Most Chill (Night) Market Ever?

Do you love that time of evening when the air changes?

The substance moves from heated to slightly cool. There’s a way things look that changes with the alteration and subtraction of natural light. Lamps and fires stoke brightness onto things. And at the market: it’s time to peruse.

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Why Luang Prabang?

Night markets are a ubiquitous part of travel. They express local culture at its maximum including food, local crafts, artisan tokens, trendy things of the current popular culture, and longtime favorites of a place.

Perhaps the best market I’ve ever been to is in Laos.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is in northern Laos lying where the Mekong River and Nam River intersect. Already the city is known for its artistic architecture that actively preserves practices of Buddhism. Luang Prabang is a sure must for those who have been spiritually inclined into what Buddhism means, the roots of its origin, and how that’s being actively practiced today. The city itself is claimed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(Cover image by Leon Meerson)

There are city hikes in the area to get birds-eye views, Image by Flipover

There is a feeling of peace brought out by the prominence of the Buddhist religion in Luang Prabang. It’s pervasive on the streets every morning, and in the temple grounds that simultaneously surround and invoke it into the city itself. This is enhanced by the monks regaled in tangerine robes who walk the city at dawn with their baskets. They receive their daily food, their alms, this way. Laotians of the city universally partake in this ritual and hand out sticky rice and goods as the monks pass by.

Monks collect their sustenance from villagers at dawn, Image by Laurentiu Morariu

Unlike most of the other Southeast Asian countries that it shares borders with, Laos is landlocked which gives the river that runs through it more meaning. From the river by which it’s situated, you can boat through the beige waters, and as importantly, you can consume the river moss that thrives in its beds.

Here are some highlights of this uber-quiet and serene city, and the top-tier hub being its night market.

Highlights

Tamarind

Luang Prabang has a unique food aspect, related to the Mekong River, and dishes that are separate from Thailand to which it’s often linked. Check out one of its long-standing local spots, Tamarind, that serves up the delicacy, river moss, kind of like its own version of nori snacks, that are coated in sesame seeds, and used as spoons, edible vessels for the sumptuous curries (not spicy) that share further flavor of the local environment.

Architecture of the city, Image by Pierre

Aerial angle of Luang Prabang’s thoroughfare, Image by Graham Powell

Night Market

At Luang Prabang’s market, there is a delightful collection of crafts including some of the most beautiful silken weaving worldwide.

There are blankets, homemade lamps, lanterns, wooden carvings, there are kitchen bowls and things, singing bowls, spoons, jewelry, it goes on. The quality of goods here is detailed, intricate, and one-of-a-kind. Unlike much weaving found nowadays, which uses machines to craft perfection into blanket ends and patterns, the textiles of Luang Prabang’s market is done by hand. They’re created by women who gather and sit, weaving their stories into their work. The quality of craftsmanship is reflected in the outcome of the end products.

Ock Pop Lok

Ock Pop Lok, via Travel + Leisure, is a women’s weaving cooperative that celebrates this centuries-old tradition and art. The collective includes over 300 female weavers from 15 provinces around Luang Prabang. The cooperative promotes the keepsake and the cultural meaning of their weaving. They offer classes and promote through the establishment of their collective. Their goods can be obtained at the night market and strengthen this tradition of their community.

Big Brother Mouse

For further immersion into the local community Brother Mouse is an English center that welcomes volunteers to teach and practice English with their youth. We spent a few afternoons conversing with the students who were so very excited to get to practice their learned English with native speakers. It’s a purposeful outlet for students who are seeking potential opportunities, knowledge, and experience beyond Laos’ borders. This is an especially appropriate space of exchange for backpackers who are seeking meaningful connections while they explore.

Kuang Si Waterfalls

The waterfalls are an essential landmark of Luang Prabang, heralded as a primary tourist attraction. To get to Kuang Si Waterfalls you can take a tuk-tuk or taxi there which isn’t difficult to arrange from anywhere as it’s such a popular destination.

If you’re not in the city for more than a few days, consider a tour that includes the falls. It’s a day trip that starts at dawn to see the Buddhist alms, the palace, a trek to the peak lookout of the city, and the ever-notorious falls. These are the major attractions of Luang Prabang, and if you want to flesh them out in one go, this is for you.

The falls, Image by Note Thanun

Night Market, Image by Peter Connolly

Where to Stay? Le Sen Boutique or Avani

For the bohemian minimalist, Le Sen encapsulates the subtlety of Laos with quietude in the size and scale of the place. It’s etched in both a contemporary and traditional design. There’s a pool and restaurant, the hotel is also located near enough to walk to everything. Le Sen Boutique gives an aura of being in an early 2000s novel with a captivating plot yet no unpleasant surprises.

The Avani is even more centrally located right near the aforementioned night market. It features both elegance and a bit of French influence via Laos’ history. With a pool, a gym and spa, the Avani gives Wes Anderson Laotian energy in its symmetry and attention to detail in design.

Long boat river cruises are the way to experience the Mekong, Image by Hakan Nural

*Safety tip

Be cautioned that the town of Luang Prabang is so Buddhist that things shut down at sunset, around 8 PM. There are just a few nighttime going out places.

Bottom line

This town is so zen thoroughly, and so inspiring because of that. Or maybe it’s inspired and therefore zen. The city isn’t huge, it’s quite calm and yet it feels livable, the pace is for those who want a reprieve from the busier cities.

Take a long boat along the Mekong and savor the subtle tastes of the local fare. Take a tour, and sink in to witness the active Buddhism around you. This is a place that’s unique, not for the average tourist or touristic scene. It’ll reward you because of that.