From the slow, reed-scented Mekong at dawn to the cool mist that clings to the karst pinnacles around Vang Vieng, Laos invites a softer pace of travel.

Stalls in Luang Prabang’s night market glow under paper lanterns while the smell of grilled fish and fermented fish dip (jeow) pulls you along narrow lanes; silk threads, indigo-streaked cloth and sheets of saa paper flutter like small flags in the breeze.

Markets feel tactile here, Ban Phanom’s looms click in time with the river, Ban Chan’s clay slips into pots beside the Mekong, and the Bolaven Plateau hums with the earthily sweet aroma of freshly roasted coffee.

Whether you’re tracing the fine weave of a sinh or tapping the hollow bamboo of a khene, the best souvenirs in Laos are those that carry the country’s textures and traditions home with them. Here’s what to buy in Laos to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Lao Silk Sinh (Traditional Skirt)

Why pick this up:
The sinh is a living garment: handwoven in villages like Ban Phanom and worn in daily life and ceremonies in Luang Prabang. Its motifs tell local stories, making each skirt a wearable piece of Lao heritage.

What to look for:
Seek uneven selvedges and slight irregularities in the pattern — signs of handloom work — and natural dyes such as indigo or madder. Ask which ethnic group’s pattern it is (Lao Loum, Tai Lue, or Hmong) to pick one with meaning.

Price bracket (2025):
₭120,000–₭800,000

Where to find it:
Luang Prabang Night Market, Ban Phanom weaving village, Talat Sao (Vientiane).

2. Saa (Mulberry) Paper Goods

Why pick this up:
Saa paper — made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree — is used for lamps, journals, and stationery, and its fibrous, translucent texture captures Lao aesthetics beautifully. It’s light, portable, and distinctly Laotian.

What to look for:
Check for visible long fibers and embedded flowers or leaves; the paper should bend without cracking. Handmade lamps and folded lanterns from Luang Prabang are often best quality.

Price bracket (2025):
₭20,000–₭150,000

Where to find it:
Luang Prabang artisanal stalls, museum shops, and craft villages near the UNESCO town.

3. Indigo-Dyed Textiles

Why pick this up:
Traditional indigo resist-dyeing in northern Lao villages produces deep blues and striking motifs that age beautifully. Small scarves or table runners carry the rustic, dyed scent and tie-dyeed patterns of hill-tribe techniques.

What to look for:
Prefer pieces with uneven dye saturation and visible tie marks — signs of natural indigo vats and hand-dyeing. Ask about the dye (natural plant-based vs. synthetic).

Price bracket (2025):
₭50,000–₭300,000

Where to find it:
Ban Phanom, Luang Prabang Night Market, artisan stalls in Vientiane and Pakse.

4. Khene (Miniature Bamboo Mouth Organ)

Why pick this up:
The khene is Laos’s soulful national instrument; a small, decorative khene captures its distinctive throatiness and makes an evocative keepsake. Even a compact version preserves the instrument’s craftsmanship and local woodwork.

What to look for:
Check that bamboo tubes are sealed and tuned; handcrafted mouthpieces and carved decorations indicate a local maker. Larger playable khene are heavier but make priceless musical souvenirs if you have the space.

Price bracket (2025):
₭150,000–₭600,000

Where to find it:
Luang Prabang craft stalls, Vientiane artisan markets, music shops near cultural centers.

5. Bolaven Plateau Coffee

Why pick this up:
Coffee from the Bolaven Plateau is rich, chocolatey and grown at altitude by ethnic minority farmers — a robust taste of southern Laos. Beans make a compact, crowd-pleasing gift for home brewers.

What to look for:
Buy freshly roasted, vacuum-sealed bags labeled “Bolaven Plateau” or indicating the farm cooperative. Ask about roast date and bean variety (arabica is common).

Price bracket (2025):
₭40,000–₭200,000 per bag

Where to find it:
Pakse markets, Luang Prabang specialty shops, Vientiane gourmet stalls and airport shops.

6. Ban Chan Pottery

Why pick this up:
Ban Chan pottery from Vientiane features earthen glazes and simple, utilitarian forms that echo Lao village life. Small bowls, cups, and decorative tiles show a serene, functional aesthetic.

What to look for:
Choose hand-thrown pieces with glaze variation — crackle glazes and ash marks signal wood-fired traditions. Avoid uniformly smooth, machine-made finishes.

Price bracket (2025):
₭60,000–₭350,000

Where to find it:
Ban Chan pottery workshops (Vientiane area), Talat Sao, museum shops.

7. Silver Filigree Jewelry

Why pick this up:
Filigree silver is a hallmark of northern Lao metalwork, often made into delicate earrings, bracelets, and pendants that pair traditional motifs with modern wearability. These pieces travel well and make elegant gifts.

What to look for:
Look for hand-twisted threads and slightly asymmetrical joins — signs of artisanal filigree. Ask the seller about silver purity; higher-grade pieces may be stamped.

Price bracket (2025):
₭300,000–₭1,500,000

Where to find it:
Luang Prabang jewelry stalls, Vientiane artisan boutiques, Ban Phanom craft markets.

8. Handwoven Bamboo Baskets, Mats & Rice Steamers

Why pick this up:
Bamboo and rattan weaving is everywhere in Laos — from small fish traps to elegant mats — combining function with natural beauty. Lightweight and practical, these pieces are reminders of riverside cooking and village life.

What to look for:
Inspect tight, even weaving and smooth finishing; smell the bamboo (fresh, not musty). Choose pieces with traditional patterns or natural finishes rather than heavy varnish.

Price bracket (2025):
₭30,000–₭250,000

Where to find it:
Local village markets, Luang Prabang Night Market, Don Khong and Mekong islands.

9. Hand-Carved Teak or Rosewood Figures and Utensils

Why pick this up:
Laotian woodcarving transforms local timbers into spoons, bowls, masks and small statues with a warm patina and carved motifs drawn from Buddhist and animist traditions. Functional objects age into heirlooms.

What to look for:
Prefer sustainably sourced timbers and smooth tool marks; avoid items that look chemically stained or mass-produced. Ask sellers about the wood species and origin.

Price bracket (2025):
₭80,000–₭600,000

Where to find it:
Vientiane craft stalls, Luang Prabang artisan markets, island craft shops on the Mekong.

10. Packaged Jeow (Dips) and Local Spices

Why pick this up:
Jeow (chili dips) and spice blends like padaek-seasoned rubs offer an instant flavor memory of Lao food, from sticky rice breakfasts to grilled river fish. Sealed jars travel well and make excellent culinary gifts.

What to look for:
Buy vacuum-sealed jars or factory-packed sachets with an ingredient list and production date. Avoid loose jars unless you will consume them quickly and check customs rules before flying.

Price bracket (2025):
₭20,000–₭80,000 per jar

Where to find it:
Luang Prabang food stalls, Phosy Market (Luang Prabang), Vientiane morning markets.

11. Traditional Lao Silver Betel Sets & Small Ritual Objects

Why pick this up:
Miniature betel nut sets, ceremonial bowls, and lacquerware reflect daily rituals and craftsmanship tied to Lao social life. Small ritual objects often showcase fine metalwork or lacquer traditions useful as decorative keepsakes.

What to look for:
Choose sets with clear workmanship, covings, and appropriate cultural motifs; be respectful when purchasing sacred items. Avoid large relics or items that may be illegal to export.

Price bracket (2025):
₭150,000–₭900,000

Where to find it:
Antique stalls in Vientiane, Luang Prabang markets, museum shops.

Tip: When bargaining in markets, start about 30–40% below the asking price and smile — vendors expect friendly haggling but will sometimes offer a “fixed price” for high-quality, handcrafted pieces. 😊

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Markets in Laos are social stages as much as shopping hubs; mornings at Talat Sao in Vientiane are filled with farmers selling produce and crafts, while Luang Prabang’s Night Market turns the town’s riverside into a tapestry of textiles and lantern-lit stalls.

Artisan villages such as Ban Phanom (weaving) and Ban Chan (pottery) keep craft skills alive through family-run looms and kilns, and many makers sell directly from village workshops or cooperative stalls. Bargaining is common in open-air markets but is done gently — smiling and polite offers are the norm.

Religious and animist traditions influence motifs, colors and uses: Buddhist iconography appears on silver pieces and lacquerware, while indigo and geometric patterns reflect ethnic identity.

Weekend markets and festival bazaars (like Boun Pi Mai New Year events) are prime times to find seasonal crafts and regional specialties, and museum shops in Luang Prabang and Vientiane often stock curated, higher-end artisanal goods.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Genuine handwoven textiles will show irregularities: uneven warp tension, slight color variations from natural dyes, and loom marks at the edges.

Ask about the village origin, Ban Phanom or Ban Sanghai are well-known weaving communities, and request to see the loom or inquire about dye sources. For saa paper, look for visible fibers and hand-cut edges; machine-made imitations are too smooth and uniform.

With pottery and woodwork, inspect for tool marks and glazing inconsistencies rather than factory-perfect finishes.

For food items, choose vacuum-sealed or commercially labeled packaging with an ingredients list and production date; when it comes to alcohol like lao lao, ensure bottles are sealed and check customs rules for export.

Avoid pieces stamped “Made in China” or sold in bulk displays — these are usually imports rather than artisan work.

Where to Shop in Laos

• Luang Prabang Night Market (a must for silk, saa paper and woven goods)
• Talat Sao / Morning Market, Vientiane (textiles, silver, pottery)
• Ban Phanom weaving village and Ban Chan pottery workshops (artisan villages)
• Bolaven Plateau and Pakse markets for coffee and southern spices
• Don Det and Don Khong (Mekong islands) for bamboo crafts and local weaving
• Museum shops (Royal Palace Museum in Luang Prabang, National Museum in Vientiane) and Wattay International Airport gift shops for last-minute, higher-quality items

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Laos expensive?
A: Prices range widely — local markets are affordable for textiles and snacks, while silver and fine silk can be pricier; expect to pay more in tourist-centered stalls than in village cooperatives.

Q: Is bargaining common in Laos?
A: Yes, friendly bargaining is common in open-air markets; start lower, be polite, and accept a fair price if the seller declines to keep relations respectful.

Q: Are food souvenirs easy to take through customs?
A: Vacuum-sealed coffee and packaged jeow are usually fine, but fresh or fermented products (including some rice whiskies) may be restricted — check your airline and destination country rules before buying.

Explore the markets and workshops across Laos and you’ll take home more than an object — you’ll bring back a quiet, storied piece of the country’s craft traditions, so seek out the best souvenirs in Laos and support the artisans who make them.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!