Textiles, silver, woodcarving, basketry and natural paper are some of the most popular handicrafts in Laos . Lao weavers are know for producing intricate fabrics in home-spun silk and cotton, most notably, complex mut mee (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. While trekking or participating in other community-based ecotourism activities, be sure to ask to see what local crafts are available for sale in the villages you visit. If you are unable to make it out to the villages, there are handicraft outlets in almost every provincial capital selling distinct local products.
Below is a list of various handicrafts, handicraft villages and private galleries found throughout the country.
Luang Prabang Province
Basketry in Muang Ngoi Kao: Muang Ngoi Kao, a relaxing village destination in the Luang Prabang Province , produces many interesting baskets and handicrafts.
Caruso Lao: This gallery has a variety of high quality handicraft products including home furnishings and decoratons, textiles and antiques.
Luang Prabang Night Market: The Luang Prabang Night Market is perhaps the most extensive collection of handicrafts for sale in the country, with a wide variety of textiles, clothing, carvings, basketry, quilts, and much more.
Mr Bounma's Bamboo Crafts in Ban Som: Mr. Bounma, a villager of Ban Som in Chomphet District, Luang Prabang Province , is one of the finest basket weavers in the region, and makes a variety of products for sale to both local people and tourists.
Ock PopTok: A gallery in Luang Prabang town that designs and weaves contemporary Lao textiles, including home furnishings, scarves, skirts, ties and array of fabrics.
Pottery in Ban Chan: Ban Chan produces a variety of clay pottery including vases, flower pots, figurines, urns and more.
Satri Lao Silk: Luang Prabang's most prestigious shop featuring a fine collection of textiles including new and antique silks, jewellery, home furnishings and ethnic antiques.
Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre: The Museum Shop sells unique handicrafts directly from ethnic minority communities, including clothing, baskets, textiles, toys, and jewellery. 50% of the income goes back to the ethnic artisans themselves, who are primarly women.
Vientiane
Caruso Lao: This gallery has a variety of high quality handicraft products including home furnishings and decoratons, textiles and antiques.
Couleur d’Asie: Understated elegance and contemporary style define these new collections, which celebrate the meeting of East and West. With her workshop of local Lao weavers and dyers, Viviane Inthavong proudly creates traditional ethnic textiles with a contemporary flair.
Lao Textiles: Carol Cassidy's Lao Textiles workshop, studio and gallery creates woven art. Specializing in 100 percent hand-woven silk, Carol and the 40 Lao artisans she employs produce exquisitely crafted wall hangings, scarves, shawls and custom furnishing fabrics.
Mixay Boutique: A boutique handicraft gallery with an aim to sustain and promote Lao artistic tradition so that everyone can enjoy it.
Other Provinces
Pottery in Ban Thahine
Ethnic Group: Lao Loum
Location: Ban Thahine Village , Attapeu Province.
Description: Different families in Ban Thahine perform all stages of the pottery making process from collecting the earth to firing and glazing the vases. The tradition of producing pottery has been carried on for generations and the vases serve various purposes; the larger ones for holding water and the smaller vases are often used for holding Lao hai, a traditional alcoholic rice beverage. The glazes used for decorating and coloring the pots are produced from natural forest products, usually a mixture of leaves and ashes that are applied to the pottery before firing, which leave beautiful hues and designs on the finished product.
Elephant Sculptures in Ban Kiet Ngong
Ethnic Group: Lao Loum
Location: Ban Kiet Ngong Village , Champassak Province
Description: Ban Kiet Ngong Village, popular for its elephant rides and treks to Phou Asa Mountain, makes small carvings and sculptures of elephants and other items for sale to visitors. These pieces are nice souvenirs and are entirely handmade and crafted in the village. Also made in the village are traditional Lao tables made from natural rattan and bamboo. One can see the table being made at some select houses by taking a short walk around the village. For directions on how to visit the village refer to the map. You can also book a tour through a major tour company. Villagers ask that visitors contact the village ahead of time to arrange elephant rides and treks either through the Provincial Tourism Office in Pakse or through a major tour company.
Giant Fish Trap on Don Daeng Island
Ethnic Group: Lao Loum
Location: Don Daeng Island , Champassak Province
Description: Don Daeng Island , located across the Mekong River from the ancient Vat Phou temple, is regionally famous for its giant fish trap. Those staying overnight on the island at the Don Daeng community guesthouse can ask the villagers to show them the giant fish trap and to demonstrate how it is used. The trap is basically a large bamboo woven basket with a wide open end that has a vine strap handle attached to it. The basket is submerged halfway under water and tied it to a stake or peg in the ground on the river bank. It is then filled with leafy branches of trees (any tree will do) and other fish attractants like buffalo bones. The open end must face the shore, and must also be under the water deep enough so that the fish can swim into it, hide in the leafy branches and nibble on the bait. The fish feel very safe and happy under the cover of the leafy branches and will stay there until it is time to drag the basket onto the shore. The trap is usually left overnight and dragged out in the early morning. When dragging the basket out of the water, you don't even get wet! Simply pull the vine handle from the river-bank and up comes a basket wriggling with fish.
Mut Mee Weaving in Ban Saphai
Ethnic Group: Lao Loum
Location: Ban Saphai Village , Champassak Province
Description: Ban Saphai, historically the weaving capital of Champassak and largest producer of traditional Lao skirts (sin), is today the center of trade in Lao skirts and textiles in the region. To see traditional weaving visit the house of Mae Souvali. Ask for directions in Ban Saphai, which is located about 15 km north of Pakse town (see map). Many unique and traditional local patterns can be found in Ban Saphai. In addition to skirts one can also find a good variety of scarves and sashes. Across the river from Ban Saphai is Don Kho where weaving can also be seen.
Cotton Weaving & Crafts near Kong Lor Cave
Ethnic Group: Lao Loum
Location: Ban Natan and Kong Lor villages, Khammouane Province
Description: Two villages, Ban Natan and Ban Kong Lor located on either ends of the amazing 7.5 km long Kong Lor Cave in Khammouane Province, produce handmade cotton weavings and bamboo crafts. Ban Natan is well known for its intricate cotton weavings that are dyed using natural colors. Visiting the village (which offers overnight homestay), one can see the weavers working to produce commonly used products such as towels, scarves and skirts. Kong Lor village (which also has homestay available) has a variety of bamboo household products such as scabbards, fish baskets and others. Some of these items can be adapted and used as flower holders, containers or wall decorations. You can visit these villages on your own (refer to the map) or with a package tour booked out of the Provincial Guide Service in Thakek or with any major tour company.
Akha Clothing and Vine String Shoulder Bags
Ethnic Group: Akha
Location: Ban Nammat Mai, Luang Namtha Province
Description: Ban Nammat Mai, an Akha village in Luang Namtha District, produces elaborate traditional Akha costumes by hand as well as unique vine string shoulder bags. Some popular clothing items include colorful vests, as well as naturally dyed farmers pants and long-sleeved cotton jackets. Also produced in the village are string vine bags, woven by hand typically by women while walking to and from their fields. These shoulder bags are very sturdy and are great for carrying small equipment and books. Overnight tours to Nammat Mai village can be booked through the Namtha Guide Service. These handicrafts and others can be purchased directly from the villagers.
