Luang Prabang

Thai baht and US$ are widely accepted but the exchange rates vary. There are some ATMs accepting Visa, MasterCard, Maestro and Eurocards. These ATMs are situated mostly in Sisavangvong Rd just near the end of the Night Market. The ATMs dispense currency in Lao Kip and generally allow a maximum withdrawal of 1,000,000 kip with a charge of 20,000 kip. Multiple withdrawals are allowed to a daily maximum of 5,000,000 kip. If you arrive by plane, there is an ATM and a money changer at the airport which is open for a few hours of the day, so don't count on changing there. Also, their rates are significantly worse than the banks in town.

Money Changers/Exchange

For Malaysians, it is best to change money to baht, where the rate is RM 10 = 100 Baht or more, then change the baht to kip in laos. This is because they give not so good rates in laos for malaysian ringgit.

There are a number of money changers who generally do not offergood rates, and are located either on Sisavangvong Rd or in the permanent markets further East. One is next to the ATM near the Night Markets, another is about 50m further North along the street, located out the front of one of the first restaurants looks like a little tollbooth/shack. The rates offered may vary, so shop around before you change. Better maybe to stick with official money changing services at a bank which are easily found. There are reports of scam by using money changers to take cash advance. They will charge you more in USD with different exchange rate than written, even after complaining it's not possible to cancel the transaction.

The night market on Sisavangvong Road caters for tourists with every kind of souvenir you could want and closes at about 10 PM. Particularly good are the duvet covers, cushion covers and pillow sets. They can even make one up to the dimensions you require in one next day. It is well worth a look and the hawkers are very pleasant to deal with and amazingly non-pushy by the standard elsewhere in Asia. Traders range from young children to the elderly who usually made crafts, arts and goods by themselves. Good-natured bargaining is advisable but don't obsess over this and ruin your experience as well as giving the trader a bad day. It should be understood that the quality and design of goods is lower in the market than in the legions of increasingly chic stores in the town. There may be some souvenirs available made from endangered animals. Avoid buying rare pets, leather, ivory, talons, dried sea creatures starfish, etc., fur, feathers, teeth, wool and other products. This is the best place to buy lower end souvenirs and hone your bargaining skills.

Laotian asthetic sense is quite evolved in its own way. For instance check out some of the higher end stores: