Vientiane Authorities to Reorganize Night Market Ahead of ASEAN Summit

Source: Vientiane Times

Vientiane authorities plan to rearrange the stalls at the popular night market in Chao Anouvong Park, to make the area more attractive to tourists and to guests attending the Asean Summit to be held in the city next year when Laos chairs the 10-member regional bloc.

Deputy Head of the Industry and Commerce Department, Ministry of ​Industry and Commerce, Mr. Nanta Sanouvong, told reporters the move will improve the area while also upgrading shopping facilities.

The revamp will see a more orderly arrangement of stalls, more of which will sell Lao-made goods such as agricultural produce and handicrafts,​ he said.
The rearrangement involves about 70 stalls, which are located opposite Vat Chan temple.​

More craft items and souvenirs will be on sale, as well as items made under the One District, One Product scheme.

The stalls at the night market will be re-arranged so that they face the street instead of backing onto the street as at present, while other stalls will be sited depending on the type of goods they sell and the planned overall layout, Mr. Nanta said.​

Authorities and stallholders will work together to complete the changes by the end of this month. The night market will not be closed but shoppers may not be able to find stalls in the usual places, he added.

The night market is usually crowded with people buying clothing, electronic items, and snacks.

It is especially popular in the evenings when people gather to have a snack or drink and watch the sunset over the broad expanse of the Mekong.

The spacious promenade allows people to stroll, run, meet up with their friends, pose for photos, and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere away from the bustling city center and is a drawcard for both local residents and tourists.