Newsletters
Welcome to Vientiane
Chosen as the capital after Laos was established as a French protectorate in the late 19th century, Vientiane, pronounced "Wieng Chan" ("Sandalwood City"), is still the capital of Laos today. Situated on a bend in the Mekong River, Vientiane is the country's hub for travel to the rest of the country and an important junction for trade.
If you really want to experience Vientiane though, why not Stay Another Day (or two) and visit some of the following organisations that will not only enhance your stay, but will also help the local destination.
Laha Sinh
For centuries, the Pouthai women of Savannakhet Province in southern Laos have woven fabrics using natural dyes and fibers from their surrounding environment. Phouthai people, who live along the Xepon River, are now famous for the quality of their hand woven, organically-grown, indigo-coloured cotton fabric. Through the work of the Lahasinh Company, these beautiful textiles are now being marketed to the world under the Laha label.
Peuan Mit Street Children Project
Peuan Mit meaning ‘close friend' works with street children, their families and communities in Vientiane Province. Our objectives are to reintegrate street children back into Lao society and to prevent others from becoming street children. Run by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, in cooperation with the NGO Friends-International, it is currently the only project working with street children in Lao PDR. It works with up to 1,000 street and at risk children per month.
Tam Lay Lao
Tam Lay Lao is a self financed Laotian Textile Company. Our Vientiane workshops develop 100% silk and cotton products, mixing traditional expertise and creativity with special attention brought to the finish. Created in 2004, Tam Lay Lao was formerly an association based in Luang Prabang.
Caruso Lao
The timeless skills of Caruso Lao's carvers, turners, silversmiths and weavers transform the natural treasures of Laos into exquisite, handcrafted furnishings and fashion accessories with an international aesthetic. Every piece in this sumptuous, high quality collection of Lao silk brocades and ikats, wood and silver is an individual work of art created by Lao artisans and many took months to complete.
Big Brother Mouse
Big Brother Mouse is a new project that publishes books that make it fun and easy to learn to read. Today, few books are available in Laos, and they rarely reach the villages where most people live. Most children, especially in the countryside, have never read a book except for a few school textbooks, and some have not even read those. Few Lao people think that reading could be enjoyable, add to their knowledge, or improve their quality of life.
Les Artisans Lao
Les Artisans Lao provides apprenticeships in the production of original handicrafts made from recycled wood or non-timber forest products such as coconut and bamboo. Our goals are to promote contemporary handicraft design using materials and technologies appropriate for the local context and promote recycling and use of renewable materials.
Kopnoi
Kōpnoï, taken from the Lao language, means ‘little frog', a universal symbol for balance in the environment. It is also the name of our Export Promotion Center, a beautiful boutique-gallery, located in the village of Ban Aphay in Luang Prabang, near L'Etranger, Books & Tea. Our mission is to promote the best that Laos has to offer, both locally and internationally.
Lao Magic Carpets
Carpet making is one of the oldest known crafts. Its roots lie in the heart of Central Asia where it developed and flourished before reaching its peak in quality in the 16th and 17th centuries. Magic Lao Carpets was set-up to introduce carpet weaving to Laos, where there is an established tradition of weaving intricate textiles. Through the skilful hands of local weavers and the use of local silk, the ancient craft of carpet weaving is taking a new direction in Laos.
Camacrafts
CAMACRAFTS is a non-profit, self-help project which markets handicrafts made by Lao artisans. We strive to provide a sustainable method of income for village women that would otherwise be unavailable. Our products are entirely handmade using traditional patterns and techniques, which helps preserve the traditional needlework skills of Hmong and Lao women such as appliqué, cross stitch, embroidery and batik.
Mulberries
Mulberries is a not-for-profit company that seeks to create income generating opportunities for Lao people in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Our company, in partnership with over 200 village families, specializes in the production of naturally-dyed, handmade Lao silk. We foster traditional silkworm rearing, reeling, weaving, and natural dyeing in villages, while providing training, tools and a market for sale and distribution.
LDWDC
The Lao Disabled Women's Development Center was established in 2002 to provide disabled women in Laos with the support, knowledge and skills they need to be self-sufficient, productive members of the community. Located 20kms from Vientiane, past the Friendship Bridge on the way to Buddha Park, we are one of the few vocational training centers that welcome young women with a disability. Before our Center was established no training institution in Laos considered the specific needs of disabled women.