Most guides to Luang Prabang will recommend beginning the day at dawn by witnessing the Tak Bat, almsgiving ritual and honestly, that’s not to be missed. That said, there’s something else you definitely need to experience at this time as well… here’s what you need to know about the town’s lively, morning market!

Planning Your Trip
You will find this town market near Wat Phonxay Sanasongkham and close to Sisavangvong Road. It opens around 5:00 AM but winds down by 10:00 or 11:00 AM, so the earlier you go, the more you will see. Also, remember, you will need to pay for your purchases in cash.

Pro tip: Ensure you stay in Luang Prabang itself on your getaway in Laos. River cruise options on the Mekong become easy to enjoy too, with the likes of Mekong Kingdoms offering visits to attractions and sunset journeys to experience after your market visit.

What to Expect
As dawn paints the sky, the market bursts into life with stalls piled high with colourful produce and fresh ingredients. You will smell spices, hear vendors chatter, and of course, see locals bargaining like pros! Expect everything from fresh veggies and fruits to meats, Mekong River fish, dried seafood, forest mushrooms and traditional herbal remedies. Suffice it to say, it’s a beautiful, bustling snapshot of daily life.

Foodie Delights
Don’t eat breakfast before coming here because this market offers lots of culinary creations to savour. Pace yourself and try deep-fried mung bean coconut rice cakes, slurp a comforting bowl of khao soi, or tuck into Lao sausage and buffalo laab. Don’t miss khao piak sen (a delicious chicken noodle soup) and the many grilled treats… and yes, this includes grilled insects for brave foodies to sample!

Image by Vu Pham Minh from Pixabay

Local Crafts
While smaller than the night markets (including the main one held in the town), you will still find some lovely handmade treasures here, so spend time seeking them out. Look for carved wooden figurines, handwoven bags and fabrics, and delicate silver jewellery. Apart from being thoughtful souvenirs, by purchasing them, you can actually support local artisans and their traditional livelihoods.