Handicrafts in Laos Review

Laos is an excellent destination for those interested in picking up elaborate handicrafts and Vientiane is the best place to do so. Hill tribe silk, arts, crafts, home-furnishings, jewelry and couture-quality textiles are all readily available within the city. There are quite a few markets taking place around Vientiane where fresh produce, as well as crafts and ornaments, can be picked up. The city’s main shopping streets are Samsenthai and Setthathirat, around the Nam Phu Fountain area and the Morning Market/Talat Sao Mall, where you can find the best deals on local silks.

Textiles, basketry, silver, woodcarvings and hand-made paper are some of the most popular handicrafts in Laos. Lao weavers are known for producing intricate fabrics in home-spun silk and cotton. most notably, complex mutmee (ikot) patterns based on folklore and natural themes. Some of the best weavers come from the Tai ethnic groups in Houaphan Province. If you are planning a visit to Luang Prabang and are interested in weaving, don't miss Ban Phanom or the night market in the center of town.

When visiting one of the country's charming villages, be sure to ask to see local crafts being produced using traditional technologies. Purchasing a handicraft directly from artisans that use natural, traditional production methods supports both local economies and the survival of indigenous knowledge. If you are unable to make it out to the villages, there are handicraft shops in almost every provincial capital selling distinct local product.

P.O.Box: 3556 Lane Xang Avenue
Hatsady Village, Chanthabouly District
Vientiane Capital
Lao PDR
Tel: (856-21) 212248, 212251
Fax: (856-21) 212769, 217910

Elephant Adventures Review

We went on a whole day mountain bikeing day with green discovery in Laos. Office is situated on the main road with most of the other restaurants and tour operators. We were taken accross the mekong and then visited small villages includeing ban som. We had reasonably good bikes and helmet provided. The ride was actually surprisingly hard and very hot but our excellent guides stopped frequently so we could cool off and have water. We really saw a much harder and poorer way of life than in luang prababng and the guides really did give us a lot of interesting info. Their english was very good. We really enjoyed our day and would recommend this company. Ip- take more water than you think you will need, it is a long ride and wear lots of sun lotion.

Phone travel company out of Korea has the best elephant tour at by far the best price. For our family of four we paid $80 us for a full day mahout experience vs all the big name companies you see on mains street where they wanted $250. I guess this company is very well known and respected in Korea as we had a Korean on our trip. They are located on main street with a sign affordable adventure travel. Day involved a 1hr elephant ride, trip to caves, lunch, village tour, and 1 hr elephant bathing and playing in river. Plus all the interaction and playing and feeding the elephants back at the camp. An epic trip that will be a highlight.

Sisavangvong Road | Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang P.O. Box 9811, Laos
856 20 302 52 10

Maicome The art of authetic Lao silk Review

Maicome's silk products are unique and the quality of material and craftwork is unsurpassed. Skillful hands, and the combination of traditional patterns with modern designs and colours ensures that each and every piece of work is truly a work of art.

Maicome means 'golden silk.' Genuine gold and silver thread has been used for centuries for special ceremonial garments and for weddings. Maicome imports high quality 24 carat thread from France to produce intricate and durable Lao silk weaving. All items are hand-woven on traditional looms, using quality silk interwoven with gold and silver. Matmee (ikat) and other techniques are combined to offset each design.

Maicome started operations in 1995 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, to meet the growing demand for high quality silk weaving in the international marker. Its founder, Ms Jancome, has years of experience selecting patterns, materials, textures, and hues to complete the artistry of her products. Hand-woven silk is becoming rare as many businesses turn to machine looms. Maicome's philosophy ensures the survival of traditional Lao arts by preserving intricate designs and techniques, and by training young women to weave them.

House No. 9, Unit 1
Ban Sokpaluang , Vientiane, Laos
Phone: +(856-21) 312275
Fax: +(856-21) 312275

Lotus Villa Laos Review

We loved the location of this hotel. We were right in the heart of the UNESCO sight and every street was interesting to walk. The monks alms procession was right in front of the hotel, so you just had to be up early to enjoy this daily ritual. There is a wonderful couryard and the breakfast served here was excellent. We enjoyed the staff as they were very helpful and friendly. We were also impressed that the hotel supports a local orphanage and is also very active in improving literacy among the children in Laos. There are so many wonderful restaurants in the piece of paradise that you could stay for weeks and never eat in the same place twice. We loved the tranquility of LP and the leisurely place of life. We stayed for 4 nights and wished that we had stayed for at least a week.

This is a well run boutique style hotel - very well organised and staff have a professional 'eager to please'approach. Help with onward travel or touring was very useful. Rooms are of a high quality and generally quiet especially away from the main road. A choice of breakfast items well cooked and you were not limited in the items that could be chosen. This was by far our most expensive hotel in SE Asia although in fairness seemed to be the going rate for this quality in this town.

Ban Phone heuang, Unit 3, Kounxoa Rd,, Luang Prabang, Laos

Udom Grocery Review

My path to Udom Grocery was not a normal one by any stretch of the imagination.  It started in Laos, a country 99% of Americans probably never even heard of, let alone would be able to place on a map.  I had the time of my life there, and one of the contributing factors to my enjoyment of the small country, was the nation's drink of choice: Beerlao.  A perfectly brewed lager that haunted my dreams every night once I returned home.

Playing around on the Internet one day, it was revealed to me that my beloved Beerlao was soon going to be distributed in the US.  One of the stores that was eventually listed as carrying this nectar of the South East Asian gods, was Udom Grocery in Chinatown. 

When I finally found the place, I was greeted by the extremely friendly owner of the shop, who couldn't stop praising my choice in beverage.  Believe me friendly old guy, I know!!!  I've been back a few times - to indulge in some Beerlao, and to provide patronage to one of the friendliest shop owners I've ever dealt with.

81 Bayard St
Ste A
(between Mulberry St & Mott St)
New York, NY 10013
Neighborhood: Chinatown

History Of Laos

Laos has a rich history stretching back 10,000 years. At its height, it ruled over present day Laos and much of neighbouring northern Thailand. Landlocked and laid-back, it’s a unique spin on the Southeast Asia experience. Here Buddhism permeates every facet of life, change comes slowly, and cities bed down early. The perfect place to break from office politics or put a pause in a hyperactive travel agenda, this land of mountain, mists and untamed natural beauty tempts with unrivalled peace and serenity.Open your heart, open your mind, and let the genuine faith and generous hospitality of L aos replenish your soul.

Thailand - Bangkok : +66 (0)2 651 9501
Thailand - Phuket : +66 (0)76 335 200
UK (toll free) : 0808 234 0224
USA (toll free) : 1 855 444 5885

Lao wilderness Review

The Lao wilderness is drawing travellers looking for nature, adventure or both. Kayaking, rafting, rock-climbing and biking are all available, but it’s the community-based trekking that is most popular because it combines spectacular natural attractions with the chance to experience the ‘real Laos’ with a village homestay – while spending your money where it’s needed most. There is undoubtedly a growing tourist trail in Laos, but that just means there’s plenty of roads off Rte 13 where you can make your own trail. After all, half the fun of travelling here is in the travel itself – the people you meet, chickens you share seats with, wrong turns you take and lào-láo you drink with the smiling family at the end of the road less travelled.


90 Maribyrnong Street
Footscray
Victoria 3011

Ph. (61) 3 8379 8000
Fax. (61) 3 8379 8111