Overview
Ban Anou Night Market is a local food-oriented evening market near the city centre, where Vientiane families gather for grilled meats, sticky rice, som tam (papaya salad), and other Lao staples at communal tables. Unlike the riverside Night Market, this one caters primarily to locals.
Highlights
- Authentic Lao Food: Stalls serve ping sin (grilled beef), khao jee (Lao baguette sandwiches), jaew bong (chilli paste), and lap (minced meat salad).
- Local Atmosphere: The market is a window into daily Vientiane life — families socialise, children play, and the mood is convivial and unpretentious.
- Beer Lao Culture: Ice-cold Beer Lao and Beer Lao Dark are the beverages of choice, served with fresh lime.
History
Neighbourhood food markets are a longstanding feature of Vientiane life, providing affordable evening meals for working families. Ban Anou's market has served this role for many years, evolving organically from informal street food stalls.
Visitor Tips
- Tip 1: Point-and-order is the standard approach — dishes are displayed on the stalls and vendors are patient with non-Lao speakers.
- Tip 2: Bring cash in small denominations; most dishes cost 10,000–30,000 LAK ($0.50–$1.50 USD).
- Duration: 30–45 minutes.