Renowned for its association with the majestic elephant, Laos is a country brimming with fascinating experiences for travel enthusiasts. In Laos, you can visit ancient monuments, explore mesmerizing temples, and admire the world-famous heritage of Luang Prabang. Most notably, the local cuisine—with its many distinctive specialties from the “land of a million elephants”—provides an array of unique gift options for every traveler.

Beautiful landscape of the ancient city of Luang Prabang.

See also: Discover the Fascinating Aspects of Lao Culture

1. Lao Specialties to Buy as Souvenirs

1.1 Insect-Based Dishes

Laos is renowned as one of the Southeast Asian countries that uses insects as a primary ingredient in many dishes. From grasshoppers, ants, scorpions to crickets, these insects are prepared in various ways such as frying, stir-frying, or grilling.

Insect-based dishes are extremely popular in Laos.

When exploring Laos, step out of your comfort zone and try these insect-based specialties. You are sure to have a unique and unforgettable culinary experience!

1.2Laap (Lạp)

Laap is a popular Lao dish made from minced meat mixed with fish sauce, lime, chili, various herbs, and toasted rice powder—a distinctive seasoning. This dish is often seen as a symbol of luck and happiness, frequently shared among Lao people during Tet and other special occasions. You can purchase Laap as a gift and enjoy it immediately to experience its full flavor.

1.3 Sien Savanh Dried Beef

Dried beef undoubtedly tops the list of food items to buy as souvenirs after a trip to Laos. Lao dried beef is marinated with a blend of seasonings including soy sauce, garlic, chili, palm sugar, pepper, and oyster sauce. After the meat absorbs these flavors, it is cooked and then sun-dried for an extended period, creating a unique and intriguing snack with the distinctive taste of Laos.

1.4  Sai Oua Sausage

Whether you visit a local market or a specialty store in Laos, you will easily find Sai Oua sausage. Unlike the Vietnamese style, Lao sausage is made from fresh pork combined with lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, and chili. The locals then sun-dry the sausage. When stored properly, Sai Oua sausage retains its quality and freshness for a long time—making it an ideal gift after your trip.

Lao sausage differs from Vietnamese sausage by its addition of lemongrass, lime, galangal, and chili.

1.5 Handmade Chocolate

Chocolate Dream by Mikaël is a line of handmade chocolate that is also recognized as one of Laos’ specialties and adored by many tourists. Made entirely from organic ingredients, it guarantees both quality and natural authenticity. Its simple yet attractive packaging makes it perfect as a gift for family and friends.

1.6 Fried Kaipen Seaweed

This dish is prepared by grinding seaweed together with several spices. The mixture is then spread thinly on a tray and sprinkled with sesame seeds. The seaweed is left to sun-dry until completely dehydrated, resulting in the final product. When you buy this seaweed, you can fry it until it becomes crispy, creating an extremely appealing and flavorful dish.

1.7 Jaew Bong Chili Sauce

Jaew Bong is a type of Lao chili sauce, regarded by locals as a “miracle” condiment. It is used daily with every meal and as a dip for various dishes. Today, Jaew Bong comes conveniently packaged, making it easy to bring home for family and friends to enjoy the distinctive taste of Lao cuisine.

2. Trusted Places to Buy Lao Specialties as Souvenirs

2.1  Luang Prabang Night Market

The Luang Prabang Night Market, which includes Kopnoi and Lisa Regale markets, is always bustling and offers everything from textiles, handicrafts, jewelry, paper paintings to food. Notably, you can purchase traditional Lao clothing and silk from Wat Khily to Wat Xieng Thong at Lisa Regale, along with many other iconic specialties.

The night market offers a wide variety of products and specialties.

2.2 Talat Sao Morning Market

Located in Vientiane, Talat Sao Morning Market opens early—hence its name. Here, you can find a wide range of diverse goods such as handicrafts, fashion items, and food. Be sure to carry enough cash because there are plenty of Lao specialties available to choose from.

2.3 Vangthong Food Market

The Vangthong Night Food Market, situated opposite the Lao National Stadium, is an ideal place to purchase Lao specialties at reasonable prices. You can select from specialties such as sticky rice, Sien Savanh (dried beef), Kaipen, Jaew Bong, and more.

3. Shopping Tips in Laos

3.1 Prepare Cash

To shop comfortably anywhere in Laos, it is advisable to carry cash. The local currency is LAK (Kip), where 1 LAK is currently equivalent to 1.19 VND. Vietjet recommends budgeting at least 7,600,000 LAK (about 9,044,000 VND) for a 4-day, 3-night trip to Laos, with around 10% of your budget allocated for shopping. Another handy tip from Vietjet is to exchange your money into various denominations of LAK for convenience when shopping at local markets.

Always having cash on hand makes shopping easier in Laos.

3.2 Check Expiry Dates

Although the range of goods at markets or shopping centers frequently changes due to high tourist demand, it’s always important to check expiry dates. Always inspect the product’s expiration date at the point of sale before making a purchase to ensure you choose the best quality.

3.3 Compare Prices

At most markets or shopping venues in Laos, tourists are often charged higher prices than locals. Therefore, do not forget to compare prices among various stores to ensure you pay a fair price.

3.4 Shop at Duty-Free Stores at the Airport

Duty-free shops at airports offer abundant goods, assured authenticity, and reasonable prices—making them an excellent option. Most international airports now feature duty-free stores that sell a wide array of specialties to cater to the diverse shopping needs of tourists.

See also: How Much Does a Trip to Laos Cost?

Above is the list of specialties you simply cannot miss when traveling in Laos Book a direct flight to Laos with Vietjet now to explore the unique culture and enticing specialties of the Land of a Million Elephants! And don’t forget to check out the 0 VND flight tickets available every Friday  HERE

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