Mekong Riverside Night Market
ຕະຫຼາດກາງຄືນ · ตลาดกลางคืนเวียงจันทน์ · Vientiane Night Market
The Vientiane Night Market (ຕະຫຼາດກາງຄືນ) is a long open-air market that springs up each evening along the Mekong promenade in front of Chao Anouvong Park. It is the city's favourite spot for a sunset walk, street food and affordable shopping.
Stalls typically open around 18:00 and trade until about 22:00. Arrive between 17:30 and 18:30 to catch the Mekong sunset, or later for the full night-time buzz.
The market runs along the Mekong riverfront near Chao Anouvong Park, in the heart of the city and about 1.2 km west of Talat Sao. It is flat, pedestrian-friendly and easy to reach on foot.
The night market specialises in printed clothing, T-shirts, silk scarves, knock-off sportswear, handmade jewellery, lamp shades and souvenirs — almost all at bargaining prices.
Food stalls and nearby restaurants serve grilled chicken (ping kai), papaya salad (tam mak hoong), Lao sausage, noodles and fresh fruit shakes at low prices — a relaxed, social dinner by the river.
Look for naga-themed keyrings, lanterns, woven placemats, silver trinkets and small Buddha images; most are light and easy to carry home.
The night market is one long north–south strip along the promenade. The southern end near Chao Anouvong Park is busiest, with clothing and souvenir stalls; the middle spans jewellery, lamps and gifts; the northern end eases into food stalls and open seating. The sit-down restaurants and river bars sit just behind the stalls, so 'market food' and 'restaurant dinner' are different zones — step off the promenade to choose between them.
Rows of stalls sell colourful printed dresses, elephant-print trousers, silk mixes and lightweight tops. Sizes and quality vary, so check seams and try things on where possible.
The dry season (November–March) has the most comfortable evenings. For photos, aim for 17:30–18:30 when the sky turns gold and blue over the Mekong; for atmosphere, come after 19:00.
For the Mekong sunset, walk to the open promenade in front of Chao Anouvong Park and face west across the water — the railings and the small pier are the most popular photo points. Arrive by 17:30 in the dry season to claim a spot before the light turns gold.
Almost everything is negotiable — start around 60–70% of the first price and settle with a smile. Fixed-price restaurants and a few branded stalls are the exception. Carry Lao kip in small notes.
Walk from Talat Sao in about 15 minutes, or take a tuk-tuk / Loca ride to the riverfront. Parking is limited, so walking or ride-hailing is easiest in the evening.
The market winds down around 22:00. Tuk-tuks and Loca ride-hailing cars wait along the promenade and on the streets just behind it; fares rise a little after dark and can surge when the stalls close, so agree a price or check the app estimate before you board. If you are staying in the city centre, the roughly 1.2 km walk back is safe and well lit.
The Night Market is an evening, open-air riverside market built around food and atmosphere; Talat Sao is a daytime market built around shopping for goods. Pair them: shop in the morning, stroll the river at night.
Chao Anouvong Park, the riverside promenade, the nightly fountain show area, and a short walk to the city centre and Wat Chan. The morning market is only 1.2 km away for next-day shopping.
Tuk-tuk: The most popular way to get around Vientiane. Always agree on the price before boarding.
Loca: A convenient and safe ride-hailing app in Laos.
Walking: Just a 15-minute walk from Talat Sao to the Night Market.
Wattay International Airport (VTE) is about 3–4 km from the city centre and ~6 km from Talat Sao — roughly a 15–25 min drive. Common ways to get there:
Airport taxi / private car: official taxi desks outside the terminal; a direct trip to the Morning or Night Market costs about 80,000–120,000 LAK (~US$4–6). Agree on the price first.
Loca ride-hailing: book a Loca ride at the airport — transparent pricing, can link a foreign card; the best value option.
Airport bus / shuttle: cheapest, but limited frequency and requires transfers; best for light backpackers without much luggage.
Tip: there is no metro or rail at the airport. After arrival, change money or withdraw LAK so you can pay fares and shop at the markets.
Ratings are a snapshot from Google Maps and may change — verify before you go.
Stalls usually open around 18:00 and run to about 22:00, with the best sunset light between 17:30 and 18:30.
Yes — most items are negotiable. Offer roughly 60–70% of the first price and settle politely; only a few branded or food stalls are fixed-price.
It is about a 15-minute walk west along the riverfront, or a short tuk-tuk / Loca ride. Walking is the easiest way to enjoy the evening.