The 7 Largest Local Market in Vientiane

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Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, boasts a rich cultural heritage and vibrant local markets that offer a glimpse into the daily lives of its people. These markets serve as bustling hubs of activity, where locals and visitors alike come together to buy, sell, and trade a wide variety of goods. From fresh produce and handmade crafts to traditional textiles and local delicacies, Laos’ markets offer a unique and authentic shopping experience.

Here are the five largest local markets in Laos:

  • Vientiane Morning Market (Talat Sao): Located in the heart of Vientiane, the capital of Laos, Talat Sao is the largest market in the country. It is a maze of stalls and shops selling everything from souvenirs and clothing to electronics and household goods. The market is particularly known for its selection of fresh produce, including tropical fruits, vegetables, and herbs.


  • Luang Prabang Night Market: Held every evening along the main street of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this night market is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. Vendors sell a variety of goods, including handmade crafts, souvenirs, textiles, and street food. The market is also a great place to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife.


  • Pakse Market: Located in Pakse, the capital of Champasak Province, Pakse Market is known for its selection of local produce, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The market also sells a variety of other goods, such as textiles, clothing, and household items. Visitors can also find a variety of street food stalls serving up local delicacies.


  • Savannakhet Market: Held every day in the city of Savannakhet, Savannakhet Market is a bustling hub of activity. The market is divided into different sections, each selling a specific type of goods. Visitors can find everything from fresh produce and meat to clothing, textiles, and household items.


  • Khammouane Market: Located in the Khammouane Province, Khammouane Market is a popular spot for locals to buy and sell goods. The market sells a variety of products, including fresh produce, textiles, clothing, and household items. Visitors can also find a variety of street food stalls serving up local delicacies.

These local markets offer a unique and authentic glimpse into the daily lives of the people of Laos. They are a great place to find souvenirs, sample local delicacies, and experience the vibrant culture of this Southeast Asian country.

Little Night Market in front of the Fire Station in Vientiane
Little Night Market in front of the Fire Station in Vientiane

The 7 Biggest Local Market near Vientiane

Talat Sao Morning Market

  • Address: XJ87+3QR, Ave Lane Xang, Vientiane, Laos
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 3.9 (5433)
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    Nahshon✭✭✭
    a week ago
    Most guides will say that the market opens at 7am onwards. We went at 0830, and the mall was shut tightly. Only one stall was open. Better to go after 9am so there is less waiting time.

    Generally quite an interesting place to see, but nothing really stands out. Wouldn’t really call it a market per se, more of a shopping mall. The mall generally sells clothes and bags, though there are quite a lot of miscellaneous items being sold too. Quite a tall building too. There are some food trucks outside selling, which more closely resembles a market

    pablo mendoza✭✭✭✭✭
    a month ago
    Talat Sao Market in Vientiane offers a vibrant and bustling shopping experience. Visitors appreciate the diverse array of goods, from traditional Lao handicrafts and textiles to electronics and local snacks. Bargaining is common, adding a lively element to the shopping process. Some note that the market can be crowded, so patience is key. Overall, it’s a great place to explore for those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture and find unique souvenirs in Vientiane.
    Peter Sz (Crick3t)✭✭✭✭
    a month ago
    Huge plaza with 6 floors. On the 5th just a few shops were open and 6th looked derelict. You can buy here most of those things you can see in local markets. Handcrafts and antics. Or even jewelry on the 4th floor. But mainly many cheap fake goods like Cuggi sandals and Chanle bags. It’s interesting to see, but does not have a good vibe. It is just a huge old plaza with many shops where you can you buy stuff cheap.
    Olli Glorioso✭✭
    a month ago
    Food section is not for tourist. Cold noodle soup, very unhygienic, very bad meat quality. Local place.
    Ying Wah Chan✭✭✭
    7 months ago
    Was expecting a traditional market of local produce etc but more a shopping mall. Still good for a short walk to see some local fabrics and Laotian attires but nothing more than 30mins to finish a stroll around. There’s a few street stalls outside that feels more like a market though.

Vientiane Night Market

  • Address: XJ64+X7M, Vientiane, Laos
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.1 (2056)
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
    Tuesday: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
    Wednesday: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
    Thursday: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
    Friday: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
    Saturday: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
    Sunday: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    andjacksdeutsch✭
    2 weeks ago
    The location, vibe, and no mosquitoes was great and so is the pleasant night-time temperature… but, as all the other disappointed tourists mentioned, the stalls are very repetitive very cheap and fake clothes, sunglasses, etc. There is close to no food there. So I walked all the way the other end of the park where there is supposed to be a Night Food Market… it was quite small and they pretty much all served the same local food, which was only ok, but of course at a low price.
    Nahshon✭✭✭
    a week ago
    Quite a long stretch of stalls, and the crowd is relatively heavy. Seems like a place for the locals to buy goods that they need (the stalls predominantly sell clothes, shoes, bags, accessories). However, most of them are fake goods (e.g. ZAPA, Galwin Klein, or goods with luxury brand names but are fake).

    For tourists, it’s still quite a nice experience to do some window shopping. Some designs are quite nice, and it may attract your attention. Otherwise, it is still nice to explore places that locals frequent. It is after all one of the big landmarks in Vientiane.

    Also note that the section next to the park predominantly sells clothes and accessories. If you are looking for the food, you would have to head further south, cross the road and head towards the bank of the Mekong river.

    M. K.✭✭✭
    2 months ago
    A nice place to get clothes in all kind of colors and sizes, mobile stuff and smoothies. It’s kinda a mix of everything.

    Walk through and have a close encounter with the people there.

    For me it’s still too much of a crowed but still worth the visit.

    Eng Siong Lee✭✭✭✭
    2 weeks ago
    Not too bad. Largely all the daily good, clothing, shoes, bags, watches, mobile phones covers, etc.
    Hans Engels✭✭✭✭✭
    4 weeks ago
    Laos is a very beautiful country. People very friendy.. The Food is unbelievable good and tasty..at the night market you can try a lot of different foods..

Ban Anou Night Market

  • Address: XJ94+P8P, Rue Phai Nam, Vientiane, Laos
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.1 (302)

Talat Leng Evening Market

  • Address: XJF2+FFH, Lao-Thai Road, Vientiane, Laos
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 3.9 (23)

Thong Khan Kham Market

  • Address: Asean Road, Vientiane, Laos
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 3.9 (848)

Xang Jieng Chinese Market

  • Address: Vientiane, Laos
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 3.8 (1000)

Nong Niaw Market

  • Address: 2G2V+RGQ, Vientiane, Laos
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4 (170)
Little Night Market in front of the Fire Station in Vientiane
Little Night Market in front of the Fire Station in Vientiane

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Top Local Market Alternatives in Vientiane

The French protectorate of Laos (French: Protectorat français du Laos) was a French protectorate in Southeast Asia of what is today Laos between 1893 and 1953—with a brief interregnum as a Japanese puppet state in 1945—which constituted part of French Indochina. It was established over the Siamese vassal, the Kingdom of Luang Phrabang, following the Franco-Siamese crisis of 1893. It was integrated into French Indochina and in the following years further Siamese vassals, the Principality of Phuan and Kingdom of Champasak, were annexed into it in 1899 and 1904, respectively. The protectorate of Luang Prabang was nominally under the rule of its King, but actual power lay with a local French Governor-General, who in turn reported to the Governor-General of French Indochina. The later annexed regions of Laos were, however, purely under French rule. During World War II, the protectorate briefly proclaimed independence under Japanese occupation in 1945. After the surrender of Japan shortly thereafter, the restoration of French control over the country was opposed by the newly established Lao Issara government, who ultimately failed by April 1946. The protectorate was reestablished, but not too long after the kingdom was expanded to encompass all Laotian regions and given self-rule within the French Union as the Kingdom of Laos. It achieved full independence after the Franco-Lao Treaty in 1953, during the final stages of the First Indochina War. The final dissolution of French Indochina came with the 1954 Geneva Conference.

The Biggest Local Market in Laos

When it comes to local markets in Vientiane, there are several popular options that offer a unique and vibrant shopping experience. Here are three top local market alternatives that you should definitely check out:

  • Talat Sao Morning Market:

    Located in the heart of Vientiane, Talat Sao Morning Market is a bustling hub for locals and tourists alike. The market opens early in the morning and offers a wide range of products, including clothing, shoes, accessories, electronics, and traditional Lao handicrafts. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in the local culture and find unique souvenirs to take back home.

  • Nong Chan Market:

    Nestled in the outskirts of Vientiane, Nong Chan Market is a popular destination for fresh local produce and street food. This vibrant market offers a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, as well as freshly cooked meals and snacks. It’s a great place to experience the flavors of Lao cuisine and interact with friendly local vendors.

  • That Dam Market:

    Situated near the famous That Dam stupa, That Dam Market is a lively night market that comes alive after sunset. It offers a wide array of stalls selling clothing, fashion accessories, handicrafts, and traditional Lao textiles. You can also find delicious street food vendors serving local delicacies. It’s a great place to shop for unique items and indulge in the vibrant atmosphere of Vientiane’s night market scene.

Whether you’re looking for souvenirs, fresh produce, or a cultural experience, these top local market alternatives in Vientiane have got you covered. Make sure to visit them during your stay in the capital city of Laos.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Local Market spots, please explore the recommended articles listed below.

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