Shopping Guide for Vientiane
This is a non-comprehensive list in progress...
It focuses on day to day living in Vientiane rather then souvenir shopping, and aimed at AYADs on a limited budget.
Willy’s Bicycle Shop:
This is the place in Vientiane to get quality imported bikes and parts.
Willy’s bike shop is on Dong Palang Road. To get to Willy's bike shop, if going along Dong Palang Rd from Lane Xang Avenue and away from town, go past about 3 blocks until you pass on your left: a small temple (Ban Fei), a curve in the road, and a shop with a pink pig sign saying 'Olla'. Willy's bike shop is on the left a few doors down from the pig sign shop. It's only a narrow shop - look out for the little triangular flags with 'Giant' on them. If you pass Dong Palane market on your right (stalls on dirt floor) then you have gone too far.
Willy’s mobile number is 020 561 2424. It is written on the awning at the front of his shop. I recommend calling before if you are making a special trip as he often just goes out for a bike ride or might take a long lunch. I found him very helpful.
It may take a couple of weeks to get helmets or lights in if he is out of stock. If you want a particular bike you can pick one off the web (e.g. from the Giant site) and he has been known to order them in. Tip: Specify the colour because if the only one left is a pink one, that’s what he’ll order in for you :)
This isn’t meant to be his online catalog but just to give you an idea, I dropped by once and the cheapest bike he carried/recommended was the Gary Fisher Advance model for US$320 which came in metallic orange 16" frame.
Other Bike Shops:
There are at least 3 easy to find bike shops around Talat Sao. They generally sell Thai and Chinese import bikes. Despite Willy’s shop, I was content to get around town with a cruddy grandma bike from Talat Sao for US$50. I think my bike should just make to the end of my one year assignment. I was tempted to get the Hello Kitty version but that cost $10 more.
Finding Long Term Accommodation in Vientiane:
Make use of the support you get from your program, but increase your options, especially if proximity to town is important for you, if you seek out other agents. There are a handful of real-estate agents around, advertised in the Vientiane Times newspaper. Here are some of their contact details:
Tou Tou +856 20 5100 408 or +856 20 5522142, TouTou2004 at hotmail.com
Oudalie +856 20 551 2502
Unique Lao Property (Allison) +856 20 241 9201
Often they will pick you up and drive you around to the property.
Also, you can learn to read ‘for rent’ in Lao (ເຊົ່າ - it’s only 4 characters) and broaden your options to an otherwise untapped pool or real-estate.
There are also bedsit-like arrangements where you can live with or close to a Laos family. This is a wonderful way to learn more about the Lao culture and language.
Small Indulgences:
Doritoes corn chips - from Si Meuang Minimart
Imported french cheeses - Scoubidou (opposite Si Meuang Minimart)
Freshly baked bread - Mon Petit Cochon - just before Wat Si Meuang (temple) going out of town
Chup-a-chups - Minimart next to Talat Sao (morning market)
Chinese doughnuts - stall on main corner of ‘Chinatown’ aka ‘Centrepoint’
The best home-made pasta sauce by Sotsai - from Si Meuang minimart freezer - comes in Bolognaise or Napoletana
Last Updated: 20070109