delicacies. Working closely
with artisans, villages, and nonprofit producers, their collections are created using traditional
Lao skills. Kopnoi also has a beautiful boutique-gallery in the village of Ban Aphay,
on the other side of Mount Phousi from the Mekong. Daily 9am to 8pm. Junction of
Pommattha and Kingkitsarath roads. & 071/260-248. www.madeinlaos.com.
Lao Buddha Shop If you are looking for a Buddha image this is the place to get one.
They have all sizes and many positions. They also sell ceramics and heavy silver jewelry.
Daily 9am to 9pm. Sakkarine Rd. & 071/260-332.
Naga Creations Right on the main shopping drag, Naga specializes in jewelry for all
budgets. You can see the craftsmen at work on the premises. Daily 8:30am to 9pm. Sisavangvong
Rd. & 020/777-5005.
OckPopTok This self-financed initiative both produces and designs textile handicrafts.
Ock Pop Tok in Lao means East meets West. Established in partnership with the
Lao Women’s Union and rural artisan communities, OckPopTok combines craftsmanship
and tradition with artistic creativity and market knowledge. The initiative now
provides livelihoods for nearly 200 people in both Luang Prabang and six northern provinces.
Their Weaving Center is both a workshop and learning center where visitors can
witness the weaving process or participate in a number of classes, workshops, and seminars.
The riverside garden comprises a weaving workshop, an area for dyeing, and a
Mekong Sala where classes take place. Under the traditional Lao wooden house is a weaving
exhibition and cafe featuring the food of Tamarind Café (see p. 269). The shop
carries pretty, contemporary clothing and silks, and provides significant benefits to Lao
communities. Daily 9am to 8pm. Sisavangvong Rd. & 071/253-219. www.ockpoptok.com.
Pathana Boupha Antique House Housed in a beautiful old French mansion, this
is a good place to find a range of pretty much everything Luang Prabang has to offer. It
is also a handicrafts museum. Daily 8:30am to 7pm. 29/4 Ban Visoun. & 071/252-383.
Tithpeng Maniphone Luang Prabang is famous for its silverware. This is the most
famous silversmith in town; they work, among other things, by appointment to the royal
family of Thailand. The pieces on offer may be more expensive than those you might
pick up in the market, but you are guaranteed that they will be absolutely top quality.
Daily 8:30am to 6:30pm. Wat That. No phone.
Luang Prabang
ATMs There are ATMs all over the center of the city, but they are not your best bet
for getting cash from home. They only issue kip (with a limit of 700,000 kip). They
also levy quite a hefty charge on top of any charges your own bank might levy.