Vientiane Night Market

Overview

The Vientiane Night Market sets up each evening along the Mekong riverside promenade near Chao Anouvong Park, offering a lively open-air bazaar of Lao street food, handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs under strings of colourful lights.

Highlights

• Lao Street Food: Stalls serve classic dishes including ping kai (grilled chicken), laap (minced meat salad), khao piak sen (Lao noodle soup), and fresh Mekong fish preparations.
• Handcraft Stalls: Find mulberry-paper lanterns, hand-stamped textiles, carved wooden Buddhas, and silver jewellery at reasonable prices.
• Mekong Atmosphere: The riverside setting, with fairy lights reflecting on the water and distant views of Thailand, creates an enchanting evening ambiance.

History

The night market tradition along the Mekong River has roots in informal evening trading that has occurred along the riverbank for decades. The current formalised market was established in the 2010s as part of Vientiane's efforts to develop riverside tourism.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: The market runs from roughly 5 PM to 10 PM, peaking around 7–8 PM.
• Tip 2: Bring cash — most vendors do not accept cards. Prices are generally fixed for food but negotiable for crafts.
• Duration: 45 minutes–1 hour.