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Eating & Drinking:

Laos food is spicy and delicious. There are many similarities between Lao and Thai food, although the former is slightly influenced by Chinese cuisine. Lao dishes are distinguished by the use of aromatic herbs and spices. Rice, especially sticky rice served in small bamboo containers, is the foundation for all Lao meals, and almost all dishes are cooked with fresh vegetables, freshwater fish, poultry, duck, pork, beef or water buffalo. Lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander give the food its characteristic taste, and various fermented fish condiments are used to salt the food.

A traditional Lao dish is laap (also meaning ‘luck’ in Lao), made from raw fish or meat crushed into a paste, marinated in lemon juice and mixed with chopped mint. It is called laap sin if it has a meat base and laap paa if it's fish based.

There is also a well-ingrained Vietnamese culinary tradition, and Chinese food is never hard to find. Laos has inherited a sophisticated and tasty colonial legacy. French cuisine is widely available, with street cafes serving delectable fresh croissants, baguettes, pain au chocolat and a selection of sticky pastries.

Shopping:

Laos is an ideal place for buying handicrafts and souvenirs. Best buys from Laos are hill-tribe crafts and textiles. Antique textiles from north Laos are occasionally available. There are a wide variety of modern materials that are used to make the pha sin, the Lao sarong, and pha baeng, or shawl, worn by Lao women.

Making silverware is a traditional craft in Laos - most of it is in the form of jewellery and small silver pots. Chunky antique tribal jewellery, bangles, pendants, belts and earrings are often sold in markets in the main towns or antique shops in Vientiane. The tribal belts (sai ao) that are part of the traditional dress of Lao women are especially popular with tourists.

Craftsmen in Laos still produce carvings for temples and coffins. Designs are usually traditional, with a religious theme. Craftsmen produce carved panels and statues for tourists that are available in outlets in Vientiane. Elephant statues ranging in size from small to huge are also very popular. The export of antiques, Buddha statues and important cultural or historical items from Laos is prohibited.