If you read some articles about the night market in Vientiane you might have heard, that it’s primarily geared towards tourists. That’s not entirely true, since the market is very huge and also includes lots of bars, restaurants, shops and entertainment options. Not to mention an area that resembles a small fair. Especially the fair, including some of the surrounding locations, are popular hotspots among locals. Sounds interesting? Well, let’s delve a bit deeper into the famous Vientiane Night Market – one of our personal favorites.
What to do at the night market in Vientiane
Vientiane has a lot to offer and even if the nightlife is not comparable to megacities like Bangkok, there are still some nice things to do at night. Especially the night market is charming and without doubt a good reason to visit. If offers plenty of activities for single traverels, couples or families.
Eat some street food
The night market in Vientiane is one of the best places to eat some street food. You’ll find plenty of stalls with all kinds of fried fish, meat, and vegetables. Try popular dishes like spicy salad, pad thai or spring rolls. Even if you prefer more international options, you won’t be disappointed. How about a kebab, pizza slice or burger? You can find that and much more at the market. Even Japanese inspired street food like takoyaki is basically everywhere.
Get a drink
After eating street food, you might want to refresh yourself. There are plenty of small stalls selling soft drinks, water, beer, and other alcoholic beverages like local whiskey. Many of them serve cups with ice. If you prefer a drink while eating your food, don’t worry. Even the small street food stalls usually have a few drink choices. In both cases the prices aren’t much higher than in the supermarkets, so there’s no reason to hesitate.
Shop for souvenirs
There are plenty of markets in Southeast Asia and many of them sell souvenirs for tourists. The Vientiane Night Market is no exception, but there are also some products that cater to locals. Most of those are clothing items like shirts, pants and underwear. They’re usually super cheap and therefore also interesting for expats and locals. Sometimes you might even discover a new style. The variety of souvenirs is great. You can find lots of handmade goods made of cotton, silk wood and other materials.
Enjoy the fair
You’ll have to walk a bit to get to the fair. Unlike most of the market, it’s not on a main street, but closer to the actual river. Many tourists have no idea that there even is a fair in Vientiane. That’s a shame, since the fair is by far one of the best nightlife spots in the whole city. After all, there’s a reason a lot of locals come here. You’ll even see Laotian families with their children. Some of the things you can do here are:
- Bumper cars
- Carousels
- Ferris wheels
- Raffle stands
- Shooting ranges
Most of the activities cater to children and adults alike. The prices are pretty cheap, and when we were there, it wasn’t too crowded. Even on weekends, it doesn’t get too busy, since the fair is open all year round.
Listen to live music
If you like to listen to some live music while eating street food and drinking a beer or some other drink, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so. Especially the bigger bars and restaurants near the river sometimes feature live music. It’s usually going to be one singer and two or three guitarists. Nothing too fancy, but definitely entertaining, even if you aren’t familiar with Laotian or Thai music.
Make new friends
At nighttime, it’s easier to make friends, and due to its relaxed atmosphere, the night market is a great place to meet people. Just hang out at a street food restaurant or grab a drink at one of the bars. It’s not too hard to get into conversations with expats or tourists. Even conversations with locals flow easily. There are quite a few Laotians in Vientiane that speak more than just their mother tongue or Thai. Some speak English or even French. Sometimes you just have to make the first step.
Some tips for enjoying the night market in Vientiane
Like with many other places, the experience you’re going to have depends on a few factors. The good thing is that it’s really not too hard to have a great time at the Vientiane Night Market. When we visited, we were really surprised about the lively atmosphere. It’s without doubt a great place to enjoy the local culture. Some stalls are geared towards tourists, but many are authentic and offer local specialties. Some tips to have the best possible experience:
- Be ready to bargain
- Don't come too late
- Stroll around the park
- Try some street food
- Visit the fair
If you follow those simple tips, you’re guaranteed to have a great time. There’s a reason even expats and locals love to come here.
What distincts the Vientiane Night Market from similar bazaars
Vientiane is not the only place in Laos with a night market. There are plenty of others, and maybe you’re asking yourself, what distinguishes the night market here from the Luang Prabang Night Market or the one in Vang Vieng. One thing can say for sure is that the night market here is way less tourist-focused than most other ones in popular tourist destinations. Even though there are many tourist-oriented stalls, there are also plenty of vendors geared towards locals. That contributes to a authentic atmosphere.
Communication at the night market
Communication at the markets is rarely a problem, since most vendors speak at least a little bit English or know a bilingual vendor that can help them if needed. When it comes to regional languages like Cambodian, Thai, or Vietnamese, there are even more speakers.
Prices at the night market
We never had the feeling that the night market is too expensive. It might even be cheaper than the ones in Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng. When it comes to clothes, souvenirs, and similar items, you can and should definitely bargain, but be respectful. Even if you’re on a tight budget, you can have a great experience here.
Vientiane Night Market Location
The night market in Vientiane is located near the Chao Anouvong Park, not far from the border of Thailand. Since it’s pretty much at the center of the capital, there are many signs pointing the way. Just walk around the area and you really can’t miss it. A part of the night market is situated along the street, while another section stretches the riverside. If a map is not enough to find it, ask a local or another tourist. If even that doesn’t help, just follow the lights. When the market opens, it’s already dark.
Best time to visit
Since the night market is open daily, just come here in the evening. The opening times for the Vientiane Night Market are from 18:00 to 22:00. Just don’t get here too late, since some stalls close earlier. The best time to visit is between 19:00 and 21:00. That way you won’t miss anything.
What about the Vientiane Night Food Market?
If you research a bit, you might come along the Vientiane Night Food Market. In that case, don’t get confused, because it’s the same night market we’re talking about and not a separate night market in Vientiane. Basically, the food market is the section near the main street, where they sell all kinds of dishes freshly prepared. The other part of the night market, that features primarily entertainment options, is the one next to the river.