Lao Textiles Tours and Activities
At Lao Textiles, American designer Carol Cassidy oversees 40 Lao artisans working to translate the nation’s rich weaving heritage into contemporary designs. Handcrafted using brocade, ikat, and tapestry techniques, products include wall hangings, scarves, shawls, pouches, and cushion covers. It’s also possible to tour the studio.
The Basics
There’s no charge to enter Lao Textiles, which makes a great shopping stop for unique, upmarket souvenirs, while the central location means most travelers won’t need transport or a guide. You may well find yourself stopping here on a curated, high-end Vientiane shopping tour, while private driver/guides will be happy to include a stop here on your itinerary and may be able to arrange a workshop tour in advance.
Things to Know Before You Go
How to Get There
Lao Textiles occupies an old colonial mansion in the heart of downtown Vientiane, about a mile southwest of Patuxai (Victory Monument) and a stone’s throw from Nam Phou Fountain. It’s an easy walk or short bicycle ride from many downtown attractions, although some travelers may wish to save time by exploring with a private driver/guide.
When to Get There
Lao Textiles is open in the mornings and the afternoons Monday to Friday, with a break for lunch in the middle of the day. It’s open on Saturday mornings only and closes on Sundays. The store and workshop are rarely busy, so visit at a time that suits you.
Carol Cassidy and Lao Textiles
Carol Cassidy’s textiles are held in such high regard that they’re in collections in Washington, New York, and beyond. Her custom silks grace the showrooms of luxury brands as far afield as Paris, London, and Milan. She studied under Alvar Aalto’s fabric designer and has been working in Laos, with Lao weavers, since 1989.
The Basics
There’s no charge to enter Lao Textiles, which makes a great shopping stop for unique, upmarket souvenirs, while the central location means most travelers won’t need transport or a guide. You may well find yourself stopping here on a curated, high-end Vientiane shopping tour, while private driver/guides will be happy to include a stop here on your itinerary and may be able to arrange a workshop tour in advance.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Lao Textiles is a must for anyone with an interest in fabrics or fashion.
- While inspired by traditional Lao designs, Carol Cassidy’s creations are contemporary and unique.
- Hand-woven silk is a specialty here and an excellent choice to take home.
- The showroom is on the second floor and not wheelchair-accessible.
How to Get There
Lao Textiles occupies an old colonial mansion in the heart of downtown Vientiane, about a mile southwest of Patuxai (Victory Monument) and a stone’s throw from Nam Phou Fountain. It’s an easy walk or short bicycle ride from many downtown attractions, although some travelers may wish to save time by exploring with a private driver/guide.
When to Get There
Lao Textiles is open in the mornings and the afternoons Monday to Friday, with a break for lunch in the middle of the day. It’s open on Saturday mornings only and closes on Sundays. The store and workshop are rarely busy, so visit at a time that suits you.
Carol Cassidy and Lao Textiles
Carol Cassidy’s textiles are held in such high regard that they’re in collections in Washington, New York, and beyond. Her custom silks grace the showrooms of luxury brands as far afield as Paris, London, and Milan. She studied under Alvar Aalto’s fabric designer and has been working in Laos, with Lao weavers, since 1989.
Address: Ban Mixay, Vientiane, Laos
1 Tours and Activities to Experience Lao Textiles
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Private Tour: Full-day Cycling The City Streets Vientiane with Buddha Park
Get picked up from your hotel and enjoy the quick ride to your starting point, where you can get fitted with a comfortable helmet and have your bike adjusted before coasting off into the city. Start your day at Wat Sisaket, whose age-old edifice and thousands of Buddha statues barely survived the Siamese War of 1828. Nearby, listen to your guide share stories about the significance of the Ho Prakeo temple, and then continue on to Pha That Luang.
Draped in gold, Pha That Luang has beckoned faithful followers to its sacred grounds since the 3rd century. Spend some time exploring Lao architectural features and find out how many times the stupa has been reconstructed as you chat with your private guide.
Tuck into a lunch at a locally loved restaurant, where you can enjoy a variety of Laotian specialties, catch a dye-making demonstration at a textile gallery, and then swing through one of the city's parks before you cruise back to your starting point and end you 2-wheeled adventure.
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From
$174.07
Price varies by group size
From
$174.07
Price varies by group size
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