Dara Market — Local services in Luang Prabang

A relatively clean market with a variety of shops - mostly electronics, clothing, assorted junk, and a good pharmacy. It is an easy place to get SIM cards for the time you are in Lao. Some vendors are Chinese and some are Lao.

I would strictly avoid the shop immediately to the left as you enter the market through the western alley near TAEC - it sells backpacks and assorted items. The backpacks are horrible quality. One broke a zipper within hours of me purchasing it. When I brought it back, the owner began screaming at me when I politely suggested she exchange it for another, or give me a discount on replacing it. Others have had equally bad experiences.

There is a very good pharmacy on the south end of the market. Also, a number of the tailors will make quite nice custom Lao clothing at reasonable prices. Expect a small markup if you are a foreigner, but if you smile and chat, they will...

Avoid the Electronics Store at the Back of the Street in Laos.

I had an awful experience at an electronics store located at the back of the street in Laos. She sold me a low-speed charger without a box, claiming it was high-speed.

I bought a supposed 50-watt charger, only to find out it was actually 10 watts.(5V×2A) When I went back to exchange it, the staff, a woman, got angry, threw a new item at me, and made a rude gesture to throw me out. Initially, she seemed friendly, but her true colors showed when I tried to address the issue.

For those unaware, wattage (W) is voltage (V) times current (A). It was shocking that an electronics store employee didn't understand this basic calculation. It felt like a deliberate attempt to offload unsold inventory.

I hope no one else has to endure such a frustrating experience. Please,...

Not interesting (nor picturesque) at all for tourists, and not very good shopping destination for local residents neither. Its only useful aspect are the parking spaces inside, that are very convenient in crowded Luang Prabang city center. Apart from that noticable feature, it is mostly chinese hardware and tool stores, mobile phone shops...there is still a lao antique shop that is worth checking, as well as a few lao silk dress retailers. But that's about it. Everybody goes to Phosy...