Vientiane and the northwest - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 127

Satri Lao Silk 79/4 Setthathilat Rd 021 219295; map . Long-running textile shop in the
very centre of town, selling a mixture of new and antique Lao silks, plus furniture, jewellery
and trinkets. Daily 8am-8pm.
TRAVEL GEAR
Walkman Village Fa Ngum Rd 021 213609; map . This shop near Chao Anouvong Park
is the perfect place to stock up on outdoor gear before a trip into the countryside. Here
you'll find camping equipment, torches, waterproof clothing, lighters and rucksacks. Daily
9am-9.30pm.
WOODCARVINGS AND HANDICRAFTS
Unlike Chiang Mai in Thailand, Vientiane is not a centre of woodcarving, and the merchand-
ise on offer tends to be crudely carved and garishly lacquered. The places listed here are ex-
ceptions and have some top-quality pieces.
Sada Handicraft Setthathilat Rd, close to the junction with Khoun Boulom Rd; map . This
tiny shop is the place to come for wooden carvings, from the simple (a pair of chopsticks) to
the very grand (think enormous Buddha images and wall hangings). Mostly dark wood. Daily
10am-8pm.
Saoban Chao Anou Rd 020 5510 0034; map . The Vientiane outlet of Saoban, the social
development project founded by Lao activist Sombath Somphone, stocks a wide range of
handicrafts, including silver jewellery and bags made by local women. Money raised goes
towards empowering disadvantaged communities. Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 1-8pm.
T'Shop Lai Gallery Inpeng Rd 021 223178, artisanslao.com ; map . Ethically produced
lotions and potions, plus unique paintings, mosaics and a selection of handicrafts made from
coconut shell. Prices are fixed, though, and certainly not cheap. Mon-Sat 8am-10pm, Sun
10am-6pm.
< Back to Shopping
DIRECTORY
Banksandexchange Banks, hotels, guesthouses and shopkeepers all over downtown Vien-
tiane will happily exchange foreign currency. Thai and Lao banks, many of which are loc-
ated on Lane Xang Avenue, can cash travellers' cheques, but a more convenient option for
tourists is bank exchange booths, which can be found on Samsenthai Road as well as on
Fa Ngum Road. There are also exchange booths at the Friendship Bridge and the airport.
Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao (BCEL), Pangkham Road, has the best exchange
rates and the widest range of services, including changing travellers' cheques into US dollars
and dollar cash advances.
Courier services DHL Worldwide Express 021 214868 or 216830; UPS 020 2223
2111.