Experience Indigenous Life Through the Local Markets of Luang Prabang

1. Morning Market 

Opening at sunrise, the Morning Market becomes busiest around 7:00 AM. Though small in size, locals affectionately consider it their “supermarket,” where the freshest ingredients and wildest jungle produce are laid out directly on mats, close to the ground. Most vendors offer only a handful of items, creating a colorful patchwork of textures, scents, and sights that’s nothing short of fascinating. As you weave through the narrow lanes, you might come across some unusual and even shocking specialties—gelatinous cubes of ox blood, snakes, bats, and a variety of grilled insects, including worms, crickets, bee larvae, and butterfly chrysalises. There are also giblets buzzing with flies, caramelized pig heads, and an impressive assortment of forest herbs and wild plants used in traditional Lao cooking. Yet amidst all this exotic fare, the Morning Market in Luang Prabang is also a true culinary haven for curious foodies. You’ll find crispy mung bean cakes sizzling on griddles, sun-dried pork sausages known as Naem, hand-rolled rice noodles, and steaming bowls of Khao Piak Sen—a comforting Lao noodle soup. Bargaining is rare here; most vendors are friendly and honest, creating an atmosphere that feels less like a marketplace and more like an open-air breakfast street. Loud, lively, and brimming with energy, it’s a vibrant way to begin your day in Luang Prabang.

If you're also planning to visit temples, check out our guide to the most beautiful temples in Luang Prabang

2. Phosy Market 

Running daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Phosy Market is the largest and most diverse market in Luang Prabang. Sprawling across several connected alleys and open halls, it brings together hundreds of vendors selling an astonishing variety of goods—from fresh vegetables and tropical fruits to clothing, herbal remedies, school supplies, cosmetics, household tools, and even hardware. Products come from all over Laos and beyond, creating a dynamic mix of local essentials and regional specialties.

The air is thick with a constantly changing blend of scents—sweet, spicy, earthy, and sometimes unfamiliar—making each visit a sensory adventure. But what truly brings Phosy Market to life is the people. Many Lao vendors are known for their friendly, chatty nature—always smiling, joking, and laughing with one another and with shoppers.

View the Morning Market on Google Maps

3. Night Market

As the sun dips behind the hills of Luang Prabang, the street in front of the Royal Palace closes to traffic and transforms into the city’s most iconic shopping destination: the Night Market. Lit by rows of soft, glowing lanterns and set beneath colorful tents, the market feels almost magical. Vendors arrive in the early evening, unpacking an enchanting array of goods—handwoven scarves and textiles, delicate ceramics, silver jewelry, paper lanterns, embroidered blankets, handmade bags, and locally roasted coffee beans. You’ll even find bottles of homemade Lao rice whiskey and vintage books tucked between displays. Each stall offers something unique, often handmade by local artisans and passed down through generations, making it the perfect place to pick up meaningful souvenirs from Luang Prabang.

Ready to experience Luang Prabang like a local? Add these vibrant markets to your itinerary and let the city’s soul unfold before your eyes.