In Laos there are strong Chinese and French influences in the local cuisine, and the combination is delicious. Sticky rice is served at every meal and is a staple that distinguishes Lao cuisine from Thai food The rice is often served with chilli sauce and accompanied by vegetables, fish, pork, chicken or beef seasoned with coconut milk, fresh coriander, lemongrass and peanuts. Fresh basil, lime, peanuts and chilli sauces are often served on the side to allow diners to spice up the dishes as much or as little as they wish.

Vientiane and Luang Prabang have plenty of eateries, ranging from sidewalk noodle shops and thatch-roofed riverside salas (outdoor shelters) to international-class restaurants. Delicious French and Chinese-influenced meals are available in the better restaurants. Distinctively Lao dishes, including lemongrass, tomato and fish soup; spicy ground meat (laap); lime, garlic and shredded papaya salad; and of course, sticky rice, are available throughout the country.

You'll see street vendors selling whatever fruit is in season and others selling fresh baguettes or crusty pastries. Food from stalls on the street is cheap and generally safe to eat, but be wary of any food containing meat or food that has been sitting out all day, as sanitation standards are not the highest. Also avoid fermented fish paste (paadek) and other uncooked fish dishes unless you have an iron stomach or are used to this type of food, or you’ll and up with tummy troubles.

Shopping

Laos is ideal place for buying handicrafts and souvenirs. Vientiane city offers a wide variety of shopping opportunities. Varieties of handcrafted products made from wood, gold, silver or precious stones are widely sold in department stores called Talat Sao, many shops and markets. Shopping however is not limited to Vientiane city. All the major provinces offer a variety of shopping opportunities. Bargaining is acceptable, even in shops with prices on the goods.

Note: It is forbidden to take any antiques or Buddha images (which are older than 50 years) out of the country. Therefore such items brought into Laos from other countries have to be declared at customs.

Fabrics Laos is famous for its woven silk and cotton which are found in varying designs throughout the country. Each area has its own specific design. Most products eventually find their way to Vientiane and can be found in the morning market – a rainbow of colours of silks and cotton. If you do not find what you like when travelling round the country, make sure that you visit the market in Vientiane before you leave.

Lao women wear the traditional phaa sin – a wraparound skirt, worn by all government and office workers and school and university students. The phaa sin is worn with a silver belt. A huge choice of phaa sin, shawls, bags and wall hangings can be found as well as traditional Lao weavings and hill-tribe embroidery and quilts that can be used as wall hangings.

Weaving is still very much a home industry in Laos, where some of the finest silk and cotton weavers in the world can be found in the smallest of communities. Traditional designs and patterns vary from province to province, and the intricate work can be purchased much cheaper at the source than from many handicraft stores, markets and hotel shops. Antique woven pieces are still available but are becoming increasingly rare, often fetching very high prices.

Gold, Silver and Gems Upstairs in the morning market in Vientiane you will find gold, silver and antiques as well as numerous stores in other major centres. Thai tourists flock into Vientiane to buy gold which is cheaper than in Thailand. The gold found in Laos is 99.99% pure and is sold at a set price per gram. To many westerners, the colour of Lao gold seems almost artificial, a bit brassy – but it is true 24 carat gold. Silver is a more reasonable and traditional Lao product – silver is also sold by the weight. Look for bowls and jewellery in all shapes and sizes. The most interesting is made by hill tribes, who favour chunky, simple designs

Jewellery The crafting of gold and silver jewellery is another skill at which the Lao people excel. Many of the best examples of silver jewellery to be found in the country are the work of several of the hill-tribes. However, it should be noted that some silver and copper items exported from Laos are subject to tax according to weight. Gemstones, such as sapphires, can also be found at reasonable prices.

Carving From the simple and mundane, to the aesthetic and highly spiritual, Lao craftsmen can carve a wide variety of attractive pieces from wood, bone and stone.

Artefacts The export of antiques, such as Buddha images and other artefacts, is prohibited. Any antique items that have been purchased in another country must be declared to customs on arrival in Laos.