Crafty LAOS
Airing Date: May 24th, 2004
Luang Prabang in Laos is a shopper's paradise for anyone who likes to travel abroad and pick up a good bargain or two. It's located in a narrow valley surrounded by green mountains and both the Mekong and Khan rivers. The city is not very big and consists of a single, long street stretching from the ancient temple of Xieng Thong to the morning market at the other end.
Luang Prabang is World Heritage listed, which means it is beautifully preserved and no building can be taller than any of the temples. It is the birthplace of Laos rituals and as well as a long line of Lao rulers. The people of Luang Prabang are quietly proud of their culture and as the royal capital of Laos, the city prides itself on the different arts and crafts it produces.
The whole city has a very relaxed atmosphere and the shopping is at a fraction of the price compared to anywhere, even the rest of Asia! The other great thing is that they accept three different types of currencies; the US dollar, Thai Baht and the local currency, Kip. To get an idea of the exchanges rates, one Australian dollar equates to roughly 7000 Kip.
To make your shopping trip a bit easier, you can hire a tuk tuk for the day. Bargain for a good price - around 20 Aussie dollars - and let the driver take to you all the shopping delights.
All the villages around Luang Prabang specialise in something, and at Ban Nong Xai you can buy the best silk in town. The art of Lao weaving is still very much a home industry, and antique and new textiles are good value.
Not only do they weave the silk at the villages, it is also grown on the premises. The silkworms are cultivated, and to monitor the process from worm to scarf takes approximately one month. The other great thing is that most of the silks are one of a kind - so you're almost guaranteed a unique purchase.
The next stop on the itinerary is the paper making village of Ban Xang Khong, where they have been making what is known as Sa paper for centuries. Made from the mulberry tree, this paper is like thick parchment which is transformed to create beautiful paper products used for lanterns, books or just decoration.
Silver is another item you can buy in abundance and is specially handcrafted by the Lao people. With few exceptions, the majority of silver jewellery you come across will most likely be Hmong tribe work.
If you haven't already spent all your money, you can haggle further in the night markets. Here you can buy more silver, wood crafts, handbags and scarves at an even cheaper price than the villages - in fact, you may need to invest in a new suitcase as well.
The facts
Thai Airways International will fly you to Luang Prabang. Flights start at $1266 from the east coast.
Alternatively, Intrepid Travel's Asian tours offer a five day package taking in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Prices start at $690.
Thai Airways International
Tel: 1300 651 960
Intrepid Travel
Tel: 1300 360 667
Prices correct at 24/5/04
